JP3332792B2 - Output device, information processing device, data processing method of output device, data processing method of information processing device, and storage medium storing computer readable program - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an output device capable of communicating between an output device and an information processing device via a predetermined communication medium, an information processing device, a data processing method of the output device, and a data processing method of the information processing device. And a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an output device such as a printer connected from an external device such as a host computer via a network interface is provided with settings such as a print resolution and a kanji code recorded inside the output device, which are referred to during output processing. The information is output to RAM or NVRAM (non-volatile R
AM) or the like, and the setting information is changed by remote operation from an operation panel of the output device, a host computer, or the like.

Further, when a plurality of output devices are connected on a network, a user selects an arbitrary output device as an output device on the host computer side.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, when the user selects an arbitrary output device from a plurality of output devices on the network, the user always checks the setting information of the selected output device and agrees. The burden of updating and setting the missing setting information was imposed.

[0005] Further, even if the setting information of the output device is updated by remote operation from a host computer or the like, the setting is inadvertently changed by a panel operation of the output device.
There has been a problem that the output result differs depending on the erroneous operation or the output device.

Further, when a new output device is connected to a network to which a plurality of output devices are already connected, a user or a network administrator sets the setting information of the output device to the same setting as other output devices. Since the output device is not used unless the user detects a newly connected device and selects it as an output device, there is a problem in terms of maintainability and use efficiency of the output device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a method for determining whether there is another output device connected to a predetermined communication medium. Acquiring the second resource information set from the other output device, changing the first resource information based on the acquired second resource information, and changing the changed first resource information; By controlling the output means based on the information,
Output device and output capable of automatically changing the resource information of the connected output device so as to match the resource information of the already connected output device to automate the environment setting for obtaining the intended output of the information processing device An object of the present invention is to provide a data processing method of an apparatus and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program. A second object is that, when the acquisition unit acquires the resource information from the output device detected by the detection unit that detects the output device connected via the predetermined communication medium, an arbitrary attribute in the acquired resource information An output device group capable of forming a group according to the above is registered in the memory resource as a logical output device by the registering means, and the selecting means selects the output device candidate destination specified for predetermined output information and the logical device. When any of the output devices is selected by comparing with the output device candidate destination, the transmitting unit transmits the output information to the selected one of the output devices,
When the attribute associated with the registered output device group is acquired and it is determined that there is a second output device group belonging to a lower hierarchy of the hierarchy corresponding to the output device group By further acquiring an attribute corresponding to the group of the second output device group, it is possible to transmit output information to an optimal unique output device selected from the logical output devices, and It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing device capable of managing a hierarchically arranged output device group as a logical output device, a data processing method of the information processing device, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an output device capable of communicating with an information processing device via a predetermined communication medium prints output information input from the information processing device. Output means for performing the operation, storage means for storing the first resource information in the output device set for the output means, and whether there is another output device connected to the predetermined communication medium. Determining means for determining, obtaining means for obtaining second resource information set from the other output device when the determining means determines that the other output device is present, and obtaining by the obtaining means Changing means for changing the first resource information based on the obtained second resource information; and a first means for controlling the output means based on the first resource information changed by the changing means.
And control means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the determination means determines whether there is an output device capable of communicating with the information processing device via the predetermined communication medium when connecting to the predetermined communication medium. Is determined.

