JP2007283628A - Printing system, printer and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system for informing an effective function of a plurality of printers connected to a daisy chain in series, and distributing a print job on a printer side so as to print the print job with a printer having a selected function, a printer and a control method thereof. <P>SOLUTION: The printing system is provided in which a plurality of printers are connected in series, wherein each of the printers comprises a function-constituting information requesting means for requesting a function-constituting information to a lower-level apparatus, a function-constituting information informing means for informing a function-constituting information acquired from the lower-level apparatus by a request provided by the function-constituting information requesting means to an upper-level apparatus together with a function-constituting information of a self-apparatus, a function-constituting information retaining means for retaining the function-constituting information acquired from the lower-level apparatus by the request provided by the function-constituting information requesting means and the function-constituting information of a self-apparatus, and a print data transmitting means for transmitting print data related to a print instruction received from the upper-level apparatus to the lower-level apparatus by referring to the function-constituting information retained in the function-constituting information retaining means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing apparatus, and a control method thereof, and in particular, notifies effective functions of a plurality of printing apparatuses connected in series in a daisy chain, and prints a print job with the printing apparatus having the selected function. In particular, the present invention relates to a printing system, a printing apparatus, and a control method for the printing apparatus that distribute the print job on the printing apparatus side.

  In recent years, a form in which information devices such as a host device and a printing device are connected to a network and these devices are operated efficiently has become widespread.

  For example, if the print data created by the host device by connecting a plurality of printing devices to the network is color print data, the color printing device of the plurality of printing devices connected to the host device and the network is selected and printed. Alternatively, if the print data created by the host device is print data for routine work such as invoices, you can select and print a print device that is suitable for routine work among multiple printing devices connected to the host device over the network. Equipment and resources such as printing devices can be used efficiently and effectively.

  However, when a plurality of printing devices are connected to a network to distribute printing processing, it is necessary to sequentially set the printing device that is the output destination of the print job from each host device, and this setting work becomes inconvenient. It was.

  In addition, when a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to the network are not functionally identical, that is, when a color printing apparatus, a monochrome printing apparatus, a printing apparatus dedicated to A4 paper, etc. are connected together, the user desires It is necessary to select a printing apparatus having the above function as an output destination and give a print instruction by the printer driver of the selected printing apparatus.

  Therefore, instead of selecting the output destination printing device on the host device side, if the printing device side sorts and prints the print job by sending the print job to the predetermined printing device, the host device side, That is, for the user, complicated setting work of the output destination printing apparatus is reduced, and the print instruction operation becomes easy.

Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 proposes a printing apparatus that realizes a print processing distribution function that does not depend on a host apparatus by distributing print jobs on the printing apparatus side.
JP 09-141975 A

  However, the printing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to realize the printing capability required by the printing system without changing the interface with the host device by connecting a plurality of the same printing devices in a daisy chain. However, when printing apparatuses having different functions, such as a color printing apparatus, a monochrome printing apparatus, and a printing apparatus dedicated to A4 paper, are mixed, there is a problem that the printing apparatus cannot perform the distribution of print jobs.

  Therefore, the present invention notifies the effective functions of a plurality of printing apparatuses connected in series in a daisy chain, and sorts the print jobs so that the printing job is printed by the printing apparatus having the selected function. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing system, a printing apparatus, and a control method for the printing system.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a printing system in which a plurality of devices are connected in series, wherein the printing device includes functional configuration information requesting means for requesting functional configuration information to a lower level device. , Function configuration information notifying means for notifying the higher order apparatus together with the function configuration information of its own apparatus, the function configuration information acquired from the lower order apparatus by the request by the function configuration information request means, and from the lower order apparatus by the request by the function configuration information request means. Refer to the functional configuration information holding means for holding the acquired functional configuration information and the functional configuration information of the own apparatus, and the functional configuration information holding the print data related to the print instruction received from the host apparatus in the functional configuration information holding means. And a print data transmitting means for transmitting to the lower apparatus.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the functional configuration information requesting unit requests the functional configuration information from the lower-level device at a predetermined cycle.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the print data transmitting means refers to the print data relating to the print instruction received from the host device with reference to the functional configuration information held in the functional configuration information holding means. When it is determined that the printing process is not performed by the own apparatus, print data relating to the print instruction is transmitted to the lower apparatus.

