JP2009003621A - Print unit, and distributed print control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To flexibly distribute print jobs to another print unit depending on the situation, when a print job cannot be executed by a specified print unit. <P>SOLUTION: In response to the reception of an external print request when the print unit is in a busy state, in the print unit, a processing block 206 displays an indication of distributed printing in which the print request is processed in a distributed manner to the other print unit, using a display unit; a processing block 208 receives an instruction in regard to whether or not the distributed printing is to be performed, using an input unit; and in response to the instruction reception to perform distributed printing, processing blocks 210 and 212 searches for other print units via a communication channel, and enables selection by displaying the print units on the display unit, as a print distribution target for the distributed printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus typified by a printer connected to a network, and in particular, when an operation failure occurs in the printing apparatus and a print job cannot be executed, the print job is distributed to other printing apparatuses on the network. The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs distributed printing, and a distributed printing control apparatus that performs such distributed printing.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as one form of a printer common use system that uses a common printer on a host computer, there is one having a plurality of printers as system components. Generally, a system having a plurality of printers has a system configuration in which a relatively large number of host computers are connected. The printers commonly used by these host computers form a printer system in which requests for various print jobs respectively transmitted from a large number of host computers are processed in cooperation with a plurality of printers in the system.

  When a plurality of common printers are used from the host computer in this way, it is required to efficiently use the printer as a whole system and execute job processing quickly and reliably. The printer system needs to have a function to meet such a demand.

  One of the functions is to search for a printer that can process a print job while looking at the status of each printer including the function, performance, and usage status of each printer. There is a function of instructing a printer capable of processing the print job to process the print job, or transferring the print job to another when the specified specific printer cannot process the print job. By providing this function in each printer, print jobs can be executed by multiple printers in a collaborative manner, and print output can be obtained quickly and reliably, without concentrating print jobs on only some printers. become.

  As described above, one typical form in which some kind of operation failure occurs in a printer is that the printer cannot execute a print job given by designating a certain printer. In such a case, in a normal printer system, control is performed so that another printer in the system can perform the print job.

  There are various possible causes for a situation in which a printer cannot execute a given print job. For example, the occurrence of an operation failure (error) of a certain device constituting the printer, the previous job processing operation being in progress, or the consumption state (remaining amount) of printer materials such as paper or toner may prevent the job from being executed. It is in a state where there is a risk of making it possible. Such a state is generally called a busy state. In many printer systems, a printer operation failure caused by such a cause is detected, and by checking the cause, control is performed to transfer a print job to a substitute printer if necessary.

An example of such a conventional printer system is disclosed in Patent Document 1 described later. Patent Document 1 discloses, as a typical example already described, that a printing process is executed by a preset substitute printer when the printing process cannot be performed by a designated printer.
JP 2000-305736 A

  However, in the system disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, when some trouble occurs in the designated printer and printing cannot be performed, printing can be performed by distributing to another preset substitute printer. There is a problem that printing may not be possible depending on the situation of the substitute printer. Since information about which printer is to perform proxy printing is displayed, if the status of the printer is printable, printing by the proxy printer can be easily collected. However, if a preset substitute printer cannot be used in this way, this system has a problem that substitute printing itself cannot be performed.

  This is due to the fact that in the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the settings relating to the substitute printer are uniquely determined in advance, and there is no flexibility, even though the status of the printer system changes from moment to moment. .

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus that allows a print job to be flexibly distributed to other printing apparatuses according to the situation when the print job cannot be executed in the designated printing apparatus, and such distribution. A distributed printing control apparatus that enables printing is provided.

  A printing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus used in a printing system having a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to an external apparatus via a communication interface, and includes a display unit, an input unit, and a printing unit Means for displaying for performing distributed printing in which the printing request is distributed to other printing apparatuses using the display means in response to receiving a printing request from the external apparatus when the apparatus is busy; An instruction input unit that receives an instruction regarding whether to perform distributed printing using the input unit, and another print via the communication interface in response to the instruction input unit receiving an instruction to perform distributed printing from the input unit Printing apparatus selection means for searching for an apparatus and displaying it on a display means as a distribution destination for printing for distributed printing.

  When receiving a print request in a busy state, this printing apparatus displays a message indicating that distributed printing is to be performed. When instructed to perform distributed printing, the printing device selection unit searches for and displays a printing device to which printing is distributed, and enables selection. The user can select a desired printing device from the displayed printing devices.

  Therefore, even when performing distributed printing, the user can use a printing device that is convenient for the user from various viewpoints, such as the image quality of the printed material, the output position of the printed material, and the like. Can be done.

  Preferably, when the other printing apparatus selected by the printing apparatus selection unit is busy, the printing apparatus displays a warning message indicating that distributed printing by the other printing apparatus cannot be performed on the display unit.

