JP2004280850A - Print server device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To construct technology for enhancing practicality of a print processing of a core corporate system to be operated by using a print system constituted of a terminal and a print server device. <P>SOLUTION: Processing is performed so that both pieces of print information are treated in the same rank by acquiring print information issued to the other print server device and displaying the print information and printing information issued to the present print server device on one browsing picture of the terminal. In addition, if a display request of a preview picture by specifying the print information from the terminal when a list of spooled print information is displayed on a display screen, the preview picture is displayed on the display screen of the terminal by editing the spooled print data into the one to be displayed on the preview picture and transmitting it. In addition, pieces of the print data are grouped, pieces of print attribute information are allocated to them and the print processing is controlled according to the print attribute information to be allocated for the print data belonging to the group. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a print server device used in a print system including a terminal device and a print server device connected to a network, and more particularly to a print server device that enhances the practicability of mission-critical printing operations.

  Due to its high operability, the Windows (registered trademark) operating system is becoming popular.

  The printing system provided by the Windows operating system is constituted by a spool system, in which print data is temporarily stored in a hard disk, scheduling is performed, and print processing is executed.

  Conventionally, when a personal computer is operated under the Windows operating system, a configuration is adopted in which printing is controlled by this spool system.

  2. Description of the Related Art As a part of realizing a total solution for in-house operations and the like, a printing system including a client connected to a network such as a LAN and a print server is being used.

  In this printing system, for example, as shown in FIG. 34, an application program (which may be developed on a client) that executes a slip issuing process developed on a print server (a plurality of servers may be prepared) is executed. When a client connected to the network issues a voucher issuing process, the print server controls the printer (either directly connected to the print server or connected via the network), and the issued application is controlled. Process so that the printed matter output by the program is printed.

  This printing system is mainly used for back-office printing operations, and a print server handles print requests from a plurality of clients connected via a network.

  When this printing system is configured to operate under the Windows operating system, printing is controlled by the spool system of the Windows operating system, as in the case where the personal computer operates under the Windows operating system.

  However, the functions of the spool system of the Windows operating system are insufficient when applied to a printing system in which a client and a print server are connected via a network. There are inadequate points when applying by applying.

  As a shortcoming, the client and the management terminal can see the print request issued to the print server managed by the connected print server, but cannot see the print request managed by another print server. However, there is a problem that a print request issued to the user cannot be viewed. From now on, by connecting to each of the print servers, a method is adopted in which the print requests issued to those print servers are viewed, and operations are performed on them.

  Another insufficiency is that although a list of spooled print documents can be viewed, there is no means for confirming what the contents are. . From this, there is a problem that it is not possible to determine which of the spooled print documents should be printed first from the list.

  As another insufficient point, there is a problem that when print requests for a plurality of print documents are issued, there is no means for printing the print documents collectively. In business-related printing, a plurality of print documents may become one meaningful print document as a whole. In such a case, since the batch printing function is not provided, each print document may be separated. There is a problem that it is printed.

  As can be understood from the above description, the functions of the spool system of the Windows operating system are insufficient when applied to a print system composed of a client and a print server. There are insufficient points when applied to printing operations.

From now on, in order to realize mission-critical printing operations using a printing system consisting of a client and a print server,
[1] Technology for improving reliability [2] Technology for reducing management man-hours [3] Technology for efficiently operating system resources [4] Technology for increasing flexibility as business printing It is necessary to build.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has been developed in order to enhance the practicality of mission-critical print processing that is operated using a print system including a terminal device and a print server device. With the goal.

  In order to achieve this object, according to the present invention, in a print server device connected to a terminal device and another print server device via a network to control a printer in response to a print request issued by the terminal device, First acquiring means for acquiring information on a printer controlled by the print server device and print information issued to the printer, information on a printer controlled by the own device, and information issued to the printer A second acquisition unit for acquiring the acquired print information, and transmitting the first acquired printer information and the print information to the terminal device in a format in which the first acquired printer information and the print information are merged. And control means for seamlessly displaying such information on a display screen of the terminal device.

  In the present invention configured as described above, print information issued to another print server device is acquired, and the print information and the print information issued to the own print server device are stored in one terminal device. By displaying them on one list screen, the print information issued to the other print server device is processed in the same manner as the print information issued to the own print server device.

  In this manner, according to the present invention, the user issues print information issued to a print server device other than the print server device to which the user is connected as if the print information was issued to the print server device to which the user is connected. It can be handled as if it were print information.

  Further, according to the present invention, in a print server device which is connected to a terminal device via a network and controls a printer in response to a print request issued by the terminal device, a storage means for storing print data; A first control unit for transmitting the list of information to the terminal device to display the information on a display screen of the terminal device; and the terminal device displaying the preview screen in response to the display of the first control unit. When issuing a request, an acquisition unit for acquiring print data specified by the display request from the storage unit, an editing unit for editing the print data acquired by the acquisition unit to display the preview data on a preview screen, and editing of the editing unit. And a second control unit for transmitting the print data to the terminal device to display the print data on a display screen of the terminal device.At this time, when the print data specified by the display request is not stored in the storage unit of the own device, the obtaining unit obtains the print data from another print server device that stores the print data.

  In the present invention thus configured, when a list of spooled print information is displayed on the display screen, when a display request for a preview screen is issued from the terminal device by designating the print information, the spooled print data is displayed. The spooled print data is displayed on the display screen of the terminal device by editing the preview data to be displayed on the preview screen and transmitting the edited print data to the terminal device.

  In this way, according to the present invention, the user can see through the display screen what the print data is to be spooled in the print server device, so that the user can wait. , The print data with a higher priority is preferentially printed out of the print data in the print data.

  According to the present invention, in a print server device connected to a terminal device via a network and controlling a printer in response to a print request issued by the terminal device, grouping information allocated to print data and print attributes for the group Acquiring means for acquiring information; determining means for determining whether print data to be printed belongs to the group according to the grouping information obtained by the acquiring means; and determining that the determining means belongs to the group. The print data to be determined is set as a control target, and a control unit that controls a print process of the print data according to the print attribute information acquired by the acquisition unit is provided.

  In the present invention configured as described above, print data is grouped, print attribute information is assigned to the print data, and print processing of print data belonging to the group is controlled according to the assigned print attribute information.

  In this manner, according to the present invention, a print attribute that instructs printing when all print data is available is assigned to print data belonging to one job, thereby providing one meaning. It is possible to perform processing such as executing certain printing processes collectively.

  According to the present invention, the print information issued to the print server device other than the print server device to which the user is connected is also the print information issued to the print server device to which the user is connected. It looks as if, and you can issue operations on it.

  Further, according to the present invention, the user can see through the display screen what the print data is to be spooled in the print server device, so that the print data in the waiting state can be viewed. It is possible to perform processing such as preferentially printing print data with a higher priority from among the print data.

