JP2001109591A - Printer, printing method, print system with printers, and recording medium where plural-printer selecting and transferring processing program is recorded - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To guarantee the execution of a task on the whole system by selecting another printer which is ready and transferring data even if a printer having received a print command can not print immediately. SOLUTION: At least one print data supply source (2, 6), printers (10), and a network (3) which connects them together are provided and when a print command is sent from the print data supply source to a specific printer (10a) through the network, the specific printer decides (20) its current state; if the specific printer is unable to perform the printing processing, another optimum printer (10n) in the best state for the printing of the print data at this time is selected (12) by specific algorithm, the print data addressed to itself are transferred (13) to the best state printer and the best state printer (10n) performs the printing processing immediately according to the print command.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing system having a plurality of printers in which a host device and a plurality of printers are connected to a network, for example. When there is a situation where printing cannot be performed or when there is a printer that is more suitable than the self printer, other printers that can process immediately or that are more suitable than the self printer are quickly judged and printed with a print command for the optimum printer. The present invention relates to a printer and a printing system for transferring data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, personal computers (hereinafter, referred to as personal computers).
With the development of various electronic devices (hereinafter, referred to as host devices) such as a personal computer or a personal computer (PC) and a word processor, demand for a printer as an output device is expanding, and attempts are being made to improve the performance of the printer. For example, via a network such as Ethernet, P
A printing system called a multi-printer system or a network printer system connecting C or a plurality of printers has also been constructed.

[0003] Considering such a printing system with a focus on a printer, although a plurality of printers are connected to a network, the printer is in a passive position with respect to the host device, and the host device does not print. The print data accompanied by the command is output to any printer via a network, and the printer receiving the print command executes the print process.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a conventional printing system using a plurality of printers. This printing system is called, for example, JINI. 12, a printing system 1 receives a network bus 2 such as an Ethernet, a host device 2 such as a PC connected to the network bus 2, and print data accompanied by a print command output from the host device 2. (E.g., n) first to n-th printers 4a to 4n that execute print processing, and print data output from the host device 2 are received together with a print command to receive the first to n-th printers 4a to 4n. To 4n, a printer server 5 for selecting a printer most suitable for printing at that time and causing the printer to execute printing.

In the conventional printing system shown in FIG. 12, a host device 2 includes first to n-th printers 4a to 4a.
n can be executed by designating any one of them.
May be issued to execute printing. Upon receiving the print execution instruction, the server 5 selects one of the first to n-th printers 4a to 4n and outputs the print data.

[0006]

As described above, in a conventional printing system having a plurality of printers, although a plurality of printers are connected on a network,
It interprets the print command sent from the host device such as a personal computer along with print data containing images and characters, and prints the images and characters in the printer based only on the designation of the host device. I was Further, even when print data is once sent from the host device to the server via the network and the server interprets the print command, the printer that has received the print data via the server sends the print data. It interprets data and develops it into bitmap data or intermediate data to passively execute only print processing.

Therefore, although a printing system has a plurality of printers, each printer only receives the supply of print data from the host device unilaterally, and interprets a print command added to the print data to perform printing. Is a passive printer that executes printing, for example, if the printer specified to execute printing is executing another print command based on a command from another host device, or if paper is In a case where the printing is not possible or a paper jam has occurred and the printing is not possible immediately, there has been a problem that the printing process is stalled or printing cannot be performed until the user notices.

Further, in the description of FIG. 12, a general example in which a PC is applied as the host device 2 has been described. However, due to the dramatic progress of digital image technology in recent years, a host device which outputs a print command to a printer has been described. For example, a digital still camera or a digital movie camera may be considered. When the host device is a PC, it is possible to input a detailed print command according to the print command screen,
In such a new host device, it may not be possible to input a fine print command at the same level as that of the PC, and the printer side actively interprets print data accompanied by an output command output from the host device, and There is an increasing demand for enabling immediate printing regardless of whether a printer is used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to stop printing by a specific printer which has received a print command and immediately transfer the print data to another printer capable of immediate printing when the printer is in a state where printing cannot be performed immediately. Printer that enables active printing as viewed from the printer side, and enables flexible printing even when the host device is not a PC, a multiple printer printing method, a printing system having multiple printers, and multiple printer selection It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording medium on which a transfer processing program is recorded.

[0010]

To achieve the above object, a printer according to a first basic configuration of the present invention is connected to at least one print data supply source and at least one other printer via a network. The print command issued from the print data supply source via the network is determined, and when it is determined that the print command cannot be processed, the printing at that time is not performed. Another printer in an optimal state for data printing is selected as the optimal state printer, and the print data output from the print data supply source is transferred to the selected optimal state printer to execute a printing process. It is characterized by having

According to the printer of the first basic configuration, for example, when print data is sent from a host device such as a PC or a digital camera to the printer, a trouble occurs in the printer, or the printer is in a busy state. Or if there is a printer or the like that is optimal for the print data job sent from that printer, the printer compares the status of other printers and selects the optimal printer, and selects Then, a print job addressed to the self printer is transferred to the optimum printer and printed by the optimum printer. Therefore, it is possible to provide a process that satisfies both the required time and the work quality when viewed from the user side in cooperation with other printers.

In the printer according to the first basic configuration, when the printer receives the print command input along with the print data output from the host device as the print data supply source, it determines whether its own state is ready for immediate printing. Self-state judging means for judging whether or not the printer is in an optimum state for printing at the time when the self-state judging means judges that it is not ready for immediate printing as the optimum state printer And a transfer unit that transfers the print data accompanied by the print command sent to the printer in the optimum state selected by the selection unit.

