JP3330279B2 - Network printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A network printer is provided with a print server (P / S) for connecting to a network such as a local area network (LAN), and various connection devices connected to the network via the print server are commonly used. This is a printer that can be used.

As shown in FIG. 6, this network has a plurality of terminal devices (clients) 1 and 2 requesting printing and a common database for managing printing requests and printing data from these clients 1 and 2. The file server (F / S) 3 and the above-described print server 5 to which a printer 4 is connected are connected in a net-like manner via a communication line 6.

[0006] A hard disk (HD) 7 is connected to the file server 3. When a print request is received from the clients 1 and 2, the hard disk 7 temporarily stores the print request together with print data. Storage area (job sequence (Quue)) to be provided. Then, when registering the printer 4 in the queue, the operator of each of the clients 1 and 2 determines the priority of printing. This registration and determination are performed by the CRT provided in each of the clients 1 and 2.
(Cathode Ray Tube) Display device 1a such as a display,
This is performed based on the information displayed in 2a.

In such a network, when print data from the clients 1 and 2 is printed by the printer 4, print requests from the clients are temporarily stored in the queue of the hard disk 7 by the file server 3 in the order of reception. Then, C provided in the print server 5
The PU (Central Processing Unit) performs communication control as shown in FIG.

That is, the CPU first performs initial setting, and then searches the hard disk 7 of the file server (F / S) 3 for a queue in which the printer 4 is registered. At this time, if a queue registered with the printer 4 is found, it is determined whether or not this queue has a print job (job sequence). Then, if the print job is not found in the queue even after the search is performed by the search end count set to 20, for example, in the initial setting, the process returns to the queue search process.

When a print job is found in the queue, the print processing is performed in order from the queue having the highest priority. That is, the print data of the queue is received and transferred to the printer 4, and the print processing of the print job designated by the printer 4 is performed.

[0008]

However, in such a network printer, since the operator of the client determines the priority for printing by himself / herself, the priority may be the same in all cases. . In this case, although the priorities are set, the printing process is performed in the order of reception to the hard disk 7, and the effect of setting the priorities cannot be sufficiently exhibited.

[0009] The priority can be set in the queue
Since the printing of the print data of any client is started once the printer is registered with the printer, that is, before printing any print data, it will not be possible for other clients to print until the print processing is completed. Could not be printed.

For this reason, there is a problem in that a print wait occurs until the print processing of the previous client is completed even though the priorities are set. In particular, if the previous print data is data including a bitmap, or if the amount of data is large and the number of prints is large and it takes several minutes to tens of minutes to complete printing, the network printer is exclusively used during that time.

Therefore, the operation efficiency of the printer may be rather deteriorated, and the print waiting time may be increased.
In other words, when the print data is small, it is more efficient to print first, and the print waiting time of other clients can be reduced. It was not possible to print the print data with a small data amount relating to the client first.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a network printer which can operate the printer efficiently and can substantially reduce the entire print waiting time.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for connecting a plurality of clients requesting printing and a file server managing print data in response to the request via a print server. In a network printer that prints print data requested by a client, the print server registers the printer from the client and searches the file server for a print data job sequence in which print processing priorities are registered from a file server. Column search means; priority determination means for determining the priority of the job sequence searched by the job sequence search means; data input means for taking the job sequence from the file server for each predetermined print data amount; Means print data of the job sequence to be printed next is When the data input means fetches the print data of the job sequence from the file server when the data input means determines that the job sequence has the same or higher priority, the printing of the job sequence is temporarily performed to the client currently performing the printing process. A print processing suspension confirmation unit for confirming whether or not to suspend,
When the print processing suspension confirmation unit confirms the suspension of the print processing of the client currently performing the print processing, requests the file server to temporarily suspend the print processing of the current job sequence and switch to the next job sequence. Job switching requesting means, and a time-out switching control means for forcibly requesting job switching by the job switching requesting means when there is no response to the print processing suspension confirmation means within a preset time-out time. Variable time-out time varying means is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a connection is made via a print server to a network connecting a plurality of clients requesting printing and a file server managing print data in response to the request, and a request is received from the client. In a network printer that prints print data, the print server is configured to register the printer from a client and to search a job sequence of print data in which a priority of print processing is registered from a file server; A priority determining means for determining the priority of the job sequence searched by the job sequence searching means, and a holding waiting time which can be held when a printing request is started by a request from one client and a printing request is made from another client. , Can be set in advance before printing starts at the request of one client When the time setting means and the priority determining means determine that the print data of the job sequence to be printed next has the same or higher priority as the print data of the job sequence currently being printed, the next printing is performed. The print time of the print data of the job sequence to be executed is calculated, and if it is determined that the print time is shorter than the preset hold waiting time, the print process of the current job sequence is temporarily suspended and the next job sequence is suspended. Job switching request means for requesting the file server to switch.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A case where a network printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention is connected to a network as shown in FIG. 6 will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a print server 5 according to the present embodiment. Reference numeral 11 denotes a CPU (central processing unit) constituting a control unit main body, and 12 denotes program data for the CPU 11 to control each unit. ROM stored
(Read only memory), 13 is a RAM provided with a parameter area and the like when the CPU 11 performs data processing
(Random access memory), 14 is RA at power failure
EEP (Elecrtic) holding the parameter area of M13
Ally Erasable Programmable ROM, 16 is a parallel controller for connecting the printer 4, and 19 is a network interface controller for controlling a network interface 17 for connecting to the network 18. CPU 11 and ROM 12, RAM 13, EEP
The ROM 14, the parallel controller 16, and the network interface 19 are electrically connected by a bus line 21 such as a data bus, a control bus, and an address bus.