[0010] A third invention according to the present invention provides a setting means for setting the first resource information, a judging means for judging a connection state to the predetermined communication medium, and a judging means based on the judgment result of the judging means. And a second control unit for controlling the setting from the setting unit to be invalid or effective.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of output devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the detecting device detects an output device connected via the predetermined communication medium. Means, first obtaining means for obtaining resource information from the output device detected by the detecting means,
Registering means for registering an output device group capable of forming a group in accordance with an arbitrary attribute in the resource information acquired by the acquiring means as a logical output device with respect to the memory resource so as to be hierarchized according to the attribute; Selecting means for comparing an output device candidate destination designated for the output information with the logical output device candidate destination and selecting one of the output devices; and any one of the output devices selected by the selection means Transmitting means for transmitting output information to an output device; second obtaining means for obtaining an attribute assigned to a group of the output device group registered in the registration means; and a hierarchy corresponding to the group of the output device group. Determining means for determining whether or not there is a second output device group belonging to a further lower layer;
When it is determined that there is an output device group, the second acquisition unit further acquires an attribute corresponding to the group of the second output device group.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a selecting means for selecting a high-priority one from a plurality of second output device groups based on the attribute information acquired by the second acquiring means. It is characterized by having.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output unit for printing out output information input from an information processing apparatus, and a storage unit for storing first resource information set for the output unit. Setting means for setting the first resource information, the data processing method of an output device capable of communicating with the information processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the other device connected to the predetermined communication medium A determining step of determining whether an output device is present; and obtaining a second resource information set from the other output device when the determining step determines that the other output device is present. Process and
A changing step of changing the first resource information based on the second resource information obtained by the obtaining step, and controlling the output unit based on the first resource information changed by the changing step. And a first control step.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the determining step, it is determined whether there is an output device capable of communicating with the information processing device via the predetermined communication medium when connecting to the predetermined communication medium. Is determined.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discriminating step for discriminating a connection state to the predetermined communication medium, and the setting from the setting means is controlled to be invalid or valid based on the discrimination result of the discriminating step. A second control step.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in a data processing method of an information processing device capable of communicating with a plurality of output devices via a predetermined communication medium, an output device connected via the predetermined communication medium A first detecting step of detecting resource information from the output device detected by the detecting step; and forming a group according to an arbitrary attribute in the resource information obtained by the first obtaining step. Registering a group of output devices as a logical output device in a memory resource so as to be hierarchical according to the attribute; a candidate output device designated for predetermined output information; A selecting step of selecting one of the output devices by comparing with the candidate destination, a transmitting step of transmitting output information to the one of the output devices selected by the selecting step, A second obtaining step of obtaining an attribute assigned to the output device group; and determining whether there is a second output device group belonging to a lower hierarchy of the hierarchy corresponding to the output device group. A determining step of determining, and if it is determined in the determining step that there is a second output device group, the second obtaining step further obtains an attribute corresponding to the second output device group. It is characterized by the following.

A tenth invention according to the present invention has a selecting step of selecting a high-priority one from a plurality of second output device groups based on the attribute information acquired by the second acquiring step. It is characterized by the following.

An eleventh invention according to the present invention is directed to the sixth to first inventions.
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing the data processing method according to any one of the above-described aspects.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] Before describing the configuration of the present embodiment, a configuration of a laser beam printer suitable for applying the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The printer to which this embodiment is applied is as follows.
It goes without saying that the printer is not limited to the laser beam printer, but may be a printer of another printing method such as an ink jet printer.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the configuration of an output device to which the present invention can be applied, and shows, for example, the case of a laser beam printer (LBP).

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1000 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores print information (character codes, etc.), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer, and stores these information. , A corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper. 1
Reference numeral 012 denotes an operation panel.
An ED display and the like are provided. A printer control unit 1001 controls the entire LBP main body 1000 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the host computer.
The printer control unit 1001 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to a laser driver 1002.

The laser driver 1002 is the semiconductor laser 1
003 is a circuit for driving a laser beam 1004 that is emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 in accordance with an input video signal. Laser light 10
Reference numeral 04 denotes a rotary polygon mirror 1005 which is swung right and left to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 1006. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1007 disposed around the electrostatic drum 1006,
Transferred to recording paper.

A cut sheet is used as the recording paper. The cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1008 mounted on the LBP 1000, and is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 1009, a transport roller 1010, and a transport roller 1011. Is supplied to the electrostatic drum 1006. The LBP main body 1000 is provided with at least one or more card slots (not shown) so that an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language system can be connected in addition to the built-in fonts.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printer control system to which the output system according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied. Here, a laser beam printer (FIG. 1) will be described as an example.

