JP2004310516A - Print system and print management method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable alternative printing even when a printer or a print server is not usable, by issuing a print job to an alternative print server . <P>SOLUTION: When a print job output status monitoring part 12 or a print job output result receiving part 13 of a client terminal 10 detects a printing error of a print job issued via a print server A20, an alternative printer information inquiry part 14 inquires of an alternative print control server 40 about alternative printer information. An alternative printer information providing part 42 refers to a printer control information storage part 43, decides an alternative printer and an alternative print server, and returns response to the client terminal 10. A print job issuing part 11 issues a print job to a print server B30 that carries out alternative printing, of which the alternative printer information providing part 42 has notified. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print system and a print management method in which a client terminal issues a print job to a print server that manages a printer shared on a network and performs printing, and in particular, a print destination printer or a print server that manages the same. The present invention relates to a print system and a print management method for performing an alternative print by issuing a print job to another print server that manages an alternative printer even when the printer is unavailable.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a technique related to a conventional print system and a print management method, there is a “print system” described in Patent Document 1.
[0003]
The invention described in Patent Literature 1 includes a control unit that collectively manages a plurality of printers and a print memory for storing print data commonly used by the plurality of printers. If printing becomes impossible before printing is completed, the print data stored in the print memory is transferred to another printer, so that part or all of the print processing can be continued.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-134141.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the invention described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when the control means itself that integrally manages a plurality of printers becomes incapable of processing for some reason, not only the alternative printing but also the normal operation of other normally operating printers is performed. However, there is a problem that the printing process cannot be performed at all.
[0006]
In addition, even if a backup print server is additionally provided and a print job is configured to be transferred, if the function of the entire main print server including the job transfer unit goes down, the backup print server is connected to the backup print server. It is impossible to move.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a print system and a print management method that enable a substitute print by issuing a print job to another print server even when a printer or a print server is unavailable. .
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 performs printing corresponding to a print job by outputting a print job to a printer managed by the print server based on a print job issued from the client to the print server. In a printing system, an alternative printer information holding unit that holds alternative printer information including information on an alternative printer for each printer and an alternative print server that manages the alternative printer, and an alternative printer information holding unit in response to an inquiry about alternative printer information from a client The print server comprises an alternative print management unit having an alternative printer information providing unit that provides the alternative printer information held by the client to the client, wherein the print server includes an output error detection unit that detects an output error of the print job, and an output error detection unit. Of the detected print job Output error notifying means for notifying the client of an output error, wherein the client obtains an output error notified from the print server, and the alternative print management based on the output error obtained by the output error obtaining means. And a print job issuing unit for issuing a print job based on the alternative printer information obtained from the alternative print management unit by the inquiry by the alternative printer information inquiry unit. It is characterized by doing.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the alternative print management unit is provided on a network in which the client, the print server, and the alternative print server are provided.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the alternative print management unit is provided in the client.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the alternative print management section is provided in the print server.
[0012]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the alternative print management unit is provided in at least two places on the network where the client, the print server, and the alternative print server are provided, and the alternative printer information holding unit is provided. The stored alternative printer information is automatically updated in synchronization with each other.
[0013]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the alternative print management unit is provided in at least two places on a network where the client, the print server, and the alternative print server are provided, and the alternative printer information holding unit is provided. The held alternative printer information is manually updated asynchronously.
[0014]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the alternative print management unit specifies an alternative printer and an alternative print server that manages the alternative printer based on the alternative printer information inquired from the client. A print job issuance unit is provided, and the print job issuance unit issues a print job to the alternative print server identified by the alternative print server identification unit.
[0015]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the seventh aspect, the alternative print server specifying means manages the alternative printer and the alternative printer based on a static list in which the alternative printer is associated with each printer. The server is specified.
[0016]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the seventh aspect, the alternative print server specifying means holds a function list of each printer, and dynamically sets an alternative printer and an alternative print server that manages the alternative printer based on the function list. It is characterized by the following.
