JP2010194890A - Printer and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer that can avoid a situation that the printer is left in a printing stop condition even when printing is stopped so as to enhance reliability of the printing, and to provide a program therefor. <P>SOLUTION: Every time when a case occurs that a printer 31a having a printing right determines that a printing unable condition occurs and transfers the printing right to another printer 31b, the printer 31a transmits, to the another printer 31b to which the printer 31a transferred the printing right, all of the print data including a printing configuration and information about a page which is managed beforehand and is deleted already. Thereby, since the printer 31b receiving the printing right starts the printing from the remaining page which is not able to be printed by the printer 31a of which the printing right is transferred to the printer 31b, it is possible to avoid a situation that the printer is left in the printing stop condition even when the printing is stopped so that the reliability of the printing can be enhanced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a program.

  In recent years, an Internet print system that performs printing via an Internet network has been developed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In recent years, as shown in FIG. 10, an extranet in which intranets 200 and 300 of a plurality of companies and offices are interconnected via an Internet network 400 is also being used. According to the extranet as shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to execute a printing process on a printer on the other intranet 300 from a host computer such as a server on one intranet 200.

  However, in the Internet print system disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the extranet as shown in FIG. 10, the printer cannot be operated during the printing operation (paper out, paper jam, toner end). However, even if printing is stopped due to other failures, the host computer cannot grasp the status on the printer side, and there is a problem that the printer is left in a printing stopped state.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and a printing apparatus capable of avoiding a situation where a printing is stopped in a state where printing is stopped, and improving printing reliability. The purpose is to provide a program.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a printing apparatus according to the present invention is connected to a host apparatus together with other printing apparatuses via a network, and includes printing data transmitted from the host apparatus and a series of processing instructions. A configuration information merging unit that merges model information of the other printing apparatuses connected to the network and stores them as configuration information in a printing apparatus having a print right for executing a print process and a paper discharge process for the print job; Page information updating means for updating and managing deletion page information notified for each paper discharge of the paper discharge processing in the apparatus or the other printing apparatus connected to the network; and the other apparatus connected to the apparatus or the network Status information for updating status information used to determine whether printing is possible for a printing device When the status information becomes unprintable due to the update by the new means and the status information update means, the printing right of the device in which the status information is unprintable is transferred to the other printing device Print restraint for transferring the print right by sending a print restraint release instruction to any one of the print restraining means for restraining printing and the other printing device stored by the configuration information merging means A release unit; and a data transmission unit that transmits the print data to the other printing apparatus to which the printing right has been transferred, and transmits the latest deletion page information updated by the page information update unit. It is characterized by providing.

  The program of the present invention is connected to a host device along with other printing devices over a network, and executes print processing and paper discharge processing for a print job including print data and a series of processing commands transmitted from the host device. A configuration information merging means for merging model information of the other printing devices connected to the network and storing them as configuration information, and a computer that controls the printing device having the printing right to perform the configuration information merging means; Whether or not printing is possible for page information update means for updating and managing deleted page information notified for each paper discharge of the paper discharge process in another printing apparatus, and the other printing apparatus connected to the network or the network Status information updating means for updating status information used for determination; When the status information becomes a non-printable state due to the update by the status information update unit, the printing right of the device in which the status information is in a non-printable state is suppressed to transfer to the other printing device. A print suppression release unit that assigns the print right by transmitting a print suppression release instruction to any one of the other printing apparatuses stored by the configuration information merging unit; The print data is transmitted to the other printing apparatus to which the print right is transferred, and the data transmission unit functions as a data transmission unit that transmits the latest deleted page information updated by the page information update unit. And

  According to the present invention, the printing device assigns the printing right every time it is determined that a printing impossible state has occurred in the printing device having the printing right and the printing right is transferred to another printing device. By sending all print data including print settings and information on previously deleted pages managed in advance to other printing devices, other printing devices to which printing rights have been transferred will be printed Since the apparatus can start printing from the remaining pages that could not be printed, the situation where the printing is stopped even if printing is stopped can be avoided, and the printing reliability can be improved. There is an effect that it is possible.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system construction example of a net print system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system construction example of the net print system. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the print server. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the printer. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a functional configuration related to printer substitution processing of the printer. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure of device acquisition processing in printer substitution processing. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of device acquisition processing. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing procedure of the printing process. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of printing processing in the main printer. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a system configuration example of a conventional extranet.

