JP2007156532A - Server device and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for printing data to be printed in receiving order independently of the sizes or kinds of the data when the data are received. <P>SOLUTION: A printing data management part 313 registers printing jobs received via a network, in an integration processing queue 312 in receiving order. A conversion program 308(309) sequentially converts the printing jobs registered in the integration processing queue 312 in registering order and outputs the converted data to a printing device 104. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for processing print target data received from the outside.

  The print server needs to manage not only the printing process but also the job output order. Therefore, it is necessary to have a queue for each format of the transferred output data or a unit for managing the access right (this unit is hereinafter referred to as a partition) and to manage the output order. In addition, in consideration of the performance of the printer, a process for causing the printer to output efficiently is also required.

  As an implementation example, print data from a multi-platform such as a Windows (registered trademark) server, a UNIX (registered trademark) server, and a mainframe has been received, and the data is classified for each data type and each output job ( For example, there is a system in which output management is performed by dividing into HR work and accounting work.

  In such a system, the print data in the processing queue of each section is referred to in the order in which processing is requested, the conversion program runs in that order, and output to the printer is performed. When the output order arrives, a printer output conversion program is started.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a conventional GUI showing the contents of the processing queue of a certain partition. In the figure, since the print job with the name “PPADEMO-URIAGEC_0001” is at the head, conversion processing is first performed from this data. After that, conversion processing is performed in order from the upper job displayed on the GUI. In this case, even if there is a conversion process for the same output destination in other sections, the event is not detected.

  However, in this configuration, the print order between data of different data types and between output tasks becomes undefined. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, PPADEMO-URIAGE_0001A (A) and PPADEMO-URIAGE_0002B (B) are the same division (sales division), PPADEMO-JINJI_0003C (C) and PPADEMO-JINJI_0004D (D) are the same division (personnel division) ) And the order received by the print server is (A), (B), (C), (D). At this time, when the size of the data (A) is large and the conversion process takes time, the conversion process of the data (C) and the data (D) ends during that time. At this time, the order of output to the printer is (A), (C), (D), (B), which is different from the received order.

  Similarly, as a system for controlling the order of printing programs, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system for controlling the printing order. However, the system described in Patent Document 1 is a system that defines an output order of data in advance and outputs the data in the order as defined, and performs a process of starting output after all the defined data is obtained. Yes. Therefore, there is a problem that the printing order cannot be maintained in this system that starts conversion when data is received.

Also, considering the number of connected printers and performance, there is no control over the number of data to be output at the same time, and if the processing exceeds the capacity of the print server, the processing capacity is low. There was a problem of being lowered.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-075768

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a technique for enabling printing in the order received when data to be printed is received regardless of its size or type. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the object of the present invention, for example, a server apparatus of the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

That is, a server device that is connected to a network to which a plurality of external devices that generate and output a print job are connected, and that can receive a print job output from the external device via the network,
Registration means for registering print jobs received via the network in a queue in the order received;
Conversion means for sequentially converting the print jobs registered in the queue in the order of registration;
Output means for outputting the data converted by the conversion means to a printing apparatus.

  In order to achieve the object of the present invention, for example, a server device control method of the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

In other words, this is a method for controlling a server device that is connected to a network to which a plurality of external devices that generate and output a print job are connected, and that can receive a print job output from the external device via the network. And
A registration step of registering print jobs received via the network in a queue in the order received;
A conversion step of sequentially converting the print jobs registered in the queue in the order of registration;
An output step of outputting the data converted in the conversion step to a printing apparatus.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, when data to be printed is received, printing can be performed in the order received regardless of the size or type.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail according to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the system according to the present embodiment includes a host computer 101, a UNIX (registered trademark) server 102, a client PC 105, a print server 103, and a printing apparatus 104.

  The host computer 101 and the UNIX (registered trademark) server 102 are configured by a general PC (personal computer), WS (workstation), or the like, and hold an application for creating data to be printed (print job). ing. An operator of the host computer 101 (or UNIX (registered trademark) server 102) creates data to be printed using this application, and then causes the printing apparatus 104 to print based on the data to be printed. When an instruction is input, the print target data is sent to the print server 103 via the network 106.