In the figure, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer which executes document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program or the like stored in a program ROM of the ROM 3. C
The CPU 1 is provided with a PU 1 and controls each device connected to the system device 4 as a whole.

The program ROM of the ROM 3
Has a CP as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.
The control program of U1 is stored. The font ROM of the ROM 3 stores font data and the like used in the document processing. The data ROM of the ROM 3 stores various data used in the document processing and the like. (Eg, print information initial value, error message, etc.). 2 is R
The AM functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls a key input from a keyboard (KB) 9 or a pointing device (not shown).

6 is a CRT controller (CRTC),
The display of the CRT display (CRT) 10 is controlled.
Reference numeral 7 denotes a memory controller (MC) for controlling access to an external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, and editing files, and a floppy disk (FD). Reference numeral 8 denotes a printer controller (PRTC) which is connected to the printer 1000 and another printer (not shown) via a predetermined network interface or bidirectional interface (interface) 21 to execute communication control processing with the printer 1000 or another printer. I do.

The CPU 1 executes a process of developing (rasterizing) the outline font in the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, for example, and outputs the W on the CRT 10.
YSIWYG (wizy wig: what is seen as it is, that is, that the final output form can be confirmed each time on the display, that it can be displayed on the display as desired, or output by the output device as displayed) can be realized. Further, the CPU 1 opens various registered windows based on commands specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.

In the printer 1000, reference numeral 12 denotes a printer CPU, which controls various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program or the like stored in a program ROM of a ROM 13 or a control program or the like stored in an external memory 14. And outputs an image signal as output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via a printing unit interface (I / F) 16. The program ROM of the ROM 13 stores a control program of the CPU 12 as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.

The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information. In the case of a printer having no external memory 14 such as a hard disk, the data ROM of the ROM 13 uses a host computer. The information used on 3000 is stored. The CPU 12 can communicate with the host computer 3000 via the input unit 18 and can notify the host computer 3000 of information and the like in the printer 1000. Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown).

The RAM 19 has an output information development area,
Used for environmental data storage area, NVRAM, and the like. Access to the external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) or an IC card is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 20. The external memory 14 is connected as an option, and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. Reference numeral 1012 denotes the above-described operation panel (operation unit) on which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged.

The above-mentioned external memory is not limited to one, and at least one external memory is provided. In addition to the built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different languages are connected. It may be configured to be able to. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1012.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between this embodiment and each means of the first to fifth inventions and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an output device capable of communicating with an information processing device via a predetermined communication medium (for example, a network such as an Ethernet (trade name)) is input from the information processing device (host computer 3000). Output means (printing unit 17) for outputting output information to be output, and first resource information (print color, installation location, print resolution, printer status, print speed, print format, paper size) set for the output means , Font type, interface type,
Storage means (non-volatile memory (NVRAM), not shown) for storing transfer speed, memory allocation, etc., and output resources (other printers (color printer, A determination unit (the CPU 12 executes a control program loaded on the RAM 19 from the ROM 13 or the external memory 14 or a storage medium not shown) to determine whether or not the determination unit exists; If it is determined that the output resource exists, the second resource information (print color, installation location, print resolution, printer status, print speed, print format, paper size, font type, interface Type,
Acquisition means (C for acquiring transfer speed, memory allocation, etc.)
The PU 12 executes a control program loaded on the RAM 19 from the ROM 13 or the external memory 14 or a storage medium (not shown) to perform acquisition processing) and the first resource based on the second resource information acquired by the acquisition unit. Changing means for changing the information (the CPU 12 transmits the RA from the ROM 13 or the external memory 14 or a storage medium not shown)
Executing a control program loaded on M19) and a first control means for controlling the output means based on the first resource information changed by the change means (the CPU 12 controls the ROM 13 or the external A control program loaded on the RAM 19 from the memory 14 or a storage medium (not shown) to perform control and determine whether there is another output device that can communicate with the host computer 3000 via the network.
12, when it is determined that the output device (output resource) exists, the second resource information set from another output device is acquired, and the first resource information is acquired based on the acquired second resource information. The CPU 12 controls the printing unit 17 based on the changed first resource information, and converts the resource information of the connected output device to the resource information of the already connected output resource. Automatically change to match,
It is possible to automate environment setting for obtaining an output intended by an information processing apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when connecting to the predetermined communication medium, the CPU 12 determines whether there is an output resource capable of communicating with the host computer 3000 via the predetermined communication medium, and It is possible to grasp at the appropriate timing the latest output resources connected to the server.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a setting means (operation panel 1012) for setting the first resource information, and a judging means (CPU1) for judging a connection state to the predetermined communication medium.
2 executes a control program loaded on the RAM 19 from the ROM 13 or the external memory 14 or a storage medium (not shown) to perform the discrimination processing), and invalidates or validates the setting from the setting means based on the discrimination result of the discrimination means. A second control means (the CPU 12 controls the ROM 13 or the external memory 14 or a storage medium (not shown)
Control by executing a control program loaded on the AM 19), and invalidating or validating the setting from the operation panel 1012 based on the determination result of the CPU 12 for determining the connection state to the predetermined communication medium. In addition, while connected to the communication medium, it is possible to reliably prevent the changed output environment from being changed carelessly.