In a network as shown in FIG.
When printing the print data from the clients 1 and 2 with the printer 4, the print requests from the clients are temporarily stored in the queue of the hard disk 7 by the file server 3 in the order of reception. When registering the printer 4 in the queue, the operator of each of the clients 1 and 2 decides the priority of printing according to his / her own subjectivity.

Based on this, C of the print server 5
The PU 11 performs communication control as shown in FIG. That is, the CPU 11 first performs initial settings in ST (step) 1. This initial setting may be performed, for example, at the time of initial setting of the network. Specifically, for example, the number of times the printer 4 searches for a registered queue X = 0,
Is set to N = 20, and a timeout time (TIO) is set (timeout variable means).

The timeout time (TIO) can be freely set by an operator, but if not set, a default value (for example, 4
0). When the timeout time is set to a default value (for example, 40), for example, the unit time is 1
If it is seconds, it is set to 40 seconds. This unit time is set in advance, and may be one minute or one hour.

Next, in Step ST2, the queue in which the printer 4 is registered is searched from the hard disk 7 of the file server (F / S) 3 (job sequence search means). At this time, if a queue in which the printer 4 is registered is found, it is determined in ST3 whether or not this queue has a print job.

If it is determined that there is no print job, the number of times of queue search X is incremented in ST4, and the number of times of queue search X is incremented by ST5 in ST5.
It is determined whether or not has been reached. At this time, when it is determined that X = N, the process returns to ST2, and when it is determined that X = N, the WAIT process is performed in ST6 and then ST3.
Return to the processing of.

If it is determined in ST3 that there is a print job in the queue, print data for one packet is communicated in ST7 (data input means). That is,
The print data is read from the file server 3, and the print data is taken in via the network interface 17 and the network controller 19.

Since the print data for one packet is related to the number of times of asking another client whether or not to interrupt, the data amount is set to such a value that the print time does not become too long. For example, it is set for one page of print data.

Subsequently, in ST8, it is determined whether or not a print job still remains in the same queue. At this time, if it is determined that the print job remains,
At T9, it is determined whether or not the priority at the time of registering the printer in the queue is the same or higher (priority determining means).

At this time, when it is determined that the priorities are the same or higher, a print job switching confirmation display is performed in ST10 (print processing suspension confirmation means). That is, a display as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display device of the client that is currently printing, and it is confirmed whether interrupt printing is to be performed by another client or the current print job is to be continued. At this time, the remaining time until the timeout, that is, the remaining count waiting time is also displayed, and if no response is made within that time, a warning is issued that another client will be forced to perform interrupt printing.

Then, in ST11, it is determined whether or not there is a response from the operator of the client currently printing. The response from the operator is made by, for example, inputting that the print job may be switched by recognizing the interruption of another client by a predetermined key operation (YES) or that the printing is continued without switching (NO). .

At this time, within a predetermined unit time (for example, 1
If it is determined that there is no response from the operator of the client who is currently printing (seconds), the timeout time (TIO) is decremented in ST12. Thereafter, the TIO becomes the remaining count waiting time. Then S
At T13, it is determined whether or not the remaining count waiting time (TIO) ≦ 0, and the remaining count waiting time (TIO) is determined.
O) If it is determined that ≦ 0, the process returns to ST10. At this time, the displayed count waiting time is reduced by one count.

