JP2003076524A - Network device management server, information processor, those control method, computer program and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a target printer perform printing by a simple work on the terminal's side even when any of a plurality of printers on a network are made to perform printing. SOLUTION: When a printing processing is performed on the side of a network client, a printer driver performs a creation processing of its print data (S2807). When a printer or a group of printers that are actually made to perform the printing are set, an HTML document regarding a GUI for their settings is transferred from a web server, display it by a browser (S2813) and specifies them on its picture plane.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing device, a print control device, a control method, a computer program, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a processing procedure of the apparatus when a printing instruction is given from an application running on a computer will be briefly described as follows.

The application supplies the instructed data to be printed to the printer driver (software) via the OS. The printer driver converts the data (page description language) suitable for the connected printer,
The result is output. At this time, if a parallel interface (an interface specified by Centronics Inc., USA) is set as a print output port in the OS, print data is output via the parallel interface. Also, the device name on the network (generally,
If it is the name (or IP) of the printer on the network or the name (or IP) of the print server, the print data is output to the destination. It is also practiced to connect to a remote device or network via a line, and then have a printer on the other side print.

[0004]

By the way, even in the case of a printer, depending on the manufacturer, model and printing method (ink droplet ejection method, electrophotographic method, etc.), the language of the print data is, of course, Unique abilities and functions also differ.

For example, in the case of PostScript proposed by Adobe Corporation of the United States as the page description language, a PPD (PostScript Printer Descripti) that matches the printer to be printed.
on) file must be prepared.

The PPD file describes the functions unique to each printer and the options that can be set, or describes the restrictions on the GUI called UI Constraints. With UI Constraints, for example, if the user mistakenly sets double-sided copy on an OHP sheet, the user will be incurring expense unless he / she notices the output. Alternatively, for printers with staple sorters, group sort (111,222,333 for each sort bin)
Since there is no user who performs stapling with the output method of outputting the same page, etc.), if the user mistakenly sets this setting, these combinations are prevented in advance on the GUI. Alternatively, it may prevent a combination that damages the printer side. For example, in general, when double-sided setting is performed on a small paper of A5 / Statement size or less, a paper jam is likely to occur when the paper path is not designed to withstand a small paper. If this operation is repeated, it may damage the printer, so if the user tries to do so, it is a function that prohibits and prevents it.

However, UI Constraints have two weaknesses. First, it is generally possible to prohibit two-dimensional (combination of two functions), but three-dimensional or more (3
For more than one complex combination), this cannot be prohibited. Second, in the case of a general driver provided by PPD (for example, MicroSoft Windows95,98, Me driver or Adobe driver), the size capacity of PPD is limited beforehand. There are many. If PPDs are created beyond these limits, some functions of UI Constraints cannot be restricted.

Conventionally, various OSs such as OS provided by MicroSoft of the US, Windows95 / 98 / M, WindowsNT / 2000, or Apple's Macintosh are available.
A PD file was prepared and evaluation work was performed on each.

Next, there is a security problem.
With the spread of networks, anyone can easily print from any client computer by obtaining a print driver, while setting security levels for important users (or jobs) and insignificant users (or jobs). It has become necessary to decide whether or not output is possible and to set the access authority to the printer. Also, in the print-on-demand market where a large number of prints are made, it is necessary to devise such as changing the priority order of jobs and outputting.

[0010]

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a desired output device or a plurality of output devices on a network can be designated by a similar operation. To provide a network device management server, an information processing apparatus and method, and a computer program and a storage medium that can be applied to the determination of an output mode when the operation is output by a plurality of output devices.

To solve this problem, for example, the network device management server of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, it is a network device management server that manages a plurality of network devices connected to the network and performs output processing to the network device in response to a request from a client on the network, and determines that the network device management server exists on the network. Setting means for setting a plurality of output devices as one virtual output device, and the output mode of the virtual output device is determined based on characteristics of individual output devices constituting the virtual output device set by the setting means. Then, when the virtual output device is designated as the output device by the registration means for registering and the client and the output information is received, the output control for distributing the information according to the output mode of the virtual output device And means.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Overview of System] FIGS. 1A and 1B
[Fig. 1] is a conceptual diagram of a system configuration of an embodiment, and Fig. 1B shows a comparatively simple network configuration. Also,
1A illustrates network 101 of FIG. 1B in order to prioritize network traffic and performance.
It shows a configuration divided into systems. The present embodiment can be applied to any configuration. Further, the two systems of networks forming FIG. 1A are hereinafter referred to as a public network 101a and a private network 101b.

The document server 102 includes two network interface cards on hardware.
(NIC), one is the NIC 111 connected to the public network 101a side, and the other is the NIC 112 connected to the private network 101b side connected to the printer side.

Computers 103a, 103b and 10
A client 3c sends a job to the document server 102. Although not shown, a large number of clients other than these are connected. Hereinafter, the client is represented as 103 on behalf.

Further, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 105 and a printer 107 are connected to the private network 101b. Reference numeral 105 denotes an MFP that performs scanning and printing in monochrome, simple color scanning with low resolution or binary, and color printing. Although not shown, an MFP other than the above, a scanner, a printer, or a FAX is also provided on the private network 101b.
Other devices are also connected.

The MFP 104 is a full-color MFP capable of scanning or printing in full color with high resolution and high gradation, and may send and receive data by connecting to the private network 101b, but the amount of data is enormous. Here, it is assumed that a plurality of bits can be simultaneously transmitted / received by an independent interface, and the document server 102 and its own interface card 113 are used.
It is connected with.

Further, the scanner 106 is a device for capturing an image image from a paper document, and besides the device connected to the network as shown in the figure, there is also a device connected to a computer by a SCSI interface. The scanner itself may be supported as a part of the functions of the MFP 105.

Next, the hardware configuration of the document server 102 is such that a portion called a motherboard on which a CPU, a memory and the like are mounted is an interface called a PCI bus and the above-mentioned NIC (Network Interface Card) is used.
Or, a dedicated I / F card or a SCSI card is connected.

Here, the client computer 103
In the above, various kinds of documents are run by running application software that executes so-called DTP (Desk Top Publishing).
/ The figure is created / edited. Client computer 1
03 is a page description language (Page Des
Cription Language) and sends it to the MFPs 104 and 105 via the network 101a to print out.

Each of the MFPs 104 and 105 has a communication means capable of exchanging information with the document server 102 via the network 101b or the dedicated interface 109, and the information and status of the MFPs 104 and 105 can be transmitted to the document server 102 or the same. The client computer 103 is sequentially notified via the communication. Further, the document server 102
(Or the client 103) has utility software that operates by receiving the information.
The Ps 104 and 105 are managed by the computer 102 (or the client 103).

[Configurations of MFPs 104 and 105] Next, configurations of the MFPs 104 and 105 will be described with reference to FIGS. However, since the difference between the MFP 104 and the MFP 105 is the difference between full-color and monochrome, and the part other than the color processing often includes the configuration of the monochrome device, the description will focus on the full-color device here.
A description of monochrome devices will be added as needed.

The MFPs 104 and 105 include a scanner unit 201 that reads an image, a scanner IP unit 202 that processes the image data of the image, and a FAX unit 20 that sends and receives an image using a telephone line such as a facsimile.
3. Further, there are a NIC (Network Interface Card) part 204 for exchanging image data and device information using a network, and a dedicated I / F part 205 for exchanging information with the full-color MFP 104. Then, the core unit 206 temporarily stores the image signal and determines the route according to the usage of the MFPs 104 and 105.

Next, the image data output from the core unit 206 is output to the printer IP unit 207 and the PWM (Pulse Wi
It is sent to the printer unit 209 which forms an image via the dth Modulation unit 208. The sheet printed out by the printer unit 209 is sent to the finisher unit 210, and the sheet sorting process and the sheet finishing process are performed.

[Configuration of Scanner Unit 201] The configuration of the scanner unit 201 will be described with reference to FIG. 301 is a platen glass on which a document 302 to be read is placed.
The original 302 is illuminated by an illumination lamp 303, and its reflected light passes through mirrors 304, 305, and 306 and passes through the lens 3
An image is formed on the CCD 308 by 07. Mirror 30
4, first mirror unit 310 including illumination lamp 303
Moves at a speed v, and the second mirror unit 311 including the mirrors 305 and 306 moves at a speed v / 2 to scan the entire surface of the original 302. The first mirror unit 310 and the second mirror unit 311 are driven by the motor 309.

[Configuration of Scanner IP Unit 202] The scanner IP unit 202 will be described with reference to FIG. 4A. The input optical signal is converted into an electric signal by the CCD sensor 308. The CCD sensor 308 is an RGB 3-line color sensor and is input to the A / D conversion unit 401 as R, G, and B image signals. Here, after the gain adjustment and the offset adjustment, the 8-bit digital image signals R0 and G for each color signal are processed by the A / D converter.
Converted to 0, B0. After that, in the shading correction of 402, a known shading correction using the read signal of the reference white plate is performed for each color. Furthermore, CC
Since the line sensors of the respective colors of the D sensor 308 are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other, the line delay adjustment circuit (line interpolation unit) 403 corrects the spatial deviation in the sub-scanning direction.

Next, the input masking section 404 is a CCD
This is a part that converts the read color space determined by the spectral characteristics of the R, G, and B filters of the sensor 308 into the standard color space of NTSC, and takes various characteristics such as the sensitivity characteristics of the CCD sensor 308 / spectral characteristics of the illumination lamp into consideration. A 3 × 3 matrix operation is performed using the device-specific constants and input (R
The 0, G0, B0) signal is converted into a standard (R, G, B) signal.

Further, a brightness / density converter (LOG converter)
A lookup table (LUT) RAM 405 is used to convert RGB luminance signals into C1, M1, and Y1 density signals.

On the other hand, the MFP 105 for monochrome images
Then, according to FIG. 4B, the monochrome 1-line CCD sensor 3
08 is used to perform A / D conversion 401 and shading 402 in a single color, and then sent to the core unit 206.