The fourth invention is an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of output devices (a plurality of other printers (not shown including the printer 1000) via a predetermined communication medium (for example, a network such as an Ethernet (trade name)). Detecting means (a printer controller 8 not shown, for example, detecting by a status response) detecting an output device connected via the predetermined communication medium in the device (host computer 3000), and an output detected by the detecting means Acquisition means for acquiring resource information from the device (the CPU 1 transmits the RA information from the ROM 3 or the external memory 11 or a storage medium (not shown)
M2) by executing a control program loaded on M2) and a memory resource (external) as a logical output resource using an output device group capable of forming a group in accordance with an arbitrary attribute in the resource information acquired by the acquisition means. Memory 11, RAM2
(For example, the CPU 1 sends the RA from the ROM 3 or the external memory 11 or a storage medium not shown)
The control program loaded on M2 is executed and registered), and the output resource candidate destination specified for the predetermined output information is compared with the logical output resource candidate destination to determine which output device is to be used. Selection means for selecting (when the CPU 1
Alternatively, the external memory 11 or a storage medium (not shown)
A control program loaded on the AM 2 for selection), and a transmission unit (printer controller 8) for transmitting output information to any one of the output devices selected by the selection unit, via a network. When the CPU 1 acquires resource information from the printer 1000 detected by the printer controller 8 that detects the connected printer, an output capable of forming a group according to an arbitrary attribute (details will be described later) in the acquired resource information. The device group is registered in the memory resource as a logical output resource (logical printer), and the CPU 1 checks a candidate output resource designated for predetermined output information against the candidate logical output resource. When one of the output devices is selected, the printer controller 8 is connected to the selected one of the output devices.
Sends output information to the most unique output device selected from the logical output resources.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the output device group is registered in the memory resource so as to be hierarchized according to the attribute, and the output device group hierarchized according to the attribute is managed as a logical output resource. To make things possible.

Hereinafter, the data processing method of the output device or the information processing device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the data processing method of the output device according to the present invention. Steps (1) to (7) indicate steps, and the flow of processing when updating the setting information of the output device according to the setting information of another printer on the network when the output device is connected to the network. Corresponding to The control procedure corresponding to each step is stored in the ROM 13.

First, in step (1), when a connection to a network (not shown) is made via a network interface, an instruction for a reference request for setting information of an output device is issued on the network connected in step (2).
The PU 12 transmits. In step (3), it is determined whether there is an output device that has responded to the command transmitted in step (2). If it is determined that there is an output device, the process proceeds to step (4) to respond to the command. The CPU 12 makes a request to transmit the information of the setting item to be referred to the output device.

Next, in step (5), it is determined whether or not the setting information requested in step (4) has been received (a response has been received from the output device requesting transmission of the setting information).
When it is determined that the output device has been received, in step (6), the process of updating the information of the setting items of the output device is performed according to the transmitted setting information.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (5) that there is no response from the output device which has requested the transmission of the setting information, in step (7), the preset number of re-requests exceeds the preset value. Is determined, and the processing from step (4) is repeated until the value is exceeded.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that no output device has responded, the process is immediately terminated.

