JP2003196058A - Printing system and its resource using method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system and its resource using method capable of printing even a complicated document maintaining productivity by dispersing a load of a print job in a print system. <P>SOLUTION: This print system prints and outputs image data sent from a host computer communicable via a network, and detects an operation state and operation specifications of a printer connected to the network (S103), and a print server or a printer commanded for printing controls so as to share image plotting-developing processing with the other printer waiting for commands for printing on the basis of the printing commands and the detected information (S104, and S105). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer system connected via a network, and more particularly to a print system for efficiently distributing print loads among a plurality of printers in a network to obtain print output. It relates to how to use the resource.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, networking has progressed, and a printer has been incorporated into the network from a local printer so that a plurality of users can share one printer, thereby improving the convenience of users. . Also, by installing multiple printers on the network, if a printer that a user normally uses is in use, select another unused printer to print, Can be increased.

In the case of the printing system as described above,
When obtaining a print output, the user selects a document and a printer to be printed on his / her personal computer and gives an instruction to print. The document is automatically converted into the page description language and transferred to the printer via the network. The printer draws and develops an image from the received page description language to obtain a print output.

[0004]

However, the time required for printing is greatly influenced by the time for drawing and developing an image from the page description language. For example, a simple document does not require much time for drawing and developing an image. Although print output can be obtained immediately, a complicated document takes time to draw and develop an image, resulting in poor productivity.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, and by distributing the load of print jobs in the print system, it is possible to print even complicated documents while maintaining productivity. It is to provide a method of using the system and its resources.

That is, a printer or print server that receives a print instruction waits for a print instruction on the network, that is, finds a printer that is not executing print JOB and takes the longest process, for example, a process of drawing and developing an image. Providing a printing system that can print while maintaining productivity by sharing with the printer in the waiting state

In order to solve this problem, the print system of the present invention is connected to a network in a print system which prints out image data sent from a host computer communicable via the network. The detection means for detecting the operating state and the operation specification of the printer, and the print server or the printer which has received the print instruction are set to other printers waiting for the print instruction based on the print instruction and the information obtained by the detection means. A print system control means for controlling the processing of drawing and developing the image to be shared.

Here, when the load of the print instruction is larger than a predetermined reference value, the print system control means causes another printer to share the process of drawing and developing the image. Further, the print system control means shares the process of drawing and developing an image according to the drawing and developing capability of the printer connected to the network. Also, whether to allow the sharing of the process of drawing and developing the image,
Alternatively, it further includes setting means for setting the priority order of processing sharing. Further, the print server has the print system control means. Further, the printer or the multifunction peripheral has the print system control means. Further, the client computer has the print system control means.

The print server of the present invention is a print server connected to a print system that prints out image data sent from a host computer capable of communicating via a network, and operates a printer connected to the network. Based on the print instruction and the information obtained by the detection unit, the detection unit that detects the state and the operating specifications and the print server or printer that has received the print instruction display an image to another printer waiting for the print instruction. And a print system control means for controlling so as to share the processing for drawing and developing. Here, when the load of the print instruction is larger than a predetermined reference value, the print system control means shares the process of drawing and developing an image with another printer. Further, the print system control means shares the process of drawing and developing an image according to the drawing and developing capability of the printer connected to the network. Also, whether to allow the sharing of the process of drawing and developing the image,
Alternatively, it further includes setting means for setting the priority order of processing sharing.

Further, the printer of the present invention is a printer connected to a print system for printing out image data sent from a host computer communicable via a network. The detection means that detects the operating specifications and the print server or printer that received the print instruction
Print system control means for controlling, based on the print instruction and the information obtained by the detection means, the other printers waiting for the print instruction to share the processing for drawing and developing the image. To do.
Here, when the load of the print instruction is larger than a predetermined reference value, the print system control means shares the process of drawing and developing an image with another printer.
Further, the print system control means shares the process of drawing and developing an image according to the drawing and developing capability of the printer connected to the network. Further, it further has a setting means for setting whether or not the sharing of the processing for drawing and developing the image is permitted, or for setting the priority order of the processing sharing.

The network computer of the present invention is a network computer connected to a print system that prints out image data sent from a host computer capable of communicating via the network, and operates a printer connected to the network. Based on the print instruction and the information obtained by the detection unit, the detection unit that detects the state and the operating specifications and the print server or printer that has received the print instruction display an image to another printer waiting for the print instruction. And a print system control means for controlling so as to share the processing for drawing and developing. Here, when the load of the print instruction is larger than a predetermined reference value, the print system control means shares the process of drawing and developing an image with another printer. Further, the print system control means shares the process of drawing and developing an image according to the drawing and developing capability of the printer connected to the network. Further, it further has a setting means for setting whether or not the sharing of the processing for drawing and developing the image is permitted, or for setting the priority order of the processing sharing.

A resource utilization method of the present invention is a resource utilization method in a print system for printing out image data sent from a host computer communicable via a network. A process in which a print server or printer that detects an operating state and operation specifications and receives a print instruction draws and develops an image on another printer waiting for a print instruction based on the print instruction and the detected information. It is characterized by controlling so as to share.
Here, in the sharing control, when the load of the print instruction is larger than a predetermined reference value, another printer is made to share the process of drawing and developing the image. In the sharing control, the processing of drawing and developing an image is shared according to the drawing and developing capability of the printer connected to the network. Further, the method further includes a step of setting whether or not to permit sharing of processing for drawing and developing an image, or setting a priority order of processing sharing.