  When a busy printing apparatus is selected as the distribution destination, it is displayed that printing cannot be performed by the printing apparatus. If a printing apparatus that cannot print is used, not only printing time is required, but printing itself may not be performed in a desired form. As described above, since the message corresponding to the state of the distribution destination printing apparatus is displayed in the printing apparatus that first receives the print request, the user does not need to give a wasteful distributed printing instruction. As a result, distributed printing in the printing system can be performed more flexibly and efficiently.

  More preferably, the printing apparatus causes distributed printing to be executed by another printing apparatus selected by the printing apparatus selection unit, detects that the distributed printing has ended, and displays a message indicating that distributed printing has ended. Display on means.

  In this printing apparatus, when distributed printing ends, a message to that effect is displayed on the display means. The user can immediately collect the printed material from the printing apparatus at the distribution destination, can make distributed printing more efficient, and can reduce the risk of an accident such as loss of the printed material.

  More preferably, the printing device selection unit displays a plurality of predetermined search conditions for searching for a printing device for performing distributed printing on the display unit, and selects a search method selection unit. And a means for searching for a printing apparatus that satisfies the search condition selected via the search method selection means and displaying it on the display means as a distribution destination for printing for distributed printing.

  The printing device selection means presents several search conditions for searching for the distribution destination printing device, and searches for and displays printing devices that match the selected search condition. The user selects a distribution destination printing apparatus from among them. For example, a printing device that does not have a stapling function, a printing device that is extremely poor in image quality compared to other printers, a printing device that is placed in an inconvenient location, such as being installed far away from the user, etc. Printing devices managed by different departments, such as printing devices that are not suitable for distribution, can be prevented from being displayed from the beginning. Therefore, the selection target when selecting a printing device is narrowed down, and the user performs a complicated process of selection. Therefore, distributed printing can be easily performed using a desired printing apparatus.

  A distributed printing control device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a distributed printing control device for controlling distributed printing in a printing system having a plurality of printing devices connected to an external device via a communication interface, In response to receiving via the communication interface a print request designating a display device, an input device, and a busy printing device as a printing destination, the print device uses the display device to send the print request to the other in the printing system. Display means for performing distributed printing to be distributed to the printing apparatus, instruction input means for receiving an instruction regarding whether or not to perform distributed printing using the input means, and the instruction input means performs distributed printing In response to receiving the instruction from the input means, a printing device different from the printing device designated as the printing destination is searched via the communication interface, and distributed printing is performed. Displayed on the display unit as a distribution destination printing further comprising a printing device selection means for enabling selection.

  When the distributed printing control apparatus receives a print request specifying a busy printing apparatus as a printing destination, the distributed printing control apparatus displays a display indicating that distributed printing is performed using a printing apparatus other than the designated printing apparatus. When instructed to perform distributed printing, the printing device selection means searches for, displays, and selects a printing device to which printing is distributed. The user can select a desired printing device from the displayed printing devices.

  Therefore, even when performing distributed printing, the user can use a printing device that is convenient for the user from various viewpoints, such as the image quality of the printed material, the output position of the printed material, and the like. Can be done.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when performing distributed printing, the user can use a printing apparatus convenient for the user, and performs distributed printing in the printing system more flexibly and efficiently. be able to. The risk of accidents such as loss of printed materials can also be reduced. Furthermore, since it is possible to prevent the printing device that is not convenient as a distribution destination from being displayed from the beginning, the selection target at the time of selecting the printing device is narrowed down, the user can easily select the distribution destination, and the distributed printing can be made more efficient. Overall efficient operation can be made possible.

  Hereinafter, a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description of the embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and names. Their functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[Constitution]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network system 100 including a printer system including a network printer 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a network system 100 includes a network 122, six network printers 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, and 120 connected to the network 122, and two personal computers (PCs). 124 and 126.

  In this network system 100, when a print request is output from two PCs 124 and 126 to any one of the network printers 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 and 120, the network printer that has received the print request Printing by the print job is started.

  All of the network printers 110 to 120 can communicate with each other and with the PCs 124 and 126 via the network 122. For example, information about the performance, identifier (name), address, and status of other network printers 112 to 120 can be collected from the network printer 110.

  The network printers 110 to 120 do not necessarily have the same configuration, but basically have a similar configuration. In the following description, the present embodiment will be described using the network printer 110 as an example.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the network printer 110. Referring to FIG. 2, this network printer 110 is a so-called multifunction device, and is a network interface card (NIC) 156 for communicating with other printers or PCs connected to the network 122. A bus 140 to which the NIC 156 is connected, a main control unit 142 for controlling the network printer 110 for distributed printing, both of which are connected to the bus 140, and a document to be automatically read when the document is copied or scanned The document is fed from an automatic document feeder 144 for feeding to the scanning unit, a document reading unit 148 for optically reading a document at the time of copying and scanning, and outputting an image signal, a main control unit 142, or a document reading unit 148. An image forming unit 146 for forming an image on printing paper based on the image signal; A hard disk drive (HDD) 150 for providing a storage area for a program and a storage area for temporarily storing an image created by a print job, and an image sent to the image forming unit 146 are temporarily stored in units of pages. And a touch panel integrated operation panel 154 in which an input device composed of a display device and a touch panel is stacked.