  The invention of claim 4 further comprises a host device connected to the highest-level printing device of the plurality of printing devices in the invention of claim 1, wherein the host device is connected to the highest-level printing device. A display unit that displays valid functional configuration information of the acquired functional configuration information; and a print data generation unit that generates print data related to a print instruction based on the functional configuration information displayed by the display unit. It is characterized by.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus connected in series with the apparatus, the functional configuration information requesting means for requesting the functional configuration information to the lower level apparatus, and the lower level by the request from the functional configuration information requesting means. Function configuration information notifying means for notifying the upper apparatus with the function configuration information acquired from the apparatus together with the function configuration information of the own apparatus, and the function configuration information acquired from the lower apparatus by the request by the function configuration information requesting means and the function configuration of the own apparatus A function configuration information holding unit that holds information, and whether or not print data related to a print instruction received from the higher-level device is transmitted to the lower-level device with reference to the function configuration information held in the functional configuration information holding unit Determination means, print data transmission means for transmitting the print data to a lower-level device, and print means for printing out the print data. .

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the functional configuration information requesting unit requests the functional configuration information from the lower-level device at a predetermined cycle.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 6, wherein the print data transmission means transmits the print data to the lower apparatus when the determination means determines to transmit the print data to the lower apparatus. It is characterized by that.

  The invention of claim 8 is a control method in which a printing device connected in series with the device prints print data instructed to print, and the functional configuration information is requested to the lower device by the functional configuration information requesting means, The functional configuration information acquired from the lower level device by the request from the functional configuration information requesting unit is notified to the higher level device by the functional configuration information notifying unit together with the functional configuration information of the own device, and acquired from the lower level device by the request from the functional configuration information requesting unit. The function configuration information and the function configuration information of the own apparatus are held by the function configuration information holding unit, and the print data related to the print instruction received from the host apparatus is referred to the function configuration information held by the function configuration information holding unit. The determination unit determines whether or not to transmit to the lower-level device, and if the determination unit determines to transmit the print data to the lower-level device, the print data is Transmitted by the print data transmitting unit device, when it is determined not to transmit the print data to a lower device in the determination means it is characterized in that printing out the print data by the printing means.

  According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the eighth aspect of the invention, the functional configuration information requesting unit requests the functional configuration information from the subordinate apparatus at a predetermined cycle.

  According to the printing system, the printing apparatus, and the control method thereof according to the present invention, the effective function of each printing apparatus is displayed on the host apparatus that is the host apparatus of the uppermost printing apparatus among the plurality of daisy chain connected printing apparatuses. The effective functions of each printing apparatus can be used without being limited to the functions of the highest-level printing apparatus.

  Further, since only one type of integrated printer driver needs to be mounted on the host device, it is not necessary to change the printer driver of each printing device connected in a daisy chain, and the convenience of the user is improved. .

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a printing system, a printing apparatus, and a control method thereof according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a printing system 100 according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 100 includes a printing apparatus 20-1, a printing apparatus 20-2, and a printing apparatus 20-3 that are daisy chain connected in series, and the printing apparatus 20-1 and the host apparatus 10 are connected. It is connected through a network 30 such as a LAN (= Local Area Network).

  The printing device 20-2 is connected to the lower level of the printing device 20-1, the printing device 20-3 is connected to the lower level of the printing device 20-2, and the upper level of the printing device 20-3 is the printing device 20-2. The upper level of the printing apparatus 20-2 is daisy chain connected by the printing apparatus 20-1.

  In the printing system 100, the host device 10 is connected to the upper level of the printing device 20-1 via the LAN 30.

  The printing device 20-1, the printing device 20-2, and the printing device 20-3 are collectively referred to as “printing device 20-n”.

  Further, the upper and lower connection relationships of the printing apparatuses 20-n are not particularly limited, and the number of printing apparatuses 20-n connected in a daisy chain is not particularly limited.

  Also, each printing apparatus 20-n according to the present invention constituting the printing system 100 only needs to have a basic configuration (see FIG. 2) described later, and includes a laser beam printing apparatus, a serial printing apparatus (inkjet printing apparatus). Etc.), various printing apparatuses such as a color printing apparatus, a monochrome printing apparatus, and an A4 dedicated machine can be connected, and these printing apparatuses may be mixed or connected by the same model.

  When each printing apparatus 20-n constituting the printing system 100 receives an inquiry about function information to be described later from an apparatus connected to a higher level of each printing apparatus 20-n (hereinafter, referred to as “upper apparatus”). Alternatively, the function information is inquired of a device connected to the lower level of each printing device 20-n (hereinafter referred to as “lower device”) at a certain time interval, and the function information returned from the lower device It is configured to notify the host device of function information (function information) included in the own device 20-n.