[Structure of FAX Unit 203] Referring to FIG.
The AX unit 203 will be described. First, at the time of reception, the NCU section 501 receives the data coming from the telephone line, converts the voltage, performs the A / D conversion and the demodulation operation in the demodulation section 504 in the modem section 502, and then the decompression section 506. Expand to raster data. Generally, a run length method or the like is used for compression / expansion by FAX. The image converted into raster data is temporarily stored in the memory unit 507, and after it is confirmed that the image data has no transfer error, it is sent to the core unit 206.

Next, at the time of transmission, the compression unit 505 compresses the image signal of the raster image coming from the core unit by the run length method or the like, and the modulation unit 503 in the modem unit 502 performs D / A conversion. And after performing the modulation operation, N
It is sent to the telephone line via the CU unit 501.

[Structure of NIC Unit 204] The NIC unit 204 will be described with reference to FIG. 6A. Network 101
It is this N that has the function of the interface to
IC unit 204, for example, 10Base-T / 100Base-TX
It plays the role of obtaining information from the outside or transmitting the information to the outside by using Ethernet cables such as.

When information is obtained from the outside, first, the voltage is converted by the transformer unit 601 and sent to the LAN controller unit 602. The LAN controller unit 602 is
It has a first buffer memory (not shown) inside,
After determining whether the information is necessary information, the information is sent to the second buffer memory (not shown), and then the signal is sent to the core unit 206.

Next, in the case of providing information to the outside, the data sent from the core unit 206 is added with necessary information by the LAN controller unit 602 and the transformer unit 60 is added.
1 is connected to the network 101.

[Structure of Dedicated I / F Unit 205] Further, the dedicated I / F unit 205 is an interface in which multi-valued bits of CMYK are sent in parallel at an interface portion with the full-color MFP 104, and four colors × 8. It consists of bit image data and communication line. If transmission is performed using an Ethernet cable, such a dedicated parallel interface is used because it cannot output at a speed commensurate with the MFP 104 and the performance of other devices connected to the network is sacrificed.

[Structure of Core Unit 206] The core unit 206 will be described with reference to FIG. The bus selector unit 611 of the core unit 206 is used when the MFPs 104 and 105 are used.
It plays a role of traffic control, so to speak. That is, copy function, network scanner, network printer,
The bus is switched according to various functions of the MFPs 104 and 105 such as facsimile transmission / reception or display display.

The path switching patterns for executing each function are shown below. Copy function: scanner 201 → core 206 → printer 2
09 ・ Network Scanner: Scanner 201 → Core 206
→ NIC unit 204 ・ Network printer: NIC unit 204 → Core 206
→ printer 209 ・ facsimile transmission function: scanner 201 → core 206
-> FAX unit 203-Facsimile receiving function: FAX unit 203-> Core 206
→ Printer 209 Next, the image data output from the bus selector unit 611 is sent to the printer unit 209 via the compression unit 612, the memory unit 613 including a large-capacity memory such as a hard disk (HDD), and the decompression unit 614. . As a compression method used in the compression unit 612, a general method such as JPEG, JBIG, ZIP may be used. The compressed image data is
It is managed for each job, file name, creator, creation date and time,
It is stored together with additional data such as file size.

Furthermore, by providing a job number and password and storing them together, the personal box function can be supported. This is a function to temporarily save data or to print out (read from HDD) only to a specific person. When a printout instruction of the stored job is issued, the password authentication is performed and then the memory unit 613 is executed.
Then, the image is expanded, restored to a raster image, and sent to the printer unit 207.

[Structure of Printer IP Unit 207] 701 is an output masking / UCR circuit unit, which includes M1, C1, and Y1.
The CCD is a portion that converts the signals into Y, M, C, and K signals that are toner colors of the image forming apparatus by using a matrix operation.
C1, M based on the RGB signal read by the sensor 308
The 1, Y1, K1 signals are corrected to C, M, Y, K signals based on the toner spectral distribution characteristics and output.

Next, in the gamma correction unit 702, a look-up table (LUT) R in consideration of various tint characteristics of the toner.
After being converted into C, M, Y, K data for image output using AM, and subjected to sharpness or smoothing in the spatial filter 703, the image signal is converted into a core portion 20.
Sent to 6.

[Structure of PWM Unit 208] Referring to FIG.
The M section 208 will be described. Yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K) exiting the printer IP section 207
The image data separated into four colors (in the case of the MFP 105, it becomes a single color) is image-formed through the respective PWM units 208 (in the case of color, four configurations of FIG. 8A are required). ). Reference numeral 801 denotes a triangular wave generator, 802
Is a D / A converter (D / A converter) that converts an input digital image signal into an analog signal. The signal from the triangular wave generator 801 (signal a in FIG. 8B) and the image signal from the D / A converter 802 (signal b in FIG. 8B) are
The magnitude c is compared by the comparator 803, and the signal c of FIG.
The pulse width signal depending on the density is sent to the laser drive unit 804. Each of C, M, Y and K is converted into a laser beam by each laser 805.

Then, the polygon scanner 913 scans the respective laser beams and irradiates the respective photosensitive drums 917, 921, 925 and 929.

[Configuration of Printer 209 (Color MFP
In the case of 104)] FIG. 9 is a sectional structural view of the color printer section. A polygon mirror 913 receives the four laser beams emitted from the four semiconductor lasers 805. One of them passes through the mirrors 914, 915, and 916 to scan and expose the photosensitive drum 917, and the next one is the mirror 9
18, the photosensitive drum 921 is scanning-exposed through 18, 919, and 920, the next one is scanning exposure of the photosensitive drum 925 through mirrors 922, 923, and 924, and the last one is the mirror 9
The photosensitive drum 929 is scanned and exposed through 26, 927, and 928.

On the other hand, reference numeral 930 is a developing device for supplying yellow (Y) toner, which follows the photosensitive drum 91 in accordance with the laser beam.
7 to form a yellow toner image, and 931 is magenta.
(M) is a developing device that supplies toner, forms a magenta toner image on the photosensitive drum 921 according to laser light, and 932 is a developing device that supplies cyan (C) toner according to laser light. A developing device that forms a cyan toner image on the photosensitive drum 925 and supplies black (K) toner to the photosensitive drum 925 follows the photosensitive drum 929 according to the laser beam.
Form a magenta toner image on top. 4 colors (Y, M,
The C, K) toner images are transferred onto the sheet, and a full-color output image can be obtained.

Sheets fed from any of the sheet cassettes 934 and 935 and the manual feed tray 936 are
After passing through the registration roller 937, it is adsorbed on the transfer belt 938 and conveyed. Toners of respective colors have been developed on the photosensitive drums 917, 921, 925, and 929 in advance in synchronization with the feeding timing, and the toners are transferred onto the sheet as the sheet is conveyed. The sheet onto which the toners of the respective colors have been transferred is separated and conveyed by the conveyor belt 939, and the fixing device 940 fixes the toner on the sheet. The sheet passing through the fixing device 940 is a flapper 950
Is temporarily guided downward by the flapper 9
After exiting 50, switch back and eject. As a result, the sheets are ejected in a face-down state, and when printed in order from the first page, the correct page order is obtained.

The four photosensitive drums 917, 921,
925 and 929 are arranged at equal intervals with a distance d, and the conveyance belt 939 causes the sheet to move at a constant speed v.
It is being transported in the
One semiconductor laser 805 is driven.

[Configuration of Printer 209 (Monochrome MF
In the case of P105)] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the monochrome printer unit. A polygon mirror 1013 receives laser light emitted from four semiconductor lasers 805. The laser light goes through the mirrors 1014, 1015, and 1016 to scan and expose the photosensitive drum 1017. On the other hand, 103
Reference numeral 0 denotes a developing device for supplying black toner, which forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 1017 in accordance with the laser beam, and the toner image is transferred onto a sheet, so that an output image can be obtained.

A sheet fed from any one of the sheet cassettes 1034 and 1035 and the manual feed tray 1036 passes through the registration roller 1037 and then the transfer belt 1.
It is adsorbed on 038 and conveyed. The toner is developed in advance on the photosensitive drum 1017 in synchronism with the feeding timing, and the toner is transferred onto the sheet as the sheet is conveyed. The sheet onto which the toner has been transferred is separated, and the toner is fixed on the sheet by the fixing device 1040. The sheet passing through the fixing device 1040 is flapper 105.
After being guided downward by 0, the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the flapper 1050, and then is switched back and discharged.
As a result, the sheets are ejected in a face-down state, and when printed in order from the first page, the correct page order is obtained.

[Structure of Finisher 209] FIG.
The cross-sectional structural view of the finisher is shown in FIG. Printer section 2
The sheet discharged from the fixing unit 940 (or 1040) of 09 enters the finisher unit 209 (when the finisher is connected). The finisher unit 209 includes a sample tray 1101 and a stack tray 1102, which are switched and discharged according to the type of job and the number of discharged sheets.

There are two sort methods, a bin sort method that has a plurality of bins and distributes to each bin, an electronic sort function to be described later, and a bin (or tray) is shifted to the front side and output for each job. Sorting can be performed by a shift sort method that sorts sheets. The electronic sort function is called collate, and if you have the large-capacity memory described in the core section, you can use this buffer memory to change the buffered page order and discharge order, the so-called collate function. It can also support the function of electronic sorting. Next, the group function
This is a function that sorts each page, whereas sorting sorts each job.

Further, when the sheets are discharged to the stack tray 1102, it is possible to store the sheets before the sheets are discharged for each job and bind them by the stapler 1105 immediately before discharging.

Besides, a Z-folding machine 1104 for folding the paper into a Z-shape and a puncher 110 for punching two (or three) holes for a file until reaching the above-mentioned two trays.
6 is provided, and each process is performed according to the type of job.

Further, the saddle stitcher 1107 binds the central part of the sheet at two places and then folds the sheet in half by engaging the central part of the sheet with the rollers.
Performs the process of creating booklets such as weekly magazines and pamphlets. The sheets bound by the saddle stitcher 1107 are discharged to the booklet tray 1108.

In addition, although not shown in the figure, it is possible to add binding (gluing) for bookbinding, or to add trim (cutting) for aligning the end faces on the opposite side to the binding side after binding. Is.