  The main control unit 142 is executed by the main CPU 170 connected to the bus 140, the image processing circuit 172 for executing image processing under the control of the main CPU 170, and when the network printer 110 is turned on. ROM (reading control memory) 174 for storing predetermined programs and the like, and RAM (random access memory) 176 used as working memory by main CPU 170 and image processing circuit 172 are included.

  Each of the image forming unit 146, the document reading unit 148, and the automatic document feeder 144 has a plurality of sensors (not shown) and a unique control unit, and is autonomous based on commands from the main CPU 170 and sensor outputs. Works. These functional blocks have a function of detecting the state of the apparatus based on the sensor output and notifying the main CPU 170 of information related to the occurrence of the operation failure if it is determined that there is some operation failure.

  The printer distributed printing control process for the print job described below is mainly executed by the main CPU 170. A program for this purpose is stored in the ROM 174 and the HDD 150, and is read out and executed by the RAM 176. When executing this program, the main CPU 170 communicates with other network printers via the NIC 156, and executes processing as described below according to the result.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a program for processing a print request to the network printer 110 executed by the main CPU 170. 4 to 8 show main ones of display screens displayed on the operation panel 154 during execution of the program shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 3, when a print output request to network printer 110 is generated, this program is started at step 200. This program determines whether or not the network printer 110 is in a busy state, and in response to determining that the printer is not in a busy state in step 202 and branching the control flow according to the determination result. The network printer 110 processes this print request, outputs the print result, and terminates the entire process, and is executed in response to the determination that the network printer 110 is busy in step 202. The network printer 110 determines whether or not the distributed print designation function using another network printer is valid, and branches the control flow according to the determination result. Has distributed print specification function And executed in response to which is determined not to be, and a step 222 which processes the print request after release of the busy state of the network printer 110, and terminates the entire process by outputting a print result.

  This program is further executed in response to the determination that the distributed printing designation function of the network printer 110 is valid in step 204, and includes the “distributed printing” button on the operation panel 154 shown in FIG. A step 206 for displaying a screen is included. FIG. 4 shows a state where the distributed print button is displayed.

  Referring to FIG. 4, distributed print screen 240 including distributed print button 242 is displayed on the display screen of operation panel 154 together with a message indicating that printing by network printer 110 is not possible. By displaying the distributed printing screen 240 including the distributed printing button 242 in this way, the user can easily understand that distributed printing using a network printer is possible.

  Referring to FIG. 3 again, after step 206, the program further includes a step 208 for determining whether or not the distributed printing button 242 is pressed within a predetermined time and branching the control according to the determination result. If the operation is not performed within the predetermined time, the control proceeds to step 222, the print request to the network printer 110 is processed after the busy state is canceled, the print result is output, and the process is terminated.

  This program is further executed in response to the determination that the distributed printing button 242 is pressed in step 208, and uses the step 210 for displaying the printer selection screen 250 as shown in FIG. Then, in step 212, the user selects a network printer to perform distributed printing, and a distributed printing condition input screen 290 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the operation panel for the printer selected by the user in step 212. Thus, in step 214 for allowing the user to input distributed printing conditions, and in the distributed printing condition input screen 290 displayed in step 214, it is determined whether or not the user has instructed to start distributed printing. Steps 216 for branching control accordingly, and step 216 The printing is executed in response to an instruction from the user, and the network printer selected in step 212 is used as a distribution destination, and distributed printing is executed according to the distributed printing conditions input in step 214. And step 218 to end the process. If, in step 216, distributed printing has not been selected, control returns to step 206. In the present embodiment, steps 212 and 214 are collectively referred to as output method selection processing.

  4 to 8 are examples of screens displayed in the above steps. FIG. 4 is a distributed printing screen 240 for receiving an instruction from the user regarding whether or not to specify distributed printing, which is displayed in step 206 of FIG. If the distributed printing button 240 is pressed on the distributed printing screen 240, it is determined that an instruction for distributed printing has been input and processing for distributed printing is started. If no operation is performed within a predetermined time, the busy state is displayed. After the cancellation, printing is performed in the network printer 110.

  FIG. 5 shows the printer selection screen 250 displayed in step 210 of FIG. This printer selection screen 250 includes a list of other printers 260 available on the network, a “Next” button 262 for instructing that the selection of the printer has been completed, and the state shown in FIG. 4 (FIG. 3). Step 206) includes a “return” button 264 for instructing to return the control, and a scroll button 266 for scrolling and displaying the printer list when there are many printers to be displayed in the printer list 260. .

