JP2005209027A - Print system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To group printers on a network and allow each printer to share resources, thus enabling the printers on the network to operate efficiently. <P>SOLUTION: This print system has a nonvolatile image storage means for storing at least image data on the same network 150, and has a plurality of image forming apparatuses 100a-100f connected to one another in such a way as to be capable of communicating with one another to form images on recording paper. The print system has a controller 110 that controls image formation in such a manner that one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 100a-100f on the network 150 is set as the main image forming apparatus while the other image forming apparatuses are integrated under control of the main image forming apparatus, so that the resources owned by the integrated image forming apparatuses are virtually shared as one resource. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system in which a plurality of printers and a host computer are connected on a network.

  Conventionally, a system in which a plurality of printers 11a to 11d and a client PC 15 are connected to a network (LAN) 10 shown in FIG. 7 is known. In such a system, printing is performed with a specific printer, and the waiting time is reduced. If the printer to be calculated or the specified printer cannot be printed due to some error, etc., a printer having the same function as the specified printer is searched on the network, and if the corresponding printer is found, Therefore, a technique for performing so-called proxy printing is known.

  In addition, a virtual printer is formed by a plurality of printers and a printer server on the network, information such as the performance and function of each printer is registered in the print server, and the print data from the client is once spooled in the print server. A technique is disclosed in which a utility on a print server or the like distributes printing in accordance with the above information to evenly use printers and efficiently operates a plurality of printers (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-55795 A

  However, in the conventional proxy printing technique as described above, a packet including a specific command is broadcast when searching on the network, so traffic on the network increases. Further, in Patent Document 1, although a virtual printer is formed without changing a printer driver or the like by a user connected to a printer on a network, resources of grouped printers can be effectively used. There wasn't.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and groups printer groups on a network and shares the resources of each printer so that the printers on the network can be efficiently operated. Objective.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 has nonvolatile image storage means for storing at least image data on the same network, and forms an image on recording paper. In a print system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to be able to communicate with each other, one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses on the network is set as a main image forming apparatus, and the other image forming apparatus is set as the main image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming control unit that is integrated under the management of the apparatus and that controls the image forming by virtually sharing the resources of each of the integrated image forming apparatuses as one resource.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected on the same network (the same environment) are integrated as one group, and the resources of each of the grouped image forming apparatuses are integrated. By forming an image by virtually sharing it as one resource, the user can handle it as one device, and an efficient operation is realized.

  The invention according to claim 2 further includes management means for registering information on a plurality of image forming apparatuses on the network and managing resources of each of the image forming apparatuses on the network. And

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, for example, by providing a management means by a management host for managing all the image forming apparatuses in the same environment as the plurality of image forming apparatuses, each of the image forming apparatuses. It is possible to effectively use resources possessed by.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the main image forming apparatus registers information related to other image forming apparatuses on the network, and manages resources of each image forming apparatus.

  According to the invention of claim 3, in claim 1, the main image forming apparatus registers information related to other image forming apparatuses on the network and manages the resources of each image forming apparatus. It is possible to effectively use the resources of each image forming apparatus without providing special management means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, information relating to the image forming apparatus is registered when connected to the same network.

  According to the invention of claim 4, in claim 2 or 3, when the image forming apparatus is connected to the same network, information relating to the image forming apparatus is registered, so that a complicated operation is not performed. It can be used virtually as one device.

  The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that information relating to the image forming apparatus is registered when the image forming apparatus connected to the same network is turned on.

  According to the invention of claim 5, in claim 4, only information that is operating is managed by registering information relating to the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus connected to the same network is turned on. It becomes possible.

  The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that, for each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected on the same network, it is possible to set whether to register information regarding the image forming apparatus.

  According to the invention of claim 6, in claim 1, 2 or 3, for each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected on the same network, whether to register information relating to the image forming apparatus is set. The registration function of a specific image forming apparatus can be invalidated.

  The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the information of the image forming apparatus sharing the resource can be browsed on the Web.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the information of the image forming apparatus that is sharing resources can be browsed on the Web. It becomes possible to confirm.

  The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the integrated image forming apparatus is designated to instruct image formation.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, by specifying the integrated image forming apparatus and instructing image formation, the state of the specific image forming apparatus is not conscious. Image formation can be performed.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, when designating the integrated image forming apparatus and instructing image formation, the usage status and performance information of each image forming apparatus is acquired, and is suitable for the image formation. An image forming apparatus is selected.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, when the integrated image forming apparatus is designated and image formation is instructed, usage status and performance information of each image forming apparatus is acquired. By selecting an image forming apparatus suitable for the image formation, output that matches the printing conditions designated by the user can be performed.

