JP2007183889A - Print server and its control method, computer program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a client to efficiently use an alternative printer when a desired printer on a network is disabled. <P>SOLUTION: A print server detects a disabled printer on the network, and checks whether the client side uses a printer driver for the disabled printer. When the driver for the disabled printer is detected, the print server looks for an alternative printer having a similar attribute. The printer driver for the alternative printer is provided to the client concerned. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print server, a control method thereof, a computer program, and a storage medium.

  In general, when a client performs printing using a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to a network, the printing is performed by installing a printer driver for the printing apparatus to be printed on the client (see Patent Document 1). reference.).

  Here, when the printer driver is installed in the client, it can be confirmed from the client side that the corresponding printing device is a valid printing device on the network. In addition, even when a printing apparatus that performs printing becomes invalid on the network, it is possible for the client to recognize that the printing apparatus is invalid.

  However, this case has the following problems.

  First, it is impossible to know whether the printing device corresponding to the printer driver is valid or not unless the client user gives a print instruction or confirms the printer settings. .

  Even if the printer specified by the printer driver is found invalid on the network, it is difficult to identify an alternative printer, and the printer with the closest attribute to the disabled printer is detected. I can't do that either.

Furthermore, even if an alternative printing apparatus can be specified, it is difficult to know how to obtain a printer driver for the alternative printing apparatus, or to automatically obtain or install it.
JP-A-6-214920

  As described above, conventionally, in a printing apparatus on a network, when a desired printing apparatus becomes invalid, it is difficult for the client to efficiently use the alternative printing apparatus.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to make it possible for a client to efficiently use an alternative printing apparatus even when a desired printing apparatus becomes invalid in a printing apparatus on a network.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a print server connected to at least one or more clients and at least one or more printing apparatuses via a network, the at least one or more connected to the network. Storage means for storing attribute information relating to a printing apparatus; and determination means for determining whether the printing apparatus having attribute information stored in the storage means is valid or invalid on the network;
Of the at least one or more clients, first search means for searching for a first client having a first printer driver for a first printing apparatus determined to be invalid by the determination means; When the first client is detected by the search means, a second printing apparatus that can substitute for the first printing apparatus is searched based on the attribute information stored in the storage means. Search means; and providing means for providing a second printer driver for the second printing apparatus to the first client when the second printing apparatus is detected by the second searching means. It is characterized by providing.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print server connected to at least one or more clients and at least one printing apparatus via a network, the at least one connected to the network. Storage means for storing attribute information related to the printing apparatus, determination means for determining whether the printing apparatus having attribute information stored in the storage means is valid or invalid on the network, and at least Among the one or more clients, a search unit that searches for a first client having a first printer driver for the first printing apparatus determined to be invalid by the determination unit, and the search unit causes the first When the first client is detected, the first printer driver is deleted from the first client. And a client control means for, characterized in that it comprises a notifying means for notifying deletion of effect of the first printer driver to the first client.

  Furthermore, the present invention for achieving the above object includes a determination means for determining whether a printing apparatus connected via a network is valid or invalid on the network, and a client connected to the network. , A first search means for searching for a first client having a first printer driver for the first printing apparatus determined to be invalid by the determination means, and the first search means for detecting the first client. When a second client is detected, a second search device that searches for a second printing device that can replace the first printing device, and the second search device detects the second printing device. And providing means for providing a second printer driver for the second printing apparatus to the first client.

  According to the present invention, even when a desired printing apparatus becomes invalid in a printing apparatus on a network, an alternative printing apparatus can be efficiently used by a client.

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

[First Embodiment]
In this embodiment, a network system includes a client, a print server, and a printing apparatus (printer) connected to the client.
In this network system, the print server detects an invalid printing device on the network and checks a client printer driver to search for and detect an invalid printing device printer driver.

  When such a printer driver is detected, the print server notifies the client that there is a printer driver for an invalid printing device and the alternative printing device. Also, the printer driver for the alternative printing apparatus is installed on the client.

  More specific description will be given with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a basic configuration of a network system common to an embodiment of the present invention and other embodiments.

  In FIG. 1, workstations and personal computers of a server 100, print servers 101 and 102 to 104 are connected on a network 111, and a network is constructed with the server 100 as a core. Note that the number of clients connected to the network 111 may be at least one, and the number of clients connected is not particularly limited.

  The printers 105 to 108 are connected to the print server 101 via the network 110. The printers 105 to 108 as printing apparatuses may be any of an ink jet printer, a bubble jet (registered trademark) printer, and an electrophotographic printer. The printer 105 was initially connected to the network 110 and was a valid printer. However, after that, the connection was canceled and the printer 105 is now an invalid printer. The number of printers connected to the network 110 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that at least one effective printer is connected. For example, there may be a case where only the printer 105 has been connected in the past, but is replaced with the printer 108 thereafter. Even in that case, the present invention can be applied.