  In the process performed in step 212 in FIG. 3, the user selects a printer to perform distributed printing by touching a button corresponding to each printer displayed in the printer list 260 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows a state where some printers are selected. Referring to FIG. 6, in this case, two printers “MX-4501N” and “MX-6200N” are selected, and buttons 270 and 272 corresponding to these are highlighted. By highlighting the button corresponding to the selected printer in this way, the user can easily understand which printer is selected. If the “Next” button 262 is pressed in this state, a distributed printing condition input screen 290 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. If a “return” button 264 is pressed, the screen returns to the distributed printing screen 240 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 shows the distributed printing condition input screen 290 displayed in step 214 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 7, this screen 290 is used to input a printer name area 300 for displaying a list of network printers selected on the printer selection screen 250 shown in FIG. 6 and the number of pages assigned to each printer. A page count area 306, a copy count area 308 for specifying the number of copies to be output by each printer, and a “print execution” button 310 for instructing to execute printing under the distributed printing conditions specified on the distributed printing condition input screen 290. When there are a large number of printers to be displayed in the printer name area 300 and a “return” button 312 for instructing to return to the printer selection screen 250 shown in FIG. And a scroll button 314 for performing the operation.

  At the left end of the page number area 306, a check box 302 for enabling the specification of the page number is displayed. In the lower area of each printer on the right side of the check box 302, an input box for specifying the number of pages to be printed by the printer is displayed.

  At the left end of the number of copies area 308, a check box 304 for enabling the specification of the number of copies is displayed. In the area below each printer on the right side of the check box 304, an input box for inputting the number of copies to be printed by each printer is displayed.

  FIG. 8 shows a distributed printing end screen 330 that is displayed when distributed printing ends normally in step 218 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the distributed printing end screen 330 includes a message indicating that distributed printing has ended normally. By displaying such a message, there is an effect that the user can easily know that distributed printing using a plurality of network printers has been completed.

  Hereinafter, the selection screen display process performed in step 210 of FIG. 3 and the processes performed in steps 212 and 214 will be described in more detail. Note that the two processes of steps 212 and 214 are collectively referred to as an output method selection process.

  FIG. 9 is a more detailed flowchart of the printer selection screen display process performed in step 210 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 9, the program for realizing this process includes a step 350 of displaying a printer search method selection screen 380 as shown in FIG. 10 and allowing the user to select a printer search method. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, there are three search methods that can be selected in step 350: “recommended printers”, “all printers”, and “printers in the same group”. . These options are displayed as three buttons 390, 392, and 394 on the printer search method selection screen 380 of FIG. When the user touches one of these buttons 390, 392, and 394, the touched button is highlighted as shown in FIGS. By highlighting the touched button in this way, the user can easily understand what search method is designated. On the printer search method selection screen 380, together with these buttons, a “next” button 398 for instructing to proceed to the next processing and a step 206 (see FIG. 3) for displaying the distributed printing screen 240 shown in FIG. A “return” button 396 for instructing to return is displayed.

  Here, the “recommended printer” refers to a printer that is functionally equivalent to the network printer 110 (designated printer). For example, it refers to a printer that can satisfy the printing conditions specified in the print job. If the printing condition is “duplex / color / 2UP”, it refers to a printer that can perform printing according to the printing conditions. . The recommended printer includes a printer having a performance equal to or higher than that of the designated printer.

  “All printers” refers to all network printers available in the network system 100 shown in FIG.

  The “same group printers” refers to network printers belonging to the same group as the designated printer when the network printers 110 to 120 of the network system 100 shown in FIG. 1 are grouped in advance. In order to select printers in the same group, the RAM 176 shown in FIG. 2 needs to hold group information about which group the network printer 110 belongs to. Similarly, in all network printers connected to the network system 100 shown in FIG. 1, it is necessary to store as a group information which group each printer belongs to.

  Referring again to FIG. 9, after step 350, the program further determines whether or not the “search all printers” button 392 has been selected by the user, and branches the control flow according to the determination result. This is executed when the determination result in step 352 and step 352 is YES, step 354 for searching all network printers connected to the network system 100 shown in FIG. 1, and the determination result in step 352 is NO. Step 358 is executed in response to the determination to determine whether or not the “search for printers in the same group” button 394 has been selected by the user, and the control is branched according to the determination result. Executed when YES, the same group as the network printer 110 This is executed when the network printer 100 searches for the network printer to which the network system 100 belongs, and when the determination result in step 358 is NO, it is determined that the “search recommended printer” button 390 is selected, and is equal to or greater than the designated printer. Step 362 for searching for a printer (recommended printer) having the above performance in the network system 100, and the printer searched in Step 354, 360, or 362 as buttons in the printer list 260 in the printer selection screen 250 shown in FIG. Display step 356. After step 356, the process ends.