If it is determined in ST13 that the remaining count waiting time (TIO) ≦ 0, it is determined that there is no response from the client operator who is currently printing within the timeout period, and the current forcible time is determined in ST14. Queue
Is switched to the next queue print job, and a request is made to the file server 3 to avoid the current print job on the stack of the hard disk 7 (time-out switching control means).
A default value is set to O, and the process returns to ST7. As a result, the file server 3 switches the print job, stacks the current print job on the hard disk 7, and the print server 5 performs the transfer processing of the print data of the switched print job.

On the other hand, if it is determined in ST11 that there is a response from the operator of the client who is currently printing, in ST16, it is determined whether or not the response is for switching the print job (YES). . If it is determined that the response is that the print job can be switched (YES), the process proceeds to ST14 to switch the print job.

If it is determined in ST16 that the response is to continue printing without switching the print job (NO), the print job waiting to be printed next is printed on the hard disk 7 in ST17. Request to file server 3 to avoid
A default value is set to IO, and the process returns to ST7. As a result, the printing process for one packet by the current print job is performed. Also, if it is determined in ST9 that the priorities at the time of registering the printer in the queue are not the same and are lower than that, the processes of ST17 and ST18 are executed and the process returns to the process of ST7.

If it is determined in ST8 that no print job remains in the same queue, it is determined in ST19 whether the last packet has been transferred. And
If it is determined that the last packet has not been transferred, ST
Returning to the process of step 7, if it is determined that the last packet has been transferred, the printer 4 prints the designated print job in ST20. That is, the print data fetched from the file server 3 is sent to the printer 4 to cause the printer 4 to perform the print processing of the print data for one packet.

Next, in ST21, it is determined whether or not there is a print job stacked on the hard disk 7 of the file server 3. At this time, if it is determined that there is no stuck print job, this communication control ends. If it is determined that there is a stuck print job, switching to the queued print job queue in ST22 is performed by the file server (F / S).
3 (job switching request means), and returns to the process of ST7. As a result, the file server 3 switches the queue, the print server 5 interrupts the communication processing of the current queue, and performs the communication processing of the print data of the next client.

In the embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration, for example, when print data from the clients 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 6 is printed by the printer 4, a print request from the client is temporarily sent to the file server. 3 stores them in the queue of the hard disk 7 in the order of reception. The print server 5 searches for the queue in which the printer 4 is registered.

At this time, if the client 1 transmits the queue to the queue of the hard disk 7 before the client 2 and sets the timeout time (TIO), and if the priority of the print requests is the same, the hard disk is transmitted first. 7
First, processing of a print request by the client 1 received on the queue is performed. That is, the packet 1 of the queue of the client 1 from the hard disk 7 of the file server 3
The print data for the batch is transferred to the print server 5.

Then, the print data is transferred to the printer 4, and the printing process of the printer 4 is performed. At this time,
A display is displayed on the display device 1a of the client 1 for confirming whether to perform interrupt printing of another client or to continue the current print job, and a display of the remaining count waiting time. This display is performed every time one packet of print data is communicated.

Thus, the operator of the client 1 can give permission to print the print data of the other client 2 first even if all the prints have not been completed. Also, the remaining count waiting time (T
IO) is counted down every unit time, and even if the remaining count waiting time is gone, that is, even if the timeout time has elapsed, if there is no response from the operator of the client 1, printing by another client 2 is forcibly performed. Print the data first.

That is, the print job of the current queue is switched to the print job of the next queue, and the current print job is stacked on the hard disk 7 of the file server 3. Next, Client 2
After the print data is printed, the print job is switched to the queue print job of the client 1 stacked on the hard disk 7, and the remaining print processing is performed. Note that the same processing as described above is also performed when a print request is issued from the client 2 having a higher priority than the client 1 while printing the print data of the client 1.

If the priority of the client 2 is lower than the priority of the client 1, the printing of the client 2's queue is completed after all the printing processes of the client 1's queue print job are completed as in the conventional case. The print processing of the job is performed.

As described above, when checking with the operator of the client 1 whether to continue the current print job or to perform interrupt printing of another client 2, if a predetermined time-out period elapses without a response, the operator is forcibly forced. Even if the client 1 is unable to respond to the print permission of the other client 2 because, for example, the operator of the client 1 is away from the seat, the other client 2 performs interrupt printing. 2 can be performed first. Thus, the printer can be operated efficiently, and the overall print waiting time can be substantially reduced.

Further, since the operator of the client 1 can input this timeout period by performing initial settings of the network before printing, the operator of the client 1 can set a default value according to the time to end the printing process. The timeout period can be freely set to a longer or shorter value. This makes it possible to perform printing processing that meets the requirements of the operator,
The printer can be operated more efficiently, and the overall print waiting time can be substantially reduced.