  Therefore, any device other than the host computer 101 and the UNIX (registered trademark) server 102 may be used as long as it can create data to be printed and send it to the print server 103. There is no particular limitation on the type.

  The print server 103 receives print target data received from the outside (in the case of the present embodiment, the host computer 101 or the UNIX (registered trademark) server 102), converts the print target data into a data format suitable for the printing apparatus 104, Thereafter, processing for sending to the printing apparatus 104 is performed. Details of the processing performed by the print server 103 will be described later.

  The printing apparatus 104 is configured by a device such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral, and performs image and character recording processing on a recording medium such as paper or OHP based on data received from the print server 103. The recording method is not particularly limited, and any of various recording methods such as an ink jet method, a laser beam method, and a thermal transfer method may be used. Note that the print server 103 appropriately monitors the status of the printing apparatus 104 such as the operation status of the printing apparatus 104.

  The client PC 105 monitors the status of the print server 103 and appropriately displays the monitored status on the display screen of the display device included in the client PC 105. Since the print server 103 appropriately transmits the processing status and print result in the print server 103 to the client PC 105, the client PC 105 displays the transmitted processing status and print result on the display screen of the display device. Process to display. Of course, as with the host computer 101 and the UNIX (registered trademark) server 102, print target data may be created and sent to the print server 103.

  The network 106 is configured by one of the Internet, LAN, WAN, telephone line, dedicated digital line, ATM, frame relay line, communication satellite line, cable TV line, data broadcasting wireless line, or a combination thereof. Thus, data communication between the above-described devices is realized. That is, each of the devices described above is connected to the network 106. The network 106 is not particularly limited to wireless or wired.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a computer applicable to the print server 103. In the present embodiment, the host computer 101, the UNIX (registered trademark) server 102, and the client PC 105 are described as having the same configuration as the print server 103. However, each process described below can be realized. If necessary, it may be changed as appropriate.

  Reference numeral 21 denotes a CPU, which controls the entire computer using programs and data stored in the RAM 22 and ROM 23, and executes each process described later performed by the computer.

  Reference numeral 22 denotes a RAM, which is an area for temporarily storing programs and data loaded from the hard disk 28 and the CD-ROM drive 29, and programs and data input from the outside via the NIC (network interface) 24. An area such as a work area used when executing various processes can be provided as appropriate.

  A ROM 23 stores setting data, a boot program, and the like of the computer.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes a NIC that functions as an interface for connecting the computer to the network 106. The computer can perform data communication with each device connected on the network 106 via the NIC 24. it can.

  Reference numeral 26 denotes a keyboard as an example of an input unit, and reference numeral 27 denotes a mouse as an example of an input unit. Various instructions can be input to the CPU 21 by an operator of the computer. When this computer is applied to the host computer 101, the UNIX (registered trademark) server 102, the client PC 105, etc., the operator operates the application using the input units 26 and 27 to create print target data. It will be.

  Reference numeral 28 denotes a hard disk, which stores programs and data for causing the CPU 21 to execute processes (to be described later) to be performed by an OS (operating system) and a device to which the present computer is applied. Loaded.

  Reference numeral 29 denotes a CD-ROM drive, which reads out programs and data recorded on a CD-ROM as an example of a storage medium and outputs them to the hard disk 28, RAM 22, and the like. It should be noted that a part of the various programs and data stored in the hard disk 28 is recorded on a CD-ROM, and the recorded program and data are appropriately loaded into the RAM 22 by the CD-ROM drive 29. good. As described above, the CD-ROM is only used as an example of a storage medium, and the storage medium applicable to this embodiment is not particularly limited.

  A system bus 20 includes, for example, a PCI bus, an AGP bus, a memory bus, and the like. In the figure, a connection chip between each bus, a keyboard interface, and an input / output interface such as so-called SCSI or ATAPI are omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the print server 103 and its surrounding environment. In the figure, 301 and 302 are an application for teaching A and an application for business B, respectively, for creating data for different business. In the present embodiment, the business A application 301 and the business B application 302 are installed in either the host computer 101 or the UNIX (registered trademark) server 102, and the host computer 101 or UNIX (registered trademark). By operating any one of the servers 102, data corresponding to each job can be created.

