JP2006344080A - Information processor, output device, data processing method, storage medium stored computer-readable program, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a manager to arbitrarily select an output destination of a test print result, and to collect the test print result to an arbitrary number of output devices from the output device desired by the manager in a lump. <P>SOLUTION: The arbitrary number of first output devices are selected from a plurality of MFPs 106-4 to 106-6, 109-1 to 109-3, and printers 106-1 to 106-3, 109-4 to 109-6, in a print server 101 communicable with the plurality of MFPs 106-4 to 106-6, 109-1 to 109-3, and printers 106-1 to 106-3, 109-4 to 109-6, and a printer 105 to print test print data generated by the selected output device is selected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a test print process of an output system in which a plurality of output devices and an information processing device can communicate.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an output device, for example, a printing device or a composite device having a printing function has a function of printing an option installation status, a print log, and a test output, which are instructed directly by a user or from a network. Further, there is a means for transmitting the option mounting status, the print log, and the operation status as information to the connected information processing apparatus without printing.

  In the test print process, the following Patent Documents 1 and 2 have already been disclosed as transferring print information to be test printed to an external device.

  In this patent document, the CPU uses a selection button on the panel unit in order to save paper resources and display and confirm a test print result to be printed on the external device side based on a selection instruction from the user. The test print data stored in the RAM 15 is switched to either the host computer or the printer engine unit on the basis of the output destination instruction of the test print data selected by the above.

Further, in Patent Document 2 below, in a composite printer apparatus having a printer and a facsimile function, printer status information, test prints, or status print information can be notified to a user who is remote from the printer. In order to achieve this, a drawing object generated by a printer is converted into an intermediate code that can be encoded into an MH code or an MR code by a FAX transmission data creation unit, and decoded from the image data of the MH code or MR code by a decoder. The intermediate code is converted back into an intermediate code generated by the printer, and the FAX transmission determination unit determines whether or not to send the printer status information, test print, and status print information to the facsimile side. Described to judge information It has been.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-101111 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-297055

  However, an administrator of a printing apparatus connected to a large number of printers on the network can acquire the option installation status of each printing apparatus connected to the network from a management host on the network via a utility. Even if it is possible to determine whether printing is possible, as a result, test print data is printed from the actual machine to check whether printing is possible.

  For this reason, there are no problems with this method if the number of managed units is several. However, if the number of managed units is large, it takes time and effort, and forgetting to remove the output paper based on the result of the test print on any printing device on the network. It tends to occur.

  As described above, in a printing system including a conventional network-compatible printing device, test printing uses a wide range of test printing using equipment, resources (memory resources, resource resources that function as optional devices), etc., unique to each printing device. In order to obtain the test print result, it is necessary for the administrator to go directly to each printing apparatus. In Patent Documents 1 and 2 and the like that can be confirmed by an external apparatus, the direct print result cannot be obtained. There was a problem that confirmation was not clear and could not be determined in detail.

  Further, when a test print request is made to a large number of printing apparatuses on the printing system using the patent document 1 and the final print image rasterized by the printing apparatus is collected, the administrator can exchange the print images. Since the number of printing apparatuses is limited to one on the network, it is necessary to perform the same processing for each printing apparatus, which imposes a traffic burden on the network, and performs such test print processing on an external apparatus during so-called business hours. There is also a problem that a communication processing burden is imposed on this, and the processing is reduced as a whole network.

  Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228620 that confirms with a display device, the print result must be confirmed with a display device that is lower than the resolution of the printing device, and the print quality may not be confirmed with test print display processing. It was.

  In addition, there are some that acquire and display print resource information on a remote display, but in order to execute such an acquisition function, a network resource means provided in the printing apparatus is equipped with a certain amount of memory resources. If this is the case, such request processing will not be accepted, so in order to be able to investigate resources, it will result in forcing the user the economic burden of increasing the memory capacity in advance and freely using only resource information. It may be difficult to determine whether the requested printing is possible.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a convenient mechanism that can collectively perform test print results for a plurality of printing apparatuses. .

  The information device of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.

  In an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of printing apparatuses, a first selection means for selecting a plurality of first printing apparatuses for executing a test print instruction from the plurality of printing apparatuses, and a selection by the first selection means Second selection means for selecting, from among the plurality of printing apparatuses, a second printing apparatus different from the first printing apparatus that is to output each output data generated by each of the plurality of printing apparatuses. And the second printing apparatus receives the output data and outputs the print data.