  On the other hand, the host device 10 is preinstalled with an integrated printer driver that can select and set the functions of each printing device 20-n that is assumed to be connected in a daisy chain, and the functional configuration notified from the printing device 20-1. Based on the information (function information of each printing apparatus 20-n), the printer driver determines a valid function and an invalid function, displays them on a display unit (not shown) of the host apparatus 10, and includes the printing apparatus 20-1. The printing apparatus 20-1, the printing apparatus 20-2, and the printing apparatus 20-3 connected to each other in the chain connection are configured to select and set effective functions and to issue a print instruction.

  Specifically, the printer driver installed in the host apparatus 10 is for various printing apparatuses such as a laser beam printing apparatus, a serial printing apparatus (inkjet printing apparatus, etc.), a color printing apparatus, a monochrome printing apparatus, and an A4 dedicated machine. The functions of the various printing apparatuses are integrated so that printing can be instructed, and functional configuration information (functions of the printing apparatuses 20-n) notified from the printing apparatus 20-1 of the integrated functions. Information) is displayed on the host device 10 so that the user can select and set it as an effective function.

  With this configuration, the printing system 100 is not limited to the function of the printing apparatus 20-1 connected to the host apparatus 10 via the LAN 30, and each printing apparatus connected in a daisy chain to the printing apparatus 20-1. 20-n effective functions can be used.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a functional basic configuration of each printing apparatus 20-n according to the present invention.

  FIG. 2 shows the basic configuration of the main part of each printing apparatus 20-n for realizing the present invention. The configuration of each printing apparatus 20-n other than this basic configuration has been described above. As described above, it is configured to be able to perform printing processing corresponding to each model such as a laser beam printing apparatus, a serial printing apparatus or a color printing apparatus, a monochrome printing apparatus, and an A4 dedicated machine.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each printing apparatus 20-n includes an upper I / F (= interface) 21, a lower I / F (= interface) 22, a buffer 23, a distribution control unit 24, and a distribution. A unit 25, a printing unit 26, a function information processing unit 27, and a function configuration information holding unit 28 are provided.

  The host I / F 21 connects the printing device 20-n (referred to as “own device 20-n” for convenience) and the host device, and controls signals and data between the host device 20-n and the host device. Controls transmission / reception of signals, etc.

  In the case of the printing system 100, the host device 10 or a printing device 20-n other than the own device 20-n is connected as a host device of the own device 20-n.

  The lower I / F 22 connects the own device 20-n and the lower device, and controls transmission / reception of control signals, data signals, and the like between the own device 20-n and the lower device.

  In the case of the printing system 100, a printing apparatus 20-n other than the own apparatus 20-n is connected as a lower apparatus of the own apparatus 20-n.

  The upper I / F 21 and the lower I / F 22 are each configured as a bidirectional input / output interface capable of acquiring information output from the lower device or the upper device.

  The buffer 23 is a storage device that temporarily stores a print job received via the host I / F 21.

  The distribution control unit 24 determines whether to print the print job stored in the buffer 23 by the own device 20-n or the lower device.

  The distribution unit 25 transfers the print job stored in the buffer 23 to the printing unit 26 or the lower I / F 22 based on the determination result of the distribution control unit 25.

  The printing unit 26 prints out print data of the print job on paper based on the print job transferred from the buffer 23 by the distribution unit 25.

  The function information processing unit 27 inquires of the lower level apparatus about the function information and controls the processing operation for notifying the upper level apparatus of the function information returned from the lower level apparatus and the function information of the own apparatus 20-n.

  The functional configuration information holding unit 28 stores and holds the functional information of the own device 20-n and the functional configuration information responded from the lower device.

  Each printing apparatus 20-n having such a basic configuration receives the function information of the lower apparatus from the lower apparatus when there is an inquiry about the function information from the upper apparatus or at a certain time interval as described above. The function information returned from the lower apparatus and the function information of the own apparatus 20-n are notified to the upper apparatus.

  The inquiry of the function information to the lower device and the operation control for adding the function information of the lower device to the function information of the own device 20-n and notifying the higher device are mainly performed by the control of the function information processing unit 27. .