  Further, according to the present invention, one meaningful print process is grouped by assigning an attribute indicating that printing is performed when all print requests are issued to print requests belonging to one business. And execute other processes.

  Hereinafter, before describing embodiments of the present invention, an outline of a technology related to the present invention will be described.

  When the printing system as shown in FIG. 34 is configured to operate under the Windows operating system, the printing is controlled by the spool system of the Windows operating system in the same manner as when the personal computer is operated under the Windows operating system. Will be.

  However, the functions of the spool system of the Windows operating system are insufficient when applied to a printing system in which a client and a print server are connected via a network. There are inadequate points when applying by applying.

  As an insufficient point, when transmitting the user authority information (user name and password for logging in to the client) and the print data from the client to the print server, as shown in FIG. There is a problem that call (RPC) is used. It should be noted that the user authority information sent in this manner is used to determine whether or not to execute the printing process requested by the user.

  The print data is at the application level, and the user authority information is at the OS level. RPC is a convenient communication protocol because both can be sent at one time, but it is a connect-type communication system. When sending data, connect it, send data, disconnect the connection, and then send the data. There is a problem in that the reliability of data transfer is not sufficient because a procedure of setting a connection, sending data, and disconnecting the connection is performed.

  On the other hand, the TCP / IP communication protocol is highly reliable in data transfer because, when a connection is established, data is divided into packets and transferred, and while a response to reception is confirmed, retransmission is performed when transmission is not possible. However, since the communication layer handles the privileged user level of the OS and the application cannot retrieve the user authority information managed by the OS, it cannot send the user authority information. Does not.

  On the other hand, in a technique related to the present invention, a printing apparatus including a terminal device and a print server device connected to the terminal device via a network and controlling a printer in response to a print request issued by the terminal device is provided. In a system, a terminal device uses a communication method of a network pipe format, a first transmission unit for transmitting authority information of a print requesting user to a print server device, and a communication method of a TCP / IP format. And a second transmission means for transmitting print data to the print server device, wherein the print server device transmits the print request source user authority information transmitted from the terminal device using a network pipe type communication method. A first obtaining unit for obtaining print data, a second obtaining unit for obtaining print data transmitted by the terminal device using a communication method of a TCP / IP format, and a second obtaining unit. Constitute authority information of privileged user-level allocated to the print data acquired in, so and a disguise means for disguising the acquisition privileges for a first acquisition unit.

  In the technology related to the present invention configured as described above, if a communication method of a network pipe format is used, data handled by the OS can be obtained from the OS when the application opens a session, and the data is transferred to the OS when logging in. By using the characteristic that the authority information of the print requesting user can be obtained, thereby enabling the application to transmit the authority information of the print requesting user to the destination, using a communication method of a network pipe type, The authority information of the print requesting user is transmitted from the terminal device to the print server device.

  On the other hand, when the TCP / IP format communication system is used, data is transmitted by dividing the data into packets and checking the response of reception while retransmitting when transmission is not possible. The print data is transmitted from the terminal device to the print server device using a TCP / IP format communication method by using the feature that can be realized.

  If the print data sent by the TCP / IP communication method is not used, the communication layer is handled at the privileged user level because the communication layer is handled at the privileged user level of the OS. By impersonating the privilege information at the privileged user level to the authority information of the print requesting user sent by the communication method of the network pipe format, the correspondence between the original print data and the authority information is maintained.

  As described above, according to the technique related to the present invention, in a printing system including a terminal device and a print server device, transfer of print data from the terminal device to the print server device can be realized with high reliability. Become like

  Another insufficiency in applying the function of the spool system of the Windows operating system to a print system including a client and a print server is that when a print document is saved after printing, the There is a problem that the storage can be specified only for each printer, and a problem that the storage period cannot be specified. That is, by specifying a printer, a print document to be printed by the specified printer can be saved after printing, but it is not possible to specify whether or not to save for each print document or to specify a storage period. There is a problem.

  On the other hand, according to the technology related to the present invention, in a print server device that is connected to a terminal device via a network and controls a printer in response to a print request issued by the terminal device, a storage allocated to print data is stored. An acquisition unit that acquires the designated information, and, when the storage designation information acquired by the acquisition unit instructs to save, writes the print data instructed to be saved to a storage device (provided separately from a file that holds spool data). A writing unit that stores the print data, a determination unit that determines whether the print data stored by the writing unit has reached a storage period specified by the storage specification information acquired by the acquisition unit, and a determination unit that stores the print data. When it is determined that the print data has reached the period, a deletion unit that deletes the print data that has arrived from the storage device is provided.

  In the technology related to the present invention configured as described above, it is determined whether or not the print data to be spooled is stored according to the storage designation information allocated to the print data, and the spooled print data is stored as needed. Then, when the storage is specified, and when the storage period is specified, the print data is stored only during the storage period, and the print data that exceeds the storage period is deleted.

  In this manner, according to the technique related to the present invention, it is possible to specify whether or not to save print data for each print data, so that the same print cannot be executed again by updating the database. By designating the storage of data and the like in consideration of the failure of printing by the printer, the printing can be reliably guaranteed. Further, since the storage period can be specified, unnecessary print data is not stored for a long period of time. The capacity of the storage device for storing the print data can be reduced as compared with the case where the configuration for storing the print data is adopted.

  Another insufficient point in applying the function of the spool system of the Windows operating system to a print system including a client and a print server is that a print request cannot be held during printing. There is a problem. From now on, after canceling the print request during printing, a method of starting up the application program again and printing again from the beginning or a method of waiting until the print request being printed is completed is adopted.

  On the other hand, according to the technology related to the present invention, in a print server device connected to a terminal device via a network and controlling a printer in response to a print request issued by the terminal device, before starting printing or during printing. Detecting means for detecting whether or not a hold instruction has been issued for the print data; and, when the detection means detects issuance of the hold instruction, when the hold instruction is issued during printing, While adding the print state at the time of issuing the hold instruction as a print attribute, storing the print data for which the hold instruction has been issued (for example, saving the print data by prohibiting processing on spooled print data). ) For executing the program.

  In the technology related to the present invention configured as described above, when a hold instruction is issued during printing, the print state at the time of issuing the hold instruction is recorded as a print attribute of the print data, and the hold instruction is issued. The print data is saved.

  In this manner, according to the technology related to the present invention, when a hold instruction is issued during printing, information such as on what page the hold instruction was issued remains, and as a result, Printing can be resumed from the page. Therefore, it is possible to realize the suspension of print data during printing.

  Another insufficiency when the function of the spool system of the Windows operating system is applied to a print system including a client and a print server is that when a print error occurs, the content of the error is described. Is notified only to the terminal of the own device. From now on, when the client issues a print request to the print server and the print server responds to the print request and a print error occurs, the client is not notified of the print error message. However, there is a problem that a print error message is not notified to an optimal maintenance person.

