JP3262518B2 - PRINT SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, PRINT CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM CONTAINING COMPUTER-READABLE PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing system, an information processing apparatus, a printing control apparatus, a printing control method, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program, and more particularly, to a printer connected to a network. The present invention relates to a system used by a plurality of clients connected to a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the spread of personal computers in offices has been remarkable, and network technology for connecting them has been developed. In the past, printers were used by connecting one printer to one personal computer. Recently, however, the number of printers connected to a network and shared by network-connected personal computers has been increasing. .

As an environment using a network printer, a network OS such as netware or Windows NT is used, and a print server is often set and used. However, a server had to be installed to share the printer. Also, even if there is a conventional server, if you add the function of the print server to it,
There was a problem that the function of the conventional server was degraded.

[0004]

In the prior art, when a plurality of communication terminals are connected via a network, the order of jobs to be executed can be controlled only in the order in which the jobs are registered. When a device is shared and executed, for example, registration of a job of each communication terminal device is started, for example, when printing from a personal computer as a client on a network to a network printer using TCP / IP LPR. There have been problems such as the order and the order in which the shared device accepts the registration of the job does not match depending on the communication timing, and a specific job cannot be deleted after the registration.

In addition, each communication terminal device registers a job in a device having a dedicated sequence control function such that a personal computer prints a network printer via a print server, and a shared device controls the sequence control. In the case of controlling jobs in the order instructed from the device having the function, it was possible to control the order of processing the jobs of the shared device and delete the job until the job was sent to the shared device. For transferring a job from a device to a device having a sequence control mechanism, and for transferring a job from a device having a sequence control mechanism to a shared device.
There was a problem that twice as many communication procedures were required.

Further, there is a problem that the traffic on the network is increased.

Further, there is a problem that a device having an order control mechanism needs storage resources for storing data of all jobs from each communication terminal device.

An apparatus having an order control mechanism, such as a print server, executes processing for receiving all drawing data of a job from each communication terminal apparatus, and processing for controlling the order and transferring the data again to a shared apparatus. For example, even if a personal computer is used as a print server, the user wants to use the resources of the apparatus for other purposes.
There was a problem that the power of the CPU was occupied too much by the sequence control.

As described above, a function of sharing a specific device connected to a network from a plurality of communication terminal devices and deleting a job to be executed by the device is provided by a device having an order control mechanism or a network. Could not be realized without a heavy load.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print system including an information processing apparatus and a print control apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus stores job information of print data in a print control apparatus. And a spool unit for spooling print data in a storage unit even after job information is transmitted to the print control device by the transmission unit, wherein the print control device is An order control means for controlling a print order of print data in a printing apparatus based on job information of print data received from the information processing apparatus and a printing apparatus for controlling the print order and the job information controlled by the order control means; Transmission means for transmitting to the information processing apparatus transmission enable information indicating that print data can be transmitted. When receiving said transmittable information,
The print data spooled in the storage unit of the information processing device is transmitted to the printing device without passing through the print control device.

A second invention according to the present invention is a print control method for controlling a system including an information processing apparatus and a print control apparatus, wherein job information of print data is transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the print control apparatus. A spooling step of spooling print data in a storage unit of the information processing apparatus even after job information is transmitted to the print control apparatus in the transmission step, and print data received from the information processing apparatus. An order control step of causing the print control device to control the printing order of print data in the printing apparatus based on the job information of the printing apparatus; and And a transmission step of transmitting transmission enable information indicating that print data can be transmitted from the print control device to the information processing device. Transmitting the print data spooled in the storage unit of the information processing apparatus to the printing apparatus without passing through the print control apparatus when receiving the transmission enable information from the print control apparatus. is there.

[0012] A third invention according to the present invention is a storage medium storing a print control program for controlling a system including an information processing apparatus and a print control apparatus, wherein the print control program is provided from the information processing apparatus. A transmission program code for transmitting job information of the print data to the print control device;
A spool program code for spooling print data to a storage unit of the information processing apparatus even after job information is transmitted to the print control apparatus by the transmission program code; An order control program code that causes the print control device to control a print order of print data in a printing apparatus based on job information of print data received from the job information controlled by the order control program code. The print control apparatus supplies to the print control apparatus a send-out information indicating that print data can be sent from the information processing apparatus to the print apparatus, and a sending program code for sending the print data from the print control apparatus to the information processing apparatus. When receiving the transmittable information from the control device, the information processing device The print data spooled in the unit, without using the print control apparatus is to control the information processing apparatus to transmit to the printing apparatus.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus, comprising: transmitting means for transmitting job information of print data to a print control apparatus; and job information transmitted to the print control apparatus by the transmitting means. And a spool unit for spooling the print data to the storage unit even after the printing, and when the print control unit instructs that the print data can be sent to the printing apparatus, the print data is spooled to the storage unit. The print data is transmitted to the printing device without passing through the print control device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control method, comprising: a transmitting step of transmitting job information of print data from an information processing apparatus to a print control apparatus; A spooling step of spooling print data in a storage unit of the information processing apparatus even after the print data has been transmitted to the apparatus. When an instruction is transmitted, the information processing apparatus is controlled to transmit the print data spooled in the storage unit to the printing apparatus without passing through the print control apparatus.

[0015] A sixth invention according to the present invention is a storage medium storing a print control program to be executed by an information processing apparatus, wherein the print control program stores the print data in the print control apparatus from the information processing apparatus. A transmission program code for transmitting job information; a spool program code for causing print data to be spooled in storage means of the information processing device even after the job information is transmitted to the print control device; When an instruction is transmitted from the print control device to the information processing device when transmission is possible, the print data spooled in the storage unit is transmitted to the print device without passing through the print control device. And a control program code for controlling the information processing apparatus to transmit the information to the information processing apparatus.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus for receiving job information of print data from an external device, wherein the order control controls a print order of print data in the printing apparatus based on the job information. Means for sending, to the external device, send-out information indicating that print data can be sent from the external device to a printing device, with respect to the job information controlled by the order control unit for a printing order; And the external device transmits print data to the printing device without passing through the print control device.

An eighth invention according to the present invention is a print control method for controlling a print control device that receives print data job information from an external device, and prints print data in a print device based on the job information. An order control step of controlling an order; and, with respect to the job information controlled by the order control step, sending enable information indicating that print data can be sent from the external device to a printing apparatus. And transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus without the intervention of the print control apparatus.

A ninth invention according to the present invention is a storage medium storing a print control program for controlling a print control device that receives print data job information from an external device. Sending the print data from the external device to the printing device with respect to the order control program code for controlling the printing order of the print data in the printing device based on the job information, and the job information controlled by the order control program code. And a sending program code for sending sending-out information to the external device indicating that the printing is possible.The external device is configured to transmit print data to the printing device without passing through the print control device. is there.

