JP2004118231A - Print server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate selection of printers; and to execute printing in parallel by a plurality of printers by grouping the printers for printing print data when connecting the plurality of printers to a print server. <P>SOLUTION: The print data is outputted to the selected printer by selecting the available printer in a selected group by selecting either group in classifying the plurality of printers P11, P12, P13, etc. into a plurality of groups. In this case, the plurality of printers are allowed to print in parallel by dividedly outputting one print data to the plurality of selected printers, and the plurality of printers are respectively allowed to print the same print data in parallel by outputting the same print data to the plurality of respective selected printers. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print server for causing a plurality of printers to print print data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a printer (including a facsimile function having a printer function, a multifunction peripheral, etc.), information created by a client device such as a personal computer in which an application program is installed is received and printed as print data. In many systems, a plurality of client devices are connected via a network such as a LAN, and a plurality of printers are connected via a network, and the printers are shared via a print server.
[0003]
In such a system, it is necessary to indicate which one of a plurality of printers should be used. To do so, the capability of each printer (resolution, color / monochrome, maximum available paper, etc.) is required. Size, etc., functions (printable carriers, ie, plain paper, OHP paper, other carriers, etc., only single-sided printing, double-sided printing, etc.), applications (usual printing only, or confidential printing, for example) It is necessary to know in advance whether or not the user has a special function), the available users, and the like. Further, there may be a printer that cannot be used because other print data is being printed at that time or the paper is out of paper, the toner is out, or other trouble.
[0004]
However, as the number of printers connected to the network increases, it becomes difficult for the user to determine which printers can be used and which printers to use, and that the user cannot use the printers. Even if a desired printer is specified, the printer may not be usable due to a failure or the like.
[0005]
Under such circumstances, techniques for grouping and managing a plurality of printers have been proposed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). However, the invention disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is a system in which a plurality of printing devices are grouped and the printing data is divided such that the printing end times of a plurality of printing devices in the group are the same. Although a large amount is preferable, it does not solve the above-mentioned problem. The invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 is a print server apparatus in which a plurality of printing apparatuses are grouped and the amount of used paper is managed in each group unit. Only.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-194911 [Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-027942 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when a plurality of printers can be connected to a print server and each of the printers can perform printing, the printers are determined based on some reference. It is classified into a plurality of groups, a group is selected according to the print data, and any one or a plurality of printers in the selected same group is selected. In such a case, another object of the present invention is to provide a print server which can automatically use another printer in the same group to solve the above-mentioned problems.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A print server according to the present invention, in a print server to be connected to a plurality of printers, receiving means for receiving print data, and a group for selecting any one of the plurality of printers classified into a plurality of groups Selecting means, printer selecting means for selecting an available printer in the group selected by the group selecting means, and output means for outputting the print data received by the receiving means to the printer selected by the printer selecting means. It is characterized by having.
[0009]
In such a print server of the present invention, any one of a plurality of printers classified into a plurality of groups is selected, an available printer in the selected group is selected, and a print is received by the selected printer. Output print data and print.
[0010]
Also, in the print server according to the present invention, the printer selection unit selects a plurality of printers in the same group selected by the group selection unit, and the output unit transmits the plurality of printers selected by the printer selection unit. By dividing and outputting one print data, each part obtained by dividing one print data is printed in parallel by a plurality of printers.
[0011]
In such a print server of the present invention, the printer selecting means selects a plurality of printers in the same group selected by the group selecting means, and the output means sends one print data to the plurality of printers selected by the printer selecting means. Is divided and output, so that each part obtained by dividing one print data is printed in parallel by a plurality of printers.
[0012]
Also, in the print server according to the present invention, the printer selection unit selects a plurality of printers in the same group selected by the group selection unit, and the output unit sends a plurality of printers selected by the printer selection unit to each of the plurality of printers. By outputting the same print data, a plurality of printers can print the same print data in parallel.
[0013]
In such a print server of the present invention, the printer selecting means selects a plurality of printers in the same group selected by the group selecting means, and the output means outputs the same print data to each of the plurality of printers selected by the printer selecting means. By outputting the data, the same print data is printed by a plurality of printers in parallel.
