JP2006092577A - Image processor, and computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and surely obtain a print result desired by a user in another printer even in case of error of a printer to be used for printing. <P>SOLUTION: When error occurs in the printer to be used for printing among a plurality of printers sharable through a network 22, preliminarily formed print data which are inputted by a print data input processing part 18 are analyzed by a print language analysis part 31 to acquire a print language, and print languages supported by candidates of surrogate printing printers registered in a surrogate printing printer registration part 14 or candidates of surrogate printing printers retrieved from the network by a network printer detection part 15 are acquired by a support print language acquisition part 32. A printer which supports the print language acquired by the print language analysis part 31 is extracted as a surrogate-printable printer by a processing part 33 for selection of surrogate printing printer by print language. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a personal computer or a workstation connected with a plurality of printers via a network, and a floppy disk (registered trademark) in which a program as a printer driver used in the computer of the image processing apparatus is recorded, The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium such as an optical disk and a hard disk.

  In general, in an image processing apparatus as described above, an internal computer (CPU) creates print data such as a document according to an operation of a keyboard or the like on a monitor screen by an application program (hereinafter also simply referred to as “application”). When an instruction to start printing is issued by operating the keyboard or the like, the print data from the application is transmitted by the printer driver to a preselected printer via the network for printing.

By the way, in the image processing apparatus as described above, the internal computer monitors the status of each printer that can be shared via the network, and when an error occurs in the printer that is to be used for printing, the other printer is substituted. Some printers are selected as printing printers and cause the printers to perform printing. The proxy printing process and the image processing apparatus that performs the process will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part of a personal computer (hereinafter simply referred to as “personal computer”) which is a conventional image processing apparatus.

  The personal computer 100 includes a network interface (hereinafter, “interface” is abbreviated as “I / F”) 11, various I / Fs of the input / output I / F 12, storage device I / F 13, proxy printing printer registration unit 14, network A printer detection unit 15, a printer status acquisition unit 16, a proxy printing printer selection processing unit 17 based on status, a print data input processing unit 18, a print data transmission unit 19, an input / output device 20, and a storage device 21 are provided.

Each unit except the input / output device 20 and the storage device 21 constitutes an internal computer (CPU).
The network I / F 11 controls communication with a plurality of printers via a network 22 such as a local area network (LAN).
The input / output I / F 12 controls input / output of signals to / from the input / output device 20.
The storage device I / F 13 controls data input / output with the storage device 21.

The proxy printing printer registration unit 14 selectively registers a plurality of printers that can be shared via the network 22 as candidates for the proxy printing printer by an operation signal from the keyboard of the input / output device 20 or the like.
The network printer detection unit 15 acquires candidates for proxy printing printers from a plurality of printers that can be shared via the network 22 by searching the network 22 by broadcast.

The printer status acquisition unit 16 acquires the status (status) of a plurality of printers (each printer on the network 22) that can be shared via the network 22.
The proxy printing printer selection processing unit 17 according to status performs processing for selecting a proxy printing printer, which will be described in detail later.
The print data input processing unit 18 inputs print data created in advance.

The print data transmission unit 19 transmits the print data input by the print data input processing unit 18 to any printer on the network 22 via the network I / F 11 and the network 22.
The input / output device 20 includes an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse for inputting various information, and a monitor (output device) for displaying various information.

The storage device 21 is a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk or an externally removable floppy disk (registered trademark) or an optical disk, in which various programs including a program as a printer driver are recorded.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of proxy printing processing in the personal computer 100 shown in FIG.

  In the personal computer 100, when an error occurs in the printer to be used for printing, the processing of FIG. 7 is started. First, among the plurality of printers that can be shared via the network 22 in step 1, the proxy printing printer registration unit 14 in advance. A registered (registered) substitute print printer candidate or a substitute print printer candidate searched from the network 22 by the network printer detection unit 15 is acquired, and in step 2 the printer status acquisition unit 16 from the substitute print printer candidate. To get the status.

  Next, in step 3, based on the status of the proxy printing printer candidate, the proxy printing printer selection processing unit 17 by status deletes the printer that does not meet the conditions of the proxy printing printer from the proxy printing printer candidate, A printer that satisfies the conditions of the proxy printing printer is extracted as a printer that can perform proxy printing, and one of the candidates for the proxy printing printer (the proxy printing printer extracted based on the status) remaining in step 4 is set to a preset priority (priority). Select automatically based on (rank) (select the printer with the highest priority).