In addition, communication processing and printing processing of print data are performed for each packet, that is, for each page, and the operator of the client 1 can continue the current print job or interrupt printing of another client 2 each time. For example, when the print processing of the other client 2 waiting for the next print is small, or when the other client 2 waiting for the print is permitted to print first, for example, Even if all the currently executing print processes of the queue have not been completed, the operator of the client 1 can interrupt its own print process so that the other client 2 can print first. Become.
This also makes it possible to operate the printer efficiently and to substantially reduce the overall print waiting time.

Further, the operator of the client 1 can continue the current print job, or
When confirming whether or not to perform the interrupt printing, the remaining count waiting time (TIO) is also displayed. For example, when the operator of the client 1 who has left the seat returns once, does the response to the interrupt printing confirmation be in time? Can be determined. As a result, it is possible to avoid job switching due to the elapse of the timeout time.

Next, a case where the network printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention is connected to a network as shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the present embodiment, the same portions as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

The CPU 11 of the print server 5 in the present embodiment performs communication control as shown in FIG. That is, the CPU 11 first performs initial settings in ST31.
This initial setting may be performed, for example, at the time of initial setting of the network.

More specifically, for example, the number of times the printer 4 searches for a registered queue is set to X = 0, the number of times to end searching for a queue N = 20, and the hold waiting time (R
WT) (holding wait time setting means). The hold waiting time (RWT) is a time during which an interrupt process from another client can be tolerated, and can be freely set by the operator. However, when not set, it is set to a default value (for example, 40).

The following processes from ST32 to ST39 are the same as the processes from ST2 to ST9 shown in FIG. 3, so a detailed description will be omitted, and the processes after ST39 will be described next.
That is, if it is determined in ST39 that the priority order of registering the printer in the queue is the same or higher, in ST40, the holding waiting time as shown in FIG. Perform a confirmation display. Note that this display may not be performed, or may be displayed on the display device of another client 2 where printing processing is to be performed.

Next, in ST41, the print time (NJPT (D,
H)) and calculate the printing time (NJPT (D, H))
Is shorter than a preset hold waiting time (RWT). Thereby, it is automatically determined whether to perform interrupt printing of another client or to continue the current print job.

That is, the calculated printing time (NJPT
If it is determined that (D, H)) is longer than the hold waiting time (RWT), the process proceeds to ST42 and the current print job is continued. In this ST42, a request is made to the file server 3 so as to avoid a print job waiting to be printed next to be printed on the stack of the hard disk 7. As a result, the printing process for one packet by the current print job is performed.

On the other hand, the printing time (NJPT (D, H)) calculated in ST41 is the holding waiting time (RWT).
If it is determined that it is shorter, the process proceeds to ST43 and ST44, and interrupt printing of another client is performed.

That is, in ST43, the hold waiting time (R
WT) is subtracted from the printing time (NJPT (D, H)), and this is set as a new hold waiting time (RWT). Subsequently, in ST44, the current queue print job is switched to the next queue print job, and the file server 3 is requested to avoid the current print job on the stack of the hard disk 7 (job switching request means), and ST37. Return to the processing of. As a result, the file server 3 switches the print job, stacks the current print job on the hard disk 7,
The print server 5 performs a print data transfer process of the switched print job.

Note that the processes in ST45 to ST48 are the same as those in ST19 to ST22 shown in FIG. 3, respectively, and thus detailed description is omitted.

In the embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration, for example, when print data from the clients 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 6 is printed by the printer 4, a print request from the client is temporarily sent to the file server. 3 stores them in the queue of the hard disk 7 in the order of reception. The print server 5 searches for the queue in which the printer 4 is registered.

At this time, if the client 1 transmits to the queue of the hard disk 7 earlier than the client 2 and sets, for example, 40 as the hold waiting time (RWT), and if the priority order of the print requests is the same, First, processing of a print request by the client 1 previously received in the queue of the hard disk 7 is performed. That is, the queuing of the client 1 from the hard disk 7 of the file server 3
The print data for one ue packet is transferred to the print server 5.

Then, the print data is transferred to the printer 4, and the print processing of the printer 4 is performed. At this time,
The print time (NJPT (D, H)) of the job of the next print data relating to the client 2 is calculated. If the calculation result is, for example, 30, the hold waiting time ( RWT) 40, the set hold waiting time (RWT) 40-print time (NJPT (D, H)) 30 = 10 is set as a new hold wait time (RWT), and interrupt printing of another client 2 is performed. Is done automatically.