As described above, by providing the specific configuration of the self-state discriminating means, the selecting means, the transferring means and the like in terms of hardware or software, the processing when the print data is supplied from the outside is reliably performed. be able to. The determined self status includes physical failures such as paper jam, running out of ink, running out of toner, etc., compatibility with a job in which the color of the loaded paper or printing ink is different from the specified one, printing definition and unit time. Various things such as the performance of the printer, such as the number of processed sheets, can be considered. Such a printer compares its own state, such as physical circumstances and performance, which the printer has at that time with a print data command, and determines whether or not its own state can be printed immediately. In this way, by judging its own status, selecting the optimum printer, and transferring the job addressed to itself, the print data sent from the host device is the fastest and most suitable printer without delay. Can be completed.

In the above arrangement, the self-state judging means includes a judging section for judging the self-state, a self-state notifying section for outputting the judgment result of the judging section to another printer via the network, and And a printer status storage unit for storing the status of another printer sent from the printer self status notification unit. With this configuration, this printer stores the status of another printer sent from another printer in the other printer status storage unit, so that print data is sent from the host device to its own printer. In this case, the optimum printer can be determined and selected based on the latest information on the status of other printers, and the time required for the determination operation and the selection operation can be reduced.

In the above arrangement, the self-state judging means includes a judging section for judging the self-state, and a state of another printer sent from another printer via the network together with the judgment result of the judging section. And a table for collectively storing the performances of all the printers connected to the network. With this configuration, it is possible to determine the optimum printer by comparing and examining the performance of all printers that are connected when print data is sent to this printer and are capable of transferring print data. The operation can be speeded up. Further, the data relating to the performance of all printers stored in the table may be updated at regular intervals, or the table of another printer may be rewritten each time data relating to a certain performance is changed.

Also, the printer according to the first basic configuration and the added configuration interprets print data input for performing print processing when it determines that the printer is the most suitable printer for printing. An interpreting unit that expands the print data interpreted as described above into bitmap data or intermediate data, an image memory that stores the expanded data, and a printing mechanism that executes printing may be provided.
These configurations are provided in a normal printer, but after an optimal printer for processing print data sent to the printer is selected, printing is performed using these components. A print job can be created by executing a job.

The print data used in the printer according to the first basic configuration and the additional configuration is still image compression data created in the JPEG format. May be written and supplied as the information of the header part in. The JPEG format data uses a common command so that a predetermined print task can be executed even when the same print command is output to printers of different manufacturers. Even if the model of the printer connected to the network is different, it is possible to respond quickly.

Next, in a printing method according to a second basic configuration of the present invention, in a method in which at least one print data supply source and a plurality of printers are connected via a network, the print data supply source is connected via the network. Sending a print command to a specific printer;
When the specific printer receives the print command via the network, determining whether the status of the printer is a status capable of processing the print task;
When the specific printer determines that its own state is not a processable state, it determines the state of the other printers connected to the network, and the optimal state printer which is in an optimal state for printing at that time. And transferring the print command output from the print data supply source to the printer to the optimum printer selected by the printer. Receiving the print command transferred from the printer and executing a print process based on the print command from the print data supply source.

According to the printing method of the second basic configuration, in each step, when the specific printer cannot immediately execute the print data sent from the print data supply source to the specific printer, If it is determined from the analysis that there is a printer having the best performance than the printer, the print data is transferred from the specific printer to the printer in the optimum state so as to execute its own job instead. Become.
Thus, even if the printer to which the print data is first supplied from the supply source is not the optimum printer, each of the printers connected to the network actively functions to print one print job as a whole as an optimum print job. It can be processed by a method.

According to the printing method of the second basic configuration, each of the plurality of printers includes a self-state judging unit, a selecting unit, and a transferring unit, and the self-state judging unit includes Upon receiving the print command input along with the print data output by the host device as a print data supply source, the host device determines whether or not its own state is an immediate printable state, and the selecting unit is not in the immediate printable state. When it is determined that the printer is in the optimum state for printing at that time according to a predetermined algorithm, the other printer on the network is selected as the optimum state printer, and the transfer means selects the optimum state printer selected by the selection means. The print data accompanied by the print command sent to itself may be transferred.

With this configuration, in this printing method, the processing of each step of the printing method according to the second basic configuration is performed by the self-state determining means, the selecting means, and the transferring means provided in each printer. become. Thus, by providing a plurality of printers having the same configuration and connecting them to a network, the printing method according to the second basic configuration can be easily performed.

In the printing method according to the second basic configuration, the step of determining the self-state includes a sub-step of determining the self-state and a result of the determination of the sub-step is transmitted to another printer via the network. And a sub-step of storing the status of the printer sent from another printer. By providing a configuration in which each printer notifies its own status to the other printers, the printing method according to the second basic configuration functions more smoothly, and actively determines between a plurality of printers. Jobs can be shared, and printing can be processed more quickly by the optimum printer.

In the printing method according to the second basic configuration, the step of judging the self-state includes a sub-step of judging the self-state and a judgment result of this sub-step sent from another printer via the network. A sub-step of collectively storing in a table the status of other printers and the performance of all printers connected to the network. By providing such sub-steps, information on the status of other printers connected to the network is stored in the table of each printer, and stored in the table based on print data sent from the host device. It is possible to easily perform the process of the step of determining the self-state using the information that has been performed.

Each of the plurality of printers used in the printing method according to the second basic configuration includes an interpreting unit, an image memory, and a printing mechanism, and determines that it is the most suitable printer for printing. Interpreting the input print data by the interpreter, and expanding the interpreted print data into bitmap data or intermediate data, and storing the expanded data in the image memory. And printing by the printing mechanism based on the stored data. As a result, the print processing steps after the selection of the optimum printer are performed in the same manner as the feather processing steps performed using a normal printer, and the printers actively exchange job execution. Except for the above, processing that is the same as a normal printing method can be performed.

