JP2014144566A - Network printer, printing processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network printer which speeds up printing processing of PDL data while suppressing costs of RIP.SOLUTION: A network printer is connected to a plurality of information terminals and includes: a first acquisition section for acquiring PDL data; rasterizing processing section which can generate a raster image by performing rasterizing processing of the acquired PDL data; a search section for searching for a processable terminal which can perform rasterizing processing among the plurality of information terminals; a second acquisition section for acquiring a first raster image obtained by having the information terminal perform rasterizing processing when there is a processable terminal; a processing control section for generating a second raster image by having the rasterizing processing section perform rasterizing processing when there is no processable terminal; and a printing section which performs printing by using either the first raster image or the second raster image.

Description

  The present invention relates to a network printer connected to a plurality of information terminals via a network.

  Conventionally, print data expressed in a PDL (Page Description Language) format (hereinafter referred to as “PDL data”) is received, rasterized on the PDL data, and in a bitmap format obtained by the rasterizing process. There is a network printer that performs printing using expressed print data (hereinafter referred to as “raster image”). Such a network printer has a RIP (Raster Image Processor) for performing rasterization processing. Conventionally, only the network printer performs the rasterizing process in order to concentrate the rasterizing process of the print data in the PDL format on the network printer. In this way, by causing only the network printer that performs printing to perform the rasterization process, the load on the rasterization process is reduced in the information terminal that is the transmission source of the print data.

  In recent years, even a low-priced information terminal has improved the performance of a CPU (Central Processing Unit). For example, as in Patent Document 1, the network printer and the information terminal share the rasterization process. As described above, there is a technique for dividing and executing PDL data. As described above, in Patent Document 1, one PDL format print data is divided into pages, and the divided PDL data is divided into a network printer and an information terminal to perform rasterization processing. For this reason, the amount of PDL data to be subjected to rasterization processing can be reduced, and rasterization processing can be performed at high speed.

JP-A-6-67822

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since the PDL data is divided by the network printer and the information terminal, and the rasterization process is performed on the divided PDL data, the network printer that is the apparatus itself also performs the rasterization process. Need to do. In other words, the network printer cannot perform the rasterizing process at high speed unless the RIP processing performance for performing the rasterizing process is at least comparable to that of the information terminal. In other words, in order to realize the technique of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to mount a RIP having a processing performance of a certain level or more on a network printer. For this reason, it is difficult to reduce the cost of RIP.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a network printer that speeds up the printing process of PDL data while suppressing the cost of RIP.

  In order to achieve the above object, a network printer connected to a plurality of information terminals via a network, the first acquisition unit acquiring PDL (Page Description Language) data, and acquired by the first acquisition unit In addition, a rasterization processing unit capable of generating a raster image by performing rasterization processing on the PDL data, and a searchable terminal that is an information terminal capable of performing rasterization processing among the plurality of information terminals are searched. When there is an information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal as a result of the search, the search unit transmits the PDL data acquired by the first acquisition unit to the information terminal, and rasterizes the PDL data Acquire the first raster image obtained by performing the processing A second raster image obtained by causing the rasterization processing unit to perform the rasterization process on the PDL data when there is no information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal as a result of the search. A processing control unit to be generated; and a printing unit that performs printing using the first raster image or the second raster image.

  According to this, if there is an information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal among the information terminals connected to the network printer via the network, the PDL data is transmitted to the information terminal searched for as the processable terminal. Thus, rasterization processing can be performed. For this reason, for example, if rasterizing processing is performed on an information terminal having high processing performance related to rasterizing processing, the rasterizing processing can be performed at high speed. If there is no information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal, the rasterization processing unit provided in the network printer can perform the rasterization process. For this reason, even when the processable terminal is not connected to the network, the rasterization process can be performed, so that printing can be performed. In other words, if there is a high-performance processable terminal, the rasterization process can be performed at high speed. If there is no processable terminal, at least the rasterization process can be performed, so that the processing performance of the RIP installed in the network printer is minimized. Can be limited. In short, it is possible to speed up the printing process of PDL data if there is a high-performance processable terminal while suppressing the cost of RIP.

  In addition, for example, a storage unit that stores the search result is further included, and the search unit performs the search at a predetermined cycle, and the latest search result and the search stored in the storage unit. If there is a difference in the result of comparing with the result of the above, the latest search result may be stored in the storage unit.

  According to this, the search is periodically performed by the search unit, and when the result is different, the latest search result is stored in the storage unit. For this reason, the latest search result can always be stored in the storage unit.

  Further, for example, a performance measurement unit that further measures the first processing performance related to the rasterization process of the information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal, and stores the measurement result in the information terminal in the storage unit; and Based on the result of the search, the execution destination of the rasterization process on the PDL data acquired by the first acquisition unit is determined as one of the information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal or the rasterization processing unit And the storage unit stores in advance the second processing performance related to the rasterization processing of the rasterization processing unit, and the determination unit corresponds to the processable terminal as a result of the search. When there is an information terminal, the first processing performance is compared with the second processing performance, and as a result of the comparison, the first processing performance is more than the second processing performance. The execution destination is determined to be an information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal, and when the first processing performance is lower than the second processing performance, the execution destination is determined to be the rasterization processing unit. The second acquisition unit, when the execution unit is determined to be an information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal by the determination unit, the PDL acquired by the first acquisition unit for the information terminal The data is transmitted and the first raster image obtained by performing rasterization processing on the PDL data is acquired, and the processing control unit determines that the execution destination is the rasterization processing unit by the determination unit In this case, the rasterization processing unit causes the rasterization process to be performed on the PDL data acquired by the first acquisition unit. Raster image may be generated to.

  According to this, the first processing performance related to the rasterization processing of the information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal is compared with the second processing performance related to the rasterization processing of the rasterization processing unit. When the first processing performance is higher than the second processing performance as a result of the comparison, the rasterization processing destination is determined to be an information processing terminal that is a processable terminal, and the first processing performance is lower than the second processing performance In addition, the execution destination of the rasterization process is determined in the rasterization processing unit. Then, rasterization processing is performed according to the determined execution destination.

  For this reason, it is possible to cause the apparatus having the higher processing performance related to the rasterization process of the information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal and the rasterization processing unit included in the network printer to perform the rasterization process. For this reason, it is possible to cause the information terminal or network printer that can perform the rasterization process fastest among the information terminals and network printers connected to the network at that time to perform the rasterization process. That is, the time required for the rasterizing process can be shortened, and the time required for the printing process can be minimized in the configuration of the apparatus connected to the network at that time.

