JP2003223295A - Printing system and its print resource using method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system, allowing a user to select a desired printer in the system when an alternative print processing is required because of a trouble or the like during distributed print processing on multiple devices and reprinting based on the distributed processing results is performed, and swiftly realizing the alternative printing or reprinting without repeating an unnecessary processing and its print resource using method. <P>SOLUTION: A printing system performs print processing of the print data with multiple output devices, creates a job ticket including the print data and the print instruction information distributed to each output device (102), performs distributed print processing according to the print instruction information in the created job ticket (105-107), detects occurrence of a trouble (109), replaces the troubled output device with a device in reserve for alternative processing (103). Then, the result of processing is added to the job ticket to be stored (110, 111), the job ticket is edited based on the stored job ticket and a redistribution instruction by the user (104), and print data redistribution is instructed to the multiple output devices (105-107). <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 printing system to which a plurality of printing devices are connected and a method of using the printing resources thereof, and more particularly, to printing information by using a job ticket which is a printing instruction for processing, displaying, printing and the like. The present invention relates to a print system for outputting and a method of using the print resource.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method for controlling printing for a plurality of printing devices, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-2166 is known.
No. 06, a system having a print manager for collectively processing job tickets from a plurality of networks to a plurality of printing systems and processing of a handling instruction, or the case of JP-A-9-179833. In addition, a system provided with an "agent" that routes a job ticket based on whether or not the received job can be processed in the print server, or after distributed printing processing, as in the case of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-198533. Some systems have recorded the results of which page was output to which printer.

[0003]

However, when a plurality of devices are to be subjected to distributed print processing, if a substitute print processing is required due to a trouble during the distributed processing, reprinting is performed based on the distributed processing result. In this case, in the system of each of the above inventions, in the system of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-216606, the print manager only processes the print manager command and does not process the print data itself, but the print command itself in the job ticket. Since the identification and processing are performed on the device side, depending on the contents of the job ticket, it is not possible to match the device with the device, and reliable printing cannot be completed.

In the system of Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-179833, when the agent can determine in advance that processing cannot be performed, the job ticket is wholly passed to the next agent, so that the user does not necessarily perform distributed printing on desired printers. I can't let you do it. When a substitute printing process is required due to a trouble or the like, the agent is left to the agent to select the substitute printer, so that the user cannot always perform the substitute printing on a desired printer. When the same job ticket is reprinted, the fact that printing was impossible is not recorded, so that the job ticket is handed over to each agent again. In order to distribute the printing load, if the job ticket is instructed to divide the printing process into multiple printers in advance, one of the printers will need to perform the proxy printing process due to its capability or trouble. In this case, the printers selected as agents on behalf of the agent may overlap, and the purpose of load balancing cannot be achieved.

In the system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-198533, the result of which page is printed by which printer is recorded in the memory of the server or the client on which the first printing is executed. The print information cannot be reused at a place apart from the control of the client. There were problems such as.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art.
If you want to perform distributed processing of printing on multiple devices, when a substitute printing process is required due to a problem during distributed processing, or when you want to reprint based on the distributed processing result, the user can select the desired printer in the system. The present invention provides a printing system and a method of utilizing its printing resources, in which proxy printing and reprinting can be quickly realized without repeating unnecessary processing.

[0007]

In order to solve this problem, a printing system of the present invention is a printing system in which a plurality of output devices are connected and print processing of print data is performed by the plurality of output devices. Job ticket creating means for creating a job ticket including data and print instruction information distributed to each output device of a plurality of output devices, and the printing based on the print instruction information of the created job ticket. And a distributed processing instructing means for causing the plurality of output devices to perform distributed printing processing.

Here, the print instruction information to the plurality of output devices includes the distribution amount of the distributed processing to each output device. Further, the apparatus further includes print information input means for inputting the instruction information of the plurality of output devices and the instruction information of the distribution amount of the distributed processing to each output device as the print instruction information. Further, a trouble detecting means for detecting occurrence of trouble from the processing results of the plurality of output devices, and an alternative processing instruction means for substituting the output device in trouble with a spare output device when the occurrence of trouble is detected And further. Further, it further comprises a job ticket storage unit for additionally storing the processing results of the plurality of output devices in the job ticket. Further, it further includes a re-distributed processing instructing means for causing the plurality of output devices to perform the re-distributed print processing on the basis of the job ticket in which the processing result is additionally written and stored. Further, the redistribution processing instruction unit instructs the redistribution of the print data to the plurality of output devices based on the job ticket in which the processing result is additionally written and saved and the user's redistribution instruction. In addition, the user's instruction is to perform distributed printing on the first output target device to be distributed according to the first purpose of the job ticket, to reprint only the printing to the failed output device, or to the successful output device. Includes selection of whether to reprint only print. Further, the redistribution processing instructing means has an initialization means for initializing the saved processing result of the output device instructing redistribution. Further, the job ticket creating means and the print information input means are included in a host computer that constitutes the printing system. Further, at least the distributed processing instruction means and the job ticket storage means are included in a server that constitutes the printing system.

Further, the server of the present invention is a server in a printing system to which a plurality of output devices are connected and which carries out a printing process by the plurality of output devices. Job ticket receiving means for receiving a job ticket including print instruction information distributed to output devices, and distributing the print data to the plurality of output devices based on the print instruction information of the received job ticket. It has a distributed processing instruction means for processing.

Here, the distributed processing instruction means has a print instruction generation means for generating a print instruction to each output device based on the print instruction information of the received job ticket. Further, a trouble detecting means for detecting occurrence of trouble from the processing results by the plurality of output devices, and an alternative for performing the distributed processing by replacing the troubled output device with a spare output device when the trouble is detected. Processing instruction means. Further, it further comprises a job ticket storage unit for additionally storing the processing results of the plurality of output devices in the job ticket. Further, it further includes a re-dispersion processing instruction unit that re-distributes the print data to the plurality of output devices based on the job ticket in which the processing result is additionally written and stored. Further, the redistribution processing instructing means has an initialization means for initializing the saved processing result of the output device instructing the redistribution.

Further, the printer controller of the present invention is a printer controller in a printing system in which a plurality of output devices are connected and print processing is performed by the plurality of output devices, and print data created by a host computer, A print instruction receiving unit that receives a print instruction to the output device, which is created based on the print instruction information of the job ticket including the distributed print instruction information to the plurality of output devices, and interprets the print instruction. Print control data and drawing data are generated and transmitted to an output device, and a print result acquisition unit that acquires a print result of the output device and transmits the print result to a distributed processing control unit that controls distributed processing. It is characterized by having.

Here, the trouble detecting means for detecting the occurrence of trouble from the processing results by the plurality of output devices, and when the occurrence of trouble is detected, the troubled output device is replaced with a spare output device. And an alternative processing instruction means for performing distributed processing. Further, it further comprises a job ticket storage unit for additionally storing the processing results of the plurality of output devices in the job ticket. Further, it further includes a re-dispersion processing instruction unit that re-distributes the print data to the plurality of output devices based on the job ticket in which the processing result is additionally written and stored. Further, the redistribution processing instructing means has an initialization means for initializing the saved processing result of the output device instructing the redistribution.

Further, the printer device of the present invention is a printer device in a printing system to which a plurality of output devices are connected and which performs printing processing by the plurality of output devices, the printer device having a printer controller and an output device. A print instruction to the output device created by the printer controller based on the print instruction information of the job ticket including print data and print instruction information distributed to a plurality of output devices, created by the host computer. A print instruction receiving unit that receives the print instruction, interprets the print instruction to generate print control data and drawing data, and transmits the print control data and drawing data to an output device; And a print result acquisition unit for transmitting to the distributed processing control unit for control.

A method of using print resources according to the present invention is a method of using print resources in a printing system in which a plurality of output devices are connected and the print data is printed by the plurality of output devices. And a job ticket including print instruction information distributed to each output device of a plurality of output devices, and based on the print instruction information of the created job ticket, output the print data to the plurality of output devices. It is characterized in that the device is made to perform distributed printing processing.

