JP2005169626A - Printing device, printing control device, printing method, printing control method and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing control device which makes the use of a plurality of printing devices connected in a network in a way intended for by a manager, and a printing device, a printing method, a printing control method and a computer program. <P>SOLUTION: In the printing control device, the start of printing is instructed (step S302); it is judged whether information concerning finishing is involved in printing information (step S303); and when it is detected that the finishing is not performed, a PC displays to the effect that the printing can be performed using any other equipment (step S305). Further, in response to this display, a normal printing process is performed (step S306), when a user does not permit the transfer of data to the other indicated equipment (step S306). When the user permits the transfer (Yes route of step S307), units of the transfer equipment are listed and displayed (step S308). Next, the user selects the equipment and demands the start of the printing (step S309). Finally, when the user selects the other equipment, a printing job is transferred to the other equipment (step S310). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing control apparatus, a printing method, a printing control method, and a computer program. More specifically, in a network system in which a plurality of printing apparatuses are connected on a network, the plurality of printing apparatuses via the network. The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing control apparatus, a printing method, a printing control method, and a computer program that can transfer and control a print request.

  Conventionally, when printing is performed from an application on a computer, a printer driver corresponding to the target printing apparatus on the computer is used, and print data is transmitted to the target printing apparatus. If an error occurs in the printing device when printing from the application and printing does not end normally, the user can print again from the application to the same printing device, or to another printing device. You need to print.

  In order to eliminate the complexity in such processing, when an error occurs in the selected printing device, the next candidate printing device intended by the user is automatically selected, and when a failure occurs during printing processing. There are known apparatuses and processes for automatically performing an alternative printing process on the next candidate printing apparatus.

  A system is also known in which a plurality of clients and a plurality of OA devices are connected to a network, and print requests to the OA devices output from the plurality of clients are integrated and controlled. In such a system, multiple OA devices grasp each other's functions and performance, and automatically instruct transfer / substitution to the device that can process the request from the client most efficiently. The OA device is operated efficiently without any change (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

“BMLinks Discovery Standard Specification Version 1.2”, Japan Business Machine and Information Systems Association, 2002.4.01, p. 6-20

  In the conventional system described above, a device suitable for a print job (print data) is automatically selected, and transfer / substitution processing is performed. However, since only the determination of the performance and capability of the device is performed as a control condition for transferring / substituting a job, it cannot be said that a determination process optimal for a print request is performed. Conventionally, in such automatic determination processing, no display or notification is given to the user for permission to transfer or substitute. For this reason, there has been a problem that intentional control by the administrator of the printing apparatus cannot be performed.

  Further, when a printing apparatus having a specific function is occupied by a job (print data) that does not use the specific function, a user who wants to use the specific function cannot immediately use the printing apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of using a plurality of printing apparatuses connected on a network in a manner intended by an administrator, A printing control apparatus, a printing method, a printing control method, and a computer program are provided.

  Therefore, the present invention improves and manages the productivity of the entire system by using the print job transfer function from the viewpoint of increasing the added value of the printing system by utilizing the cooperation of devices in an environment where printing apparatuses having various functions coexist. To improve performance. For the purpose of providing a system that can be managed intentionally to the printing device, and notifying the user of a device capable of processing a print job and making a decision to execute printing. The printer is set to be used for a specific function. Then, when the user uses the print control apparatus and designates the print apparatus to transmit the print job, the print control apparatus determines whether to use the special purpose function set in the device designated by the print job. When the special purpose function is not used, the print control apparatus displays a transfer to another device that is most suitable for the user at that time. Therefore, the user makes a determination and can select whether to output to the device set by the user himself or to the presented device.

  In order to achieve such an object, the invention described in claim 1 is a printing apparatus connected to a network, wherein other printing apparatus is connected to the network, and print data responding to a print request. In the output, the determination unit that determines whether the specific function of the printing apparatus is used, and if the specific function is not used as a result of the determination by the determination unit, the print data A selection unit that receives selection of a transfer destination, and a transfer unit that transfers the print data to a transfer destination that has received selection by the selection unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the selection unit is configured to input an instruction unit that receives an instruction to transfer the print data, and to input an instruction to the instruction unit. And a means for displaying information relating to the other printing apparatus in response and accepting selection of the displayed information.