  In addition, for example, when there are a plurality of information terminals corresponding to the processable terminal among the plurality of information terminals as a result of the search, the performance measurement unit is configured to each of the plurality of information terminals corresponding to the processable terminal. Measuring the first processing performance of the plurality of information terminals, storing the measurement results of each of the plurality of information terminals in the storage unit, wherein the determination unit stores the plurality of first processes stored in the storage unit Among the performance and the second processing performance, the information terminal having the highest processing performance or the rasterization processing unit is determined as the execution destination, and the second acquisition unit is configured to determine whether the execution destination is the plurality of execution destinations. If it is determined as one of the information terminals, the PDL data acquired by the first acquisition unit is transmitted to the information terminal having the highest processing performance, You may obtain the first raster image obtained by causing the rasterization processing for the PDL data.

  According to this, the first processing performance related to the rasterization processing of a plurality of information terminals corresponding to the processable terminals is compared with the second processing performance related to the rasterization processing of the rasterization processing unit. As a result of the comparison, an information terminal corresponding to the highest processing performance among the plurality of first processing performances and second processing performances or the rasterization processing unit is determined as an execution destination. Then, rasterization processing is performed according to the determined execution destination.

  For this reason, it is possible to cause the apparatus having the highest processing performance among the processing performances related to the rasterization processing of the plurality of information terminals corresponding to the processable terminals and the rasterization processing unit included in the network printer to perform the rasterization processing. For this reason, it is possible to cause the information terminal and network printer that can perform the rasterization process most quickly among the information terminals and network printers connected to the network at that time to perform the rasterization process. That is, the time required for the rasterizing process can be shortened, and the time required for the printing process can be minimized in the configuration of the apparatus connected to the network at that time.

  Further, for example, the determination unit compares the first processing performance and the second processing performance of information terminals that are operating among information terminals corresponding to the processable terminals as a result of the search. The execution destination may be determined by

  According to this, among the information terminals corresponding to the processable terminals, the first processing performance of the information terminals that are in operation is the target of the comparison. That is, even if the terminal is a processable terminal, an information terminal that cannot perform the rasterization process at that time is excluded from candidates for the execution destination of the rasterization process. As described above, since the information terminal that cannot substantially perform the rasterizing process can be excluded as the execution destination of the rasterizing process, the time required for the printing process can be minimized in the configuration of the apparatus connected to the network at that time. can do.

  In addition, for example, the determination unit, as a result of the search, among the information terminals corresponding to the processable terminal, the first processing performance and the second processing performance of an information terminal that is not currently rasterized The execution destination may be determined by comparing the above.

  According to this, among the information terminals corresponding to the processable terminals, the first processing performance of the information terminals that are not currently subjected to the rasterizing process is set as the comparison target. That is, even if the terminal is a processable terminal, an information terminal that cannot perform the rasterization process at that time is excluded from candidates for the execution destination of the rasterization process. As described above, since the information terminal that cannot substantially perform the rasterizing process can be excluded as the execution destination of the rasterizing process, the time required for the printing process can be minimized in the configuration of the apparatus connected to the network at that time. can do.

  Further, for example, the performance measurement unit may receive the first raster image obtained by rasterizing the PDL data after the second acquisition unit transmits the PDL data to the processable terminal. Measurement of the time taken per unit data amount until acquisition by the second acquisition unit is performed as measurement of the first processing performance, and the storage unit is a unit for rasterization processing to PDL data by the rasterization processing unit The time taken per data amount may be stored as the second processing performance.

  Note that these general or specific aspects may be realized by a recording medium such as a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable CD-ROM. These general or specific aspects may be realized by any combination of a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

  According to the network printer and the print processing method of the present invention, it is possible to speed up the print processing of PDL data while suppressing the cost for RIP.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a print processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the network printer which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of PC concerning this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the other PC which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the server which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure concerning the printing processing of the printing processing system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the search process by the network printer in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the list | wrist memorize | stored in a memory | storage part as a result of the search in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the data amount and time concerning a PDL data transfer process, an external RIP process, and a raster image transfer process performed in the performance test in this Embodiment. FIG. 10A shows the relationship between the amount of data and time required for the PDL data transfer processing, external RIP processing, and raster image transfer processing performed in the performance test when the data transfer amount in the PDL data transfer processing is small. FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of a region A in FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in print processing by a network printer in the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a network printer and a print processing method according to an aspect of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  Note that each of the embodiments described below shows a specific example of the present invention. Numerical values, shapes, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of components, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims indicating the highest concept are described as optional constituent elements.

(Embodiment)
First, the outline of the configuration of a print processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a print processing system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, this print processing system 100 includes network printers 1 to 3, PCs 4 to 6, server 7, PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Networks) 8, and LAN (Local Area Network) 9. Consists of

  The PCs 4 to 6 are computers in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the PCs 4 to 6 are PCs (Personal Computers) used by users who use the network printers 1 to 3.

  The network printers 1 and 3 send, for example, a document read by the scanner by facsimile from one to the other via the PSTN 8, send to the PCs 4 to 6 via the LAN 9, and print out by a built-in printer. Etc.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the network printers 1 to 3 according to the present embodiment. Since the network printers 1 to 3 have the same configuration, only the network printer 1 will be described below.

  As shown in the figure, the network printer 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a RIP 13, a modem 14, an NCU (Network Control Unit) 15, and an operation. A panel 16, a display 17, a scanner 18, a printer 19, and a NIC (Network Interface Card) 20 are provided. That is, the network printer 1 is a network multifunction device.

  The CPU 10 controls the entire network printer 1 by executing a control program 30 stored in the ROM 11.

  The ROM 11 is a read-only memory that holds a control program 30 executed by the CPU 10.

  The RAM 12 is a readable / writable memory that temporarily holds work data used when the CPU 10 executes the control program 30, image data obtained from the scanner 18, and the like.

  The RIP 13 is a so-called hardware RIP that performs dedicated rasterization processing, which is processing for converting PDL data into a raster image.

  The modem 14 modulates the image data and the like held in the RAM 12 into a facsimile signal and transmits it, and demodulates the facsimile signal received from the outside into line data. The modem 14 is a fax modem compliant with the G3 standard, for example.

  The NCU 15 is a network control device that controls the connection between the modem 14 and the PSTN 8.

  The operation panel 16 is a touch panel that receives an operation from a user.