Like the printer according to the first basic configuration,
Also in the printing method according to the second basic configuration, the print data is still image compressed data created in a JPEG format, and the print command is written as information of a header portion in the still image compressed data and the identification is performed. Output may be made to a printer or an individual printer. With such a configuration, printing can be performed using commands that can be used in common even in different models, so that there is no need to prepare new commands, and versatility regarding print data sharing can be secured. Will be able to

A printing system according to a third basic configuration of the present invention comprises at least one print data supply source, a plurality of printers, and a network that connects the print data supply sources and the printers collectively. In a printer having a plurality of printers, when a print command is issued from the print data supply source to the specific printer via the network, the specific printer that has received the print command has its own state at that time. When the printer cannot process the print, the printer selects another optimal state printer which is in an optimal state for printing the print data at that time, and sends the print data to the self-printed printer. The output print data is transferred to the optimum printer selected by itself, and the transferred print data is received. The optimum condition printers Tsu is characterized by executing the printing processing based on the print instruction from the print data supply source.

With this configuration, each of the plurality of printers included in the printing system can be used as an active printer. For a user, no matter which printer is designated to send out print data, The system can determine the most suitable printer, transfer the print data and process it, and the print system as a whole can process the print job at the fastest and optimal speed.
A system that is easy for the user to use can be provided.

The recording medium according to the fourth basic configuration of the present invention, in which a plurality of printer selection transfer processing programs are recorded, includes at least one print data supply source, a plurality of printers, and the host device and the printer. Connecting the print data supply source to the specific printer via the network on a recording medium executed in a printing system having a plurality of printers, the network comprising: A procedure for causing the specific printer to determine whether or not its own state is capable of processing the print when the print command is received via the network; and If it is determined that the status is not possible, the status of other printers connected to the network And selecting the optimum state printer which is in the optimum state for printing at that time, and the optimum state printer in which the specific printer has selected the print command output from the host device to itself. Transferring to the optimal state printer,
Receiving the print command transmitted from the specific printer and executing a print process based on the print command from the host device.

According to the recording medium storing the plural printer selective transfer processing program according to the fourth basic configuration, a floppy disk (FD), a read-only memory compact disk (CD-ROM), and a read-only memory (Read)
Only Memory-ROM-) A program for selecting and transferring multiple printers is recorded on a recording medium such as a chip, installed in an existing printer, and the printer is operated. It can be operated as an active printer defined in the invention.

The most preferable method for implementing this recording medium for a printer is to change a program for operating the printer by replacing a ROM chip.
Is loaded and driven to read a plurality of printer selection transfer processing program, and an EEPROM mounted on the printer side.
(Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only
Memory) and EPROM (Erasable and Programmable Re
ad Only Memory) may be rewritten. As described above, a printer that is already in use with another printing program installed therein can be changed to the printing program according to the present invention and used.

[0031]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a printer according to the present invention, a printing system having a plurality of printers, a printing method in the system, and a recording medium storing a plurality of printer selective transfer processing programs will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This will be described in detail.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system for a plurality of printers according to a first embodiment of the present invention as a basic concept of the present invention. In FIG.
A printing system for a plurality of printers includes host devices 2 and 6 such as PCs and digital cameras as print data supply sources.
And a network bus 3 such as an Ethernet, for example, and first to n-th (n) printers 10. Each printer 10 determines whether or not its own printer can immediately print when a print data accompanied by a print command received by the transmitter / receiver 11 is input, including a transmission / reception interface and a reception buffer. Determining means 20, a selecting means 12 for selecting an optimum printer capable of immediate printing in a printing system according to a predetermined algorithm when the determining means 20 determines that its own printer is not capable of immediate printing, and a selecting means Transfer means 13 for transferring print data to the optimum printer that can be printed when the optimum printer is selected.

The printer 10 has a configuration for executing printing, similarly to a normal printer. That is, when the determination means 20 determines that the print data sent from the host device 2 or 6 can be immediately printed by its own printer, the print data is interpreted and bitmap data or intermediate data is interpreted. An image memory 15 for storing print data expanded by the interpreter 14,
A printer engine 16 that executes printing based on print data output from the image memory 15 is provided.

The operation of the printing system for a plurality of printers according to the first embodiment having the above configuration will be described. When the host device 2 such as a PC prints data using the printing system, the data to be printed is transmitted by designating any one of the first printer 10a to the n-th printer 10n. The specific printer that has received the print data by designating the execution of the print receives the print data via the transmission / reception unit 11 and sends the print data to the determination unit 20, and the determination unit 20 receives the print data and receives the print data, for example, header information or the like. After interpreting the print command written in, and confirming that the task has been sent with its own designated, it is determined whether or not its own state is ready for immediate printing.

If the result of the determination is that the printer itself is not ready for immediate printing, a notification is issued to the selection means 12 and the printer which is optimal for immediate printing among the printers connected and operable to the printing system is selected. Selected. When the optimum printer is selected by the selection unit 12, the print data determined to be unexecutable by the printer itself is output to the network bus 3 again by the transfer unit 13 via the transmission / reception unit 11, and is output by the selection unit 12. Supplied to another printer selected as the optimum printer.

As described above, in a printing system in which a plurality of printers are connected on a network, even if one of the printers cannot be printed immediately, its own print job is transferred to another printer. By
The printing process can be performed quickly without delay. In the host device 6 such as a digital camera, even if it is set so that direct printing can be performed based on a request for compactness of the device or the like, printing is performed by designating only a specific printer. May be configured. In such a case, the printing system according to the first embodiment is applied once even when printing cannot be performed immediately due to a trouble such as a paper jam occurring in the specified specified printer. Since the print data output to the printer of the present invention selects the optimum printer based on its own judgment and transfers the data as an action of the printer itself, the host device 6 has a high print instruction capability like the host device 2 such as a PC. However, there is also an effect that printing can be executed quickly without any trouble.