Here, the print instruction information to the plurality of output devices includes the distribution amount of the distributed processing to each output device. Further, the instruction information of the plurality of output devices and the instruction information of the distribution amount of the distributed processing to each output device are input as the print instruction information. Further, the occurrence of a trouble is detected from the processing results of the plurality of output devices, and when the occurrence of the trouble is detected, the output device in which the trouble has occurred is replaced by a spare output device. The processing results of the plurality of output devices are added to the job ticket and stored. Further, the print data is re-distributed and printed by the plurality of output devices based on the job ticket in which the processing result is additionally written and stored. Further, in the redistribution processing, the print data is instructed to be re-distributed to the plurality of output devices based on the job ticket in which the processing result is additionally written and stored and the re-distribute instruction of the user. In addition, the user's instruction is to perform distributed printing on the first output target device to be distributed according to the first purpose of the job ticket, to reprint only the printing to the failed output device, or to the successful output device. Includes selection of whether to reprint only print. Further, in the redistribution processing, the processing result stored in the output device for instructing redistribution is initialized.

The control program of the present invention is a control program for controlling a host computer in a printing system to which a plurality of output devices are connected and which performs print processing of print data by the plurality of output devices. A step of inputting device instruction information and instruction information on the amount of distribution of distributed processing to each output device as print instruction information, print data, and the distributed printing to each output device of a plurality of output devices It is characterized by including a step of creating a job ticket including instruction information and a step of transmitting the created job ticket to the distributed processing control unit. Here, the method further includes a step of instructing the plurality of output devices to perform the re-distributed printing process on the basis of the job ticket in which the previous processing result is added and stored. In addition, the instruction is to perform distributed printing on the first output target device to be distributed according to the first purpose of the job ticket, reprint only to the failed output device, or only print to the successful output device. Includes selection of whether to reprint.

A control program for controlling a distributed processing control unit in a printing system in which a plurality of output devices are connected and print processing of the print data is performed by the plurality of output devices, the print data and the plurality of output devices Receiving a job ticket including the print instruction information distributed to the respective output devices, and printing the print data to the plurality of output devices in a distributed manner based on the print instruction information of the received job ticket. And a processing step.

Here, a step of detecting the occurrence of a trouble from the processing results of the plurality of output devices, and a step of substituting the output device in the trouble with a spare output device when the occurrence of the trouble is detected Is further included. Further, the method further includes a step of additionally recording processing results by the plurality of output devices in the job ticket and storing the job ticket. Further, the method further includes the step of causing the plurality of output devices to perform the re-distributed printing process on the print data based on the job ticket in which the processing result is additionally written and stored. In the step of the redistribution processing, based on the job ticket in which the processing result is additionally written and stored and the redistribution instruction information from the host computer,
An instruction to redistribute the print data to the plurality of output devices is given. In addition, the redistribution instruction information from the host computer is distributed to the first output device to be distributed according to the first purpose of the job ticket, or only the print to the failed output device is reprinted. Select whether to reprint only the print to the output device that has been set. Also,
The step of the redistribution processing includes a step of initializing the stored processing result of the output device which instructs the redistribution.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a printing system of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Example of Block Configuration of Printing System of this Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the printing system of this embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a print information input unit, which inputs print data which is a print original and print information including a print instruction for processing, displaying, and printing the print data. A job ticket creation unit 102 creates a job ticket from print instructions such as processing, display, and printing in print information. The print information input unit 101 and the job ticket creation unit 102 are included in the host computer 11, for example.

A print information control unit 103 controls the print system based on the print information of one set of the job ticket and print data. A job ticket editing unit 104 adds or changes part or all of the job ticket instructions. This print information control unit 10
3 and the job ticket editing unit 104 are included in the centralized print management server 12, for example.

A print instruction interpreting unit 105 interprets the job ticket generated by the job ticket creating unit or the job ticket editing unit. A print information processing unit 106 processes print information based on the interpretation result of the print instruction interpreting unit 105 and prepares for output. Reference numeral 107 denotes a print information transmission unit that transmits the processed print information to an output device such as a printer. An output unit information acquisition unit 109 acquires information such as the operation status of the output device 14. The print instruction interpretation unit 105 and the print information processing unit 1
06, print information transmission unit 107, output unit information acquisition unit 109
Are included in the print server 13, for example.

A print information output unit 108 is included in the output device 14 such as a printer.

A print information storage unit 110 stores print information including a job ticket and document data. A print information storage management unit 111 manages the print information storage unit. The print information storage unit 110 and the print information storage management unit 111 are included in the document management server 15, for example.

The arrow in FIG. 1 shows the flow of data in this embodiment, but the flow of the job ticket is focused on. For example, bidirectional control signals between the host computer and the server, Data etc. are ignored. The job tickets A, B, C, etc. in the figure will be referred to in the following description.

<Example of Hardware Configuration of Printing System According to this Embodiment> FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the overall hardware configuration of the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, only two printers are shown for simplification.

In the figure, reference numeral 201 denotes a local area network for connecting the respective devices of the printing system, and the communication between the respective devices and the control are performed around a print server 204 by a predetermined protocol. Reference numerals 202 and 206 denote client computers, which are computers by which a user creates, edits, and processes documents. Reference numeral 203 denotes a printer, which is a printer for printing the print data sent from the client computers 202 and 206 under the control of the print server 204. Reference numeral 205 denotes a multifunction peripheral having functions of a fax machine, a network printer, etc., centering on the functions of a copying machine. Reference numeral 107 denotes a public telephone line, and the multifunction device 205 transmits / receives FAX via this line. Further, the multifunction machine 205 is the printer 20.
As in the case of 3, print data sent from the client computers 202 and 206 can be printed under the control of the print server 204. Of course, it can be used alone as a copying machine.

Client computers 202 and 20
If the user desires the document edited and created in 6, the application software and the printer driver software create a print file for the shared printer selected by the user, that is, either the printer 203 or the multi-function peripheral 205, and handle it. 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 interface of application software or a printer driver used to create or edit a document on the client computers 202 and 206 allows a user to easily set and output an instruction.

The print file transferred to the printer is temporarily stored in the print server 204 and then transferred to the selected printer. Print server 204
Manages a print file sent from the client computer 202 or 206 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 204 can continuously 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 the print server 2
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 of the present embodiment
4 constantly monitors and confirms the operating status of client computers and printers on the network and the status of JOB via the network 201.

Although FIG. 2 shows an example of a system including two client computers 202 and 206, a print server 204, a printer 203, and a multi-function peripheral 205, the number of these is not limited at all. In addition, the printer 203 and the multi-function device 2 can be used without the intervention of the print server 204.
05 itself may detect the respective operating states and the status of the JOB, and may perform distributed management so as to share the JOB.
Further, it may be distributed or centrally managed by a client computer or other devices connected to the local area network 201.

That is, the print server 204 shown in FIG.
System having the functions of the centralized print management server 12, the print server 13 and the document management server 15, the print server 204 of FIG. 2 has the functions of the central print management server 12 and the document management server 15 of FIG. 205
Is a system having the functions of the print server 13 and the output device 14, the printers 203 and 205 are composed of a printer controller and a printer engine, the print server 13 is a printer controller, and the output device 14 is a printer engine. 1
System having functions of centralized print management server 12, print server 13 and document management server 15, and system in which host computer 11 has some functions of centralized print management server 12, print server 13 and document management server 15 of FIG. Various system configurations such as, etc. are possible.

If the printer or host computer has a server function, the centralized print management server 12
The document management server 15 may be managed by one printer or a host computer. Alternatively, the print data may be managed by a specific device, and the job ticket may be held in common by all devices.

As described above, the functions of FIG. 1 are distributed to any of the devices of FIG. 2, and the effects of the present invention are achieved.

(Client computers 202, 20
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the client computer 202 or 206.

A network I / F 301 communicates with each device connected to the network 201, such as the print server 204, the printer 203, and the multifunction device 205, according to a predetermined protocol. Network i
Although not shown in the figure, a dedicated network controller IC and CPU, ROM and work RAM in which a control program is written are mounted on / F301, and these control the protocol, enabling faster communication. ing.