  On the other hand, according to the technology related to the present invention, a print server device that is connected to a terminal device via a network and controls a printer in response to a print request issued by the terminal device has Setting means for setting a terminal device, a definition area means for expanding notification destination information set by the setting means, and, when a printing error occurs, specifying the notification destination terminal apparatus by referring to the definition area means The information processing apparatus includes: a specifying unit; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit, when a printing error occurs, the content of the printing error to a terminal device specified by the specifying unit via a network.

  According to the technology related to the present invention configured as described above, when a printing error occurs, the content of the printing error is not notified to a terminal device of a specified notification destination, but is not determined by a printing system administrator or the like. Notify the terminal device of the notification destination to be set.

  As described above, according to the technology related to the present invention, an error message indicating the content of a printing error can be notified to an optimum notification destination, so that smooth recovery processing and the like can be performed.

  Another insufficiency when the function of the spool system of the Windows operating system is applied to a print system including a client and a print server is that a function of a hard disk for storing spool data (print document) is insufficient. There is a problem that means for managing free space is not provided. From now on, the resources of the hard disk for storing the spool data are not being used effectively, and if the capacity of the hard disk becomes insufficient due to the increase of the spooled print documents, the correct print documents cannot be printed. There is.

  On the other hand, according to the technology related to the present invention, a print server device that is connected to a terminal device via a network and controls a printer in response to a print request issued by the terminal device stores print data. Means, monitoring means for monitoring whether the available storage area of the storage means has become less than a specified value, and detecting that the available storage area of the storage means has become less than a specified value by the monitoring means. Execution means for executing prescribed recovery processing when the

  According to the technology related to the present invention configured as described above, when the available storage area of the storage unit for spooling print data is reduced, old data developed in the work area of the storage unit may be deleted or the old data may be deleted. A prescribed process such as notifying a message to the effect is executed.

  Thus, according to the technology related to the present invention, it is possible to effectively use the resources of the spool area. Then, printing of correct print data can be guaranteed.

  Another insufficiency when the function of the spool system of the Windows operating system is applied to a print system composed of a client and a print server is that the spool data (print document) stored in the hard disk is inadequate. However, there is a problem that means for evacuating is not provided. The spool data is hidden and cannot be moved to another location and stored and managed.

  On the other hand, according to the technology related to the present invention, a print server device that is connected to a terminal device and another print server device via a network and controls a printer in response to a print request issued by the terminal device is provided. When a print data saving request is issued by designating one or a plurality of print data and storing the print data, whether the print data is stored in the storage means of the apparatus. Determining means for determining whether or not there is print data to be stored in the own apparatus, first obtaining means for obtaining the print data from the storing means of the own apparatus, and determining means When determining that there is print data that is not stored in the own device, a second obtaining unit that obtains the print data from another print server device that stores the print data; And acquiring print data acquisition means, and a print data acquired in the second acquisition unit, configured to and output means for outputting the backup file together with the print attribute information allocated to it.

  According to the technology related to the present invention configured as described above, in response to a request to save spooled print data, the print data is acquired from another print server device as necessary, and the print data is acquired. Is output to the save file together with the print attribute information assigned to it.

  In this manner, according to the technology related to the present invention, the concealed spooled print data can be freely evacuated, so that the resources of the spool area can be used effectively and the print data can be saved. Can be stored for a long time.

  Next, the present invention and the technology related to the present invention will be described in detail according to the embodiments.

  FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a printing system to which the present invention and the technology related to the present invention are applied.

  The print system to which the present invention and the technology related to the present invention are applied is used in an organization such as a single company, for example, and as shown in FIG. 1, a client 2 that issues a print request to the print server 1, a management terminal 3 that manages the operation and management of print processing, and the like are connected via a LAN 5.

  Here, the server terminal 6 shown in the figure is a terminal directly provided in the print server 1. The printer 4 may be connected to the LAN 5 in some cases. Further, the print server 1 may control a printer 4 connected to another print server 1.

  FIG. 2 shows the system configuration of the present invention and the technology related to the present invention realized by the printing system shown in FIG.

  The present invention and the technology related to the present invention realize a practical back-office printing operation by strengthening the Windows spool system. As shown in this figure, a Windows spool system 10 and a Windows spool system are provided. A spool system control mechanism 11 for controlling the system 10, a print data control mechanism 12 for controlling the exchange of print data between the Windows spool system 10 and the spool system control mechanism 11, and a print data control mechanism 12 passed from the application 100 to the Windows spool system 10. The system includes a business print value added mechanism 13 for adding a print attribute for increasing the added value of business print to print data to be processed, and a print business procedure 14 for generating a print attribute added by the business print added value mechanism 13.

  When the Windows spool system 10 receives a print request from the application 100 (executes specified processing and generates print data), it temporarily stores the print request in a spool file 15 composed of a hard disk, and then performs scheduling. To execute the printing process.

  The spool system control mechanism 11 controls the Windows spool system 10, and includes a “message mechanism” for controlling exchange of messages with a terminal (such as the client 2) and another computer (such as the print server 1). ), A "transfer mechanism" for transmitting data to another computer (such as the print server 1), and a print attribute added by the business print value-added mechanism 13. "Information management mechanism" is provided.

  FIG. 3 illustrates the most important operation screen displayed on the display screen of the client 2 or the like by the spool system control mechanism 11. This operation screen displays what kind of printer 4 is to be controlled by the print server 1 and what kind of print information has been issued to the printer 4. By doing so, a process for receiving an operation on the print information is performed.

  FIG. 3 shows that five print requests “AA” / “BB” / “CC” / “DD” / “fgg” are issued to the printer 4 “cccc”. The fact that the icon of “fgg” is different from the other icons indicates that “fgg” is a business printed matter including a plurality of applications 100.

  The application 100 may be deployed on the client 2 or the print server 1 in some cases. When the application 100 is deployed on the client 2, the print job procedure 14 is provided in the client 2.

  When the application 100 is deployed on the client 2, it is necessary to transmit print data from the client 2 to the print server 1. Further, the print server 1 is connected to the plurality of clients 2 via the LAN 5, and from this, a print request for spooled print data is issued from a user different from the user who generated the print data. User authority information (user name and password when logging in to client 2) necessary to determine whether a print request may be permitted from client 2 to print server 1 in consideration of the presence of Need to be sent.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a technique related to the present invention for realizing this transmission processing.

  As can be seen by comparing the technology related to the present invention with the conventional configuration using the RPC communication protocol shown in FIG. 35, in the technology related to the present invention, the high-reliability data transfer print processor 20 of the client 2 is used. The print server 1 transmits the user authority information to the pipe server 21 of the print server 1 and transmits the print data to the data reception & queue management unit 22 of the print server 1 so that the print server 1 A configuration is adopted in which print data is linked to the spooler by using the spool linking unit 23 while disguising the user authority information possessed by the transmitted information.