  The display 17 is a display device that displays an operation guide for the user or an operation state of the network printer 1, and is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).

  The scanner 18 is an image reading device, and generates image data by optically reading a document using an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) under the control of the CPU 10. .

  The printer 19 is a printing device, and prints out an image image represented by, for example, image data held in the RAM 12 under the control of the CPU 10.

  The NIC 20 is a communication adapter that connects the network printer 1 and the LAN 9, and transmits, for example, image data held in the RAM 12 to the PC 4 or the like under the control of the CPU 10.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the PCs 4 and 5 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the PCs 4 and 5 mainly include a CPU 21, a hard disk 22, a RAM 23, an input device 24, a display 25, and a NIC 26. Here, the description of the PC 5 is omitted because it has the same configuration as the PC 4.

  The CPU 21 controls the entire PC 4 by executing the program 40 stored in the hard disk 22. Further, the CPU 21 generates PDL data related to the printing process by executing the PDL driver 41 stored in the hard disk 22. Further, the CPU 21 executes rasterization processing on the PDL data by executing the RIP 42 stored in the hard disk 22 to generate rasterized data. That is, the PCs 4 and 5 have software RIP.

  The hard disk 22 stores a program 40, a PDL driver 41, and a RIP 42.

  The RAM 23 is a readable / writable memory that temporarily holds various data used when the CPU 21 executes the program 40, the PDL driver 41, or the RIP 42 stored in the hard disk 22.

  The input device 24 is a device that receives an operation from a user, and is a keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse or a touch panel.

  The display 25 is a CRT display, LCD, plasma display, organic EL display or the like for displaying data transmitted from the RAM 23 as characters or images.

  The NIC 26 is a communication adapter that connects the PC 4 and the LAN 9. Under the control of the CPU 21, the NIC 26, for example, stores the program 40, PDL driver 41, RIP 42, and various data stored in the hard disk 22 of the PC 4, other PCs 5 and 6, network printers 1 and 2, server 7 connected to the LAN 9. Send to etc. The NIC 26 also receives various data transmitted to the PC 4 from the other PCs 5 and 6 and the network printers 1 and 2.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the PC 6 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the PC 6 is different from the configurations of the PCs 4 and 5 shown in FIG. 3 except that the RIP 42 is not stored in the hard disk 22, and the other configurations are the same as those of the PCs 4 and 5. Description is omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the server 7 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the server 7 is different from the configurations of the PCs 4 and 5 shown in FIG. 3 except that the PDL driver 41 is not stored in the hard disk 22, and other configurations are the same as those of the PCs 4 and 5. The description is omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration related to print processing of the print processing system 100 according to the present embodiment. That is, FIG. 6 mainly illustrates the present embodiment among the functions of the print processing system 100 including the network printers 1 and 2, the PCs 4 to 6, and the server 7 that are exhibited by the hardware configuration illustrated in FIGS. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the function in connection with the printing process.

  The print processing system 100 includes a request terminal, a network printer, and an external rasterizing device. The requesting terminal is an information terminal that requests printing of PDL data. The network printer is an information terminal that receives a request to print PDL data and performs printing using a raster image after the PDL data is rasterized. The external rasterization processing apparatus is an information terminal that performs rasterization processing of the PDL data and transmits a raster image after being rasterized to a network printer.

  Here, the request terminal is, for example, the PC 6 shown in FIG. The network printer is, for example, the network printer 1 shown in FIG. The external rasterization processing apparatus is, for example, the network printer 2, the PCs 4, 5 or the server 7 shown in FIG.

  The PC 6 as a request terminal includes a PDL processing unit 81 and a transmission unit 82.

  The PDL processing unit 81 is a processing unit realized by the CPU 21, the PDL driver 41, and the like in FIG. When the user of the PC 6 operates the input device 24 to request printing of the print target data selected by the user, the PDL processing unit 81 converts the print target data into PDL data. Generate PDL data.

  The transmission unit 82 is realized by the NIC 26 in FIG. The transmission unit 82 transmits the PDL data generated by the PDL processing unit 81 to the network printer (here, the network printer 1) designated by the user.

  In this way, the PC 6 as the requesting terminal requests the network printer 1 to print the print target data.

  Functionally, the network printer 1 includes a first acquisition unit 61, a second acquisition unit 62, a rasterization processing unit 63, a search unit 64, a performance measurement unit 65, a storage unit 66, and a determination unit 67. A processing control unit 68 and a printing unit 69.

  The first acquisition unit 61 is a processing unit realized by the CPU 10, the control program 30, the NIC 20, and the like in FIG. The first acquisition unit 61 acquires PDL data transmitted by the PC 6.

  The second acquisition unit 62 is a processing unit realized by the CPU 10, the control program 30, the NIC 20, and the like in FIG. The second acquisition unit 62 performs the first acquisition for the information terminal having the highest processing performance when the execution unit of the rasterization process is determined by any one of the plurality of information terminals by the determination unit 67. The PDL data acquired by the unit 61 is transmitted, and a first raster image obtained by performing rasterization processing (hereinafter referred to as “external rasterization processing”) on the PDL data is acquired. In this embodiment, the “information terminal” referred to here includes a network printer 2, PCs 4 to 6, and a server 7 connected to a LAN 9 as a network, and a network designated for print processing by a user. A terminal other than the printer 1.

  The first acquisition unit 61 and the second acquisition unit 62 function as a transmission / reception unit 70 that transmits / receives information to / from the request terminal or the external rasterization processing device via the LAN 9.

  The rasterization processing unit 63 is a processing unit realized by the RIP 13 in FIG. The rasterization processing unit 63 is a processing unit that can generate a raster image by performing rasterization processing on the PDL data acquired by the first acquisition unit 61.

  The search unit 64 is a processing unit realized by the CPU 10, the control program 30, and the like in FIG. The search unit 64 searches for a processable terminal that is an information terminal capable of performing rasterization processing among a plurality of information terminals. Note that the “processable terminal” mentioned here can perform rasterization processing among a plurality of information terminals including the network printer 2, the PCs 4 to 6, and the server 7 connected to the LAN 9 as a network. Terminal. That is, the processable terminal is specifically a terminal that is connected to the network and has hardware RIP or software RIP. In the present embodiment, the network printer 2, the PCs 4, 6, and the server 7 are used. It is. In addition, the search unit 64 performs a search at a predetermined cycle, and when there is a difference between the latest search result and the search result stored in the storage unit 66, the latest Are stored in the storage unit 66.