  Here, by operating each application, an instruction for printing the created data can be sent to the print server 103. For example, when the business A application 301 is installed on the host computer 101, the operator of the host computer 101 can create the business A data by operating the business A application 301. If this data is to be printed by the printing apparatus 104, this data can be sent to the print server 103 by inputting that fact using the keyboard or mouse provided in the host computer 101. The same applies to the business B application 302, and it is the same regardless of the device in which each application is installed.

  Next, the functional configuration of the print server 103 will be described. As shown in the figure, the print server 103 includes a print data management unit 303, a business A processing queue 306, a business B processing queue 307, an integrated processing queue 312, a print data management unit 313, and conversion programs 308 and 309. ing. The print data management unit 303 includes a business A management table 304 and a business B management table 305.

  Here, the set of the business A management table 304, the business A processing queue 306, and the conversion program 308 is provided to process the business A print job sent from the business A application 301. The set of the business B management table 305, the business B processing queue 307, and the conversion program 309 is provided to process the business B print job sent from the business B application 302.

  The print server 103 according to this embodiment includes an integrated processing queue 312 and a print data management unit 313 in addition to these units. Hereinafter, operations of these units constituting the print server 103 will be described.

  Upon receiving the job A print job sent from the job A application 301, the print data management unit 303 registers it in the job A management table 304 and sends it to the job A processing queue 306. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the business A management table 304. The business A management table 304 includes a job name (data name) of a business A print job, a job output destination (in the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 104), and a status (during processing or waiting for processing) as shown in FIG. ), Print start time and print end time are managed.

  When the print data management unit 303 receives the business B print job sent from the business B application 302, it registers it in the business B management table 305 and sends it to the business B processing queue 307. The configuration of the business B management table 305 is the same as that of the business A management table 304.

  The business A processing queue 306 is a queue for holding a job (business A print job) sent from the business A management table 304, and the business A print job is stored in the queue as a business A application. The items are registered in the order of transmission from 301. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the job A processing queue 306. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the job A processing queue 306 includes a job name (data name) of a job A print job, and a job output destination. (In the case of this embodiment, the printing apparatus 104), the state is managed.

  On the other hand, the operation of the business B processing queue 307 is the same. That is, the business B processing queue 307 is a queue for holding a job (business B print job) sent from the business B management table 305, and the business B print job is stored in this queue. Registered in the order of transmission from the application 302 for use.

  The print data management unit 313 constantly monitors the job A processing queue 306 and the job B processing queue 307, and when a new job is submitted to the queue, the job is input to the integrated processing queue 312. Process to throw in. In other words, the print data management unit 313 submits print jobs to the integrated processing queue 312 in the order of input to the print server 103 (reception order) regardless of whether the job is a job A print job or a job B print job. As a result, print jobs are registered in the integrated processing queue 312 in the order of input to the print server 103.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the integrated processing queue 312. As shown in FIG. 5, the integrated processing queue 312 has a print job name (data name), whether the print job is a job A print job or a job B A set of a partition ID indicating whether the print job is a print job and an output destination printing apparatus is registered for each print job.

  Further, the print data management unit 313 sends the job A print job to the conversion program 308 and the job B print job to the conversion program 309. Each of the conversion program 308 and the conversion program 309 performs processing for converting the received print job into a data format suitable for the output destination printing apparatus. Note that the conversion programs 308 and 309 perform the conversion process for the next job after the conversion process for one job is completed.

  Then, the conversion programs 308 and 309 send the converted data to the designated printing apparatus (in this embodiment, the printing apparatus 104). The conversion programs 308 and 309 delete the original data of the converted print job from the queue holding the original data after the conversion processing is completed or after the converted data is sent to the printing apparatus. The print data management unit 313 is notified of this. Accordingly, when the print data management unit 313 receives this notification, the print data management unit 313 performs a process of deleting the instructed print job from the queue holding the print job.

  On the other hand, when receiving the converted data, the printing apparatus 104 records an image or a character on a recording medium such as paper or OHP according to the received data.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of processing performed by the print data management unit 313.