Therefore, according to the present invention, a virtual order control mechanism for a job of a device shared by communication terminal devices on a network is provided, so that each communication terminal device requesting a job is not data of all jobs, Register only data necessary for sequence control in a communication terminal device having a sequence control mechanism,
By the procedure of instructing interruption via the order control mechanism,
For devices that do not have a job recognition or deletion function shared by multiple communication terminals on the network, there is no need for a device that occupies excessive resources due to the sequence control mechanism, reducing the load on the network Meanwhile, it is possible to achieve both the request sequence control between the communication terminal devices and the interruption function.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an example of a system configuration diagram of a network system suitable for explaining the virtual server of the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1, it is assumed that n client computers as information processing apparatuses are connected. Reference numerals 102, 103, and 104 denote client computers, which are connected to a network 106 via a network cable such as an Internet, can execute various programs such as application programs, and convert print data into a printer language corresponding to the printer. Is installed. It is assumed that the printer driver supports a plurality of printer languages.

Reference numeral 101 denotes a server for controlling printing by a client computer. The server 101 is connected to a network 106 by a network cable, and stores files used in the network.
Monitoring the usage status of Server 101 of the present embodiment
Further comprises client computers 102, 103,
104 stores job information of print data (print data) for which a print request has been issued from the network printer 10.
5 has a function of notifying the client computer of the IP information and the information of the job received in the buffer. Here, the job information is information necessary for print reservation of a job to be printed. Although details will be described later, the job information does not include the drawing data (drawing command, image data, and the like) of the print job, and includes a document name, client information, and the like.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a network printer as a printing apparatus, which is connected to the network 106 via a network board and a network interface. The printer 105 converts print data transmitted from the client computer into dot images one page at a time, and Print each page. Reference numeral 106 denotes a network, which is connected to a client computer, a server, a network printer, and the like.

As described above, by sharing the roles of the server 101, the client computers 102, 103, 104, and the network printer 105, processing for effectively using the client computers and reducing the load on the network is performed.

FIG. 2 shows the client computer 102.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the embodiment. The client computers 103 and 104 have the same configuration.

The CPU 200 has an HD which is an external storage means.
(Hard disk) Application program, printer driver program, OS stored in 205
And a network printer control program, and controls to temporarily store information, files, and the like necessary for the execution of the program in the RAM 202 as storage means.

The ROM 201 stores programs such as a basic I / O program and various data such as font data and template data used in document processing.
Reference numeral 202 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 200.

Reference numeral 203 denotes an FD (floppy disk) drive. As shown in FIG. 5, a program or the like stored in the FD 204 can be loaded into the computer system through the FD drive 203. 204 is FD
The network printer control program and related data described in this embodiment are stored, and the configuration of the stored contents is shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, 4
00 is the data content of the FD 204, 401 is volume information indicating data information, 402 is directory information, 403 is a network printer control program described in this embodiment, and 404 is related data.

The network printer control program 403 is program-coded based on the flowcharts of the network printer control procedures shown in FIGS. 12, 18, 19, and 33 to 39.
It includes a setting program, a printer creation program, and the like.

Reference numeral 205 denotes an HD (hard disk) serving as external storage means, which stores an application program, a printer driver program, an OS, a network printer control program, related programs, and the like. 2
Reference numeral 06 denotes a keyboard, which is an instruction input unit, which allows a user to input a command of a device control command or the like to the client computer. A display 207 is a display serving as a display unit, and displays a command input from the keyboard 206 and information such as a status of the printer. 208 is a system bus,
It controls the flow of data in the client computer.

FIG. 3 shows a memory map in a state where the network printer control program is loaded into the RAM 202 and becomes executable.

In this embodiment, the network printer control program and related data are directly transferred from the FD 204 to the RAM 2.
The example in which the network control program is loaded from the HD 205 to the RAM 202 may be executed every time the network control program is operated from the FD 204. The medium for recording the network printer control program is a CD-ROM other than the FD,
It may be a CD-R, DVD, PD, IC memory card, or the like. Further, the network printer control program may be recorded in the ROM 201, configured to be a part of a memory map, and directly executed by the CPU 200.

Reference numeral 301 denotes a basic I / O program, which is output from the HD 205 when the control device is powered on.
S is an area where a program having an IPL (Initial Program Loading) function or the like for starting the operation of the OS is loaded into the RAM 202 and is started. 30
Reference numeral 2 denotes an OS; 303, a network printer control program; 304, related data; and 305, a work area where the CPU 200 executes the network printer control program.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the network printer 105 in this embodiment. In the present embodiment, a laser beam printer (LBP) is used as the network printer, but it is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that a printer of another system may be used.

A CPU 601 controls the entire network printer. 602, a ROM / RAM;
It includes a buffer for temporarily storing a control program for controlling the PU 601, constant data, and transmission / reception data. 60
Reference numeral 3 denotes a storage unit, such as a hard disk,
It stores data to be transmitted and received, control programs to be executed by the CPU 601, and data. Reference numeral 604 denotes a display unit, which is a ROM.
/ Data temporarily stored in the RAM 602 and the storage unit 6
The content of the data stored in the storage unit 03 and the operation status are displayed. Reference numeral 605 denotes a printer print unit, which is a ROM / RA.
CPU based on the program stored in M602
The bitmap data generated in step 601 is printed out.
A network board 606 communicates data information such as print data and job information with an external device such as a client computer or a server via the network board. A communication circuit 607 connects the network board 606 to a network.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a software module configuration of the client computer and the server of the present invention. These are supplied from the FD, for example.

Reference numeral 701 denotes a network printer; 702, a software module configuration of a client computer;
03 is a software module configuration of the server. Reference numeral 704 denotes an application module for issuing a print instruction to the print system of the present invention, in particular, a network print system. Reference numeral 705 denotes GDI of Windows, 706 denotes a printer driver incorporated in Windows, and 707 denotes a printer spooler in Windows. 708, a printer monitor for a virtual printer; 709, a control monitor for a network printer; 710, a virtual print manager; 711, a virtual print server API (Application interface);
Reference numeral 12 denotes a virtual printer server service. These modules constitute a virtual print server system according to the present invention, and include a storage medium, FD2 in this embodiment.
04. Note that the control program of the present invention corresponds to the module (7
08, 709, 710, 711, 712).

The virtual print manager 710, virtual print server API 711, and virtual print server service 712 exist in both the client computer and the server. Hereinafter, a combination of the virtual print server service (client) and the virtual print server service (server) constituting the virtual print server service 712 is called a virtual print server, and this system is called a virtual print server system. The virtual print server service (client) may be abbreviated as a client service, and the virtual print server service (server) may be abbreviated as a server service.

In this embodiment, the example in which the module on the client side and the module on the server side are supplied from the FD 204 which is one storage medium has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present system can be realized even if supplied from a storage medium only for the server or a storage medium only for the module on the server side, and is included in the scope of the claims.

In this embodiment, print data, print data, and drawing data are described. However, print data and print data are used for printing that has been conventionally transmitted from a client to a printing apparatus or server. Data. There is no problem even if it is considered to be the same as the drawing data, but the user is aware of data used for actual drawing, such as a command for drawing or image data. That is, in the conventional system, the data transmitted from the client to the server is print data, and the print data includes drawing data and job information. The job information will be described later.

(First Embodiment) The flow of setting a server and a client computer of a virtual print server system (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a VPS: VPS is an abbreviation of a virtual printing system) in the above configuration will be described. This will be described with reference to the setting screens of FIGS.

First, the server setting procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 33 showing the flow of processing when setting the server.