  The print server 101 receives a print request from a client on the network 111 and causes any of the printers 105 to 108 specified in the print request to execute print processing. The print server 101 stores and manages model-dependent attribute files of printers to be managed (initially printers 105 to 108 and currently printers 106 to 108).

  From the workstation 102 serving as a client or the personal computers 103 and 104, it is possible to instruct each printer to print a document created and stored on each client via the print server 101.

  On the client side, when printing is instructed, the attribute settings based on the document and the attribute settings depending on the printer model based on the printer driver are filed. The generated attribute file is transmitted to the print server 101 where it is stored and managed. When the print server 101 detects that the printer instructed to print does not exist on the network 110, the print server 101 searches for a printer (substitute printer) having a close attribute based on the attribute file.

  In FIG. 1, when the attribute file of the printer 105 is transmitted from the client, the printer 105 is not present on the network 110, and therefore the printer 108 is detected as an alternative printing apparatus.

  At this time, the print server 101 notifies the client that has issued a print instruction that the printer 105 is invalid on the network 110 and also that there is a printer 108 that can be used as an alternative printer. The print server 101 also sends a printer driver for the printer 108 to the client and performs remote installation. Then, printing output is performed by the printer 108.

  Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the print server 101 corresponding to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 1501 denotes a CPU, which controls devices using programs, data, and the like stored in a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1502 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1505. A RAM 1502 includes an area for reading a processing program stored in the internal storage device 1507, and also includes a work area used when the CPU 1501 executes various processes.

  Reference numeral 1503 denotes an input unit that receives input from an administrator of the apparatus, and includes a keyboard, buttons, a mouse, and the like. A communication I / F (interface) 1504 functions as an I / F for connecting to the networks 110 and 111. A ROM 1505 stores a program (for example, a boot program) for controlling the entire print server 101 and the like. Reference numeral 1506 denotes a display unit as a display screen, which includes a CRT or a liquid crystal screen. Reference numeral 1507 denotes an internal storage device, which is mainly composed of a hard disk, and stores processing programs and various application data corresponding to FIGS. The data stored here is read out to the RAM 1502 as necessary. Reference numeral 1508 denotes an external storage device that can be used as a database, and stores each attribute file and attribute information management table shown in FIG. A bus 1510 connects the above-described units.

  Next, a specific example of a printing device attribute file stored and managed in advance in the print server 101 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 2, reference numerals 201 to 203 denote printing device attribute files of the printers 105 to 108. The attribute file includes a printer name 211, color / monochrome 212, supported paper size 213, PDL (page description language) 214 corresponding to the printer, double-sided printing availability 215, resolution 216, and engine speed 217. . Such attribute information is managed as an attribute information management table as shown in 204 on the database 1508 of the print server 101.

  Next, a print control process according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print control process corresponding to the present embodiment.

  First, in step S <b> 301, the print server 101 searches for printers that are invalid on the network 110 among printers registered in the attribute information management table 204.

  In step S302, the print server 101 inquires each client (102 to 104) on the network 11 about the installed printer driver.

  In step S303, the print server 101 determines whether there is a client using a printer driver corresponding to the invalid printer detected in step S301 (hereinafter referred to as “invalid printer driver”). judge. If a client using an invalid printer driver is detected (“YES” in step S303), the process proceeds to step 304. On the other hand, if a client using an invalid printer driver is not detected (“NO” in step S303), the process is terminated.

  In step S <b> 304, it is determined whether a printer having attribute information close to an invalid printer, that is, a printer that can replace an invalid printer exists on the attribute information management table 204. If there is a printer having similar attribute information (“YES” in step S304), the process proceeds to step S305. On the other hand, if there is no printer having close attribute information (“NO” in step S304), the process proceeds to step S307.

  Here, in the example of FIG. 2, for example, the printer 105 has the color / monochrome 212 setting “color” and the PDL 214 “PS”. Since the printer 108 has a setting corresponding to this setting, the printer 108 can be selected as a printer having an attribute close to that of the printer 105. In the printer 106, the color / monochrome 212 setting is “monochrome”, and the PDL 214 is “LIPS”. Since the printer 107 has a setting corresponding to this setting, the printer 107 can be selected as a printer having an attribute close to that of the printer 106.

  In step S305, the print server 101 notifies the client that has the invalid printer driver installed that the invalid printer driver exists and that there is an alternative printer for the printer. This notification may be performed, for example, by sending an e-mail to a mail address predetermined for each client. In step S306, the printer driver for the alternative printer is provided to the client. At this time, automatic installation can be performed by a so-called Push system.

  The installation of the printer driver for the alternative printer may overwrite the invalid printer driver, or may be installed after deleting the invalid printer driver. Furthermore, the invalid printer driver may be left separately and installed separately. After installation, this process ends.