  The performance measuring unit 65 is a processing unit realized by the CPU 10, the control program 30, and the like in FIG. The performance measurement unit 65 measures the first processing performance related to the rasterization process of the information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal, and stores the measurement result of the information terminal in the storage unit 66. If there are a plurality of information terminals corresponding to the processable terminals among the plurality of information terminals as a result of the search, the performance measurement unit 65 measures the first processing performance for each of the plurality of information terminals corresponding to the processable terminals. And the storage unit 66 stores the measurement result of each of the plurality of information terminals. Specifically, the performance measurement unit 65 transmits the first raster image obtained by rasterizing the PDL data after the second acquisition unit 62 transmits the PDL data to the processable terminal. The measurement of the time taken per unit data amount until the 2 acquisition unit acquires is performed as the measurement of the first processing performance. The “unit data amount” referred to here is 1 KB in the present embodiment.

  The storage unit 66 is realized by the ROM 11, the RAM 12, and the like in FIG. The storage unit 66 stores the search result by the search unit 64. Further, the storage unit 66 stores in advance the second processing performance related to the rasterization processing of the rasterization processing unit 63. Specifically, the storage unit 66 stores, as the second processing performance, the time taken per unit data amount for the rasterization processing to PDL data by the rasterization processing unit 63.

  The determination unit 67 is a processing unit realized by the CPU 10, the control program 30, and the like in FIG. Based on the search result, the determination unit 67 sets the execution destination of the rasterization process to the PDL data acquired by the first acquisition unit 61 as one of the information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal and the rasterization processing unit. Decide on one. Further, when there is an information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal as a result of the search, the determination unit 67 compares the first processing performance and the second processing performance. And the determination part 67 performs the following processes, when the number of processable terminals is one. That is, when the first processing performance is higher than the second processing performance as a result of the comparison, the determining unit 67 determines the execution destination as an information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal, and the first processing performance is the second processing performance. If it is lower, the execution destination is determined to be the rasterization processing unit. Further, when there are a plurality of processable terminals, the determination unit 67 performs the following process. That is, the determination unit 67 determines the information terminal or the rasterization processing unit having the highest processing performance among the plurality of first processing performances and second processing performances stored in the storage unit 66 as the execution destination of the rasterization processing. To do. In addition, the determination unit 67 compares the first processing performance of the information terminal that is operating among the information terminals corresponding to the processable terminal and that is not currently undergoing the rasterization process with the second processing performance. Use.

  The processing control unit 68 is a processing unit realized by the CPU, the control program, etc. in FIG. When the determination unit 67 determines the execution destination of the rasterization processing to be the rasterization processing unit 63, the processing control unit 68 causes the rasterization processing unit 63 to perform rasterization processing (hereinafter, referred to as PDL data acquired by the first acquisition unit 61). The second raster image obtained by performing the “internal rasterization process”) is generated.

  The printing unit 69 is realized by the printer 19 in FIG. The printing unit 69 performs printing using the first raster image or the second raster image.

  In the external rasterization processing apparatus, the execution unit of the external rasterization process is determined by the determination unit 67 of the network printer 1. In other words, the optimal information terminal among the network printer 2, the PCs 4 and 6, and the server 7 that are candidates for the external rasterization processing device is determined as the external rasterization processing device. For example, it is assumed that the PC 4 is determined as the execution destination of the external rasterization process by the determination unit 67.

  The PC 4 functioning as an external rasterization processing apparatus includes a transmission / reception unit 91 and a rasterization processing unit 92.

  The transmission / reception unit 91 is realized by the NIC 26 in FIG. The transmission / reception unit 91 receives the PDL data transmitted from the second acquisition unit 62 of the network printer 1. Further, the transmission / reception unit 91 transmits a raster image generated by a rasterization processing unit 92 described later to the second acquisition unit 62 of the network printer 1.

  The rasterization processing unit 92 is a processing unit realized by the CPU 21, the RIP 42, and the like in FIG. The rasterization processing unit 92 generates a raster image by performing rasterization processing on the PDL data received by the transmission / reception unit 91.

  In this way, the PC 4 as the external rasterization processing device performs the external rasterization processing requested from the network printer 1.

  When the network printer 2 is determined as the external rasterization processing device, the transmission / reception unit 91 is realized by the NIC 20 or the like in FIG. 2, and the rasterization processing unit 92 is realized by the RIP 13 or the like. When the server 7 is determined as the external rasterization processing apparatus, the transmission / reception unit 91 is realized by the NIC 26 in FIG. 2, and the rasterization processing unit 92 is realized by the CPU 21, the RIP 42, and the like. The case where PC5 is determined as the external rasterizing processing device is the same as the case where PC4 is determined.

  Next, the processing procedure of the printing process in the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. In the present embodiment, the search process is performed in parallel with the print process, and the print process is performed using the result of the search process.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in search processing by the network printer in this embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the search unit 64 repeatedly performs the search process (S102 to S112) for each of all information terminals at a predetermined cycle (loop R1: S101 to S113). That is, the search unit 64 performs a search process using an idling group. Note that “all information terminals” here refers to all information terminals registered in the list 200 (see FIG. 8 described later) as a result of the search generated by the search process, The information terminal is a combination of all information terminals connected to the LAN 9. That is, “all information terminals” are all the information terminals that have been searched by connecting to the LAN 9 in the past and all the information terminals that have been searched by connecting to the current LAN 9. The “all information terminals” includes the network printer 1 that is a terminal having the search unit 64.

  Since the search process is performed for each of all the information terminals, hereinafter, the information terminal that is the target of the search process is referred to as a target information terminal. In addition, since search processing should just be performed about each of all the information terminals, it may be performed for every 1 unit | set and may be performed in parallel with respect to multiple.

  Here, the list 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the list 200 stored in the storage unit 66 as a search result according to the present embodiment.

  The list 200 is a list of information terminals that the network printer 1 has searched for being connected to the LAN 9 as shown in FIG. Specifically, the list 200 is a table in which an IP address field 201, a status field 202, a mounting destination field 203, and a processing performance field 204 are associated with each other. In the IP address field 201, the IP address of the corresponding information terminal is recorded. The status field 202 records whether the corresponding information terminal is in an operating state or a non-operating state. In the mounting destination field 203, the host name of the corresponding information terminal is recorded. The information recorded in the mounting destination field 203 is not limited to the host name as long as the information terminal can be specified, such as the type name of the information terminal and the MAC address (Media Access Control address) of the information terminal. The “type name” referred to here is information indicating the type of information terminal such as a network printer, PC, or server. In the processing performance field 204, the processing performance (see later) related to the rasterization processing of the information terminal is recorded.