  The pipe server 21 executes a network pipe communication method, and the high-reliability data transfer print processor 20 transmits user authority information to the print server 1 according to the network pipe communication method with the pipe server 21. It has a configuration. On the other hand, the data reception & queue management unit 22 executes the TCP / IP communication method, and the reliable data transfer print processor 20 communicates with the data reception & queue management unit 22 using the TCP / IP communication method. , The print data is transmitted to the print server 1.

  As described above, the print data is at the application level, and the user authority information is at the OS level. RPC is a convenient communication protocol because both can be sent at one time, but it is a connect-type communication system. When sending data, connect it, send data, disconnect the connection, and then send the data. There is a problem in that the reliability of data transfer is not sufficient because a procedure of setting a connection, sending data, and disconnecting the connection is performed.

  On the other hand, the TCP / IP communication protocol is highly reliable in data transfer because, when a connection is established, data is divided into packets and transferred, and while a response to reception is confirmed, retransmission is performed when transmission is not possible. However, since the communication layer handles the privileged user level of the OS, the application cannot send the user right information because the application cannot retrieve the user right information managed by the OS.

  Therefore, in the technology related to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, when a session is opened, when logging in using a network pipe communication method having a feature that data handled by the OS can be obtained from the OS. It obtains the authority information of the print requesting user passed to the OS and sends it to the print server 1, and sends the print data to the print server 1 using the TCP / IP communication method for realizing highly reliable data transfer. The print server 1 transmits the user authority information of the print data from the privileged user level “Administrator” defined by the TCP / IP communication method to the user authority notified by the network pipe communication method. By disguising the information, highly reliable data transfer of the print data is realized.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a processing flow of the client 2 executed to realize this data transfer processing, and FIG. 6 shows an example of a processing flow of the print server 1 executed to realize this data transfer processing.

  That is, when a print data transmission request is issued from a user, the client 2 firstly, in step 1, connects the user right information to the print server 1 with the network pipe connected as shown in the processing flow of FIG. , And in the following step 2, TCP / IP is connected.

  Subsequently, in step 3, the transmission of the print data is started while the print data is decomposed into packets, and in step 4, the transmission result for the transmitted packet is received. Subsequently, in step 5, it is determined whether or not transmission of all the packets has been completed. When it is determined that the transmission has not been completed, the process returns to step 3, and when it is determined that the transmission has been completed, the process proceeds to step 6. Then, the TCP / IP is closed, and in the following step 7, the network pipe is disconnected and the processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the print server 1 issues a print data transmission request from the client 2, first, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. The connection is established, and in the following step 2, the user authority information sent from the client 2 is received to establish (impersonate) the user authority.

  Subsequently, in step 3, TCP / IP is connected in response to a request from the client 2. Subsequently, in step 4, the print data packet sent from the client 2 is received, and in step 5, the reception result is transmitted to the client 2. Subsequently, in step 6, the received print data packets are linked using the spool link unit 23.

  Subsequently, in step 7, it is determined whether or not all the packets have been received. When it is determined that the reception has not been completed, the process returns to step 4, and when it is determined that the reception has been completed, the process proceeds to step 8. Then, the TCP / IP is closed, and in a succeeding step 9, the network pipe is disconnected to end the processing.

  The operation of the technology related to the present invention shown in FIG. 4 is summarized as follows.

  The pipe server 21 impersonates the user by taking over the access token of the client 2 on the print server 1 through the network pipe. After performing the user impersonation, the process is entrusted to the spool cooperation unit 23.

  In accordance with the TCP / IP communication protocol, spool data (print data) is divided into, for example, 8 Kbytes and transferred between the client 2 and the print server 1. After receiving the data of the designated length, the print server 1 returns response information to the client 2. If an error has occurred on the print server 1, the client 2 can quickly detect the error in the print server 1 because the response information includes the error details.

  If an error is found in the response information from the client 2, the high-reliability data transfer print processor 20 notifies the details of the error by a message or the like, and performs error handling as necessary. If the error is recoverable, retry after waiting for recovery. Further, control is performed such as reducing the size of the print data packet or increasing the transfer interval of the packet to reduce the usage rate of the LAN 5 according to the usage status of the LAN 5.

  The data reception & queue management unit 22 manages the queue of the print data divided and transferred from the client 2. If the queue is full, it waits for the queue to become free without responding to the client 2. The data reception & queue management unit 22 has, for example, a function of processing data transfer requests from a maximum of 64 clients 2 in parallel by having, for example, 64 reception processing threads.

  The spool cooperation unit 23 performs spooling by sequentially taking out print data managed in the queue. When an error occurs due to insufficient capacity of the spool file (shown at 15 in FIG. 2), the fact is notified to the data reception & queue management unit 22, and then data from the client 2 is received. At the timing, an error is notified to the client 2.

  In this way, by following the technique related to the present invention shown in FIG. 4, the transfer of the print data from the client 2 to the print server 1 can be performed with high reliability while maintaining the correspondence between the print data and the user authority. It can be realized.

  Next, a description will be given of a technique related to the present invention that implements a process of storing print data (print document) spooled in the spool file 15.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a technique related to the present invention.

  According to the technology related to the present invention, the print server 1 includes a print attribute management file 31, a storage file 32, a print document storage mechanism 33, and a print document deletion mechanism, in addition to the print control mechanism 30 constituting the spooler. 34 and a clock 35.

  The print attribute management file 31 is a file for managing print attribute information set by the print job procedure 14 (shown in FIG. 2) of the client 2. The print job procedure 14 sets print attribute information including, for the purpose of realizing the print document saving process, that the print document is not to be saved after printing and, if so, the storage period. Therefore, the print attribute management file 31 manages the print attribute information sent from the client 2.

  The storage file 32 is a storage device prepared for storing the print document spooled in the spool file 15. Since the print document spooled in the spool file 15 is deleted after printing, the storage file 32 is prepared.

  The print document storage mechanism 33 executes print document storage processing by writing the print document spooled in the spool file 15 to the storage file 32. The print document deletion mechanism 34 executes a process of deleting the print document stored in the storage file 32.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a processing flow executed by the print document saving mechanism 33, and FIG. 9 shows an example of a processing flow executed by the print document deletion mechanism. Next, a print document saving process realized by the technique related to the present invention shown in FIG. 7 will be described according to this process flow.

  When the print document sent from the client 2 is stored in the spool file 15, the print document storage mechanism 33 stores the print attribute information managed in the print attribute management file 31 as shown in the processing flow of FIG. By referring to the spooled print document, it is determined whether or not the print attribute for saving is assigned, and when it is determined that the print attribute for save is not assigned, no processing is performed. If the processing is terminated without performing the processing and it is determined that the print document is allocated, the print document is stored in the storage file 32 and the processing is terminated.