Further, the print control program of the present invention is
A print control program that prints out image data sent from a host computer that can communicate via a network, including a management module that detects and manages the operating state and operating specifications of a printer connected to the network, and print instructions. And a control module that controls the received print server or printer to share the processing of drawing and developing an image with another printer waiting for the print instruction based on the print instruction and the detected information. It is characterized by Here, when the load of the print instruction is larger than a predetermined reference value, the control module shares the process of drawing and developing an image with another printer. Further, the control module shares the processing for drawing and developing an image according to the drawing and developing capability of the printer connected to the network.
Further, it further includes a setting module for setting whether or not to permit sharing of processing for drawing and developing an image, or for setting a priority order of processing sharing.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Example of Configuration of Print System of Present Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an overall configuration of a print system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a local area network for connecting the respective devices of the print system, which performs communication and control between the respective devices centering on the print server 104 according to a predetermined protocol. Reference numerals 102 and 106 denote client computers, which are computers by which a user creates, edits, and processes documents. A printer 103 prints print data sent from the client computers 102 and 106 under the control of the print server 104.

Reference numeral 105 designates an F, centering on the function of the copying machine.
It is a multi-function peripheral with functions such as AX and network printer. Reference numeral 107 denotes a public telephone line, and the multi-function peripheral 105 transmits / receives FAX via this line. In addition, like the printer 103, the multi-function peripheral 105 is controlled by the client server 1 under the control of the print server 104.
The print data sent from 02 and 106 can also be printed. Of course, it can be used alone as a copying machine.

Client computers 102 and 10
If the user wishes to edit and create the document edited in step 6, a print file for the shared printer selected by the user, that is, either the printer 103 or the multi-function peripheral 105 is created by the application software and printer driver software. Be transferred to the printer. At this time, the created document is converted into the page description language accepted by the selected printer by the application software and the printer driver installed in each client computer,
Transferred as a print file. These operations are
A user can easily set and output an instruction by using a user interface of application software or a printer driver used for creating and editing a document on the client computers 102 and 106.

The print file transferred to the printer is temporarily stored in the print server 104 and then transferred to the selected printer. Print server 104
Manages a print file sent from the client computer 102 or 106 for each designated printer and manages it as a JOB, and centrally controls each printer.

For example, even if there are a large number of print files on the client computer side, the print server 104 can successively receive the print files so that the client computer side waits for the end of each print job. Without being released from their own print jobs, the rest is print server 1
It is possible to move to the next work by causing 04 to process, and it is devised to improve the productivity on the client computer side.

Further, the print server 10 according to the present embodiment.
4 constantly monitors the operating status of client computers and printers on the network and the status of JOB via the network 101, and controls the operation of the entire system. This is because, for example, when the printer 103 is selected from the client computer 102 and prints out, the print server 104 detects and grasps the operating state of the multi-function peripheral 105, the JOB status, and the performance, and the JOB to the print 103 is detected. Part of that, that is, the most time-consuming step, that is, the step of drawing and developing an image from the sent print file
By sharing the work load with 05, the JOB load is distributed and the productivity is further improved.

Although FIG. 1 shows an example of a system including two client computers 102 and 106, a print server 104, a printer 103, and a multifunction peripheral 105, the number of these is not limited at all. In addition, the printer 103 and the multi-function peripheral 1 do not have to go through the print server 104.
05 itself may detect the respective operating states and the status of JOBs, and may perform decentralized management so as to share JOBs with each other. Further, it may be distributed or centrally managed by a client computer or other devices connected to the local area network 101.

<Structure and Operation Example of Print Server 104> (Block Structure Example) FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram for explaining the internal structure of the print server 104. As described above, resource management is performed by the printer 103 and the multifunction device 1.
05 by itself or the client computer 102
In the case of or 106, the following data is prepared in these devices and the same control is carried out.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a network I / F, which includes the client computers 102 and 106 and the printer 10.
3. Communication with each device connected to the network 101 such as the multifunction peripheral 105 is performed according to a predetermined protocol. Although not shown, the network I / F 201 is equipped with a dedicated network controller IC, CPU, ROM in which a control program is written, and work RAM, which controls the protocol and enables faster communication. Has become.

Reference numeral 202 denotes a CPU that controls the print server 104, and 204 denotes each client computer 1.
02 and 106, print files, operating status of each device connected to the network 101, JOB
And a hard disk for temporarily storing image files obtained as a result of the distributed processing, 205 is a work RAM and a ROM in which a control program is written.
01 to 201 are mutually connected by a local bus 203.

The print server 104 sends each print file sent from each client computer to the network 101 to each designated output destination, that is, the printer 1.
03, sorted by MFP 105, hard disk 2
The data is sequentially stored in 04. Then, as soon as the printer 103 or the multifunction peripheral 105 becomes ready for printing, the print files stored in the hard disk 204 are sequentially transferred to the desired printer 103 or the multifunction peripheral 105.

The print server 104 also performs the work of monitoring and confirming the type of printer connected to the entire system, for example, the type of page description language handled by the printer, its performance, operating status, and JOB status. ing.