  First, the search unit 64 transmits information for confirming that it is connected to the LAN 9 and is in operation to one of all information terminals (target information terminal). It is confirmed whether or not a response (host response) is detected (S102).

  If the search unit 64 does not detect a host response (S102: No), the search unit 64 determines whether the target information terminal has been registered in the list 200 (S103). In this embodiment, the search unit 64 determines whether or not the target information terminal has been registered in the list 200 based on whether or not the IP address of the target information terminal is recorded in the list 200. That is, if the IP address of the target information terminal is recorded in the list 200, the search unit 64 determines that the target information terminal is registered in the list 200. On the other hand, if the IP address of the target information terminal is not recorded in the list 200, the search unit 64 determines that the target information terminal is not registered in the list 200.

  If the target information terminal has been registered in the list 200 (S103: Yes), the search unit 64 sets the status field 202 corresponding to the target information terminal in the list 200 to “non-operation” (S104).

  If the search unit 64 detects a host response (S102: Yes), the search unit 64 determines whether the target information terminal has been registered in the list 200 (S105). Note that the determination in step S105 is the same as the determination in step S103.

  If the target information terminal has not been registered in the list 200 (S105: No), the search unit 64 newly registers the target information terminal in the list 200 and sets the status field 202 to “operation” (S106). The search unit 64 performs new registration by recording the IP address and host name of the target information terminal in the IP address field 201 and the mounting destination field 203, respectively.

  Then, the performance measurement unit 65 performs a performance test on the target information terminal registered in step S106 (S107). The performance measurement unit 65 records the result of the performance test in the processing performance field 204 of the list 200 corresponding to the target information terminal. Details of the performance test will be described later.

  If the target information terminal has been registered in the list 200 (S105: Yes), the search unit 64 determines whether the target information terminal is the same device as the device registered in the list 200 (S108). . Specifically, the search unit 64 determines whether or not the target information terminal is the same device as the device registered in the list 200, and whether or not the host name recorded in the mounting destination field 203 matches. Judgment by That is, if the host name of the target information terminal matches the host name recorded in the mounting destination field 203 corresponding to the target information terminal in the list 200, the search unit 64 determines that the devices are the same. On the other hand, if the host name of the target information terminal does not match the host name recorded in the mounting destination field 203 corresponding to the target information terminal in the list 200, the search unit 64 determines that they are not the same device.

  If the search unit 64 determines that the target information terminal is not the same device registered in the list 200 (S108: No), the search unit 64 re-registers the host name of the target information terminal in the mounting destination field 203 of the list 200. (S109).

  And the performance measurement part 65 performs a performance test with respect to the object information terminal re-registered by step S109 (S110). The performance measurement unit 65 records the result of the performance test in the processing performance field 204 of the list 200 corresponding to the target information terminal. Note that the performance test in step S110 is the same as the performance test in step S107. Therefore, details of the performance test will be described later.

  If the search unit 64 determines that the target information terminal is the same device as the device registered in the list 200 (S108: Yes), the status field 202 corresponding to the target information terminal in the list 200 is set to “operation”. Set (S111).

  In addition, when the target information terminal is not registered in the list 200, the search unit 64 is recorded in the processing performance field 204 of the list 200 after step S104, step S107, or step S111. The list is rearranged in descending order of processing performance (S112).

  Next, the performance test performed in step S107 or step S110 of the search process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of data and time required for the PDL data transfer process, the external RIP process, and the raster image transfer process performed in the performance test in the present embodiment.

  The performance measuring unit 65 performs a performance test on the target information terminal newly registered in the list 200 or the target information terminal re-registered in the list 200. As a performance test, the performance measurement unit 65 causes the second acquisition unit 62 to transmit PDL data predetermined for testing to the target information terminal, and cause the target information terminal to perform rasterization processing on the PDL data. The raster image obtained by this is acquired. The performance measuring unit 65 measures the time taken from the transmission of the PDL data by the second acquisition unit 62 to the acquisition of the raster image obtained by the rasterization process at the target information terminal. The performance measurement unit 65 measures the processing performance of the target information terminal by dividing the measured time by the data amount of the PDL data transmitted to the second acquisition unit 62. In other words, the processing performance measured by the performance measuring unit 65 is the time taken per unit data amount for all processes of the PDL data transfer process, the external rasterization process, and the raster image transfer process. The lower the value, the higher the processing performance.

  Specifically, the performance measuring unit 65 measures time T1 to time T5 as shown in FIG. Time T1 is the time when the PDL data transfer process by the second acquisition unit 62 is started. The time T1 may be regarded as the time when the external rasterization process (indicated as “external RIP process” in FIG. 9) by the target information terminal is started. That is, the external rasterization process is performed on a part of the received PDL data when the target information terminal receives a part of the PDL data. Time T2 is a time at which the speed of the PDL data transfer process has decreased due to the reception buffer for the information terminal receiving the PDL data becoming full. Time T3 is the time when the PDL data transfer process by the second acquisition unit 62 is completed. Time T4 is the time when the external RIP processing is completed, and the time when the raster image generated by the external RIP processing is transferred to the network printer 1 (raster image transfer processing). Time T5 is the time when the raster image transfer process is completed. That is, the time T5 is the time when the second acquisition unit 62 has completed the reception of the raster image transmitted by the target information terminal. The network printer 1 has a raster image obtained by rasterizing the PDL data for the first time at time T5.

  After the PDL data transfer is started by the second acquisition unit 62, the performance measurement unit 65 finishes receiving the raster image obtained by the rasterization processing of the PDL data by the target information terminal by the second acquisition unit 62 The processing time, which is the time until, is calculated. That is, the performance measuring unit 65 calculates the processing time by subtracting the time T1 from the time T5 using the time T1 and the time T5 among the time T1 to the time T5 that are timed.