First, when any one of the clients on the network is set as the server, the VPS setting program stored in the HD 205 in FIG. 2 is started in each of the clients 102 to 104 in the system configuration diagram in FIG. . When the VPS setting program is activated, the screen of FIG. 23 is displayed on the display 207 of FIG. The server is set using the keyboard 206 shown in FIG. FIG.
"Client settings" and "Server settings"
Is switched by the tag on the screen. Subsequently, by checking the check box that provides the server function of the server tag, the server function can be operated on the device, and one of the clients becomes the server 101 in FIG.

After checking the above check box, S
At 3301, a server name for identifying the server is input. Next, in step S3302, an add button of the virtual printer setting in FIG. 23 is pressed to register a printer managed by this server. Display 207 of FIG.
Is changed to the screen shown in FIG. 24, and the virtual printer name and the description (comment) of the printer are input in S3303. S
When the add port button is pressed at 3304, the screen is displayed as shown in FIG.
In step S3305, the user inputs an IP address of the printer or a printer name (lpd) used in the print communication protocol. When the OK button is pressed after the input is completed, the screen is
6 and if OK is pressed here, all input information can be confirmed on the first screen of FIG. O on this screen
Pressing K ends the server setting.

Next, a procedure for setting a virtual server and a printer in a client will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 34 and 35. FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a port setting process in the client computer. FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a printer setting process in the client computer.

First, when setting the client, it is necessary to set the port shown in FIG. In the client 102 of the system configuration diagram of FIG.
5 is started. When the program is started, the screen of FIG. 28 is displayed on the display 207 of FIG. Here, the keyboard 2 in FIG.
06, "client setting" is performed.

In FIG. 28, the settings of the client and the server are switched by the tag on the screen. FIG. 28 shows a client setting screen when a client tag is specified. In step S3401, when the operator presses an add button in the [Print destination on virtual print server] sub window below FIG.
The screen changes. In step S3402, the server name is input. When the operator presses the reference button in S3403, the server inquires of the corresponding server from the server name input in S3402 for printer information such as a list of printers managed by the server and the IP address of the printer. The client displays a list of printers and a list of printers managed by the server upon receiving the printer list and printer information from the server.

In S3404, the operator designates one printer from the printer list. In step S3405, the printer information (such as the IP address) received from the server in step S3403 of the printer specified in step S3404 is stored as port information in the HD of the client computer, and the port setting process ends. The stored printer information is transmitted using the stored IP address when transmitting the print data to the network printer. FIG. 30 shows a screen when a port is set among the screens of FIG. 28. "Virtual printer server name @ virtual printer"
In other words, this is a diagram showing that a port is added by “VPS-MACHINE @ VPS-PRINTER”.

After setting the ports shown in FIG. 34,
It is necessary to create the printer shown in the flowchart of FIG. In the client computer 102 shown in FIG. 1 which is a system configuration diagram, a printer creation program stored in the HD 205 shown in FIG. 2 is started. When the program is started, the screen of FIG. 31 is displayed on the display 207 of FIG. Thereafter, printer setting is performed using the keyboard 206 in FIG. In S3501, after displaying the screen of FIG. 31, the operator inputs a printer name. In step S3502, a driver to be used by the printer is specified. In S3503, an explanation (comment) is input.

Next, in step S3504, a print destination is referred to. The port added in the processing of FIG. 34 can be confirmed here. In S3505, the port added at the time of the description of FIG. 34 is designated, and the input ends. If the operator presses the OK button at this point, the CPU 200 in FIG. 2 in the client computer sets the port designated in S3506 to V
The CPU 200 determines whether the port is a PS port or not.
If the port is determined to be a port for
Of the virtual print server print monitor 708 and the network printer control monitor 709 are activated. S35
The virtual print server print monitor 708 started in step 08 in the previous step requests the print server service (client) 712 for an Open process. Print server service (client) 71 requested for Open processing
2 can request the server specified in FIG. 34 to obtain printer information such as the IP address of the printer linked to the port specified in S3505, and can obtain the printer information. In step S3510, the printer information (such as the IP address) received from the server is stored as port information in the HD of the client computer, and the printer setting process ends. The stored printer information is used when transmitting print data to a network printer.
Sent using the address.

The processing from S3507 to S3510 is also executed when the computer is started up. Even if the printer information of the printer managed by the server is changed (IP address change), the client is restarted. Can automatically recognize the changed IP address. Also S3
If it is determined in step 506 that the port is not the port of the virtual server, in step S3511 a process of incorporating a Windows standard port is performed, and the printer creation process ends.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the printer information is included in the printable command received by the client from the server, and the printer information is included when setting the client port when setting the client and when setting the printer. This eliminates the need for the operator to input printer information (IP address, etc.), and allows the client to automatically obtain printer information from the printer name and the like. Since the settings can be changed, it is possible to easily manage the system.

Further, since the virtual server can be given a virtual printer name, it is not necessary for the user to set another print specification of one printer every time printing is performed. For example, if the user (administrator) of the virtual server is "VPS-PR
INTER1 "and register the printer settings as A
If the printer is set to A4 vertical cassette and the printer setting is set to A4 vertical cassette, even if the user does not know the print setting, the user can select the name of the virtual printer of the printing destination, so that the administrator can be notified. The effect of being able to print with the set print settings is obtained.

(Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which the operator of the client computer 102 in FIG. 1 refers to a list of currently waiting jobs in the VPS system.

FIG. 32 is a view showing a screen used when referring to a job list of the virtual print server system (VPS) showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of commands and job information when referring to a job list in the present invention. In FIG. 22, when the client computer refers to the list of jobs for each printer, first, a JOB inquiry command is transmitted from the client computer to the server. The server receiving the job inquiry command transmitted from the client computer transmits the job inquiry command to the network printer. JO sent from server by network printer
When the B inquiry command is received, the JOB information currently stored in the network printer is transmitted to the server. The server that receives the job information from the network printer uses the received job information and the job information currently stored in the server to
Organize the job information and send the result to the client
Transmit as OB information.

FIG. 3 shows a job inquiry process.
6 (client processing) and FIG. 37 (server processing) will be described with reference to flowcharts.

When the client refers to the job list, the client computer 102 in the system configuration diagram of FIG. 1 starts the virtual print manager program 710 of FIG. 7 stored in the HD 205 of FIG. The virtual print manager program 710 of FIG.
Is VPSOpenP via the virtual print server API 711.
An API for rinter, VPSClosePrinter, and JOB inquiry is issued to the virtual print server service (client) 712. Hereinafter, the flowchart of FIG. 36 shows the operation of the virtual print server service (client) 712.

The virtual print server service (client) 712 determines in step S 3601 of FIG.
nter and a job inquiry in S3602,
Start processing. In step S3603, the virtual print server service (client) 712 transmits the VP of S3601.
The parameter indicating the printer name included in the SOpenPrinter command is checked, and the specified printer name is changed to the virtual print server service (client) 71.
It is checked whether the virtual printer 2 is a managed virtual printer or another printer. S3604 for a virtual printer
Sends a VPSOpenPrinter command to the server 703. In step S3605, a job inquiry command is transmitted to the server 703. After that, the virtual print server service (client) 712 waits for reception of job information (JOB information) from the server.