Further, the inserter 1103 is a tray 111.
Tray 1 without passing the sheet set to 0 to the printer
101, 1102, 1108. As a result, the sheet set in the inserter 1103 can be inserted (middle insertion) between the sheets sent to the finisher 209. The tray 1110 of the inserter 1103 is set face-up by the user, and the pickup roller 1111 feeds sheets in order from the uppermost sheet. Therefore, the sheet from the inserter 1103 is conveyed to the trays 1101 and 1102 as it is, and is discharged face down. When it is sent to the saddle stitcher 1107, it is sent once to the puncher 1106 side and then switched back to send the face orientation.

[Configuration of Document Server 102] Next, the document server 102 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B. FIG. 12A shows the hardware configuration of the document server 102, but the hardware configuration introduced here is only an example, and various connection methods and configurations having various interfaces are generally conceivable.

First, a portion surrounded by a dotted line is a substrate called a mother board 1200, on which the functions described below are mounted. CPUs 1201 and 1202 control the software of this server, and the CPU
Secondary cache memory 1203 via bus 1221
Further, various buses on the motherboard are controlled by LSIs called North Bridge 1204 and South Bridge 1205. North Bridge 1
A memory (SDRAM 1206) is used for exchanging data between the 204 and the south bridge 1205.

Next, the north bridge 1204 is a high speed PC.
It has an I (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus (32 bits / 66MHz) 1222, and is connected to the SCSI controller and SCSI interface 114,
HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1 by SI bus 1224
It is connected to 207 to enable access to a large amount of data. In general, an HDD (IDE
egrated Disk Electronics) Some are compatible with buses. The high-speed PCI bus 1222 can also be used when connecting a printer of a type that sends video data directly to the printer. If necessary, a video interface card 113a or 113b is connected to the high-speed PCI bus 1222 to connect with a color printer. It is effective for interfaces. Further, the north bridge 1204 also has a graphic controller 1208 for displaying the display 1209.
It is connected by the GP bus 1226.

Next, on the south bridge 1205 side, a general PCI bus (32 bits / 33 MHz) 1223 is connected, and a NIC (Network Interface Ca) such as Ethernet is used.
rd) is connected. In the figure, two NICs are connected when there is a two-system network as shown in FIG. 1A, and in the case of one system as shown in FIG. 1B, only one NIC may be connected. In addition, the south bridge 1205 has an ID
By E-bus 1225, CD-ROM drive or
When a readable / writable CD-R / RW drive 1210 is connected and the document server 102 is installed,
Useful for archiving large amounts of data (data storage). In addition, a USB port 1211, a super I / O unit 12
Keyboard 1213, mouse 1214, or floppy (registered trademark) disk drive 12
Data can be input / output by connecting to 15.

Next, the data flow in the document server 102 will be described with reference to FIG. 12B. These flows are controlled by the CPU described above, and the memory 1206 and the hard disk 1207 are used as necessary. It is to be noted that the drawing shows the state after the power of the document server 102 is turned on and the server OS stored in the HDD 1207 and the program functioning as the document server of the embodiment are loaded into the RAM 1206.

First, a job input from the NIC 111 or SCSI 114 enters the server from the input device control unit 1251 and plays a role in connecting the server to various client applications.
PDL data and JCL (Job Control Languag) as input
e) Accept data. It handles state information about printers and servers for various clients, and the output of this module is responsible for combining all the appropriate PDL and JCL components.

Next, the input job controller 1252 manages the requested list of jobs and creates a job list to access each job submitted to the server. Furthermore, this module has three functions: job routing that determines the route of a job, job split that controls whether or not RIP is performed by dividing, and job scheduling that determines the order of jobs.

There are a plurality of rasterizing processing (RIP) units 1253. 1253-a, 1253-b, 1253-
c or it can be further increased if necessary, but is collectively referred to as 1253 here. The RIP module RIPs the PDLs of various jobs to create bitmaps of appropriate size and resolution. Regarding RIP processing, rasterization processing of various formats such as PCL, TIFF, JPEG, and PDF as well as PostScript (registered trademark of Adobe Inc. in the United States) is possible.

The data conversion unit 1254 plays a role of compressing a bitmap image created by RIP and performing format conversion, and selects an optimum image image type that matches each printer. For example, if you want to handle jobs in page units, you can use TIFF or
A PDF header is attached to the bitmap data after rasterizing JPEG or the like by the RIP unit, and processing such as editing as PDF data is performed.

The output job control unit 1255 takes page images of jobs and manages how they are handled based on command settings. The page is printed by the printer or saved in the hard disk 1207.
Whether or not the job after printing is left in the hard disk 1207 can be selected, and when saved, it can be recalled. Further, this module manages the interaction between the hard disk 1207 and the memory 1206.

The output device controller 1256 clusters which device to output and which device to output.
Interface card of the selected device, which controls whether to connect multiple units and print at the same time.
2 or 113. This module also plays a role of monitoring the status of the devices 104 and 105 and transmitting the status of the device to the document server 102.

[Page Description Lang
uage: Hereinafter abbreviated as PDL. )] Next, PDL data will be described. PDL typified by PostScript (registered trademark) language of Adobe Systems Inc. is classified into the following three elements.

(A) Image description by character code (b) Image description by graphic code (c) Image description by raster image data That is, PDL is a language for describing an image composed of a combination of the above elements, The data described by this is called PDL data.

FIG. 13A is an example in which character information R1301 is described. L1311 is a description that specifies the color of characters, and the parentheses in this order are Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black.
Represents the concentration of. The minimum is 0.0 and the maximum is 1.
It is 0. In L1311, an example of designating that the character is black is shown. Next, L1312 is the variable String1
The character string "IC" is substituted for. Next, in L1313, the first and second parameters indicate the x coordinate and the y coordinate of the start position coordinates on the paper on which the character string is laid out, the third parameter indicates the character size, and the fourth parameter indicates the character spacing. The fifth parameter indicates a character string to be laid out. In short, L1313 has coordinates (0.0,
From 0.0), the instruction is to lay out the character string "IC" with a size of 0.3 and an interval of 0.1.

Next, in the example in which the graphic information R1302 is described, L1321 designates the line color as in L1311, and Cyan is designated here. Next, L13
Reference numeral 22 is for designating the drawing of a line, and the first and second parameters are the start coordinate of the line, and the third and fourth parameters are the end coordinate, respectively, x and y coordinates. The fifth parameter indicates the line thickness.

Further, in the example in which the raster image information is described, L1331 substitutes the raster image into the variable image1. Here, the first parameter represents the image type of the raster image and the number of color components, the second parameter represents the number of bits per color component, and the third and fourth parameters are the x and y directions of the raster image. Represents the image size of. The fifth and subsequent parameters are raster image data.
The number of raster image data is the product of the number of color components forming one pixel and the image size in the x and y directions. L
In 1331, a CMYK image has four color components (Cyan, Magent
Since it is composed of (a, Yellow, Black), the number of raster image data is (4 × 5 × 5 =) 100. Then L1
332 is 0.5 × from the coordinate (0.0, 0.5)
This indicates that image1 is laid out in a size of 0.5.

FIG. 13B shows a state in which the above three image descriptions are interpreted in one page and developed into raster image data. R1301, RR1302, R130
Reference numeral 3 is an expansion of each PDL data. These raster image data are actually stored in the memory 1206 (or the hard disk 1) for each of C, M, Y and K color components.
207), for example, the part of R1301 is stored in the memory 1206 of each CMYK as C = 0, M = 0, Y =
0 and K = 255 are written, and C = 255, M = 0, Y = 0, and K = 0 are written in the R1302 portion, respectively.

In the document server 102, the PDL data sent from the client 103 (or the document server itself) is the PDL data as it is, or
Memory 1 in the form of raster image development as described above
It is written in 206 (or the hard disk 1207) and is saved as necessary.

[Network 101] Next, the network 101 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 14A, the network 101 is connected by a device such as the router shown in FIG.
Configure a further network called the ocalArea Network).

The LAN 1406 is the internal router 1
Another LA through the leased line 1408 through 401
It is connected to the router 1405 inside the N1407 and these networks are stretched in multiple layers to construct a vast connection form.

Next, regarding the data flowing therein, FIG.
4B will be described.

There is data 1421 existing in the transmission source device A (1420a), and the data may be image data, PDL data, or a program. When this is transferred to the receiving device B (1420b) via the network 101, the data 1421 is subdivided and image-wise divided like 1422. For this divided data 1423, 1424, 1426, etc., a destination address (TCP / IP
When the protocol is used, a destination IP address) is added, and the packets are sequentially sent as packets 1427 on the network 101. When the address of the device B and the header 1431 of the packet 1430 match, the data 1432 is separated and is reproduced in the data state suitable for the device A.

[Scanner Driver] Next, the scanner driver will be described.

FIG. 15 shows the computer 102 (or 10).
3), a GUI (Graphic User Interface) of the scanner driver for instructing the scan operation is shown. By instructing with this, the user instructs the desired setting parameters to obtain the desired image. It is possible to convert the image into data.

First, 1501 is a scanner driver window, and as a setting item therein, 1502 is a source device selection column for selecting a target transmission source. Generally, it is the same as the above-mentioned scanner 201, but it can bring an image from the memory 108,
Alternatively, it may be something like a digital camera. Reference numeral 1503 is for making detailed settings for the selected source device. Click here to enter device-specific setting information in a separate screen and perform special image processing (for example, character mode / photo mode). It is possible to select and input the image in a processing mode suitable for the selection.

Next, reference numeral 1504 denotes selection of a scanning method. In this case, a flatbed or ADF (Auto Document Feed) is selected.
er) can be selected. Reference numeral 1505 denotes a portion for instructing a reading surface of an original, which can instruct whether it is a single-sided original or a double-sided original. 1506 is an image size column to be selected for determining the image size, and 1507 is the resolution input.
In 08, the halftone mode can be selected, and simple binary, dither method, error diffusion, or multilevel (8 bits) can be selected.

Further, 1509 and 1510 are alternatives.
You can set whether to scan all pages or only specified pages when using ADF. Reference numerals 1511 to 1513 are portions for determining the size of the image area, and the unit and vertical and horizontal lengths are input respectively.