  As described above, the print data management unit 313 always monitors the job A processing queue 306 and the job B processing queue 307 to monitor the input of a print job. Further, as described above, the print data management unit 313 receives a notification for deleting the original data of the print job for which the conversion programs 308 and 309 have ended the conversion processing from the queue holding the original data. Yes.

  Accordingly, when the print data management unit 313 detects that a print job has been input to either the business A process queue 306 or the business B process queue 307, that is, the integrated print queue 312 If a request to input is generated, the process proceeds to step S403 via step S402, and processing for adding the input print job to the end of the print job group held in the integrated processing queue 312 is performed. (Step S403).

  On the other hand, if the conversion program 308 or 309 receives notification from the conversion job 308 or 309 that the original data of the print job that has been converted is deleted from the queue that holds the original data, the process goes through step S402. Proceeding to step S404, the original data that has received the deletion notification is deleted from the queue holding the original data (step S404).

  Further, one is decremented from the total number of print jobs currently processed by the conversion programs 308 and 309 (simultaneous conversion number) (step S405). In this embodiment, one conversion program can convert only one print job at a time, but a plurality of print jobs may be processed in parallel.

  Next, the print data management unit 313 compares the number of simultaneous conversions with the maximum number of print jobs that can be processed by the conversion programs 308 and 309 (the number of simultaneous conversions) (step S406).

  As a result of this comparison processing, if the number of simultaneous conversions is equal to or greater than the number of simultaneous conversions, that is, if both the conversion programs 308 and 309 are in a state in which no further print job conversion processing is possible, this processing ends. If the simultaneous conversion number <the simultaneous conversion possible number, the process proceeds to step S407, and the first print job in the integrated processing queue 312, that is, among the print jobs currently stored in the integrated processing queue 312, The print job input (registered) at the oldest time is referred to (step S407).

  Then, it is checked whether or not the “status” of the first print job is “conversion processing in progress” (step S408). For example, when the first print job is a job A print job, the job A processing queue 306 having the configuration illustrated in FIG. 10 is referred to, and the “status” of the print job is referred to.

  This “status” indicates whether or not the conversion programs 308 and 309 are performing the conversion process. For example, the conversion program 308 is converting the print job whose data name is “AAADATA01”. In this case, since the conversion program 308 notifies the print data management unit 313 that the print job is being converted, the print data management unit 313 informs the print data management unit 313 of that fact. Write to the “status” of this print job managed in the A processing queue 306. Of course, this “state” is set to “waiting for processing” when it is not yet converted.

  If the result of this check is “conversion processing in progress”, the process proceeds to step S410, and among the print jobs currently stored in the integrated processing queue 312, the print input at the second oldest time is performed. The job is referred to (step S410), and the process proceeds to step S413.

  On the other hand, if the status of the referred print job is not “conversion processing” (“waiting for processing”), the process proceeds to step S409, and a conversion program that converts the print job being referred to is currently operating. It is checked whether or not (step S409). In other words, in the present embodiment, the conversion program can convert only one print job at a time. Therefore, in the state where one print job is currently converted, the next print job is currently converted. Only after the conversion process of the print job is finished, the conversion cannot be performed. In addition, if another print job is already being converted for the printing device to which the print job being referenced is to be output, or if there is a print job queued before the print job being referenced, printing is performed. Conversion processing is not performed in consideration of the order.

  Therefore, in the case of this embodiment, in order to check whether or not the print job being referred to can be converted, whether or not the conversion program for converting the print job being referred to is currently undergoing conversion processing. Check. Further, it is checked whether or not the printing apparatus designated as the output destination in the queue is the head in the same print job.

  If the conversion program for converting the print job being referred to is currently being converted, the process proceeds to step S410, and the next data in the queue is referenced (step S410). Next, it is confirmed whether or not the next job exists in the queue (step S413). If there is no job after the print job being referred to in the queue, the process for determining a print job that can be converted is terminated. On the other hand, if there is a job, the process returns to step S408 to refer to the next data in the queue.

  On the other hand, if the conversion program for converting the print job being referred to is not currently being converted, the process proceeds to step S411, and the number of simultaneous conversions is incremented by one (step S411). Then, the print job being referred to is sent to a conversion program for converting the print job (step S412). Note that which print job is passed to which conversion program, for example, the program name used in the conversion process may be written in the header of the print job, as will be described in the third embodiment. Alternatively, it may be set in advance so that it can be specified from the job name.