For example, when the user turns on the power of the printer 103 that has not been operating until now, in the power-on sequence, the printer 103 notifies the print server 104 of the fact that the printer 103 is operating and It is designed so that information such as image drawing and development performance and a page description language handled by itself, for example, Postscript language, LIPS language, etc., is also sent via the network 101.

On the contrary, when the power is turned off, in the power down sequence, a notification that the operation is stopped is sent before the power is turned off. The power down sequence and the notification function in the power down sequence are applied to all the devices connected to the network 101, and are incorporated in the programs of the respective devices in advance.

These notifications are not limited to the power-on sequence and the power-down sequence described above, but can be notified whenever necessary. Of course, in the case of making these notifications, it goes without saying that the print server 104 makes a notification including the information such as the network address of the network device by which the notification source can be specified.

(Example of Management Information) Based on the data notified from each device as described above, the print server 104 is configured as shown in FIG.
The printer table 30 as shown in the upper row is created, and the work of managing and confirming the printers and multifunction peripherals connected to the network 101 is performed. This printer table 3
The 0 is created by sending data from each printer on the network during the power-on sequence, but can also be created by issuing a request for information from the print server 104 to each printer and each multifunction peripheral. .

As shown in the upper part of FIG. 3, regarding a device having a print function connected to the system, a line 31 for the printer 103 and a line 3 for the multifunction peripheral 105.
It is stored as 2. For example, in the system of this embodiment, the printer 103 is in operation and the page description language corresponds to the LIPS language. For example, if it supports PostScript language, it will be PS. The performance represents the ability to draw and develop an image from the received print file, that is, the page description language, and represents the performance of the printer controller installed in each printer or the multifunction peripheral. For example, the CPU that the printer has
It is expressed numerically based on the type and memory capacity.
For example, in this embodiment, the higher the performance, the larger the number. The printer 103 is 4 and the multifunction device 105 is 16, and the multifunction device 105 is the printer 1
It shows that it has 4 times the performance of 03. The contents of the printer table 30 in FIG. 3 are not limited to this example. For example, print functions (such as font format) other than language and performance are stored,
It may be used to judge the distribution, and the performance value is also based on the clock speed, memory capacity, drawing expansion method, etc.
It may be calculated in consideration of the contents of the JOB. .

The JOB is rewritten during execution while the print server 104 transfers the print file to each printer or multi-function peripheral. Each printer or multi-function peripheral transfers an end notification to the print server 104 when the execution of the JOB is completed, and the print server 104, which has received the end notification, rewrites it while waiting and can detect the end of the JOB. Further, in the case of an operation peculiar to the multi-function peripheral 105, for example, a copy operation, the server 104 can be notified that the multi-function peripheral 105 is notified and the job is being executed.

For example, the client computer 102
Documents edited and created by
A printer to be output, for example, the printer 103 is selected, the document is automatically converted into a page description language that matches the printer 103 by application software or a printer driver, and is transferred to the printer 103. For example, in this embodiment, it is converted into the LIPS language.

In this case, the printer 103 in the lower part of FIG.
In the JOB table 50 of, like line 51, for example, JOB
B-No. Then, the system ID (102 in this example) of the client who has instructed the JOB, the number of pages to be printed, the current state of the JOB (printing / standby), and the like are stored. In this example, the number of pages and the performance are described as the standard of the distributed processing for simplification, but the contents of the JOB table 50 are not limited to the present example, and may be changed depending on what standard is used to determine the distributed processing execution. And will be added. Print data (file) 60 is stored corresponding to each JOB.

The print file transferred to the printer is temporarily stored in the print server 104 and then transferred to the selected printer 103. At this time, the print server 104 estimates the print time from the contents of the print file sent and the performance of the selected printer. For example, when printing a large amount of complicated print data, it takes a long time to finish. This is because the time required for printing greatly depends on the time for drawing and developing an image from the page description language.

The print server 104 controls to distribute the JOB when it takes longer than a given evaluation value. Here, a certain evaluation value is a threshold value when efficiency is increased by distributing JOBs, and this value can be arbitrarily set by the system administrator. Alternatively, it may be automatically calculated according to the operating rate of the entire system. For example, if the value evaluation is reduced, the probability of performing distributed processing is increased, and as a result, the usage rate of the network 101 is increased, which hinders processing other than printing and communication between the client computers 102 and 106, such as file transfer and mail transfer. If the value evaluation is increased, the probability of performing the distributed processing is reduced, and the performance of the print job is reduced, but the processing other than the printing is less likely to be hindered. The system administrator sets the optimum value for the operation of the system.

The print server 104 searches for printers connected to the network in order to distribute JOBs.
The table 30 shown in FIG. The condition at this time is that the printer or the multifunction peripheral that is in operation, handles the same page description language, and is on standby.

For example, when the multi-function peripheral 105 that matches the conditions is extracted, the JOB distribution method is determined from the performance and network conditions, and the printer 103 and the multi-function peripheral 105 are notified. For example, one of the five pages of the print file is printed on the printer 103 and the remaining four pages are printed.
For pages, JOBs are distributed and transferred to the multi-function peripheral 105, and the printer 105 draws and develops an image. For example, it is determined from the obtained performance information that the multifunction peripheral 105 has a performance that is about four times higher than that of the printer 103. Since the page can be rendered and developed, the most efficient distribution method was decided. Further, as will be described later, when the distribution method is determined, the user can set the priority order or can remove the distribution method from the network group in which the distribution processing is performed.

