JP2003271365A - System for re-inputting print job in spool-full - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print job re-inputting system in spool-full by a server for executing processing to receive and store transfer data from a host in a spool, and to store management information in the spool in inputting a print job, for autonomously realizing the input of the print job even when the input of the print job fails due to the spool-full. <P>SOLUTION: This server is provided with a print job inputting part to be started after storing transfer data in a spool area for inputting a print job and a print service part for executing the processing of print by storing the management information of the print job in the spool area. The print service part notices the execution result of the storage processing in the spool area to the print job inputting part, and the print job inputting part receives the execution result, and when it is not successful, stores the parameter information of the print job in another area, and monitors the area, and when the parameter information is stored, re-inputs the print job to the print service part. <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 print job re-input system when a spool is full.

An operating system (Opera) such as UNIX (registered trademark)
data is stored in the spool area when the print service is performed by the server that performs printing in the
When the spool area becomes full, it becomes impossible to create the information required for printing, and there is a need for a solution to that problem.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art As a basic function of a UNIX OS, there is an LP print service as a general term for a function of managing and controlling a job for printing. The main functions of this LP print service are the following functions.

Lp: A function for transmitting a request to the LP print service.

Lpstat: A function for displaying information about the status of the LP print service.

Lpsched: LP request scheduler (also called printer scheduler, LP spooler, etc.) A system-resident process that manages and controls the requests sent by lp.

The operation for executing this print service will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a conventional example, which is a printing system including a UNIX server having a spool area and a printer device. 5 in the figure
0 is a host, 51 is a UNIX server, 52 is a receiver,
Reference numeral 53 is a spool (Simult) which is a function of OS job management
A spool area for realizing an aneous peripheral operation online) function, 54 is a print job input section, and 55 is L
The P print service unit 56 is a printer device.

When a print command is input from the host 50 to the server 51 and data is transferred, the receiving section 52 is activated to receive the transfer data. The receiving unit 52 saves the received transfer data in the spool area 53 and activates the print job input unit 54. When activated, the print job input unit 54 inputs a print job to the LP print service unit 55. Although "send request" may be used as a term having the same meaning as "submit a print job", in this description, "submit a print job" is used.
To use. Accordingly, the LP print service unit 55 performs an operation of writing information necessary for the LP print service unit 55 itself to manage and control each job as a file in the same spool area 53 as the transfer data. Information necessary for managing and controlling this print job (hereinafter referred to as print job management information) includes a printer (job output destination) for printing the job, a job title, a job input format, and the like. . When the print job management information is written by the LP print service unit 55, the print job can be executed.

[0009]

In the conventional printing system having the above-mentioned LP print service, the server having the spool area, and the printer apparatus, when the print command is input from the host to the server and the data transfer is normally completed, the host From the viewpoint, it was considered that the print job was submitted. However, when the spool area becomes full (full) when the data transfer is completed, the data transfer is normally completed and no notification is given to the host. However, the print job input unit 54 is activated after that. Even if the LP print service unit 55 tries to write the print job management information by inputting a print job, the spool area 53 cannot be written because it is in a full state. In this case, the submission of the print job has failed, but since the host 50 has completed the data transfer, it interprets that the print job has been submitted, and if the printing is not performed thereafter, the printing is performed. It is determined that the job could be submitted but not printed (a state in which some error occurred).

In this state, print jobs that have not yet been printed are sequentially printed (the print jobs having data stored in the spool area are executed in advance) to make an empty area in the spool area 53 or to cancel the printing. Therefore, it can be canceled by deleting the print job. However, after confirming this state, the operation of transferring data to the server again must be executed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a print job re-feeding method at the time of spool full, which can autonomously realize the submission even if the submission of a print job fails due to spool full.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a basic configuration diagram of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a server, 2 is a host, and 3 is a printer. 1a in the server 1 is a transfer data receiving unit,
1b is a spool area, 1c is a print job input section, 1d is a print service section, 1e is an execution information area for storing parameter information of a print job when the spool is full according to the present invention, and 1f is a spool full when provided according to the present invention. A print job input unit.