That is, the print job of the current queue is switched to the print job of the next queue, and the current print job is stacked on the hard disk 7 of the file server 3. Next, Client 2
After the print data is printed, the print job is switched to the queue print job of the client 1 stacked on the hard disk 7, and the remaining print processing is performed. Note that the same processing as described above is also performed when a print request is issued from the client 2 having a higher priority than the client 1 while printing the print data of the client 1. Further, thereafter, until the first printing process is completed, the interruption process by the print data requiring the printing time longer than the new hold waiting time (RWT) 10 is not performed.

On the other hand, the print time (NJPT (D, H)) of the job of the next print data relating to the client 2
Is 40, for example, the hold waiting time (RWT) 40 set by the operator of the client 1
Because it is longer, the current print job by client 1 is automatically continued. That is, client 1
After all of the print processing of the queue print job is completed, the print processing of the queue print job of the client 2 is performed.

As described above, based on the hold waiting time (RWT) freely set by the operator of the client who intends to perform printing from now on, a print request of another client generated during printing by that client is given. Since it is automatically determined whether or not to respond, the operator of the client who is printing is required to change the packet,
It is not necessary to determine whether or not to permit a print interrupt of another client for each page.

This makes it possible to perform a printing process conforming to the operator's request, and to request a response when the client operator is away from the desk and cannot respond to whether or not to permit another client's print interrupt. Time can be saved, the printer can be operated more efficiently, and the overall print waiting time can be substantially reduced. In addition, since the client operator can freely set the hold waiting time (RWT), communication between the client operators can further improve the operation efficiency of the printer.

When interrupt processing of another client is performed, the print wait time (NWT) is calculated based on the hold wait time (RWT).
JPT (D, H)) is subtracted and set as a new hold waiting time (RWT). Therefore, even if another interrupt processing is requested, the first client is not waited more than necessary. Printing results are obtained. That is, unless the print time (NJPT (D, H)) is subtracted from the hold waiting time (RWT), if the print data has a print time shorter than the initially set hold wait time (RWT), the print data continues. It is expected that the print processing relating to the first client will be delayed due to the interruption processing, but this can be prevented.

[0060]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a network printer which can operate the printer efficiently and can substantially reduce the entire print waiting time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a print server of a network printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing a display on a display device of a client in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing communication control of the print server shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing communication control of a print server in a network printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary view showing a display on a display device of the client in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a network to which a conventional network printer is connected.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing communication control of a print server in a conventional network printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2, client 3, file server 5, network printer 11, CPU

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A print server which is connected to a network connecting a plurality of clients requesting printing and a file server which manages print data according to the request, and prints print data requested by the clients. In the network printer, the print server includes a job string search unit that registers the printer from the client and searches a file server for a job string of print data in which print processing priority is registered. Priority determining means for determining the priority of the job sequence searched by the means, data input means for fetching the job sequence from the file server for each predetermined print data amount, and a job to be printed next by the priority determining means The print data of the column is the same as the print data of the job line currently being printed. Each time the data input means takes in the print data of the job sequence from the file server when it is determined that the job sequence has the higher priority, whether or not to temporarily suspend the printing of the job sequence to the client currently performing the print process. A print processing hold confirmation unit for confirming whether or not the print processing hold confirmation unit confirms the suspension of the print processing of the client currently performing the print processing, temporarily suspends the print processing of the current job sequence, A job switching request unit for requesting the file server to switch to the next job sequence, and forcibly switching the job by the job switching request unit when there is no response to the print processing suspension confirmation unit within a preset timeout period. Requesting time-out switching control means and a time-out time varying means capable of freely changing the time-out time. Network printer according to claim. 2. A print server, which is connected to a network connecting a plurality of clients requesting printing and a file server managing print data in response to the requests, and printing the print data requested by the clients. In the network printer, the print server includes a job string search unit that registers the printer from the client and searches a file server for a job string of print data in which print processing priority is registered. Means for determining a priority order of the job sequence searched by the means, and a holding waiting time which can be held when a printing request is started by a request from one client and a printing request is received from another client, by one time. Hold wait time that can be set in advance before printing starts at the request of the client When the setting unit and the priority determination unit determine that the print data of the job sequence to be printed next has the same or higher priority as the print data of the job sequence currently being printed, the next printing is performed. The print time of the print data of the job sequence is calculated, and when it is determined that the print time is shorter than the preset hold waiting time, the print process of the current job sequence is temporarily suspended and switched to the next job sequence. A job switching requesting means for requesting the file server to the file server.