  Although not shown in the figure, if no printer that matches the specified condition is found, the control returns to step 350 and the selection of the printer search method is executed again.

  FIG. 11 is executed when “search for recommended printer” is selected in step 350 shown in FIG. 9 in the program for realizing the output method selection process composed of step 212 and step 214 shown in FIG. It is a more detailed flowchart of the part. Referring to FIG. 11, this program receives a user's selection input regarding which printer to use from among printers searched as recommended printers (corresponding to step 212 in FIG. 3) and step 410. Subsequently, for the printer selected by the user in step 410, a screen for inquiring whether to output the print job under the conditions initially set is displayed, and the user is allowed to select, and control is performed according to the selection result. Branching 412.

  This program is further executed when the determination result in step 412 is YES, and displays the distributed printing condition input screen 290 shown in FIG. 7 and allows the user to set the distributed printing conditions, and after step 414 And step 416 for causing the printer selected in step 410 to execute the print job in accordance with the initial setting of the print job and in accordance with the distributed printing conditions set in step 414 and ending the processing.

  This program is further executed when the determination result in step 412 is NO, and is executed after step 417 for re-inputting new printing conditions using the operation panel 154 and shown in FIG. The distributed printing condition input screen 290 is displayed and the user selects the distributed printing condition in step 410 according to the setting changed in step 418 according to the setting changed in step 418 according to the setting changed in step 418. And a step 420 for causing the printer to execute the print job and ending the process.

  FIG. 12 shows a portion of the program that realizes the output method selection process (steps 212 and 214) shown in FIG. 3 and that is executed when all printers are designated in step 350 of FIG. It is a more detailed flowchart. Referring to FIG. 12, this program causes step 440 (corresponding to step 212 in FIG. 3) to cause the user to select a printer to be used as a distribution destination in distributed printing by using printer selection screen 250 shown in FIG. When there is a printer that cannot be printed under the conditions set by the print job among printers selected in 440 or a printer that cannot be printed immediately, a message to that effect is displayed on the operation panel 154 of the network printer 110. A display step 442 and a step 444 that allows the user to select whether or not to perform the process as it is. In the process of step 444, it is determined whether or not the user has selected to ignore the warning message. The control flow is branched accordingly. If the decision result in the step 444 is NO, the control returns to the step 350 shown in FIG.

  This program is further executed when the determination result in step 444 is YES, and among the conditions set by the print job, functions that are not supported by a part of the printer selected in step 440 (for example, stapling). Function) is displayed on the operation panel 154, and in step 446, the user selects whether or not to print as it is. In step 446, it is determined whether or not the user has selected printing as it is. Branching control to 448. If the decision result in the step 448 is NO, the control returns to the step 350 in FIG.

  This program is further executed when the determination result in step 448 is YES, displays the distributed printing condition input screen 290 shown in FIG. 7 and allows the user to set the distributed printing conditions, and after step 450 The printer selected in step 440 is supported by the printer that does not support some functions according to the distributed printing conditions set in step 450 and supports all functions. The printer includes a step 452 of executing distributed printing by transferring the print job to print according to the conditions set by the print job and ending the processing.

  FIG. 13 shows that the printer search method selected in step 350 of FIG. 9 in the program realizing the output method selection processing (steps 212 and 214) shown in FIG. 3 searches for printers belonging to the same group. It is a more detailed flowchart of the part performed when it is. Referring to FIG. 13, this program receives step 460 (corresponding to step 212 in FIG. 3) which receives a user's selection input relating to a printer used as a distribution destination in distributed printing by printer selection screen 250 shown in FIG. 6. A step of displaying a warning message on the operation panel 154 when there are printers of the same group selected in step 460 that cannot be printed under the conditions set by the print job or cannot be printed immediately. 462 and step 464 for allowing the user to select whether or not to perform the processing as it is. In step 464, it is determined whether or not to ignore the warning message is selected by the user, and the control is branched according to the determination result. . If the decision result in the step 464 is NO, the control returns to the step 350 in FIG.

  This program is further executed when the determination result in step 464 is YES, and displays functions that are not supported by some of the printers of the same group selected in step 460 among the settings by the print job. Step 466 for allowing the user to select whether or not to print as it is, and Step 468 for determining whether or not the user has instructed printing as it is in Step 466 and branching the control flow according to the determination result. Including. If the decision result in the step 468 is NO, the control returns to the step 350 shown in FIG.

  This program is further executed when the determination result in step 468 is YES, and displays the distributed printing condition input screen 290 shown in FIG. 7 and allows the user to set the distributed printing conditions, and is set in step 470. A print job that uses the same group of printers selected in step 460 and that does not support some of the functions set in the print job, and uses only the supported functions according to the distributed printing conditions specified. The printer capable of printing in accordance with the conditions set in step 472 includes executing step 472 of executing the print job under the condition according to the print job, and outputting the print result and ending the processing.