When data is transferred from the host 2 to the server 1 according to the present invention, the transfer data receiving unit 1a stores the received data in the spool area 1b (a in FIG. 1).
The print job input unit 1c is activated (b in FIG. 1). The print job input unit 1c causes the print service unit 1d to execute lp (print command) in accordance with the conditions (print command execution parameters) activated by the transfer data reception unit 1a (c in FIG. 1). The next print service unit 1d is made to submit a print job. The print service unit 1d inputs a print job by executing lp (print command) of the print job input unit 1c. The print job information when the print service unit 1d submits the print job is information (called LP information) for managing and controlling the execution of the print job, and is stored in the spool area 1b (see FIG. 1). d). The management / control information is different from the lp parameter information described later.

Storing LP information in the spool area 1b when a print job is submitted by the print service unit 1d
If it fails due to spool full, print job input unit 1
The execution result returned to c is displayed as a failure (e in FIG. 1). Upon receiving this execution result, the print job input unit 1
The c stores the execution information of the print job (also called lp parameter information) in the execution information area 1e (f in FIG. 1). On the other hand, the spool full print job input unit 1f monitors the execution information area 1e (g in FIG. 1), and when the execution information is stored therein, printing (lp) is first executed according to the information. Re-execute using exactly the same parameters as those described above (h in FIG. 1). When the execution result of the printing (lp) at this time indicates success (i in FIG. 1) and the print job is normally submitted, the execution information area 1e displays the execution information (lp) corresponding to the corresponding print job. Parameter information). Also,
Print job (lp) due to spool full when reloading
Fails, the contents of the execution information area 1e are retained as they are. In this way, the spool full print job input unit 1
f attempts to re-enter until all the execution information (lp parameter information) is exhausted.

With this configuration, even if the print job fails to be input because the spool is full, data can be lost and the print job can be re-input many times until an empty area is formed in the spool area.

[0016]

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numerals 1, 2 and 3 represent the same as in FIG. 1, and 10 to 15 in the server 1 have different names, but their functions correspond to 1a to 1f in FIG. Is a transfer data receiving section, 11 is a spool area, 12 is a print job input section, 13 is an LP print service section, 14 is an lp execution information area, and 15 is a spool full print job input section. Reference numeral 16 is a filter for converting the data into a format most suitable for the printer and transmitting the converted data to the printer device via the driver. Reference numeral 17 is a driver for performing print output processing.

The transfer data receiving unit 10 is a system-resident type processing unit, waits for data transfer from the host 2 (processing unit for transferring data), and when the data is transferred, the data is first transferred to the spool area 11. Spool. Next, the print job input unit 12 is activated as a child process of the transfer data reception unit 10, and executes lp to the LP print service unit 13 according to the activated condition (same as the parameter specified in lp execution described later). To submit a print job. An example of the lp command executed at this time is shown below.

/ Usr / bin / lp -H hold -T SIA -t "JOBNAME
/ JOBNO / DISCNO "-d A -y class = A -y rmfile / var /
opt / FJSVnlp / prtdata / JOBNAME / JOBDATA This command consists of a number of parameters and is outlined below. The parameter "/ usr / bin / lp" indicates the lp command, and "-H hold" indicates that the print job is sent in the hall state and another print job is printed first until the hold release is instructed. “-T SIA” represents the input format of the received data, and the LP print service section has the function of selecting the optimum filter from this input format. "-T" JOBNA
“ME / JOBNO / DISCNO” ”represents the title of the print job, and“ -d A ”is the printer name of the output destination, which is a virtual printer on software registered in advance in the LP print service unit. In reality, the virtual printer and the actual printer device are associated one-to-one (by ID or the like). "-Y cla
The "-y" parameter of "ss = A" is a user-defined parameter,
It is registered in the LP print service unit 13 in a format such as "-y xxxx = yyyy" or "-y zzzz". This parameter indicates the output class (writer name on the host).
"-Y rmfile" is a parameter for instructing to delete the file after printing the job, and "var / opt / FJSV"
nlp ... JOBDATA "represents the received data stored in the spool full area.