In step 4, the remaining proxy print printer candidates (the proxy print printer extracted based on the status) are displayed on the monitor of the input / output device 20, and the user operates the keyboard, mouse, or the like of the input / output device 20. Can also be selected.
Thereafter, in step 5, the print data input by the print data input processing unit 18 is transmitted by the print data transmission unit 19 via the network I / F 11 and the network 22 to the substitute print printer previously selected for printing. .

  However, since there are various printers in the office, the proxy printing printer selected by the above processing supports the printing language that is supported by the printer in which the error occurred, that is, the printer that was to be used for printing. In some cases, the printing conditions that can be set by the printer cannot be set, and the user cannot always obtain the desired printing result.

  In order to surely obtain the desired print result, the user himself / herself checks the print language supported by each printer on the network 22 and the print conditions that can be set by operating the keyboard of the personal computer 100, etc. It was necessary to select an alternate printing printer that could reliably obtain the result, and to send print data to the printer, which was very time-consuming.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a user desires even when an error occurs in a printer to be used for printing among a plurality of printers that the image processing apparatus can share via a network. It is an object of the present invention to make it possible to obtain a print result easily and reliably by another printer.

In order to achieve the above object, the first to third aspects of the present invention provide a computer-readable recording medium on which a program shown in each of the following (1) to (3) is recorded.
(1) When an error occurs in a printer that is to be used for printing among a plurality of printers that can be shared and used via a network in the computer of the image processing apparatus, a print language is analyzed by analyzing print data created in advance. Print language analysis function to acquire the printer, and if an error occurs in the printer to be used for the above printing, printing supported by a proxy printing printer registered in advance or a proxy printing printer candidate searched from the network Based on the supported print language acquisition function for acquiring the language, the print language acquired by the function, and the print language acquired by the print language analysis function, a printer that supports the print language is extracted as a printer capable of proxy printing. The print language can be printed by the proxy print printer extraction function based on the print language and the print language analysis function. Printer model acquisition function for acquiring the model of the printer in which the error has occurred and the candidate printer model for the proxy printing, and the printer model in which the error has been acquired and the proxy printing acquired by the function. A program for realizing a proxy printing printer extraction function based on a printer model that extracts a printer that matches the printer model in which the error has occurred as a printer capable of proxy printing based on a printer candidate model.

(2) The program of (1) includes a print condition analysis function for analyzing the print data and obtaining the print condition of the printer to be used when an error occurs in the printer to be used for the printing, and printing. A print condition acquisition function for acquiring a print condition that can be set by a proxy print printer candidate extracted by a proxy print printer extraction function by language or a proxy print printer extraction function by printer model, the print condition acquired by the function, and the print A program for causing the computer to realize a substitute printing printer extraction function based on a printing condition for further extracting a printer capable of setting the printing condition as a printer capable of substitute printing based on the printing condition acquired by the condition analysis function Including.

(3) The program of (2) analyzes a print history acquisition function for acquiring a print history of a substitute print printer candidate extracted by a substitute print printer extraction function according to a print condition, and a print history acquired by the function. A program that causes the computer to implement a proxy printing printer extraction function based on a print history that determines a printer that can perform proxy printing and further extracts the printer as a printer capable of proxy printing.

In order to achieve the above object, the inventions of claims 4 to 6 provide image processing apparatuses shown in the following (4) to (6), respectively.
(4) Print language analysis means for analyzing print data created in advance and acquiring a print language when an error occurs in a printer that is to be used for printing among a plurality of printers that can be shared via a network And if there is an error in the printer that is going to be used for printing, a supported print language that obtains a print language supported by a pre-registered proxy print printer or a proxy print printer candidate retrieved from the network Proxy printing printer extraction using a print language that extracts a printer that supports the print language as a printer capable of proxy printing based on the acquisition unit, the print language acquired by the unit, and the print language acquired by the print language analysis unit If the print language cannot be obtained by the Based on the printer model acquisition means for acquiring the model of the printer in which the error has occurred and the candidate model of the proxy printing printer, the model of the printer in which the error has occurred and the candidate model of the proxy printing printer acquired by the means An image processing apparatus comprising: a substitute printer extracting unit based on a printer model that extracts a printer that matches the model of the printer in which the error has occurred as a printer capable of substitute printing.