[0017]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect of the present invention, the substitute print server specifying unit dynamically specifies a substitute printer and a substitute print server that manages the substitute printer based on print conditions of a print job. And
[0018]
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the alternative print management unit specifies an alternative printer and an alternative print server that manages the alternative printer based on the alternative printer information inquired from the client. The print job issuance unit includes a specifying unit, and the print job issuing unit issues a print job to the alternative print server specified by the alternative print server specifying unit via the alternative print management unit.
[0019]
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alternative print management system in a print system for performing printing corresponding to a print job by outputting a print job to a printer managed by the print server based on a print job issued from the client to the print server. In the apparatus, alternative printer information holding means for holding alternative printer information including information on an alternative printer for each printer and an alternative print server managing the alternative printer, and alternative printer information in response to an inquiry of the alternative printer information from a client And an alternative printer information providing unit for providing the client with the alternative printer information held by the holding unit.
[0020]
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print system which performs printing corresponding to a print job by outputting a print job from a print server to a printer managed by the print server based on a print job issued from a client to the print server. In a print management method, an alternative print management unit stores information on an alternative printer for each printer and information on an alternative print server that manages the alternative printer in an alternative print management unit, and the print server detects an output error of the print job as an output error detecting unit. , And notifies the client of the output error of the print job to the client by the output error notifying unit. The client obtains the output error notified by the print server by the output error obtaining unit, and based on the obtained output error, Alternative print tubes Contact with the alternate printer information inquiry unit alternative printer information to the parts, and issues a print job issuing means the print job based on the obtained alternative printer information from the alternate print managing section by Awa question.
[0021]
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the thirteenth aspect, the alternative print management unit is provided in at least two locations on the network where the client, the print server, and the alternative print server are provided, and the alternative printer information is synchronized. Automatically updated.
[0022]
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the thirteenth aspect, the alternative print management unit is provided in at least two places on a network where the client, the print server, and the alternative print server are provided, and the alternative printer information is manually updated. It is characterized by being performed.
[0023]
According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the thirteenth aspect, the substitute print management unit manages the substitute printer and the substitute printer by the substitute print server specifying unit based on the substitute printer information inquired from the client. And issuing a print job to the specified alternative print server.
[0024]
According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the alternative print server specifying unit manages the alternative printer and the alternative printer based on a static list in which the alternative printer is associated with each printer. The server is specified.
[0025]
In an eighteenth aspect based on the sixteenth aspect, the alternative print server specifying unit holds a function list of each printer, and executes an alternative printer and an alternative print server that manages the alternative printer based on the function list. It is characterized by being dynamically specified.
[0026]
According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the sixteenth aspect, the substitute print server specifying means dynamically specifies a substitute printer and a substitute print server that manages the substitute printer based on print conditions of a print job. And
[0027]
According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the thirteenth aspect, the substitute print management unit manages the substitute printer and the substitute printer by the substitute print server specifying unit based on the substitute printer information inquired from the client. Is specified, and a print job is issued to the specified alternative print server via the alternative print management unit.
[0028]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0029]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a system configuration of a print system according to the present invention.
[0030]
1, the print system includes a client terminal 10, a print server A20 (print server B30), an alternative print management server 40, and a plurality of printers (printers A5... Printer D8) connected to a network 9, respectively. You.
[0031]
The print server A20 and the print server B30 share printers in the system, or manage a part of the printers in common, receive print jobs issued from the client terminals 10 and create print data, and Outputs print data to the specified printer.
[0032]
If a failure occurs in any of the printers or the print server in the system, the client terminal 10 determines the printer or the print server for performing the alternative printing by inquiring the alternative print management server 40 and prints the print job. Is issued to the alternative print server to perform print processing without delay.
[0033]
The client terminal 10 includes a print job issuing unit 11, a print job output status monitoring unit 12, a print job output result receiving unit 13, and an alternative printer information inquiry unit 14 as main control blocks according to the embodiment of the present invention. Is done.
[0034]
The print job issuing unit 11 creates a print job based on document data and a finger printer name specified by a print request from a user, and issues the print job to a print server that manages the printer.
[0035]
The print job output status monitoring unit 12 monitors the print job transmitted by the print job issuing unit 11.
[0036]
The print job output result receiving unit 13 receives the print result notified from the print server and determines whether or not the print processing has been successful.