[Operation]
The network printer 110 described above operates as follows. Referring to FIG. 1, it is assumed that a print job specifying network printer 110 is given from PC 124, for example. This print job is temporarily stored in the HDD 150 via the NIC 156 shown in FIG. Here, the main CPU 170 determines whether or not this print job can be printed by the network printer 110. For this determination, outputs from various sensors included in the image forming unit 146, the document reading unit 148, and the automatic document feeder 144 are used. If the result of this determination is that this print job can be executed by the network printer 110, the main CPU 170 controls the image processing circuit 172 to create an image file according to the print job and store it in the HDD 150. . The main CPU 170 gives the images stored in the HDD 150 to the image forming unit 146 one page at a time for printing. If the print job indicates that a plurality of copies are to be printed, the main CPU 170 repeats the same process as many times as necessary, and the image forming unit 146 prints a predetermined number of copies.

  When it is determined that the print job cannot be executed by the network printer 110, the main CPU 170 performs the following processing. In this case, the main CPU 170 displays the distributed printing screen 240 shown in FIG. 4 on the operation panel 154 shown in FIG. If the user does not operate for a predetermined time, the network printer 110 performs printing after the busy state is canceled. When the user presses the distributed print button 242, the main CPU 170 displays a printer search method selection screen 380 as shown in FIG. 10 on the operation panel 154 and waits for an operation by the user. When the user presses the buttons 390, 392, and 394, the main CPU 170 changes the display on the operation panel 154 as shown in FIGS. 10 (A), (B), and (C). That is, the button touched by the user is highlighted. Here, it is assumed that the user further operates the “next” button 398.

  In this case, the main CPU 170 searches the network system 100 for network printers that satisfy the conditions specified by the user, and displays them in the form of a printer selection screen 250 as shown in FIG. Since all the network printers 110 to 120 shown in FIG. 1 can communicate bidirectionally and can transmit and receive identifiers (names) of the respective printers, such display can be performed. Here, it is assumed that the user has selected two network printers “MX-4501N” and “MX-6200N” as distribution destinations as shown in FIG. In this case, the main CPU 170 reverse-displays the button area corresponding to the printer selected (touched) by the user. By highlighting in this way, the user can easily understand which printer has been selected.

  Assume that the user presses the “Next” button 262 after designating a desired printer. The main CPU 170 performs different processes depending on which search method the user has selected on the printer search method selection screen 380 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, these cases will be described in order.

  First, it is assumed that the user selects a “search for recommended printer” button 390 (see FIG. 10A). In this case, as described above, the main CPU 170 displays the printer selection screen 250 shown in FIG. 5 (step 210 in FIG. 3) and waits for selection by the user. If there is no such printer, the main CPU 170 again displays the printer search method selection screen 380 as shown in FIG. 10B or FIG. 10C, and the same processing is repeated thereafter.

  All the printers displayed on the printer selection screen 250 have functions equivalent to or higher than those of the network printer 110, and in any case, a print job given to the network printer 110 is subjected to a specified condition. Can be printed.

  In this case, the main CPU 170 displays a confirmation screen on the operation panel 154 as to whether or not printing is performed according to the first setting condition when a print job is received. When the user selects printing according to the initial setting conditions, the main CPU 170 displays a distributed printing condition input screen 290 as shown in FIG. When the user checks one or both of the check boxes 302 and 304, enters values in necessary items and presses the “print execution” button 310, the main CPU 170 is set on this distributed printing condition input screen 290. 11 and according to the conditions initially set in the print job, the printer selected on the printer selection screen 250 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is used to execute distributed printing (step 416 in FIG. 11). ). When printing is completed for all printers, the main CPU 170 displays a distributed printing end screen 330 as shown in FIG. 8 on the operation panel 154.

  Assume that the user presses the “Search All Printers” button 392 and the “Next” button 398 on the printer search method selection screen 380 as shown in FIG. In this case, the main CPU 170 searches for all network printers connected to the network system 100 shown in FIG. 1, obtains their identifiers (names), and creates the printer selection screen 250 shown in FIG. Output. The printer list 260 displays all network printers existing on the network system 100 in a selectable button format. If there is no such printer, the main CPU 170 displays the printer search method selection screen 380 as shown in FIG. 10A or 10C again, and the same processing is repeated thereafter.

  The user selects a desired printer from the printer list 260 as shown by the printer selection screen 250 in FIG. Assume that the “Next” button 262 is pressed.

  In response to the “next” button 262 being pressed, the main CPU 170 cannot print immediately if any of the printers selected by the user does not support the function set in the print job. If it is in a state, a warning message is displayed (FIG. 12, step 442). Then, it waits for the user to input whether or not to continue printing. When the user gives an instruction to cancel printing, the main CPU 170 displays the printer search method selection screen 380 shown in FIG. 10B again, and starts again from the selection of the printer search method.