302 is a client computer 202
Reference numeral 206 denotes a CPU for controlling 206, 304 denotes a hard disk for temporarily storing print files and image files to be printed out to the network 201, and 305 denotes a work RAM and a ROM in which a control program is written. Thirty
Reference numeral 6 denotes a display unit such as a CRT or LCD for displaying information to the user, an instruction from the user, or a document or image to be printed, and an input unit 307 for inputting or instructing a keyboard or a mouse. These blocks 301 to 307 are interconnected by a local bus 303.

Client computer 202 or 206
Then, a document or image is created by input from the input unit 307, input from an external storage medium (not shown) such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or CD, reception by communication, input from a scanner, and the like. The printed document or image is sent to the printer 203 via the network 201.
And 205.

(Example of Block Configuration of Print Server 204) FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the print server 204. As described above, when the resource management is performed by the printer 203 and the multifunction peripheral 205 itself, or when the client computers 202 and 206 are used, the following data is prepared in these devices and the same control is performed. Is achieved by carrying out.

A network I / F 401 includes client computers 202 and 206 and a printer 20.
3, communication with each device connected to the network 201 such as the multifunction peripheral 205 is performed according to a predetermined protocol. Though not shown, a dedicated network controller IC, CPU, ROM with control program written and work RAM are mounted on the network I / F 401, and the protocol is controlled by them, enabling faster communication. Has become.

Reference numeral 402 is a CPU for controlling the print server 204, and 404 is each client computer 2.
02 and 206, print files sent, operation status of each device connected to the network 201, JOB
And a hard disk for temporarily storing image files obtained as a result of the distributed processing, 405 is a work RAM and a ROM in which a control program is written.
01 to 405 are interconnected by a local bus 403.

The print server 204 sends each print file sent from each client computer to the network 201 to each designated output destination, that is, the printer 2.
03, organized and sorted by MFP 205, hard disk 4
The data is sequentially stored in 04. Then, as soon as the printer 203 or the multifunction device 205 is ready to print, the print files stored in the hard disk 404 are sequentially transferred to the desired printer 203 or the multifunction device 205.

The print server 204 also monitors and confirms 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 printer 203 that has not been operating until now, during the power-on sequence, the printer 203 notifies the print server 204 of the fact that the printer 203 is operating. It is designed so that image drawing development performance and information such as a page description language handled by itself, for example, a Postscript language or a LIPS language, is also sent via the network 201.

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 201, and are incorporated in the programs of the respective devices in advance.

These notifications are not limited to the above-mentioned power-on sequence and power-down sequence, but can be notified at any time if 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 Block Configuration of Printer 203) FIG.
A schematic block diagram of the internal configuration of the printer 203 is shown in FIG.

A network I / F 501 includes client computers 202 and 206, a multifunction device 205,
Also, communication with each device connected to the network 201 such as the print server 204 is performed according to a predetermined protocol. 502 is a CPU (central processing unit)
Then, it controls the entire printer 203 based on a control program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 503. A work RAM 504 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 505 and develops a raster image image.

Regarding the multifunction machine 205, the construction of the print function is the same as that of the printer 203.
Since the functions and the scanner functions are combined, and these functions are not particularly related in the present embodiment, they will not be described.

<Distributed Processing Example in Printing System of this Embodiment> In this embodiment, as a specific example, four printers are selected from the printers on the network and three of them perform distributed printing. A case where one printer is used for proxy printing will be described as an example.

(Example of Distributed Processing Instructions) FIG. 6 is an example of a display screen 60 for printing instructions displayed on the display unit 306 of the client computers 202 and 206.

FIG. 6A shows a screen for specifying print parameters. The user clicks "Print Parameter 61" to display this screen, and the number of print copies 64, NumberUp65, print range 66, single-sided or double-sided 6 which are set as the detailed parameters of the job ticket output control instruction below.
7. Stable 68 is input and selected. Also, proxy printing 69
Check whether to do or not. The parameters are not limited to those shown. For example, when proxy printing is selected, divisor items are set.

FIG. 6B shows a screen for instructing printer selection. The user clicks "Printer selection 62" to display this screen, and designates display of member parameters and print device information set as job ticket distribution related instructions below. For example, in FIG. 6B,
This system is displayed in the printer list 70 as Printer-A to Printer.
It has 6 printers of r-F, and the capability of each printer is displayed in the column of print capability 73. From these six printers, the user selects four printers, Printer-A to Printer-D, in consideration of their capabilities (see selection column 71), and prints the respective print ratios "30", "20" in the print designation 74 column, "50" and "0" are entered. Therefore, out of the four member printers (the number of member printers in the job ticket described later), three printers, Printer-A to Printer-C, become the printers to be used, and Printer-D
Is a backup printer for proxy printing.

By clicking "OK" to set these parameters, the following distributed processing of printers is executed.

In this example, the case where four printers are selected from the network and three printers are used is shown. However, a printer to be used is selected, and a printer that is not selected is used as a backup for proxy printing. You may control to.

(Example of Distributed Processing Operation Procedure) The flow of distributed processing according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 1 and 7 to 9.

First, in step S201, the print information input unit 101 inputs print data and print instructions as print information. Examples of print data include PDF (Porta
bleDocument Format). As the print instruction,
The number of copies, paper size, various finishings, single-sided / double-sided, N-Up, enlargement / reduction, print page designation, and the like, including the above-described FIG. Similarly, in step S202, as shown in FIG. 6B, the print information input unit 101 selects a printer as an output candidate. In this embodiment, the first distributed printer = Printer-A, the second distributed printer = Printer-B, the third distributed printer = Printer-C, and the remaining printer = Printer-D are selected and set as candidates.

Next, in step S203, the job ticket creating unit 102 instructs the print instruction such as the number of copies, paper size, staple, color printing, single-sided / double-sided, N-Up, enlargement / reduction, print page designation and the output candidate printer. A job ticket is created, and the print central management server 1
2 to the print information control unit 103. This job ticket A is shown in FIG.

(Example of job ticket creation procedure: S20)
3) An example of the job ticket creation process of step S203 in FIG. 7 is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Layout-related settings such as N-Up, enlargement / reduction, and paper size are set by the layout setting process of step S301, the number of copies is set by the print number setting process of step S302, and the print page range of step S303 is set. The print page is set by the designation process, the printer of the output candidate selected in step S202 is set by the output printer setting process in step S304, and the single-sided / double-sided setting is performed by the single-sided / double-sided setting process in step S305. The staple setting process is performed in step S306.

A specific example of a part of the job ticket created here is shown below (the following XML method description is the simplest part of the job ticket in which a set result of the output device and a part of the print instruction are set. Is shown as an example). <Instruction part><Distribution related instruction Dispersion function type = Number of copies distribution Member printer number = "4"><Member parameter print ratio designation = "30" Printing range = "0" Printing number = "0"><Print device information device Name = "Printer-A"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio designation = "20" Print range = "0" Number of print copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-B" / ></ Member parameter><Member parameter Print ratio designation = "50" Print range = "0" Number of prints = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-C"/></ Member parameter><Member Parameter Print ratio designation = "0" Print range = "0" Number of prints = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter></ Distribution related instruction><Output control instruction ＞ <Detailed parameter Number of copies = "1" 00 "NumberUp =" 4 in 1 "Printing range =" 1 to 100 "Single-sided both-sided =" Double-sided "Staple =" Upper left "/></ Output control instruction></ Instruction section> Returning to FIG. Is sent to the print information control unit 103, and the print information control unit controls the printing system based on the received job ticket. In the case of this example, first, in step S204, the capability of each distribution target printer is acquired via the output unit information acquisition unit 109. Next, in step S205, an instruction is directly created from the instruction described in the job ticket according to the capabilities of each distributed printer. In this example, a ratio of 30:20:50 is used, so 100 parts can be divided neatly into 30, 20, and 50 parts, but 100 parts such as 1: 1: 1 cannot be divided neatly. In the case of such a ratio, it is adjusted to 34 copies, 33 copies, 33 copies, etc., according to the capability of the output printer.

For example, Printe, which is one of distributed printers
For the r-A, a print device = Printer-A print range = “1 to 100” number of prints = “30” double-sided / single-sided = double-sided information is generated as a direct instruction.
Next, in step S206, an instruction is directly sent to the print server together with the job ticket and print data as print information for each distributed printer. In FIG. 1, the job ticket B is shown. The method of transmitting the job ticket B differs depending on whether the print server 13 is prepared for each device or a plurality of devices are connected.