[0014]
Further, the print server according to the present invention is characterized in that the group selecting means automatically selects a printer group according to an attribute of the print data received by the receiving means.
[0015]
In such a print server of the present invention, the group selecting means automatically selects a printer group according to the attribute of the print data received by the receiving means.
[0016]
Still further, the print server according to the present invention is characterized in that the printer groups selected by the group selecting means are classified according to the capabilities, functions, and applications of the plurality of printers, and users who can use each of them.
[0017]
In such a print server of the present invention, a plurality of printers are classified according to their capabilities, functions, applications, users who can use each of them, and the like.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration example of the entire network system to which a print server of the present invention is connected.
[0019]
The print server 1 of the present invention is provided with a plurality of printers P11, P12, P13... Which are given print data from the print server 1 and print on paper, and print data to be printed by these printers P11, P12, P13. A client device that creates the original information, for example, a personal computer 3 is network-connected by a communication line 4 such as a LAN. Although only one personal computer 3 is shown, it goes without saying that a plurality of personal computers 3 exist.
[0020]
The network connection of the print server 1, the printers P11, P12, P13,..., And the personal computer 3 may be wired or wireless, and wired and wireless may be mixed. Further, the printers P11, P12, P13... May use not only general printers but also facsimile machines having a network printer function, or may be so-called multifunction peripherals.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a table exemplifying a list of specifications of each printer when 12 printers P11 to P22 are connected to the print server 1. Such information is stored in the print server 1 in the form of a table. Stored in the printer information storage unit 14.
[0022]
Here, for example, the printer P11 has a resolution (dpi) of 600, can perform only monochrome printing, has a maximum paper size of A4, has a normal use, has only a single-sided printing function, and has a user group A, B indicates that it can be used. In addition, for example, the printer P13 has a resolution (dpi) of 600, is capable of monochrome printing only, has a maximum paper size of A4, is used for confidential printing, has a double-sided printing function, and has a user group A, B indicates that it can be used. Further, for example, the printer P19 has a resolution (dpi) of 600, is capable of monochrome printing only, has a maximum paper size of A4, is used for confidential printing, has a function of printing on OHP paper, and has a user group. A, B, and C show that it can be used.
[0023]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the print server 1 of the present invention. The print server 1 is basically a general-purpose computer.
[0024]
The print server 1 includes a CPU 10 serving as a control center, and a ROM 11, a RAM 12, a print data storage unit 13, a printer information storage unit 14, a LAN interface 15, a display unit 16, an operation unit 17, which are connected to the CPU 10 via a bus. An image memory 18 and the like are provided.
[0025]
The CPU 10 controls the entire print server 1 in accordance with a print server control program stored in the ROM 11 or a hard disk (not shown), and temporarily stores data generated thereby in the RAM 12 to execute various processes. The display unit 16 and the operation unit 17 are used when directly operating the print server 1 or for monitoring an operation state.
[0026]
The print data storage unit 13 and the printer information storage unit 14 use a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk, for example. Note that both may be shared by one storage device (specifically, a hard disk or the like). In addition to the information on each of the printers P11, P12, P13... As shown in FIG. 2 described above, these printers P11, P12, P13. Tables classified under various conditions are stored.
[0027]
The image memory 18 is used for temporarily storing image data which is print data when inputting / outputting print data. Therefore, the image memory 18 may be volatile, such as a DRAM, or may be shared by the RAM 12.
[0028]
The LAN interface 15 is connected to a communication line 4 that is also connected to printers P11, P12, P13,... And a personal computer (PC) 3. The communication line 4 may be not only a normal wired LAN line but also a wireless LAN line or a communication method other than LAN.
[0029]
FIGS. 4 to 8 are schematic diagrams showing the contents of an example of a table stored in the printer information storage unit 14 of the print server 1.
[0030]
FIG. 4 illustrates the contents of the capability table T1. In the capability table T1, the capabilities of the printers P11, P12, P13,... Are classified into a capability group 1 of monochrome, 600 dpi, A4, and a capability group 2 of color, 1200 dpi, A3. Needless to say, finer classification may be performed.