  According to the present invention, an administrator can arbitrarily select an output destination of test print results, and test print results for an arbitrary number of printing apparatuses can be collectively collected from printing apparatuses desired by the administrator.

  In addition, the administrator can obtain a test print output of the remote device from a printer near the administrator without leaving the seat. In addition, it is possible to confirm that printing is not possible or printing quality is degraded due to incomplete options or incorrect settings.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Description of system configuration>
[First Embodiment]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an output system including an information processing apparatus and an output apparatus (printing apparatus) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this output system, an information processing apparatus 101 operated by an administrator is arranged on the first floor, and a remote system is arranged on other floors, for example, the second floor and the third floor. 1F to 3F indicate floor numbers. In the present embodiment, the output device includes a printing device and a multifunction device having a printing function, and the number of printing devices, multifunction devices, and information processing devices is not limited. The information processing apparatus is installed with a predetermined OS, a printer driver as a device driver, a scanner driver, and the like.

  The output device may be any of various types such as a laser beam printer that employs an electrophotographic method, an ink jet printer that employs an ink jet method, and a printer that utilizes a thermal transfer method.

  The information processing apparatus is connected to the networks 106A to 106C by a network cable such as Ethernet (registered trademark), can execute various programs such as an application program, and print data is a printer language corresponding to the printer. Equipped with a printer driver having a function of converting to. In addition, a communication device capable of bidirectional communication with other devices connected to the networks 106A to 106C is provided.

  In FIG. 1, a print server 101 that can be operated by a system administrator is connected to a system management area SME1 via a network 106A. Each floor is physically located remotely. In addition, various peripheral devices (composite devices (MFPs) having a printer device, a print function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, etc.) and client devices (clients) arranged on each floor are predetermined via the networks 106B and 106c. Communication is established with the protocol.

  The print server 101 is connected to the networks 106 </ b> A to 106 </ b> C by a network cable, and includes hardware and software modules for accumulating files used in the network 106 and monitoring the use state of the network 106. ing.

  The print server 101 includes a communication device that can bidirectionally communicate with other peripheral devices connected to the networks 106A to 106C, and also manages a plurality of printers.

  The clients 102 to 104 and the print server 101 are general information processing apparatuses. In the clients 102 to 104, a predetermined OS, various application programs, a printer driver, and the like are installed in an external memory such as a hard disk, perform predetermined data processing, and print information is sent to any printer device or MFP on the network. It is configured to be able to be transferred to.

  Note that the print server 101 can also have functions as the clients 102 to 104.

  In the client and the print server, print control programs for performing different controls are stored in a hard disk or the like so as to be executable.

  The print server 101 further stores and prints a print job including print data requested by the clients 102, 103, and 104, or only job information that does not include print data from the clients 102, 103, and 104 Is received, the printing order of the clients 102, 103, 104 is managed, the transmission order of the print job including the print data is notified to the client that has reached the printing order, the status of the network printer 105 and various print jobs A function for acquiring information and notifying the clients 102, 103, and 104 is provided.

A network printer 105 is a print control apparatus, and is connected to the network 106A via a network interface (not shown). One page is analyzed by analyzing a print job including print data transmitted from the clients 102, 103, and 104. Convert to dot images one by one and print on a page-by-page basis. Clients 102, 103, 104, server 101, network printer 105, and the like are connected to network 106A.

  Similarly, a client (CL) 110 is connected to the 2nd floor network 106B. Reference numerals 106-1 to 106-3 are network printers (PR) each having a network interface card (NIC) and connected to the network 106B so as to be able to communicate with each other by a multi-protocol.

  Further, reference numerals 106-4 to 106-6 denote MFPs which are provided with a network interface card (NIC) and are connected to the network 106B so as to be able to communicate with each other by a multi-protocol.

  Similarly, a client (CL) 111 is connected to the network 106C on the third floor. Reference numerals 109-4 to 109-6 are network printers (PR), each having a network interface card (NIC) and connected to the network 106C so as to be able to communicate with each other by a multi-protocol.

  Further, reference numerals 109-1 to 106-3 are MFPs, each having a network interface card (NIC), which are connected to the network 106 C so as to be able to communicate with each other by a multi-protocol.