  In response to the storage processing of the print document storage mechanism 33, when the print document deletion mechanism 34 reaches a specified period, first, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. When one unprocessed print document is selected from among the print documents that have been set, and it is determined in step 2 that all print documents have been selected, it is determined that the selection has been completed. The process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the selection of all the print documents has not been completed, that is, in step 1, it is determined that one unprocessed print document has been selected from the print documents stored in the storage file 32. When making a determination, the process proceeds to step 3 to determine whether or not the print attribute of the storage period is assigned to the selected print document by referring to the print attribute information managed in the print attribute management file 31. When it is determined that the print attribute of the storage period has not been assigned, the process returns to step 1 as it is.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the print attribute of the storage period is assigned, the process proceeds to step 4, and the reception date and time of the print document selected in step 1 (the date and time when the print document was received from the client 2) and the clock 35 From the current date and time to be displayed, an elapsed period from the reception of the print document is calculated.

  Subsequently, in step 5, it is determined whether or not the elapsed period calculated in step 4 has exceeded the storage period allocated to the selected print document. Returning to step 1, when it is determined that the storage period has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step 6, where the selected print document is deleted from the storage file 32, and the process ends.

  In this way, by following the technique related to the present invention shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to specify whether or not to save a print document for each print document, so that the same print can be performed twice by updating the database. If a print document or the like that cannot be executed is designated to be saved in consideration of printing failure by the printer, the printing can be surely guaranteed. Further, since the storage period can be specified, unnecessary print documents are not stored for a long period of time. The capacity of the storage device for storing the print document can be reduced as compared with the case where the configuration for storing the print document is adopted.

  In the technology related to the present invention shown in FIG. 7, the print job procedure 14 of the client 2 is configured not to save the print document after printing, and to save the print document, the save period. Although it has been described that it has a function of adding print attribute information, it has a function of adding information such as a business print attribute, a print name, and comment information to be described later as other print attribute information.

  Next, a description will be given of a technique related to the present invention for realizing the hold processing of the print data spooled in the spool file 15.

  When a menu display request is issued while designating print information while the operation screen shown in FIG. 3 is being displayed, the spool system control mechanism 11 (shown in FIG. 2) The menu is displayed on the operation screen as shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed in FIG. 10 that a menu display request is issued by designating a print request “DD”.

  If the user selects “Hold” in the menu while this menu is displayed, the spool system control mechanism 11 executes a hold process by executing a process flow shown in FIG.

  That is, when a hold instruction is issued by designating print information (print data), the spool system control mechanism 11 first issues the hold instruction in step 1 as shown in the processing flow of FIG. At this time, it is determined whether or not the designated print data is being printed, and when it is determined that the printing is being performed, the process proceeds to step 2 and the print status information at the time of issuing the hold instruction (to which page the printing is performed) (Information indicating whether or not the printing is completed), and registers it in the print attribute management file 31 (shown in FIG. 7) as a print attribute of the print data.

  Then, in step 3, the print data to which the hold instruction is issued is turned on by turning on the hold bit allocated to the print data of the hold instruction stored in the spool file 15 (shown in FIG. 7). Set to stop printing the print data.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1 that the designated print data is not being printed, the process immediately proceeds to step 3 without executing the processing in step 2, and the print data of the hold instruction stored in the spool file 15 is added to the print data. By turning on the assigned hold bit, the print data for which the hold instruction has been issued is set to a hold state, and printing of the print data is stopped.

  In this manner, according to the technology related to the present invention that executes the processing flow of FIG. 11, when a hold instruction is issued during printing, the print state at the time of issuance is set as the print attribute of the print data and the print attribute management is performed. A process for registering in the file 31 is performed. By this processing, when a hold instruction is issued during printing, information on the page number at which the hold instruction was issued remains, thereby enabling printing to be resumed from the held page. Therefore, it is possible to realize the suspension of print data during printing.

  Next, it is shown to each client 2 that a printer controlled by the print server 1 other than the print server 1 to which the client 2 is connected looks as if it is a printer controlled by the print server 1 to which it is connected. The present invention to be realized will be described.

  In the present invention, when the operation screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed, the pair data of the printer information and the print information displayed on this operation screen is managed by the print server 1 directly connected to the client 2. The present invention is not limited to this, and can be realized by adopting a configuration that includes other components managed by the print server 1.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 12, when the print server 1 connected to the client 2 is the “print server α”, the operation screen displayed on the client 2 includes the printer information managed by the “print server α”. In addition to the pair data (α1i: α2i) with the print information, the pair information (β1i: β2i) between the printer information and the print information managed by the “print server β” and the printer information managed by the “print server γ” This can be realized by adopting a configuration in which pair data (γ1i: γ2i) with print information is displayed.

  In this display, if the paired data is displayed seamlessly on the same screen, the user operating the client 2 can print the print server 1 other than the print server 1 to which the client 2 is connected as if the print server 1 is connected to the print server 1. It looks as if it is server 1.

  FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the present invention for realizing this configuration.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the client 2 performs a print operation on the print server α. At this time, the print server α transmits print information issued to the printer 4 controlled by the print server β. And print information issued to the printer 4 controlled by the print server γ, and merges these print information with print information issued to the printer 4 controlled by the print server γ. It is assumed that the data is transmitted to the client 2. As a result, the Web browser 40 of the client 2 can seamlessly display print information issued to the printer 4 controlled by the print server α / print server β / print server γ on the same screen.

  The number of printers 4 other than the printer 4 controlled by the print server α shown in FIG. 13 to be presented to the client 2 is determined by, for example, the printer controlled by the print server α shown in the upper part of FIG. The configuration is such that a remote printer addition screen displaying a list of printer names other than 4 is displayed, and the remote printer is selected by selecting a remote printer from the list according to the interactive processing with the administrator of the printing system. At this time, if the physical printer name is used, the operation becomes difficult. Therefore, a configuration in which the input screen of the logical printer name is displayed as shown in the lower part of FIG. It is convenient to be able to enter the name of the logical printer to be assigned to.

  The print server α shown in FIG. 13 uses the remote printer defined in this way to execute a process of presenting print information to the client 2 according to the process flow shown in FIG.

  That is, when the client 1 issues a display request for a list of paired data of printer information and print information, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. 4 is obtained.

  Then, in step 2, the definition of the remote printer is referred to, and in step 3, it is determined whether the remote printer is defined. If it is determined in step 3 that a remote printer has been defined, the process proceeds to step 4 in which a print information acquisition request is issued to the print server 1 to which the remote printer is connected. By acquiring the print information issued to the printer and sending the print information acquired in step 1 and the print information acquired in step 4 to the Web browser 40 of the client 2 in step 5, Perform seamless display of those print information.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 3 that the remote printer is not defined, the process in step 4 is omitted, and the process immediately proceeds to step 5 to send the print information to the web browser 40 of the print information client 2 obtained in step 1. To display the print information.

  In this way, according to the present invention in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the user can control the printers controlled by the print server 1 other than the print server 1 to which the user is connected, as if controlling the print server 1 to which the user is connected. It is possible to operate these printers as if they were the printers controlled by the print server 1 to which they are connected by seeing as if they were printers.