  The invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that each function can be designated when designating the integrated image forming apparatus and instructing image formation.

  According to the invention of claim 10, in claim 9, when the integrated image forming apparatus is designated and image formation is instructed, the user can change the apparatus by allowing each function to be designated. It is possible to provide a printing environment in which each function can be used without the need.

  The invention according to an eleventh aspect is further characterized by comprising authentication means for performing user authentication when the resource is shared and an image is output from the image forming apparatus.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to tenth aspects, when a resource is shared and an image is output from the image forming apparatus, user authentication is performed so that the user can perform the function. It becomes possible to limit.

  The invention according to claim 12 is characterized in that the shared resource is at least the image storage means.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the storage capacity of the image storage means on the group is shared by sharing at least the non-volatile image storage means for storing the image data. Can be effectively utilized.

  The printing system according to the present invention (Claim 1) integrates a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected on the same network (the same environment) as one group, and each of the grouped image forming apparatuses has. Since it is possible to perform image formation by virtually sharing resources as one resource, the user can handle it as one device, and an efficient operation is realized.

  Further, the printing system according to the present invention (Claim 2) is provided with management means by the management host for managing all image forming apparatuses in the same environment as the plurality of image forming apparatuses in Claim 1, for example. There is an effect that the resources of each image forming apparatus can be used effectively.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system according to the first aspect, wherein the main image forming apparatus registers information relating to other image forming apparatuses on the network and manages resources possessed by the respective image forming apparatuses. Therefore, it is possible to effectively use the resources of each image forming apparatus without providing any special management means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the print system according to the second or third aspect, when the image forming apparatus is connected to the same network, information relating to the image forming apparatus is registered. There is an effect that it can be virtually used as one device without performing.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system according to the fourth aspect, wherein the image forming apparatus connected to the same network is registered to register information related to the image forming apparatus when the power is turned on. There is an effect that only the forming apparatus can be managed without waste.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the print system according to the first, second, or third aspect, for each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected on the same network, whether or not information relating to the image forming apparatus can be registered is determined. Therefore, the registration function of the specific image forming apparatus can be disabled.

  Further, since the printing system according to the present invention (Claim 7) can browse the information of the image forming apparatus that is sharing the resources on the Web, the user or the administrator can display the information and the state. There is an effect that it can be easily confirmed.

  In addition, since the print system according to the present invention (invention 8) can instruct image formation by specifying an integrated image forming apparatus in claim 1 or 2, the print system of a specific image forming apparatus There is an effect that image formation can be performed without being aware of the state.

  The printing system according to the present invention (Claim 9) is the usage status and performance of each image forming apparatus when instructing image formation by designating the integrated image forming apparatus in Claim 1 or 2. Since the information is acquired and the image forming apparatus suitable for the image formation is selected, it is possible to perform output that matches the printing conditions designated by the user.

  In the print system according to the present invention (claim 10), the function can be designated when the integrated image forming apparatus is designated and the image forming instruction is given. There is an effect that it is possible to provide a printing environment in which each function can be used without changing the apparatus.

  A printing system according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the printing system according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, in order to perform user authentication when sharing resources and outputting an image from the image forming apparatus. With this, the function can be limited.

  In addition, since the printing system according to the present invention (claim 12) shares at least the non-volatile image storage means for storing the image data, the storage capacity of the image storage means on the group can be increased. There is an effect that can be used effectively.

  Exemplary embodiments of a printing system according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In the present invention, a plurality of printers connected on the same network are grouped into one group, the resources are virtually used as one, and printing is not performed by specifying a driver for each specific model. It is possible to print with a driver that has all the functions and resources (HHD, etc.) of the grouped printers. This will be specifically described below.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer in a print system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printer 100 is mainly composed of an engine 105 that forms print data on recording paper according to a predetermined process, converts print data according to a predetermined page description language, and has a print correction mode set by the main body or a driver. And a controller 110 for converting the video data into the engine 105 and sending it to the engine 105, and an SDI / F 121 as an interface or insertion slot for a removable external storage medium. Note that when a card is inserted into this slot, it can be determined whether or not the card is inserted by a change in voltage or the like (hot plugging / unplugging).

  The controller 110 includes a CPU 111, RAM 112, ROM 113, font ROM 114, ASIC 115, engine I / F 116, host I / F 117, HDD (hard disk drive) 118, NIC 119, and timer 120.

  The CPU 111 comprehensively controls the entire controller 110 according to a control program. A RAM 112 is a working memory during control processing by the CPU 111, a buffer for managing and temporarily storing data from the host PC 130 in units of pages, and a bitmap memory for storing video data by converting the data stored in the buffer into an actual print pattern Used as such. The ROM 113 stores a control program for the CPU 111 so that it can be read. The font ROM 114 stores various font information that is actually used.