  Here, each printing apparatus 20-n acquires the function information of the lower apparatus periodically or in response to an inquiry from the upper apparatus, and adds the acquired function information of the lower apparatus to the function information of the own apparatus 20-n. A flow until the function information notified from the printing apparatus 20-1 is displayed on the host apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when there is an inquiry about the function information from the host device 10 or the higher-level device of each printing device 20-n (YES in step S301) or every certain time (NO in step S301, step S302). In step S303), the function information is inquired to a lower level device connected to a lower level of the own device 20-n.

  Specifically, when there is a function information inquiry from the host apparatus 10 to the printing apparatus 20-1 or every time a certain time elapses, the printing apparatus 20-1 prints connected to a lower level of the printing apparatus 20-1. The printing apparatus 20-2 inquires of the apparatus 20-2 about the function information, and receives the inquiry of the function information from the printing apparatus 20-1. The printing apparatus 20- connected to the lower level of the printing apparatus 20-2. 3 is queried for function information.

  If there is no response from the lower-level device in response to this function information inquiry (NO in step S304), the function information (functional information) included in the own device 20-n is returned to the higher-level device (step S307).

  Specifically, since the lower device is not connected, the printing device 20-3 responds only to the function information of the printing device 20-3 to the printing device 20-2.

  A terminator is connected to the lower I / F 22 of the lowest printing device 20-3 among the daisy chain connected printing devices 20-n.

  A response from the printing apparatus 20-3 to the inquiry about the function information from the printing apparatus 20-2 to the printing apparatus 20-3 is caused by any cause (for example, the printing apparatus 20-3 has been removed from the printing system 100 or has failed). If not, the printing apparatus 20-2 responds only to the function information of the printing apparatus 20-2 to the printing apparatus 20-1.

Further, a response from the printing apparatus 20-2 to the inquiry of the function information from the printing apparatus 20-1 to the printing apparatus 20-2 is caused by some reason (for example, the printing apparatus 20-2 has been removed from the printing system 100 or has failed). If not, the printing apparatus 20-1 notifies only the function information of the printing apparatus 20-1 to the host apparatus 10.
In step S304, when there is a response of the functional configuration information from the lower-level device (YES in step S304), the functional configuration information is created by adding the functional configuration information responded from the lower-level device to the function information of the own device 20-n. The function configuration information holding unit 28 stores and holds the function configuration information to the higher-level device (steps S305 and S306).

  Specifically, when there is a response from the printing apparatus 20-3 to the inquiry about the function information from the printing apparatus 20-2 to the printing apparatus 20-3, the functional configuration returned from the printing apparatus 20-3 Information (function information obtained by adding function information of the lower device of the printing device 20-3 to the function information of the printing device 20-3, in this case, only the function information of the printing device 20-3) is stored in the printing device 20-2. New function configuration information added to the function information is created, stored in the function configuration information holding unit 28 of the printing apparatus 20-2, and the function configuration information created by the printing apparatus 20-2 is notified to the printing apparatus 20-1. To do.

  If there is a response from the printing apparatus 20-2 to the inquiry about the function information from the printing apparatus 20-1 to the printing apparatus 20-2, the function configuration information returned from the printing apparatus 20-2 (this In this case, the function information of the printing apparatus 20-2 is added to the function information of the printing apparatus 20-1 and the function information of the printing apparatus 20-2 is created. The function configuration information storage unit 20-1 stores and holds the function configuration information created by the printing apparatus 20-1 to the host device 10.

  The host device 10 displays the functional configuration information notified from the printing device 20-1, and notifies the user as selection items of various printing conditions to be selected and set when the print data is instructed to print. Without being limited to the functions of the printing apparatus 20-1 connected via the LAN 30, the effective functions of each printing apparatus 20-n connected to the printing apparatus 20-1 and daisy chain can be used (step S308). ).

  Specifically, for example, the printing apparatus 20-1 is a dedicated machine for A4 paper size for monochrome printing, the printing apparatus 20-2 is a dedicated machine for A4 paper size for color printing, and the printing apparatus 20-3 is a dedicated machine for A3 paper size for monochrome printing. Then, the host device 10 is displayed so that each function of A4 paper size monochrome printing or color printing or A3 paper size monochrome printing can be selected and set.

  Next, an operation in which each printing apparatus 20-n prints a print job instructed to be printed from the host apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when there is a print job print instruction from the host device 10 or a higher-level device of each print device 20-n (YES in step S401), the print job instructed to be printed by the own device 20-n. It is determined whether to perform printing processing or to be performed by a lower apparatus (step S402). When it is determined that printing processing is to be performed by a lower apparatus (NO in step S403), the print job is transferred to a lower apparatus of its own apparatus 20-n. Transfer (step S407).