When the prescan key 1516 is pressed after making these designations, the computer 102 (or 1
03), issues an instruction request to the device selected in the source device selection column 1502 and starts image input. Since the image is pre-scanned here, the image is read coarsely than the actual resolution, and the obtained image is displayed on the display unit 1515 as a preview image 1514. Upon display, the scale is displayed according to the unit 1511 of the image area described above.

When it is determined that the preview image is OK, the scan key 1517 is clicked to start the scan operation. To get started,
A dialog box for entering the file name and directory name for saving the scan file will appear.
Press the key to save the scanned image. If the preview image is NG, the prescan is performed again for confirmation, and in the case of cancellation, the cancel key 1518 is clicked.

[Printer Driver] Next, FIGS.
A process of transmitting image data from the computer 102 (or 103) to the printer by the printer driver using 6C will be described. The printer driver is a GUI for instructing a print operation (a GUI for print setting displayed when a print instruction is issued from an application or the like).
In the above, the GUI displayed when the property display instruction regarding the "printer" is performed. By this instruction, the user instructs the desired setting parameter and transmits the desired image to the destination such as a printer. It is possible to send to.

Here, 1601 is a printer driver window, and as a setting item therein, 1602 is a transmission destination selection column for selecting a target output destination. In the embodiment, the above-described MFPs 104 and 105 or the printer 107 is the selection target. Reference numeral 1603 is a page setting column for selecting an output page from the job, and determines which page of the image image created by the application software operating on the computer 102 (or 103) is output. Reference numeral 1604 denotes a copy number setting column for specifying the number of copies. By moving the cursor 1604 to this position and clicking an arrow (arrow on the scroll bar) shown in the figure, increase or decrease of the number of copies can be set.
Further, 1607 is a property key for making detailed settings regarding the transmission destination device selected in the transmission destination selection column 1602. Then, if the desired settings are completed, OK
Printing is started by the key 1605. When canceling, printing is canceled by the cancel key 1606.

16B and 16C are display screens (G) when the property key 1607 in FIG. 16A is clicked.
UI). Here, for example, Paper, Graphics, D
There are tabs such as evice Options and PDL, and the setting contents change each time they are clicked. Figure 16B is Paper
Tab 1611 is given as an example. Here, size 1615, imposition layout 1616, paper orientation 16
17 or the paper feed stage 1618 can be set. When the Device Options tab 1613 is selected, setting information unique to the device, for example, finishing settings such as stapling, image processing related to changing parameters of the gamma conversion unit 702 and the spatial filter unit 703 in the printer IP unit 207. It is possible to make finer adjustments. For selection, the function 1631 and its set value 1632 are set to desired values. 1633 is a default key for returning the set value to the initial value.

Although not shown, Gr is similarly set.
In the aphics tab 1612, the resolution and halftone settings,
Alternatively, the PDL tab 1614 allows selection of a PDL output format and the like.

[Operation by Web Browser] The document server 102 is an IIS (Internet Inform
application server) is also running at the same time. Client 103 (or
102) itself, the current state of the document server 102 or information about peripheral devices can be notified.

FIG. 17A is a main screen of a web service provided inside the server 102. The IP address of the server (here, for example, 192.168.100.11. In an environment in which DNS is supported) This service screen is pre-configured so that it can be read by entering (server name may be used) in the URL address field.

This service tool displays job status
(1701), device status (1702), job submission (1703), scanning (1704), configuration (1705), and help (1706) tabs containing the manual of this service. The job status will be described in order.

[Job Status] The job status tab of FIG. 17A includes a device display unit 1707, job status display units 1708 and 1709 of active jobs,
It is composed of job history display sections 1710 and 1711. Since all of the displays of 1709 and 1711 cannot be displayed completely, pressing the key of 1708 will display all active jobs, and pressing 1710 will display all active jobs. The job history can be referred to, and details of those are shown in Fig. 1.
This will be described in 7-2, 3 and 4.

First, the device display unit 1707 is shown in FIG. 17B.
As shown in FIG. 7, device names 1721 to 1724 such as MFPs on the network, device icons 1725 to
1728 (1727 or 1 depending on the status
728), and their status 1729-1732 can also be seen in text.

Next, the job status 1709 can monitor the status of each job inside the server,
ooling (receiving data before RIP), Ripping (RIP
Medium), Wait to Print (Waiting for Print), or Printing
Expressed as (during printing). For a job that has been instructed to wait inside the server when the job is submitted,
It is held as Hold in the state before IP. When an error or jam occurs, it is displayed to inform the user, and after printing, it is passed to the next job history (finished job). The server inquires about the status of each network device every predetermined period, and / or
Alternatively, it is dealt with by notifying the server when each network device changes its own status.

In the job history 1711, the job history can be viewed, and "Printed" is displayed when the job is normally completed, and "Canceled" is displayed when the job is canceled halfway.

[Active Job Status] In the running job 1709, in addition to the job name 1742, the target printer 1743, the job status 1744, the job priority 1745, the job ID 1746, the client name 1747, the number of pages of the job 1748, the number of copies 1
749, a paper size 1750, or a comment field 1751 in which a request from the client to the operator is described.

Further, for each of these jobs, there is a control key 1741 which can be controlled only by a person (for example, an administrator) who is given a certain privilege (FIG. 17).
C). Specifically, job cancellation 1752, job suspension (job pause or hold) 175
3. Resume job (release of pause job or hold job) 1754 and the like.

[Job history (finished job)] Similarly, the job name 176 is also stored in the job history 1711.
2, target printer 1763, job status 1
764, a job ID 1766, a client name 1767, a job number of pages 1768, a number of copies 1769, a paper size 1770, or a comment column 1771 in which a request from the client to an operator is written is displayed.

Further, for each of these jobs, there is a control key 1761 which can be controlled only by a person (for example, an administrator) who is given a certain privilege. Specifically, job archiving (function to store the job in another location on the network) 1772, job deletion
(Job delete) 1773, job reprint (reprint job) 1774, and the like (FIG. 17D). Based on these instructions, the operator can handle the server.

[Device Status] MFP 104, 1
05 or MIB (Management Information Base) in the network interface part of the printer 107.
A standardized database called e) is built, and communicates with a computer on the network via a network management protocol called Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), and the MFPs 104 and 105 and other devices connected to the network are connected. Necessary information can be exchanged with the computer 102 (or 103).

For example, it is possible to detect what kind of function the finisher 210 is connected to as the equipment information of the MFPs 104 and 105, and to detect whether there is an error or jam at present as status information, whether printing or idle. Equipment information of MFPs 104 and 105, device status, network settings, job history,
It is possible to obtain all kinds of static information such as usage management and control. The document server uses this MIB
By using, the status of the MFP or the like is fetched at any time, and the status is updated as an HTML file, so that the client can always view the status.

FIG. 18 is a tab showing the device status, and confirms the paper size installed in the device managed by the server and its replenishment status (the remaining amount of paper in each paper stacker or cassette as indicated by 1801 to 1806). It is also possible to check in advance the accessory status (1807) such as the finisher equipped in each device. However, the remaining amount of paper is detected by a sensor for that purpose, and it is difficult to detect it with the accuracy of one sheet of recording paper, so the minimum unit is, for example, about 10 sheets (however, the absence of paper can be reliably detected. ).

[Job Submit] Next, the job submit tab will be described with reference to FIG. 19A. The usage method is the same as the above-mentioned print driver, but this is to throw the file on the client 103 directly to the document server 102 without opening the file in the application (without instructing the application to print) (add the following to the document file to be printed). It is for transferring or copying with information attached).

That is, normally, the print driver is 2
It has two roles, one of which is the client 10
The role of starting data by the application on the third application and converting the data into PDL data such as PostScript (or PCL), and the other is the document server 102.
(Or, the role of throwing the converted PDL data into the printer). This is one of the conventional RIP processing
This was because only the types of RIP processing could be handled.

On the other hand, the job submit is basically only the process of throwing the job together with the job ticket using the GUI, but in recent years, various formats (for example, pdf, tif, jpg, etc.) One that can perform RIP processing on the same software RIP module has appeared, or a plurality of types of software RIP modules (for example, PS and P) in the document server 102.
CL) and can switch and use the RIP module according to the data. Not only one type of PDL but also various formats (for example, pdf, tif, jpg) are sent directly to the document server 102. However, RIP processing is performed in the same manner as the conventional single PDL data, and it is expanded into bitmap data.

If the printer has a RIP processing function of a type that handles only PS data instead of bitmap data because of the interface of the MFP 104 or the MFP 105, the document server 102 is the RI.
After decompressing it into bitmap data by P processing, compressing the data with JBIG or G4 (CCITT),
By adding a header such as PS (header indicating that it is PS data) to it and outputting it to the MFP, printing of these various format data can be realized for various printers.

As a setting item added in the job submit, 1901 is a transmission destination selection column for selecting a target output destination. Generally, the aforementioned MFP 104,
105 or the printer 107, it is possible to set a cluster printer described later. 1906 is a column for selecting a file, and a file name may be directly specified along with a directory, but generally, a browse button on the right side thereof is used to select a job file on its own computer (or in a network). become.

After making such settings, the print key 1905
When is clicked, the set content and the designated file are transferred to the document server 102 and added (queued) as a print job.

[Job Ticket] Next, 190 of FIG.
Reference numeral 7 is a column called a job ticket, which means a file in which setting items other than job image data are grouped together with a job. Specifically, as shown in 1911, not only general settings of a job such as paper size, image orientation, and number of copies, but also finishing processing such as presence / absence of double-sided sheets, stapling, and a color image are performed. All the various settings related to the job, such as the color adjustment by the processing and the operator's priority order, can be set with this job ticket.

This job ticket has not only the setting items unique to each device, but also the advantage that the operation will be carried smoothly if prepared in advance. Therefore, here, other than the call key 1914 of the job ticket, In addition, there is a save key 1915 (for reuse) that saves the arbitrarily set job ticket, and a save as key 1917 that can be saved with a new name, and a reset key for the job ticket so that it can be returned to the default state. Is prepared. Furthermore, a delete key for deleting the saved job ticket may be prepared.