Thus, the setting information of the output device on the network is unified.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between this embodiment and each step of the sixth and ninth inventions and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output unit (printing unit 17) for outputting output information input from an information processing apparatus (host computer 3000), and a first resource information set for the output unit. Storage means for storing (RAM 19
NVRAM area) and setting means (operation panel 1012) for setting the first resource information, and an output capable of communicating with the information processing device (host computer 3000) via a predetermined communication medium (network). In the data processing method of the device, a determining step (steps (1) to (3) in FIG. 3) of determining whether there is an output resource capable of communicating with the information processing device via the predetermined communication medium;
An acquisition step (step (4) in FIG. 3) of acquiring the second resource information set from the output resource, and changing the first resource information based on the acquired second resource information. By executing the change step (steps (5) to (7) in FIG. 3), it is possible to automate the environment setting for obtaining the output intended by the information processing apparatus.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output unit (printing unit 17) for outputting output information input from an information processing apparatus (host computer 3000), and a first resource information set for the output unit. Storage means for storing (RAM 19
NVRAM area) and setting means (operation panel 1012) for setting the first resource information, and an output capable of communicating with the information processing device (host computer 3000) via a predetermined communication medium (network). A storage medium storing a computer-readable program including a data processing method of the apparatus, and determining whether there is an output resource capable of communicating with the information processing apparatus via the predetermined communication medium. Process (Step (1) in FIG. 3)
To (3)) and an acquisition step of acquiring the second resource information set from the output resource (step (4) in FIG. 3).
Based on the obtained second resource information,
Change step of changing the resource information (step (5) in FIG. 3)
To (7)) and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program. That is, a program code corresponding to the process shown in FIG. 3 is stored in an external storage medium or an internal storage resource described below,
From the storage medium storing the program code, the CPU 12
Is also included in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the data processing method of the output device according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (5) indicate each step, and correspond to the flow of processing when the setting operation is invalidated from the operation panel 1012 of the output device when the output device is connected to the network. The control procedure corresponding to each step is stored in the ROM 13.

First, in step (1), when an operation of changing the setting information of the output device from the operation panel 1012 of the output device is detected, it is determined in step (2) whether the output device is being connected to the network. If it is determined that the device is being connected to the network, the process proceeds to step (4), and the panel operation detected in step (1) corresponds to a preset setting information change prohibition item in a state of being connected to the network. In step (5), a process of ignoring the panel operation detected in step (1) is performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the output device is not connected to the network, and if it is determined in step (4) that the output device does not correspond to the change prohibition item of the setting information, the process proceeds to step ( In 3), the setting item is updated based on the operation from the operation panel 1012, and the process ends.

Thus, it is possible to construct an environment in which the setting from the operation panel 1012 is prohibited or enabled during the network connection.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between this embodiment and each step of the seventh and tenth aspects of the present invention and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is a determination step (step (2) in FIG. 4) for determining a connection state to the predetermined communication medium at the time of input from the setting means (step (1) in FIG. 4). Executing a processing step (steps (3) to (5) in FIG. 4) for invalidating or validating the setting from the setting means based on the determination result.
It is possible to reliably prevent the changed output environment from being changed carelessly.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a determining step (step (2) in FIG. 4) for determining a connection state to the predetermined communication medium at the time of input from the setting means (step (1) in FIG. 4). A storage medium storing a computer-readable program including a processing step (steps (3) to (5) in FIG. 4) for invalidating or validating the setting from the setting means based on the determination result. It is assumed that. That is, a program code corresponding to the process shown in FIG. 4 is stored in an external storage medium or an internal storage resource described later, and the storage medium storing the program code stores
A mode in which the PU 12 reads and executes the data is also included in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Third Embodiment] A logical printer generated by grouping printers connected on a network according to an arbitrary attribute as an output destination from a host computer with reference to FIGS. A process of transmitting output data to a unique printer when a print request is made using a name will be described.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining printer groups stored in the logical printer name table set in the external memory 11 shown in FIG.