  The invention according to claim 3 further comprises transfer condition setting means for setting a condition for transferring the print data in the printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determining means is configured to respond to the print request. It is further characterized in that it is further determined whether or not the output condition of the response print data matches the transfer condition set by the transfer condition setting means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus for sending a print data to a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to a network to make a print request, wherein the print data is output in response to the print request. A determination unit that determines whether or not a specific function of a printing device that responds to a print request is used; and if the specific function is not used as a result of the determination by the determination unit, the print data is selected from the plurality of printing devices. A selection unit that receives selection of a transfer destination, and a transfer unit that transfers the print data to a transfer destination that has received selection by the selection unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the print control apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the selection unit receives an input of an instruction to transfer the print data, and inputs an instruction to the instruction unit. And a means for displaying information relating to the other printing apparatus and receiving selection of the displayed information.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the print control apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect, a condition for transferring the print data is set in the printing apparatus, and the determination means includes the print request. It is further characterized in that it is further determined whether an output condition of print data responding to the above matches the set transfer condition.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing method executed by a printing apparatus connected to a network, wherein another printing apparatus is connected to the network, and print data responding to a print request is stored. A step of determining whether or not a specific function of the printing apparatus is used in output; a step of acquiring information on a function of the other printing apparatus and storing the information in a storage device; and When not used, the step of determining a candidate for transferring the print data from among the other printing devices based on the information stored in the storage device, and displaying information on the determined candidate on a display device Receiving a selection of the transfer destination of the print data from the candidates, and transferring the print data to the transfer destination that has received the selection Characterized in that it comprises a step.

  The invention according to claim 8 is a print control method executed by a print control apparatus that transmits print data to one of a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to a network and issues a print request. Determining whether or not a specific function of a printing apparatus responding to the print request is used in outputting print data in response to the print request, and acquiring and storing information on the functions of the plurality of printing apparatuses in a storage device Determining a candidate to transfer the print job out of the plurality of printing devices based on information stored in the storage device if the specific function is not used as a result of the determination; and Displaying information on the selected candidates on a display device, receiving a selection of a transfer destination of the print job from the candidates, and receiving the selection Characterized in that it comprises a step of transferring the print data to the digit destination.

  The invention according to claim 9 is a computer program for causing a computer to function as the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to function as the print control apparatus according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects.

  According to the present invention, it is determined whether or not a printing apparatus that has issued a print or copy command uses a specific function, and in accordance with the determination result, a display is displayed in a form that is easy for the user to understand, and to other devices. , And the user can select it, so that it is possible to increase the opportunity to leave the device for the user who wants to use the specific function.

  In addition, it is possible for an administrator or the like to perform management settings for the printing device, and the print control device can provide the usage of the device intended by the administrator by making a determination using both the management settings and the specific function. become. By providing such a system, it is possible to distribute the load as the entire system, and it is possible to provide the user and the administrator with a system that takes advantage of the cooperation between devices.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a network system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, a network 1 includes a personal computer (PC) 10, 11 or a well-known multifunction peripheral device (hereinafter referred to as "MFP") that can perform various processes such as COPY, print, FAX, and transmission. 100, 101 and printing apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as “SFP”) 1000, 1001, 1002 having a print function are connected. In such a network system, each device may have different functions. In this embodiment, the function of each device is assumed as follows.
The MFP 100 is capable of monochrome printing and has a finishing function.
The MFP 101 can perform color printing and has a finishing function.
The SFP 1001 is capable of monochrome printing and has a finishing function.
The SFP 1002 is capable of black and white printing and has no other functions.
The SFP 1003 can perform color printing and has no other functions.

  The finishing function is a function that performs post-processing after printing, and is a function such as stapling, punching, or bookbinding.

  As can be seen from the above configuration, it is sufficient to use the SFP 1002 only for monochrome printing without using the finishing function, and the SFP 1003 is sufficient for only color printing. If the finishing function is used, it is sufficient to use MFP 100 and SFP 1001. On the other hand, since only the MFP 101 can perform the color printing finishing function, it is desired that the MFP 101 be immediately available to the user who uses the color printing finishing function. Similarly, in the MFP 100, it is desired that monochrome printing using the finishing function can be used immediately.