  Exemplary embodiments of a printing apparatus and a program according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment is an example in which a laser printer or an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) is applied as a printing apparatus.

[1. Overall system configuration]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system construction example of a net print system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a net print system 100 according to the present embodiment includes intranets A and B of a plurality of companies and offices, that is, intranets A and B that are in-house networks based on Internet technology, and an Internet network 150. Assume an extranet interconnected via.

  As shown in FIG. 1, for example, an intranet A in a convenience store head office includes various server computers (hereinafter referred to as servers) 1 and clients 3 such as computers and printers via a network 2 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). Assume a server client system with multiple units connected. In such an intranet A, a firewall 6 is provided at the boundary between the Internet network 150 and the internal network 5 excluding the public server 4 such as a WWW (World Wide Web) server. The firewall 6 monitors packets entering and exiting between the in-house network 5 and the Internet network 150, and permits or blocks (discards) passage of the packets in accordance with predetermined rules. Ensure security.

  On the other hand, for example, an intranet B in a franchise store is also assumed to be a server client system in which a plurality of clients 3 such as computers and printers are connected to various servers 1 via a network 2 such as a LAN. Also in such an intranet B, a firewall 6 is provided at the boundary between the Internet network 150 and the corporate network 5 excluding the public server 4.

  The network connections of the intranets A and B are not limited to the Internet network 150, and the intranets A and B may be connected using a dedicated communication line.

  The network 2 is not limited to wired communication, but may be wireless communication (infrared rays, radio waves, etc.). Further, an optical fiber may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the above-described net print system 100 includes, for example, a print server 11 that is one of the servers 1 included in the intranet A of the convenience store head office, and one of the clients 3 included in the intranet B of the franchise store. It is possible to directly execute a printing process such as sales promotion materials for the printer 31. As shown in FIG. 2, the intranet B includes a plurality of printers 31 having the same function. In the example shown in FIG. 2, three printers 31 including a main printer and sub-printers 1 and 2 are connected to the intranet B.

[2. Print server configuration]
First, the print server 11 (server 1) provided in the intranet A will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the print server 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the print server 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41 that controls the operation of the print server 11. The CPU 41 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42 for storing a program executed when the CPU 41 starts up, necessary data, and the like, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43 for configuring a work area of the CPU 41 and the like. They are connected via an internal bus 56.

  Further, a character generator 44, a clock circuit 45, a network transmission control unit 47, a magnetic disk device 48, a CD-ROM device 49, a display control unit 52 and an input control unit 55 are connected to the CPU 41 via an internal bus 56. Data exchange between these elements is mainly performed via the internal bus 56.

  The character generator 44 is for generating graphic character display data. The clock circuit 45 is for outputting current date and time information.

  The network interface circuit 46 is for connecting the print server 11 to the network 2 that is a LAN. The network transmission control unit 47 is connected to other servers 1 and clients 3 via the network 2. This is for executing communication control processing of various predetermined protocol suites for exchanging data. For example, the network interface circuit 46 connects the printer 31 that is one of the clients 3 included in another intranet (in this case, the intranet B) via the network 2 and the Internet network 150, and transmits print data and the like to the printer 31. Or receiving a print processing status or the like from the printer 31.

  The magnetic disk device 48 is for storing various data such as an OS (Operating System), various application programs running on the OS, work data, file data, and image information data. In the present embodiment, a print data transmission program or the like is stored as an application program. The CD-ROM device 49 is for reading data (various data such as various application programs, work data, file data, and image information data) stored in the CD-ROM 50 that is an exchangeable recording medium. is there.