If the virtual print server service (client) 712 receives the job information from the server 703 in S3606, the job information (JOB information) received in S3607 is displayed on the job information list in FIG.
Then, the virtual print server service (client)
In step S3608, the server 703 sends the VPSClosePrinte
In step S3609, the virtual print server service (client) 712 transmits a virtual print server API from the virtual print manager program 710.
Upon receiving a VPSClosePrinter command via 711, the process ends.

In step S3603, the virtual print server service (client) 712 transmits the VPSOpe in step S3601.
A parameter representing the printer name included in the nPrinter, command is checked, and the specified printer name is checked by the virtual print server service (client) 712.
As a result of checking whether the printer is a virtual printer 702 managed by Windows or another printer, if it is a printer other than the virtual printer 702, the virtual printer 702 is displayed to display information of the printer managed by Windows. Display a list of jobs using the server service Windows standard API. OpenPrinter is issued in S3610, and S361
In step 1, EnumJobs is issued to obtain a list of jobs, and job list information is obtained. In step S3612, the job information is displayed on the job information list in FIG. Clos in S3613
Issue ePrinter and end the process.

The job inquiry server process will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG.
In S3701, the server 101 in the system configuration diagram of FIG.
Receive er command. Next, in step S3702, upon receiving a job inquiry command from the client computer 102, the server 101 transmits a printer job inquiry command to the network printer 105 in step S3703, and waits for printer job information to be transmitted from the network printer.

In step S 3704, the printer JOB information is transmitted from the network printer, and the server 101 stores the printer JO in the network printer 105, which is a list of jobs including the job currently being printed.
Receive B information. In step S3705, the server 101 determines in step S3
The printer job information received in step 704 and the printer job currently managed by the server 101 are added in the printing order to create job information (called system job information) for one printer in the entire system.

In step S3706, a job (for example, a job currently being printed) managed by both the network printer 105 and the server 101 in step S3705 is handled as a job managed in duplicate, so that the system job information Duplicate jobs within are deleted and organized. Furthermore, if the job that has been transmitted to the network printer in the job list of the server does not exist in the job list of the network printer, it is considered that the job has disappeared for some reason. This job is also deleted from the system-wide job list and organized. Server 101
In S3707, using the organized JOB information as JOB information
The JOB inquiry command is transmitted to the client computer 102 that has transmitted the command.

Next, in step S3708, a VPSClosePrinter command is received from the client computer 102, and the processing of the server 101 ends.

As described above, the client can recognize the list of jobs in the entire system. Also, in the present embodiment, list information about all jobs is created, but the present invention is not limited to this.
A list of only the JOBs transmitted by the client inquiring about the list may be obtained. This can be achieved by looking at the job information and judging which client sent the job information.

As described above, in the second embodiment, when a client inquires a list of jobs from a client to a server, the server inquires a list of jobs stored in a printer, and the information is stored in the server. A list of jobs currently in the entire system is created from the information and notified to the client, making it possible to refer to the information more accurately than before, even if the job has disappeared due to an error in the network printer, etc. The client will be able to confirm.

(Third Embodiment) In the third embodiment, the client computer 102
Will be described for controlling the network printer 105 to perform printing. In the present embodiment, a description will be given using Windows as an example. FIG. 8 shows a flow of a printing process in which a client makes a print request to the server, and FIG. 9 shows a flow of a printing process in which a print permission is given from the server to the client and transmitted to the printer. Here, the description of the block diagram already described will be continued using the same reference numerals.
The flow of the printing process will be described with reference to FIGS.

The client computer 702 (10
2) Above, the application 704 starts printing through the GDI 705. GDI is Windows Spooler 707
The start of printing is notified to the virtual print server print monitor 708. Upon receiving the start of printing, the print monitor 708 for the virtual print server sends the server 7 via the virtual print server service (client) 712.
The virtual print server service (server) 712 on the server 03 (101) is requested to start printing.
The GDI 705 requests the printer driver 706 to convert the print data into a printer language. The printer driver 706 converts the print data into a printer language. Print data (drawing data) converted to printer language
Is spooled to the Windows spooler 707.

On the other hand, the print monitor for virtual print server 708 receives the print data spooled by the Windows spooler 707 from the Windows spooler 707 and passes the print data to the virtual print server service (client) 712. The virtual print server service (client) 712 temporarily stores the received print data in a virtual print spooler 801 which is a spool unit in the HD 205 in FIG. All print data is transferred to the virtual print spooler 801 in the HD 205.
At this point, the virtual print server service (client) 712 notifies the virtual print server service (server) 712 on the server 703 (101) of the end of print data storage and requests printing. Here, the virtual print server service uses the same module as the client and the server, and can be used separately for the client and the server by setting.
As described above, this module does not necessarily have to be the same in the client and the server, and may be supplied as different modules from the FD which is a separate storage unit.

In FIG. 9, the print job registered in the virtual print server service (server) 712 is in the order of printing after management of the server, and the operation until the print data is actually transmitted to the network printer. FIG.

Virtual print server service (server) 7
Reference numeral 12 indicates a printable instruction to the client 702 in the printing order. Upon receiving the instruction, the virtual print server service (client) 712 reads the print data temporarily stored in the virtual print spooler 801 as described above, and transfers the read print data to the network printer control monitor 709. The network printer control monitor 709 transfers the print data to the network printer 701 through the print communication protocol, and performs printing with the network printer 701.

Here, the virtual print server service 712
Will be described. Virtual print server service 712
Is the core of the virtual print server system, and the client and server use the same module depending on the setting. If the server is set as the server and the client is set, the operation as the client is also possible. As described in the first embodiment, the server can be used by the client by giving a name to the network printer and designating its IP address, as described in the first embodiment. Other items such as a protocol to be used, a response time to the client, and a printer status monitoring interval are also set. On the other hand, in the setting of the client, by specifying a server, a network printer managed by the server is set.

The operation of notifying the client computer 702 of status, which is status information indicating the status of the network printer 701, will be described. Here, Windows is explained as an example. Figure 1 shows the printer status flow
0 is shown.

The virtual print server service (server) 7
Reference numeral 12 denotes a 5-second interval (default) in this embodiment.
Request the SNMP manager 1002 to collect the status of the network printer 701. The SNMP manager 1002 requests a status collection request from the network printer 701. Network printer 701
Returns the current printer status. When the status of the network printer 701 changes, the virtual print server service (server) 712 notifies the client computer 702 using the network printer 701 of a status change. The printer status change notification issued from the server 703 is received by the virtual print server service (client) 712 in the client computer 702, and the printer status is stored in the registry 1001 in the RAM in the client computer 702. The application 704 can acquire the printer status stored in the registry 1001 via the virtual printer server API 711.

FIG. 11 shows the flow of printing. The application 704 starts printing using the StartDoc API. GD
I705 requests the printer driver 706 to convert to the printer language. GDI705 is a Windows spooler 70
7. Start spooling. When GDI 705 writes all the print documents to Windows spooler 707,
The printing process of the application 704 is completed. Window
The s spooler 707 passes the print document to the port corresponding to the network printer 701 set as described in FIGS. (Wind
Due to the setting of the ows spooler, writing from GDI to the Windows spooler and writing from the Windows spooler to the print monitor are not always synchronized. )

Print Monitor 70 for Virtual Print Server
8 adds job information to the virtual print server service 712 before receiving a print document from the Windows spooler 707, and acquires a new job ID from the virtual print server service 712.