  In the printing system configured as described above, a print server capable of communicating with a plurality of MFPs 106-4 to 106-6, 109-1 to 109-3, and printers 106-1 to 106-3 and 109-4 to 109-6. In 101, a plurality of MFPs 106-4 to 106-6, 109-1 to 109-3 and printers 106-1 to 106-3, 109-4 to 109-6 are used as first output devices for executing predetermined output instructions. By operating a pointing device or the like from the inside, for example, selecting from among icons of a printer or MFP arranged on a device map displayed on the display unit, and output data generated by the selected output device (this embodiment) In this case, the second output device should be different from the first output device to which the test print data is to be output. Select workpiece printer 105, it is possible to print a test print for the selected printer or MFP from the network printer 105.

  At this time, the network printer 105 only needs to receive and output the test print image data created by the selected printer or MFP, and the network printer 105 does not execute image development processing or the like. A test print of the selected selected printer or MFP can be printed from the network printer 105 regardless of the processing capability.

  On the other hand, the plurality of MFPs 106-4 to 106-6, 109-1 to 109-3 and the printers 106-1 to 106-3 and 109-4 to 109-6 are any information processing apparatuses on the network, for example, prints A test print instruction request is received as a packet from the server 101 as a predetermined output instruction, and a test print image is created. The test print instruction can be issued from the management application from any client computer on the network for the convenience of the administrator.

  Each of the MFPs 106-4 to 106-6, 109-1 to 109-3 and the printers 106-1 to 106-3 and 109-4 to 109-6 are designated with an output destination in the received test print instruction request. If it is determined that there is an output destination designation, the created test print image is transferred to the designated output device, for example, the print server 101 that is supposed to be close to the administrator. As a result, the test print image data received from each printer or MFP can be collectively printed from the network printer 105, so that the administrator can collect the test print results of each printer or MFP at the same time using the network printer 105. It becomes.

  If it is determined that the output destination is not specified in the test print instruction request, the created test print image is transferred to the output unit, and the test print result is printed. In this case, the administrator goes around each printer or MFP and collects it.

  When each printer or MFP receives a test print request from the print server 101, it diagnoses the state of each part of the engine unit to determine whether or not the test print image can be normally output.

  Then, when each printer or MFP controller diagnoses that the normal output is possible, it transfers the created test print image and information indicating the diagnosis result to the network printer 105, and in a state where normal output is not possible. When it is determined that there is, the transfer of the created test print to the network printer 105 is stopped.

  Thus, when a test print request is made, a diagnosis can be made in consideration of the state of each part of the engine of each printer or MFP.

  Note that, when normal output cannot be performed, the network printer 105 or the print server 101 may be notified of this.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printing system illustrated in FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same thing as FIG. Note that the printer server 101 also includes equivalent hardware resources.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 200 denotes a CPU which is a control means of the clients 102, 103, 104, 110, and 111. The application program, printer driver program, OS, and network printer control of the present invention stored in the hard disk (HD) 205 are shown. A program or the like is executed, and control for temporarily storing information, files, etc. necessary for executing the program in the RAM 202 is performed.

  Reference numeral 201 denotes a ROM which is a storage unit, and stores therein various data such as a program such as a basic I / O program, font data used for document processing, and template data. Reference numeral 202 denotes a RAM which is temporary storage means, and functions as a main memory, work area, and the like of the CPU 200.

  A floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) drive 203 serves as a storage medium reading unit. As shown in FIG. 5 to be described later, a program or the like stored in a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) 204 as a storage medium can be loaded into the computer system as a client via the FD drive 203. . Note that the storage medium is not limited to the FD, and may be any CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, PC card, DVD, IC memory card, MO, memory stick, and the like.

  The FD 204 stores a computer-readable program and data file. Reference numeral 205 denotes an external storage means, which is a hard disk (HD) that functions as a large-capacity memory, and stores an application program, a printer driver program, an OS, a network printer control program, related programs, and the like. Furthermore, a spooler is secured here. The spooler is a client spooler in the client and a server spooler in the print server.

  In the print server 101, job information received from the clients 102 to 104, 110, and 111 is stored, and a table for performing order control is also generated and stored in the external storage unit.