  FIG. 9 shows a case where the data transfer amount in the PDL data transfer process is relatively sufficient and the state where the PDL data to be subjected to the external rasterization process is always accumulated in the reception buffer is maintained. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 10, when the data transfer amount is small in the PDL data transfer process, the PDL data reception buffer becomes empty, and the PDL data to be subjected to the external rasterization process is exhausted. There is. In this case, as shown by the area A of the graph, the external rasterizing process is intermittently performed. Even in this case, as described above, the processing time may be calculated by subtracting the time T11 at which the PDL data transfer processing is started from the time T15 at which the raster image transfer processing is completed. It may be calculated in consideration of the time that has not been taken. Note that time T11, time T13, time T14, and time T15 shown in FIG. 10A are the same as time T1, time T3, time T4, and time T5 described in FIG. 9, respectively. FIG. 10A shows the amount of data and time required for PDL data transfer processing, external RIP processing, and raster image transfer processing performed in the performance test when the data transfer amount in the PDL data transfer processing is small. It is a figure which shows a relationship. FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of a region A in FIG.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the external rasterizing process is performed intermittently, the process start time and the process resuming time t1, t3, t5, t7, and the process interruption Times t2, t4, t6, and t8, which are time and processing end time, are counted. The total time is the time obtained by subtracting time t1 from time t2, the time obtained by subtracting time t3 from time t4, the time obtained by subtracting time t5 from time t6, and the time obtained by subtracting time t7 from time t8. The substantial processing time is calculated. Furthermore, the processing time may be calculated by adding the time taken for the raster image transfer processing calculated by subtracting the time T14 from the time T15 and the substantial processing time. The external rasterization process is intermittently performed, for example, when the transfer by the LAN 9 is congested, and occurs when the transfer speed for the PDL data transfer process falls. That is, regardless of the capability of the target information terminal for the rasterization process, the time required for the external rasterization process increases, and when the performance test as described in FIG. 9 is performed, the processing performance is lower than the original processing performance. May be registered in the list 200. Therefore, as described with reference to FIG. 10, by calculating the substantial time required for the external rasterization process, a measurement result close to the original processing performance of the target information terminal can be obtained.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in print processing by the network printer in the present embodiment.

  First, the first acquisition unit 61 determines whether or not PDL data has been received (S121).

  When it is determined that the first acquisition unit 61 has received (acquired) PDL data (S121: Yes), the determination unit 67 performs rasterization processing on all information terminals in order from the information terminal recorded at the top of the list 200. The determination process for determining the terminal to perform is repeatedly performed (loop R2: S122 to S126). In the search process, the list 200 is always rearranged in the order of high processing performance, and therefore the determination unit 67 performs determination processing from an information terminal with high processing performance.

  Since the determination process is performed for each of all the information terminals registered in the list 200, the information terminal that is the target of the determination process is hereinafter referred to as a target information terminal, similarly to the search process. In addition, since the determination process is performed in order from an information terminal with high processing performance, it is performed for each device.

  In the determination process, first, the determination unit 67 determines whether or not the target information terminal is itself (that is, the network printer 1) (S123).

  If it is determined that the target information terminal is itself (S123: Yes), the process goes out of the determination process loop R2 and proceeds to step S126.

  If it is not determined that the target information terminal is itself (S123: No), the determination unit 67 determines whether the status recorded in the status field 202 of the list 200 corresponding to the target information terminal is “operation”. Is determined (S124).

  If it is determined that the status of the target information terminal is “operation” (S124: Yes), the determination unit 67 determines whether the target information terminal is in a processable state (S125). Note that the “processable state” referred to here is a state in which the target information terminal is not performing another rasterization process. In addition, the “processable state” is not limited to a state in which other rasterization processing is not performed in the case where the target information terminal is an information terminal such as the PC 4 or 5 that performs rasterization processing by software RIP. It may be in a state in which processing with a large processing load other than rasterization processing is not performed.

  If it is determined that the target information terminal is in a processable state (S125: Yes), the process goes through the determination process loop R2 and proceeds to step S129.

  When it is determined that the status of the target information terminal is not “operating” (that is, “non-operating”) (S124: No), or when it is determined that the target information terminal is not in a processable state (S125: No) The process of loop R2 is repeated for the information terminal next to the target information terminal in the list 200.

  When the processing proceeds to step S127, the determination unit 67 determines that the network printer 1 that is itself is the information terminal with the highest processing performance. That is, rasterization processing (internal rasterization processing) is performed on the PDL data acquired by the first acquisition unit 61 by the rasterization processing unit 63 (S127).

  Then, the printing unit 69 starts printing using the second raster image generated by the internal rasterizing process (S128), and ends the printing process.

  When the process proceeds to step S129, the determination unit 67 determines that the target information terminal is the information terminal with the highest processing performance, and the second acquisition unit 62 acquires the target information terminal from the first acquisition unit 61. The transmitted PDL data is transmitted (S129).

  Then, the second acquisition unit 62 receives the raster image generated by the rasterization processing by the rasterization processing unit 92 of the target information terminal (S130).

  The printing unit 69 starts printing using the second raster image received (acquired) by the second acquisition unit 62 (S131), and ends the printing process.

  According to the network printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the determination unit 67 performs processing performance (first processing performance) related to rasterization processing of a plurality of information terminals corresponding to processable terminals, and rasterization processing of the rasterization processing unit 63. A comparison is made with the processing performance (second processing performance). The determination unit 67 creates a list of processing performances of the plurality of information terminals corresponding to the processable terminals and the rasterization processing unit 63, and performs the comparison by referring to the processing performance registered in the list. As a result of the comparison, the determination unit 67 determines the information terminal or the rasterization processing unit 63 corresponding to the highest processing performance among the plurality of first processing performances and second processing performances as the execution destination of the rasterization processing. Then, rasterization processing is performed on the PDL data acquired by the first acquisition unit 61 according to the determined execution destination.

  Therefore, the network printer 1 rasterizes the information terminal having the highest processing performance among the processing performances related to the rasterization processing of the plurality of information terminals corresponding to the processable terminals and the rasterization processing unit 63 included in the network printer 1. Can be performed. Therefore, the rasterizing process can be performed on the information terminal that can perform the rasterizing process most quickly among the network printers 2, PCs 4, 5 and server 7 connected to the LAN 9 at that time. That is, the time required for the rasterizing process can be shortened, and the time required for the printing process can be minimized in the configuration of the information terminal connected to the LAN 9 at that time.

  Further, according to the network printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the search process is periodically performed by the search unit 64, and when there is a difference in the result, the latest search result is stored in the storage unit 66 as the list 200. I am letting. Specifically, when the search unit 64 detects an information terminal that is not registered in the list 200 among the information terminals connected to the LAN 9, the search unit 64 registers information related to the information terminal. For this reason, the latest search result can always be stored in the storage unit 66.