In step S207, print processing of each distributed printer is performed.

(Example of procedure of print processing: S207) The print processing of each distributed printer is as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 for each distributed printer.

First, in step S401, the print instruction interpreting unit 105 receives the print information, and then the print instruction interpreting process (step S402) interprets the job ticket and the direct instruction, and prints using the interpretation result. The information processing unit 106 performs conversion / processing to print drawing data, and generates print drawing data and printer control data (step S403). Next, in step S404, the print information transmission unit 107 outputs the print drawing data and printer control data to the print information output unit 10.
8, and the print information output unit 108 outputs the information to step S405.
In, the printing process by the printer which is the output device is executed. Next, in step S406, the output unit information acquisition unit 109 notifies the print information control unit 103 of the print result information.

Returning to FIG. 7, the print information control unit 103
When the processing result from each distributed printer is acquired in step S208, the print result record is added to the job ticket in step S209, and the print information is saved in the print information saving unit 110 of the document management server 15 in step S210. The printing process ends. This stored information is shown as a job ticket C in FIG.

An example of a job ticket when there is no trouble in the processing result will be shown below. <Recording part><Distribution related instruction Dispersion function type = Number of copies distribution Member printer number = "4"><Member parameter print ratio designation = "30" Printing range = "1 to 100" Number of printing copies = "30"><Print device Information Device name = "Printer-A"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio designation = "20" Print range = "1 to 100" Number of copies = "20"><Print device information Device name = "Printer -B "/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio specification =" 50 "Print range =" 1 to 100 "Number of copies =" 50 "><Print device information Device name =" Printer-C "/>< / Member parameter><Member parameter Print ratio specification = "0" Print range = "0" Number of copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter></ Distribution related Instruction></ Recording section> Instruction part><Distribution related instruction Distribution function type = Number of copies distribution Member printer number = "4"><Member parameter print ratio specification = "30" Print range = "0" Print copy number = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-A"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio designation = "20" Print range = "0" Number of copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-B"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter Print ratio designation = "50" Print range = "0" Number of copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-C"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter Print ratio designation = "0" Print range = "0" Number of prints = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter></ Distribution related instruction><Output control instruction><Detailed parameter Number of copies "100" NumberUp = "4 in 1" Printing range = "1 to 100" Single-sided both-sided = "Double-sided" Staple = "Upper left" Even if all of the problems occur, the print result record is added to the job ticket in step S209, and
In 210, the print information is saved in the print information saving unit 110, and the distributed printing process ends.

For example, an example of a job ticket in the case where printing is successful in Printer-A and Printer-B but a problem occurs in Printer-C is shown below. Of the recording section
"-1" indicating a defective result is inserted in each of the member parameters of Printer-C. <Recording part><Distribution related instruction Dispersion function type = Number of copies distribution Member printer number = "4"><Member parameter print ratio designation = "30" Printing range = "1 to 100" Printing copy number = "30"><Print device Information Device name = "Printer-A"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio designation = "20" Print range = "1 to 100" Number of copies = "20"><Print device information Device name = "Printer -B "/></ member parameter><Member parameter print ratio specification =" -1 "Print range =" -1 "Number of copies =" -1 "><Print device information Device name =" Printer-C "/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio specification = "0" Print range = "0" Number of copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter></ Dispersion Related instructions></ Recording section><Instructions ＞ <Distribution related instruction Distribution function type = Number of copies distribution Number of member printers = "4"><Member parameter print ratio designation = "30" Printing range = "0" Number of printing copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = Printer-A "/></ Member parameters><Member parameter print ratio designation =" 20 "Print range =" 0 "Number of copies =" 0 "><Print device information Device name =" Printer-B "/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio designation = "50" Print range = "0" Number of copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-C"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio Specification = "0" Print range = "0" Number of copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter></ Distribution related instruction><Output control instruction><Details Parameter Number of copies = "10" 0 "NumberUp =" 4 in 1 "Print range =" 1 to 100 "Single-sided both-sided =" Double-sided "Staple =" Upper left "/></ Output control instruction></ Instruction section>< Example of Printing Process> Next, an example of a reprinting process in which the distributed printing process is performed again will be described.

(Example of Reprinting Instruction) FIG. 10 shows a display example when the reprinting 63 is clicked on the print instruction screen shown in FIG. FIG. 10 shows a job ID input 75 given in the previous distributed printing process and selection inputs 75 to 78 for selecting a reprinting method. Here, as selection inputs, "Distributed printing to the first distributed printer according to the first purpose of the job ticket", "Reprint only failed printer", "Successful printer Three examples of "print only reprint" are shown. Note that the selection at the time of reprinting is not limited to this, and any selection that can be specified from the job ticket stored in the print information storage unit 110 may be used. Furthermore, it is possible to add or modify the contents of the print instruction or the print result stored in the print information storage unit 110 in order to enable the desired designation, and the present invention also includes these.

(Example of Reprint Operation Procedure) Next, an example of an operation processing procedure of a specific example at the time of reprint will be shown with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S501, desired print information is selected from print information stored in the document management server based on, for example, a job ID. Next, in step S502, the selected print information is output to the print information control unit 103 by the print information management unit 111. Next, in step S503, the print information control unit 103 reads the print instruction from the print information that is the received print information and the print information that is the job ticket, and controls the print system. Normal in previous print process /
The job ticket saved in the case of abnormal termination has been described above.

In step S504, the job ticket is initialized according to the selected initialization condition.
Select initialization conditions.

As an example of the initialization condition, for example, "distribute printing to the first printers to be distributed in accordance with the first purpose of the job ticket""reprint only printing to the failed printer""successful""Reprint only for printing to printer", but is not limited to this. .

Next, in step S505, the job ticket is initialized according to the selected initialization condition.

(Job ticket initialization process: S505)
An example of the job ticket initialization process under the above initialization conditions is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S601, the initialization conditions are read. If the condition of "printing to the first distribution target printer according to the first purpose of the job ticket" is selected in step S602, the recording unit is deleted in step S603. If the initialization condition is "reprint only the failed printer," in step S604, the recording of the proxy portion of the recording unit (when the proxy is performed) and the failure record are 0. Returned to. Further, here, in the case of "reprint only for successful printers", in step S605, records other than the failed portion are reset to 0.