(5) In the image processing apparatus according to (4), when an error occurs in the printer to be used for the printing, a printing condition analysis unit that analyzes the printing data and acquires a printing condition of the printer to be used; Print condition acquisition means for acquiring print conditions that can be set by a substitute print printer candidate extracted by the proxy print printer extraction means by the print language or the proxy print printer extraction means by the printer model, and the print conditions and prints acquired by the means An image processing apparatus comprising: a substitute printing printer extracting unit based on a printing condition for further extracting a printer capable of setting the printing condition as a printer capable of substitute printing based on the printing condition acquired by the condition analyzing unit.

(6) In the image processing apparatus of (5), a print history acquisition unit that acquires a print history of a proxy print printer candidate extracted by a proxy print printer extraction unit according to a print condition, and a print history acquired by the unit is analyzed An image processing apparatus provided with proxy printing printer extraction means based on a print history for determining a printer capable of proxy printing and further extracting the printer as a printer capable of proxy printing.

According to the first and fourth aspects of the present invention, even when an error occurs in a printer that is to be used for printing among a plurality of printers that can be shared via the network by the image processing apparatus, it is possible to easily obtain a print result desired by the user. And it can be reliably obtained by another printer.
According to the second and fifth aspects of the present invention, even when an error occurs in a printer that is to be used for printing among a plurality of printers that can be shared by the image processing apparatus via the network, it is possible to easily obtain a print result desired by the user. And it can be obtained reliably and accurately by other printers.
According to the third and sixth aspects of the present invention, even when an error occurs in a printer that is to be used for printing among a plurality of printers that can be shared by the image processing apparatus via the network, it is possible to easily obtain a print result desired by the user. And it can be obtained more reliably and accurately by other printers.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printer system including a plurality of personal computers and a plurality of printers, which are image processing apparatuses according to the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

This printer system includes a plurality of personal computers (other image processing apparatuses such as workstations) 1a, 1b, 1c,..., 1n and a plurality of printers (other image forming devices such as digital copiers having a printer function). 2a, 2b,..., 2n and a network 22 for connecting them to each other.
1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of main parts of the personal computers 1a, 1b, 1c,..., 1n, and the same parts as those in FIG.

  Each of the personal computers 1a, 1b, 1c,..., 1n includes the network I / F 11, the input / output I / F 12, the storage I / F 13, the substitute print printer registration unit 14, and the network printer. A detection unit 15, a printer status acquisition unit 16, a proxy printing printer selection processing unit 17 based on status, a print data input processing unit 18, and a print data transmission unit 19 are provided.

  In addition, the print language analysis unit 31, the supported print language acquisition unit 32, the proxy print printer selection processing unit 33 based on the print language, the original printer information unit 34, the printer model acquisition unit 35, the proxy print printer selection processing unit 36 based on the printer model, Printing condition analysis unit 37, printing condition acquisition unit 38, proxy printing printer selection processing unit 39 based on printing conditions, printing history acquisition unit 40, proxy printing printer selection processing unit 41 based on printing history, input / output device 20, storage device 21 ′ And.

Each unit except the input / output device 20 and the storage device 21 ′ constitutes an internal computer (CPU).
The print language analysis unit 31 corresponds to the print language analysis means of claim 4 and is intended to be used for printing among a plurality of printers 2a, 2b,..., 2n that can be shared and used via the network 22. When an error occurs in the printer, the print data (prepared print data) input by the print data input processing unit 18 is analyzed to acquire a print language.

  The support print language acquisition unit 32 corresponds to the support print language acquisition unit of claim 4 and is registered in advance in the proxy print printer registration unit 14 when an error occurs in the printer to be used for the printing. The printing language supported by the candidate of the substitute print printer being searched or the candidate of the substitute print printer searched from the network 22 by the network printer detection unit 15 is acquired.