When the finisher 1903 is clicked,
The GUI shown in FIG. 19B is displayed. Here, for example, ON and OFF are prepared in the Duplex setting column. When ON, double-sided printing is performed, and when OFF, single-sided printing is performed. However, when a printer having no double-sided function is selected, this item itself is not displayed. Also, the default setting items are set in advance with a high frequency, and since Duplex frequently uses single-sided printing, OFF is selected as the default.

Further, not only the finishing function but also the basic functions of the printer such as the image processing parameters, the number of copies, and the paper size can be selected and changed in the items set here.

When the desired setting is completed and the print key 1905 in FIG. 19A is clicked, the file to be printed set by the job submit 1906 and the set contents if the job ticket is set are displayed on the document server 102. Is output to.

When the test printer 1910 is clicked, the output image can be checked by copying the PS data for the test printer, which is placed in a predetermined folder in advance, to a hot folder described later.

[UI Constraints] In addition, each setting item in these job tickets has a UI constraint in the PPD file.
Restrictions corresponding to straints can be provided. UI
Constraints means, for example, to prevent the user from mistakenly setting double-sided copy on an OHP sheet, or in the case of a printer with a staple sorter, group sort (111, 222, 333 ... For each sort bin). The stapling by the output method of outputting the same page) is prevented in advance on the GUI. Alternatively, it may prevent a combination that damages the printer side. For example, generally, when double-sided setting is performed on a small paper of A5 / Statement size or less, a paper jam is likely to occur if the paper path is not designed to withstand a small paper. If this operation is repeated, it may damage the printer, so if the user tries to do so, it is a function that prohibits and prevents it.

However, the UI Constrain in the PPD
In ts, in general, it is possible to prohibit two-dimensional (combination of two functions), but in the case of three-dimensional or more (complex combination of three or more), this could not be prohibited, but job submission The page is HTML (Hyper Tex
Since it is described in t Markup Language), it is easy to apply a constraint even for a combination of three or more dimensions. In addition, general drivers provided by PPD (for example, MicroSoft Windows 95, 98, Me drivers or
In the case of Adobe driver), the size capacity of PPD is often limited beforehand, and P
Once the PD was created, some functions of UI Constraints could not be restricted, but if it is described in HTML, there is no particular size restriction.

[Scanning] FIG. 20 is a display example of the browser of the scanning tab which controls the scanning operation.
In 01, the status of available scanners is displayed. 20
Reference numeral 02 denotes a scanning key, which has a mechanism for calling the above-mentioned scanner driver when pressed.
Reference numeral 2003 denotes a quick copy key, which has a mechanism such that after a scanning operation, printing is performed continuously on a printer designated in advance. That is, a virtual copying machine can be realized by arbitrarily combining a scanner and a printer existing separately on the network.

[Configuration] The configuration tabs shown in FIG. 21 are the printer configuration key 2101, the cluster configuration key 2102, and the queue configuration key 21.
03, archive key 2104, and job configuration key 2105. Each tab will be described below.

[Printer Configuration] When the printer configuration key is clicked,
22 is entered. There are three modes for adding, modifying, and deleting printers. The additional mode can be set further by selecting the desired printer type (for example, color or black and white) and if the number is less than the limit allowed by the server, then various information about the printer (for example, whether there is an IP address or accessories) Etc.) is set and a printer name is given and registered in the server 102.

The printer correction mode is a mode in which when printer information such as an IP address and an accessory is changed, the printer information is corrected and saved again. In the printer deletion mode, unnecessary printers are managed by the server under management. This is the mode to remove (the printer itself may exist on the network).

[Cluster Configuration] When a plurality of printers are registered in the server 102, it becomes possible to combine these printers and register them as a cluster printer. The procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, from the registered printer group, 2
Select one or more printers. For example, if there are three printers A, B, and C, A & B, A &
Four combinations of C, B & C and A & B & C are possible. Further, even if the same printer is combined, it can be registered as another cluster printer if the modes to be described below are different.

Next, when the selected combination is a printer of a different type such as a color printer and a monochrome printer, it is possible to select from two modes of color / monochrome page separation mode and color / monochrome automatic routing mode. Becomes That is, these modes are functions that are enabled in an environment in which color / black and white printers are mixed, and at that time, these two candidates can be selected, and one of them can be selected as a virtual printer (virtual output device). You can register.

In the color / monochrome page separation mode, for one job in which color pages and monochrome pages are mixed,
The job is divided into color pages and black and white pages in advance, and pages containing color information are printed on the color printer.
A page that does not include color information (monochrome) is a mode for outputting to a monochrome printer.

Color / monochrome automatic routing mode
Similarly, after distinguishing the color page and the black and white page in advance,
If even one color page is mixed, all jobs are output to the color printer, and if all jobs are black and white pages, they are automatically routed to the black and white printer. These functions are aimed at cost reduction and simplification of operability because there is a gap between the perprint costs of color pages and black and white pages.

Furthermore, when the selected combination is a printer of the same type such as a color printer and a color printer, or a monochrome printer and a monochrome printer,
Three modes are prepared: a job cluster mode, a copy number cluster mode, and a page cluster mode. That is, when the printers of the same type are used,
These three candidates can be selected, and one of them can be selected and registered as a virtual printer (virtual output device).

The job cluster mode is a mode in which load balancing is optimized so that jobs are sequentially distributed to the vacant printers for which jobs are set or the printers that are expected to be in the idle state earliest. .

In the copy number cluster, for example, a job in which 100 copies are set is distributed to three printers having the same capability, 33 copies and 33 copies.
Copies, and 34 copies (because one remainder occurs when divided by 3), so that the job ends early.

The page cluster is such that a job of 1000 pages is allocated to two printers, 500 pages each.

Each of the cluster printers can be named and registered in advance in different types of modes even with the same combination of printers, and can be treated as a virtual high-speed printer in the same manner as an ordinary single printer. Become.

In addition, depending on the mode, the minimum page and the minimum number of copies per machine can be set in advance according to each mode, and when one machine is down due to a jam or an error, the job is automatically It is possible to set a waiting time for job rerouting to be assigned to another printer.

[Queue Configuration] FIG. 21
When the queue configuration key 2103 of is clicked, the flow chart of FIG. 24 is entered. The procedure will be described below.

The queue configuration has three modes: add, modify, and delete spool queues.
You can select one. When adding a spool queue, first,
You have to create a hot folder. A hot folder is, for example, a folder (or directory) on the server computer 102 that is shared with a computer in the network (Share), and this folder can be freely released from the client computer 103. It is a folder that constantly monitors (polls) the jobs in the folder and guides the jobs to print when the jobs are thrown.

Then, the added spool queue is associated with the created hot folder, and either the printer created by the printer configuration or the cluster printer created by the cluster configuration is associated. The last associated printer or cluster job ticket is associated. The job ticket in this case is a default value that the client side refers to, and the job ticket can be changed when the job is issued on the client side as desired.

The associated spool queue is stored in the server as a spool queue table as shown in FIG.

[Print Flow by Job Submit] FIGS. 26 to 2 illustrate the above-described series of flows.
8

First, FIG. 26 shows a flow at the time of job submission. When the client 103 throws a file from the above-mentioned job submission, first, the Web browser accesses the Web server unit 2631 on the server side.
(S2608). The server side displays a predetermined Web page on the client side, and the client side opens the job submit screen (S2609). Next, the operator selects a desired print file on his computer or a print file on a network that he can access (S2610). The file selected at this time is not necessarily a PS file as long as the server can rasterize (RIP), and PCL, TIFF, JPEG, P
It may be DF. Furthermore, the operator selects the printer or cluster to output (S2611). The selected printer name or cluster name is immediately notified to the server 102, and the default (or desired) job ticket prepared in advance on the server side is displayed.
(S2612). The operator changes the displayed job ticket to the desired setting value to be printed on the browser (S2613), and clicks the OK button. The selected job and the desired job ticket are stored in the hot folder 2632 on the server side. Sent.

On the other hand, the server sequentially monitors a plurality of hot folders by polling (S2634), and if there is a job in the hot folders 2632 (S263).
5) is passed to the input job control unit 1252, RIP (S2636) is performed according to the flow described above, and the spool queue table 2633 of the desired printer (or cluster) selected by the operator is referred to (S263).
8 and S2639), and is printed on the output device registered there (S2640).

[Print Flow by Normal Driver]
Next, FIG. 27 is a flow when a print instruction is issued from an application (eg, word processing software) operating on a client, and as a result, a job is thrown from the printer driver.

The driver has two main roles. One is to create PDL data (represented by PS) from the data on the application, and the other is the PDL data created from the client (or the server itself). Is a role to send the file to a predetermined hot folder in the server.

Therefore, the client 103 starts up the application software (S2701), opens or creates a file to be printed, and gives a print instruction. At this time, a GUI typified by FIGS. 16A to 16C is displayed (S2702). The operator is 16
02, the printer is selected (S2703), and the desired function is set using the property 1607 (S27).
05). When the operator clicks the OK button 1605 (S2706), creation of PDL data is started in the client computer 103 (S2707).

As soon as the PDL data is completed, it is sent to a predetermined hot folder 2732 in the server, and after that, it is printed in the same manner as the print flow by the job submit described above.

Here, in selecting the printer or cluster, the client computer 10 is selected in advance.
It is necessary to prepare a PPD (PostScript Printer Description) file or the like in the printer 3 and set the printer driver in advance. The PPD file describes the setting items for controlling the printer and its initial values, and whether or not the combination of settings is possible.
It will be provided as a file unique to each cluster. Then, the operator must link and prepare the PPD and the driver in his / her own computer for each printer or cluster.

Furthermore, some drivers include SNMP / M
There is also one with a so-called auto-configuration function that sequentially communicates with the printer side using IB or the like.

That is, the function supported by the printer and its initial value are registered in the MIB in advance, and the function supported by the printer is inquired when the driver is opened from the client side via the network. is there. For example, when a sorter with a stapling function is provided, the stapling function is disclosed, and a list of support setting items is shown to the driver on the user side to change the setting item to a desired setting item.