Further, even in the case where a high-performance host device such as a PC is used, a user who is not good at changing the designation of the printer may not be satisfied with the state of the printer frequently used. Even if you do not change the printer specification, even if you specify the same printer as normal and order printing, the printer that receives the print data determines its own status and prints to the optimal printer Since the data is transferred, an easy-to-use printing system can be provided. The most basic example of the printing system according to the first embodiment has been described above.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a printing system for a plurality of printers according to a second embodiment having a more specific configuration than the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system having a plurality of printers according to the second embodiment. This second
The printing system according to the embodiment describes the configuration of the determination unit 20 in the printing system of the first embodiment in more detail. In the first embodiment, only the determination unit 20 determines whether the supplied print data can be immediately printed or not, but in the second embodiment, the determination unit 2
0 is provided with a configuration for holding the status of another printer, and a configuration for notifying other printers of its own status.

That is, in FIG.
Sends the host device 2 to the printer via the transmission / reception unit 11.
Or a determination unit 21 that determines whether or not its own printer can immediately print when print data is sent from 6;
The other printer status storage unit 22 that receives and stores the status of another printer via the transmission / reception unit 11 and supplies the status of the other printer to the determination unit, and the determination unit 21 can immediately print with its own printer. The self-state notification unit 2 issues a notification that printing is possible when it is determined that the printing is not possible, and issues a notification that printing is impossible immediately when it is determined that the printing cannot be performed immediately.
3 is provided. Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIG.
Since the printing system is substantially the same as the printing system according to the embodiment, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

The operation of the printing system according to the second embodiment having the above configuration will be described. When print data is sent from any of the host devices 2 or 6 via the transmission / reception unit 11, the determination unit 21 of the determination unit 20 determines whether or not the printer can immediately perform print processing.
If the determination unit 21 determines that the print data can be processed immediately, the print data is interpreted by the interpretation unit 1 to perform a normal print processing routine.
4, the interpretation unit 14 develops the data into bitmap data or intermediate data, stores the data in the image memory 15, and performs printing by the engine 16.

If the judgment unit 21 judges that printing cannot be performed immediately by its own printer, the status of the other printer stored in the other printer status storage unit 22 is judged.
1 is supplied and supplied to the selection means 12. Selection means 2
2 selects an optimum printer to which print data which cannot be processed by itself at that time should be transferred based on the status of the other printer and the print data sent from the determination means 20. When the optimum printer to be transferred is selected, the print data is sent to the transfer means 13, and the print data is transferred to the optimum printer by specifying the transfer destination optimum printer.

The self status notifying section 23 of the discriminating means 21 simultaneously informs all printers connected to the network 3 via the transmitting / receiving section 11 and the network 3 that the printer is in a state where printing cannot be performed immediately at that time. Notify the printer. Since such information circulation is performed for all printers, even if a print command is issued to any printer from the host device 2 or 6 side, a printing task is performed due to a trouble occurring in any printer. Can be avoided, and the user can be given the impression that quick print processing is possible for the entire printing system.

As an effect peculiar to the printing system of the second embodiment, the discriminating means 20 is used by the other printer status storage unit 2.
2 and a self status notifying section 23, and the self status is always notified to other printers and stored in the other printer status storage section 22 in other printers. In the printer, the determination is made based on substantially the same determination result, and a systematic print processing operation can be performed quickly.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a multiple printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention having a more specific configuration than the first embodiment and having a configuration different from that of the second embodiment will be described. Will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system having a plurality of printers according to the third embodiment. In the printing system according to the third embodiment, the configuration of the determination unit 20 in the printing system of the first embodiment will be described in detail with a configuration different from that of the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, only the determination of whether the supplied print data can be immediately printed by the determination unit 20 has been described, but in the third embodiment, the determination unit 25 includes the status of another printer in the determination unit 25. A configuration is provided in which the state of the printer is held by a table.

That is, in FIG.
Sends the host device 2 to the printer via the transmission / reception unit 11.
Or a determination unit 21 that determines whether or not its own printer can immediately print when print data is sent from 6;
A lookup table 26 that receives and stores the status of another printer via the transmission / reception unit 11 and supplies the status of the other printer to the determination unit. Other configurations are substantially the same as those of the printing system according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and therefore, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

The operation of the printing system according to the second embodiment having the above configuration will be described. When print data is sent from any of the host devices 2 or 6 via the transmission / reception unit 11, the determination unit 21 of the determination unit 25 determines whether or not the printer can immediately perform print processing.
If the determination unit 21 determines that the print data can be processed immediately, the print data is interpreted by the interpretation unit 1 to perform a normal print processing routine.
4, the interpretation unit 14 develops the data into bitmap data or intermediate data, stores the data in the image memory 15, and performs printing by the engine 16.

If the judgment unit 21 judges that printing cannot be performed immediately by its own printer, the judgment unit 21 fetches the status of another printer stored in the look-up table 26, and 12 The selecting unit 22 selects the optimum printer to which the print data which cannot be processed at that time should be transferred based on the status of the other printer and the print data sent from the determining unit 20. When the optimum printer to be transferred is selected, the print data is sent to the transfer means 13, and the print data is transferred to the optimum printer by specifying the transfer destination optimum printer.

When the lookup table 26 of another printer detects that the print data transmitted from the host device 2 or 6 to the specific printer has been transferred to the other printer without being able to print immediately, the immediate printing is performed. It is configured to rewrite the table of the printer that failed. With such a configuration, the lookup table 26 of the determination means 25 of all printers is updated to the latest data regardless of the printer to which the next print command is sent. it can. In this manner, the information of the printer is provided to all the printers in a circular manner, so that even if the host device 2 or 6 issues a print command to any printer, the same as in the second embodiment is performed. Thus, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the execution of the printing task is delayed due to a trouble occurring in any of the printers, and it is possible to give an impression to the user that the printing system as a whole can perform quick printing processing.