This will be specifically described below.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment.
In this embodiment, the MFP 101 has the same configuration. In the figure, an external device group 201 indicates a device (PC 10, MFP 101, etc.) and network other than the MFP 100 constituting the printing system.

  The MFP 100 includes a controller unit 203, a panel unit 204, a scanner engine unit 206, and a printer engine unit 205. The printer engine unit 205 forms a latent image on a photosensitive drum by a known electrophotographic process based on image data (binary or multivalued data), transfers the image onto a sheet, fixes the image, and performs printing. The scanner engine unit 206 optically reads a document image and generates image data (image data). The panel unit 204 performs an interface with a user (operator), and includes a liquid crystal panel having a touch sensor (not shown) and a keyboard. The user can instruct the MFP 100 to perform a predetermined operation by operating the panel unit 204.

  The controller unit 203 integrally controls the panel unit 204, the printer engine unit 205, and the scanner engine unit 206, and further performs communication with the external device group 201 and data transmission / reception.

  Note that SFPs 1001, 1002, and 1003 are assumed to be printers that perform printing in response to an instruction from an external device, and are configured by blocks obtained by removing the scanner engine unit 206 from the MFP 100 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the controller unit 203.
The CPU 709 controls the entire controller unit 203. The ROM 703 stores a control code for the CPU 709. The temporary storage RAM 707 is a storage device used by the CPU 709.

  The DMA control unit 708 can transfer data in the RAM 707, input / output data of the image processing unit 704, input data of the printer interface unit 706, and output data of the scanner interface unit 705 according to instructions from the CPU 709.

  An image processing unit 704 performs image rendering, color processing, other image processing, and format conversion (encoding, decoding, compression, expansion, etc.).

  The panel interface unit 701 receives various settings and instructions from the operator from the panel unit 104 by data communication with the panel unit 204.

  The external interface unit 702 communicates with the external device group 201, and realizes a data port for sending / receiving print data and a control port for sending / receiving control information exclusively in a logical communication hierarchy. To do. Transmission / reception data can be stored in a dedicated buffer memory in units of predetermined blocks, and can be used for data exchange with the CPU 709.

  The printer interface unit 706 is a signal input / output unit for the printer engine unit 205, and transmits a data signal from an output buffer register (not shown) and controls communication with the printer engine unit 205.

  A scanner interface unit 705 is an input / output unit for signals with the scanner engine unit 206, and transmits data signals from an output buffer register (not shown) and controls communication with the scanner engine unit 206.

  The system bus 711 has an address bus and a data bus. As shown in the figure, all the functional units connected to the system bus 711 can access each other.

  The general-purpose external bus controller 712 uses an IDE-compliant bus as a general-purpose external bus in the present embodiment, but the effect of the present embodiment is not changed even if other systems such as SCSII are used.

  The hard disk drive unit 714 is connected to the system bus 711 by a general-purpose external bus, and can be accessed from each unit connected to the system bus 711. The CPU 709 logically accesses as a file system.

  The control code for controlling the CPU 709 is composed of an OS that performs time-sharing control in units of load modules called tasks by a system clock (not shown) and a plurality of load modules (tasks) that operate in units of functions.

  When a user issues a print command to a device connected to the network as shown in FIG. 1, for example, when a PC 10 issues a print command for 20 monochrome prints that do not use the finishing function to the MFP 100. think of. The user operates the PC 10 to select the MFP 100 as an output destination in the driver setting, performs a known print setting, and then issues a print start instruction. The print job (print data) here is just a monochrome print. The MFP 100 is a monochrome machine, but has a finishing function and other functions. For this reason, in order to make effective use of the advanced functions as the MFP, in the case of a print job that does not use the finishing function, transfer to another device on the display of the PC 10 and display for substitution are performed. For example, a message such as “Job that can be output to another printer. Do you want to specify another device?” Or “If you do not use the finishing function, please transfer it to another device.” At the same time as the notification, the user is asked whether or not the device can be designated again. FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen displayed on the PC 10 for guiding to transfer / substitution of a print request. The screen shown in FIG. 6 includes an output button 802 that is selected when a user requests printing to the transfer destination device selected by the user, that is, the MFP 100, and a transfer button 804 that is selected when a print job is transferred to another device. ing. The PC 10 accepts button operations by the user by displaying such a screen.