The execution result of this lp command is returned from the LP print service unit 13. If the end value of lp in the execution result is 0, it means that the print job is normally submitted. If the end value of lp is not 0,
Indicates that the print job submission failed due to spool full. If the print job input fails due to the spool being full, the parameter information (hereinafter referred to as lp parameter information) when lp is executed is stored in the lp execution information area 14.

In the above example of the lp command, the parameters stored in the lp execution information area 14 are all the parameters under "-H hold".

Also, the lp parameter information is saved with a file name as shown in the following example.

"NPSRetryLp process ID. Execution time" In this, "NPSRetryLp" is a heading, "process ID" is the process ID of the process when the print job input section is first executed, and the process ID is the UNIX system. Is a unique numerical value that is an identifier for managing each process. Without this process ID, when the print job input unit is executed at the same time (at the same time), one lp parameter information is lost. “Execution time” is the time when the print job input unit 12 was executed for the first time.
In the IX system, the lp parameter information saved before the system is reset (in the case where the server machine is powered off and then powered on again) is lost (because it is overwritten).

The LP print service unit 13 is a system-resident type processing unit, and submits a print job by the lp command, which is one function of the LP print service. The print job information at the time of input is stored in the spool area 11 as LP information. This LP information is information for the LP print service unit 13 to manage and control the print job, and stores contents different from the lp parameter information described in the print job input unit 12. When the LP information is stored in the spool area 11 and the print job is normally submitted, the LP request scheduler, which is one function of the LP print service unit 13, monitors this information and instructs the filter 16 to sequentially print the print job. To do. L
When the P print information cannot be stored in the spool area 11, the print job input unit 12 is notified of a print job input failure through lp as spool full.

FIG. 3 shows an example of LP information stored in the spool area. The symbols C, D, F, H, P, T ... Represent the types of information.

When the print job cannot be input because the spool is full, the print job input unit 12 stores the lp parameter information in the lp execution information area 14. At the same time, this means that when the lp parameter information is stored, there is a print job that has failed in submission due to spool full.

FIG. 4 is a processing flow of the print job input unit. FIG. 4 shows an example of the lp command given above as an example. First, lp is executed (S1 in FIG. 4),
The execution result is acquired (at step S2). This lp execution result is
It is obtained by acquiring the end value of the print job input unit 12 started as a child process. It is determined whether or not this execution result is a normal end (S3 in FIG. 4). This determines whether or not the end value of the print job input unit of the lp execution result is 0 (normal end). If it is 0 (normal end), the process ends, but if it is other than 0 (print job submission failure),
First, the process ID is acquired (S4 in FIG. 4). The process ID of this process is managed by the UNIX system as described above, and can be acquired by inquiring there. Next, the current time is acquired (at step S5). This time is used in the next file name creation process (S6 in FIG. 4), and then the lp parameter information creation process is performed (S7). At this time, information in the format like the example of the parameter information described for the print job input unit 12 is created from the parameters executed in S1. Further, the lp parameter information is saved in the lp execution information area 14 (see the same S
8), end.

In the process flow of the print job input section, if the lp parameter information is saved in the lp execution information area when the print job input due to spool full fails, the spool full print job input section performs monitoring and re-input processing. .