  The proxy print printer selection processing unit 33 according to the print language has a function as the proxy print printer extraction unit of claim 4, and is acquired by the print language acquired by the supported print language acquisition unit 32 and the print language analysis unit 31. Based on the print language, a printer that supports the print language is extracted as a printer capable of proxy printing.

The original printer information section 34 stores the model of the original printer to be used for printing.
The printer model acquisition unit 35 corresponds to the printer model acquisition unit of claim 4, and if the print language analysis unit 31 cannot acquire the print language, the model of the printer (original printer) in which an error has occurred. And the above-mentioned proxy printer candidate models are acquired.

  The proxy printing printer selection processing unit 36 based on the printer model has a function as a proxy printing printer extracting means based on the printer model of claim 4. Based on the candidate printer model for the proxy printing, a printer that matches the model of the printer in which the error has occurred is extracted as a printer capable of proxy printing.

The print condition analysis unit 37 corresponds to the print condition analysis unit according to claim 5, and print data input by the print data input processing unit 18 when an error occurs in the printer to be used for the printing. To obtain the printing conditions of the printer to be used.
The printing condition acquisition unit 38 corresponds to the printing condition acquisition unit of claim 5, and the proxy printing printer extracted by the proxy printing printer selection processing unit 33 based on the print language or the proxy printing printer selection processing unit 36 based on the printer model. Get the print conditions that can be set as candidates.

  The proxy printing printer selection processing unit 39 based on the printing conditions has a function as a proxy printing printer extraction unit based on the printing conditions of claim 5, and the printing conditions acquired by the printing condition acquisition unit 38 and the printing condition analysis unit 37 Based on the acquired printing conditions, a printer capable of setting the printing conditions is further extracted as a printer capable of proxy printing.

The print history acquisition unit 40 corresponds to a print history acquisition unit according to a sixth aspect of the invention, and acquires a print history of proxy print printer candidates extracted by the proxy print printer selection processing unit 39 according to print conditions.
The proxy printing printer selection processing unit 41 based on the printing history analyzes the printing history acquired by the printing history acquisition unit 40 to determine a printer capable of proxy printing, and further extracts the printer as a printer capable of proxy printing.

  The storage device 21 'is a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk or an externally removable floppy disk (registered trademark) or an optical disk, in which various programs including a program as a printer driver are recorded. The storage device 21 'also serves as a computer-readable recording medium according to claims 1 to 3. In practice, the computer (CPU) can perform the functions of the above-described units by operating according to the program.

In the following, the processing according to the present invention, which is executed by the program of the storage device 21 'by each unit constituting the computers 1a, 1b, 1c,..., 1n shown in FIG.
First, the proxy printing process according to the invention of claim 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the printer selection process according to the first aspect of the present invention, and is added between steps 3 and 4 of the flowchart of the proxy printing process shown in FIG.
Each of the personal computers 1a, 1b, 1c,..., 1n starts proxy printing processing when an error occurs in the printer to be used for printing.

  First, in the same manner as described above, among the plurality of printers 2a, 2b,..., 2n that can be shared via the network in step 1, the proxy printing printer registered in advance (registered) in the proxy printing printer registration unit 14 Or a substitute printer candidate searched from the network 22 by the network printer detection unit 15, and the status is obtained by the printer status acquisition unit 16 from the substitute print printer candidate in step 2.

  Next, in step 3, based on the status of the proxy printing printer candidate, the proxy printing printer selection processing unit 17 by status deletes the printer that does not meet the conditions of the proxy printing printer from the proxy printing printer candidate, A printer that meets the conditions of the proxy printing printer is extracted as a printer capable of proxy printing.

  Subsequently, in step 11, the print data input by the print data input processing unit 18 is analyzed by the print language analysis unit 31 to obtain a print language, and in step 12 the print data is acquired. It is determined whether or not the print language can be acquired by analyzing the print data. If the print language can be acquired, the print language supported by the alternative print printer candidate (substitute print printer extracted based on the status) remaining in step 13 is supported. Obtained by the language obtaining unit 32.

  Next, based on the print language acquired by the supported print language acquisition unit 32 and the print language acquired by the print language analysis unit 31 by the proxy print printer selection processing unit 33 based on the print language in step 14, the print language (the above print language) The printer that does not support the print language obtained by analyzing the data is deleted from the remaining proxy print printer candidates (the proxy print printer extracted based on the status), so that the printer that supports the print language is substituted. Extract as a printable printer.