As an effect peculiar to the printing system of the third embodiment, the discriminating means 25 is provided with a look-up table 26 for storing the status of another printer. As in the second embodiment, the most suitable printer at that time is determined based on substantially the same determination result in any printer, and the systematic print processing operation can be performed quickly. Can be performed.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, in the printing system having a plurality of printers according to the first to third embodiments, a host device 2 or 6 such as a PC or a digital camera is provided as a print data supply source. Although the case where the print data supplied to a specific printer cannot be processed immediately is described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and the print data supply source may be the print data supply source according to the fourth embodiment. A PC card inserted into a printer as in a system may be used.

FIGS. 4 to 6 illustrate a printing system according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the printing system. In FIG. 4, the printer A and the printer B have the same configuration, and perform arithmetic processing according to a predetermined algorithm, an Ethernet interface (I / O) controller 11 connected to the network bus 3 such as Ethernet, and the like. A central processing unit (CPU) 46 for performing;
A read-only memory (ROM) 47 and a random access memory (RAM-Random Access Memory-) 48 are provided, and various controllers including the I / F controller 11 are connected to the system bus 45. These controllers are a PC card controller 49, an engine controller 51, a panel controller 52, an LCD controller 54, and the like.
Card slot 50, printer engine 16, display panel 53, liquid crystal display (LCD-Liquid Crystal D)
isplay-) 55 and the like are connected.

The operation of the printing system according to the fourth embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows two printers A and B connected to the network bus 3 in the hardware configuration shown in FIG.
Shows a printer switching flow when one picture is printed by an optimum printer from a PC card connected to the printer A and inserted into the printer A. The PC card stores image data recorded in the JPEG format. Has been recorded. The printer A is set to “72”
The printer B can print up to 0 × 720 ”dpi, and the printer B is“ 1440 × 720 ”dpi with a paper size of A3.
An operation in which a printer capable of printing up to i and image data read from a PC card in the PC card slot 50 is printed in cooperation with two printers A and B will be described.

First, the printer A reads various information on the printer B in step S1, and this information includes the status (state) such as idle, printing, no paper, paper jam, out of ink, etc., print density, color, and the like. Printing capabilities such as number, color depth, halftone type, paper settings, throughput,
It includes various things such as a hardware configuration such as a free space of a memory. When printing is performed using different types of printers A and B, it is determined which one of the printers should share the information based on the information, and thus the information of the cooperating partner is read first.

Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the printer B can print. If the printer B is usable, the process proceeds to step S3. If the printer B is not in a printable condition, the process proceeds to step S4. Then, printing is performed within the range of the performance using the printer A. If it is determined in step S2 that the printer B is also capable of printing, it is determined in step S3 whether or not the printer B has an empty area for storing the JPEG file. The printing is performed by the printer A as it is.

If it is determined in step S3 that there is an empty area for storing data in the printer B, it is determined in step S5 whether or not the print size is equal to or smaller than A4 paper. If it is determined that the print density is equal to or less than A4, the process proceeds to step S6, and it is determined whether the print density is equal to or less than "720 × 720" dpi. In step S6, the print density is “720 ×
720 "dpi or less,
In step S4, printing is performed using the printer A. If it is determined that the print density is not lower than "720 × 720" dpi, JPEG data is read from the PC card in step S8, and the process proceeds to step S9. Then, the print command information such as the JPEG data, the print mode, and the number of prints is attached to the printer B and transferred, and the printer B executes printing.

Next, in the printing system having the configuration of FIG. 4, the printers A and B are the same type of printer, but the printer A is loaded with plain paper and the printer B is loaded with special paper. Will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, steps S1 to S4
Is the same as that of FIG. 4, but after it is determined that there is free space in the printer B for storing JPEG data,
In step S7, it is determined whether the designated sheet is the same as the setting of the sheet loaded in the printer B.
In step S7, if the paper settings are different, the process proceeds to step S4 because the printer A must print as it is, but if the paper settings are the same as those of the printer B, as in the flowchart of FIG. The process proceeds from step S8 to step S9, where printing by the printer B is started.

As described above, the printing system according to the present invention is used only when print data is supplied from a host device to a specific printer as in the first to third embodiments and the printer cannot immediately perform printing. Rather than being applied, the present invention can be applied even when the type of loaded paper, the size of the paper, the print density, and the like do not match the designated ones as in the fourth embodiment. is there. In short, when print data is supplied to a specific printer, if the status of the printer is different from the setting of the print data, the printer itself determines and can perform the desired printing by itself, but performs other processing by itself. When the printer is likely to perform the desired printing, any modification can be made as long as the printing data can be transferred to another printer and the desired printing can be performed.

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, as a detailed configuration of a printing system having a plurality of printers according to a third embodiment using a lookup table, a printing system according to a fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 will be described. Will be described. In the fifth embodiment, the number of printers connected to the network bus 3 is set to three, and the status, paper size, performance, etc. of each printer are stored in a table shown in FIG. Used when

In FIG. 7, the status, paper size, paper type, number of colors, and performance of each of the printers A, B, and C are as shown in the table. That is, the printers A and B of paper size and paper type are loaded with A4 special paper, whereas only the printer C can print up to A3 with plain paper, and the number of colors is 4 colors and 6 colors, respectively.
Color, 12 colors, performance is 4P for printer A
In contrast to the PM, the printer B has 2 PPM and the printer C has 0.5 PPM.

Also, J supplied from the print data supply source
The PEG data has a data configuration as shown in FIG. The JPEG format is a general-purpose still image compression format and does not depend on the printer model.
Any printer capable of printing G can be used as a common data format among the printers. In FIG. 8, the data configuration at the top is J
The entire structure of the PEG data is shown, "SOI" is a marker indicating the head of an image, "table etc." indicates a table such as a quantization table or a Huffman table, and "frame" is a middle row. The data structure of the indicated frame is shown, and “EOI” is a marker indicating the end of the image data. In the data configuration of the middle frame, “SOF” is a marker indicating the head of the frame,
“Header” indicates the number of bits of one pixel, the size of an image, the number of color components, and the like. “Scan” is pixel data in the scanning line direction. The detailed configuration of this “scan” is shown in the lower part of FIG. 8, where “SOS” is a marker indicating the start of the scan, “header” is the number of color components and the like, and “<MCU1>, <MCU1”. MCU2>, <MCU3>
.. "Are data blocks compressed by Huffman codes.