  In such a print server 11, when the user turns on the power, the CPU 41 activates a program called a loader in the ROM 42, reads the OS from the magnetic disk device 48 into the RAM 43, and activates the OS. Such an OS activates an application program, reads information, or stores information in accordance with a user operation. The recording medium is not limited to the CD-ROM 50 and may be any computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD, or a semiconductor memory. In this case, it goes without saying that the CD-ROM device 49 is changed to one that can read data in the storage medium. In addition, the application program is not limited to one that operates on a predetermined OS, but may be one that causes the OS to execute some of the various processes described below, or constitutes predetermined application software, an OS, or the like. It may be included as part of a group of program files.

  In general, an application program installed in the magnetic disk device 48 of the print server 11 is recorded on a storage medium such as the CD-ROM 50, and the application program recorded on the storage medium is installed in the magnetic disk device 48. Is done. Therefore, a portable storage medium such as the CD-ROM 50 can also be a storage medium for storing application programs. Further, the application program may be fetched from the outside via the network interface circuit 46 and installed in the magnetic disk device 48, for example.

  A display device 51 such as a CRT is for displaying a screen for operating the print server 11, and a display control unit 52 is for controlling display contents of the display device 51.

  The keyboard device 53 is for causing various instructions to the print server 11 to be performed by various key operations, and the screen instruction device 54 is for performing an operation such as instructing an arbitrary point on the display device 51. (For example, a pointing device such as a mouse), and the input control unit 55 is for capturing input information of the keyboard device 53 and the screen pointing device 54.

  In addition, the print document information is created by the print server 11 with an appropriate application program and stored in the magnetic disk device 48 or stored in the CD-ROM 50, or the CD-ROM device. 49 and read into the print server 11, or reconstructed from information received by e-mail or the like via the network 2 and the Internet network 150 and taken into the print server 11. Saved in.

[3. Printer configuration]
Next, the printer 31 (client 3), which is a printing device provided in the intranet B, will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the printer 31. As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 31 includes a printer controller (motherboard) 61 that performs various control processes such as a control process of each part of the printer 31 and an image forming process. An operation panel 62, a printer engine 63, and a magnetic disk device 64 are connected to the printer controller 61.

  The printer controller 61 controls the various servers 1 (for example, each intranet A, B) according to the control mode set at that time and the control codes from the various servers 1 (for example, the print server 11 of the intranet A). The generic name of the control mechanism that converts the print data from the print server 11) of the intranet A into drawing data and outputs it to the printer engine 63, and is composed of the following modules. The printer controller 61 includes a CPU 81 and a RAM 82 as main control elements, a ROM 83 for storing various kinds of information unique to the printer 31, and an NV− that is a non-volatile memory that can hold data regardless of power ON / OFF. RAM 84, Font ROM 85 which is a memory holding several types of fonts used for printing, Engine I / F 86, Panel I / F 87 for connecting operation panel 62, and Disk I / F 88 for connecting magnetic disk device 64 Network I / F 89 and the like.

  The RAM 82 is used as a work area for the CPU 81, data reception buffers from the various servers 1 of the intranets A and B, and an image development area after processing.

  The engine I / F 86 is an I / F that transmits and receives control signals to the printer controller 61 and the printer engine 63 and status signals from the printer engine 63 to the printer controller 61.

  A network I / F 89 transmits and receives control signals and data from various servers 1 (for example, the print server 11) of each intranet A and B to the printer 31 and status signals from the printer 31 via the network 2. Is.

  The operation panel 62 is a switch unit that can change the status display, mode, and printing conditions of the printer 31.