[0037]
If the print job output result receiving unit 13 or the print job output status monitoring unit 12 detects a response timeout, the alternative printer information inquiry unit 14 sends a print job when a print error occurs to the alternative print management server 40. Is transmitted as print job information, and an inquiry about alternative printer information for performing alternative printing is performed.
[0038]
The print server A20 and the print server B30 are provided with common functions and hardware necessary for mutually executing the alternative processing, and include a print job receiving unit 21, a print data generation and output unit 22, a printer It comprises a monitoring unit 23 and a print result notifying unit 24.
[0039]
The print job receiving unit 21 receives a print job issued from the client terminal 10 and acquires a printer name and document data to be printed.
[0040]
The print data generation and output unit 22 generates print data based on the printer name acquired by the print job receiving unit 21 and the document data, and outputs the print data to the printer.
[0041]
The printer monitoring unit 23 monitors print processing for print data output to the printer.
[0042]
The print result notifying unit 24 sends the print result to the client terminal 10 that is the source of the print job.
[0043]
The alternative print management server 40 includes a printer management information storage unit 43, a printer management information management unit 41, and an alternative printer information providing unit 42.
[0044]
The printer management information storage unit 43 stores and holds printer management information for specifying an alternative printer and an alternative print server, and terminal operation list information for managing the operation state of each component device in the system.
[0045]
The printer management information management unit 41 manages the information in the printer management information storage unit 43 so as to always keep the latest information according to a change in the system configuration.
[0046]
The alternative printer information providing unit 42 creates alternative printer information as information necessary for alternative printing in response to an inquiry from the client terminal 10 and transmits the information to the client terminal 10.
[0047]
FIG. 2 is a table layout diagram showing an example of the printer management information stored in the alternative print management server 40.
[0048]
2, the printer management information 60 stores and manages the printers in the system as printer IDs 61. The management items for each printer ID 61 include a management server 1 (62), a management server 2 (63), a printer function A64,. . . , A printer function C66 is provided.
[0049]
The management server 1 (62) is set with identification information of a print server that is normally used, and the management server 2 (63) is configured as a substitute print server that can be replaced when the management server 1 (62) fails. Identification information is set.
[0050]
Function A64,..., Function C66 are items for managing what printing function each printer has, and determine whether or not the printing conditions of the print job are satisfied in the alternative printing. It is the information that becomes.
[0051]
The management items for each printer are items that can be added and changed according to the number of installed print servers that manage the printer, the management target range of the print server, the system configuration, the type of printer to be used, and the like.
[0052]
Further, the printer management method can be managed based on a print server in the system, or can be managed in a predetermined group.
[0053]
Further, the printer management information 60 has a configuration on the assumption that it is dynamically determined according to the operation status of the system at the time of inquiring about an alternative printer. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which alternative printers are statically managed by managing the correspondence between printers (print servers) in a static list.
[0054]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the print job issuing process in the client terminal.
[0055]
3, a print job issuing unit 11 detects a print request from a user, generates a print job based on print document data and a print printer name, and issues a print job to a print server that manages the printer (FIG. 3). Step S101).
[0056]
After the print job is issued, the print job output status monitoring unit 12 monitors the reception of the print result from the print server by the print job output result receiving unit 13.
[0057]
If a timeout has been detected by the print job output status monitoring unit 12 or an error has been detected by the print job output result receiving unit 13 (YES in step S102), the alternative printer information inquiry unit 14 sends information on the print job in which the error has occurred. It is created as print job information and transmitted to the alternative print management server 40 to request notification of alternative printer information (step S103).
[0058]
Here, the data format of the print job information is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, information for identifying the printer that has requested printing (printer name in FIG. 4), and identification information for the print server that issued the print job. (Print server name in FIG. 4), print conditions (print conditions in FIG. 4) for notifying a printer function and the like necessary to print the original data included in the print job, and the cause when a print error occurs Is configured to include error information (in FIG. 4, error information) for identifying.
[0059]
The data format of the substitute printer information notified from the substitute print management server 40 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, information identifying a print server to which a substitute print job is issued (in FIG. 4, An alternative print server name) and identification information for identifying the alternative printer (FIG. 4 shows an alternative printer name).
[0060]
Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 3 again, the print job issuing process will be described continuously.