[0031]
FIG. 5 illustrates the contents of the application table T2. In the use table T2, the uses of the printers P11, P12, P13,... Are classified into a normal use group 1 and a special (confidential) use group 2.
[0032]
FIG. 6 illustrates the contents of the function table T3. In the function table T3, the functions of the printers P11, P12, P13,... Are classified into a single-sided printing function group 1, a double-sided printing function group 2, and an OHP paper printing function group 3.
[0033]
FIG. 7 illustrates the contents of the user group table T4. In the user group table T4, the user groups of the printers P11, P12, P13,... Are classified into the user group 1 of the user group A, the user group 2 of the user group B, and the user group 3 of the user group C. I have.
[0034]
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of a user table indicating the classification of users. The user table T5 is a table in which the user belongs to which user group is registered in advance, and is also stored in the printer information storage unit 14. In this example, user group A has three users U1, U2, and U3, user group B has three users U4, U5, and U6, and user group C has three users U7, U8, and U9. Are registered respectively.
[0035]
Therefore, since the user U1 belongs to the user group A, as apparent from the user group table T4, when the user group is specified, the printers P11, P12, P13 and P17, P18, P19 must be used. It can be seen that is possible.
[0036]
Note that each of the above tables is generated from the list of specifications of each printer shown in FIG. 2 according to predetermined conditions, and may be stored in the printer information storage unit 14 in advance as shown in the drawing. Alternatively, it may be created each time as necessary and temporarily stored in, for example, the RAM 12. The print server 1 causes each printer to print the print data according to such a table.
[0037]
Next, the printing process performed by the print server 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.
[0038]
When the print server 1 receives the print data from any of the personal computers 3 (YES in step S11), the CPU 10 determines the user group if the user group is specified, and according to the attribute of the received print data if there is no user group. For example, a printer group is selected in accordance with designation of resolution, designation of paper size, designation of normal printing or confidential printing (step S12). Next, the CPU 10 selects a printer from the selected printer group (Step S13). This printer selection process is shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[0039]
First, the CPU 10 selects a printer that can be used in the selected printer group, that is, a printer other than a printer that is currently printing other print data or a printer in which a failure, out of paper, out of toner, or the like has occurred. (Step S51). If there is no usable printer, the process waits until a usable printer is generated (YES in step S52). If there is an available printer (NO in step S52), CPU 10 next determines whether or not printing of a plurality of copies is specified, and if printing of a plurality of copies is specified (YES in step S53). Then, it is determined whether the number of usable printers is larger than the number of print copies (step S54).
[0040]
When the number of usable printers is larger than the number of print copies (YES in step S54), the CPU 10 selects the same number of printers as the number of print copies (step S55), and when the number of usable printers is equal to or smaller than the number of print copies ( All the available printers are selected (step S56: NO).
[0041]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S53 that printing of a plurality of copies has not been specified (NO in step S53), the CPU 10 determines whether division printing has been specified (step S57). The CPU 10 selects all the available printers when the divided printing is designated (YES in step S57), and can use the divided printers when the divided printing is not designated (NO in step S57). One of the printers is selected (step S59).
[0042]
As described above, when a printer is selected in step S13 (steps S51 to S59), if split printing is specified (YES in step S14), CPU 10 divides print data into the selected printer. (Step S15). Thus, the print data is divided and printed by a plurality of printers.
[0043]
If split printing is not specified (NO in step S14) and printing of a plurality of copies is not specified (NO in step S16), the CPU 10 determines that printing of only one copy is specified, and selects the selected printer. The print data is transmitted to (step S17). Thereby, one set of print data is printed by one printer.
[0044]
If printing of a plurality of copies is specified (YES in step S16), the CPU 10 determines whether the number of selected printers is smaller than the specified number of prints (step S18). If the number of selected printers is greater than or equal to the specified number of print copies (NO in step S18), CPU 10 transmits print data to each of the selected printers (step S19). As a result, the print data is printed one copy at a time on each of the selected printers.