  The printer engine 63 is for forming an image by the electrophotographic process method and recording and outputting it on a recording sheet. More specifically, based on drawing data and control information from the printer controller 61, an electrostatic image is formed on the photosensitive member, and a transfer sheet is fed from a sheet feeding unit to form an image.

  The magnetic disk device 64 is for storing various types of print document information and storing other appropriate information files. In addition, the magnetic disk device 64 stores an OS (Operating System) and various application programs that run on the OS. In the present embodiment, a print processing program or the like is stored as an application program.

  The printer 31 having such a configuration reads the OS from the magnetic disk device 64 to the RAM 82 and activates the OS when the user turns on the power, like the server 1 and the like. The OS activated in this way activates an application program, reads information, and stores information in response to a user operation. In addition, the application program is not limited to one that runs on a predetermined OS, but may be one that causes the OS to execute a part of various processes described later, or constitutes a predetermined application program or OS. It may be included as part of a group of program files.

  Generally, an application program installed in the magnetic disk device 64 of the printer 31 is recorded on a storage medium such as a CD-ROM (not shown), and the application program recorded on the storage medium is stored on the magnetic disk. Installed in device 64. Therefore, a portable storage medium such as a CD-ROM can also be a storage medium for storing application programs. Furthermore, the application program may be imported from the outside via, for example, the network I / F 89 and installed in the magnetic disk device 64.

  The printer 31 according to the present embodiment is provided with the magnetic disk device 64. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an application program, an OS, and the like are stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a semiconductor memory. Anyway.

[4. Printer substitution process]
Next, printer substitution processing, which is characteristic processing performed by the net print system 100 of the present embodiment, among various arithmetic processing executed by the CPU 41 of the print server 11 and the CPU 81 of the printer 31 will be described below.

  In the net print system 100, when print data is input to the printer 31 of the intranet B from the print server 11 that is the host device of the intranet A via the Internet network 150, the input print is performed on the printer 31 side of the intranet B. Drawing data for the data is generated based on the control information of the printer controller 61. The generated drawing data is transferred from the printer controller 61 to the printer engine 63, and a printer start command is issued to start printing. Here, in the printer 31 of the intranet B, the printer 31 in which printing processing is being executed despite the middle of printing is in an unprintable state (no paper, paper jam, toner end, or other failure) that requires an operator operation. May occur. Therefore, in the net print system 100 according to the present embodiment, when a printer 31 in which print processing is being performed is in a print disabled state that requires an operator operation, the print processing target is switched to another printer 31. As a result, it is possible to continuously print unprinted data with another printer 31 connected to the network, and to execute a printer substitution process for preventing the printing from being stopped in the intranet B. Is.

  The print server 11 stores a print data transmission program in the magnetic disk device 48 as an application program. That is, in the print server 11, when a print data transmission program operating on the OS is activated, the CPU 41 controls each unit according to the print data transmission program and executes a print data transmission process that is a part of the printer substitution process.

  The printer 31 stores a print processing program in the magnetic disk device 64 as an application program. That is, in the printer 31, when a print processing program that runs on the OS is started, the CPU 81 controls each unit according to the print data transmission program and executes a print process that is a part of the printer replacement process.

  Here, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a functional configuration relating to the printer substitution process of the printer 31. As shown in FIG. 5, the printer 31 includes a transmission / reception processing unit 101 that receives and transmits various requests sent from the print server 11 and other printers 31 connected to the printer 31 via a network, and a printer engine 63. Engine processing unit 102 that receives a print event and status change event from the printer, and issues a print instruction to the printer engine 63, and a print control unit that performs print control processing based on information from the transmission / reception processing unit 101 and the engine processing unit 102 103.

  The transmission / reception processing unit 101 functions as session establishment means for establishing a session (establishing a connection) between the print server 11 and another printer 31 connected to the network.

  Here, the print control unit 103 will be described in detail. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the print control unit 103 includes a communication processing unit 104, a device acquisition processing unit 105, a status management processing unit 106, a print processing unit 107, and a page deletion processing unit 108. .