(Example of Reprinting Job Ticket When Processing Result is No Trouble) Here, an example of reprinting when there is no problem in the previous processing result is shown below. The job ticket saved when there is no trouble in the processing result is described above. In this case, an example is shown in which the job ticket is initialized so that distributed printing is performed on the first distribution target printer according to the first purpose of the job ticket, that is, the recording unit is deleted. The instruction part is the same as before. <Recording section></ Recording section><Instructionsection><Distribution related instruction Dispersion function type = Copies distribution Member printer number = “4”><Member parameter print ratio designation = “30” Printing range = “0” Printing number = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-A"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio specification = "20" Print range = "0" Number of copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-B"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio specification = "50" Print range = "0" Number of print copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-C"//><Memberparameters><Member parameter print ratio specification = "0" Print range = "0" Number of copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter>< / Distribution related instruction><Output control instruction>< Fine parameter Number of copies = "100" NumberUp = "4 in 1" Print range = "1 to 100" Single-sided both-sided = "Double-sided" Staple = "Upper left"/></ Output control instruction></ Instruction section> Reprint job ticket example when there is a problem) Next, a reprint job ticket example when there is a problem in the previous processing result is shown below. The job ticket saved when the printer-C has a problem is described above. In this case, an example is shown in which the job ticket is initialized so as to “reprint only the print to the failed printer”, that is, the failed record is returned to 0. The instruction part is the same as before. <Recording part><Distribution related instruction Dispersion function type = Number of copies distribution Member printer number = "4"><Member parameter print ratio designation = "30" Printing range = "1 to 100" Number of printing copies = "30"><Print device Information Device name = "Printer-A"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio designation = "20" Print range = "1 to 100" Number of copies = "20"><Print device information Device name = "Printer -B "/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio designation =" 0 "Print range =" 0 "Number of copies =" 0 "><Print device information Device name =" Printer-C "/></ Member Parameter><Member parameter Print ratio designation = "0" Print range = "0" Number of print copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter></ Distribution related instruction></ Recording section><Instructionsection>< Dispersion-related instruction Dispersion function type = Copies distribution Member printer number = “4” ＞ <Member parameter print ratio designation = “30” Printing range = “0” Printing number = “0”><Print device information Device name = “Printer- A "/></ member parameter><Member parameter print ratio specification =" 20 "Print range =" 0 "Number of copies =" 0 "＞ <Print device information Device name =" Printer-B "/></ Member parameter ＞ <Member parameter print ratio specification = "50" Print range = "0" Number of copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-C"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio specification = "0" Print range = "0" Number of prints = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter></ Distribute related instruction><Output control instruction><Detailed parameter print Number of copies = "100" Numb erUp = "4 in 1" Print range = "1 to 100" Single-sided both-sided = "Double-sided" Staple = "Upper left"/></ Output control instruction></ Instruction section> Job-ticket if a problem occurs in Printer-C Is initialized to “reprint only successful printers”, that is, a successful record is returned to 0.
The instruction part is the same as before, so only the recording part is shown. <Recording part><Distribution related instruction Dispersion function type = Number of copies distribution Member printer number = "4"><Member parameter print ratio designation = "0" Printing range = "0" Printing number = "0"><Print device information device Name = "Printer-A"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio designation = "0" Print range = "0" Number of print copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-B" / ></ Member parameters><Member parameters Print ratio specification = "-1" Print range = "-1" Number of copies = "-1"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-C"/></ Member parameter ＞ <Member parameter print ratio specification = "0" Print range = "0" Number of print copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter></ Distribution related instruction>< / Recording part> In the above example, there is no trouble. There is a problem when "Distributed printing to the first printer to be distributed according to the first purpose of the job ticket" and "Reprint only to the failed printer""Reprint only to the successful printer" I showed an example of job toket for "Yes",
Other combinations will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above examples.

Returning to FIG. 11, in step S506, the capability of each distribution target printer is acquired via the output unit information acquisition unit 109. Next, in step S507, an instruction is directly created from the instruction in the job ticket according to the capabilities of each distributed printer.

For example, for Printer-C, which is one of the distributed printers having trouble, print device = Printer-C print range = “1 to 100” number of copies = “50” both sides / one side = two sides Information containing information is generated as direct instructions.

Next, in step S508, an instruction is directly sent to the print server together with the job ticket and print data as print information for each distributed printer. Next, in step S509, print processing of each distributed printer is performed. The print processing of each distributed printer is the same as that shown in FIG. 9 described above for each distributed printer.

Next, when the print information control unit 103 acquires the processing result from each distributed printer in step S510, the print information record is added to the job ticket in step S511, and the print information is added to the print information in step S512. The data is saved in the saving unit 110, and the reprinting process ends.

<Example of print processing that can be performed by the printing system according to the present embodiment> When a problem occurs in the distribution target printers, it is possible to automatically perform proxy printing on the remaining candidate printers. In the present embodiment, as a specific example,
In a system where distributed printing is performed by using three of four printers on the network, a case where a trouble occurs in printing of one printer which is a distribution candidate and the proxy printing is performed to the remaining printers is taken as an example. .

(Example of Substitutable Printing Processing Procedure) The processing flow will be described with reference to the configuration of FIG. 1 and the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S701, the print information input unit (101) inputs print data and print instructions as print information. Examples of print data include PDF (P
ortable Document Format). Printing instructions include number of copies, paper size, various finishing, single-sided
/ Double-sided, N-Up, scaling, print page designation, etc.
Similarly, the print information input unit (101) selects an output candidate printer (step S702). In this embodiment, the first distributed printer = Printer-A, the second distributed printer = Printer-B, and the third distributed printer = Printer-A.
C, remaining printer = Printer-D is selected and set as a candidate.

Next, in step S703, the job ticket creation unit 102 sends a print instruction such as the number of copies, paper size, staple, color printing, single-sided / double-sided, N-Up, enlargement / reduction, print page designation and an output candidate printer. Create a job ticket.

(Example of job ticket creation procedure: S703)
An example of the job ticket creation process is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Layout-related settings such as N-Up, enlargement / reduction, and paper size are set by the layout setting process of step S801, the number of copies is set by the print copy number setting process of step S802, and the print page range of step S803 is set. The print page is set by the designation process, the printer of the output candidate selected in step S202 is set by the output printer setting process in step S804, and the single-sided / double-sided setting is performed by the single-sided / double-sided setting process in step S805. By the staple setting process in step S806, staple setting is performed, and in the divisor item setting process in step S807, divisor processing when proxy printing is performed is set.

The divisor item setting, that is, the setting of the conditions (items) for printing even if the print setting and the printer capability do not match is not shown, but FIG.
It may be added to each setting item 64-68. Further, the distributed processing without proxy in FIG. 7 and the distributed processing with proxy in this example are selected depending on whether or not the proxy printing 69 is set in (a) of FIG.

Here, a specific example of a part of the job ticket in the proxy printing is shown below (the following XML method description is the simplest, and the job ticket in which a part of the output device setting result and the print instruction is set is set. Shows an example of a part of). Each setting is the same as the job ticket for distributed printing described above.
Is the difference. The setting of "single-sided / double-sided" is a setting for executing printing even if the spare Printer-D does not have a double-sided printing function. In this example, Printer-D is single-sided printing as shown in FIG. 6B, but proxy printing is performed. <Instruction part><Distribution related instruction Dispersion function type = Number of copies distribution Member printer number = "4"><Member parameter print ratio designation = "30" Printing range = "0" Printing number = "0"><Print device information device Name = "Printer-A"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio designation = "20" Print range = "0" Number of print copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-B" / ></ Member parameter><Member parameter Print ratio designation = "50" Print range = "0" Number of prints = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-C"/></ Member parameter><Member Parameter Print ratio designation = "0" Print range = "0" Number of prints = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter></ Distribution related instruction><Output control instruction ＞ <Detailed parameter Number of copies = "1" 00 "NumberUp =" 4 in 1 "Printing range =" 1 to 100 "Single sided both sides =" Double sided "Staple =" Upper left "/> Divided item =" Single sided both sides "/></ Output control instruction></ Instruction section> Figure 13 Then, the created job ticket is sent to the print information control unit 103, and the print information control unit controls the printing system from the received job ticket.

In the case of this example, first, in step S704, the capability of each distribution target printer is acquired via the output unit information acquisition unit 109. Next, in step S705, an instruction is created directly from the instructions in the job ticket according to the capabilities of each distributed printer. In this example, a ratio of 30:20:50 is used.
If the ratio is such that 0 copy or 50 copy can be divided neatly but 100 copy cannot be divided neatly, such as 1: 1: 1, 34 copies, 33 copies should be provided according to the capability of the output printer.
The adjustment of the parts, 33 parts, etc. is the same as described above.

For example, Printe, which is one of distributed printers.
For r-B, a print device = Printer-B print range = “1 to 100” number of prints = “20” double-sided / single-sided = double-sided information is directly generated.

Next, in step S706, an instruction is directly sent to the print server together with the job ticket and print data as print information for each distributed printer. Step S
In 707, print processing of each distributed printer is performed. The print processing of each distributed printer performs the processing as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 for each distributed printer.

Next, when the print information control unit 103 acquires the processing result from each distributed printer in step S708, the print information control unit 103 additionally records the processing result as a recording unit in the instruction unit in step S709. In step S710, it is inspected whether a trouble has occurred in the printing process. If there is no print processing trouble, the print information is saved in step S711, and the distributed print processing ends. The job ticket at this time is similar to the above-described example of the job ticket in the case where there is no trouble in the processing result, only the divisor item = “single-sided / double-sided” is added to the instruction section.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S710 that a problem has occurred in any or all of the distributed printers, the information is output by the output section information acquisition section 109.
The print information control unit 103 is notified, and the proxy printing process is performed in step S712. For example, Printer-A, Printer
When printing is successful in r-B, but a problem occurs in Printer-C, the job ticket at this time also seems to be as described above.