  When the user chooses to ignore the warning message and continue printing, the main CPU 170 selects a function that is not supported by some of the printers selected by the user among the functions necessary to execute the print job. If there is, the function is displayed on the operation panel 154 (step 446 in FIG. 12). The main CPU 170 further receives a user instruction as to whether or not to perform printing with the original printing conditions. When the user selects printing as it is, the main CPU 170 displays the distributed printing condition input screen 290 shown in FIG. 7 and waits for the user to input the distributed printing conditions (step 450 in FIG. 12). When the user presses the “print execution” button 310, the main CPU 170 uses only the printer selected on the printer selection screen 250 shown in FIG. 6, and printers that do not support some functions are supported by those printers. If the printer supports all functions, all the functions are used, and distributed printing is executed according to the distributed printing conditions entered on the distributed printing condition input screen 290 shown in FIG. (Step 452 in FIG. 12). When the printing process is completed for all the printers, the main CPU 170 displays a distributed printing end screen 330 as shown in FIG. 8 on the operation panel 154 of the network printer 110.

  Finally, a case where the user presses the “search for printers in the same group” button 394 on the printer search method selection screen 380 (see FIG. 10) as shown in FIG. 10C will be described. The main CPU 170 inquires of all network printers existing in the network system 100 shown in FIG. When the answer about the group to which the network printer belongs is obtained from all the network printers, the main CPU 170 reads the information about the group to which the network printer 110 belongs, stored in the RAM 176, and the same network printer among the network printers belonging to the network system 100 is read out. It is determined whether there is a network printer that belongs to the group. If there is no such printer, the main CPU 170 displays the printer search method selection screen 380 as shown in FIG. 10A or 10B again, and thereafter repeats the same processing.

  When there are printers belonging to the same group, the main CPU 170 creates a printer selection screen 250 as shown in FIG. 5 from only the names of the printers in the same group and displays them on the operation panel 154. When the user selects a printer instructing printing from among the displayed printers as shown in FIG. 6 and presses a “Next” button 262, the main CPU 170 executes a print job in any of the selected printers. If some of the functions necessary for execution are not supported by the printer, or if there is a printer that cannot be printed immediately, a warning message to that effect is displayed on the operation panel 154. Then, the user's instruction as to whether or not to continue printing is received (step 462 in FIG. 13). Here, a “Next” button and a “Back” button are displayed. When the user presses the “Next” button, this warning message is ignored, and the main CPU 170 is supported by the printer selected on the printer selection screen 250 shown in FIG. 6 among the functions required for the print job. The function not displayed is displayed, and the user's instruction as to whether or not printing is performed is received (step 466 in FIG. 13).

  When the user instructs printing as it is, the main CPU 170 displays a distributed printing condition input screen 290 as shown in FIG. 7 and waits for the user's setting for the distributed printing conditions (step 470 in FIG. 13). When the user sets necessary conditions and presses the “print execution” button 310 shown in FIG. 7, the main CPU 170 uses the printer selected by the user on the printer selection screen 250 shown in FIG. According to the initial setting, distributed printing is executed by transferring a print job to each printer in accordance with the distributed printing conditions specified on the distributed printing condition input screen 290 shown in FIG. 7 (step 472 in FIG. 13). At this time, for a printer that does not support a necessary function, an instruction is issued to perform printing using only the supported function.

  When the user selects not to print in response to the warning message, or when the user selects not to print as it is because there is an unsupported function, the main CPU 170 repeats the process from the stage of selecting the printer search method. . That is, a printer search method selection screen 380 as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the operation panel 154, and execution is resumed from the processing regarding what printer is to be searched.

[Effect of the embodiment]
As described above, according to the network printer 110 according to the present embodiment, when a print job given to the network printer 110 cannot be executed, what printer is used to transfer the print job to another printer. The user is inquired about whether to make a selection. After waiting for an instruction from the user, a printer that matches the instructed condition is retrieved from the network and displayed, and the user receives a designation as to which printer to select. In addition, if there are printers selected in this way that do not support the functions required by the print job, or if there are some that cannot start printing immediately, a warning message will be displayed. Is displayed and an inquiry is made as to whether or not to change the printing conditions. When it is instructed not to change the printing conditions, the unsupported function is removed and the print job is transferred to another printer. Therefore, this print job is printed by another printer without supporting some functions. When changing the setting, the network printer 110 is re-inputted as to what setting the print job is to be executed. Then, the print job is transferred to another printer according to the setting according to the re-input.