  On the other hand, if the print language cannot be acquired by analyzing the print data, the printer model acquisition unit 35 in steps 15 and 16 determines the model of the printer (original printer) in which the error has occurred and the remaining proxy print printer. After acquiring the models of candidates (substitute printing printers extracted based on the status), the process of step 17 is performed.

  That is, the model of the printer in which the error has occurred and the remaining proxy printing printer candidates (substitute printing printers extracted by the status) acquired by the printer model acquisition unit 35 by the proxy printing printer selection processing unit 36 based on the printer model. Based on the above, by deleting a printer that is different from the printer model in which the error has occurred from the remaining proxy printing printer candidates, a printer that matches the printer model in which the error has occurred is extracted as a printer capable of proxy printing To do.

  After performing the process of step 14 or 17, one of the remaining proxy print printer candidates (the proxy print printer extracted according to the print language or printer model) is preset in step 4 of FIG. Select automatically based on priority (select the printer with the highest priority).

The remaining proxy printing printer candidates can be displayed in a list on the monitor of the input / output device 20, and any of them can be selected by the user by operating the keyboard of the input / output device 20.
Thereafter, in step 5, the print data input by the print data input processing unit 18 is transmitted by the print data transmission unit 19 via the network I / F 11 and the network 22 to the substitute print printer previously selected for printing. .

  In this way, each part constituting the computers of the personal computers 1a, 1b, 1c,..., 1n uses a program of the storage device 21 ', and a plurality of printers 2a, 2b,. , 2n, when an error occurs in a printer to be used for printing, usually, print data created in advance is analyzed to obtain a print language, and a pre-registered proxy print printer or network 22 Get the print language supported by the substitute print printer candidates searched from above (actually, the substitute print printer candidates extracted according to the status), and support the print language obtained by analyzing the print data Process to extract existing printers (new proxy printing printer candidates) as printers capable of proxy printing However, if the print language cannot be acquired by analyzing the print data, the printer model in which the error has occurred and the candidate printer model for the substitute printer are acquired, and the printer model in which the error has occurred By extracting matching printers (new proxy printing printer candidates) as printers that can perform proxy printing, even if an error occurs in a printer that is to be used for printing, the user can easily and reliably obtain the desired printing result. It can be obtained by another printer (substitute printing printer).

  That is, after extracting a printer that supports the print language obtained by analyzing the print data or a printer that matches the model of the printer in which an error has occurred, one of the extracted printers is extracted. If a table is automatically selected based on a preset priority, the above-described effects can be obtained by sending print data created in advance to the selected printer for printing. .

  Alternatively, a printer that supports a print language obtained by analyzing print data or a printer that matches the model of the printer in which an error has occurred is extracted as a printer that can perform proxy printing, and the extracted printer is stored in the input / output device 20. If a list is displayed on the monitor and the user can select one of them by operating the keyboard or the like of the input / output device 20, print data created in advance is transmitted to the printer selected by the user for printing. By performing it, the above-described effects can be obtained.

Next, the proxy printing process according to the invention of claim 2 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a part of the printer selection processing according to the second aspect of the present invention, and is added between steps 14 and 17 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 and step 4 in the flowchart shown in FIG. .

  Each of the personal computers 1a, 1b, 1c,..., 1n starts the proxy printing process when an error occurs in the printer to be used for printing, and similarly to the process according to the first aspect of the present invention, FIG. 3 are sequentially performed, and the print data input by the print data input processing unit 18 by the print condition analysis unit 37 in step 21 of FIG. Data) is analyzed to obtain the printing conditions of the printer to be used.

Here, the printing conditions include a paper feeding method (paper feeding tray, paper size, etc.), a printing method (double-sided printing, etc.), and a paper ejection method (paper ejection tray, sort, stack, staple, punch, print post, etc.). .
Next, in step 22, the print condition acquisition unit 38 acquires print conditions that can be set by the substitute print printer candidates (substitute print printers extracted by the print language or printer model) remaining in the process of step 14 or 17 in FIG. To do.