  In this way, for a job that does not use the finishing function, the user can be guided to use another device without using the MFP 100 having the finishing function. Further, it is possible to prevent a job from being transferred to another device without the user's knowledge.

  If the user selects the output button 802 on the screen shown in FIG. 6 and refuses printing with another device, the print job is transmitted to the MFP 100 as it is as initially specified by the user. On the other hand, when the user selects the transfer button 804 and receives an input of a print job transfer instruction, a device having a capability suitable for the print job is presented and the device selection is accepted. Then, the print job is transmitted to the device selected by the user and output. It should be noted that the presentation of a device suitable for the print job capability can be made by using a known technology for selecting a device suitable for the job capability. Here, since it is monochrome printing that does not use the finishing function, SFP 1002 is presented.

The flow up to this point will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In step S301, the user activates the driver on the PC 10 and performs print settings. The print settings in the driver are well known, and settings such as the model to be printed, the output paper size and the number of output sheets, duplex printing, and finishing are performed. After performing desired print settings in step S301, a print start command is issued in step S302. Then, it is determined whether or not there is information regarding finishing in the print information (step S303). Here, in the comparator of MFP 100 that receives a print job (print data), it is detected and compared whether or not there is information regarding finishing (for example, stapling function designation) in the print job. The function of the comparator is realized by functional units such as a CPU 709, a RAM 707, and a ROM 703 included in the controller unit 203 of the MFP 100. The detection result in step S303 is returned to the PC 10 that issued the print command instruction. When it is detected that finishing is not being performed, the PC 10 displays to the user that printing is possible with other devices. This process is step S305. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S303 that the print job uses a specific function of the device (finishing in this embodiment), normal print processing is performed in the MFP 100 without displaying to the user (step S304). ).

  In step S305, a print job that matches the capabilities of the device is presented. A well-known method can be used as a method of presenting an item suitable for the capability of the device. For example, information relating to functions possessed by other devices may be input and stored in MFP 100 in advance, or other devices may be inquired about the functions possessed by each device in step S308. Or it is good also as inquiring only whether it has a finishing function with respect to another apparatus. Using such a method, the MFP 100 acquires information related to the functions of other devices, and determines candidates for other devices to which the print job is to be transferred based on the acquired information.

  By this processing, the PC 10 can present an SFP 1002 that is a black and white machine and has no finishing function, for example. Further, since the SFP 1001 has a finish but is a black and white printer, it can also be presented, and the SFP 1003 which is a color printer can also be cited as a selectable device. The manager can arbitrarily set the ranking of the presentation when presenting the transfer to other devices.

  In response to the presentation in step S305, if the user does not permit the transfer to the other device presented (No route in step S307), a normal printing process is performed in step S306. On the other hand, if the user permits transfer in response to the presentation in step S305 (Yes route in step S307), transfer device candidates are listed and displayed in step S308. The user selects a transfer destination device from the displayed candidates, and instructs printing to start in step S309. This transfer destination device selection processing can be realized by using a known GUI that allows the user to select a desired item in the list.

  In step S305, the example in which the normal print processing is performed in step S306 when the transfer to the other device presented by the user is not permitted (No route in step S307) has been described. If it is desired to prohibit the use of the MFP 100 having the finishing function for a job that does not use, the print job may be canceled without performing normal print processing.

  Here, when the user selects another device, the print job is transferred to the other device using the settings such as the number of prints and the duplex setting that the user has already set (step S310). Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to input the setting contents to the PC 10 again, and it is possible to perform printing in which another device is designated simply by reselecting the device.