  The communication processing unit 104 functions as a request transmission unit and a request reception unit. The communication processing unit 104 receives data and requests from the transmission / reception processing unit 101 and the engine processing unit 102, and receives data and requests from the print control unit 103. Send.

  The device acquisition processing unit 105 functions as a configuration information merging unit, acquires model information (for example, IP address) connected to the network, and merges the acquired model information. The merged connection model information is stored as configuration information in a configuration information table formed in the magnetic disk device 64, for example.

  The status management processing unit 106 functions as a status information update unit, and holds the latest status information as a device based on the status information sent from the engine processing unit 102. This latest status information is used to determine whether printing is possible in response to an inquiry from the outside or itself.

  The print processing unit 107 functions as a print suppression unit and a print suppression release unit. When the print right is acquired, a print suppression process for suppressing printing in order to transfer the print right to another printer 31 is performed. A print suppression release process, which is a process for transferring a print right by transmitting a print suppression release instruction, is performed.

  The page deletion processing unit 108 functions as a page information update unit, and updates the deleted page information accumulated in the form of incrementing the page deletion notification sent from itself or a connected sub printer in the main printer. to manage. The deleted page information is stored in a page information table formed in the magnetic disk device 64, for example.

  The communication processing unit 104 also functions as a data transmission unit. The communication processing unit 104 transmits print data sent from the print server 11 to the main printer to the sub printer to which the print right has been transferred, and also includes page information. The latest deletion page information updated by the updating means is transmitted.

  Next, the main process of the printer substitution process realized by the print control unit 103 will be specifically described for each scene.

  Here, FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure of device acquisition processing in the printer substitution processing, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of device acquisition processing. In FIG. 6, an intranet B is assumed in which three printers 31 a serving as a “main printer”, a printer 31 b serving as a “sub printer 1”, and a printer 31 c serving as a “sub printer 2” are connected to the network. Yes.

  Note that “main printer”, “sub printer 1”, and “sub printer 2” are set for convenience, and the printer 31a, the printer 31b, and the printer 31c are printers of the same mounting. The printer 31 to which print data is first input from the print server 11 which is a host computer through the network and which has the print right in the initial state is called a main printer, and is a printer located below the main printer. 31 is called a sub printer.

  The “main printer” is uniquely determined by the host device. However, “sub printer 1” and “sub printer 2” may be fixedly determined, and the order thereof changes for each process. It may be a thing. For example, for the order of “sub-printer 1” and “sub-printer 2”, the IP address of the printer to which data will be sent next is stored in the storage unit (ROM 83, NV-RAM 84, magnetic disk device 64, etc.) of the printer. It can be realized by referring to the IP address stored at the time of data transfer.

  The printer 31 executes a device acquisition process after a session is established between the print server 11 and another network-connected printer 31 (after the connection is formed).

  If the printer that has received the device acquisition request notification from the print server 11 is the printer 31a that is the main printer (step S1, step S2 Yes, step S3 Yes), the sub printer (printer 31b and printer 31c) is notified. Then, a device acquisition request is transmitted (step S4). On the other hand, the sub printers (printer 31b and printer 31c) that have received the device acquisition request notification from the print server 11 (Yes in step S1, step S2, and no in step S3) send the request to the main printer (printer 31a). The printer information (for example, IP address) is returned as a device acquisition response (step S10). Whether or not the printer itself is the main printer can be determined based on whether or not the transmission source of the device acquisition request notification is the print server 11. Whether or not the printer is a main printer can also be determined based on whether or not it has a configuration information table for the sub printer.

  After the transmission of the device acquisition request to the sub printer (step S4), if the sub printer (printer 31b and printer 31c) can be acquired (Yes in step S5), the main printer (printer 31a) The printer 31c) is set as configuration information in the configuration information table (step S6), and a print suppression request is transmitted to the sub printer (step S7). If a sub printer cannot be acquired (No in step S5), the processes in steps S6 and S7 are not performed.