The processing during this time is shown in the JOB table 40 of the multifunction machine 105 shown in the middle part of FIG.
Since there is no B (for example, JOB-No. Is 0), multifunction device 1
The drawing expansion processing for 05 is determined, and as shown in FIG. 4, the distribution-instructed JOB is stored in the row 41 of the JOB table 40 of the multi-function peripheral 105 while retaining the relationship with the distribution-source JOB. The page order, in this example, the printer 103 is the first
The processing such as the page and the multi-function peripheral 105 expanding the second to fifth pages is omitted because it becomes complicated.

The image whose drawing development has been completed by the multi-function peripheral 105 is sent back to the print server 104 instead of directly obtaining the print output from the multi-function peripheral 105. This is because if the print server 104 does not manage the output to the same printer, the print output is distributed at the same time as the distributed processing. For example, when the printer 103 is on the third floor of the office and the multifunction device 105 is on the fourth floor of the office, the user has to go to the document output on the upper floor, which may cause a loss of convenience. Is.

At this time, depending on the state of the network 101, that is, the state of occupation of the network by other devices, it is determined whether the data is compressed or returned to the print server 104 as it is. That is, the network 101
Depending on the occupied state, it may take a long time to transfer the image file that has been rendered and expanded. For example, the data is reduced by compressing it, and the transfer time is shortened.

The image file returned to the print server 104 as it is is transferred to the printer 103, and if it is compressed, it is immediately expanded to obtain a print output. In this way, the JO
By performing the distribution of B, the drawing development speed becomes about four times as fast as the drawing development using only the printer 103.
Productivity can be increased compared to normal printing.

In the JOB distribution method, for example, not only the drawing expansion process itself is distributed, but also in the drawing expansion process, as will be described later, the image expansion control of the controller of each printer or the multi-function peripheral is controlled from the page description language. The conversion process may be distributed up to an intermediate language that is convenient for. A decentralized method can be considered in which the most efficient method can be selected depending on various conditions such as the network that configures the system, the printer and the multi-function peripheral connected to it.

(Example of Processing Flowchart) FIG. 5 shows a simple flowchart for explaining the above-described processing.

In step S101, the print time is predicted from the sent print file, and it is evaluated whether distributed processing is more efficient. In the present embodiment, it is determined whether to perform the distributed processing by comparing it with a predetermined evaluation value. When the distributed processing is not performed, the processing is continued only by the printer selected in step S102.

When distributed processing is performed, step S10 is performed.
At 3, the printer connected to the network 101 is searched. In this embodiment, the printer table 30 shown in FIG. 3 which is created in advance is searched. Step S1
As a result of the search at 04, if there is no printer that matches the condition that the distributed processing can be executed, the processing is continued by the printer selected at step S102. If there is a printer that matches the conditions for executing distributed processing, step S
At 105, the distributed processing method is determined according to the system conditions. In this embodiment, as described above, the distributed processing method is determined according to the performance of the printer, and the distributed processing is started. Further, as will be described later, when determining the distribution method, the user can set the priority order or can remove the distribution method from the network group that performs the distribution processing.

(Charging Example of Server Processing) When the network print system and the equipment connected to the network according to the present embodiment are managed by a third party other than the user, that is, a specialized company, the maintenance cost imposed on the user by the company. Is charged according to the evaluation value in step S101 and the distributed processing method in step S105. This is because the evaluation value in step S101 is related to the line utilization rate of the network 101, and the distributed processing method in step S105 has a high performance because the distributed processing method is determined by the performance of the printer in this embodiment, for example. This is because the printer does not print as much as the printer, but the utilization rate of the controller inside the printer is higher. For example, it is effective to calculate the utilization rate of these and increase the basic fee accordingly.

<Structure and Operation Example of Printer 103> (Block Structure Example) FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of the internal structure of the printer 103.

A network I / F 501 includes client computers 102 and 106 and a printer 10.
3, the multifunction peripheral 105, the print server 104, and other devices connected to the network 101 are communicating according to a predetermined protocol. 502 is a CPU
A (central processing unit) controls the entire printer 103 based on a control program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 503. 504 is a work
The RAM is configured so that its capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM (not shown). The work RAM 504 stores various information and also functions as a work area for the CPU 502.

505 is a dedicated image controller (ASIC)
Then, the rendering processing to the image memory 506 and the transfer of the rendered image data to the printer engine 507 are controlled. Specifically, it has a function of expanding a raster image image in the image memory 506 based on a file described in the page description language, and transferring the expanded image based on a synchronization signal 508 from the printer engine 507. 510 is a hard disk, and work RAM 5
04 and the image memory 506 are used for temporary saving of data stored in the image memory 506 and used for an auxiliary role. 511
The operation unit is provided with keys and a display for confirming the print state and the set contents, and is capable of performing various operations from the outside and displaying various information such as error information.