  The engine I / F 116 is an interface for exchanging control signals from the controller 110 to the engine 105 and engine status signals to the controller 110. The host I / F 117 is an interface for data transmission from the host PC 130 to the printer 100, status signals from the printer 100 to the host PC 130, and data reception. The HDD 118 stores document data, related information, print data, and the like. The NIC 119 is an interface for network connection. The timer 120 always measures the current time.

  In the printer 100 configured as described above, when the print command from the host PC 130 or the data received from the host PC 130 exceeds one page, the controller 110 first converts the intermediate code into video data. A print start command is output to the engine 105 via the I / F 116. This operation is repeated, and the data from the host PC 130 is actually printed on the recording paper by the engine 105.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration in which the printer 100 and the like are connected to a network, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the system of FIG. 2 in an image. In this system, a plurality of the above-described printers 100 (100a to 100f (FIG. 2) and 100a to 100g (FIG. 3) in this example) are connected to a network 105, and a host PC 130 and a management host PC 135 are further connected. . Of course, a plurality of these printers may have the same or different functions such as printing speed, memory capacity, resolution, recording paper stacking capacity, and driver.

  This network 150 is classified into a WAN (Wide Area Network) connected to the outside via a public line or a dedicated line, and a LAN (Local Area Network) that constructs a network on the same site. Any method may be used. In addition, when the Internet function is provided, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) may be used. Furthermore, it is of course possible to use a wireless LAN connection.

  As shown in these drawings, the above printers group printers in the same environment, virtually have a single printer resource such as the HDD 118, and one printer or host PC serves as an outlet for the outside. This makes it possible to treat this group of printers as a single printer.

  2 and 3, first, among a plurality of grouped printers, a printer serving as a host (hereinafter referred to as a main printer, here, the printer 100a corresponds) or a management PC (here, the management host PC 135 is included). Determine). A printer other than the main printer is treated as a sub printer. When the main printer is turned on or newly connected to the network, printer information indicating that it is a sub printer is registered by a plug and play method.

  At this point, the resources such as the HDD 118 of the sub printer (printer other than the printer 100a in this example) are mounted on the main printer (printer 100a in this example) or the management PC (actually export (EXPORT) )). In this state, the HDD 118 and the like mounted on the main printer or management PC are all under the management of the main printer or management PC. That is, the capacity of all the HDDs 118 in this printer group functions as if possessed by the main printer. For example, when direct printing such as storage is performed on the main printer, the sizes of the HDDs 118 of all grouped printers can be used. When a print instruction is given to another sub-printer, it can be used as usual.

  At this time, if there is a change in the size information of the storage medium such as each HDD 118, each sub-printer notifies the main printer of a state change. Similarly, the sub printer (printer other than the printer 100a in this example) is connected to the main printer (printer 100a in this example) even when an error such as a conveyance jam, supply end, or service man call occurs. A notification to that effect is transmitted by a predetermined signal.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an authentication function in the controller of this print system. Here, the print data 121 is held in the controller 110 of the printer 110 and an authentication information file 122 is prepared, and user authentication is performed by collating this with the authentication input information 123 input by the user. In this way, when the print group is grouped and the print function is shared, the user is authenticated to limit the function and improve security.

  Next, the operation of registering sub printer information in the main printer will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is centrally executed by the CPU 111. When the power is turned on (step S11), first, initialization is performed in the same manner as in a normal single start-up (step S12), and setting information stored in a nonvolatile memory or the like in the printer 100 is read (step S13). ). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the setting registered in the main printer is valid (step S14). If the setting registered in the main printer is valid here, the main printer is connected (step S15). It is determined whether or not the connection is successful (step S16). If it is confirmed that the main printer is connected, the information is registered (step S17). On the other hand, if the connection cannot be established in step S16, it is further determined whether or not the predetermined retry count limit has been exceeded (step S18). If it is determined that the limit has been exceeded, registration is terminated (step S19). If not, the process returns to step S15. If it is determined in step S14 that the setting is not valid, the registration process is terminated (step). Further, after this information is registered, the sub printer mounts the disk (HDD 118) on the main printer (step S20), so that the disk (HDD 118) can be shared.

  The sub printer or main printer always communicates in both directions, and manages so that appropriate data processing, unmount processing, and the like are possible when the power is turned off. Also, whether the printers connected on the same network 150 are to be grouped, or among the printers to be grouped, which is the main printer or sub-printer is set on the Web or the panel of each printer. Set from Further, when acquiring information such as which printer is the main printer, a specific command is transmitted to either the Web or the printers directly grouped. As a result, the administrator can obtain information about each printer currently grouped in advance.