  The processes in steps S4 to S7 as described above are repeated until all the sub-printers are processed (Yes in step S8).

  When the processing of steps S4 to S7 is executed for all the sub-printers (printer 31b and printer 31c) (Yes in step S8), the main printer (printer 31a) transmits the printer to the requesting print server 11. Information (for example, IP address) is returned as a device acquisition response (step S9).

  Further, when the sub printer (the printer 31b and the printer 31c) receives the print suppression request notification from the main printer (the printer 31a) (No in Step S1 and Step S2), the sub printer (the printer 31b and the printer 31c) performs suppression setting of its own print processing (Step S11). .

  When the device acquisition process is completed as described above, the print process is executed in the main printer (printer 31a) having the print right. The printing process will be described with reference to a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure of the printing process in FIG. 8 and a flowchart illustrating a flow of the printing process in the main printer in FIG. 9.

  When the main printer (printer 31a) having the print right receives the data transmission notification from the print server 11, the main printer (printer 31a) performs print processing and paper discharge processing. When the main printer (printer 31a) performs the paper discharge process after printing, it transmits a page deletion notification to itself and updates the page information in the page information table with the notified deletion page.

  Here, a description will be given of an alternative printing function in a case where a printing disabled state (paper out, paper jam, toner end, or other failure) requiring an operator operation has occurred in the main printer (printer 31a) that is performing printing processing.

  As a result of the update of the status information by the status notification in itself or the sub printer (printer 31b and printer 31c), the main printer (printer 31a) or the sub printer (printer 31b and printer 31c) cannot print (for example, no paper). If the main printer (printer 31a) determines that it has been performed (Yes in step S21, step S22, No in step S23), the main printer (printer 31a) transmits a print suppression notification to itself or the sub-printers (printer 31b and printer 31c) for printing. The process is set to suppress the printing, and the printer itself or the sub-printer (the printer 31b and the printer 31c) is stopped printing, assuming that the printing right is not held (step S24). In addition, when a sub printer waiting for printing is stored as configuration information in the configuration information table (Yes in step S25), the main printer (printer 31a) corresponds to the target print waiting sub printer (printer 31b). All the print data is transmitted (step S26), all the deleted page information stored in the page information table is transmitted (step S27), a print suppression release instruction is transmitted, and the print right is transferred (step S28). .

  If no sub-printer waiting for printing is stored as configuration information in the configuration information table (No in step S25), the main printer (printer 31a) transmits the print result to the print server 11 (step S29). .

  The sub-printer (printer 31b) to which the printing right has been transferred by the processing described above starts printing from the remaining pages (pages excluding the deleted pages from the print data) that the main printer (printer 31a) could not print. It becomes. In other words, the main printer transmits print data to the sub-printer to which the print right has been transferred every time a print disabled state requiring an operator operation occurs. At this time, the main printer does not send only the print data of the unprinted page to the sub printer, but sends all the print data and all the deleted page information to the print within all the print data. This is because necessary information (mainly the emulation switching specification included in the head of the job and the printer driver setting by the user) is included. The printer can execute printing intended by the user only when the printer that performs printing correctly recognizes the information.

  When the sub-printer (printer 31b) to which the printing right has been transferred in this way performs a paper discharge process after printing, a page deletion notification is transmitted from the sub-printer (printer 31b) to the main printer (printer 31a). Is done. When the main printer (printer 31a) receives the page deletion notification (No in step S21), the main printer (printer 31a) updates the deletion page information in the page information table with the notified deletion page (step S30), and performs a print end determination (step S31). ). As a method for determining the end of printing, the main printer (printer 31a) determines that printing has ended when the number of all printed pages is equal to the number of all deleted pages (Yes in step S31), and prints to the print server 11. The result is notified (step S29). The main printer (printer 31a) determines that printing has not been completed when the number of all printed pages is different from the number of all deleted pages (No in step S31).