Reference numeral 512 denotes a CPU bus, and the CPU 502 controls access to each device connected via the CPU bus 512. The printer engine 507 is composed of an inkjet printer engine, a laser beam printer engine, or the like, drives a printer unit (not shown), and is connected to the ASIC 505 via the video bus 509 and outputs a synchronization signal 508. The image memory 506 is
It is connected to the ASIC 506 and develops a raster image. The area is divided into two areas, α and β. This is not limited to two areas, but may be divided into a plurality of areas.

(Basic Operation Example) Next, the operation of each part of the system having the above configuration will be described.

Client computers 102 and 10
A print file of the page description language, for example, the page description language data described by LIPS or PS, which is instructed to be printed by 6 and is sent via the print server 104 is received by the network controller 501 and is stored in the work RAM 504 via the CPU 502. Secured,
For example, it is temporarily stored in a reception buffer or the like. The CPU 502 refers to the page description language data temporarily stored in the work RAM 504, converts it into intermediate language data that can be used by the ASIC 505, and stores it again in the work RAM 504 sequentially.

When the conversion processing into the intermediate language data progresses to some extent, the CPU 502 sends a command to start image development to the ASIC 505, and the ASIC 505 causes the work RAM 504 to operate.
The raster image image rasterization process (rendering process) is performed at high speed in the α side area of the image memory 506 while referring to the intermediate language data stored in. Also, CPU 502
At the same time, the conversion processing to the intermediate language data is simultaneously performed and stored in the work RAM 504. At this time, CPU5
02 and ASIC 505 work simultaneously via bus 512
To prevent access to RAM504, ASIC50
Arbitration is performed by an arbitration circuit (arbitration circuit) for acquiring the bus 512 built in the 5.

When the CPU 502 receives an interrupt from the ASIC 505 for ending the expansion of the image data in the α area of the image memory 506, the CPU 502 sends a start command to the printer engine 507 to start the printer engine 507.
At the same time, the CPU 502 sends a command to the ASIC 505 to set the α area of the memory 506 to the video output mode,
The printer waits for the synchronization signal 508 from the printer engine 507. In this way, the printer engine 507
When is started, printing paper is fed, though not shown
Horizontal sync signal, vertical sync signal (hereinafter collectively referred to as sync signal 5
(Described as 08) is generated and sent to the ASIC 505.
When the synchronization signal 508 is input to 505, the image memory 5
The image data expanded in the α area 06 is sequentially transferred to the printer engine 507 via the video bus 509.

At this time, the CPU 502 and ASIC 505 are simultaneously
Is the above-mentioned conversion processing into intermediate language data and the RAM 5
While referring to 04 stored intermediate language data,
The raster image image expansion processing (rendering processing) is being continued at high speed in the β side area of the image memory 506,
When the transfer of the α side area to the printer engine 507 is completed, the operation is switched to the β side area, and the transfer of the image developed in the β side area to the printer engine 507 is continued.

Transfer to the printer engine 507 and raster image expansion into the image memory 506 are performed by α, β.
By alternately performing the raster image image development and printing at the same time, it is devised to improve productivity by increasing the printing speed.

(Example of distributed processing) A case where distributed processing is instructed will be described below.

Client computers 102 and 10
The image file of the page description language data, which is instructed to be printed by 6 and is sent together with the instruction command for distributed processing via the print server 104, is received by the network controller 501, and the work RAM is sent via the CPU 502.
Reserved on 504. The CPU 502 refers to the page description language data temporarily stored in the work RAM 504 and
The data is converted into intermediate language data that can be used by 505 and stored again in the work RAM 504. If the distributed processing is instructed, the RAM is sent to the print server 104 again when the intermediate language data is converted according to the distributed processing condition.
The intermediate language data stored in 504 is returned.

When the conversion processing into the intermediate language data has progressed to some extent, the CPU 502 sends a command to start image development to the ASIC 505, and the ASIC 505 works RAM 504.
While referring to the stored intermediate language data of, the raster image image rasterization processing (rendering processing) is performed at high speed in the α side area of the image memory 506. Also, CPU 502
Continues to be converted into intermediate language data and stored in the work RAM 504. At this time, CPU 502 and AS
The IC 505 simultaneously operates the work RAM 50 via the bus 512.
Arbitration is performed by an arbitration circuit (arbitration circuit) for acquiring the bus 512 in the ASIC 505 so that the access to 4 is not generated.

When the CPU 502 receives an interrupt from the ASIC 505 to finish the expansion of the image data in the α area of the image memory 506, the CPU 502 sends a start command to the DMA control circuit incorporated in the ASIC 505, and sends the image to the network controller 501. An instruction is sent to transfer the image data to the α area of the memory 506. The DMA control circuit reads the image data from the α area of the memory 506, sequentially acquires the CPU bus 512 by the arbitration of the arbitration circuit (arbitration circuit), and transfers it to the network controller 501 via the CPU bus 512.

At this time, at the same time, the CPU 502 and the ASIC 505
Is the above-mentioned conversion processing to intermediate language data and RAM
While referring to the stored intermediate language data in 504, raster image image expansion processing (rendering processing) is being continued at high speed in the β side area of the image memory 506, and the α side area is transferred to the network controller 501. When is completed, the image is switched to the β side area, and the transfer of the image developed in the β side area to the network controller 501 is continued.

In this way, when the distributed processing is instructed, when the interruption of the completion of the expansion of the image data is received, the expanded image stored in the image memory 506 to the print server 104 again via the network controller 501. The data is sent back in sequence.
Further, as described above, in some cases, image compression can be performed to reduce the size of the data, and the data can be sent back.