The operation when printing is performed by using three printers A, B, and C using the table shown in FIG. 7 and the print data in the JPEG format shown in FIG. 8 will be described. In the printing system of the fifth embodiment, three printers A, B, and C are connected to the Ethernet. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the switching operation of the printer when one picture is printed from the PC card inserted in the printer A by the optimum printer. As an example of the system configuration, the printer shown in FIGS. May be considered as three, that is, n = 3. As a basic situation, it is assumed that JPEG data is read from the PC card of the printer A and printed according to the format set by the host device.

In FIG. 9, the host device specifies the file name, print position, paper size, paper type, print quality (fast, beautiful), etc., to be printed. Get information.
Next, the printer A reads the information of the printer book spare C in step S11. Next, in step S12, a selection table as shown in FIG. 7 is created including information on the printer A itself. In step S13, a printer whose status is not idle is deleted from the selection targets. In step S14, it is determined whether there is a printer that has not been excluded from selection targets. If all the printers are not in the idle state but are performing printing, the operations from steps S11 to S14 are repeated until a printer in a printable state appears.

If a printer capable of printing is found in step S14, a printer whose paper size is not the designated size is determined as NG (No Good) in step S15, and a printer whose paper type is not the designated type is determined as NG in step S16. judge. Thereafter, in step S17, it is determined whether or not there is a printer that is not NG. If there is no printer that is not NG, printing is directly executed by the printer A (step S18). If there is a printer that is not NG in step S17, it is determined in step S19 whether or not the printer has a good print quality. Step S19
In step S20, the printer having the largest number of colors is selected for the printer whose print quality is determined to be excellent.
If it is determined in step S19 that the print quality is not good, a printer having the highest performance among non-NG printers is selected in step S21. In the example of the table in FIG. 7, when “clean” is selected as the print quality, the printer B is selected, and “fast” is selected as the print quality.
Is selected, the printer A is selected.

If a printer is selected in each of steps S20 and S21, it is determined whether or not the selected printer is printer A in step S22. If the selected printer is printer A, printing is directly performed in step S18. Execute. If it is determined that the selected printer is not Printer A, the JPEG
The data is read (step S23), and the next step S
The JPEG data and print information are transmitted to the printer selected in 24. The printer to which the JPEG data and the print information have been sent prints desired image data according to the print information. In this case, since the command is transmitted together with the JPEG data to any of the printers selected by the printer A, the printer A issues the command in this case by itself.

(Sixth Embodiment) As is apparent from the printing system having a plurality of printers according to the first to fifth embodiments, a printing method using this printing system will be described with reference to a sixth embodiment.

The printing method according to the sixth embodiment includes at least one print data source, a plurality of printers,
A printing system for controlling printing in a printing system having a plurality of printers comprising the print data supply source and a printer connected collectively, wherein the host device issues a print command to a specific printer via the network. Sending; and, when the specific printer receives the print command via the network, determining whether or not its own state is ready for immediate processing. When it is determined that the task is not in a state in which the task can be processed, the state of another printer connected to the network is determined based on a predetermined algorithm, and an optimal state printer that is in an optimal state for printing at that time is determined. Selecting and outputting the specific printer from the host device to itself Transferring the specified print command to the optimum printer selected by itself, the optimum printer receiving the print command transferred from the specific printer, and receiving the print command from the print data supply source. And a step of executing a printing process based on the information.

According to the printing method in a printing system having a plurality of printers according to the sixth embodiment, when print data is sent from a host device as a print data supply source to a specific printer, If the printer is not ready for immediate printing, the only task is to find the optimal printer that is in the optimal state for printing immediately other than its own, transfer the print data sent to itself to that printer, and print it. The printing can be performed without a time delay, and the reliability and reliability of the printing process can be secured.

In the sixth embodiment, each of the printers in the printing system includes a self-state judging unit, a selecting unit, and a transfer unit, and the self-state judging unit includes a printer that outputs the print data output by the host device. Upon receiving the print command input along with the data, it is determined whether or not its own state is an immediate printable state. The other printer on the network in the optimal state for printing is selected as the optimal state printer, and the transfer means transmits the print command sent to itself to the optimal state printer selected by the selection means. A detailed configuration for transferring the print data may be used.

With such a detailed configuration, each printer is provided with a self-state judging unit, a selecting unit, a transferring unit, and the like, and the operations in the sixth embodiment are executed by these units, thereby facilitating the printing processing operation. And reliability can be further improved.

Further, in the detailed configuration of the sixth embodiment, the step of determining the self-state includes a sub-step of determining the self-state and a result of the determination of the sub-step transmitted to another printer via the network. A sub-step of notifying as a self-state, a sub-step of storing the state of the printer sent from another printer,
Further detailed configuration may be provided.

According to this further detailed configuration, since the status of all the individual printers constituting the printing system is known by the other printers, it is possible to determine the specific printer to which the print data has been supplied. Operations and selection operations can be performed quickly.

In the detailed configuration of the second basic configuration, the step of determining the self-state includes a sub-step of determining the self-state, and another printer via the network together with the determination result of the sub-step. A substep of collectively storing in a table the status of other printers and the performances of all printers connected to the network sent from the network may be a further separate detailed configuration.

According to this further detailed configuration, the performance and status of all printers constituting the printing system are stored in a table, so that print data can be reliably transferred to the optimum printer even with a simple configuration. Can be determined,
Selection operation and transfer operation can be performed quickly.