  Next, in step 23, the proxy printing printer selection processing unit 39 based on the printing conditions sets the printing conditions based on the printing conditions acquired by the printing condition acquisition unit 38 and the printing conditions acquired by the printing condition analysis unit 37. From the remaining proxy print printer candidates (substitute print printers extracted according to the print language or printer model) that cannot be used (the printer does not support the printing conditions of the printer to be used obtained by analyzing the print data) By deleting, a printer that can set the printing condition (supporting the printing condition of the printer to be used obtained by analyzing the print data) is further extracted as a printer capable of proxy printing.

  After performing the process of step 23, one of the remaining substitute print printer candidates (substitute print printers extracted according to print conditions) remaining in step 4 of FIG. 7 is automatically selected based on a preset priority. (Select the printer with the highest priority).

The remaining proxy printing printer candidates can be displayed in a list on the monitor of the input / output device 20, and any of them can be selected by the user by operating the keyboard of the input / output device 20.
Thereafter, in step 5, the print data input by the print data input processing unit 18 is transmitted by the print data transmission unit 19 to the substitute print printer previously selected via the network I / F 11 and the network 22 for printing. .

  In this way, each part constituting the computers of the personal computers 1a, 1b, 1c,..., 1n uses a program of the storage device 21 ', and a plurality of printers 2a, 2b,. , 2n, when an error occurs in the printer to be used for printing, the same processing as the processing according to the first aspect of the invention described above is performed, and the print data prepared in advance is further analyzed. It is possible to acquire the printing conditions of the printer to be used, obtain the printing conditions that can be set by the alternative printing printer candidates extracted by the printing language or printer model, and set the printing conditions acquired by analyzing the print data New printers (candidates for new proxy printing printers) are further extracted as printers that can perform proxy printing. Even when an error occurs in Utoshi were printer, the user can obtain by other printers print result for a simple and reliable and accurately desired (proxy printing printers).

  That is, after extracting a printer capable of setting printing conditions obtained by analyzing print data as a printer capable of proxy printing, any one of the extracted printers is automatically set based on a preset priority. If selected, the above-described effects can be obtained by transmitting print data created in advance to the selected printer to perform printing.

  Alternatively, after extracting a printer capable of setting print conditions obtained by analyzing print data as a printer capable of proxy printing, the extracted printers are displayed in a list on the monitor of the input / output device 20 and one of them is entered by the user. By making the selection possible by operating the keyboard or the like of the output device 20, the above-described effects can be obtained by sending print data created in advance to the printer selected by the user to perform printing. .

Next, proxy printing processing according to the invention of claim 3 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 to 5 and FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a part of the printer selection processing according to the invention of claim 3, and is added between step 23 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 and step 4 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In each of the personal computers 1a, 1b, 1c,..., 1n, the proxy printing process is started when an error occurs in the printer to be used for printing, and the process shown in FIG. After the processes in steps 1 to 3 in FIG. 3, the processes in FIG. 3 and the processes in FIG. 4 are sequentially performed, the proxy printing remaining by the process in step 23 in FIG. Print history of printer candidates (substitute printing printers extracted according to printing conditions) is acquired.

Here, in the print history, for each job (printing process), the printing conditions of the job, printing error information during printing (information indicating that the printing process was stopped due to a jam, or that the printing process was stopped without paper) Information, etc., which may be plural).
Next, in step 32 and 33, each print history previously acquired is analyzed to determine a printer capable of proxy printing, and the printer is further extracted as a printer capable of proxy printing.

  That is, in step 32, a printer having a high error occurrence rate at the time of recent print processing (error occurrence rate is higher than a preset value) is selected from the remaining substitute print printer candidates (substitute print printers extracted according to print conditions). By deleting, a printer having a low error occurrence rate during the recent printing process (an error occurrence rate equal to or lower than a preset value) is further extracted.

  In step 33, the following processing is performed. That is, a coefficient (usually a newer one is larger and an older one is smaller, but may be equal) is added to each previously acquired print history, and obtained in step 21 of FIG. Acquire only the print history of the same print condition as the print condition, and obtain the error coefficient by comparing the total value of the acquired print history coefficient with the total value of the coefficient in which the error occurred in the acquired print history (If there are a plurality of acquired print histories, a plurality of error coefficients are acquired).