  Even when a print job is transferred to another printer, it is possible to specify distributed printing conditions such as what page and how many copies are printed on which printer. For this reason, when distributed printing is performed, the initial setting cannot be changed, and distributed printing can be flexibly transferred according to conditions such as the status and functions of the printer on the network.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, three options are prepared as a printer search method: search for recommended printers, search for all printers, and search for printers belonging to the same group. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. Of these three, only two arbitrary combinations may be used, or four or more search methods may be prepared. For example, when the network is a network using TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol), it may be possible to search for a printer by specifying a range of IP addresses.

  In the above embodiment, the pages to be printed by each printer and the number of copies are exemplified as those that can be set as the distributed printing conditions. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. Only one of page range and number of copies may be set, or three or more distributed printing conditions may be set. For example, it may be possible to specify what kind of paper is selected by the printer and which tray is selected. Further, it may be provided in the distributed printing conditions so that the printing time is designated in advance.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the network printer 110 is a so-called multifunction machine. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The present invention can be applied to a so-called printer-dedicated machine that does not have a scanner function as long as the printer has a communication function. The above-described control for distributed printing may be realized not in a printer but in a device that receives a print request from another device in a printer system and controls the designated printer to execute printing. Thereby, a distributed printing control apparatus in the printer system, which is different from the printer, can be realized.

  In the above-described embodiment, if the distributed print button 242 is displayed on the distributed print screen 240 shown in FIG. 4 and the distributed print button 242 is not operated for a predetermined time, the network printer 110 performs printing after the busy state is released. I am trying to do it. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, a cancel button may be displayed on the distributed printing screen 240, and the printing itself may be canceled when the cancel button is operated. The same applies to other screens.

  The embodiment disclosed herein is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each claim in the scope of claims after taking into account the description of the detailed description of the invention, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the words described therein are intended. Including.

1 is a block diagram of a network system 100 including a network printer 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a hardware block diagram of a network printer 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating main processing of a program executed when the main CPU 170 of the network printer 110 receives a print job. It is a figure which shows the distributed printing screen 240 typically. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a printer selection screen 250. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which some printers are selected on a printer selection screen 250. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a distributed printing condition input screen 290. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a distributed printing end screen 330. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program for the selection screen display of a printer. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a printer search method selection screen 380. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control structure of a program for realizing output method selection processing when search for a recommended printer is designated. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program for implement | achieving the selection method of an output method when searching for all the printers is designated. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the computer program which implement | achieves the selection method of the output method performed when the search of the printer of the same group is designated.

Explanation of symbols

100 Network system 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120 Network printer 122 Network 124, 126 PC
140 Bus 142 Main Control Unit 144 Automatic Document Feeder 146 Image Forming Unit 148 Document Reading Unit 150 HDD
152 Image memory 154 Operation panel 156 NIC
170 Main CPU
172 Image processing circuit 174 ROM
176 RAM
240 Distributed printing screen 250 Printer selection screen 260 Printer list 290 Distributed printing condition input screen 300 Printer name area 330 Distributed printing end screen 380 Printer search method selection screen

Claims (5)

A printing device used in a printing system having a plurality of printing devices connected to an external device via a communication interface,
Display means;
Input means;
In response to receiving a print request from the external device when the printing device is busy, a display for performing distributed printing in which the print request is distributed to other printing devices using the display means is displayed. Means to do,
Instruction input means for receiving an instruction regarding whether or not to perform the distributed printing using the input means;
In response to the instruction input unit receiving an instruction to perform the distributed printing from the input unit, the other input device is searched via the communication interface, and is used as a distribution destination of the print for the distributed printing. A printing apparatus comprising: a printing apparatus selection means that displays on the display means and enables selection. When the other printing device selected by the printing device selection unit is busy, a warning message indicating that the distributed printing by the other printing device cannot be performed is displayed on the display unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The distributed printing is executed by the other printing device selected by the printing device selection unit, the distributed printing is detected, and a message indicating the distributed printing is displayed on the display unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The printing device selection means includes
Search method selection means for displaying and selecting a plurality of predetermined search conditions for searching for a printing apparatus for performing the distributed printing on the display means;
And a means for searching for a printing apparatus that satisfies the search condition selected via the search method selection means, and displaying it on the display means as a distribution destination for printing for the distributed printing. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is characterized. A distributed printing control device for controlling distributed printing in a printing system having a plurality of printing devices connected to an external device via a communication interface,
Display means;
Input means;
In response to receiving a print request designating a busy printing apparatus as a printing destination via the communication interface, the display unit is used to distribute the print request to other printing apparatuses in the printing system. Means for displaying for distributed printing to be processed,
Instruction input means for receiving an instruction regarding whether to perform distributed printing using the input means;
In response to the instruction input unit receiving an instruction to perform the distributed printing from the input unit, the printing device that is different from the printing device designated as the printing destination via the communication interface is searched for, A distributed printing control apparatus, comprising: a printing apparatus selection unit that displays on the display unit as a distribution destination of printing for distributed printing and enables selection.

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