[0045]
If the number of selected printers is smaller than the specified number of print copies (YES in step S18), CPU 10 transmits print data to each of the selected printers (step S20), and the number of selected printers becomes the number of remaining print copies. It is determined whether the number is less than (Step S21). If the number of selected printers is smaller than the number of remaining print copies (YES in step S21), CPU 10 transmits print data to each of the selected printers again (step S20), and the number of selected printers is smaller than the number of remaining print copies. It is determined again whether the number is small (step S21).
[0046]
By repeating the above process, the number of the selected printers is sooner than or equal to the remaining number of print copies (NO in step S21), and thus the CPU 10 transmits print data to each of the selected printers (step S19). . However, at this time, the print data is transmitted to the same number of printers as the remaining copies of the selected printer. As a result, the print data is printed by one copy or several copies by each of the selected printers.
[0047]
If a failure occurs in the printer during printing, for example, a paper jam, running out of toner, running out of paper, or any other failure, and the printing cannot be continued, the failed printer is The print server 1 is notified that a failure has occurred in itself. In response to this, the print server 1 displays on its own display unit 16 that a failure has occurred in a certain printer, notifies the personal computer 3 that created the information on which the print data is based, by e-mail, or If there is another usable printer, processing such as continuing the subsequent printing to that printer can be performed.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the print server of the present invention, any one of a plurality of printers classified into a plurality of groups is selected, and an available printer in the selected group is selected. Since the received print data is output and printed to the selected printer, there is no need to consider which printer to select when printing the print data.
[0049]
According to the print server of the present invention, the printer selection means selects a plurality of printers in the same group selected by the group selection means, and outputs one print data to the plurality of printers selected by the printer selection means. By dividing and outputting the divided print data, each of the divided portions of one print data is printed in parallel by a plurality of printers, so that the time required for printing the print data is reduced as a result.
[0050]
According to the print server of the present invention, the printer selection means selects a plurality of printers in the same group selected by the group selection means, and the output means performs the same printing on each of the plurality of printers selected by the printer selection means. By outputting the data, the same print data is printed in parallel by each of the plurality of printers, so that the time required for printing the print data is reduced as a result.
[0051]
Further, according to the print server of the present invention, the group selecting unit automatically selects the printer group according to the attribute of the print data received by the receiving unit, so that the optimal pudding group is selected according to the attribute of the print data. Is done.
[0052]
Further, according to the print server of the present invention, the plurality of printers are classified according to their capabilities, functions, applications, users who can use each printer, etc., so that an optimal group is selected according to print data. Is done.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration example of the entire system to which a print server of the present invention is connected.
FIG. 2 is a table exemplifying a list of specifications of each printer stored in a print server of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a print server according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating contents of a capability table stored in a print server of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating the contents of a use table stored in a print server of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the contents of a function table stored in the print server of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the contents of a user group table stored in the print server of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the contents of a user table stored in the print server of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the print server of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the print server of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print server 2 Printer 3 Personal computer 10 CPU
14 Printer information storage

Claims (5)

In a print server that should be connected to multiple printers,
Receiving means for receiving print data;
Group selecting means for selecting any one of the plurality of printers classified into a plurality of groups,
Printer selection means for selecting an available printer in the group selected by the group selection means;
An output unit for outputting the print data received by the reception unit to a printer selected by the printer selection unit. The printer selection unit selects a plurality of printers in the same group selected by the group selection unit,
The output unit divides one print data and outputs the divided print data to the plurality of printers selected by the printer selection unit, and causes the plurality of printers to print the respective divided portions of the one print data in parallel. 2. The print server according to claim 1, wherein: The printer selection unit selects a plurality of printers in the same group selected by the group selection unit,
The output means outputs the same print data to each of the plurality of printers selected by the printer selection means, thereby causing the plurality of printers to print the same print data in parallel. The print server according to claim 1, wherein 4. The print server according to claim 1, wherein the group selection unit automatically selects a printer group according to an attribute of the print data received by the reception unit. 5. The printer group according to claim 1, wherein the printer groups selected by the group selection unit are classified by capabilities, functions, and applications of the plurality of printers, and users who can use each of the printer groups. 6. Print server.

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