  Here, the finishing function has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The Nin1 function for storing an N-page document on one page of recording paper, a layout editing function such as a double-sided printing function, and an image processing function such as a rotation function and density correction. It can be applied to various functions.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, it is determined whether a print job (print data) uses a function of a device that has instructed printing, and a display that leads to transfer of the print job to another device according to the determination result Went. In this embodiment, not only the function of the device that has issued the print instruction is seen, but also the device administrator can intentionally add a condition for transferring a print job. In this way, for example, for a job that uses a specific function, the user can be guided to use another device that mainly uses the specific function.

  In FIG. 1, the MFP 100 is set to prompt the transfer to another device when the administrator finishes with monochrome printing. Then, a print instruction is issued from the PC 11 to the MFP 100. A job to be printed is black and white and requires finishing (for example, a bookbinding function). Hereinafter, assuming such a case, the flow of the print control method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S401, the user activates the driver on the PC 10 and performs print settings. In this case, the MFP 100 is designated as the output destination, and finishing is also set. Next, an instruction to start printing is given in step S402. In step S403, the MFP 100 determines whether the print job uses a specific function (for example, a bookbinding function) or a function specified by the administrator (for example, a duplex printing function). Return to. If either one of the two determination contents corresponds, the PC 10 displays a message prompting the user to transfer to another device (step S405). Here, the transfer is urged if one of the two determination contents is applicable, but a display urging the transfer may be performed when both conditions are met. In this manner, for example, for a job that uses a specific function, it is possible to perform processing that is aggregated by other devices that mainly use the specific function. The MFP 100 can preferentially process other finishing functions (for example, a bookbinding function).

  When the user refuses the transfer (No route in step S407), a normal printing process is performed in step S406. If the device that issued the print command can be processed as a result of the process of determining whether a specific function is used and whether the function specified by the administrator is being used, a normal operation is performed without notifying the user. Printing processing is performed (step S406). On the other hand, if the user permits transfer to another device in response to the presentation in step S405 (Yes route in step S407), the devices that can be selected in step S408 are displayed (for example, SFP 1001 or MFP 101), and the user When the device selects the device and instructs to start printing (step S409), the print job is transferred to the selected device and printing is performed (step S410).

  Here, the detection of the selectable device displayed in step S408 is as described in detail in the first embodiment.

  In addition, in step S407, an example in which normal printing processing is performed in step S406 when transfer to another device presented by the user is not permitted (No route in step S407) has been described. If it is desired to prohibit the use of the MFP 100 for a job that uses the set function, the print job may be canceled without performing normal print processing.

  Here, the finishing function has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various functions such as a layout editing function such as a Nin1 function for storing N pages of originals on one page of recording paper, an image processing function such as a rotation function and density correction, and the like. It can also be applied to.

<Third Embodiment>
In the first and second embodiments, an example of processing for a print job (print data) from a PC has been described. However, in the third embodiment, processing when copying is performed by a printing apparatus having a copy function. Make a description. Hereinafter, in FIG. 1, an example in which copying is attempted with the MFP 100 will be described as an example.

  When the user wants to make a monochrome copy using the MFP 100, the user performs various well-known copy settings on the MFP 100 through the UI screen displayed on the panel unit. The user presses the copy start button after setting the copy. Then, MFP 100 determines whether or not a specific function is used depending on the copy setting. For example, when a unique function is finishing and this finishing (for example, a stapling function) is used by copy setting, normal copy processing is performed as it is. On the other hand, when the copy job does not use finishing, the MFP 100 prompts the user to transfer the copy job to another device through the display of the UI screen in which the copy setting is performed. By doing so, it is possible to guide the user to use another device without using the MFP 100 having the specific function for a job that does not use the specific function. Further, it is possible to prevent a job from being transferred to another device without the user's knowledge. If the user determines that the copy job can be transferred to another device, he / she inputs transfer approval via the UI screen. In response to this input, MFP 100 displays the transfer destination device on the panel unit. When the user inputs that the transfer is rejected in response to the display for prompting the transfer, the MFP 100 performs a normal copy process. On the other hand, when the user inputs that the transfer is permitted in response to the display for prompting the transfer, a transferable device is displayed on the UI. The user can arbitrarily select a transfer device from the displayed candidates. When the device to be transferred is selected by the user, the MFP 100 transfers the copy image to the designated transfer destination, whereby output from before the transfer is performed.