In the sixth embodiment, each printer of the printing system includes an interpreting unit, a developing unit,
An image memory, and a printing mechanism, wherein the interpreting unit interprets the input print data in order to perform a printing process when the self-determined printer is determined to be the optimal printer; and The method further comprises the steps of: developing data into bitmap data or intermediate data by the developing unit; storing the developed data in the image memory; and executing printing by the printing mechanism. good.

By arranging all the printers in this manner, a rapid printing operation can be performed as with a normal printer, regardless of which printer processes the print data.

In the sixth embodiment, the print data is compressed still image data created in the JPEG format, and the print command is written as information of a header section in the compressed still image data and the print command is written. Output may be made to a printer or an individual printer.

With this configuration, when printing image data, processing can be performed using the general-purpose JPEG data format, and the general-purpose printing system to which the printing method according to the second basic configuration is applied. Can be enhanced.

(Seventh Embodiment) Next, a recording medium according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention on which a multiple printer selective transfer processing program is recorded will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are a perspective view and a block diagram, respectively, showing an example of a computer system 30 using a recording medium on which a multiple printer selective transfer processing program is recorded. In FIG. 10, the computer system 30
A computer main body 31 including a PU, a display device 32 such as a CRT, and an input device 33 such as a keyboard and a mouse.
And a printer 34 for executing printing.

As shown in FIG. 11, the computer main body 31 has an internal memory 35 composed of a RAM and a memory unit 36 that can be built in or externally mounted. The memory unit 36 is a flexible or floppy disk. An (FD) drive 37, a CD-ROM drive 38, and a hard disk drive (HD) unit 39 are mounted. As shown in FIG. 6, the recording medium 40 used for these memory units 36 includes:
A flexible disk or floppy disk (FD) 4 inserted into a slot of the FD drive 37 and used.
1 and a CD-R used for the CD-ROM drive 38
OM42 or the like is used.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show an FD4 as a recording medium 40 used in a general computer system.
1 and the CD-ROM 42, but the present invention particularly relates to a print execution program of the printer 34.
The multi-printer selection transfer processing program according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention may be recorded in a ROM chip serving as a nonvolatile memory 21 incorporated in the CPU, and the program may be exchanged by replacing the ROM chip.

The recording medium 40 is executed by a printing system having a plurality of printers including at least one print data supply source, a plurality of printers, and a network for connecting the host device and the printers together.
A plurality of printer selection transfer processing programs are recorded. Specifically, the recording medium 40 has a procedure for causing a print data supply source to send a print command to a specific printer via the network. A procedure for allowing the specific printer to determine whether or not its own state is capable of processing the print when the print command is received via the network, and the specific printer being capable of processing the print according to its own state When it is determined that the printer is not in the proper state, the state of the other printers connected to the network is determined based on a predetermined algorithm, and the optimum printer that is in the optimum state for printing at that time is selected. And the optimum printer selected by itself when the specific printer selects the print command output from the host device to itself. And a procedure in which the optimum state printer receives the print command transferred from the specific printer and executes a print process based on the print command from the host device. .

Further, in the recording medium according to the seventh embodiment, each printer in the printing system includes a self-state determining unit, a selecting unit, and a transferring unit, and the host device as the print data supply source is A procedure for causing the self-state discriminating means to determine whether or not the self-state is an immediate printable state when receiving the print command input with the print data to be output; and A procedure for causing the selecting means to select another printer on the network which is in an optimal state for printing at that time as an optimal state printer in accordance with a predetermined algorithm, and sending the selected optimal state printer to itself. And transferring the print data accompanied by the received print command by the transfer unit.

The procedure for determining the self state is as follows.
A sub-procedure for determining the self-status, a sub-procedure for notifying the other printer of the self-status via the network, and a sub-procedure for storing the status of the printer sent from the other printer. And a procedure may be further provided.

Further, the procedure for judging the self-state includes a sub-procedure for judging the self-state, and the status of the other printer and the network transmitted from the other printer via the network together with the judgment result of the sub-procedure. And a sub-procedure for collectively storing the performances of all connected printers in a table.

Each printer of the printing system includes an interpreting unit, a developing unit, an image memory, and a printing mechanism, and performs a printing process when it determines that it is the most suitable printer for printing. A procedure for interpreting the input print data by the interpretation unit, a procedure for expanding the interpreted print data into bitmap data or intermediate data by the expansion unit, and storing the expanded data in the image memory. A procedure for causing the printing mechanism to execute printing may be further recorded.

Also, as described in the fifth embodiment,
The print data is compressed still image data created in the JPEG format, and the print command is written as information of a header portion in the individual compressed still image data and output to the specific printer or an individual printer. May be.

[0087]

As described above in detail, according to the printing system of a plurality of printers according to the present invention, print data supplied from a print data supply source to a specific printer cannot be printed by that printer. In this case, the best printer for printing the data is selected and the data is transferred.Therefore, the printer connected to the network and in the idle state is detected, and the optimum printer for the data to be printed is detected. It is possible to select and transfer data, execute a printing task, perform quick printing, and provide a printed matter optimal for data to be printed.

In addition, since a print task is executed by using a common data format or command without using a model-specific command or data format, when printing cannot be performed by a specific printer, the same operation is performed by any printer. Processing can be performed, and the versatility of the print processing operation is also ensured.