  Note that if it is determined that a non-printable state (for example, no paper) has occurred in the sub printer (printer 31b) to which the printing right has been transferred (Yes in step S21, step S22, step S23), the main printer (printer 31a) sends a print suppression notification to the sub-printer (printer 31b), sets print processing suppression, and stops printing itself or the sub-printer (printer 31b) on the assumption that the print right is not held (step 31a). S24). Thereafter, the main printer (printer 31a) transmits all print data to the sub-printer waiting for printing (printer 31c) (step S26), and transmits all deleted page information stored in the page information table (step S26). S27) A print suppression release instruction is transmitted to transfer the print right (step S28).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the deletion page is managed by the main printer, and it is determined that the printing disabled state has occurred in the printer having the printing right, and the printing right is transferred to another printer. Each time it occurs, the sub-printer sends all the print data including print settings and the information of the already deleted pages to the sub-printer to which the print right has been transferred, so that the sub-printer can print the remaining information that the main printer could not print. Since printing can be started from the page, it is possible to avoid a situation where the printing is stopped even when printing is stopped, and to improve printing reliability.

  Assuming that the line between the main printer and the sub-printer is disconnected for some reason, the main printer selects the sub-printer that is to be dealt with if there is no status notification or page deletion notification from the sub-printer for a certain period of time. It can also be considered that the printing right transfer process is performed as an error generator.

31 Printing Device 104 Data Transmitting Unit 105 Configuration Information Merging Unit 106 Status Information Updating Unit 107 Printing Suppression Unit, Printing Suppression Release Unit 108 Page Information Updating Unit

JP 2003-271347 A

Claims (3)

In a printing apparatus that is connected to a host apparatus together with another printing apparatus and has a print right to execute a printing process and a discharge process for a print job composed of print data and a series of processing instructions transmitted from the host apparatus ,
Configuration information merging means for merging model information of the other printing apparatuses connected to the network and storing them as configuration information;
Page information update means for updating and managing deletion page information notified for each paper discharge of the paper discharge processing in the apparatus or the other printing apparatus connected to the network;
Status information updating means for updating status information used for determining whether printing is possible for the apparatus or the other printing apparatus connected to the network;
When the status information becomes unprintable due to the update by the status information updating unit, printing is suppressed in order to transfer the printing right of the device whose status information is unprintable to the other printing device Printing suppression means to
Print suppression release means for transferring the print right by transmitting a print suppression release instruction to any one of the other printing devices stored by the configuration information merging means;
A data transmitting unit that transmits the print data to the other printing device to which the printing right has been transferred, and transmits the latest deleted page information updated by the page information updating unit;
A printing apparatus comprising: The status information update unit updates the status information to a print-disabled state even when there is no notification of the status information or the deletion page information from the other printing apparatus for a predetermined time or more.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. A printing apparatus that is connected to a host apparatus together with another printing apparatus and has a print right to execute print processing and paper discharge processing for a print job that includes print data transmitted from the host apparatus and a series of processing instructions. The computer to control,
Configuration information merging means for merging model information of the other printing apparatuses connected to the network and storing them as configuration information;
Page information update means for updating and managing deletion page information notified for each paper discharge of the paper discharge processing in the apparatus or the other printing apparatus connected to the network;
Status information updating means for updating status information used for determining whether printing is possible for the apparatus or the other printing apparatus connected to the network;
When the status information becomes unprintable due to the update by the status information updating unit, printing is suppressed in order to transfer the printing right of the device whose status information is unprintable to the other printing device Printing suppression means to
Print suppression release means for transferring the print right by transmitting a print suppression release instruction to any one of the other printing devices stored by the configuration information merging means;
A data transmitting unit that transmits the print data to the other printing device to which the printing right has been transferred, and transmits the latest deleted page information updated by the page information updating unit;
A program characterized by functioning as

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