The process so far is shown in the flowchart of FIG. The user performs copy settings on the UI screen of the MFP 100 (step S501). After the setting is completed, the copy start is pressed (step S502). The MFP 100 determines whether a specific function is used from the content of the copy setting (step S503). If the specific function has been used, normal copy printing processing is performed without displaying anything (step S504). If it is determined in step S503 that the specific function is not used, a display prompting transfer to another device is displayed on the UI for which copy settings have been made (step S505). If transfer to another device is rejected (No route in step S507), normal copy processing is performed in step S506. In step S507, an example in which normal copy processing is performed in step S506 when transfer to another device presented by the user is not permitted has been described. However, the administrator specifies a job that does not use a specific function. If it is desired to prohibit the use of MFP 100 having a function, copying may be canceled without performing normal printing processing. When permission is determined in step S505 (Yes route in step S507), transferable devices are displayed on the UI. For example, a message such as “A job that can be output to another printer. Do you want to specify another device?” Or “If you do not use the stapling function, please transfer to another device.” At the same time as the notification, the user is asked whether or not the device can be designated again. Here, the detection of the selectable device displayed in step S508 is as described in detail in the first embodiment. When the transfer destination device is selected and the start of copying is instructed (step S509), the MFP 100 transfers the print job to the selected device, and a copy image is output at the transfer destination (step S510).
This embodiment can be applied to various functions other than those described here.

<Fourth Embodiment>
In the third embodiment, it is determined whether or not the device that has issued the copy instruction uses a specific function, and a display that leads to transfer to another device is performed according to the determination result. In the present embodiment, not only the function of the device that has issued the copy instruction is seen, but the administrator of the device can intentionally add a condition for transferring the copy image to another device. In this way, for example, for a job (print data) that uses a specific function, the user can be guided to use another device that mainly uses the specific function.

  In FIG. 1, the MFP 100 is set to prompt transfer to another device even when the administrator finishes with monochrome printing. Since the MFP 100 has functions such as FAX and transmission, there is an advantage that priority can be given to jobs such as FAX transmission / reception by making such settings. The user instructs MFP 100 to perform a copy operation. The job to be copied is black and white and requires finishing. Assuming such a case, the flow of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S601, the user performs copy settings on the UI of the MFP. Here, finishing is also set. In step S602, a copy start instruction is issued. In step S <b> 603, it is determined whether a specific function (for example, a punch function) is used according to copy settings, and a function (for example, a duplex function) set by an administrator is used. If either one of the two determination contents corresponds, a display prompting the user to transfer to another device is displayed (step S605). By doing so, it is possible to guide the user to use another device without using the MFP 100 having the specific function for a job that does not use the specific function. Further, it is possible to prevent a job from being transferred to another device without the user's knowledge. Here, if one of the two determination contents is applicable, a display prompting the transfer is output. However, if both match, a display prompting the transfer may be performed. If the user refuses to transfer, normal printing processing is performed in MFP 100 in step S606. If the result of the determination is that the device that issued the copy command can process, normal print processing is performed without notifying the user (step S604). If the user does not permit transfer to another device (No route in step S607), the MFP 100 performs normal print processing. If transfer to another device is permitted (Yes route in step S607), devices that can be selected are displayed in step S608 (eg, SFP 1001, MFP 101, etc.). Here, the detection of selectable devices displayed in step S608 is as described in detail in the first embodiment. When the user selects a transfer destination device and gives an instruction to start printing (step S609), the copy image is transferred to the selected device, and the copy image is output at the transfer destination (step S610).

  Here, in step S607, an example in which normal print processing is performed when transfer to another device presented by the user is not permitted (No route in step S607) has been described. If it is desired to prohibit the use of MFP 100 for a job that uses a function, the copy job may be canceled without performing normal printing processing.

  In addition, this embodiment can be applied to various functions other than those described here. Further, the present invention provides a system having a plurality of devices having functions combining the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment, and maximizes the structural features of the device. By setting specific functions that are different from each other so that they can be used in a limited way and transferring them to each other, for example, a device that mainly uses a specific function of the device is specified, and a job that does not depend on structural features The user can be guided to use other devices, and the efficiency of the entire system can be further increased.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various other forms. For example, as long as the MFPs 100 and 101, SFPs 1001, 1002, and 1003 have any of the functions of a printer, a copy, a scanner, and a FAX, the effects of the present invention are not changed even if other devices are used.