  In step S307, the print server 101 notifies the corresponding client of the presence of the invalid printer driver and the absence of the alternative printer. This notification may also be performed, for example, by sending an e-mail to a mail address predetermined for each client. Thereafter, the process ends.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the print server 101 detects an invalid printer on the network 110 and determines whether the client side uses the printer driver of the invalid printer. Can be checked. When an invalid printer driver is detected, a search is made for a printer having a close attribute on the print server 101 side, that is, a printer capable of obtaining a close print result / effect. Furthermore, the printer driver for the alternative printer can be automatically installed on the corresponding client by the Push method.

  This eliminates the need for the client side to issue a print instruction or to consciously and actively check the validity / invalidity of the printer driver, and always keeps only the valid printer driver without taking time and effort. be able to.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the printer driver installed on the client is a common printer driver that can support a plurality of models.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing corresponding to the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, the same reference numerals are assigned to the steps common to the processing steps of FIG. A description of such processing steps will be omitted.

  In FIG. 4, after notifying a client having an invalid printer driver in step S305, the process proceeds to step S401. In step S401, the print server 101 notifies the client in which the invalid printer driver is installed, and deletes information related to the invalid printer from the common printer driver information. In step S402, the attribute information of the alternative printer, the network address information, and the like are notified to add information about the alternative printer.

  As a result, it is possible to avoid the burdensome work of deleting and installing the printer driver on the client side, and to hold an effective printer driver with only a simple work of deleting and adding information.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the print server 101 notifies the corresponding client of the storage location of the printer driver for the alternative printer.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of processing corresponding to this embodiment. In FIG. 5, the same reference numerals are assigned to the steps common to the processing steps of FIG.

  In FIG. 5, after notifying in step S305, the process proceeds to step S501. In step S501, the storage location of the printer driver for the alternative printer is notified / sent to the client. The notification in steps S305 and S501 may be performed, for example, by transmitting an e-mail addressed to a predetermined mail address for each client.

  Upon receiving the notification, the client manager can download and install the printer driver from the notified storage location.

  Instead of notifying the storage location of the printer driver of the alternative printer, the printer driver itself may be sent to the client. The printer driver to be sent may be a simple compressed file, or may be a self-executed compressed file format that is automatically executed when the client double-clicks to start and complete the installation. In the case of the self-executable compressed file format, the installation can be performed after deleting the invalid printer driver. The invalid printer driver may be installed by overwriting, or it may be newly installed separately while leaving the invalid printer driver.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the printer driver is not installed in its own client without knowing it. As a result, it is possible to provide an effective printer driver including an advanced client / user who wants to set and select independently by himself / herself during installation and installation method.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the print server 101 deletes the printer driver for the invalid printer from the corresponding client.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of processing corresponding to the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, the same reference numerals are assigned to the steps common to the processing steps of FIG.

  In FIG. 6, when it is determined that there is an invalid printer driver (“YES” in step S303), the process proceeds to step S601. If it is determined that there is no invalid printer driver (“NO” in step S303), the processing is ended as it is. Alternatively, the client may be notified that an invalid printer driver has not been detected.

  In step S601, the print server 101 transmits an invalid printer driver deletion command to the client having an invalid printer driver, thereby deleting the invalid printer driver from the client. In step S602, the client is notified that the invalid printer driver exists and has been deleted. This notification may be performed by sending an e-mail to a mail address predetermined for each client.

  According to the present embodiment, the client can simply receive notification and deletion of the presence of an invalid printer driver without receiving excessive services from the print server 101, and can save disk space and improve printing convenience. be able to.

[Fifth Embodiment]
In the above first to fourth embodiments, the processing for providing an effective printer driver from the print server 101 to the client has been described. These processes may be executed using a schedule at a specific timing that is regular or irregular, or regularly and irregularly. For example, when there is a state in which no operation is applied to the client for a certain time (such as 30 minutes or more), or once a month at the beginning of the month, it can be executed at a predetermined timing.

  Accordingly, even if the administrator of the print server 101 does not consciously and actively work, the printer driver can be automatically checked and searched, and the administrator load can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained by searching for and detecting an invalid printer printer driver of a client from the print server side even if there is no instruction / work based on the intention of the client. .

  1. The client side can always hold a valid printer driver.

  2. If the client has a printer driver for an invalid printer, this can be known.

  3. On the client side, the existence, location, name, etc. of the alternative printer can be known.

  4. On the client side, the means for obtaining the printer driver for the alternative printer can be known, or can be obtained, or is automatically installed.

  5. The printer driver for the invalid printer or the information regarding the invalid printer is automatically deleted, so that the capacity of the client can be used effectively.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention can be achieved by supplying a recording medium in which a program code of software realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the recording medium.

  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.

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

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by executing the program code read by the computer. In addition, on the basis of the instruction of the program code, the OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.