  Next, a description will be given of the present invention for realizing what the print information issued to the print server 1 has.

  When a menu display request is issued while designating print information while the operation screen shown in FIG. 3 is being displayed, the spool system control mechanism 11 (shown in FIG. 2) The menu is displayed on the operation screen as shown in FIG.

  If the user selects “preview” in the menu while displaying this menu, the spool system control mechanism 11 opens a window screen and displays the contents of the specified print data on the window screen. I do. For example, when a “preview” is issued by specifying print information “sales slip” displayed on the operation screen, a window screen is opened, and the print data of the “sales slip” is displayed on the window screen. An image as shown in FIG. 16 is displayed.

  FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of the present invention for realizing this configuration.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the client 2 issues a preview to the print server α by designating print information. At this time, as described above, the print server α adopts a configuration in which the print information managed by the other print server 1 is also acquired and displayed as a preview target. When the print data is stored in the spool file 15 of the other print server 1, as shown in FIG. 17, it is processed to acquire and display it.

  The print server α illustrated in FIG. 17 executes a process of presenting print information to the client 2 according to the process flow illustrated in FIG.

  That is, when a preview display request is issued by designating print data from the client 1, first, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. 18, the print data is first stored in the spool file 15 of its own device in step 1. When it is determined whether or not the print data is stored, and when it is determined that the print data is stored in the spool file 15 of the own device, the process proceeds to step 2 to read the print data requested to be displayed from the spool file 15 of the own device. .

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1 that the print data specified by the preview display request is not stored in the spool file 15 of the own device, the process proceeds to step 3 to refer to the above-described remote printer definition. Then, the print server 1 that spools the print data is specified, and in the subsequent step 4, the print data requested to be displayed is read from the spool file 15 of the specified print server 1.

  Then, in step 2 / step 4, when the print data requested to be displayed is read out, subsequently, in step 5, the read out print data is edited so that it can be displayed on the preview window screen, and the edited print data is requested to be displayed. It is sent to the issuing client 2.

  In this way, according to the embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 17, the user can see through the display screen what the print data is to be spooled to the print server 1. By doing so, it is possible to perform processing such as preferentially printing high-priority print data from print data in the waiting state.

  Next, a technique related to the present invention that realizes transmission of an error message of a printing abnormality to an optimal terminal will be described.

  FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a technique related to the present invention.

  According to the technology related to the present invention, the print server 1 includes a message transfer mechanism 50 for transferring a message to the client 2, the management terminal 3, and the server terminal 6 (shown in FIG. 1). A setting mechanism 51 and a transfer destination definition area 52 are provided.

  The transfer destination setting mechanism 51 opens a response message notification destination setting screen as shown in FIG. 20 and interacts with a printing system administrator or the like to obtain a terminal name to which an error message is returned when a printing error occurs. Set. The transfer destination definition area 52 expands the terminal name of the reply destination set by the transfer destination setting mechanism 51.

  FIG. 21 illustrates an example of a processing flow executed by the message transfer mechanism 50. Next, a message transfer process realized by the technology related to the present invention shown in FIG. 19 will be described according to this process flow.

  When the message transfer mechanism 50 needs to notify an error message due to the occurrence of a printing error during the execution of the printing process, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. An error notification is sent to the original client 2. Subsequently, in step 2, it is determined whether or not the terminal name of the reply destination is expanded in the transfer destination definition area 52.

  When it is determined in the determination processing of step 2 that the terminal name of the reply destination is expanded in the transfer destination definition area 52, the process proceeds to step 3 and the terminal name expanded in the transfer destination definition area 52 is determined. An error message indicating the content of the printing error is transmitted to the terminal indicated. For example, when the terminal name of the management terminal 3 is expanded in the transfer destination definition area 52, an error message indicating the content of the printing error is transmitted to the management terminal 3.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in the determination process of step 2 that the terminal name of the reply destination is not expanded in the transfer destination domain 52, the process proceeds to step 4 and the terminal defined as the default reply destination is Then, an error message indicating the content of the printing error is transmitted. For example, when the server terminal 6 is defined as a default reply destination, an error message indicating the content of the printing error is transmitted to the server terminal 6.

  In this manner, by following the technology related to the present invention shown in FIG. 19, an error message indicating the content of a printing error can be transmitted to an optimal notification destination, so that smooth recovery processing and the like can be performed. Become.

  Next, a technique related to the present invention for realizing effective use of the resources of the spool file 15 will be described.

  FIG. 22 shows an example of a technique related to the present invention.

  According to the technology related to the present invention, the print server 1 includes a spool file monitoring mechanism 60, a first recovery mechanism 61, a second recovery mechanism 62, a recovery processing activation mechanism 63, and an automatic recovery definition file 64. And

  The spool file monitoring mechanism 60 monitors whether the free space of the spool file 15 has become equal to or less than a specified value. The first restoration mechanism 61 executes a prescribed restoration process for increasing the free space of the spool file 15. The second recovery mechanism 62 executes a specified recovery process for increasing the free space of the spool file 15. The automatic recovery definition file 64 manages information as to which of the first recovery mechanism 61 and the second recovery mechanism 62 is to be activated, and parameters at the time of activation. The recovery processing activation mechanism 63 activates the first recovery mechanism 61 or the second recovery mechanism 62 according to the definition data managed by the automatic recovery definition file 64.

  FIG. 23 shows an example of a processing flow executed by the spool file monitoring mechanism 60, FIG. 24 shows an example of a processing flow executed by the restoration processing starting mechanism 63, and FIG. 25 shows a processing flow executed by the first restoration mechanism 61. FIG. 26 illustrates an example of a processing flow executed by the second restoration mechanism 62. Next, according to this processing flow, the effective use processing of the resources of the spool file 15 realized by the technique related to the present invention shown in FIG. 22 will be described.

  When the specified monitoring period is reached, the spool file monitoring mechanism 60 first detects the free space of the spool file 15 in step 1 and then detects the free space in step 2 as shown in the processing flow of FIG. It is determined whether or not the free space of the spool file 15 has become equal to or less than the specified value. If it is determined that the free space is equal to or smaller than the specified value, the process proceeds to step 3 to activate the recovery processing activation mechanism 63. Then, the processing is terminated without activating the recovery processing activation mechanism 63.

  When activated in this manner, the recovery processing activation mechanism 63 first reads the definition data managed by the automatic recovery definition file 64 in step 1 and then proceeds to step 2 as shown in the processing flow of FIG. Then, it is determined whether or not the definition data instructs the activation of the first recovery mechanism 61. When it is determined that the definition data instructs the activation of the first recovery mechanism 61, the process proceeds to step 3. Then, when the first recovery mechanism 61 is activated and it is determined that the activation of the first recovery mechanism 61 is not instructed, the process proceeds to step 4 and the second recovery mechanism 62 is activated.