(Example of Proxy Printing Process Procedure: S712) In the proxy printing process of step S712, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15 is performed.

First, in step S901, the print information control unit 103 selects an unused printer. In this example, Printer-D is selected as an unused printer at this time, and the capability of Printer-D that is the target printer is acquired in step S902. Next, step S90.
In 3, the instruction is directly created from the instruction described in the job ticket according to the capability of the proxy printer.

For example, it is a proxy printer as in this example.
If Printer-D cannot print on both sides, check it against the divisible items to match the output printer's capability.
Make adjustments such as changing to instructions for single-sided printing.

For example, for Printer-D, which is a proxy printer, a device directly containing information such as print device = Printer-D print range = “1 to 100” number of prints = “50” double-sided / single-sided = single-sided Is generated as.

Next, in step S904, an instruction is directly transmitted to the print server together with the job ticket and print data as print information for the proxy printer. Step S9
In 05, the print process of the proxy printer is performed. The procedure of the printing process of the proxy proxy printer is the same as that of the flowchart of FIG. 9, and thus the description thereof is omitted here. Upon completion of the print processing, the print information control unit 103 acquires the processing result from the proxy printer in step S906, and in step S907 checks whether the proxy print processing has succeeded.

If the proxy printing process is successful, step S
In 908, the print result record is added to the job ticket, and the process returns. The job ticket at this time is shown below. <Recording part><Distribution related instruction Dispersion function type = Number of copies distribution Member printer number = "4"><Member parameter print ratio designation = "30" Printing range = "1 to 100" Number of printing copies = "30"><Print device Information Device name = "Printer-A"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio designation = "20" Print range = "1 to 100" Number of copies = "20"><Print device information Device name = "Printer -B "/></ member parameter><Member parameter print ratio specification =" -1 "Print range =" -1 "Number of copies =" -1 "><Print device information Device name =" Printer-C "/></ Member parameter><Member parameter Print ratio designation = "50" Print range = "1 to 100" Number of copies = "50"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter>< / Distribution related instruction ＞ ＜ / Copy><Instructionsection><Distribution related instruction Distribution function type = Copies distribution Member printer number = “4”><Member parameter print ratio designation = “30” Print range = “0” Print number = “0”><Print device Information Device name = "Printer-A"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter Print ratio designation = "20" Print range = "0" Number of copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-B""/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio specification =" 50 "Print range =" 0 "Number of copies =" 0 "><Print device information Device name =" Printer-C "/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio designation = "0" Print range = "0" Number of prints = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter></ Distribution related instruction><Output Control instruction ＞ <Detailed parameter mark Number of copies = "100" NumberUp = "4 in 1" Printing range = "1 to 100" Single-sided both sides = "Double-sided" Staple = "Upper left"/> Divided items = "Single-sided both sides"/>> Returning to FIG. 13, in step S711, the print information is stored in the print information storage unit 110, and the proxy printing process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S907 that the proxy printing process has failed, step S909
In, the record of the print result is added to the job ticket.

The recording portion of the job ticket at this time (when there is a problem with Printer-D) is shown below. The instruction unit is the same as in the case of normal processing. <Recording part><Distribution related instruction Dispersion function type = Number of copies distribution Member printer number = "4"><Member parameter print ratio designation = "30" Printing range = "1 to 100" Number of printing copies = "30"><Print device Information Device name = "Printer-A"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio designation = "20" Print range = "1 to 100" Number of copies = "20"><Print device information Device name = "Printer -B "/></ member parameter><Member parameter print ratio specification =" -1 "Print range =" -1 "Number of copies =" -1 "><Print device information Device name =" Printer-C "/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio specification = "-1" Print range = "-1" Number of copies = "-1"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter><Distribution related instructions></ Recording section> Rows returns from step S909 to step S901, the if there is more unused printer, repeated from step S902 to select until the S907 and normal printing. However, in this example, since there is no unused printer other than Printer-D, in that case, the process ends up to this point, and the process returns.

In step S711 of FIG. 13, the print information is saved in the print information saving unit 110, and the proxy printing process ends.

<Executable Reprinting Process Example in Printing System of this Embodiment> Next, an example of processing in the case of reprinting by the above-mentioned alternative decentralized printing process will be described.

(Example of Substitute Reprint Processing Procedure) A specific example of reprint in the substitute distributed print processing is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S1001, desired print information is selected from the print information stored in the document management server. Next, in step S1002,
The selected print information is output to the print information control unit 103 by the print information management unit 111. Next, step S
In 1003, the print information control unit 103 reads a print instruction from the print information that is the received print information and print information that is a job ticket, and controls the print system.

(When the proxy printing succeeds in Printer-D), the printing succeeds in Printer-A and Printer-B, but a problem occurs in Printer-C. Instead, Pr
A specific example of a part of the saved job ticket when proxy printing is performed in inter-D is shown below (
The XML method description shows the simplest example of a part of a job ticket that sets a part of the output device set result and print instruction). <Recording part><Distribution related instruction Dispersion function type = Number of copies distribution Member printer number = "4"><Member parameter print ratio designation = "30" Printing range = "1 to 100" Number of printing copies = "30"><Print device Information Device name = "Printer-A"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio designation = "20" Print range = "1 to 100" Number of copies = "20"><Print device information Device name = "Printer -B "/></ member parameter><Member parameter print ratio specification =" -1 "Print range =" -1 "Number of copies =" -1 "><Print device information Device name =" Printer-C "/></ Member parameter><Member parameter Print ratio designation = "50" Print range = "1 to 100" Number of copies = "50"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter>< / Distribution related instruction ＞ ＜ / Copy><Instructionsection><Distribution related instruction Distribution function type = Copies distribution Member printer number = “4”><Member parameter print ratio designation = “30” Print range = “0” Print number = “0”><Print device Information Device name = "Printer-A"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter Print ratio designation = "20" Print range = "0" Number of copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-B""/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio specification =" 50 "Print range =" 0 "Number of copies =" 0 "><Print device information Device name =" Printer-C "/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio designation = "0" Print range = "0" Number of prints = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter></ Distribution related instruction><Output Control instruction ＞ <Detailed parameter mark Number of copies = "100" NumberUp = "4 in 1" Printing range = "1 to 100" Single-sided both-sided = "Double-sided" Staple = "Upper left"/> Divided item = "Single-sided both sides"/></ Output control instruction>> Next, in step S1004, a job ticket initialization condition is selected.

As an example of the initialization condition, similar to the above, "distribute to the first printer to be distributed according to the first purpose of the job ticket""reprint only to the failed printer "Reprint only for successful printers".

Next, in step S1005, the job ticket is initialized according to the selected initialization condition.

(Example of procedure for job ticket initialization processing: S
1005) An example of the job ticket initialization process is shown in FIG.
It is shown in the flowchart.

First, in step S1101, the initialization conditions are read.

If the condition of "printing to the first printer to be distributed according to the first purpose of the job ticket" is determined in step S1102, step S1103.
At, the recording section is deleted. If the initialization condition is "reprint only the failed printer," in step S1104, the recording of the substitute portion of the recording unit and the failed recording are returned to zero.
If "print again for a successful printer" is selected, the records other than the failed portion are reset to 0 in step S1105.