  Reference numeral 206 denotes a keyboard (instruction input means), which is used by a user to input device control command instructions to the client, and an operator or administrator to the print server. A pointing device 209 is connected to instruct an instruction such as a cursor displayed on the screen, an icon, or the like.

  Reference numeral 207 denotes a display (display means) for displaying commands input from the keyboard 206, the status of the printer, and the like. The display 207 is configured by an LCD, a CRT, or the like. Reference numeral 208 denotes a system bus, which controls the flow of data in the client computer.

  Reference numeral 211 denotes an interface (input / output means), through which the client exchanges data with an external device using a predetermined protocol.

  In this embodiment, the network printer control program and related data are directly loaded from the FD 204 into the RAM 202 and executed. However, every time the network printer control program is operated from the FD 204, the HD 205 is already loaded. The installed network printer control program may be loaded into the RAM 202.

  The medium for storing the network printer control program may be a CD-ROM, CD-R, PC card, DVD, or IC memory card in addition to the FD. Further, it is possible to store the network printer control program in the ROM 201, configure it as a part of the memory map, and execute it directly by the CPU 200.

  Next, the detailed configuration of the printing apparatus will be described.

  The printing apparatus 105 includes a connection unit 226, a data control unit (printer engine) 225, an operation unit 224, an external memory 223, a PCPU 220, a PRAM 222, and a PROM 221, which will be described in detail later, as main components, and these components are system buses. 227 to each other.

  A printer CPU (PCPU) 220 is responsible for overall control of the printing apparatus 105. The PCPU 220 transmits an image signal to the data control unit 225 from a printer control command (transmission data) received by the connection unit 226 based on a control program stored in the PROM 221 or the external memory 223 described later.

  The PRAM 222 includes, as a main memory of the PCPU 220, a temporary storage area for various data used as a work data area when the PCPU 220 executes control. The external memory 223 is also connected as an option, and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. The PROM 221 is a printer internal memory, and stores various data, a printer control program for controlling the printing apparatus, and the like, similar to the external memory.

  The data control unit 225 is a printer engine, is controlled by the PCPU 220, receives an image signal output via the system bus 227 from a control program stored in the PROM 221 or the external memory 223, and performs actual printing processing.

  The operation unit 224 includes an input unit such as an operation panel and an operation switch, and a display unit such as an LED and a liquid crystal panel, and receives an operation of the operator and displays a result. The operator can instruct and confirm the setting of the printing apparatus 105 according to the present embodiment via the operation unit 224.

  A connection unit 226 is connected to the connection unit 210 of the information processing apparatus 1 via the above-described bidirectional interface 209 and receives a print control command (transmission data), and the internal status of the printing apparatus (various errors and Printing status, out of toner, out of paper, option error, paper size error, etc.).

  In addition, software that realizes the same function as each of the above devices can be used as an alternative to a hardware device.

  Below, 1st Embodiment is described using FIGS. 3-6.

FIG. 3 is a display state displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus (for example, the host 101) operated by the administrator. The test print target machine selection in the printing system shown in FIG. FIG. In this example, the system administrator existing in 1F shown in FIG. 1 designates, for example, a 2F MFP or PR test print target in a batch, and gives an instruction to output from the MFP 105 of 1F as the drop destination. It is an example. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same thing as FIG.
In FIG. 3, the management application operating on the host 101 or the clients 102 to 104 has a function of displaying the printers to be managed by group.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the printers to be managed in the groups of floors 1F and 2F are displayed in a device map in a layout format such as icons.

  The administrator wants to output a test print output from the device map displayed on the display unit 207 by using a pointing device such as a left click with a pointing device 209 such as a mouse or a printer name input with the keyboard KBD 206. Select a group. As a result, test printing instructions can be given to a plurality of devices at one time, and the administrator's burden of narrowing down the target of test printing can be reduced.

  Next, in the same way, a printing device that outputs each paper as a test print result of the printer group is selected from the instruction device.

  The management application issues a test output transfer instruction to the printing apparatus group PF based on an instruction from the administrator, and each printing apparatus included in the printing apparatus group PF follows the instruction to develop post-expanded data ( (Also called a test print image) is transferred to the printing apparatus PO. The print data for the test print is data in the page description language, and can be supplied to each printing apparatus by sending the test print from the host 101 to each printing apparatus instructed via the screen of FIG. Further, the page description language data for the test print may be held in advance in the nonvolatile storage unit of each printing apparatus. The printing apparatus PO outputs the received test prints TP1 to TP3. Note that the printing apparatus PO can be arbitrarily selected by the administrator from, for example, the device group in 1F.