  It should be noted that whether or not the own device 20-n can perform print processing under the print conditions of the print job is determined based on the function configuration information held in the function configuration information holding unit 28 of the own device 20-n and the print job. Judge based on printing conditions.

If it is determined that the print processing of the print job is not possible with the function of the own apparatus 20-n (NO in step S403), the print job is transferred to the printing apparatus 20-n of the lower apparatus (step S407).
In step S402, when it is determined that the print processing of the print job is possible with the function of the own apparatus 20-n (YES in step S403), the operation state of the own apparatus 20-n (for example, the own apparatus 20-n is Is in a state where the print job can be started (step S404). If the print process can be started, it is determined whether the print job can be started. Printing processing is started (NO in step S404, step S406).

  In step S404, if the device 20-n is in the process of printing another print job (eg, the operating state is busy) and the print job cannot be started (YES in step S404), the print job Is determined to be printable even in the lower-level apparatus (step S405). If it is determined that the print job is also printable in the function of the lower-level apparatus (YES in step S405), the print job Is transferred to the lower device (step S407).

  If it is determined in step S405 that the print job cannot be printed by the function of the lower device (NO in step S405), the operation state of the own device 20-n is a state in which the print job can be started. Until the start of the print job becomes possible (step S406).

  It should be noted that whether the printing conditions of the print job can be printed by the lower-level apparatus is determined based on the function configuration information held in the function configuration information holding unit 28 of the own apparatus 20-n and the printing conditions of the print job. Judge based on.

  FIG. 5 and FIG. 5 are specific examples of a print job instructed to be printed based on the function information of each printing device 20-n displayed on the host device 10 until the print job is transferred and printed by the control operation of each printing device 20-n. Reference is made to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example in which a print job instructed to be printed from the host device 10 is subjected to print processing by a lower printing device 20-n among the printing devices 20-n connected in a daisy chain.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the printing apparatus 20-1 constituting the printing system 100 is a printing apparatus that performs monochrome printing with, for example, A4 paper size, and the printing apparatus 20-2 is a printing apparatus that performs monochrome printing with, for example, A3 paper size, the printing apparatus 20. -3 is a printing apparatus that performs color printing on A4 paper size, for example, the function configuration information holding unit 28 of the printing apparatus 20-3 indicates that the own apparatus 20-3 has a function capable of performing color printing on A4 paper size. Function information of the own device 20-3 of “Own device A4: Color” and function information of the lower device of “Lower device: None” indicating that the lower device of the printing device 20-3 has no function. The integrated function configuration information 40-3 is held.

In addition, the function configuration information holding unit 28 of the printing apparatus 20-2 indicates that the own apparatus 20-3 has a function capable of monochrome printing with A3 paper size, and the own apparatus 20-2 of “Own apparatus A3: Monochrome”. And the functional configuration information 40-2 in which the functional configuration information (“lower level device A4: color”) 40-3 notified from the printing device 20-3 of the lower level device is integrated. -1 function configuration information holding unit 28, the function information of the own apparatus 20-1 "own apparatus A4: monochrome" indicating that the own apparatus 20-1 has a function capable of monochrome printing in A4 paper size, Functional configuration information 40-1 in which the functional configuration information (“lower level device A4: color, A3: monochrome”) 40-2 notified from the lower level printing device 20-2 is integrated is held.
Further, the host device 10 has a print function (“A4: monochrome, A4: color, A3: monochrome”) 50 effective in the printing system 100 based on the function configuration information 40-1 notified from the printing device 20-1. Is displayed.

  Note that printing functions that are not valid (for example, “A3 size, color printing”) are grayed out.

  Specifically, “A3 size, color printing” indicating a function capable of performing color printing on A3 paper size is not provided as a function of the printing device 20-2 and the printing device 20-3 including the printing device 20-1, so that each printing is performed. Each function that is not effective in the device 20-n is displayed in gray out.

  In the printing system 100 configured as described above, when a print job having a printing condition for color printing with a paper size of A4 is instructed from the host device 10 to the printing device 20-1, the printing device 20-1 The print job is received via the host I / F 21 based on a command from the function information processing unit 27, and temporarily stored in the buffer 23.