[0061]
The alternative printer information inquiry unit 14 analyzes the alternative printer information notified from the alternative print management server 40 (Step S104).
[0062]
If there is an alternative printer (alternate print server) (YES in step S105), the print job issuing unit 11 creates a print job for the alternative printer specified by the alternative printer information, and creates a print job specified by the alternative printer information. The created job is issued to the print server (step S106).
[0063]
If there is no alternative printer (alternate print server) (NO in step S105), the alternative printer information inquiry unit 14 notifies the user of the occurrence of the alternative print error by outputting a message or the like, and ends the process.
[0064]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when the print server receives a print job.
[0065]
In FIG. 5, a print job receiving unit 21 receives a print job (including a print job at the time of alternative printing) from the client terminal 10, and specifies a printer name specified in the print job and original data as a source of print data. Is extracted (step S201).
[0066]
Then, the print job receiving unit 21 checks whether the specified printer exists and is usable, and specifies the printer (step S202).
[0067]
If the processing printer is usable (YES in step S203), the print data generation / output unit 22 creates print data from the document data and outputs it to the printer (step S204).
[0068]
If the printing process by the printer has been completed normally (NO in step S205), a print completion notification is sent to the client terminal 10 that issued the print job (step S206).
[0069]
If an error occurs during the printing process by the printer (YES in step S205), the error information is notified to the client terminal 10 that issued the print job (step S207).
[0070]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an alternate print information inquiry receiving process in the alternative print management server 40.
[0071]
In FIG. 6, the alternative printer information providing unit 42 receives the print job information transmitted from the client terminal 10 (Step S301).
[0072]
The substitute printer information providing unit 42 analyzes the received print job information and acquires a printer name and a print server name as information relating to the substitute source printer (step S302).
[0073]
Further, the substitute printer information providing unit 42 acquires the print conditions (color mode, finishing conditions, paper size, etc.) requested from the substitute source printer from the print job information (step S303).
[0074]
The substitute printer information providing unit 42, based on the information of the substitute source printer acquired in step S302 and the printing conditions acquired in step S303, as shown in FIG. With reference to the terminal operation status list 70 for managing the status 72 and the printer management information 60 shown in FIG. 2, a process of determining an alternative destination that determines a print server and a printer capable of alternative printing is performed (step S304).
[0075]
The alternative printer information providing unit 42 creates alternative printer information based on the determined printer and print server identification information (step S305), and transmits the alternative printer information to the client terminal 10 (step S306).
[0076]
Next, the alternative destination determining process shown in step S304 of FIG. 6 will be further described.
[0077]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the alternative destination determining process in the alternative print management server 40.
[0078]
8, the alternative printer information providing unit 42 analyzes error information in the received print job and determines whether the print error is caused by the print server or the printer (step S401).
[0079]
At this time, in the case of a print error due to the cause of the print server (the print server in step S401), the substitute printer information providing unit 42 sets the print server that substitutes for the print server notified by the print job information in the printer management information 60. Then, it is determined whether or not the status of the print server is available (step S402).
[0080]
If it is determined that there is an alternative print server (YES in step S402), it is determined whether the printer that caused the print error can be used via the alternative print server (step S403).
[0081]
If the printer can be used via the alternative print server (YES in step S403), “Printer: normal printer (printer specified by print job information without alternative), print server: alternative print server” is output as the determination result. (Step S404) and the process ends.
[0082]
On the other hand, if the printer cannot be used via the alternative print server (NO in step S403), the alternative printer information providing unit 42 searches the printer management information 60 and prints the print job among the printers managed by the alternative print server. It is determined whether there is a printer that satisfies the printing condition notified by the information (step S405).
[0083]
If there is an alternative printer (YES in step S405), "printer: alternative printer, print server: alternative print server" is output (step S406), and the process ends.
[0084]
If there is no alternative print server in step S402 (NO in step S402), or if there is no alternative printer under the alternative print server in step S405 (NO in step S405), "no alternative destination" is output. (Step S407) and the process ends.
[0085]
Returning again to the determination processing of step S401, if the error information notified by the print job information is due to the cause of the printer (printer in step S401), it is determined whether there is an alternative printer under the print server (step S401). S408).