  For example, only the print history of the same paper feed method as the paper feed method of the print condition acquired in step 21 of FIG. 4 is acquired, and an error has occurred in the total value of the acquired print history coefficients and the acquired print history. An error coefficient is obtained by comparing the total value of the coefficients.

  Further, only the print history of the same print method as the print method of the print condition acquired in step 21 in FIG. 4 is acquired, and the total value of the acquired print history coefficients and the coefficient for which an error has occurred in the acquired print history are obtained. An error coefficient is obtained by comparing the total value.

  Furthermore, only the print history of the same discharge method as the discharge method of the print condition acquired in step 21 of FIG. 4 is acquired, and an error has occurred in the total value of the acquired print history coefficients and the acquired print history. An error coefficient is obtained by comparing the total value of the coefficients.

  If the acquired error coefficient is high (higher than a preset value), a printer with the acquired error coefficient higher than the preset value is extracted based on the remaining proxy printing printer candidates (according to the error occurrence rate). By deleting the printer from the proxy printing printer), the printer with the low error coefficient acquired (below a preset value) is further extracted as a printer capable of proxy printing.

  After performing the process of step 33, one of the remaining substitute print printer candidates (substitute print printers extracted based on the error coefficient) remaining in step 4 of FIG. 7 is automatically selected based on a preset priority. (Select the printer with the highest priority).

The remaining proxy printing printer candidates can be displayed in a list on the monitor of the input / output device 20, and any of them can be selected by the user by operating the keyboard of the input / output device 20.
Thereafter, in step 5, the print data input by the print data input processing unit 18 is transmitted by the print data transmission unit 19 to the substitute print printer previously selected via the network I / F 11 and the network 22 for printing. .

  In this way, each part constituting the computers of the personal computers 1a, 1b, 1c,..., 1n uses a program of the storage device 21 ', and a plurality of printers 2a, 2b,. , 2n, when an error occurs in the printer to be used for printing, after performing the same processing as the processing according to the above-mentioned invention of claim 2, the candidate of the substitute printing printer further extracted according to the printing conditions Print history is analyzed, the print history is analyzed, a printer capable of proxy printing is determined, and the printer (a new proxy printing printer candidate) is further extracted as a printer capable of proxy printing. Even if an error occurs in the printer you are trying to use, you can easily, more reliably and accurately print the results you want. Can be obtained by alternate printing printer).

  In other words, after further extracting a printer that can perform proxy printing by analyzing and judging the print history, any one of the extracted printers is automatically selected based on a preset priority. The above-described effects can be obtained by transmitting print data created in advance to the selected printer to perform printing.

  Alternatively, after the printers that can perform proxy printing are further extracted by analyzing and judging the print history, the extracted printers are displayed in a list on the monitor of the input / output device 20, and one of them is displayed on the keyboard of the input / output device 20 or the like. If the selection is made possible by the operation, the above-described effects can be obtained by transmitting print data created in advance to the printer selected by the user to perform printing.

  As described above, in the processes according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, when an error occurs in the printer to be used for printing, the process is started from step 1 in FIG. It may be deleted and the process may be started from step 11 in FIG.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part of the personal computers 1a, 1b, 1c,..., 1n in FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printer system including a plurality of personal computers and a plurality of printers that are image processing apparatuses according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of printer selection processing according to the invention of claim 1 that is executed by each unit constituting the computers 1a, 1b, 1c,..., 1n shown in FIG. is there. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a part of printer selection processing according to the second aspect of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a part of printer selection processing according to the third aspect of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the principal part of the personal computer (henceforth "PC") which is a conventional image processing apparatus. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of proxy printing processing in the personal computer 100 shown in FIG. 6.