(Example of Processing Flowchart) FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the processing procedure of the printer 103.

In step S201, the print server 1
Wait for instructions from 04. When there is an instruction from the print server 104, it is determined in step S202 whether the instruction is a print instruction or a distributed drawing expansion processing instruction for printing by another device.

If it is a print instruction, step S203.
Then, it is determined whether the data attached to the print instruction is data that needs drawing development or data that has already undergone drawing development processing in another device. If drawing expansion is needed,
In step S204, drawing development based on the received data is executed. The data developed and developed in step S204, or the data developed and developed by another device are stored in step S204.
It is printed at 205.

On the other hand, if the instruction is for distributed processing, the flow advances to step S206 to perform drawing expansion of the received data, and the data expanded in step S207 is used as the print server 1.
Returned to 04.

Note that processing such as compression is not shown in FIG. In practice, it is preferable to temporarily suspend the process, notify the print server of the change, change the order of the process, etc., when a priority print process is instructed during the distributed process. It is not shown in FIG. 7 to avoid complexity.

<Structure and Operation Example of Multifunction Device 105> (Block Structure Example) FIG. 8 shows a schematic block diagram of the internal structure of the multifunction device 105.

Reference numeral 601 denotes a network I / F, which includes the client computers 102 and 106 and the printer 10.
3. Communication with each device connected to the network 101 such as the multifunction peripheral 105 is performed according to a predetermined protocol.

A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 602 is a ROM
The overall control of the multi-function peripheral 105 is governed based on the control program stored in the (read only memory) 603. A work RAM 604 stores various information and also functions as a work area for the CPU 602. 6
Dedicated image controller (ASIC) 05 is an image memory 6
06 rendering processing, the rendered image data, the scanner 608 and the scanner I / F 609.
A scanner image sent via the printer or an image from the FAX unit 612 is controlled to be transferred to the printer engine 607 via the image memory 606.

In the rendering process, the raster image image is expanded in the image memory 606 based on the file described in the page description language, and the expanded image is reproduced on the video bus 614 based on the synchronization signal 615 from the printer engine 607.
It is a function to transfer via. In addition, the scanner I / F60
Image data from the 9 or FAX unit 612 to the memory 6
It also has the function of transferring via 06. A hard disk 610 includes a work RAM 604 and an image memory 6
Plays an auxiliary role for 06. 611 is an operation unit,
A key and a display for confirming the copy status, the print status, and the set contents are provided, and various operations from the outside can be performed and various information such as error information can be displayed. A FAX unit 612 is connected to a public line and is capable of FAX communication.

Reference numeral 613 denotes a CPU bus, and the CPU 602 controls access to each device connected via the CPU bus 613. The printer engine 607 is composed of an inkjet printer engine, a laser beam printer engine, or the like, drives a printer unit (not shown), and is connected to the ASIC 605 via the video bus 614 and outputs a synchronization signal 615. The image memory 606 is
It is connected to the ASIC 606, and raster image images are developed and scanner images and FAX images are temporarily stored. The area is divided into two areas, α and β. This is not limited to two areas, but may be divided into a plurality of areas.

(Basic Operation Example) Next, the operation of each part of the system having the above configuration will be described.

When the user places a document on the scanner 608 and presses the copy button on the operation unit 611, the CPU 602 executes the C
Pressing the copy button is detected via the PU bus 613, and control for the copy operation is started for each block. The CPU 602 is the network controller 60
1. Issue a copy operation notification to the server 104 via the network 101. As described above, the server 104 that has received the copy operation notification from the multi-function peripheral 105, for example, uses the JOB of the printer table 30 shown in FIG.
Can be recognized as being in operation peculiar to the copying machine by changing the state from waiting to executing.

Further, the CPU 602 immediately starts control for the copy operation. The CPU 602 issues a command for a copy operation to the ASIC 605, the printer engine 607, and the scanner I / F 609 via the CPU bus 613. Scanner I / F6 that received the command
09 also issues a scan operation command via the communication line 616. The scanner 608 which received the command irradiates the document with light from a light source (not shown), sequentially reads the document by a sensor (not shown), and sequentially scans the data read via the data bus 617 with the synchronization signal 618 while sequentially scanning the scanner I / F 609. Transfer to. Upon receiving the image data, the scanner I / F 609 performs appropriate correction such as gradation correction for printing from the printer engine 607, and sequentially stores it in the image memory 606 via the bus 619. Printer engine 60 that received commands at the same time
7, the synchronization signal 615 is generated, and the ASIC 605 reads the copy images sequentially stored in the image memory 606 based on the synchronization signal 615 and transfers them to the printer engine 607 via the bus 614 to obtain a copy output. It has become. At this time, the image memory 606 is used as a buffer memory for adjusting the timings of the scanner 608 that moves independently and the printer engine 607.

When transmitting a FAX, the operator inputs the telephone number of the destination using the operation unit 611, and presses the start button, so that the CPU 602 sends a FAX via the CPU bus 613.
Detecting that the start button of is pressed, the control for FAX operation is started for each block. The CPU 602 is a network controller 601, a network 101
Through this, a notification of FAX operation is issued to the server 104. The server 104, which has received the FAX transmission operation notification from the multi-function peripheral 105, changes the JOB of the printer table 30 shown in FIG. 3, for example, from waiting to executing as described above.
It can be recognized that the copy machine is operating.