  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. The CPU of the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

  The present invention can also be applied to a case where the program is distributed to a requester via a communication line such as the Internet or BBS from a storage medium that records a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. Needless to say.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the network system corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the attribute information of a printing apparatus corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process corresponding to the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process corresponding to the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process corresponding to the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process corresponding to the 4th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a print server 101 corresponding to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (16)

A print server connected to at least one or more clients and at least one or more printing devices via a network,
Storage means for storing attribute information relating to the at least one printing apparatus connected to the network;
Determination means for determining whether the printing apparatus having attribute information stored in the storage means is valid or invalid on the network;
First search means for searching for a first client having a first printer driver for the first printing apparatus determined to be invalid by the determination means among the at least one client;
When the first client is detected by the first search means, a second printing apparatus that can be substituted for the first printing apparatus is searched based on the attribute information stored in the storage means. A second search means;
Providing means for providing a second printer driver for the second printing device to the first client when the second printing device is detected by the second search means; Feature print server.   The print server according to claim 1, wherein the providing unit causes the first client to install the second printer driver by a push method. When the first printer driver in the first client is a printer driver that can be used for a plurality of types of printing apparatuses,
The providing means provides the second printer driver by causing the first printer driver to delete information about the first printing device and adding information about the second printing device. The print server according to claim 1.   The providing unit performs the providing by notifying a storage location of the second printer driver or transmitting the second printer driver to the first client. The print server according to claim 1.   5. The transmission apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit information on the presence / absence of the first printer driver and information on provision of the second printer driver to the first client. The print server according to any one of the above. A print server connected to at least one or more clients and at least one or more printing devices via a network,
Storage means for storing attribute information relating to the at least one printing apparatus connected to the network;
Determination means for determining whether the printing apparatus having attribute information stored in the storage means is valid or invalid on the network;
Search means for searching for a first client having a first printer driver for a first printing device determined to be invalid by the determination means among the at least one client;
Client control means for deleting the first printer driver from the first client when the search means detects the first client;
A print server comprising: notification means for notifying the first client that the first printer driver has been deleted. Determining means for determining whether a printing apparatus connected via the network is valid or invalid on the network;
First search means for searching for a first client having a first printer driver for the first printing apparatus determined to be invalid by the determination means among clients connected to the network;
Second search means for searching for a second printing apparatus that can replace the first printing apparatus when the first client is detected by the first searching means;
Providing means for providing a second printer driver for the second printing device to the first client when the second printing device is detected by the second search means; Feature print server. Print server control method comprising: storage means connected to at least one or more clients and at least one printing device via a network, and storing attribute information relating to the at least one printing device connected on the network Because
A determination step of determining whether the printing apparatus having attribute information stored in the storage means is valid or invalid on the network;
A first search step of searching for a first client having a first printer driver for a first printing apparatus determined to be invalid in the determination step among the at least one client;
When the first client is detected in the first search step, a second printing device that can replace the first printing device is searched based on the attribute information stored in the storage unit. A second search step;
Providing a second printer driver for the second printing device to the first client when the second printing device is detected in the second search step. A control method for a print server.   9. The print server control method according to claim 8, wherein in the providing step, the second printer driver is installed in the first client by a push method. When the first printer driver in the first client is a printer driver that can be used for a plurality of types of printing apparatuses,
In the providing step, the second printer driver is provided by causing the first printer driver to delete information about the first printing device and adding information about the second printing device. The method of controlling a print server according to claim 8.   In the providing step, the providing is performed by notifying a storage location of the second printer driver or transmitting the second printer driver to the first client. The print server control method according to claim 8.   12. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: a transmission step of transmitting information relating to presence / absence of the first printer driver and information relating to provision of the second printer driver to the first client. A print server control method according to any one of the above. A print server that is connected to at least one or more clients and at least one or more printing apparatuses via a network, and includes storage means for storing attribute information relating to the at least one or more printing apparatuses connected on the network ,
A determination step of determining whether the printing apparatus having attribute information stored in the storage means is valid or invalid on the network;
A search step of searching for a first client having a first printer driver for the first printing device determined to be invalid in the determination step among the at least one client;
A client control step for deleting the first printer driver from the first client when the first client is detected in the search step;
A print server control method comprising: a notification step of notifying the first client of the deletion of the first printer driver. A determination step of determining whether a printing apparatus connected via the network is valid or invalid on the network;
A first search step of searching for a first client having a first printer driver for the first printing apparatus determined to be invalid in the determination step among clients connected to the network;
A second search step of searching for a second printing device that can replace the first printing device when the first client is detected in the first searching step;
Providing a second printer driver for the second printing device to the first client when the second printing device is detected in the second search step. A control method for a print server.   A computer program for causing a computer to function as the print server according to claim 1.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 15.

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