[Print Flow from Driver in this Embodiment] FIG. 28A is a print flow from the driver in this embodiment. That is, from S2801 to S
Up to 2807, the operation is similar to that from S2701 to S2707 in FIG. 27, but after that, it is different.

While a normal printer driver sets the IP address or name of a printer on the network as a port setting, or sets a parallel port, the printer driver in this embodiment
Job of the Web server in the document server 102
The feature is that the URL for acquiring the Submit page is assigned.

FIG. 28B shows the property screen 2851 of the printer 105a, which is the client computer 103.
In the above, the GUI for setting the port immediately after setting the printer driver is shown. The property screen has a tab (2852 to 2858) structure for each function. For example, a case is shown where there is a port setting in the Details tab 2853. However, the tabs and functions in this property are different for each driver and are not necessarily unique.

Although 2859 is a column (combo box) for selecting a print destination port, when the printer driver is first installed in the client computer 103, no port is prepared. Therefore, add a port (Add
Port) key 2862 is clicked to display the window shown in FIG. 28C. Port name (here Document Serv
er 102) and Server URL input item appears.
Enter the URL of Job Submit page of A and click OK button 28
Click 85 to return to the screen in FIG. 28B.

The driver 2860 used for printing
Confirm that the printer 105a is selected with
A timeout 2861 is set if necessary, and the property screen 2851 is closed with an OK button 2869.

As described above, We in the document server
URL of b server (specifically, "http: /// ~")
, It is a request to browse more specific pages.)
As described later, the GUI information of the job submit screen can be acquired from the document server and displayed on the browser of the client, and the print job (print data) generated by the client is TC.
Instead of P / IP, Port 9100, etc., it will be sent to the website of the URL specified by the application layer file transfer protocol (FTP protocol, etc.). In other words, by specifying the URL for the port monitor of the printer driver unlike in the past, it is possible to transmit a print job using a protocol not supported by the OS. For example, the OS of the client and the document server are completely different, and further, it is possible to send a print job to the document server at a remote location via the Internet (if the Web server of the document server permits access). Become.

Returning to FIG. 28A, with these settings,
When the OK button 1605 is clicked in S2806, the work of rewriting the data on the application to the PDL data (for example, PS data) is started, and at the same time, a predetermined port is displayed on the Job Submit page in the server 103.
The URL is sent. That is, the printer driver operating on the client side performs PDL processing of the print target data passed from the application, and at the same time prepares the HTML page (URL and the subsequent Job Submit
The HTML file name of the above) is given as an argument to the browser possessed by the client and activated. As a result, the browser is activated on the client and requests the specified HTML file to the document server 102 (which has already been described as being a Web server). Although it is the timing to request the transfer of the HTML file of the job submission, after confirming that the PDL conversion process has been completed, the process has been registered in the hot holder, and the print data has been registered in the server (registration completion from the server Alternatively, the HTML file may be requested. In this case, in S2814, since the PDL data has already been registered in the server, the job ticket is transmitted only.

Alternatively, the following may be performed.

Returning to FIG. 28A, by the above setting, S
When the OK button 1605 is clicked in 2806, the work of rewriting the data on the application into the PDL data (for example, PS data) is started, and when the PDL data is completed, the client server 103 stores it as a predetermined port registered in advance in the document server 103. JobSub in
The URL of the mit page starts up. That is, the printer driver operating on the client side converts the print target data passed from the application into PDL, and
The HTML page (URL followed by Job that follows the job submission prepared by the document server 102
Submit the HTML file name of Submit) to the browser of the client as an argument and start it. As a result, the browser starts on the client, and the browser loads the specified HTML file into the document server 102.
(I have already explained that it is also a Web server).

At the timing of requesting the transfer of the HTML file of the job submit, the normal print driver performs the sequential processing as described above. However, in the present embodiment, the job submit browser is always executed again. Since the screen is called and the print is activated again, the client 103 activates the Web server 2831 of the document server 102 immediately after clicking the OK button of the driver as shown in FIG. 28D, and at the same time, the PDL conversion process is performed in the client 103. At the same time, the browser is started on the client 103, the time when the user sets the job ticket is effectively used, and the processing is completed by the time the print button on the job submit screen is clicked. With PDL data Method of feeding to the document server 102 Nozomu of job ticket together is also possible.

Alternatively, in FIG. 28A, the PDL data is registered in the hot folder in advance, and after confirming that the print data is registered in the server (so that the server notifies the completion of registration), the HTML file May be requested. In this case, in S2814, P
Since DL data is registered in the server,
It only sends job tickets.

In response to this, the Web server unit 2831 in the server 103 transmits the job submit screen (html file) to the client to display the job submit screen on the client (S2808), and the operator selects the desired one. Can be changed to a job ticket again. Then, when the PDL file of S2807 is created, the PDL file and the changed job ticket are sent to the hot folder (S2814), and then the process shown in FIG.
It is printed in the same flow as 6, 27.

[Cluster Print Flow from Driver in this Embodiment] Generally, each printer has its own capability and function. When the client sets the printer, each printer driver is set, PPD that matches each printer
It is necessary to prepare (PostScript Printer Description) files etc., but these are only for the case of one target printer, if you want to print to two or more printers and different types of printers at the same time, or The reality is that it is not possible to support so-called cluster printing or job splitting operations, such as the case where one job is divided and output to different types of printers.

If an attempt is made to AND or OR the unique capabilities and functions of two different types of printers to create a PPD file, the number of combinations will be enormous, and if there are three or more different types of printers, it will no longer be supported. I can't run out.

Therefore, first, different types of printers are registered as cluster printers in the flow of FIG. Next, cluster printing is performed according to the flow of FIG. 28A. That is, the application is opened, and the driver issues a print instruction. At this time, a normal driver cannot set job tickets for two different types of printers. However, if the driver is set in advance as the document server 102 by the method of FIGS. 28B and 28C, it is possible to handle cluster printing as in the print flow of this embodiment.

FIG. 35 shows a GU for cluster printing.
I, and if cluster print (cluster print by MFP 104 & MFP 105 in the figure) is set in 1901 in the figure, it is possible to call job tickets for both MFP 104 and MFP 105 registered in advance in the web server. 1911 in the figure
By selecting job tickets for the MFP 104 and the MFP 105 respectively and starting print, cluster printing can be realized.

Further, in the embodiment, in order to simplify the description, the cluster print to the two different types of MFPs is described as an example by the flow and GUI, but it goes without saying that the case of supporting three or more units or , Multiple M of the same type
It is possible to deal with the FP by a similar method. However, in the case of the same type, a common job ticket is often selected. Therefore, by specifying only one job ticket, it is assumed that similar job tickets are specified for other printers. May be.

The print processing in the embodiment may be performed by a print instruction from a normal application, or may be performed by the above job submit. In either case, the data is stored as a file in the hot folder of the document server 102 and managed as a print queue. Since information indicating which printer is used to print each print data file is requested by the client, the printer that actually outputs the print data is determined using the information.

Therefore, the process of the document server 102 when the print process is actually performed will be described with reference to FIG.
A description will be given according to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S3801, the data file to be printed and the submitted setting information are read and the job is determined. A job is determined by setting a single printer name in the setting information, or by registering a printer group name in FIG. 23 (group name by a plurality of printers registered as job cluster mode, number of copies cluster mode). (Group name by multiple printers registered, group name by multiple printers registered as page cluster mode)
To determine if it is described in. Specifically, when sending a job, two files, a data file and a job ticket file, are sent from the client 103 to the document server 102. In the former, as described above, various data including PS data is sent. The latter, which is a file (job ticket file), is a text file and is issued in a form in which various information regarding output is described.

The job ticket file has a job name linked to the data file, and the job name is linked to the output destination. Based on this, the job determination is made in S3801. In addition, RIP and printer information are also described, and the document server performs RIP processing based on these.

If the printer name is a single printer name, the flow advances to step S3802 to subject the data file (for example, PS data output by the printer driver of the client, or an image data file transferred as a job submit) to RIP processing. Output to the specified printer.

The printer group name (for example, FIG.
9A “MFP104 & 105_CopyCluster”), the process proceeds to any of steps S3803 to 3804.

It is thought that steps S3803 to 3804 can be easily inferred from the meaning of each cluster described above, but the process (S3804) in the case where the printer group name registered as the copy cluster mode is designated is shown in FIG. It will be described according to the flowchart.

First, in step S3901, the number of copies in the setting information is divided by the number of printers registered as the number-of-copies cluster mode group to calculate the number of copies to be assigned to one printer. , It may be distributed over several printers. It is also possible to set the minimum number of copies (or the number of pages) in advance, and if it is less than that, output only to the printer with priorities in advance when the number of copies is less than the minimum number.

Next, in step S3902, the variable i
(1 is used as a variable that represents the page number) "1"
Initialize with and proceed to step S3903.

In step S3903, the number of copies to be printed by each printer determined previously is notified to each printer in PDL format data. Step S3904
Then, i page data (RIP processed data)
Is output to each printer. After that, it is determined whether or not printing has been completed for all the pages for which printing has been requested. If not, the process proceeds to step S3906, the variable i is incremented by "1", and the process returns to step S3903.

In the case of the above processing, as a result, each printer prints 1, 1, 1, ... 2, 2, 2 ,. Needless to say, it may be printed.

Second Embodiment [Cluster Print Flow from Driver] FIG. 34A shows a print flow in the second embodiment.

In FIG. 34A, unlike in FIG. 28A, S2
There is no printer / cluster selection for 803. That is,
To install the driver, setting up the driver for each printer and preparing a PPD file for each printer are bothersome.

Therefore, the job ticket of the printer driver connected to (or connectable to) the document server 102 is entered in advance in the Web server section of the document server 102 as each job submit screen (job ticket). Therefore, substitute it.

That is, as shown in FIG. 34B, the driver itself has a page and the number of copies that any printer has,
Alternatively, only items (for example, resolution) necessary for creating PDL data are prepared and these are sent to the Web server unit. In the Web server section, the default job submit page is displayed for the time being, and when the operator selects a printer from 1901 in FIG. 19A, the job submit screen with the job ticket of each printer is displayed according to the selected printer. The operator makes detailed job settings on the screen. At that time, the settings such as the page and the number of copies shown in FIG. 34B are already reflected and displayed in the Web server unit.
The operator can submit the job after changing it to an arbitrary setting.