Here, the job information will be described. In this system, the client transmits only job information to the server (virtual server) without transmitting print data, and registers a print request. The job information includes a document name of the job, the number of pages, a data amount, a status, an owner name (client name), a client ID, and the like. That is, the job information is other than the actual drawing data in the print data in the conventional example. It should be noted that in the present application, actual drawing data in the print data in the conventional example is described as print data. By registering the print order of the job information in the server, the server returns a job ID for identifying the job to the transmission source client. Thereafter, the job ID is used when transmitting a print enable instruction or the like for the job to the client.

After the virtual print server service (client) 712 acquires a new job ID, the virtual print server print monitor 708 prints as a spool file on the virtual print spooler 801 acquired from the HD 205 (FIG. 2) in the client computer 702. Write the document. After spooling is completed, the virtual print server print monitor 708 requests the virtual print server service 712 to start a job schedule. Upon receiving the start of the schedule from the virtual print server print monitor 708, the virtual print server service 712 requests the server 703 to start the schedule. Upon receiving this request, the server 703 starts job scheduling from the virtual print server service (server) 712.

The virtual print server service 712 schedules a job, and notifies the virtual print server service 712 of the client computer 702 of the client computer 702 waiting for a print-enabled job of a printable job ID. These can be executed by acquiring the client IP address in FIG. The virtual print server service (client) 712 reads a spool file in which a print document spooled in the virtual print spooler 801 is stored. The virtual print server service (client) 712 passes print data, which is a print document, to the network printer control monitor 709. The network printer control monitor 709 transmits print data to the network printer 701 according to the protocol of the network printer 701 and prints the data.

The virtual print server service (server) 712 of the server 703 manages only the job information described above. When the network printer 701 managed by the server 703 becomes ready to accept the next job,
The server 703 gives print permission information for permitting printing to the client computer 702 having the next waiting job. The client computer 702 given the permission from the server 703 sends the print data of the spool file spooled in the virtual print spooler 801 to the network printer 701 directly via the network without passing through the server. In this way, network printing can be performed.

FIG. 11 shows a print monitor sequence related to a printing function using a virtual print server in the method according to the present embodiment.

The print application 704 runs on Windows
The spooler 707 performs OPEN processing (OpenPrinter) of the printer to be printed (1101), and further instructs the start of a document to be printed (StartDocPrinte).
r) is performed (1102). Windows spooler 707 is
A print start instruction (StartDocPort) is issued to the virtual print server print monitor 708 (1103). The virtual print server print monitor 708 performs OPEN processing (VPSOpenPrinter) of the printer managed by the virtual print server service 712 with respect to the virtual print server service (client / server) 712 (1).
104). Print monitor 708 for virtual print server
Queries the printer information on the virtual print server service (client / server) 712 and obtains the actual port name of the network printer (VPSGetPort)
(1105). Unique print job ID managed by virtual print server service (client / server) 712
(VPSGetJobId) (1106). The print application 704 performs print data write processing (WritePrinter) on the Windows spooler 707 (1107). The Windows spooler 707 performs a write process (WritePort) on the print monitor for virtual print server 708 (1108). Here, the print data is actually written in the virtual print spooler 80.
It is one. Steps 1107 and 1108 are repeated until all the print data has been written. The print application 704 performs a document end process when the writing process ends (1109). The Windows spooler 707 is a print monitor 70 for the virtual print server.
Then, a document end process (EndDocPrinter) is performed for No. 8 (1110). The virtual print server print monitor 708 sets print job information for the virtual print server service 712 (VPSSetJob) (11
11). Print monitor 708 for virtual print server
Sends a standby request (VPSWaitJob) for the designated print job to the virtual print server service 712 (111).
2). This is a virtual print server service (server)
This is in order to wait for a print enable instruction from 712. The print application 704 performs a CLOSE process (ClosePrinter) of the printer on the Windows spooler 707 (1113). When the virtual print server service (client) 712 is ready to print the managed print job, the virtual print server print monitor 7
08 is instructed to be printable (1114). Before starting printing, the virtual print server print monitor 708 sets the status of the print job managed in the server 703 to a printing status (VPSSetJob) (11).
15). Print monitor 708 for virtual print server
Performs print processing on the network printer 701 (1116). When the print processing is completed, the virtual print server print monitor 708 requests the virtual print server service 712 to delete the print job (VPSS
etJob (JOB_CONTROL_CANCEL)) (1117),
A CLOSE processing request (VPSClosePrinter) of the printer is made (1118).

The above is the flow of printing using the virtual print server in this embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the print function of the virtual print server print monitor 708 using the virtual print server service (client) 712 of the client computer in the method according to the present embodiment.

In step S 1201, the print monitor for virtual print server 708 sends an API (Aplication Intertf) which is a print start request from the Windows spooler 707.
ace) Accept StartDocPort (). Step S1202
In step S1201, the registration job information queue table shown in FIG.
By receiving rt (), the job ID acquired in S1106 of FIG. 11 is set. In step S1203, the registered job information queue table is linked to the queuing table as shown in FIG. Step S1204
, The print monitor for virtual print server 708
Is VPSOpenPrin which is the API of the virtual print server 712
ter () is called to open a printer managed by the virtual print server 712. In step S1205, the print monitor 708 for the virtual print server
Call VSPGetPrinter (), which is the virtual print server API, to get the actual port name of the network printer. Further, in step S1206, the port name is set in the corresponding registered job information queue table (FIG. 13). In step S1207, VSPGetJobId (), which is a virtual print server API, is called to obtain a print job ID managed by the virtual print server 712. In step S1208, the acquired job ID of the virtual print server 712 is set in the corresponding registered job information queue table (FIG. 13). Step S12
At 09, an API WirtePort () for writing print data is received from the Windows spooler 707. In step S1210, it is determined whether or not this is the first WritePort (). If it is the first WritePort (), in step S1211, H in the client computer is
A temporary file is created in D205. That is, this is the spool file of the virtual print spooler 801. As described above, in this embodiment, the temporary file is stored in the virtual print spooler, but the virtual print spooler may manage only the job information of the temporary file. In this case, the temporary file is created in a free area on the hard disk of the client. In step S1212, print data is written to a temporary file. In step S1213, the Windows spooler 7
Function required from 07 is WritePort () or EndDocPort ()
Is determined, and if it is WritePort (), step S
If it is EndDocPort (), the process proceeds to step S121.
Then, the processing shifts to 4. In step S1214, a temporary file closing process is performed.
At 1215, the path name of the temporary file is set in the corresponding registered job information queue (FIG. 13). In step S1216, VSPSetJob () which is a virtual print server API is called, and the job information of FIG. 14 managed by the virtual print server print monitor 708 is registered in the virtual print server 712. Step S121
In 7, set the IP address on which this client computer is operating in VSPWaitJob () and call
When the designated print job becomes printable, a request to issue a printable request is made, and a printable instruction is awaited. In step S1218, if a print enable instruction is received from the virtual print server service (server) 712,
In step S1219, a corresponding queue table is obtained from the registered job information queue corresponding to the job ID specified by the print enable instruction, the IP of the network printer is obtained from the port name, and print processing is performed on the network printer. Do. Upon completion of the printing process, in step S1220, the print monitor 708 displays the virtual print server service (client / server) 7
VSPSetJob () is called for, and a job deletion request is instructed to notify that the job has been completed. further,
In step S1221, an API for closing the printer managed by the virtual print server service (client / server) 712 is called to the virtual print server service (client / server) 712, and in step S1222, the corresponding registered job information queue table ( 13) is deleted, and the process ends.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the virtual print server service (server) relating to the function of registering a printer in the virtual print server in the method according to the present embodiment.