[0086]
If there is an alternative printer (YES in step S408), "printer: alternative printer, print server: normal print server (use print server notified by print job information without performing alternative)" is output (step S412). And terminate the processing.
[0087]
On the other hand, if there is no alternative printer under the control of the print server (NO in step S408), the alternative printer information providing unit 42 determines whether or not there is an alternative print server with reference to the printer management information 60. It is determined whether it can be used (step S409).
[0088]
If there is an alternative print server (YES in step S409), the alternative printer information providing unit 42 determines whether there is an alternative printer under the control of the alternative print server (step S410).
[0089]
If there is an alternative printer (YES in step S410), “printer: alternative printer, print server: alternative print server” is output as an output result (step S411), and the process ends.
[0090]
If there is no alternative print server in step S409 (NO in step S409), or if there is no alternative printer in step S410 (NO in step S410), "no alternative destination" (step S407) is output and processed. To end.
[0091]
Next, the relationship and overall flow of the alternative print control in the client terminal 10, print server A20, print server B30, and alternative print management server 40 described above will be described using two cases as examples.
[0092]
FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a first example of alternative print control in the system configuration of FIG. 1 according to the present invention.
[0093]
FIG. 9 shows a processing sequence when alternative printing is performed by the alternative printer C managed by the print server B30 having the same function as the printer A5 because the printer A5 has failed.
[0094]
In FIG. 9, the client terminal 10 issues a print job for the printer A5 to the print server A20 (step S501).
[0095]
The print server A20 creates print data and outputs it to the printer A5 (step S502).
[0096]
The print server A20 detects a print error due to the failure of the printer A5 (step S503), and transmits an error response to the client terminal 10 (step S504).
[0097]
The client terminal 10 creates print job information (a print request to the printer A5 via the print server A20, an error of the printer A5) in order to know an alternative printer of the printer A5, and sends an inquiry to the alternative print management server 40. Perform (Step S505).
[0098]
The substitute print management server 40 determines a substitute printer and a substitute print server for the printer A5 based on the printer name, the print server name, and the print conditions acquired from the received print job information, and substitutes the substitute printer information (via the print server B30). Of the printer C) and notifies the client terminal 10 (step S506).
[0099]
The client terminal 10 creates a print job for the printer C7 and sends it to the print server B30 (step S507).
[0100]
The print server B30 creates print data from the received print job and outputs it to the printer C7, and the printer C7 starts printing (step S508).
[0101]
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a second example of the alternative print control in the system configuration of FIG. 1 according to the present invention.
[0102]
In FIG. 10, the print job for the printer A5 times out due to the failure of the print server A20, and attempts to print on the printer A5 via the print server B30. However, the failure also occurs on the printer A5, and the alternative print is performed on the printer C7. 7 shows a processing sequence when it is performed.
[0103]
In FIG. 10, the client terminal 10 issues a print job for the printer A5 to the print server A20 (step S601).
[0104]
When the print server A20 goes down, the print job issued by the printer A5 is not received, and the client terminal 10 detects a timeout when a predetermined time has elapsed (step S602).
[0105]
The client terminal 10 transmits print job information to the alternative print management server 40 in order to specify an alternative printer of the printer A5 via the print server A20 (Step S603).
[0106]
The substitute print management server 40 acquires a printer name, a print server name, printing conditions, and the like from the received print job information, and determines a substitute printer (substitute print server).
[0107]
Then, the alternative print management server 40 generates the determined alternative printer information and returns a response to the client terminal 10 (step S604).
[0108]
The client terminal 10 issues a print job for the printer A5 to the print server B30 based on the received substitute printer information (Step S605).
[0109]
The print server B30 analyzes the print job from the client terminal 10, creates print data, and outputs it to the printer A5 (step S606).
[0110]
The print server B30 detects a print error in the printer A5, and transmits an error notification to the client terminal 10 that has issued the print job (step S607).
[0111]
The client terminal 10 creates print job information indicating a print request to the printer A5 via the print server B30, and transmits the print job information to the alternative print management server 40 (step S608).