As shown in this figure, the user of the host computer 3000 operates the keyboard 9 to select an arbitrary attribute type, for example, a print color “Color / Mono”,
Installation location “23F-A / 23F-B”, print resolution “6
00 dpi / 300 dpi ”and the printer status“ Read
y / Busy ", printing speed" 16ppm / 24pp
m ", paper size" A4 / A3 ", print format" double-sided / single-sided ", etc., and an arbitrary number of physical printer names are set in the lowest layer to form a group. Logical printer name G selectable for
P1 to GP3 are added and registered in the external memory 11 or the like.
Here, the optional attribute refers to an attribute that can be an option for uniquely selecting a printer that is most suitable for the output request destination from the user. Or information set in advance.

The user creates a group in advance according to the type of the above attribute, so that a hierarchical group is formed based on the information obtained from the printer when the printer is connected. Place the printer. And when creating a logical printer,
At the same time, attribute information for determining the priority is determined in advance.

It is assumed that the arbitrary attribute is set in advance by the user based on information that can be obtained from the printer, both the grouping attribute and the priority attribute.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the data processing method of the data processing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step, and use a logical printer name generated by grouping printers connected on a network according to an arbitrary attribute as an output destination from the host computer 3000. This corresponds to the flow of processing when transmitting output data to a unique printer when a print request is made. The control procedure corresponding to each step is stored in the ROM 3.

First, in step (1), when the CPU 1 detects a print request on the host computer 3000, it acquires the name of the printer selected as the output destination in step (2). Further, in step (3), logical printer names GP1 to GP1 generated by grouping the printer names acquired in step (2) according to arbitrary attributes are generated.
It is determined whether or not the printer is GP3. If it is determined that the printer is a logical printer name, the process proceeds to step (4), and it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of printers belonging to lower levels of the logical printer name. If it is determined in (4) that a plurality of printers belong, the attribute information of the logical printer name is acquired in step (5), and the plurality of printers are acquired based on the attribute information in step (6). , Select a printer with a high priority (for example, installation location or print color, which can be arbitrarily set by the user), and execute the processing from step (3) onward until it is determined that the printer name is an actual printer name on the network repeat.

On the other hand, if there is only one lower-level printer belonging to the logical printer name in step (4), the processing from step (3) is repeated for the lower-level printer.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the name is an actual printer name on the network, in step (7), the data requested to be printed is transmitted to the printer, and the processing is performed. To end.

Thus, for example, when the physical printers prnA, B
Will exist. Therefore, the physical printer prn
As information for selecting one of A and B, the installation location is added as a priority attribute to a two-layer printing speed group at one layer, so that the physical printer prnA is located closer to the user than the physical printer prnB. It is determined that the printer exists, and the physical printer prnA is selected. That is, an output device on the network can be uniquely selected from an external device such as a host computer.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the data processing method of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (9) indicate each step. When a new printer is connected to the network, the host computer 3000 sets the printer to a lower level than a logical printer generated according to an arbitrary attribute when a print request is issued. This corresponds to the flow of processing when registering as an output destination. The control procedure corresponding to each step is ROM
3 is stored.

First, in step (1), when it is detected that a new printer is connected on the network,
In step (2), a process for acquiring information about the printer from the new printer is performed. Further, in step (3), on the host computer 3000 that has detected the printer, the attribute information is acquired for a logical printer that is created by grouping printers already connected on the network according to an arbitrary attribute. I do.

Next, in step (4), it is determined whether or not the information on the newly connected printer acquired in step (2) matches the attribute information. If it is determined that the attribute information matches, the process further proceeds to step (5). It is determined whether a logical printer exists in the lower member of the matched logical printer. If it is determined that a logical printer exists in the lower member, the logical printer of the lower member is determined in step (6) in step (6). Is repeated.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (5) that the logical printer does not exist in the lower member, in step (7), the logical printer is newly connected as the lower member of the logical printer compared in step (4). The printer is additionally registered, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that they do not match, it is determined in step (8) whether another logical printer exists. If so, step (3) is performed for that logical printer. The subsequent processing is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (8) that there is no other theoretical printer, in step (9), the printer newly connected to the same level as the logical printer compared in step (4) is output. Register as
The process ends.