<Third Embodiment> Even when different types of cluster print are set as in the first embodiment, the common items of the respective printers and the setting of the printer-dependent unique portion appear as the job ticket. . If you divide the pages in the browser, you have to make the same settings in each web page, and if you forget to set it, you may not be able to output as you want.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 36A to 36F, a link mark 3601 is prepared so that it can be discriminated whether it is a common item for each printer or a printer-dependent setting.

For example, the job distribution mode (S2 in FIG. 23)
307) or the number of copies cluster (S2308 of FIG. 23) is selected, the number of copies setting of 1911 in FIG. 36A should be set separately for each printer (MFP 104 and MFP 105). , Page cluster (S2309 in FIG. 23) and page separation mode (S23 in FIG. 23).
In the case of 05), since the number of copies is one copy, it is not necessary to set it.

Similarly, in the job distribution mode or the number-of-copies cluster, it is better to be able to set the staple, but in the page-cluster or page-separation mode, it is better not to be able to set it. At this time, for example, as shown in FIGS. 36C and 36D, “Not Available” is displayed for the job ticket and the setting is disabled.

<Fourth Embodiment> When printing is activated by the print driver, the printer generally outputs without worrying about security or the like. When printing is performed using the flow according to the embodiment, once the web of the server
Since it goes through the server unit, it becomes possible to define the security level for each user or operator.

[User / Group Security Level] When an operator-mediated print service is provided, the security level of general users and operators, or an administrator who can arbitrarily add or change the system configuration among operators, is set. It is important to decide.

FIG. 29 shows a screen for predetermining the privilege or security level of the user that appears when the user / group configuration key 2105 (FIG. 21) is pressed.

Here, the user / group setting unit 290
If you enter your user or group level in 1,
The user privilege 2902 permitted according to it is displayed.

The user privileges 2902 include, for example, the access right 2903 of the web browser and the right 2904,2 to monitor the status of jobs and devices.
905, the right to submit the job to the server 290
6. Rights granted to general users, such as scanner device access right 2907, or FIGS.
Operators such as right 2908 to control jobs such as 1741 and 1761 shown in D, right 2909 to change job priority and release order, right to reprint previously printed jobs 2910, etc. Right given to everyone and right related to system configuration such as addition, modification, deletion of printer / cluster / queue as described above 290
8 and rights such as the right to change user privileges 2909, which are granted only to the administrator (system administrator).

[User / Group Configuration] Next, a user who is given the right 2909 to change the user privilege can register a new user, change the user privilege, or delete the user / group. The flow will be described with reference to FIG.

When entering the web browser of this system, all users have to enter their user names and their passwords in advance (S3001, 3002). Enter the user name and password entered at that time once in the server computer 1
Send to 02. The server computer 102 confirms whether or not the sent user name and password match those registered in advance (S3003). At this time,
If the user is a user who can change the user privilege in advance, such as an administrator (system administrator), the process proceeds to mode selection S3005, but otherwise the user privilege cannot be changed.

When the server recognizes that the accessed client is an administrator, registration of a new user (from S3005) and change of privilege (S3011).
After this), or a desired process of deleting a user (after S3015) can be selected (S3005).

[Job Configuration] FIG. 31
Is a screen that determines the job control method and display order.
A job submitted from the client 103 (or the server 102 itself) is temporarily held in the server (hold)
However, the operator determines the control method for prioritizing and releasing the released jobs (released), and FIG. 32 shows the workflow at that time.

In other words, Use Hold Jobs 3101 checks
If (S3201) has been done, the way to hold the job is determined at 3102. Here, mode 1: all jobs are held (S3203). Mode 2: The job of the operator flows through (does not hold), and the jobs of other users are held (S3208). Mode 3: A specific user (for example, Without Hol in FIG. 29)
Jobs of users whose d Job 2913 is checked only) flow through, and jobs of other users are all held (S3210). If 3101 is not checked, mode 4: all jobs are made through (not held).

The held job is an operator or a user who can control the job (29 in FIG. 29).
Unless the person authorized in 08) releases the job, the job is held in the hot folder. Then, for the through job or the job released by the operator, the input job control unit 125 is input from the hot folder.
2. It is sequentially delivered to the RIP unit 1253.

[Sort Job] Next, from the standpoint of the operator, it is important to give priority to which job among the many held jobs. Actually, the operator also releases the jobs sequentially while giving priority to them while looking at the job status screen of the web browser, so if the operators are displayed on the screen in a predetermined order, the job status will be displayed in order from the top. You can save time because you just release while watching. For that purpose, it is necessary to sort and display the jobs in a predetermined order.

FIG. 33 shows the flow of sorting active jobs. Sort Job of FIG.
When s 3103 is checked, first, the list of active jobs is read, and sorting is performed using the selected sort key 3104 and sort order (ascending or descending order) 3105.

The sort key 3104 which can be designated here is the job name 1742, the target printer 1743, the job status 1744, the job priority 1745, the job ID 1746, the client name 1747, the number of pages of the job 1748, the number of copies 1 described in FIG. 17C.
749, a paper size 1750, or a comment field 1751 in which a request from a client to an operator is described.

Here, what is set in advance is a check box 3106 for selecting whether or not to display only keyword jobs in FIG. 31, and if this is selected, 3107 and 3108 in FIG. 31 become valid, If not, the list of all active jobs will be displayed. The display key 3107 can be selected from the same setting items as the sort key 3104, and the keyword 3108 can be arbitrarily input by the user.

[Simultaneous Control of Sorted Hold Jobs] Sorted jobs are displayed as a group in the active job list. Here, the operator, for example, among the jobs arranged in order of status,
Only hold jobs are selected as a group of jobs, and in the selected state, control key 1 in FIG. 17C is selected.
Jobs can be controlled all at once by clicking any one of 741.

Job control includes the above-described cancel key 1752, job temporary stop (job pause or hold) 1753, job restart (pause job or hold job release) 1754, and the like.

Also in the case of the job history (finished job: FIG. 17D), jobs can be sorted and searched in the same manner, and the jobs selected accordingly can be archived at the same time (jobs can be stored in different locations on the network). 1772, a batch deletion of jobs (deletion of jobs) 1773, and a batch reprint of jobs (reprint jobs) 1774.

<Fifth Embodiment> In the first embodiment,
When a print instruction is issued to the printer driver, or after the printer driver performs PDL processing on the print target data passed from the application, the HTML page (URL) related to the job submission prepared by the document server 102. Followed by Job Submit
The HTML file name of the client is given as an argument to the browser possessed by the client and activated. As a result, the browser is activated on the client, and the HTML file in which the activated browser is specified is the document server 102.
(I have already explained that it is also a Web server).

However, focusing on the method of activating the browser of the client 103, another method of activation can be considered. That is, the printer driver activates the browser of the client itself after PDL processing of the print target data passed from the application (or when a print instruction is issued). At that time, the URL of the Job Submit screen in the Web server unit of the document server 102 (for example, if calling FIG. 19A, ht
tp: //192.168.100.11/jobSu
bmit. It is started by the HTM). The activated browser goes to the specified URL to search for the html screen, and the server 102 sends the information of the html file indicated by this URL to the client side.

After that, as in the first embodiment, the operator again changes the desired job ticket if necessary, and clicks the print key to perform the print processing.

Note that the network configurations of FIGS. 1 and 2 are not equivalent to ordinary networks, but rather, the present invention is characterized in that it is realized by executing a program operating on each device. For example, in the case of a client, the program is a printer driver or a browser. Also, if the server is W
A program that functions as an eb server, a program that manages network resources (scanners and printers, or shared folders), a scheduler that performs print processing, a program that involves RIP processing, and network resource control (printers Data distribution) will be composed of the program. Therefore, it can be easily understood that the present invention includes these computer programs in its category.

Generally, in order to operate a computer on a general-purpose information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, a floppy disk or a CDRO storing these programs is stored.
Since a storage medium such as M is set and the installer is started or copied to the device, these storage media are also included in the scope of the present invention.

As described above, according to the embodiment, when printing is performed from the client using the print driver, the port is set in the Web server section prepared in the server, and the print is always activated from the job ticket screen. As a result, the client can always select and print the desired output destination with the unified GUI without setting a number of printer drivers or collecting setting files.

There is also a problem when creating the driver PPD.
It is possible to provide a user-friendly GUI without the restrictions of UI Constraints.

Further, the security level is set in advance for each client, which has not been possible in the past,
Print only jobs of authorized users,
With the authority of the operator, control such as canceling, holding, and releasing the job can be performed at the same time.

Further, according to the embodiment, it is possible to easily realize cluster printing from a print driver for cluster printing or job splitting to a plurality of devices, which are conventionally difficult to realize, especially to devices of different types. Become.

Further, it is very effective for cluster printing and job splitting to a plurality of devices, which are the weak points of the conventional printer driver, especially to different types of devices.

[0211]

As described above, according to the present invention, a desired output device on the network or a plurality of output devices can be designated by the same operation, and the operation can be performed by a plurality of operations. It can also be applied to the determination of the output mode when outputting by the output device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a network configuration of an embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a diagram showing another network configuration of the embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a structure of a scanner unit of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of a color scanner IP unit of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4B is a block diagram of a monochrome scanner IP unit of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a block configuration diagram of a FAX unit of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6A is a block configuration diagram of a NIC unit of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6B is a block diagram of a core unit of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7A is a block configuration diagram of a printer IP unit of the color image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7B is a block configuration diagram of a printer IP unit of the monochrome image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8A is a block configuration diagram of a PWM unit of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8B is a timing chart showing the operation timing of the PWM unit of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a sectional structural view of a color image forming apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a sectional structural view of a monochrome image forming apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a sectional structural view of a finisher portion of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 12A is a hardware configuration diagram of a document server according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12B is a diagram showing a job flow inside the document server in the embodiment.

FIG. 13A is a diagram showing a description example of PDL data.

FIG. 13B is a diagram showing image data after rasterization of PDL data.