  When the print job is held in the buffer 23, the distribution control unit 24 stores the function configuration information (“own device A4: monochrome” and “subordinate device A4: color A3: monochrome”) 40 held in the function information holding unit 28. −1, it is determined whether or not the printing conditions (color printing at A4 paper size) of the print job can be printed by the function of the apparatus 20-1 (monochrome printing at A4 paper size). Transfers the print job stored in the buffer 23 to the printing apparatus 20-2 via the lower I / F 22 because the print job cannot be printed by the function of the own apparatus 20-1.

  The reference of the function configuration information by the distribution control unit 24 is referred to via the function information processing unit 27, and the transfer of the print job from the buffer 23 to the lower I / F 22 is based on a command of the distribution control unit 24. It is transferred under the control of the distribution unit 25.

  The printing apparatus 20-2 receives the print job transferred from the printing apparatus 20-1 via the upper I / F 21 (printing apparatus 20-2) based on a command from the function information processing unit 27 of the own apparatus 20-2. , Temporarily stored in the buffer 23 (printing apparatus 20-2).

  When the print job is held in the buffer 23 (printing apparatus 20-2), the distribution control unit 24 (printing apparatus 20-2) stores the function configuration information held in the function information holding unit 28 (printing apparatus 20-2). (“Own device A3: Monochrome” and “Lower device A4: Color”) 40-2, the print condition of the print job (color printing with A4 paper size) is the function of the own device 20-1 (A3 paper size) In this case, since the print job cannot be printed by the function of its own device 20-2, the print job is stored in the buffer 23 (printing device 20-2). The print job is transferred to the printing apparatus 20-3 via the lower I / F 22 (printing apparatus 20-2).

  The reference of the function configuration information 40-2 by the distribution control unit 24 (printing device 20-2) is referred to via the function information processing unit 27 (printing device 20-2), and the buffer 23 (printing device 20-). The transfer of the print job from 2) to the lower I / F 22 (printing device 20-2) is performed by the distribution unit 25 (printing device 20-2) based on a command from the distribution control unit 24 (printing device 20-2). Transferred by control.

  The printing apparatus 20-3 receives the print job transferred from the printing apparatus 20-2 via the upper I / F 21 (printing apparatus 20-3) based on a command from the function information processing unit 27 (printing apparatus 20-3). And temporarily stored in the buffer 23 (printing apparatus 20-3).

  When a print job is held in the buffer 23 (printing device 20-3), the function configuration information held in the function information holding unit 28 (printing device 20-3) by the distribution control unit 24 (printing device 20-3). ("Own device A4: Color" and "No lower device") 40-3, the print condition of the print job (color printing with A4 paper size) is the function of own device 20-3 (monochrome with A4 paper size) In this case, since the print job can be printed by the function of its own device 20-3, the data stored and held in the buffer 23 (printing device 20-3) is determined. The print job is transferred to the printing unit 26 (printing device 20-3), and the print job is printed out under printing conditions (color printing with A4 paper size).

  FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which a printing apparatus 20-n having a function capable of performing print processing of a print job causes the lower-level printing apparatus 20-n to perform print processing because the operation state of the own apparatus 20-n is busy. It is a flowchart.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the printing apparatus 20-1 constituting the printing system 100 is a printing apparatus that performs monochrome printing with, for example, A4 paper size, and the printing apparatus 20-2 is a printing apparatus that performs monochrome printing with, for example, A3 paper size, the printing apparatus 20. -4 is, for example, a printing apparatus that performs monochrome printing on an A4 paper size, the function configuration information holding unit 28 of the printing apparatus 20-3 stores the function information of the own apparatus 20-3 of "Own apparatus A4: Monochrome" The functional configuration information 41-4 in which the functional information of the lower-level device “lower-level device: none” is integrated is held.

  The function configuration information holding unit 28 of the printing apparatus 20-2 includes the function information of the own apparatus 20-2 of “Own apparatus A3: Monok” and the function configuration information notified from the printing apparatus 20-3 of the lower apparatus ( Function configuration information 41-2 integrated with “subordinate device A4: monochrome”) 41-4 is held, and the own device of “Own device A4: Monochrome” is stored in the functional configuration information holding unit 28 of the printing apparatus 20-1. Function configuration information 41-1 in which the function information 20-1 and the function configuration information notified from the lower level printing apparatus 20-2 ("lower level device A4: monochrome, A3: monochrome") 41-2 are integrated. Is retained.

  The host device 10 displays a print function (“A4: monochrome, A3: monochrome”) 51 effective in the printing system 100 based on the functional configuration information 41-1 notified from the printing device 20-1.