In step S1801, a virtual print spooler AP having a function of adding a printer managed by the virtual print server service (client / server)
Publish I. When executing a virtual print spooler API having a printer addition function, it is necessary to specify a printer information table (FIG. 15) including a printer name and a port name. If the printer addition is accepted, the process moves to step S1802. In step S1802, if printers having the same printer name are already registered in the virtual print server, in step S1803, "printer name" + "-n" (n:
It is managed as a printer name such as a positive integer. In step S1802, if the same printer name does not exist, the process in step S1803 is not performed, and step S18
04 to the process. In step S1804,
A printer information table (FIG. 15) is created, and step S
At 1805, the printer is set in the queuing table (FIG. 16) of the printer. This completes the process of registering the printer in the virtual print server of the virtual print server service (server).

FIG. 19 shows a sequence for registering necessary information in the print monitor 708 in the method according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the print monitor is set when the user sets this system.

In step S1901, the print monitor 708 displays a dialog (FIG. 21) for prompting the user to input the IP of the virtual server. When the user inputs the IP of the virtual server, in step S1902, the IP is set in the virtual server IP table (FIG. 20) in the area inside the print monitor 708. The storage destination is, for example, as shown in FIG.
HD205.

Hereinafter, the print monitor 708 uses the IP
Communication is performed based on the address.

FIGS. 38 and 39 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing of the virtual print server service (client / server) 712 relating to the print instruction function in the method according to the present embodiment. 38 and 39 show one flow connected by A.

In step S3801, the virtual print server service (client / server) 712
If there is a printer open request from the print monitor 708,
In step S3802, all printer names are searched to determine whether the printer name requested to open exists in the printer name of the printer information linked to the printer information pointer (FIG. 16) in the printer information queue table. If there is, the process moves to step S3803. In step S3803, a pointer of the printer information table corresponding to the printer name requested to be opened is returned to the print monitor 708 as a printer handle. In step S3804, the print monitor 70
8 receives a printer information acquisition request. Step S
At 3805, it is checked whether the printer handle, which is one of the parameters of the printer information acquisition function, has printer information corresponding to the printer registered in the virtual print server. If there is corresponding printer information, in step S3806, the contents of the printer information table are copied to an area allocated to the parameters of the printer information acquisition function, and the function returns. Step S3
In step 807, a print job ID acquisition request is received from the print monitor 708. Step S3808
It is checked whether the printer handle, which is one of the parameters of the print job ID acquisition function, has printer information corresponding to the printer registered in the virtual print server. If there is corresponding printer information,
In step S3809, the virtual print server issues an ID other than the job ID managed at that time and returns it to the print monitor 708. In step S3810, in order to manage the job ID in the virtual print server, areas of the job information queue table and the job information table are secured in the job information queue (FIG. 17) of the corresponding printer information table, and the job ID is set therein. I do. Further, it is set in the job information pointer of the job information queue table. In step S3811, the registration of the job is received from the print monitor.
In step S3812, the job ID area of the job information table linked to all the job information queues is checked whether the job ID, which is one of the parameters of the job registration function, is the job ID managed by the virtual print server. Search for. If the specified job ID exists, job information processing in step S3813 is performed.
In step S3813, the job information, which is one of the parameters of the job registration function, is set in the job information table corresponding to the job ID. In step S3814, a job waiting request is received from the print monitor,
Go to A.

FIG. 38A is connected to FIG. 39A. When the processing is reached in A of FIG. 39, the process proceeds to step S3901. In step S3901, a search is made for a job ID area of the job information table linked to all job information queues to determine whether the job ID that is a parameter of the job standby request is a job ID managed by the virtual print server. If the specified job ID exists, the IP address of the client, which is a parameter of the job standby request, is set in the IP address area of the client in the corresponding job information queue (FIG. 17), and the process moves to step S3902. In step S3902, the job standby status is set in the job standby status area of the job information queue table corresponding to the job ID. Further, in step S3903, it is determined whether or not the job information queue table in which the job standby status is set in step S3902 is at the head of the queue. In step S3904, the job information queue (FIG. 1)
7) The client IP address is acquired from the client IP address area, and a printable instruction is transmitted to the IP address by designating the corresponding job ID. In step S3905, a job cancellation request issued by the client to notify the end of printing is received. In step S3906, the printer handle, which is one of the parameters of the job cancel function,
Check whether there is printer information corresponding to the printer registered in the virtual print server. If there is the corresponding printer information, in step S3907, whether the job ID as the parameter of the job cancel function is the job ID managed by the virtual print server is linked to all the job information queues. Search the job ID area. If the specified job ID exists, the process shifts to step S3908.
In step S3908, the job information queue table corresponding to the job ID in step S3907 is deleted. In step S3909, printer close processing is accepted from the client. Step S39
In step 10, whether the printer handle, which is a parameter for closing the printer, is normal, is compared with a pointer in a printer information table managed by the virtual print server (both the client and server of the virtual print server service 712). If the same thing is found by the search, the printer close function is returned normally in step S3911.

In step S3802 in FIG. 38, all printer names are searched to determine whether the printer name requested to open exists in the printer name of the printer information linked to the printer information pointer (FIG. 16) in the printer information queue table. , If it does not exist, step S381
The processing shifts to step 5, and the OPEN function returns with an error.

In step S3805, it is checked whether the printer handle, which is one of the parameters of the printer information acquisition function, has printer information corresponding to the printer registered in the virtual print server. If there is no corresponding printer information, in step S3816,
The printer information acquisition function ends with an error, and shifts to B.
Since this B is linked to B in FIG. 39, if the processing shifts to B, the processing shifts to B in FIG. 39 and the processing advances to S3909.

In step S3808, it is checked whether the printer handle, which is one of the parameters of the print job ID acquisition function, has printer information corresponding to the printer registered in the virtual print server. If there is no corresponding printer information, step S3817
Then, the print job ID acquisition function ends with an error, and the process proceeds to B.

In step S3812, it is determined whether the job ID, which is one of the parameters of the job registration function, is the job ID managed by the virtual print server. Search for an area. Specified job I
If D exists, the flow shifts to step S3818, the job registration function ends in error, and shifts to B.

In step S3901 in FIG. 39, the job ID in the job information table is linked to all job information queues to determine whether the job ID as the parameter of the job standby request is the job ID managed by the virtual print server. Search for an area. If the designated job ID does not exist, the flow shifts to step S3912, returns the job standby request by error, and shifts to B.

Further, in step S3903, it is determined whether or not the job information queue table in which the job standby status is set in step S3902 is at the head of the queue. If not, the process waits and moves to step S3903.

In step S3906, it is checked whether the printer handle, which is one of the parameters of the job cancel function, has printer information corresponding to the printer registered in the virtual print server. If there is no corresponding printer information, the process shifts to step S3913,
The job cancel function returns an error and shifts to B.