Further, the CPU 602 sends a command for FAX operation to the ASIC 605 and scanner I / F 609 by F
For the AX unit 612, the destination telephone number and command read from the operation unit 611 are sent to the CPU bus 61.
Issue through 3. Scanner I received the command
The / F 609 further issues a scan operation command via the communication line 616. The scanner 608 which received the command irradiates the document with light from a light source (not shown), sequentially reads the document by a sensor (not shown), and sequentially scans the data read via the data bus 617 with the synchronization signal 618 while sequentially scanning the scanner I / F 609. Transfer to. The scanner I / F 609 that has received the image data sequentially stores it in the image memory 606 via the bus 619. Also, ASIC605
Is a sequential image memory 60 by a built-in DMA controller.
The scanner image stored in 6 is read out, and the CPU bus 6
The data is transferred to the FAX unit 612 via the H. 13, and the FAX unit 612 performs image compression according to the standard and transmits it via the public line 107. At this time, the image memory 606 is used as a buffer memory for adjusting the timing of DMA to the scanner 608 which moves independently and the FAX unit 612.

When the FAX is received via the public line 107, the FAX unit 612 receives the CPU 6 via the bus 613.
Issue a FAX reception notification to 02. CP that received the fax reception notification
The U 602 issues a FAX reception operation notification to the server 104 via the network controller 601 and the network 101. As described above, the server 104 that has received the FAX reception operation notification from the multi-function peripheral 105 recognizes that the JOB of the printer table 30 shown in FIG. it can.

Further, the CPU 602 has a FAX unit 612, a printer engine 607, an ASI via a CPU bus 613.
A command for FAX operation is issued to C605. The image received by the FAX unit 612 is sequentially expanded according to the standard, and is sequentially transferred from the FAX unit 612 to the image memory 606 via the CPU bus 613 by the DMA controller incorporated in the ASIC 605. A synchronous signal 615 from the printer engine 607, which is activated at the same time
Then, the ASIC 605 sequentially reads the FAX images from the image memory 606 by the synchronization signal 615 and obtains the print output.

At this time, due to the load distribution of the printing system described above, when a part of the printer unit in the multifunction peripheral 105, especially the ASIC 605 and the image memory 606 are being executed,
Since the FAX reception operation cannot be performed, the CPU 602 sets the printer 6
The FAX unit 612 is instructed to store the received image in the hard disk 610 without activating the 07. The image stored in the hard disk 610 can be freely printed by the user from the operation unit while the system JOB is on standby. Of course, another printer, for example, the printer 103 can be designated by the operation unit, transferred via the network 101, and printed. Due to the load distribution of the printing system described above, when a part of the printer unit in the multifunction peripheral 105, especially the ASIC 605 and the image memory 606 are being executed, the copy operation and the FAX transmission / reception cannot be performed, so the CPU 602 displays the status of the operation unit 611. The user is informed of the print job waiting state by using the copy section.

However, when the functions unique to the multi-function peripheral are often hindered due to the distributed processing, the multi-function peripheral 10
From the operation unit 611 of FIG. 5, it is possible to remove the multi-function peripheral 105 from the network group that performs the distributed processing, or to set the priority order used in determining the distributed processing method in the system condition in step S105 of FIG. It has become.

Since the operation example of the distributed processing instruction and the flowchart of the procedure are the same as those of the printer 103,
No duplicate explanation will be given.

Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device.

In the present invention, a software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment (a program corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 in this embodiment) is directly or remotely provided to the system or apparatus. It also includes a case in which it is achieved by supplying the program code to the computer of the system or apparatus and reading and executing the supplied program code. In that case, the form need not be a program as long as it has the functions of the program.

Therefore, the program code itself installed in the computer to implement the functional processing of the present invention by the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the claims of the present invention include the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention. In this case, the program may take any form such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to an OS as long as it has the function of the program.

As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD
-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM,
DVD-R). In addition, as a method of supplying the program, a browser of a client computer is used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself of the present invention is accessed from the homepage.
Alternatively, it can be supplied by downloading a compressed file including an automatic installation function to a recording medium such as a hard disk. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from different homepages. That is, a WW that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for implementing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer.
The W server is also included in the claims of the present invention.

The program of the present invention is encrypted to a CD.
-The data is stored in a storage medium such as a ROM and distributed to users, and a user who has cleared predetermined conditions is allowed to download key information for decryption from a home page via the Internet, and the key information is used to perform encryption. It is also possible to execute the computerized program and install the program on a computer to realize it.

Further, the computer executes the read program to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the OS or the like running on the computer executes the actual processing based on the instructions of the program. The function of the above-described embodiment can be realized also by performing a part or all of the above.

Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted in the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is executed based on the instruction of the program. A CPU or the like included in the expansion board or the function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing also realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0091]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, by distributing the load of print jobs in the print system, it is possible to print even a complex document while maintaining productivity, and its resource. Can be provided.