Further, even if the user does not have detailed knowledge of various printers, the printer to which the data having the common command and the common format is transmitted does not
Since the print job can be processed without analyzing the common commands and the common format data without the user's trouble, it is possible to provide the user with ease of use in addition to the quick print processing. A highly versatile printer system can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system for a plurality of printers according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system for a plurality of printers according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system for a plurality of printers according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system for a plurality of printers according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a printing operation according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the printing operation according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a table used in a printing system of a plurality of printers according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of JPEG data used in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a printing operation according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary perspective view showing a computer system using a recording medium on which a multiple printer selective transfer processing program according to a seventh embodiment is recorded.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer system that implements a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a conventional printing system (JINI) having a plurality of printers.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Host Device (PC) 3 Network Bus 6 Host Device (Digital Camera) 10 Printer 11 Transmission / Reception Unit 12 Selection Unit 13 Transfer Unit 14 Interpretation Unit 15 Image Memory 16 Engine 20 Judgment Unit 21 Judgment Unit 22 Other Printer Status Storage Unit 23 Self Status Notifying unit 25 Determination means 26 Table

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C087 AA02 AB06 AB08 BA03 BC05 BD40 BD41 CB02 5B021 AA01 AA02 AA08 AA30 BB12 CC05 EE05 9A001 BB02 BB03 BB04 CC02 CC08 DD07 EE02 FF01 HH27 JJ12 JJ35 KK37 KK37 KK37 KK37 KK

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A printer connected to at least one print data source and at least one other printer via a network, when receiving a print command issued from the print data source via the network. When it is determined that the print command cannot be processed, another printer in an optimal state for printing the print data at that time is selected as the optimal state printer, and the selected state is selected. A printer, wherein the print data output from the print data supply source is transferred to an optimal state printer to execute a print process. 2. A self-state judging means for judging whether or not the self-state is an immediate printable state when receiving the print command inputted with the print data outputted by the host device as the print data supply source. Selecting means for selecting another printer on the network, which is in an optimum state for printing at that time, as the optimum state printer when the self-state determining means determines that it is not in the immediate printable state; and The printer according to claim 1, further comprising: a transfer unit configured to transfer the print data accompanied by the print command sent to the selected optimum state printer. 3. A self-state judging unit for judging a self-state, a self-state notifying unit for outputting the judgment result of the judgment unit to another printer via the network,
The printer according to claim 2, further comprising: another printer status storage unit that stores the status of another printer sent from the self status notification unit of another printer. 4. The self-state judging means is connected to a judgment unit for judging the self-state, and the state of another printer sent from another printer via the network together with the judgment result of this judgment unit and to the network. 3. The printer according to claim 2, further comprising: a table for collectively storing the performances of all the printers. 5. Interpretation for interpreting print data inputted for performing print processing when it is determined that the printer is the most suitable printer for printing and developing interpreted print data into bitmap data or intermediate data. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit, an image memory that stores developed data, and a printing mechanism that executes printing. 6. The print data is still image compressed data created in a JPEG format, and the print command is written and supplied as information of a header portion in each of the still image compressed data. The printer according to claim 1. 7. A printing method for at least one print data source and a plurality of printers via a network, wherein the print data source sends a print command to a specific printer via the network. A step of, when the specific printer receives the print command via the network, determining whether the state of the printer is a state capable of processing the print task; and When it is determined that the printer is not in the status, the status of another printer connected to the network is determined, and an optimal status printer that is in an optimal status for printing at that time is selected. The optimum state in which the user selects the print command output to the user from the print data supply source. Transferring to a printer; and receiving the print command transferred from the specific printer, and executing a print process based on the print command from the print data supply source. A printing method characterized by the following. 8. Each of the plurality of printers includes a self-state judging unit, a selecting unit, and a transfer unit, and the self-state judging unit converts print data output by a host device as the print data supply source. Upon receiving the input print command, the printer determines whether or not its own state is ready for immediate printing, and when the selecting means determines that the printer is not ready for immediate printing, it prints at that time according to a predetermined algorithm. The other printer on the network in the optimal state is selected as the optimal state printer, and the transfer means accompanies the print instruction sent to itself to the optimal state printer selected by the selection means. The print method according to claim 7, wherein the print data is transferred. 9. A step of determining the self-state includes a sub-step of judging the self-state, a sub-step of notifying a result of the judgment of the sub-step to another printer as the self-state via the network, and 9. The printing method according to claim 8, further comprising: storing a status of the printer sent from the printer. 10. The step of judging the self-state includes a sub-step of judging the self-state, and a state of the other printer or a network sent from another printer via the network together with the judgment result of the sub-step. The printing method according to claim 8, further comprising: a sub-step of collectively storing the performances of all the connected printers in a table. 11. Each of the plurality of printers includes an interpreting unit, an image memory, and a printing mechanism, and performs the printing process when it determines that the printer is an optimal printer for printing. Interpreting the input print data, expanding the interpreted print data into bitmap data or intermediate data, storing the expanded data in the image memory, based on the stored data. 8. The printing method according to claim 7, further comprising: executing printing by the printing mechanism. 12. The print data is compressed still image data created in a JPEG format, and the print command is written as information of a header portion in each piece of compressed still image data and is sent to the specific printer or an individual printer. 8. The print method according to claim 7, wherein the print method is output. 13. At least one print data source;
In a printing system including a plurality of printers and a network that collectively connects the print data supply source and the printers, a print command from the print data supply source to a specific printer via the network is provided. Is issued, the specific printer that has received the print command determines its own state at that time, and when the printer cannot process printing, the optimum state for printing the print data at that time The other optimal state printer is selected, and the print data addressed to itself and output from the print data supply source is transferred to the optimal state printer selected by itself, and the transferred print data is transferred. The received optimal state printer executes a printing process based on the print command from the print data supply source. A printing system having a plurality of printers. 14. At least one print data source;
A print medium which stores a plurality of printer selection transfer processing programs to be executed by a printing system having a plurality of printers and a network for connecting the host device and the printers collectively. Sending a print command to a specific printer via the network; and, when the specific printer receives the print command via the network, determines whether or not its own state is capable of processing the printing. A procedure for causing the specific printer to determine whether or not the specific printer determines that its own state is not in a state capable of processing the print, and determines a state of another printer connected to the network. Selecting an optimal printer that is in an optimal state for printing at that time; A procedure in which the fixed printer transfers the print command output from the host device to itself to the optimum printer selected by the self printer, and the optimum printer receives the print command transferred from the specific printer. And a procedure for executing a print process based on the print command from the host device.