In step S3907, a search is made for a job ID area of the job information table linked to all job information queues to determine whether the job ID, which is a parameter of the job cancel function, is a job ID managed by the virtual print server. I do. Specified job I
If D does not exist, the flow shifts to step S3913, the job cancel function returns an error, and shifts to B.

If it is determined in step S3910 whether the printer handle, which is a parameter for closing the printer, is normal by comparing the pointer with the pointer in the printer information table managed by the virtual printer, if the same one does not exist, the process proceeds to step S3910. In step S3914, the printer close error return is performed, and the process ends.

As described above, in the third embodiment, in the virtual print server system of the present invention, a virtual order control mechanism for a job of a device shared by a communication terminal device on a network is provided, and a job is requested. Each communication terminal device registers not the data of all jobs but only the data necessary for sequence control in a communication terminal device having a sequence control mechanism, and instructs interruption via the sequence control mechanism, thereby making it possible to perform interruption on the network. For devices that do not have the function of recognizing and deleting jobs shared by multiple communication terminal devices, there is no need for devices that occupy excessive resources due to the sequence control mechanism, while reducing the load on the network. It is possible to achieve both the order control of requests between the communication terminal devices and the interruption function.

[0106]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By including printer information in a printable command received by the client from the server and entering printer information at the time of client port setting and printer setting at the time of client setting, the operator can obtain printer information (IP
Address, etc.), the client can automatically obtain the printer information from the printer name, etc.,
By simply changing the settings of the server, the settings of all clients are automatically changed, so that the system can be easily managed.

Further, since the virtual server can be given a virtual printer name, it is not necessary for the user to set a print specification of another setting of one printer every time printing is performed. For example, if the user (administrator) of the virtual server is "VPS-PR
INTER1 "and register the printer settings as A
If it is registered as a 4 horizontal cassette and registered under the name "VPS-PRINTER2" and the printer setting is set to A4 vertical cassette, even a user who does not know the print setting can select the name of the virtual printer of the printing destination, so that the administrator can be notified. The effect of being able to print with the set print settings is obtained.

When the client inquires of the server about the list of jobs, the server inquires of the list of jobs stored in the printer. Based on the information and the information stored in the server, the list of jobs currently in the entire system is obtained. To notify the client, more accurate information can be referenced than before, and the client will be able to confirm even if the job has disappeared due to an error in the network printer, etc. .

Further, the virtual server receives only information necessary for order control of print data from the client, adds printer information to the printable command received by the client from the server, and constructs a system in which the client sends the print data to the printer. By reducing the load on the server, the server also inquires the list of jobs in the printer when the client requests the job list from the client. For devices that do not have the function of recognizing and deleting jobs shared by other clients, devices that occupy excessive resources due to the order control mechanism are not required, and only the server settings can be changed.
This eliminates the need to change all clients, making it easier to manage the system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a network system to which a virtual server according to an embodiment is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a client computer in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a memory map when a program is expanded from the FD shown in FIG. 4 to a RAM in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a memory map showing data inside the FD in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows a client computer in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship with FD in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the network printer in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a software module configuration of a client computer and a server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a printing process when a print request is issued from a client to a server in FIG.

9 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a printing process when transmitting print data to a printer after giving a printable instruction from a server to a client in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a printer status in the virtual server system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a sequence in the virtual server system regarding a printing function using a virtual print server in the virtual server system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart relating to a print function using a virtual server of a client computer in a print monitor for a virtual print server in the virtual server system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a registered job information queue table.

FIG. 14 is a diagram in which a registered job information queue table is linked to a queuing table.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a printer information table.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a queuing table of the printer.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a job information queue.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart relating to a function of registering a printer in a virtual print server in the virtual server system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a sequence for registering information necessary for a virtual print server print monitor in the virtual server system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a virtual server IP table.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a dialog for prompting a user to input a virtual server IP.

FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of commands and job information when referring to a job list according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a setting screen on the server side of the virtual print server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an additional setting screen of a virtual printer of the virtual print server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an additional setting screen of a network printer of the virtual print server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a screen diagram in which a print destination list is added to a virtual printer addition screen of the virtual print server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a screen diagram in which a virtual printer is added to the setting screen of the virtual print server in the present embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a setting screen on the client side of the virtual print server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a screen for adding a print destination of the virtual print server of the virtual print server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a screen diagram of a print destination list of the virtual print server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a screen for creating a printer of the virtual print server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a main screen diagram of a virtual print manager of the virtual print server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when setting a virtual print server according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a port setting process in the client computer according to the first embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a printer setting process in the client computer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a job inquiry process in a client computer according to the second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a server in the second embodiment of the present invention;
It is a flowchart showing the flow of a job inquiry process.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart related to a print instruction function of the virtual print server in the virtual server system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart subsequent to FIG. 38, which is a flowchart relating to a print instruction function of the virtual print server in the virtual server system according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 server 102-104 client computer 105 network printer 106 network 200 CPU 201 ROM 202 RAM 203 FD drive 204 FD (floppy disk) 205 HD (hard disk) 206 keyboard 207 display 208 system bus 300 RAM memory map 301 basic I / O program 302 OS 303 network printer control program 304 related data 305 work area 400 FD memory map 401 volume information 402 directory information 403 network printer control program 404 related data 601 CPU 602 ROM / RAM 603 storage unit 604 display unit 605 printer printing unit 606 network Board 607 Communication line 701 Network printer 702 Client (computer) 703 Server 704 Application 705 GDI 706 Printer driver 707 Windows Spooler 708 Printer monitor for virtual print server 709 Control monitor for network printer 710 Virtual print manager 711 Virtual print server API 712 Virtual print server (virtual) Print server service) 801 virtual print spooler 1001 registry 1002 SNMP manager

Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Mitsuo Kimura 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Koichiro Wanda 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Takuya Pi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-2-146618 (JP, A) (58) Fields studied . ^7, DB name) G06F 3/12