[0112]
The alternative print management server 40 specifies a printer C7 capable of alternative printing of the printer A5 under the management of the print server B30, generates alternative printer information, and transmits the information to the client terminal 10 (step S609).
[0113]
The client terminal 10 analyzes the received alternative printer information, creates and sends a print job for the printer C7 to the print server B30 (step S610).
[0114]
The print server B30 creates print data, outputs it to the printer C7, and starts alternative printing on the printer C (step S611).
[0115]
The above is an example of the embodiment relating to the print system and the print management method according to the present invention. Modifiable configurations other than the above will be further described.
[0116]
In the configuration of FIG. 1, the printer management information 60 is centrally managed and shared by the alternative print management server 40. For example, the same control means and printer management information 60 as the alternative print management server 40 10, a print server A20, or a print server B30.
[0117]
At this time, the management method of the printer management information 60 held at a plurality of locations includes a method of synchronizing with each other by automatic copying when any of the contents is changed, and a method of manually copying at a predetermined timing asynchronously. Thus, a method for managing consistency can be realized.
[0118]
Therefore, which synchronization method is applied to the system can be appropriately selected and used according to the system configuration and the operation mode.
[0119]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to issue a print job to an alternative printer managed by another alternative print server even when the printer at the printing destination or the print server cannot be used.
[0120]
As a result, printing can be completed without delay, and the effect of improving the stability of the printing process can be obtained.
[0121]
In addition, the user is not aware of the status of the printer and the print server in the system, and even if a trouble occurs in the printer or the print server, the alternative printing can be automatically performed by a normal operation without performing any special setting or operation. Therefore, there is an effect that the convenience of the printing operation for the user is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a system configuration of a print system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a table layout diagram showing an example of printer management information stored in an alternative print management server shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a printing process in the client terminal shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a data format diagram showing an example of print job information to be transmitted to the alternative print management server shown in FIG. 1 and alternative printer information notified from the alternative print management server.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a printing process in the print server illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an inquiry receiving process for alternative printer information in the alternative print management server shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a table layout diagram showing an example of terminal operation status list information for the alternative print management server shown in FIG. 1 to manage the operation status of the printer and the print server.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an alternative destination determining process in the alternative print management server shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating a first example of alternative print control in the print system illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a second example of the alternative print control in the print system illustrated in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
5 Printer A
6 Printer B
7 Printer C
8 Printer D
9 Network
10 Client terminal
11 Print job issuing unit
12 Print job output status monitor
13 Print job output result receiving unit
14 Alternative printer information inquiry section
20 Print Server A
21 Print job receiving unit
22 Print data generation and output unit
23 Printer monitoring unit
24 Print result notification section
30 Print Server B
40 Alternative print management server
41 Printer management information management unit
42 Alternative printer information providing unit
43 Printer management information storage unit
60 Printer management information
61 Printer ID
62 Management Server 1
63 Management Server 2
64 Function A
65 Function B
66 Function C
70 Terminal operation status list
71 Terminal ID
72 states

Claims (20)

A print system that performs printing corresponding to the print job by outputting the print job from the print server to a printer managed by the print server based on the print job issued from the client to the print server,
Substitute printer information holding means for holding substitute printer information including substitute printer information for each printer and substitute print server for managing the substitute printer;
An alternative printer management unit having an alternative printer information providing unit that provides the alternative printer information held by the alternative printer information holding unit to the client in response to the inquiry about the alternative printer information from the client,
The print server,
Output error detection means for detecting an output error of the print job;
Output error notification means for notifying the client of an output error of the print job detected by the output error detection means,
The client,
Output error acquisition means for acquiring an output error notified from the print server;
Alternative printer information inquiry means for inquiring the alternative print management unit of alternative printer information based on the output error acquired by the output error acquisition means,
A print job issuing unit that issues the print job based on the alternative printer information acquired from the alternative print management unit in response to an inquiry by the alternative printer information inquiry unit. The alternative print management unit,
The print system according to claim 1, wherein the print system is provided on a network in which the client, the print server, and the alternative print server are provided. The alternative print management unit,
The print system according to claim 1, wherein the print system is provided in the client. The alternative print management unit,
The print system according to claim 1, wherein the print system is provided in the print server. The alternative print management unit,