  Further, when the selected printing apparatus PO cannot cover the resource capability of the printing apparatus group PF selected as the test print target, a process of automatically selecting possible printer candidates in 1F to be output is performed. You may be running.

  As a result, by making the printer dedicated to the administrator the printing apparatus PO, it is possible to prevent forgetting to take or prevent information leakage.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a test print request packet output from the host 101 shown in FIG. This example is sent from the host 101 shown in FIG. 1 to the printing apparatus group PF shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, from the head of the packet, a header (header) that indicates the version and packet type, a size (size) that indicates the packet length, an operation type (operation), and a device type that is an instruction target (in this case, a printing device) Specify printer_compornent to be specified), instruction details (here, specify id_mtd_test_print_2, which means test printing), option Val1 to instruction details (here, Val1 specifies "1", which means test pattern 1), options Val2 (here, the paper discharge destination printing device destination “Dest” is designated. If not designated, this means the printing device that received this packet.

  Next, the basic flow of the management application will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that this processing is realized by the host 101 loading a management application from the hard disk 205 or the like onto the RAM 202 and executed by the CPU 200 shown in FIG. In addition, (501)-(504) shows each step.

  In the screen for designating test print candidates and their output destinations shown in FIG. 3 displayed on the display unit 207 by the user, a list of N printing apparatuses (corresponding to the printing apparatus group) on which the user performs test printing, When a printing apparatus that performs paper selection is selected, the management application that has received information about the selected printing apparatus uses the CPU 200 in step (501) to perform test print execution printing that is secured in advance in a storage device such as the RAM 202. A list of N printing devices and a storage number N are set in the device list storage area name and saved.

  Furthermore, the paper discharge destination printing device selected by the administrator is set and held in the paper discharge destination printing device storage area Dest reserved in the storage device such as the RAM 202 in advance. Here, the printing device and the list held in the RAM 202 are information that can specify the printing device such as an IP address, for example.

  Next, in step (502), the CPU 200 is used, and the CPU 200 determines whether or not the printing device storage number N stored in the list storage area name in step (501) is "0" or more. When the value is “0” or less, the series of processing ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (502) that the stored number N is larger than “0”, in step (503), the CPU 200 is used to output the paper discharge destination printing device destination “Dest” secured in the storage device such as the RAM 202. The IP address or the like that functions as network information related to the paper discharge destination printing apparatus is extracted from the printer.

  Then, the CPU 200 creates a print instruction packet in the format shown in FIG. 4 and sets the extracted paper discharge destination printer destination “Dest” in the area val 2 of the RAM 202.

  Further, the print instruction created by the communication means prepared in advance using the network information of the Nth printing device stored from the test print execution printing device list storage area name secured in the storage device such as the RAM 202 as the destination. Send the packet.

  Next, in step (504), the CPU 200 subtracts "1" from the parameter N using the CPU 200 and stores it, and then returns to step (502) to repeat the same processing.

  Next, the basic flow of the printing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. This process is executed in each of a plurality of printing apparatuses selected via the selection screen of FIG. 3 by the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. Each output data generated by each of the selected plurality of printing apparatuses is printed out by a representative printing apparatus that performs printing output.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. In addition, (601)-(605) shows each step. Note that this processing is realized by, for example, the printing apparatus 105 shown in FIG. 1 loading a management application on the PRAM 222 from the external memory 223, the PROM 221, and the like and executing it by the PCPU 220.

  First, in step (601), the PCPU 220 determines whether or not it is a test print instruction from the instruction state. For example, there is a method in which the user directly instructs the PCPU 220 to perform test printing from the operation unit 224 of the printing apparatus 105, or from the network, for example, by a command from the host 101.

  Here, it is determined whether there is an instruction for test printing regardless of the method. Step (601) is repeated until there is no test print instruction.

  On the other hand, if the PCPU 220 determines that there is an instruction for test printing in step (601), test print image data is created by a predetermined method preset in the printing apparatus in step (602).