Claims (39)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printing system including an information processing device and a print control device, wherein the information processing device transmits job information of print data to a print control device; Spooling means for spooling print data in a storage unit even after the print data is transmitted to the print control device, wherein the print control device performs printing on the printing device based on job information of print data received from the information processing device. An order control unit for controlling a print order of print data; and a sendable indicating that print data can be sent from the information processing device to a printing device with respect to the job information controlled by the order control unit. Sending means for sending information to the information processing apparatus, and when receiving the sendable information from the print control apparatus, The print data spooled in the storage unit of the information processing apparatus, it being passed through the printing control device
A print system for transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus. 2. A print control method for controlling a system including an information processing apparatus and a print control apparatus, wherein: a transmission step of transmitting job information of print data from the information processing apparatus to a print control apparatus; A spooling step of spooling print data in a storage unit of the information processing apparatus even after the job information is transmitted to the print control apparatus, and a printing apparatus based on the job information of the print data received from the information processing apparatus. An order control step of causing the print control device to control the print order of the print data in the step (a), and the print information can be transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the printing apparatus with respect to the job information controlled in the order control step. Sending out the sendable information indicating the presence of the print control device from the print control device to the information processing device. When receiving said transmittable information, the print data spooled in the storage unit of the information processing apparatus, it and this via the print control apparatus
And transmitting to the printing apparatus. 3. A storage medium storing a print control program for controlling a system including an information processing apparatus and a print control apparatus, wherein the print control program stores a print data job from the information processing apparatus to a print control apparatus. A transmission program code for transmitting information; and a spool program code for spooling print data to storage means of the information processing apparatus even after job information is transmitted to the print control apparatus by the transmission program code. An order control program code that supplies the print control device to the printing control device based on job information of the print data received from the information processing device. The information about the job information controlled by The print control device supplies the print control device with send-out information indicating that print data can be sent to the device from the print control device to the information processing device. When the information is received, the print data spooled in the storage unit of the information processing device is not transmitted through the print control device.
And controlling the information processing apparatus to transmit the information to the printing apparatus. 4. A transmission unit for transmitting job information of print data to a print control device, and a spool unit for spooling print data in a storage unit even after the transmission unit transmits job information to the print control device. When the print control apparatus instructs that print data can be sent to a printing apparatus, the print data spooled in the storage unit is transmitted to the print control apparatus via the print control apparatus.
An information processing apparatus , wherein the information is transmitted to the printing apparatus without being transmitted. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information processing apparatus communicates with a plurality of information processing apparatuses, a print control apparatus, and a printing apparatus via a network. 6. The sendable information indicating that print data can be sent to a printing device transmitted from the print control device includes printer information of a printing device to which the information processing device should send print data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information processing apparatus includes the information processing apparatus. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when setting the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus receives printer information from the print control apparatus. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the printer information is input when setting the port of the information processing apparatus in the setting of the information processing apparatus. 9. The printer information includes an I
9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the information processing apparatus is a P address. 10. The print control method according to claim 4, further comprising an inquiring means for inquiring the print control device for a list of jobs. Wherein said job information includes information specifying at least the printing device, the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that do not contain print data. 12. A transmitting step of transmitting job information of print data from an information processing apparatus to a print control apparatus; and transmitting the print data even after job information is transmitted to the print control apparatus in the transmitting step. And a spooling step of spooling in the storage unit. When an instruction is sent from the print control device to the information processing device that print data can be sent to a printing device, And controlling the information processing apparatus to transmit the print data to the printing apparatus without passing through the print control apparatus . 13. The print control method according to claim 12, wherein the print control method is a method of controlling a plurality of information processing apparatuses, a print control apparatus, and the information processing apparatus communicating with a printing apparatus via a network. Print control method. 14. The printable information transmitted from the print control device to the information processing device and indicating that print data can be transmitted to the printing device is a printable information that the information processing device should transmit print data to. 13. The print control method according to claim 12, further comprising printer information of the apparatus. 15. The print control method according to claim 14, wherein when setting the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus is controlled to receive printer information from the print control apparatus. 16. The print control method according to claim 15, wherein printer information is input when setting a port of the information processing apparatus in setting of the information processing apparatus. 17. The printer according to claim 14, wherein the printer information is an IP address of the printing apparatus.
7. The print control method according to any one of 6. 18. The print control method according to claim 12, further comprising an inquiry step of inquiring a list of jobs from the information processing apparatus to the print control apparatus. 19. The print control method according to claim 12, wherein the job information includes at least information designating a printing device and does not include print data. 20. A storage medium storing a print control program to be executed by an information processing apparatus , wherein the print control program causes the information processing apparatus to transmit job information of print data to the print control apparatus. A spool program code for causing print data to be spooled in storage means of the information processing apparatus even after the job information is transmitted to the print control apparatus; and a print program capable of transmitting print data to a printing apparatus. The information processing apparatus configured to transmit the print data spooled in the storage unit to the printing apparatus without passing through the print control apparatus when an instruction is transmitted from the control apparatus to the information processing apparatus; And a control program code for controlling a computer-readable printing control program. A storage medium that stores programs. 21. The information processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein a plurality of information processing apparatuses, a print control apparatus, and a print control program for controlling the information processing apparatus communicating with the printing apparatuses via a network are stored. Storage medium. 22. The printable information transmitted from the print control device to the information processing device and indicating that print data can be transmitted to the printing device, the printable information indicating that print data to which the information processing device should transmit print data. 21. The storage medium according to claim 20, including printer information of the device. 23. The storage medium according to claim 22, wherein the control program code controls the information processing apparatus to receive printer information from the print control apparatus when setting the information processing apparatus. . 24. The storage medium according to claim 23, wherein printer information is input when setting a port of the information processing apparatus in setting of the information processing apparatus. 25. The printer according to claim 22, wherein the printer information is an IP address of the printing apparatus.
4. The storage medium according to any one of 4. 26. The storage medium according to claim 20, wherein the print control program further includes an inquiry step program code for inquiring a list of jobs from the information processing apparatus to the print control apparatus. 27. The storage medium according to claim 20, wherein said job information includes at least information for specifying a printing apparatus and does not include print data. 28. A print control device for receiving print data job information from an external device, comprising: an order control unit that controls a print data printing order in a printing device based on the job information; Sending means for sending, to the external device, printable information indicating that print data can be sent from the external device to a printing device with respect to the job information controlled by the printing order; A print control apparatus, wherein print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus without passing through the print control apparatus. 29. The print control apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said print control apparatus communicates with a plurality of information processing apparatuses and printing apparatuses via a network. 30. The sending means judges whether print data can be sent to the printing apparatus, and if it judges that sending is possible, sends the sending information to the external device having the print data. 29. The print control device according to claim 28, wherein the print control device transmits the print control command. 31. The print control apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the transmittable information includes printer information of a printing apparatus to which the information processing apparatus transmits print data. 32. A print control method for controlling a print control device that receives print data job information from an external device, comprising: a sequence control step of controlling a print data print order in a printing device based on the job information. A transmission step of transmitting, to the external device, transmittable information indicating that print data can be transmitted from the external device to a printing device with respect to the job information controlled by the sequence control process and the print order. The print control method, wherein the external device transmits print data to the printing device without going through the print control device. 33. The print control method according to claim 32, wherein a print control device that communicates with a plurality of information processing devices and printing devices via a network is controlled. 34. The sending step determines whether print data can be sent to the printing apparatus, and if it is determined that the print data can be sent, sends the sendable information to the external device having the print data. The print control method according to claim 32, wherein the print control method is transmitted. 35. The print control method according to claim 32, wherein the transmittable information includes printer information of a printing device to which the information processing device transmits print data. 36. A storage medium storing a print control program for controlling a print control device that receives job information of print data from an external device, wherein the print control program is provided in a printing device based on the job information. An order control program code for controlling a print order of print data, and a transmission indicating that print data can be transmitted from the external device to a printing apparatus with respect to the job information controlled by the order control program code. A transmission program code for transmitting possible information to the external device, wherein the external device transmits print data to the printing device without passing through the print control device. Storage medium in which is stored. 37. The storage medium according to claim 36, wherein a print control program for controlling a print control device that communicates with a plurality of information processing devices and a printing device via a network is stored. 38. The transmission program code determines whether print data can be transmitted to the printing apparatus, and if it is determined that the transmission is possible, the transmission program code is transmitted to the external device having the print data. The storage medium according to claim 36, wherein information is transmitted. 39. The storage medium according to claim 36, wherein said transmittable information includes printer information of a printing apparatus to which said information processing apparatus transmits print data.