  Ineffective functions (for example, “A4 size, color printing, A3 size, color printing”) are displayed in gray.

  In the printing system 100 configured as described above, when a print job having a printing condition for monochrome printing with the A4 paper size is instructed from the host device 10 to the printing device 20-1, the printing device 20-1 will print the printing job. Is received via the host I / F 21 based on a command from the function information processing unit 27 and temporarily stored in the buffer 23.

  When the print job is stored in the buffer 23, the distribution control unit 24 stores the function configuration information stored in the function information storage unit 28 (“own device A4: monochrome” and “lower device A4: monochrome, A3: monochrome”). Referring to 41-1, it is determined whether or not the printing conditions (A4 paper size monochrome printing) of the print job can be printed by the function of the apparatus 20-1 (A4 paper size monochrome printing). In this case, it is determined that the printing process can be performed by the function of the own apparatus 20-1 (monochrome printing at A4 paper size), but the operation state of the printing apparatus 20-1 is busy (for example, another print job is being printed). Therefore, if the print job can be printed by the function of the lower device without performing the printing process, the print job stored in the buffer 23 is transferred to the printing device 20-2 via the lower I / F 22. Forward.

  The reference of the function configuration information by the distribution control unit 24 is referred to via the function information processing unit 27, and the transfer of the print job from the buffer 23 to the lower I / F 22 is based on a command of the distribution control unit 24. It is transferred under the control of the distribution unit 25.

  The printing apparatus 20-2 receives the print job transferred from the printing apparatus 20-1 via the upper I / F 21 (printing apparatus 20-2) based on a command from the function information processing unit 27 of the own apparatus 20-2. , Temporarily stored in the buffer 23 (printing apparatus 20-2).

  When the print job is held in the buffer 23 (printing apparatus 20-2), the distribution control unit 24 (printing apparatus 20-2) stores the function configuration information held in the function information holding unit 28 (printing apparatus 20-2). ("Own device A3: Monochrome" and "Lower device A4: Monochrome") 41-2, the print condition of the print job (A4 paper size, monochrome printing) is the function of the own device 20-2 (A3 paper size In this case, since the print job cannot be printed by the function of its own device 20-2, the print job is stored in the buffer 23 (printing device 20-2). The print job is transferred to the printing apparatus 20-3 via the lower I / F 22 (printing apparatus 20-2).

  The reference of the function configuration information 40-2 by the distribution control unit 24 (printing device 20-2) is referred to via the function information processing unit 27 (printing device 20-2), and the buffer 23 (printing device 20-). The transfer of the print job from 2) to the lower I / F 22 (printing device 20-2) is performed by the distribution unit 25 (printing device 20-2) based on a command from the distribution control unit 24 (printing device 20-2). Transferred by control.

  The printing apparatus 20-3 receives the print job transferred from the printing apparatus 20-2 via the upper I / F 21 (printing apparatus 20-3) based on a command from the function information processing unit 27 (printing apparatus 20-3). And temporarily stored in the buffer 23 (printing apparatus 20-3).

  When a print job is held in the buffer 23 (printing device 20-3), the function configuration information held in the function information holding unit 28 (printing device 20-3) by the distribution control unit 24 (printing device 20-3). ("Own device A4: Monochrome" and "No lower-level device") 41-3, the printing condition of the print job (monochrome printing at A4 paper size) is the function of own device 20-3 (monochrome at A4 paper size) In this case, since the print job can be printed by the function of its own device 20-3, the data stored and held in the buffer 23 (printing device 20-3) is determined. The print job is transferred to the printing unit 26 (printing apparatus 20-3), and the print job is printed out under printing conditions (A4 paper size monochrome printing).

  In the above description, an example in which the top-level printing device 20-1 and the host device 10 among the printing devices 20-n connected in a daisy chain are connected via the network 30 has been described. The host apparatus 10 and the printing apparatus 20-1 may be directly connected without intervention.

  Also, in this embodiment, when there are a plurality of printing apparatuses having a print condition function for which printing is instructed, the lower-level printing apparatus prints a print job with the printing conditions only when the upper-level printing apparatus is busy. In this example, the print job is divided into a plurality of print jobs even if the print process can be started by a higher-level printing apparatus, and the divided print job has a function of a print condition instructed to print. A configuration may be adopted in which printing processing is shared by a plurality of printing apparatuses.