  Next, in step (603), it is determined whether the paper discharge destination is set using the PCPU 220. That is, in the instruction from the panel of the operation unit 224 of the printing apparatus 105 or the instruction by the packet in the format shown in FIG. 4, the PCPU 220 does not designate “val2” that functions as information as the printing apparatus destination of the test print. If it is determined, it is determined that the paper discharge destination is not set.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (603) that the discharge destination has been designated, in step (605), the print data created in step (602) is printed and discharged based on a predetermined method. This process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (603) that the paper discharge destination is specified, the print data created in step (602) is transmitted to the paper discharge destination in step (604) based on a predetermined method. This process ends.

  As a result, a packet as a test print request is sequentially issued to each printing apparatus selected at once in 2F shown in FIG. 3, and the packet designated by the packet is received from the printing apparatus that receives the packet. Test print information is transmitted from each printing device to the paper destination printing device destination “Dest”. The test print information transmitted from each printing apparatus is output from the engine unit (not shown) by the PCPU 220, so that the test print results are sequentially output.

  Note that, when outputting a test print, depending on the print resource at the paper discharge destination, a plurality of test print results may be collectively laid out and output. The test print result may be printed on both sides.

  In addition, the printing apparatus from which the administrator finally obtains the test print result is the image development process for the test print of the plurality of selected printing apparatuses, that is, the heavy image development process is processed by the original printing apparatus. Therefore, the administrator does not need to prepare a high-performance printing device in advance, and an inexpensive remote test print process is realized.

  Similarly, the administrator does not need to upload the output image for the test print to the information processing apparatus once and transfer it to another printing apparatus, thereby reducing the remote test print processing burden on the information processing apparatus, A memory for storing output image data for test printing is not required in the processing apparatus, and the remote test printing process is inexpensive.

  Furthermore, since the test print results of each printing apparatus can be collected from a high-resolution printing apparatus as compared with the method of confirming the test print on the display apparatus, the print quality and the like can be visually diagnosed with high accuracy.

  Furthermore, by the above-described diagnosis processing, it is possible to simultaneously confirm from the test print result whether printing is impossible (image development failure) due to memory or font deficiency or target printing does not occur due to deficient settings.

  According to the method described above, the administrator can issue a test print instruction to a plurality of printing apparatuses at a time, and can output a test print output from a device (printer, MFP, etc.) located at a remote place without leaving the seat. It can be obtained from a printer near the administrator. As a result, it is possible to prevent forgetting to take paper and prevent information leakage. In addition, it is possible to confirm that printing is not possible or printing quality is degraded due to incomplete options or incorrect settings.

  In the above-described embodiment, when it is determined in step (603) that a paper discharge destination is specified, a process for diagnosing whether printing is possible by test printing is further performed, so that, for example, a test print target is selected. In the printing device, it is possible to create an image for test printing by checking the print result of the output destination by receiving the image data, but the printing device itself selected as the test print target However, it is not possible to check for mechanical problems (toner is present but not ejected, paper is present but the roller does not rotate and paper cannot be fed, and jam always occurs).

  Therefore, the output image sent by the printing device instructed for test printing is changed to an image by scanning the printed matter that has been discharged to the corresponding printing device and sent to an arbitrary printing device, or fed by the corresponding printing device, The administrator can perform self-tests such as printing and paper discharge, transfer the diagnostic results to the output device specified as the output image and overall output, undo the test print, and output it. You may control so that a test print result can be judged with a state.

  In addition, if it is determined that printing is not possible (NG) by the self-test in the added diagnostic process, the output image for obtaining the created test print result is transferred so as not to be output to the specified printing device. You may comprise so that it may control.

[Second Embodiment]
In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a management application is executed from the print server 101 to display a device arrangement map on the display unit 207 so that a plurality of printers and MFPs to be tested can be selected simultaneously. Instead of displaying the device arrangement map on the display unit 207, a device list may be displayed on the display unit 207 so that a plurality of printers and MFPs as test print targets can be selected from the list at the same time.

  At that time, by managing the device attributes on the list, for example, color / monochrome, MFP / printer, etc., with the test print target device limited, the printers and MFPs with the same attribute are set as test print targets. A configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of printers and MFPs can be selected simultaneously.