FIG. 14A is a diagram showing a network environment.

FIG. 14B is a diagram showing network data transfer.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a GUI screen of a scanner driver.

FIG. 16A is a diagram showing an example of a GUI screen of a printer driver.

FIG. 16B is a diagram showing an example of a GUI screen of a printer driver.

FIG. 16C is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a printer driver.

FIG. 17A is a diagram showing a screen example of a job status tab.

FIG. 17B is a diagram showing a portion of the GUI of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 17C is a diagram showing a portion of the GUI of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 17D is a diagram showing a portion of the GUI of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a device status tab.

FIG. 19A is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a job submit tab.

FIG. 19B is a diagram showing a part of the GUI when Finishing is selected on the job submit tab.

FIG. 19C is a diagram showing a part of the GUI when Image Quality of the job submit tab is selected.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a scanning tab.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a screen example of a configuration tab.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of printer configuration.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of cluster configuration.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of queue configuration.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a spool queue table.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart at the time of printing from a job submit.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart at the time of printing when a conventional driver is used.

FIG. 28A is a flowchart at the time of printing from the driver of the present embodiment.

FIG. 28B is a diagram showing a driver setting property screen of the present embodiment.

FIG. 28C is a diagram showing a driver setting property screen according to the embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of a user / group configuration screen.

FIG. 30 is a user / group configuration flowchart.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job configuration screen.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing control of a hold job.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing an active job list display.

FIG. 34A is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure when printing is performed from the driver according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 34B is a diagram showing an example of a GUI screen of the print driver in the second embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a job submit tab screen in the case of a cluster according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 36A is a diagram showing a job submit tab screen in the case of a cluster in the third embodiment.

FIG. 36B is a diagram showing a job submit tab screen in the case of a cluster according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 36C is a diagram showing a part of the job submit tab screen in the case of the cluster in the third embodiment.

FIG. 36D is a diagram showing a part of a job submit tab screen in the case of a cluster in the third embodiment.

FIG. 36E is a diagram showing a part of the job submit tab screen in the case of a cluster in the third embodiment.

FIG. 36F is a diagram showing a part of the job submit tab screen at the time of clustering in the third embodiment of respect and love;

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure at the time of printing from the driver in the third embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing a procedure of print data output processing in the document server according to the embodiment.

39 is a flowchart showing the contents of S3804 in FIG.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AP07 AQ06                       AS02 HJ08 HL01 HL02 HN05                       HN16 HN17 HN18 HN19                 5B021 AA01 BB01 BB04 BB08 CC05                       EE04                 5B089 GA13 GB04 JA21 JB07 KA03

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. A network device management server that manages a plurality of network devices connected to a network and performs output processing to the network device in response to a request from a client on the network, the network device management server existing on the network. Setting means for setting a plurality of desired output devices as one virtual output device, and output of the virtual output device based on characteristics of individual output devices constituting the virtual output device set by the setting means When the virtual output device is designated as an output device by the registration means for determining and registering the mode and the client and the output information is received, the information is distributed according to the output mode of the virtual output device. And a network controller for performing output control. Chair management server. 2. The network device management server according to claim 1, wherein the output device is a printer. 3. The registration means, the judgment means for judging whether the virtual output device set by the setting means is composed of a mixture of monochrome / color printers or printers of the same type, When the determination unit determines that the virtual output device is configured by a mixture of monochrome / color printers, it outputs to the color printer when there is information about color for each page in the information to be printed. If there is no color information, the color / monochrome page separation mode for outputting to a monochrome printer, or
Selects whether to use color / monochrome routing mode, which outputs all information to the color printer if there is information on color even on one page, and outputs all information to the monochrome printer if there is no information on color. If the virtual output device is configured by the printer of the same type by the first selecting unit for performing the determination and the determining unit, a plurality of jobs are distributed to the individual printers configuring the virtual output device. Either the job cluster mode, the number of copies cluster mode in which the number of copies to be printed is allocated to each printer that constitutes the virtual output device, or the page cluster mode in which all the pages to be printed are divided into page units and distributed to each printer. And a second selecting means for selecting Network device management server according to claim second term to. 4. The network management server according to claim 2, further comprising a web server unit. 5. A GUI information transmitting means for transmitting GUI information for selecting the output device and the virtual output device to a browser included in the client when a predetermined request is made from the client. The network device management server according to claim 4. 6. The network device management server according to claim 2, wherein the information to be printed is a file designated by the client. 7. The network device management server according to claim 6, wherein the file is temporarily stored in a folder stored and managed by the network device management server. 8. The file according to claim 6, wherein the file is a file of a format expressing a predetermined image.
Item 7. The network device management server according to Item 7. 9. The network device management server according to claim 2, wherein the target information is print data generated by a printer driver operating on the client. 10. A GUI transmitted by the GUI information transmitting means.
The network device management server according to claim 5, wherein the information further includes information for displaying information regarding a job ticket for setting conditions related to output. 11. A GUI transmitted by the GUI information transmitting means.
The information further includes information that displays information about a job ticket for setting conditions related to output, and the condition information in the job ticket includes the number of print copies,
The network device management server according to claim 5, wherein the network device management server includes general setting information including a recording paper size, information regarding an output order in a finisher device included in the printer, and information regarding print quality. 12. The output means includes means for generating raster image data that can be output by a selected network device based on output target information, and the raster image data generated by the means is used for the selected network. The network device management server according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the network device management server outputs the device to the device via the network. 13. A method for controlling a network device management server, which manages a plurality of network devices connected to a network, and performs output processing to the network device in response to a request from a client on the network. A setting step of setting a plurality of desired output devices existing in the virtual output device as one virtual output device, and the virtual output based on the characteristics of the individual output devices constituting the virtual output device set in the setting step. A registration step of determining and registering the output mode of the device, and when the client specifies the virtual output device as an output device and receives output information, the information is output according to the output mode of the virtual output device. And an output control process for distributing the Network device management server control method. 14. A computer program that functions as a network device management server that manages a plurality of network devices connected to a network and performs output processing to the network devices in response to a request from a client on the network, Based on the setting process program for setting a plurality of desired output devices existing on the network as one virtual output device, and the characteristics of the individual output devices configuring the virtual output device set in the setting process. When a virtual output device is specified as an output device by a program of a registration process for determining and registering an output mode of the virtual output device by a client and output information is received, the information is output to the virtual output device. According to the output mode of A computer program for a network device management server, comprising: a program for an output control process for performing distribution. 15. A computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 14. 16. While functioning as a web server,
It manages multiple printers on the network, provides individual printers and virtual printers consisting of multiple printers as selectable printers for network clients, and distributes information from the clients to the selected printers. An information processing apparatus as a terminal for transmitting print target information to a network device management server, and print data for generating print data to be transmitted to the network device management server when an application issues a print instruction. Generating means, transmitting means for transmitting the generated print data to the network device management server, and at least a printer to be an output destination of the print data transferred from the network device management server GUI settings Receiving the broadcast, to display the setting screen, the information processing apparatus characterized by comprising a notification unit that notifies the printer to be output to the network device management server. 17. A function as a web server,
It manages multiple printers on the network, provides individual printers and virtual printers consisting of multiple printers as selectable printers for network clients, and distributes information from the clients to the selected printers. A method of controlling an information processing apparatus as a terminal for transmitting print target information to a network device management server, wherein when an application issues a print instruction, print data to be transmitted to the network device management server is generated. A print data generating step, a transmitting step of transmitting the generated print data to the network device management server, and a printer to be an output destination of at least the print data transferred from the network device management server in order to Receiving a UI setting information, to display the setting screen, the control method for an information processing apparatus the output target printer characterized by comprising a notification step of notifying the network device management server. 18. While functioning as a web server,
It manages multiple printers on the network, provides individual printers and virtual printers consisting of multiple printers as selectable printers for network clients, and distributes information from the clients to the selected printers. A computer program that functions as an information processing device as a terminal that transmits print target information to a network device management server, and print data to be transmitted to the network device management server when a print instruction is issued from the application. A program for a print data generation step for generating a print data, a program for a transmission step for transmitting the generated print data to the network device management server, and a program transferred from the network device management server, at least before A notification step program for receiving GUI setting information for designating a printer as an output destination of print data, displaying a setting screen, and notifying the network device management server of the output target printer. A computer program to do. 19. A computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 18. 20. As well as functioning as a web server,
It manages multiple printers on the network, provides individual printers and virtual printers consisting of multiple printers as selectable printers for network clients, and is based on data files stored in a prescribed file storage folder. An information processing device as a terminal that transmits print target information to a network device management server that distributes print data to the printer, and specifies a data file to be stored in the file storage folder and a print output destination. A request unit for requesting the network device management server to display information for displaying a GUI screen for performing the request, and a GUI screen displayed as a result of the request by the request unit.
Information processing, characterized by comprising: a transmission means for storing the data file in the file storage folder by notifying the network device management server of information for identifying a designated file and a designated printer. apparatus. 21. While functioning as a web server,
Manages multiple printers on the network, provides individual printers and virtual printers composed of multiple printers as selectable printers for network clients, and is based on data files stored in a prescribed file storage folder A method for controlling an information processing apparatus as a terminal for transmitting print target information to a network device management server that distributes print data to the printer, comprising a data file to be stored in the file storage folder and a print output. A request step for requesting the network device management server to display information for displaying a GUI screen for designating a destination, and a GUI screen displayed as a result of the request by the request step,
A transmission step of storing the data file in the file storage folder by notifying the network device management server of information for identifying a designated file and a designated printer. Device control method. 22. While functioning as a web server,
It manages multiple printers on the network, provides individual printers and virtual printers consisting of multiple printers as selectable printers for network clients, and is based on data files stored in a prescribed file storage folder. A computer program that functions as a terminal that transmits print target information to a network device management server that distributes print data to the printer, and specifies a data file to be stored in the file storage folder and a print output destination. On the GUI screen displayed as a result of the request by the request step program for requesting the network device management server to display information for displaying the GUI screen for
A transmission process program for storing the data file in the file storage folder by notifying the network device management server of information for identifying the designated file and the designated printer. Computer program. 23. A computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 22.