Explanation of symbols

1a, 1b, 1c, ..., 1n: personal computer 2a, 2b, ..., 2n: printer 11: network I / F 12: input / output I / F
13: Storage device I / F 14: Proxy print printer registration unit 15: Network printer detection unit 16: Printer status acquisition unit 17: Proxy print printer selection processing unit based on status 18: Print data input processing unit 19: Print data transmission unit 20 : Input / output device 21 ': Storage device 22: Network 31: Print language analysis unit 32: Supported print language acquisition unit 33: Proxy print printer selection processing unit based on print language 34: Original printer information unit 35: Printer model acquisition unit 36 : Proxy printing printer selection processing unit 37 according to printer model 37: printing condition analysis unit 38: printing condition acquisition unit 39: proxy printing printer selection processing unit 40 according to printing conditions 40: printing history acquisition unit 41: proxy printing printer selection processing unit based on printing history

Claims (6)

In an image processing apparatus that allows other printers connected to the network to perform proxy printing when printing is not possible with the printer that is to be used for printing,
Print history acquisition means for acquiring the print history of another printer connected to the network;
A coefficient corresponding to the newness is assigned to each print history acquired by the print history acquisition unit, and the relationship between the acquired print history coefficient value and the history of the print history in which an error has occurred. An error coefficient acquisition means for calculating and acquiring an error coefficient from a numerical value;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a proxy printing printer extracting unit that extracts a printer having a print history in which the error coefficient acquired by the error coefficient acquiring unit does not exceed a preset threshold as a printer capable of proxy printing . In an image processing apparatus that allows other printers connected to the network to perform proxy printing when printing is not possible with the printer that is to be used for printing,
Print condition acquisition means for acquiring the print conditions set in the print data;
Print history acquisition means for acquiring the print history of another printer connected to the network;
An error coefficient acquisition unit that calculates and acquires an error coefficient for a print history that includes the same print condition as the print condition acquired by the print condition acquisition unit among the print history acquired by the print history acquisition unit;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a proxy printing printer extracting unit that extracts a printer having a print history in which the error coefficient acquired by the error coefficient acquiring unit does not exceed a preset threshold as a printer capable of proxy printing . In an image processing apparatus that allows other printers connected to the network to perform proxy printing when printing is not possible with the printer that is to be used for printing,
Print condition analysis means for analyzing print data and obtaining set print conditions;
Print history acquisition means for acquiring the print history of another printer connected to the network;
Error coefficient acquisition for calculating and acquiring an error coefficient for each item of the print condition for the print history including the same print condition as the print condition acquired by the print condition analysis unit among the print history acquired by the print history acquisition unit Means,
An image processing apparatus comprising: a proxy printing printer extracting unit that extracts a printer having a print history in which the error coefficient acquired by the error coefficient acquiring unit does not exceed a preset threshold as a printer capable of proxy printing . If the printer that you tried to use for printing cannot print, let the computer of the image processing device perform proxy printing for other printers connected to the network.
A print history acquisition function for acquiring a print history of another printer connected to the network;
A coefficient according to the newness is assigned to each print history acquired by the print history acquisition function, and the relationship between the acquired print history coefficient value and the history of the print history in which an error has occurred. Error coefficient acquisition function that calculates and acquires error coefficients from numerical values,
A computer-readable recording of a program for realizing a proxy printing printer extraction function for extracting a printer having a print history whose error coefficient acquired by the error coefficient acquisition function does not exceed a preset threshold as a printer capable of proxy printing Possible recording media. If the printer that you tried to use for printing cannot print, let the computer of the image processing device perform proxy printing for other printers connected to the network.
A print condition acquisition function for acquiring the print conditions set in the print data;
A print history acquisition function for acquiring a print history of another printer connected to the network;
An error coefficient acquisition function that calculates and acquires an error coefficient for a print history that includes the same print condition as the print condition acquired by the print condition acquisition function among the print history acquired by the print history acquisition function;
A computer-readable recording of a program for realizing a proxy printing printer extraction function for extracting a printer having a print history whose error coefficient acquired by the error coefficient acquisition function does not exceed a preset threshold as a printer capable of proxy printing Possible recording media. If the printer that you tried to use for printing cannot print, let the computer of the image processing device perform proxy printing for other printers connected to the network.
A print condition analysis function for analyzing print data and obtaining set print conditions;
A print history acquisition function for acquiring a print history of another printer connected to the network;
Error coefficient acquisition that calculates and acquires an error coefficient for each print condition item for a print history that includes the same print condition as the print condition acquired by the print condition analysis function, out of the print history acquired by the print history acquisition function Function and
A computer-readable recording of a program for realizing a proxy printing printer extraction function for extracting a printer having a print history whose error coefficient acquired by the error coefficient acquisition function does not exceed a preset threshold as a printer capable of proxy printing Possible recording media.

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