That is, according to the present invention, a plurality of printers or a print server for controlling them are provided with a detection means for detecting the operating state and operation specifications of the printer or the multifunction machine, and the print server, the network printer or the print server which receives the print instruction Based on the information obtained by the detection means, the multifunction machine performs control for sharing the process of drawing and developing an image to another network printer or multifunction machine waiting for a print instruction, so that print output can be efficiently obtained. A system can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a print system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a structural example of a print server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a table at the time of printing stored in the print server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a table stored in the print server according to the present embodiment during distributed processing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the print server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a structural example of a printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a structural example of a multi-function peripheral according to the present embodiment.

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. A printing system for printing out image data sent from a host computer communicable via a network, a detection means for detecting an operating state and an operating specification of a printer connected to the network, and a print instruction. A print system control unit that controls the print server or printer to share the process of drawing and developing an image with another printer waiting for the print instruction based on the print instruction and the information obtained by the detection unit. A printing system comprising: 2. The print system control means, when the load of the print instruction is larger than a predetermined reference value,
2. The print system according to claim 1, wherein the process of drawing and developing an image is shared by another printer. 3. The print system according to claim 2, wherein the print system control means shares the processing of drawing and developing an image according to the drawing and developing capability of a printer connected to the network. 4. The print system according to claim 1, further comprising setting means for setting whether or not to permit sharing of processing for drawing and developing an image, or for setting a priority of processing sharing. 5. The print system according to claim 1, wherein the print server has the print system control means. 6. A printing system according to claim 1, wherein a printer or a multifunction peripheral has the printing system control means. 7. The client computer comprises the print system control means.
The printing system described. 8. A print server connected to a print system, which prints out image data sent from a host computer communicable via a network, and detects an operating state and an operating specification of a printer connected to the network. Based on the print instruction and the information obtained by the detection means, the detection means and the print server or printer that has received the print instruction share the processing of drawing and developing the image with other printers waiting for the print instruction. And a print system control means for controlling the above. 9. The print system control means, when the load of the print instruction is larger than a predetermined reference value,
9. The print server according to claim 8, wherein the process of drawing and developing an image is shared by another printer. 10. The print server according to claim 9, wherein the print system control means shares the processing of drawing and developing an image according to the drawing and developing capability of a printer connected to the network. 11. The print server according to claim 8, further comprising setting means for setting whether or not to permit sharing of processing for drawing and developing an image, or for setting a priority of processing sharing. 12. A printer connected to a printing system, which prints out image data sent from a host computer communicable via a network, and detects the operating state and operating specifications of the printer connected to the network. And a print server or printer that has received the print instruction, based on the print instruction and the information obtained by the detection means, divides the process of drawing and developing an image with another printer waiting for the print instruction. And a print system control means for controlling the printer. 13. The print system control means causes another printer to share the processing of drawing and developing an image when the load of the print instruction is larger than a predetermined reference value. The listed printer. 14. The printer according to claim 13, wherein the print system control unit shares the processing of drawing and developing an image according to the drawing and developing capability of the printer connected to the network. 15. The printer according to claim 12, further comprising setting means for setting whether or not to permit sharing of processing for drawing and developing an image, or for setting priority of processing sharing. 16. A network computer connected to a print system, which prints out image data sent from a host computer communicable via the network, and detects the operating state and operating specifications of a printer connected to the network. Based on the print instruction and the information obtained by the detection means, the detection means and the print server or printer that has received the print instruction share the processing of drawing and developing the image with other printers waiting for the print instruction. And a printing system control means for controlling the above. 17. The print system control means causes another printer to share the process of drawing and developing an image when the load of the print instruction is larger than a predetermined reference value. The listed network computer. 18. The network computer according to claim 17, wherein the print system control means shares the processing of drawing and developing an image according to the drawing and developing capability of a printer connected to the network. 19. The network computer according to claim 16, further comprising setting means for setting whether or not to permit sharing of processing for drawing and developing an image, or for setting a priority of processing sharing. 20. A method of using resources in a print system for printing out image data sent from a host computer communicable via a network, the operating status and operating specifications of a printer connected to the network being detected, Based on the print instruction and the detected information, the print server or printer that receives the print instruction controls the other printers waiting for the print instruction to share the processing of drawing and developing the image. How to use the characteristic resource. 21. In the sharing control, when the load of the print instruction is larger than a predetermined reference value, another printer is made to share the processing of drawing and developing an image. How to use the resources. 22. In the sharing control, a process of drawing and developing an image is shared according to a drawing and developing capability of a printer connected to a network.
How to use the resource described in 1. 23. The resource use method according to claim 20, further comprising a step of setting whether or not to permit sharing of processing for drawing and developing an image, or setting a priority of processing sharing. 24. A print control program for printing out image data sent from a host computer communicable via a network, the management module detecting and managing an operating state and an operating specification of a printer connected to the network. Then, the print server or printer that receives the print instruction controls the other printers waiting for the print instruction to share the process of drawing and developing the image based on the print instruction and the detected information. A print control program including a control module. 25. The control module shares the processing of drawing and developing an image with another printer when the load of the print instruction is larger than a predetermined reference value. Print control program. 26. The print control program according to claim 25, wherein the control module shares the processing for drawing and developing an image according to the drawing and developing capability of a printer connected to the network. 27. The print control program according to claim 24, further comprising a setting module for setting whether or not to permit sharing of processing for drawing and developing an image, or for setting a priority of processing sharing.