First, an example of the processing when "reprint only successful print to printer" is selected is shown below.
The initialized job ticket at this time is as follows. Member parameters of Printer-A, Printer-B, and Printer-D are initialized to 0. <Recording part><Distribution related instruction Dispersion function type = Number of copies distribution Member printer number = "4"><Member parameter print ratio designation = "0" Printing range = "0" Printing number = "0"><Print device information device Name = "Printer-A"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio designation = "0" Print range = "0" Number of print copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-B" / ></ Member parameters><Member parameters Print ratio specification = "-1" Print range = "-1" Number of copies = "-1"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-C"/></ Member parameter ＞ <Member parameter print ratio specification = "0" Print range = "0" Number of print copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter></ Distribution related instruction>< / Recording section><Instructionsection><Dispersion related instruction Dispersion Function type = number of copies distribution Number of member printers = "4"><Specify member parameter print ratio = "30" Print range = "0" Number of print copies = "0"><Print device information device name = "Printer-A"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter Print ratio designation = "20" Print range = "0" Number of print copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-B"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter Print ratio designation = "50" Print range = "0" Number of copies = "0" ＞ <Print device information Device name = "Printer-C"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter Print ratio designation = "0" Print Range = "0" Number of prints = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter></ Dispersion related instruction><Output control instruction><Detailed parameter Number of prints = "100 "NumberUp =" 4in1 "printing range Encircle = "1 to 100" Single-sided both-sided = "Double-sided" Staple = "Upper left"/> Divided item = "Single-sided both-sided"/></ Output control instruction> The capability of each distribution target printer is acquired via the acquisition unit (109). Next, in step S1007, an instruction is directly created from the instruction in the job ticket according to the capabilities of each distributed printer. In this example, it is found from the job ticket that the recording of the failed part remains due to the initialization. Therefore, for example, for the printer-C part which is the distributed printer, the printer device = Printer-D Print range = "1 to 100" Number of prints = "50" Double-sided / single-sided = One-sided information is generated as a direct instruction.

Next, in step S1008, an instruction is directly transmitted to the print server together with the job ticket and print data as print information for each distributed printer. Next, in step S1009, print processing of each distributed printer is performed. The printing process of each distributed printer is the same as the flowchart of FIG. Next, the print information control unit 1
03 acquires the processing result from each distributed printer in step S1010, and adds the processing result to the job ticket in step S1011. Next, step S1
In 012, it is checked whether or not a trouble has occurred in the printing process.

If there is no print processing trouble, the print information is stored in the print information storage unit 110 in step S1013.
And the print processing ends.

If "Reprint only for failed printers" is selected, an example of processing is as follows. The job ticket initialized at this time is shown below. Since the instruction part is the same, only the recording part is shown. <Recording part><Distribution related instruction Distribution function type = Copies distribution Member printer number = “4”><Member parameter print ratio designation = “30” Printing range = “1 to 100” Printing copies = “30”><Printing device Information Device name = "Printer-A"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter Print ratio designation = "20" Print range = "1 to 100" Number of copies = "20"><Print device information Device name = "Printer -B "/></ Member parameter><Member parameter Print ratio specification =" 0 "Print range =" 0 "Number of copies =" 0 "><Print device information Device name =" Printer-C "/></ Member Parameter><Member parameter Print ratio specification = "50" Print range = "1 to 100" Number of copies = "50"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter></ Distribution related Instruction></ Recording section> , In step S1006, acquires the ability of the target printer through the output unit information acquisition unit 109. next,
In step S1007, an instruction is directly created from the instruction described in the job ticket according to the capabilities of each distributed printer. In this example, it is found from the job ticket that the process of Printer-C remains as the remaining distribution target printer due to the initialization.
For inter-C, a print device = Printer-C print range = “1 to 100” number of prints = “50” double-sided / single-sided = double-sided information is generated as a direct instruction.

Next, in step S1008, an instruction is directly transmitted to the print server together with the job ticket and print data as print information for each remaining distributed printer. Next, in step S1009, print processing of each remaining distributed printer is performed. Next, the print information control unit 103
Acquires the processing result from each distributed printer in step S1010, and adds the processing result to the job ticket in step S1011. Next, step S101.
In 2, it is inspected whether or not a trouble has occurred in the printing process. If there is no print processing trouble, step S10.
In 13, the print information is stored in the print information storage unit 110, and the print processing is ended.

(When the proxy printing fails in Printer-D) When the proxy printing fails in Printer-D,
When "Reprint only for successful printers" is selected, the job ticket recording unit is as follows. <Recording part><Distribution related instruction Dispersion function type = Number of copies distribution Member printer number = "4"><Member parameter print ratio designation = "0" Printing range = "0" Printing number = "0"><Print device information device Name = "Printer-A"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio designation = "0" Print range = "0" Number of print copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-B" / ></ Member parameters><Member parameters Print ratio specification = "-1" Print range = "-1" Number of copies = "-1"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-C"/></ Member parameter ＞ <Member parameter Print ratio designation = "-1" Print range = "-1" Number of copies = "-1"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter></ Distribution related Instructions></ Recording part> Printing on behalf of Printer-D If it fails, the "only print reprint the unsuccessful Printer" is selected, the recording portion of the job ticket, as follows. <Recording part><Distribution related instruction Dispersion function type = Number of copies distribution Member printer number = "4"><Member parameter print ratio designation = "30" Printing range = "1 to 100" Number of printing copies = "30"><Print device Information Device name = "Printer-A"/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio designation = "20" Print range = "1 to 100" Number of copies = "20"><Print device information Device name = "Printer -B "/></ Member parameter><Member parameter print ratio designation =" 0 "Print range =" 0 "Number of copies =" 0 "><Print device information Device name =" Printer-C "/></ Member Parameter><Member parameter Print ratio designation = "0" Print range = "0" Number of print copies = "0"><Print device information Device name = "Printer-D"/></ Member parameter></ Distribution related instruction></ Recording section> Have been described in detail example, the present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus comprising 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.

A recording medium for supplying the program is, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk,
Optical disc, magneto-optical disc, MO, CD-ROM, C
DR, CD-RW, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R)
and so on. In addition, as a method of supplying the program,
It can also be supplied by connecting to a homepage on the Internet using a browser of a client computer, and downloading the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file having an automatic installation function from the homepage 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 WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for implementing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also
It is included in the claims of the present invention.

Further, 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 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.

Further, after the program read from the recording medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into 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.

[0129]

According to the present invention, when a plurality of devices are to be subjected to distributed print processing, when a substitute print processing is necessary due to a trouble during the distributed processing, reprinting is performed based on the distributed processing result. It is possible to provide a printing system that allows a user to select a desired printer in the system and to quickly perform proxy printing or reprinting without repeating wasteful processing and a method of using the printing resources thereof.

That is, the print information input unit, the job ticket creation unit, the print information control unit, the job ticket editing unit, the print instruction interpretation unit, the print information processing unit, the print information transmission unit, and the print information output. By constructing a printing system that includes a copy section, an output section information acquisition section, a print information storage section, and a print information storage management section, it is possible to perform decentralized printing and proxy printing for only desired printers. When reprinting, you can select whether to target the distributed printer as originally intended or the last successful printers at the time of reprinting, so that the printer with the problem at the time of previous printing If it is recovered, it is output as originally intended, and if it is not recovered, a successful printer is selected to save waste during printing. By describing it in the job ticket, it is possible to print with the same quality even in a system that is separated from the control of the server or client that executed the first print. The convenience of printing on the network is improved. One job ticket can be reused in multiple devices. It has the effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printing system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of a printing system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a host computer (network computer) according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a print server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a distributed printing instruction screen from a host computer according to the present embodiment.

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

FIG. 8 is a job ticket creation process (FIG. 6) of the present embodiment.
10 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of S203).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of print processing (S207 in FIG. 6) according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a reprint instruction screen from the host computer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure example of reprint processing according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an initialization process of the present embodiment (S50 of FIG. 11).
It is a flow chart which shows the example of a procedure of 5).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure example of proxy printing processing according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of a job ticket creation process (S703 of FIG. 13) of the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a proxy printing process of this embodiment (S7 in FIG. 13).
It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of 12).

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure example of a proxy reprinting process according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an initialization process of the present embodiment (S10 of FIG. 16).
It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of 05).