  When activated in this manner, the first restoration mechanism 61 has a small free space in the spool file 15 at the notification destination specified by the definition data of the automatic restoration definition file 64, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. Send a message to the effect. On the other hand, when started in this manner, the second restoration mechanism 62 sets the spool file according to the number of days for defining old data specified by the definition data of the automatic restoration definition file 64, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. The work file is compressed by deleting old data developed in the work file 15 and the capacity of the spool file 15 is expanded in accordance with the compression.

  In this manner, by using the technology related to the present invention shown in FIG. 22, the resources of the spool file 15 can be effectively used. Then, printing of correct print data can be guaranteed.

  Next, the present invention for realizing a printing process suitable for business printing will be described.

  FIG. 27 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the technique related to the present invention shown in FIG. 7, the print server 1 includes a print attribute management file 31 that manages print attribute information set by the print job procedure 14 of the client 2.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 27, the print job procedure 14 of the client 2 sets a print attribute as a job for a plurality of applications 100 that constitute one job, and manages the print attributes. Processing is performed so as to be registered in the file 31.

  As the business print attribute set at this time, for example, there is a print attribute of a batch print instruction. When one job is composed of a plurality of applications 100, if the print data of each application 100 is printed separately, it is very inconvenient to perform the job. Therefore, by giving the print attribute of this batch print instruction to one job, if one job is composed of a plurality of applications 100, the print process is executed when the print data of those applications 100 is available. It is the realization of entering.

  FIG. 28 shows an embodiment of a processing flow executed by the spooler 70 to realize the business printing processing. Next, the business printing process realized in the embodiment of FIG. 27 will be described according to this processing flow. Here, the spooler 70 of the print server 1 shown in FIG. 28 is a general term for the spool system shown in the technique related to the present invention shown in FIG.

  When print data is sent from the client 2, the spooler 70 of the print server 1 first prints the print data according to the management data of the print attribute management file 31 in step 1 as shown in the processing flow of FIG. When it is determined whether or not the data is that of the application 100 that constitutes the business, and it is determined that the data is not print data of the application 100 that constitutes the business, the process proceeds to step 5 where the print processing is performed as non-business print data. When it is determined that the print data is the print data of the application 100 constituting the business, the process proceeds to step 2 and records that the print data of the application 100 belonging to the business is received.

  Subsequently, in step 3, it is determined whether or not the condition specified by the business print attribute managed by the print attribute management file 31 has been satisfied while referring to the recording data in step 2, and it is determined that the condition has been satisfied. When the determination is made, the process proceeds to step 4 to start the print processing of the print data belonging to the job in which the condition is satisfied. For example, when the business print attribute of the batch print instruction is set, when the print data of all the applications 100 belonging to the business are available, the process proceeds to step 4 to start the batch print processing of those print data.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 3 that the condition specified by the business print attribute managed by the print attribute management file 31 is not satisfied, the process ends to wait for the condition to be satisfied. For example, when the business print attribute of the batch print instruction is set, the process ends to wait for print data of all applications 100 belonging to the business to be collected.

  In this way, according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 27, by assigning an attribute indicating that printing is performed when all print data are available to a print request belonging to one job, It is possible to perform processing such as executing one meaningful print processing collectively.

  Next, a description will be given of a technique related to the present invention for realizing the save processing of the print data stored in the spool file 15.

  FIG. 29 illustrates an example of a technique related to the present invention.

  According to the technology related to the present invention, the print server 1 includes, in addition to the spool system control mechanism 11, a save operation API 80 for saving the print data stored in the spool file 15 to the save file 81.

  FIG. 30 illustrates an example of a processing flow executed by the save operation API 80. Next, with reference to this processing flow, the save processing of the print data stored in the spool file 15 realized by the technique related to the present invention shown in FIG. 29 will be described.

  When the save operation API 80 issues a save request for print data stored in the spool file 15 from the operation screen of the client 2 (may be the operation screen of the print server 1), as shown in the processing flow of FIG. First, in step 1, the spool system control mechanism 11 is notified of spool information of print data to be saved (information necessary for printing the saved print data using information such as print attribute information other than the print data). A request for obtaining the following information). When the print data is spooled to another print server 1, the spool information is issued to the spool system control mechanism 11 of the print server 1.

  Subsequently, in step 2, spool information returned in response to the acquisition request in step 1 is received. Subsequently, in step 3, the storage position of the print data to be saved is checked.

  Subsequently, in step 4, the print data (local print data) to be saved is read from the spool file 15 of the own print server 1 in accordance with the storage position checked in step 3, and the read print data is compared with that obtained in step 2. Is saved in the save file 81 together with the spool information.

  Subsequently, in step 5, the print data spooled in another print server 1 is processed, and while the storage position checked in step 3 is notified, the print data to be evacuated (remote A request to acquire print data is issued. Subsequently, in step 6, the print data returned in response to the acquisition request in step 5 is received, and the print data is saved in the save file 81 together with the paired spool information acquired in the processing in step 2.

  When the save operation API 80 issues a save request for one or a plurality of print data stored in the spool file 15 in this way, as shown in FIG. Is acquired and saved in the save file 81.

  As can be seen from the embodiment of FIG. 27, the print server 1 has a function of managing a document group defined by a group of some print data. As shown in FIG. 31, it is possible to save print data in units of this document group. Further, since a configuration is adopted in which the print designation of only a part of the print data constituting the document group is permitted, it is possible to restore the minimum necessary print data.

  Using a display screen as shown in FIG. 32, a file name or a comment can be added to the print data to be saved. The addition of the file name and the comment is particularly effective when the print data to be saved includes a plurality.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 33, a keyword search function for searching for the comment is provided, and the search function is used to search a large number of saved files 81 for the saved files 81 having necessary print data. I can do it.

  Furthermore, the print data stored in the save file 81 also has the above-described preview function, and the preview function allows the user to display the print data stored in the save file 81 on the display screen. It can be confirmed above.

  Although the present invention has been described according to the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the embodiment, it is assumed that the print server 1 and the client 2 are connected by a LAN, but the print server 1 and the client 2 may be connected by a network other than the LAN.

As described above, in order to realize a mission-critical printing operation using a printing system in which a client and a print server are connected,
[1] Technology for improving reliability [2] Technology for reducing management man-hours [3] Technology for efficiently operating system resources [4] Technology for increasing flexibility as business printing It is necessary to build.

  In the technology related to the present invention, the technology [1] is realized by realizing highly reliable data transfer from the terminal device to the print server device. Further, in the technology related to the present invention, the technology [1] is realized by realizing a print data saving function that can cope with a trouble after printing. In the technique related to the present invention, the technique [1] is realized by realizing the suspension during printing.