  Also, according to the network printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the first processing performance of the information terminal that is in operation among the information terminals corresponding to the processable terminal is the target of the comparison. That is, even if the terminal is a processable terminal, an information terminal that cannot perform the rasterization process at that time is excluded from candidates for the execution destination of the rasterization process. As described above, since the information terminal that cannot substantially perform the rasterizing process can be excluded as the execution destination of the rasterizing process, the time required for the printing process can be minimized in the configuration of the apparatus connected to the network at that time. can do.

  Further, according to the network printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the first processing performance of the information terminal that is not currently rasterized among the information terminals corresponding to the processable terminal is the target of the comparison. That is, even if the terminal is a processable terminal, an information terminal that cannot perform the rasterization process at that time is excluded from candidates for the execution destination of the rasterization process. As described above, since the information terminal that cannot substantially perform the rasterizing process can be excluded as the execution destination of the rasterizing process, the time required for the printing process can be minimized in the configuration of the apparatus connected to the network at that time. can do.

  According to the network printer 1 according to the above embodiment, the first acquisition unit 61, the second acquisition unit 62, the rasterization processing unit 63, the search unit 64, the performance measurement unit 65, the storage unit 66, and the determination The unit 67 and the processing control unit 68 are included. However, if the network printer 1 includes the first acquisition unit 61, the second acquisition unit 62, the rasterization processing unit 63, the search unit 64, the processing control unit 68, and the printing unit 69, the minimum is required. A limited effect can be obtained.

  In this case, the first acquisition unit 61 acquires PDL data. The rasterization processing unit 63 can generate a raster image by performing a rasterization process on the PDL data acquired by the first acquisition unit 61. The search unit 64 searches for a processable terminal that is an information terminal capable of performing rasterization processing among information terminals connected to the LAN 9. When there is an information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal as a result of the search, the second acquisition unit 62 transmits the PDL data acquired by the first acquisition unit 61 to the information terminal, and rasterizes the PDL data. A first raster image obtained by performing the process is acquired. If there is no information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal as a result of the search, the processing control unit 68 causes the rasterization processing unit 63 to generate a second raster image obtained by performing rasterization processing on the PDL data. . The printing unit 69 performs printing using the first raster image or the second raster image. In the print processing method, each step performed by each of the first acquisition unit 61, the second acquisition unit 62, the rasterization processing unit 63, the search unit 64, the processing control unit 68, and the printing unit 69 is performed. If it is included, the minimum effect can be obtained.

  According to this, if there is an information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal among the information terminals connected to the network printer 1 via the network, the PDL data is transmitted to the information terminal searched for as the processable terminal. Thus, rasterization processing can be performed. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the processing load of the network printer 1 related to the rasterizing process. Further, for example, if an information terminal having high processing performance related to rasterization processing is subjected to rasterization processing, the rasterization processing can be performed at high speed. If there is no information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal, the rasterization processing unit provided in the network printer can perform the rasterization process. For this reason, even if the processable terminal is not connected to the LAN 9, the rasterization process can be performed, so that printing can be performed. In other words, if there is a high-performance processable terminal, the rasterization process can be performed at high speed. If there is no processable terminal, at least the rasterization process can be performed, so that the processing performance of the RIP installed in the network printer is minimized. Can be limited. In short, it is possible to speed up the printing process of PDL data if there is a high-performance processable terminal while suppressing the cost of RIP.

  In the network printer 1 according to the above embodiment, the case where there are a plurality of processable terminals connected to the LAN 9 has been described. However, the network printer 1 may not have a plurality of processable terminals, the configuration of the network printer 1 remains the same as the configuration described above, and there is one processable terminal connected to the LAN 9. Is also applicable.

  That is, in this case, the determination unit 67 compares the processing performance of the information terminal searched for as a processable terminal with the processing performance of the rasterization processing unit 63, and performs the rasterization process to the higher processing performance. I will let you. Therefore, among the information terminal and network printer 1 connected to the LAN 9 at that time, it is possible to cause the information terminal or network printer 1 that can perform the rasterization process most quickly to perform the rasterization process. That is, the time required for the rasterizing process can be shortened, and the time required for the printing process can be minimized in the configuration of the apparatus connected to the LAN 9 at that time.

  According to the network printer 1 according to the above embodiment, the performance test is periodically performed during the search process. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the external rasterization process is actually performed on the PDL data from the requesting terminal. It may be done when it is done. In this case, for example, a period for the performance test is provided, and during that period, one of the information terminals not subjected to the performance test is determined as the external rasterizer by the determination unit. By determining the external rasterizing device in this way, it is conceivable to perform external rasterizing processing on an information terminal whose processing performance is unknown. In addition, if the information terminal holds information indicating the processing performance in advance and transmits the information to the network printer, the network printer 1 can acquire the processing performance of the information terminal. There is no need to perform a performance test.

  According to the network printer 1 according to the above embodiment, the device having the function of the network printer 1 is a network multifunction peripheral, but may be a server or a PC functioning as a server.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The following cases are also included in the present invention.

  (1) Specifically, each of the above-described devices can be realized by a computer system including a microprocessor, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk unit, a display unit, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. A computer program is stored in the RAM or the hard disk unit. Each device achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program. Here, the computer program is configured by combining a plurality of instruction codes indicating instructions for the computer in order to achieve a predetermined function.

  (2) A part or all of the constituent elements constituting each of the above-described devices may be configured by one system LSI (Large Scale Integration). The system LSI is an ultra-multifunctional LSI manufactured by integrating a plurality of components on a single chip, and specifically, a computer system including a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, and the like. . A computer program is stored in the ROM. The system LSI achieves its functions by the microprocessor loading a computer program from the ROM to the RAM and performing operations such as operations in accordance with the loaded computer program.

  (3) Part or all of the constituent elements constituting each of the above apparatuses may be configured from an IC card that can be attached to and detached from each apparatus or a single module. The IC card or module is a computer system that includes a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, and the like. The IC card or the module may include the super multifunctional LSI described above. The IC card or the module achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program. This IC card or this module may have tamper resistance.

  (4) The present invention may be realized by the method described above. Further, these methods may be realized by a computer program realized by a computer, or may be realized by a digital signal consisting of a computer program.