FIG. 5 is a processing flow of the print job input section at spool full. First, it is determined whether or not there is lp parameter information stored in the lp execution information area (S1 in FIG. 5), and if there is no information, the process proceeds to S7, which will be described later. The one with the earliest execution time is selected (at step S2). Acquire the selected lp parameter information, and use the same parameters as when the print job input unit executed
The p command is executed again (S3 in FIG. 5), and the lp execution result is acquired (S4 of the same). The execution result is S2 in FIG.
It is obtained in the same manner as. Based on the execution result, it is determined whether lp has ended normally (S5 in FIG. 5), and if it has ended normally (successful submission of the print job), the corresponding lp parameter information is deleted (step S6). When it is determined that the print job input has failed and after step S6, sleep processing is performed (S7 in FIG. 5). This sleep process is a process in which the print job input unit at spool full is a resident process and is a program that always loops infinitely. Therefore, it may be set by determining whether to include the process as necessary or not. If it is better to try re-executing lp frequently, it is better not to include this sleep process, but the spool full status is
It doesn't need to be done very often because it won't be released unless another job is printed or deleted. Further, when it is important to reduce the load on the CPU of the server, it is better to include this sleep process.

Next, it is determined whether or not an end request has been issued (S8 in FIG. 5). The end request is normally a signal reception (interrupt processing) in the case of UNIX system, and the spool full print job submitting unit interrupts this signal in order to end the system or another program normally. The process according to the program is temporarily interrupted and the predetermined process is executed). If an end request is generated (a signal is received), the process ends normally, and if an end request is not generated (a signal is not received), the process returns to S1 to repeat the process.

(Supplementary Note 1) A print job re-feeding method at the time of spool full in a server that executes processing of storing transfer data from a host in a spool and storing management information in the spool when a print job is input. The server stores the transfer data in the spool area and starts the print job by inputting the print job, and the print job input section that stores the print job management information in the spool area and prints it. And a means for notifying the print job input section of the execution result of the storage processing in the spool area, and the print service input section from the print service section. Received the execution result of
A means for storing the parameter information of the print job in another area when the print job is unsuccessful is provided, and when the other area is monitored and the parameter information of the print job is stored, the print job is re-executed to the print service unit. A print job re-feeding method when the spool is full, which is provided with a means for inputting.

(Supplementary Note 2) In Supplementary Note 1, the parameter information of the print job includes identification information of a process when the print job is first executed and execution time, and printing at spool full Job re-submission method.

(Supplementary Note 3) In Supplementary Note 2, when a plurality of parameter information is stored in the other area, the means for re-inputting the print job is a print job in the order of execution time of the corresponding original print job. Re-submitting the print job when the spool is full.

(Supplementary Note 4) In Supplementary Note 1, the print service unit sets "0" in the case of success and a numerical value other than "0" in the case of failure as the execution result of the storage processing in the spool area. A print job re-feeding method when the spool is full, which is set and provided to the print job inputting unit.

[0034]

According to the present invention, even if a print job cannot be input once due to spool full, a new mechanism is provided to automatically re-input the print job until the spool area becomes available. be able to. This enables efficient print management.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a principle configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an example.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of LP information stored in a spool area.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of a print job input unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of a print job input unit when the spool is full.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 server 1a Transfer data receiver 1b Spool area 1c Print job input section 1d Print Service Department 1e Execution information area 1f Print job input section when spool is full 2 host 3 Printer

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A print job re-feeding method at the time of spool full in a server that executes a process of storing transfer data from a host in a spool and storing management information in the spool when the print job is input, The server stores the transfer data in the spool area and activates the print job to submit a print job; and the print job submitting section activates the print job to store the management information of the print job in the spool area to perform print processing. And a means for notifying the print job input section of the execution result of the storage processing in the spool area, and the print job input section executes the print service input section. A means is provided for receiving the result and storing the parameter information of the print job in another area when the result is unsuccessful. A print job re-feeding method when the spool is full, characterized in that the print service unit is provided with means for re-feeding the print job when other areas are monitored and parameter information of the print job is stored. 2. The print job at spool full according to claim 1, wherein the parameter information of the print job includes identification information of a process when the print job is first executed and an execution time. Re-injection method.