The client, the print server, provided in at least two places on the network where the alternative print server is provided,
2. The print system according to claim 1, wherein the alternative printer information held by the alternative printer information holding unit is automatically updated in synchronization with each other. The alternative print management unit,
The client, the print server, provided in at least two places on the network where the alternative print server is provided,
2. The print system according to claim 1, wherein the alternative printer information held by the alternative printer information holding unit is manually updated asynchronously. The alternative print management unit,
An alternative print server specifying unit that specifies an alternative printer and an alternative print server that manages the alternative printer based on the alternative printer information inquired from the client,
The print job issuing unit includes:
2. The print system according to claim 1, wherein the print job is issued to the alternative print server specified by the alternative print server specifying unit. The alternative print server specifying unit includes:
8. The print system according to claim 7, wherein the substitute printer and a substitute print server that manages the substitute printer are specified based on a static list in which a substitute printer is associated with each printer. The alternative print server specifying unit includes:
8. The print system according to claim 7, wherein a function list of each printer is held, and the substitute printer and a substitute print server that manages the substitute printer are dynamically specified based on the function list. The alternative print server specifying unit includes:
8. The print system according to claim 7, wherein the alternative printer and an alternative print server that manages the alternative printer are dynamically specified based on print conditions of the print job. The alternative print management unit,
An alternative print server specifying unit that specifies an alternative printer and an alternative print server that manages the alternative printer based on the alternative printer information inquired from the client,
The print job issuing unit includes:
2. The print system according to claim 1, wherein the print job is issued to the alternative print server specified by the alternative print server specifying unit via the alternative print management unit. An alternative print management device in a print system that performs printing corresponding to the print job by outputting the print job from the print server to a printer managed by the print server based on the print job issued from the client to the print server ,
Substitute printer information holding means for holding substitute printer information including substitute printer information for each printer and a substitute print server for managing the substitute printer;
An alternative print management device comprising: an alternative printer information providing unit that provides the alternative printer information held by the alternative printer information holding unit to the client in response to an inquiry about the alternative printer information from the client. A print management method in a print system for performing printing corresponding to the print job by outputting the print job from the print server to a printer managed by the print server based on the print job issued from the client to the print server,
The alternative print information including information on an alternative printer for each printer and information on an alternative print server that manages the alternative printer is stored in an alternative print management unit,
The print server detects an output error of the print job by an output error detecting unit, and notifies the client of the output error of the print job by an output error notifying unit,
The client acquires the output error notified from the print server by an output error acquiring unit,
Querying the substitute print management unit for substitute printer information by substitute printer information inquiring means based on the acquired output error;
A print management method in a print system, wherein the print job is issued by a print job issuing unit based on the alternative printer information obtained from the alternative print management unit in response to the inquiry. The alternative print management unit is provided in at least two places on the network where the client, the print server, and the alternative print server are provided,
14. The print management method according to claim 13, wherein the alternative printer information is automatically updated in synchronization. The alternative print management unit is provided in at least two places on the network where the client, the print server, and the alternative print server are provided,
14. The print management method according to claim 13, wherein the alternative printer information is manually updated. The substitute print management unit specifies a substitute printer and a substitute print server that manages the substitute printer by substitute print server specifying means based on substitute printer information inquired from the client,
14. The print management method according to claim 13, wherein the print job is issued to the specified alternative print server. 14. The printer according to claim 13, wherein the substitute print server specifying unit specifies the substitute printer and a substitute print server that manages the substitute printer based on a static list in which a substitute printer is associated with each printer. Print management method. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the substitute print server specifying unit holds a function list of each printer, and dynamically specifies the substitute printer and a substitute print server that manages the substitute printer based on the function list. 16. The print management method according to item 16. 17. The print management method according to claim 16, wherein the substitute print server specifying unit dynamically specifies the substitute printer and a substitute print server that manages the substitute printer based on print conditions of the print job. The substitute print management unit specifies a substitute printer and a substitute print server that manages the substitute printer by substitute print server specifying means based on substitute printer information inquired from the client,
14. The print management method according to claim 13, wherein the print job is issued to the specified alternative print server via the alternative print management unit.

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