  With the above processing, print jobs can be converted in the order received and sent to the printing apparatus.

  Here, if one conversion program can perform conversion processing of a plurality of print jobs in parallel, in step S409, the conversion program for converting the first print job indicates the print job currently converted. It is checked whether or not the number is greater than or equal to the prescribed number. If it is less than the prescribed number, the process may be advanced to step S411.

  3, the tables and processing queues may be provided in the RAM 22 or the hard disk 28, the print data management unit 313, and the conversion program 308. , 309 may be implemented in the form of a program, and the CPU 21 may execute this program. In this case, programs and data for causing the CPU 21 to execute the processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 4 (programs and data for realizing the functions of the components constituting the print server 103 shown in FIG. 3) are stored in the hard disk 28. This is loaded into the RAM 22 as appropriate under the control of the CPU 21. The CPU 21 executes processing using the program and data, so that the print server 103 executes processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which the print job supply source is the application for business A and the application for business B, and the number of printing apparatuses is one (printing apparatus 104). However, the essence of the processing according to the first embodiment is the same regardless of the number of cases.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the integrated processing queue 312 in a configuration in which a print job received from each of the business A application and the business B application is output to one of the printing apparatuses 1 and 2.

  7 shows print jobs sent from the business A application, the business B application, the business C application, the business D application, the business E application, and the business F application. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the integrated process queue 312 in the case of sending to either.

  In this case, in the print server 103, a table corresponding to each business application (the business A management table 304 in the case of a business A application) and a processing queue (for business A) will be described. A processing queue 306 for business A in the case of an application and a conversion program (conversion program 308 in the case of an application for business A) are provided. 4 will exist.

  In this case, if the print job sent from each application is converted at once by the corresponding conversion program, there arises a problem that the performance of the CPU 21 is lowered. Therefore, in such a case, it is only necessary to adjust the number of simultaneous conversions described above so that print job conversion processing corresponding to all applications is not performed. As a result, it is possible to avoid the problem that the performance of the CPU 21 is lowered by forcibly performing processing beyond the performance of the CPU 21.

  When the output destinations are different, that is, when there are a plurality of output destinations, the job group held in the integration processing queue 312 is divided into groups for the same output destinations, and the print data management unit 313 displays each group. Every time, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed. That is, referring to the first print job for each group and conversion processing of the referred print job is possible (when both the determination results in steps S408 and S409 are YES), the first print job for each group is referred to. Processing to send the print job to the corresponding conversion program is performed.

  In such a case, for example, if the number of simultaneous conversions is set to “3”, there are five sections because there are five sections, and up to three of them can be operated at the same time. Under this condition, “Data A1” that is the first print job in the print job group that is output to the printing apparatus 1 and “Data C1” that is the first job in the print job group that is output to the printing apparatus 2 are converted. Then, “data D2” which is the first job in the print job group to be output to the printing apparatus 3 is sent to the conversion program.

  Here, the “data D1” of the business D is the head data of the section of the business D, but since the output target is the printing device 2, it should be output after the “data C1” and “data C2”. Therefore, “data D1” is not subject to conversion. “Data E1” is the head data of the job E and is the head of the printing apparatus 4. However, since there are already three conversion targets at the upper level of the queue, they are not converted.

  Also, in this state, when “data C1” and “data C2” are small in data and the conversion process ends first, the next candidate for conversion is “data D1” to be output to the output device 2 and the output device. 4 is “data E1”. In this state, the conversion process of “data D2” has already been performed for the section for business D to which “data D1” belongs. Therefore, “data D1” is not subject to conversion, and “data E1” to be output to the printing apparatus 4 is notified to the conversion program for business E.

[Third Embodiment]
As described in the first embodiment, in order to process a print job from a new business application, it is necessary to newly provide a set of a management table, a processing queue, and a conversion program corresponding to the business application. .