  Even if the present invention is applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), it is applied to an apparatus (copier, printer, facsimile machine, etc.) comprising a single device. May be.

  Further, in the present invention, a storage medium storing program codes for realizing the procedures of the flowcharts of the respective drawings for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is stored in a storage medium by a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus. It is also achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like is used. be able to.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. A case where part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instruction of the program code. Also included is a case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a printing apparatus and a printing system according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the image processing apparatus to which this invention is applied. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of an image processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is a figure which shows an example of the display which urges | transfers to another apparatus in this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10, 11 PC
100, 101 MFP
1001, 1002, 1003 SFP
201 External device group 203 Controller unit 204 Panel unit 205 Printer engine unit 206 Scanner engine unit 701 Panel interface unit 702 External interface unit 703 ROM
704 Image processing unit 705 Scanner interface unit 706 Printer interface unit 707 RAM
708 DMA controller 709 CPU
711 System bus 714 HDD unit

Claims (10)

A printing device connected to a network, wherein another printing device is connected to the network;
A determination means for determining whether a specific function of the printing apparatus is used in outputting print data in response to a print request;
If the specific function is not used as a result of determination by the determination unit, a selection unit that receives a selection of a transfer destination of the print data from the other printing apparatuses;
And a transfer unit that transfers the print data to a transfer destination that has received a selection by the selection unit. The selection means includes
An instruction means for receiving an input of an instruction for transferring the print data;
2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit configured to display information regarding the other printing apparatus in response to an instruction input to the instruction unit and to accept selection of the displayed information.   The apparatus further comprises transfer condition setting means for setting a condition for transferring the print data, and the determination means matches an output condition of the print data responding to the print request with the transfer condition set by the transfer condition setting means. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further determining whether or not. A print control device that transmits print data to a plurality of printing devices connected to a network and makes a print request,
Determining means for determining whether or not a specific function of a printing apparatus responding to the print request is used in outputting print data in response to the print request;
If the specific function is not used as a result of determination by the determination unit, a selection unit that receives a selection of a transfer destination of the print data from the plurality of printing apparatuses;
And a transfer unit that transfers the print data to a transfer destination that has received a selection by the selection unit. The selection means includes
An instruction means for receiving an input of an instruction for transferring the print data;
5. The print control apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a unit configured to display information related to the other printing apparatus in response to an instruction input to the instruction unit and to accept selection of the displayed information. .   A condition for transferring the print data is set in the printing apparatus, and the determination unit further determines whether an output condition of the print data in response to the print request matches the set transfer condition. The printing control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printing control apparatus is a printing control apparatus. A printing method executed by a printing device connected to a network, wherein another printing device is connected to the network,
Determining whether a specific function of the printing apparatus is used in outputting print data in response to a print request;
Acquiring information related to the functions of the other printing device and storing the information in a storage device;
If the specific function is not used as a result of the determination, a step of determining a candidate for transferring the print data from among the other printing devices based on information stored in the storage device;
Displaying information on the determined candidate on a display device, and receiving a selection of a transfer destination of the print data from the candidates; and
And a step of transferring the print data to a transfer destination that has received the selection. A print control method executed by a print control apparatus that transmits print data to one of a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to a network and makes a print request,
Determining whether a specific function of a printing apparatus responding to the print request is used in outputting print data in response to the print request;
Acquiring information related to functions of the plurality of printing apparatuses and storing the information in a storage device;
If the specific function is not used as a result of the determination, a step of determining a candidate to transfer the print job from the plurality of printing devices based on information stored in the storage device;
Displaying information on the determined candidate on a display device and receiving a selection of a transfer destination of the print job from the candidates;
And a step of transferring the print data to a transfer destination that has received the selection.   A computer program for causing a computer to function as the printing apparatus according to claim 1. A computer program for causing a computer to function as the print control apparatus according to claim 4.

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