  According to the present invention, each terminal device makes a print server device other than its own connected print server device look as if it is its own connected print server device. To achieve. In the present invention, the technique [2] is realized by enabling print data to be confirmed on a display screen. Further, in the technique related to the present invention, the technique of [2] is realized by being able to notify a printing abnormality to an optimal notification destination.

  Then, in the technique related to the present invention, the technique of [3] is realized by allowing printed print data to be saved in an external save file. In the technique related to the present invention, the technique of [3] is realized by trying to effectively use the resources of the spool area.

  Then, in the present invention, the technique of [4] is realized by enabling print data to be printed in a group of tasks.

  Next, effects of the present invention and the technology related to the present invention will be summarized.

  According to the present invention and a technique related to the present invention, in a printing system including a terminal device and a print server device, transfer of print data from the terminal device to the print server device can be realized with high reliability. .

  Further, according to the present invention and the technology related to the present invention, it is possible to specify whether or not to save print data for each print data, so that the same print can not be executed again by updating the database. For example, by designating the storage in consideration of the failure of printing by the printer, the printing can be surely guaranteed. Further, since the storage period can be specified, unnecessary print data is not stored for a long period of time. The capacity of the storage device for storing the print data can be reduced as compared with the case where the configuration for storing the print data is adopted.

  Further, according to the present invention and the technology related to the present invention, when a hold instruction is issued during printing, information as to what page the hold instruction was issued remains, and thus, from the held page Can be restarted. Therefore, it is possible to realize the suspension of print data during printing.

  Further, according to the present invention and the technology related to the present invention, the user can also print information issued to a print server device other than the print server device to which the user is connected, as if the print server device is connected to the print server device to which the user is connected. It looks as if the print information was issued to the user, and an operation for the print information can be issued.

  According to the present invention and the technology related to the present invention, a user can see what print data is spooled in a print server device via a display screen. Thus, it is possible to perform processing such as printing the print data with a higher priority order from the print data in the waiting state.

  Further, according to the present invention and the technology related to the present invention, an error message indicating the content of a printing error can be notified to an optimum notification destination, so that a smooth recovery process and the like can be performed.

  Further, according to the present invention and the technology related to the present invention, it is possible to effectively use the resources of the spool area. Then, printing of correct print data can be guaranteed.

  According to the present invention and the technology related to the present invention, one attribute is assigned to a print request belonging to one job, indicating that printing is to be performed when all print requests are available. Processing such as executing meaningful print processing collectively can be performed.

  Further, according to the present invention and the technology related to the present invention, it is possible to freely save the concealed spooled print data, thereby enabling processing such as effective use of resources in the spool area. .

  As described above, according to the present invention and the technology related to the present invention, a print data saving function that realizes highly reliable data transfer from a terminal device to a print server device and can cope with a trouble after printing is provided. By realizing and suspending printing, it is possible to build a technology to increase the reliability of mission-critical print processing that is operated using a print system in which clients and print servers are connected via a network. Become like

  According to the present invention and the technology related to the present invention, each terminal device can also make a print server device other than its own connected print server device look as if it were its own connected print server device. By enabling print data to be checked on the display screen and enabling printing errors to be notified to the optimal notification destination, the client and print server can be connected over a network. It is possible to construct a technology for reducing the management man-hours of the core business-related print processing that is operated using the connected printing system.

  According to the present invention and the technology related to the present invention, it is possible to realize that print data that has been printed can be saved in an external save file, and that the resources of the spool area are effectively used. By implementing this technology, it will be possible to build technology to achieve efficient operation of system resources in mission-critical print processing that is operated using a print system in which clients and print servers are connected via a network. Become.

  According to the present invention and the technology related to the present invention, it is possible to print a set of print data, which is a business, by using a printing system in which a client and a print server are connected via a network. It will be possible to build a technology to increase the flexibility of the core business-related print processing to be operated.

1 is a printing system to which the present invention and technology related to the present invention are applied. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the present invention and a technology related to the present invention. It is an explanatory view of a display screen. It is an example of a technique related to the present invention. It is a processing flow performed by a client. 5 is a processing flow executed by the print server. It is an example of a technique related to the present invention. 5 is a processing flow of a print document storage mechanism. 5 is a processing flow of a print document deletion mechanism. It is an explanatory view of a display screen. 5 is a processing flow executed by the print server. It is explanatory drawing of this invention. It is an embodiment of the present invention. It is an explanatory view of a display screen. 5 is a processing flow executed by the print server. It is an explanatory view of a display screen. It is an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a processing flow executed by the print server. It is an example of a technique related to the present invention. It is an explanatory view of a display screen. It is a process flow which a message transfer mechanism performs. It is an example of a technique related to the present invention. 5 is a processing flow executed by a spool file monitoring mechanism. It is a process flow which a recovery process starting mechanism performs. 5 is a processing flow executed by a first recovery mechanism. It is a processing flow which a 2nd recovery mechanism performs. It is an embodiment of the present invention. It is a processing flow which a spooler performs. It is an example of a technique related to the present invention. It is a processing flow which a save operation API performs. It is an explanatory view of a save file. It is an explanatory view of a display screen. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a search process of a save file. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a printing system. It is explanatory drawing of a prior art.

Explanation of reference numerals

1 print server 2 client 3 management terminal 4 printer 5 LAN
6 server terminals

Claims (4)

A print server device connected to a terminal device and another print server device via a network to control a printer in response to a print request issued by the terminal device,
First acquisition means for acquiring information on a printer controlled by another print server device and print information issued to the printer;
Second acquisition means for acquiring information on a printer controlled by the own device and print information issued to the printer;
By transmitting the first acquired printer information and print information and the second acquired printer information and print information to the terminal device in a merged format, the information is seamlessly displayed on the display screen of the terminal device. And control means for displaying.
A print server device characterized by the following. A print server device connected to a terminal device via a network and controlling a printer in response to a print request issued by the terminal device,
Storage means for storing print data;
First control means for transmitting a list of issued print information to the terminal device to display the print information on a display screen of the terminal device;
Acquiring means for acquiring print data specified by the display request from the storage means when the terminal device issues a display request for a preview screen in response to the display of the first control means;
Editing means for editing the print data acquired by the acquisition means to be displayed on a preview screen;
A second control unit for transmitting the print data to be edited by the editing unit to the terminal device, and displaying the print data on a display screen of the terminal device.
A print server device characterized by the following. The print server device according to claim 2,
The obtaining unit, when the print data specified by the display request is not stored in the storage unit of the own device, to obtain the print data from another print server device that stores the print data,
A print server device characterized by the following. A print server device connected to a terminal device via a network and controlling a printer in response to a print request issued by the terminal device,
Acquiring means for acquiring grouping information assigned to print data and print attribute information for the group,
Determining means for determining whether print data to be printed belongs to a group, according to the grouping information obtained by the obtaining means;
Control means for controlling print processing of the print data according to print attribute information obtained by the obtaining means, with the print data for determining that the determination means belongs to the group as a control target,
A print server device characterized by the following.

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