  More specifically, in order to process a print job from the new business application (hereinafter referred to as “business application C”), a print job (business C print job) from the business application C is processed. A management table (business C management table) and a processing queue (business C processing queue) for management need to be provided in the RAM 22 or the hard disk 28, and a business C print job is stored in the business C processing queue. When the job C is input, the print data management unit 313 needs to make the print data management unit 313 recognize the job C processing queue so that the job C print job is input to the integrated processing queue 312. Further, it is necessary to pass the business C print job to a conversion program (conversion program for business C) for converting the business C print job, and the converted print job is sent to the designated printing apparatus. There is a need.

  In order to perform such a series of processing, after installing a program and data for performing such processing in the hard disk 28, for example, the mouse 27 and the keyboard 26 of the print server 103 are operated to perform printing. Various settings need to be performed using a GUI or the like displayed on a display device included in the data management unit 303.

  Thus, for example, the following items are described in the setting data describing the contents set for each of various tasks.

[Section1]
Directory = d: \ rs \ sec \ sec1 \
Name = Accounting
[Section2]
Directory = d: \ rs \ sec \ sec2 \
Name = HR That is, “d: \ rs \ sec \ sec1 \” in the hard disk 28 includes various setting items when processing a print job received from a certain business application (for example, business A application). The described setting file is stored, and this setting file is named “Accounting”. Also, this configuration file has a tag “Section1”.

  On the other hand, “d: \ rs \ sec \ sec2 \” in the hard disk 28 describes various setting items when processing a print job received from another business application (for example, business B application). The setting file is stored, and this setting file is named “HR”. Also, this configuration file has a tag “Section2”.

  Furthermore, the following items are also described in the setting data.

[DataAA]
Section = 1
[DataBB]
Section = 2
That is, for this setting item, if “AA” is added to the head of the job name of the print job received from the outside, it is determined that the print job is from, for example, the application for business A and received from the outside. If “BB” is added to the head of the job name of the print job, the print job is set to be determined to be from, for example, the business B application. This determination result is reflected in the section ID.

  Therefore, according to such a setting, when a print job is sent to one of the conversion programs corresponding to each of a plurality of jobs, the print job is referred to by referring to the head of the job name of the print job. Can be specified, and this print job can be sent to a conversion program corresponding to the supplier.

  In each of the above embodiments, the type of print job is divided according to the application provided for each job. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the type of print job is divided according to what genre. Also good.

[Other Embodiments]
In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the figure) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is directly or remotely supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus Is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. 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 that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in 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. In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are also realized by the processing.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a computer applicable to the print server 103. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a print server 103 and its surrounding environment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating details of processing performed by a print data management unit 313. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an integrated processing queue 312. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an integrated processing queue 312 in a configuration in which a print job received from each of a business A application and a business B application is output to one of the printing apparatuses 1 and 2. FIG. A print job sent from each of the business A application, business B application, business C application, business D application, business E application, and business F application is sent to one of the printing apparatuses 1 to 4. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the integrated process queue 312 in the case of doing. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the conventional GUI which shows the content of the processing queue of a certain division. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a business A management table 304. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a business A processing queue 306. It is a figure explaining a prior art.

Claims (8)

A server device that is connected to a network to which a plurality of external devices that generate and output a print job are connected, and that can receive a print job output from the external device via the network,
Registration means for registering print jobs received via the network in a queue in the order received;
Conversion means for sequentially converting the print jobs registered in the queue in the order of registration;
An output unit that outputs the data converted by the conversion unit to a printing apparatus. The conversion means is provided for each type of print job,
The server apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print jobs registered in the queue are converted by a conversion unit according to the type in the registration order.   The server apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the conversion unit provided for each type of print job performs the conversion process of the next print job after the conversion process of one print job is completed. When there are a plurality of output destinations by the output means,
The server apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit divides the print job group registered in the queue into groups for each print job having the same output destination, and converts the group in order of registration for each group. .   5. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit has a simultaneous conversion number of the print job and does not convert more than the simultaneous conversion number. 6. A method for controlling a server device that is connected to a network to which a plurality of external devices that generate and output a print job are connected, and that can receive a print job output from the external device via the network,
A registration step of registering print jobs received via the network in a queue in the order received;
A conversion step of sequentially converting the print jobs registered in the queue in the order of registration;
An output step of outputting the data converted in the conversion step to a printing apparatus.   A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 6.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 7.

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