Claims (42)

[Claims] 1. In a printing system in which a plurality of output devices are connected and the print processing of the print data is performed by the plurality of output devices, the print data and print instruction information distributed to the output devices of the plurality of output devices. Job ticket creating means for creating a job ticket including: and distributed processing instructing means for distributing the print data to the plurality of output devices based on the print instruction information of the created job ticket. A printing system characterized by the above. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the print instruction information to the plurality of output devices includes a distribution amount of distributed processing to each output device. 3. Instruction information of the plurality of output devices,
The instruction information of the distributed amount of distributed processing to each output device,
The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising print information input means for inputting as print instruction information. 4. Trouble detection means for detecting the occurrence of a trouble from the processing results of the plurality of output devices, and substitution for replacing the troubled output device with a spare output device when the trouble is detected The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising processing instruction means. 5. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a job ticket storage unit for additionally storing the processing results of the plurality of output devices in the job ticket. 6. A redistribution processing instructing means for causing the plurality of output devices to perform redistribution printing processing on the basis of the job ticket in which the processing result is additionally recorded and stored. The printing system according to Item 5. 7. The redistribution processing instruction unit instructs the redistribution of the print data to the plurality of output devices based on a job ticket in which the processing result is additionally written and stored and a user's redistribution instruction. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein
Printing system described in. 8. The user's instruction is to perform distributed printing on the first output device to be distributed according to the first purpose of the job ticket, to reprint only to the failed output device, or to print successfully. The printing system according to claim 7, further comprising a selection whether to reprint only printing on the device. 9. The redistribution processing instructing means has an initialization means for initializing a processing result stored in an output device for instructing redistribution, according to any one of claims 6 to 8. The printing system described. 10. The printing system according to claim 3, wherein the job ticket creating unit and the print information input unit are included in a host computer that constitutes the printing system. 11. The printing system according to claim 5, wherein at least the distributed processing instruction unit and the job ticket storage unit are included in a server that constitutes the printing system. 12. A server in a printing system in which a plurality of output devices are connected to perform print processing by the plurality of output devices, wherein print data created by a host computer and distributed to the plurality of output devices. Job ticket receiving means for receiving a job ticket including print instruction information, and distributed processing instruction means for performing the distributed processing of the print data on the plurality of output devices based on the print instruction information of the received job ticket. A server comprising: 13. The distributed processing instruction means includes print instruction creating means for creating a print instruction for each output device based on the print instruction information of the received job ticket. The server according to item 12. 14. A trouble detecting means for detecting occurrence of a trouble from processing results by the plurality of output devices, and when the occurrence of the trouble is detected, the output device in which the trouble has occurred is replaced with a spare output device and distributed. 13. The server according to claim 12, further comprising alternative processing instruction means for processing. 15. The method according to claim 12, further comprising a job ticket storage unit for additionally storing the processing results of the plurality of output devices in the job ticket.
Or the server according to 14. 16. The redistribution processing instruction means for redispersing the print data to the plurality of output devices based on a job ticket in which the processing result is additionally recorded and stored. The server according to item 15. 17. The server according to claim 16, wherein the redistribution processing instructing means has an initialization means for initializing a stored processing result of an output device instructing redistribution. 18. A printer controller in a printing system in which a plurality of output devices are connected to perform print processing by the plurality of output devices, wherein the print data is created by a host computer and distributed to the plurality of output devices. Print instruction receiving means for receiving a print instruction to the output device, which is created based on the print instruction information of the job ticket including the generated print instruction information, and print control data and drawing data by interpreting the print instruction. A printer comprising: a print control unit that generates a print result and sends the print result to the output device; and a print result acquisition unit that acquires the print result of the output device and sends the print result to the distributed processing control unit that controls the distributed processing. controller. 19. A trouble detecting means for detecting occurrence of a trouble from the processing results of the plurality of output devices, and when the occurrence of the trouble is detected, the output device in which the trouble has occurred is replaced with a spare output device and distributed. 19. The printer controller according to claim 18, further comprising an alternative processing instruction means for processing. 20. A job ticket storage unit is further provided for additionally storing the processing results of the plurality of output devices in the job ticket.
Alternatively, the printer controller according to Item 19. 21. The redistribution processing instruction means for re-dispersing the print data to the plurality of output devices based on a job ticket in which the processing result is additionally recorded and stored. 20. The printer controller according to item 20. 22. The printer controller according to claim 21, wherein the redistribution processing instructing means has an initialization means for initializing a stored processing result of an output device instructing redistribution. 23. A printer device in a printing system to which a plurality of output devices are connected and which performs printing processing by the plurality of output devices, the printer device having a printer controller and an output device, wherein the printer controller is a host computer. A print instruction receiving unit that receives the print instruction to the output device, which is created based on the print instruction information of the job ticket including the created print data and the print instruction information distributed to the plurality of output devices. A print control unit that interprets the print instruction to generate print control data and drawing data, and transmits the print control data and drawing data to an output device; and a distributed processing control unit that acquires a print result of the output device and controls distributed processing. A printer device comprising a print result acquisition unit for transmitting. 24. A method of using print resources in a printing system in which a plurality of output devices are connected and print processing of print data is performed by the plurality of output devices, the print data and each output device of the plurality of output devices. A job ticket including distributed print instruction information to the plurality of output devices, and the print data is distributed to the plurality of output devices based on the print instruction information of the created job ticket. How to use printing resources. 25. The method of using print resources according to claim 24, wherein the print instruction information for the plurality of output devices includes a distribution amount of distributed processing for each output device. 26. The printing according to claim 24, wherein the instruction information of the plurality of output devices and the instruction information of the dispersion amount of the distributed processing to each output device are input as print instruction information. How to use resources. 27. A trouble occurrence is detected from the processing results of the plurality of output devices, and when the trouble occurrence is detected, the troubled output device is replaced by a spare output device. The method of using the printing resource according to claim 24. 28. The method of using a print resource according to claim 24, wherein the processing results of the plurality of output devices are added to the job ticket and stored. 29. The print resource according to claim 28, wherein the print data is re-distributed and printed by the plurality of output devices based on a job ticket in which the processing result is additionally written and stored. How to Use. 30. In the redistribution process, a redistribution instruction of the print data is issued to the plurality of output devices based on a job ticket in which the processing result is additionally written and stored and a user's redistribution instruction. 30. The method of using a printing resource according to claim 29. 31. The user's instruction is to perform distributed printing on the first output device to be distributed according to the first purpose of the job ticket, to reprint only to the failed output device, or to print successfully. 31. The method of using print resources according to claim 30, further comprising selecting whether to reprint only for printing on the device. 32. The method of using a print resource according to claim 29, wherein in the redistribution processing, a stored processing result of an output device that instructs redistribution is initialized. . 33. A control program for controlling a host computer in a printing system to which a plurality of output devices are connected and which prints print data by the plurality of output devices. A job ticket including a step of inputting, as print instruction information, instruction information on the distribution amount of distributed processing to output devices, print data, and the print instruction information distributed to each output device of a plurality of output devices. And a step of transmitting the created job ticket to the distributed processing control unit. 34. The method according to claim 34, further comprising the step of instructing the plurality of output devices to perform the re-distributed printing process based on the job ticket in which the previous processing result is added and saved. Item 33. The control program according to Item 33. 35. The instruction includes performing distributed printing on an output device that is a first distribution target according to the first purpose of a job ticket, reprinting only a print on a failed output device, or a successful output device. 35. The control program according to claim 34, further comprising a selection as to whether to reprint only the print. 36. A control program for controlling a distributed processing control unit in a printing system, wherein a plurality of output devices are connected, and print processing of print data is performed by the plurality of output devices, the print data and the plurality of output devices. Receiving a job ticket including the print instruction information distributed to each output device, and printing the print data to the plurality of output devices based on the print instruction information of the received job ticket. A control program including a step of processing. 37. A step of detecting the occurrence of a trouble from the processing results of the plurality of output devices, and a step of substituting the output device in the trouble with a spare output device when the occurrence of the trouble is detected. The control program according to claim 36, further comprising: 38. The control program according to claim 36, further comprising a step of additionally recording processing results by the plurality of output devices in the job ticket and storing the job ticket. 39. The method according to claim 38, further comprising causing the plurality of output devices to perform the re-distributed printing process based on the job ticket in which the processing result is additionally written and stored. Control program. 40. In the step of redistribution processing, the print data is re-distributed to the plurality of output devices based on a job ticket in which the processing result is additionally recorded and stored and redistribution instruction information from a host computer. 40. The control program according to claim 39, which issues a distribution instruction. 41. The redistribution instruction information from the host computer is distributed to the first output device to be distributed according to the first purpose of the job ticket, or is reprinted only to the failed output device. 41. The control program according to claim 40, comprising selecting whether to reprint only a successful print to an output device. 42. The redistribution processing step includes the step of initializing a stored processing result of an output device instructing redistribution.
The control program according to any one of 1.