  The present invention also relates to a computer-readable recording medium capable of reading a computer program or a digital signal, such as a flexible disk, hard disk, CD-ROM, MO, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, BD (Blu-ray Disc), You may implement | achieve with what was recorded on the semiconductor memory etc. Moreover, you may implement | achieve with the digital signal currently recorded on these recording media.

  In the present invention, a computer program or a digital signal may be transmitted via an electric communication line, a wireless or wired communication line, a network represented by the Internet, data broadcasting, or the like.

  The present invention may also be a computer system including a microprocessor and a memory. The memory may store a computer program, and the microprocessor may operate according to the computer program.

  Further, the program or digital signal may be recorded on a recording medium and transferred, or the program or digital signal may be transferred via a network or the like, and may be executed by another independent computer system.

  (5) The above embodiment and the above modifications may be combined.

  The network printer according to one or more aspects of the present invention has been described based on the embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Unless it deviates from the gist of the present invention, one or more of the present invention may be applied to various modifications that can be conceived by those skilled in the art, or forms constructed by combining components in different embodiments. It may be included within the scope of the embodiments.

  The present invention is useful as a network printer that speeds up the printing process of PDL data while suppressing the cost of RIP.

1-3 Network printer 4-6 PC
7 Server 8 PSTN
9 LAN
10 CPU
11 ROM
12 RAM
13 RIP
14 Modem 15 NCU
16 Operation panel 17 Display 18 Scanner 19 Printer 20 NIC
21 CPU
22 Hard disk 23 RAM
24 input device 25 display 26 NIC
30 control program 40 program 41 PDL driver 42 RIP
61 First acquisition unit 62 Second acquisition unit 63 Rasterization processing unit 64 Search unit 65 Performance measurement unit 66 Storage unit 67 Determination unit 68 Processing control unit 69 Printing unit 70 Transmission / reception unit 81 PDL processing unit 82 Transmission unit 91 Transmission / reception unit 92 Rasterization processing Part 100 print processing system 200 list 201 IP address field 202 status field 203 mounting destination field 204 processing performance field

Claims (9)

A network printer connected to a plurality of information terminals via a network,
A first acquisition unit that acquires PDL (Page Description Language) data;
A rasterization processing unit capable of generating a raster image by performing a rasterization process on the PDL data acquired by the first acquisition unit;
Among the plurality of information terminals, a search unit that searches for a processable terminal that is an information terminal capable of performing rasterization processing;
If there is an information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal as a result of the search, the PDL data acquired by the first acquisition unit is transmitted to the information terminal, and rasterization processing is performed on the PDL data. A second acquisition unit for acquiring the first raster image obtained by
As a result of the search, when there is no information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal, a processing control unit that generates a second raster image by causing the rasterizing processing unit to perform the rasterizing process on the PDL data;
A network printer comprising: a printing unit that performs printing using the first raster image or the second raster image. further,
A storage unit for storing the search result;
The search unit performs the search at a predetermined cycle, and when there is a difference between the latest search result and the search result stored in the storage unit, the latest The network printer according to claim 1, wherein the search result is stored in the storage unit. further,
A performance measurement unit that measures the first processing performance of the rasterization process of the information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal, and stores the measurement result of the information terminal in the storage unit;
Based on the result of the search, the execution destination of the rasterization process to the PDL data acquired by the first acquisition unit is set to one of the information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal or the rasterization processing unit. A decision part to decide;
With
The storage unit stores in advance the second processing performance related to the rasterization processing of the rasterization processing unit,
The determination unit
As a result of the search, when there is an information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal, the first processing performance is compared with the second processing performance,
As a result of the comparison, when the first processing performance is higher than the second processing performance, the execution destination is determined to be an information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal, and the first processing performance is the second processing performance. Lower than, the execution destination is determined to the rasterization processing unit,
The second acquisition unit, when the execution unit is determined to be an information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal by the determination unit, the PDL data acquired by the first acquisition unit for the information terminal To obtain the first raster image obtained by performing rasterization processing on the PDL data,
The processing control unit causes the rasterization processing unit to perform the rasterizing process on the PDL data acquired by the first acquisition unit when the execution destination is determined to be the rasterization processing unit by the determination unit. The network printer according to claim 2, wherein the second raster image obtained by this is generated. As a result of the search, when there are a plurality of information terminals corresponding to the processable terminal among the plurality of information terminals,
The performance measurement unit measures the first processing performance for each of a plurality of information terminals corresponding to the processable terminal, and stores the measurement result of each of the plurality of information terminals in the storage unit,
The determination unit determines, as the execution destination, an information terminal or the rasterization processing unit having the highest processing performance among the plurality of first processing performance and second processing performance stored in the storage unit. ,
The second acquisition unit performs the first acquisition on the information terminal having the highest processing performance when the execution destination is determined by the determination unit as any one of the plurality of information terminals. The network printer according to claim 3, wherein the network printer according to claim 3 acquires the first raster image obtained by transmitting the PDL data acquired by a unit and performing a rasterization process on the PDL data. The determination unit performs the execution by comparing the first processing performance and the second processing performance of an operating information terminal among information terminals corresponding to the processable terminal as a result of the search. The network printer according to claim 4. The determination unit compares the first processing performance and the second processing performance of an information terminal that is not currently rasterized among information terminals corresponding to the processable terminal as a result of the search. The network printer according to claim 4, wherein the execution destination is determined as a result. The performance measurement unit acquires the first raster image obtained by rasterizing the PDL data after the second acquisition unit transmits the PDL data to the processable terminal. Measuring the time taken per unit data amount until the part obtains as the measurement of the first processing performance,
The network according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the storage unit stores, as the second processing performance, a time per unit data amount for rasterization processing into PDL data by the rasterization processing unit. Printer. A print processing method using a network printer having a rasterization processing unit capable of generating a raster image by performing rasterization processing on PDL (Page Description Language) data and connected to a plurality of information terminals via a network. ,
A first acquisition step of acquiring the PDL data;
A search step of searching for a processable terminal that is an information terminal capable of performing rasterization processing among the plurality of information terminals;
As a result of the search, if there is an information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal, the PDL data acquired in the first acquisition step is transmitted to the information terminal, and rasterization processing is performed on the PDL data. A second acquisition step of acquiring a first raster image obtained by
As a result of the search, when there is no information terminal corresponding to the processable terminal, a process control step of generating a second raster image by causing the rasterization processing unit to perform the rasterization process on the PDL data;
And a printing step of performing printing using the first raster image or the second raster image.   A program for causing a computer to execute each step included in the print processing method according to claim 8.

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