  In this case, the print job received by the upper printing apparatus 20-n via the upper I / F 21 is temporarily stored in the buffer 23 and the function held in the function information holding unit 28 by the distribution control unit 24. With reference to the configuration information, it is determined whether the printing condition of the print job can be printed by the lower printing apparatus 20-n in addition to the own apparatus 20-n. The held print job is divided, and one of the divided print jobs is transferred to the printing unit 26, and the other is transferred to the lower printing apparatus 20-n via the lower I / F 22.

  With this configuration, a single print job can be shared by a plurality of printing apparatuses and printed.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a printing system 100 according to the present invention. Block diagram schematically showing a functional basic configuration of each printing apparatus 20-n The figure which shows the function information of each printing apparatus 20-n, the function information displayed on the host apparatus 10, and the flow of function information Flow chart of the operation of each printing apparatus 20-n printing a print job Flowchart until print job instructed to print is processed (specific example 1) Flowchart until print job instructed to print is processed (specific example 2)

Explanation of symbols

10 Host device 20-1, 20-2, 20-3, 20-4, 20-n Printing device 21 Host I / F (= interface)
22 Lower I / F (= interface)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 23 Buffer 24 Distribution control part 25 Distribution part 26 Printing part 27 Function information processing part 28 Function structure information holding part 40-1, 40-2, 40-3, 41-1, 41-2, 41-4 Function structure Information 30 Network (LAN etc.)
100 printing system

Claims (9)

A printing system in which a plurality of printing devices are connected in series,
The printing apparatus includes:
Functional configuration information requesting means for requesting functional configuration information to a lower-level device;
Functional configuration information notifying means for notifying the functional configuration information acquired from the lower level device by the request by the functional configuration information requesting unit to the higher level device together with the functional configuration information of the own device;
Functional configuration information holding means for holding the functional configuration information acquired from the lower-level device by the request from the functional configuration information requesting unit and the functional configuration information of the own device;
A print system comprising: print data transmission means for transmitting print data relating to a print instruction received from a host apparatus to a lower apparatus with reference to the function configuration information held in the function configuration information holding means. The function configuration information requesting means includes
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the function configuration information is requested from the lower-level device at a predetermined cycle. The print data transmission means includes
When it is determined that the print processing related to the print instruction received from the host device is not performed by the own device with reference to the functional configuration information held in the functional configuration information holding means, the print data related to the print instruction The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system is transmitted to a lower-level device. A host device connected to the uppermost printing device of the plurality of printing devices;
The host device is
Display means for displaying valid functional configuration information of functional configuration information acquired from the top-level printing device;
The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising: print data generation means for generating print data relating to a print instruction based on the functional configuration information displayed by the display means. A printing device connected in series with the device,
Functional configuration information requesting means for requesting functional configuration information to a lower-level device;
Functional configuration information notifying means for notifying the functional configuration information acquired from the lower level device by the request by the functional configuration information requesting unit to the higher level device together with the functional configuration information of the own device;
Functional configuration information holding means for holding the functional configuration information acquired from the lower-level device by the request from the functional configuration information requesting unit and the functional configuration information of the own device;
A determination unit that determines whether or not to transmit the print data related to the print instruction received from the host device to the lower device with reference to the function configuration information held in the function configuration information holding unit;
Print data transmission means for transmitting the print data to a lower-level device;
And a printing unit that prints out the print data. The function configuration information requesting means includes
The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the functional configuration information is requested from the lower-level apparatus at a predetermined cycle. The print data transmission means includes
The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the determination unit determines that the print data is to be transmitted to a lower apparatus, the print data is transmitted to the lower apparatus. In a control method in which a printing device connected in series with a device prints print data instructed to be printed,
Functional configuration information is requested to the lower level device by the functional configuration information requesting means, and the functional configuration information acquired from the lower level device by the request from the functional configuration information requesting means is sent to the higher level device together with the functional configuration information of the own device. Notify
The function configuration information holding unit holds the function configuration information acquired from the lower-level device by the request from the function configuration information request unit and the function configuration information of the own device,
The determination means determines whether or not to transmit the print data related to the print instruction received from the upper apparatus to the lower apparatus with reference to the function configuration information held in the function configuration information holding means,
If the determination means determines that the print data is to be transmitted to the lower apparatus, the print data is transmitted to the lower apparatus by the print data transmission means,
A control method characterized in that if the determination means determines that the print data is not to be transmitted to a lower-level device, the print data is printed out by the printing means. The function configuration information requesting means includes
The control method according to claim 8, wherein the functional configuration information is requested from the subordinate apparatus at a predetermined cycle.

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