[Third Embodiment]
In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a management application is executed from the print server 101 to display a device arrangement map on the display unit 207 so that a plurality of printers and MFPs to be tested can be selected simultaneously. By storing and managing the test print history in a table or the like, it is possible to automatically select a printer or MFP that has already been test printed, or a test printer that has already been test printed, as a new test print target device. It may be configured.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a management application is executed from the print server 101 to display a device arrangement map on the display unit 207 so that a plurality of printers and MFPs to be tested can be selected simultaneously. The print server 101 detects that a new device is connected to the network and can communicate, and can instruct test printing of the entire floor on which the new device is arranged or devices on all floors. You may comprise.

  Of course, even an existing device can be configured so that it can instruct the test print of the entire floor on which the device is placed or all the devices on which the device is placed, by grasping the option connection, consumable replacement time, etc. Also good.

[Fifth Embodiment]
In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a management application is executed from the print server 101 to display a device arrangement map on the display unit 207 so that a plurality of printers and MFPs to be tested can be selected simultaneously. The case where one test print destination can be specified in the packet for issuing a test print request from the print server 101 has been described, but the number may be plural.

[Sixth Embodiment]
In the above embodiment, an example in which a plurality of test printer candidates can be selected by a management application independent of the printer driver, that is, a so-called utility has been described. However, the function of this management application is incorporated into the printer driver and the test is performed on the tab of the printer driver. A tab for printing is provided, a list of printer names is displayed on the printer driver setting screen, test print candidates are selected by a plurality of printer names, and a test print destination printer to receive the test print result is similarly set. By designating the printer name on the printer driver setting screen and instructing the test print button, the same packet as in the above embodiment is issued to the test print candidate, and the test print result is simultaneously sent from the designated printer. Configured to get It may be.

[Seventh Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the configuration of a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to the memory map shown in FIG. .

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

  Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is stored in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS is not limited.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, etc. Can be used.

  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 another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is stored on the recording medium such as a hard disk from the homepage. It can also be supplied by downloading. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  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) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or 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.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

  Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will not limit the spirit and scope of the present invention to the specific description in the present specification.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system including an information processing apparatus and a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram explaining the hardware constitutions of the printing system shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of selection of a test print target machine and an output destination instruction in the printing system illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a test print request packet output from a host illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium which stores the various data processing program which can be read by the printing system which can apply the information processing apparatus and printing apparatus which concern on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 Print Server 102 to 104, 110, 111 Client 105 Network Printer 106-4 to 106-6, 109-1 to 109-3 MFP
106-1 to 106-6, 109-4 to 109-6 Printer

Claims (10)

In an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of printing apparatuses,
First selection means for selecting a plurality of first printing apparatuses for executing a test print instruction from the plurality of printing apparatuses;
A second printing device that is different from the first printing device to output each output data generated by each of the plurality of printing devices selected by the first selection unit is selected from the plurality of printing devices. Second selecting means to
And the second printing apparatus receives the output data and prints out the output data.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the output data is data developed in each of the plurality of printing apparatuses selected by the first selection unit.   The first selection unit selects a plurality of printing apparatuses as a first printing apparatus for executing the test print instruction from the list of the plurality of printing apparatuses displayed on a display unit or a graphic device map. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   2. The second selection unit selects a second printing apparatus for executing the test print instruction from the plurality of printing apparatus lists displayed on a display unit or a graphic device map. The information processing apparatus according to any one of? In a data processing method in an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of printing apparatuses,
A first selection step of selecting a plurality of first printing apparatuses for executing a test print instruction from the plurality of printing apparatuses;
A second printing device that is different from the first printing device that outputs each output data generated by each of the plurality of printing devices selected in the first selection step is selected from the plurality of printing devices. And a second selection step to
The data processing method according to claim 2, wherein the second printing apparatus receives and outputs the output data.   6. The data processing method according to claim 5, wherein each of the output data is data developed in each of the plurality of printing apparatuses selected in the first selection step.   In the first selection step, a plurality of printing apparatuses as first printing apparatuses for executing the test print instruction are selected from the plurality of printing apparatus lists displayed on a display unit or a graphic device map. The data processing method according to claim 5 or 6.   6. The second selection step selects a second printing apparatus for executing the test print instruction from the plurality of printing apparatus lists displayed on a display unit or a graphic device map. The data processing method in any one of -7.   A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the data processing method according to claim 5.   A program that causes a computer to execute the data processing method according to claim 5.

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