  Further, when the above grouped printer driver is selected (actually, the printer communicates with the main printer or the management PC in the grouped printer), all the printers registered in the group The function is provided as information to the client PC (host PC 130). The information is displayed on the driver UI according to this information, and the functions of each grouped printer can be designated from the client PC (host PC 130). The user can install drivers for all models, Make it possible to use the functions of each printer with minimal effort such as changing to a driver.

  If there are many printers that can use the same function, the printer is selected according to information such as the usage status and performance of each printer, or which printer the user has prioritized. Also, when printing to a grouped printer, the user can add conditions such as whether or not output from which printer is possible. A notification that printing cannot be performed shall be made.

  Next, use the virtual printer driver from the client PC (host PC 130) to instruct the main printer to execute printing, and refer to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 for an example of printing using a printer that matches the specified conditions. To explain.

  In FIG. 6, when there is a print instruction from the client PC (host PC 130), first, the virtual printer driver is opened (step S31), and information is inquired to the main printer (step S32). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the information has been successfully acquired (step S33). If the information has been successfully acquired, all functions are displayed on the UI based on the acquired information (step S34), and printing is further performed by the main printer. It is determined whether or not to execute (step S35), and if printing is not performed by the main printer, this operation is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the information could not be acquired in step S33, it is further determined whether or not the predetermined retry count has been exceeded (step S36). If the limit count has been exceeded, the default function is registered (step S36). The process proceeds to S34).

  If it is determined in step S35 that printing is to be performed by the main printer, transfer is started (step S38), and it is determined whether or not the connection is successful (step S39). If the connection cannot be established, it is further determined whether or not the retry limit has been exceeded (step S40). If the retry limit has been exceeded, the operation is terminated. Return to, and repeat the same operation.

  If it is determined in step S39 that the connection is successful, the data is received (step S41), and the print data is analyzed to determine the printer to be printed (step S42). Subsequently, transfer of print data is started (step S43), and it is determined whether or not the connection is successful (step S44). If the connection is successful, data reception is started (step S45), the main printer is notified of the end of printing (step S46), and this operation is terminated.

  If the connection is not successful in step S44, it is further determined whether or not the retry limit has been exceeded (step S447). If the retry limit is exceeded, the client is notified (step S48). End the operation.

  As described above, the printing system according to the present invention is useful for a system that connects a plurality of printers and host computers on a network and prints printing data from the host computers or printing data held by the printers. In particular, the present invention is suitable for a printing system that groups printer groups connected on a network, shares the resources of the printer groups, and functions as a single printer.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer in a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration in which a printer or the like is connected to a network. It is explanatory drawing which showed the system of FIG. 2 with the image. It is a block diagram which shows the authentication function in the controller of the printing system concerning embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of registering information of a sub printer in the main printer in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a printing operation by a virtual printer driver in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the conventional print system.

Explanation of symbols

100a to f Printer 105 Engine 110 Controller 111 CPU
118 HDD
122 Authentication Information File 123 Authentication Input Information 130 Host PC
135 Management host PC

Claims (12)

In a print system having a non-volatile image storage means for storing at least image data on the same network, and connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses for forming images on recording paper so that they can communicate with each other.
One of the plurality of image forming apparatuses on the network is set as a main image forming apparatus, and the other image forming apparatuses are integrated under the management of the main image forming apparatus. What is claimed is: 1. A printing system comprising image forming control means for controlling image formation by virtually sharing a resource as one resource.   2. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising management means for registering information on a plurality of image forming apparatuses on the network and managing resources of each of the image forming apparatuses on the network. .   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the main image forming apparatus registers information related to other image forming apparatuses on the network and manages resources of each of the image forming apparatuses.   4. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein information relating to the image forming apparatus is registered when connected to the same network.   5. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein information relating to the image forming apparatus is registered when the image forming apparatus connected on the same network is turned on.   4. The print system according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein for each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected on the same network, it is possible to set whether to register information relating to the image forming apparatus.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein information on the image forming apparatus that shares the resource can be browsed on the Web.   3. The print system according to claim 1, wherein the integrated image forming apparatus is designated to instruct image formation.   When instructing image formation by designating the integrated image forming apparatus, use status and performance information of each image forming apparatus is acquired, and an image forming apparatus suitable for the image formation is selected. The printing system according to claim 1 or 2.   10. The printing system according to claim 9, wherein each function can be designated when designating the integrated image forming apparatus and instructing image formation.   The print system according to claim 1, further comprising an authentication unit that performs user authentication when the resource is shared and an image is output from the image forming apparatus. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the shared resource is at least the image storage unit.

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