As a result, it is possible to manage the output device group hierarchized according to the attribute as a logical output resource.

Hereinafter, the third and fourth embodiments and the eighth and eleventh embodiments will be described.
Correspondence with each step of the invention and its operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

An eighth invention is a data processing method for an information processing device (host computer 3000) capable of communicating with a plurality of output devices via a predetermined communication medium (for example, a network such as Ethernet (trade name)). A detecting step for detecting an output device connected via a predetermined communication medium (step (1) in FIG. 7), and an obtaining step for obtaining resource information from the detected output device (step (2) in FIG. 7) And a registration step (steps (3) to (9) in FIG. 7) of registering an output device group capable of forming a group according to an arbitrary attribute in the obtained resource information as a logical output resource in a memory resource. ) And a selection step (steps (1) to (1) in FIG. 6) of selecting an output device by comparing a candidate output resource designated for predetermined output information with a candidate logical output resource. 6)) and a transmitting step of transmitting output information to the selected one of the output devices (step (7) in FIG. 6), and an optimal unique output selected from logical output resources It is possible to transmit output information to a device.

According to an eleventh aspect, a detecting step (step (1) in FIG. 7) for detecting an output device connected via a predetermined communication medium and an obtaining step for obtaining resource information from the detected output device (Step (2) in FIG. 7) and a registration step of registering a group of output devices capable of forming a group in accordance with an arbitrary attribute in the acquired resource information as a logical output resource in a memory resource (FIG. 7). Steps (3) to (9))
And a selecting step (step (1) to FIG. 6 to FIG. 6) of selecting an output device by comparing the output resource candidate destination designated for predetermined output information with the logical output resource candidate destination.
(6)) and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program, including a transmission step (step (7) in FIG. 6) of transmitting output information to the selected one of the output devices. Is what you do. That is, an embodiment in which the program code corresponding to the steps shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is stored in an external storage medium or an internal storage resource to be described later, and the CPU 1 reads out and executes the program code from the storage medium storing the program code is also provided by the present invention. This is included in the embodiment.

[Fifth Embodiment] As a fifth embodiment,
In the first embodiment, when there are a plurality of other output devices on the network, in step (4) of FIG. 3, a request for output device setting information is issued to the plurality of output devices. The setting information of the plurality of output devices requested in 4) may be compared with each other, and the setting information of the output device may be changed based on the comparison result.
If there is no other output device on the network in step (3) of FIG. 3, or if there is no response output device even if a request for setting information is made in step (5) of FIG. It may be configured to request the user who has selected the output device for setting information of the output device, or to add a process of requesting the setting information to an external device such as a host computer.

Thus, the setting information of the output devices on the network can be further unified.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the printing system according to the present invention.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, etc. is also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is stored in the storage medium. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. Also, a program for installing various programs on a computer, and a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed, may be stored in some cases.

The functions shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 in this embodiment may be executed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program code of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of a storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, and C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus constituted by a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading out a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

Further, by downloading and reading out a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a database on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can be
It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the judging means for judging whether or not an output device capable of communicating with the information processing device via the predetermined communication medium exists. When it is determined that the output device is present, the obtaining unit obtains the second resource information set from the output device, and the changing unit determines the first resource information based on the obtained second resource information. Since the resource information is changed and the first control means controls the output means based on the changed first resource information, the resource information of the connected output device is changed to the output information of the already connected output device. By automatically changing the information to match the resource information, it is possible to automate the environment setting for obtaining the intended output of the information processing apparatus.

[0091] According to the second invention, the determination means determines whether there is an output resource capable of communicating with the information processing apparatus via the predetermined communication medium when connecting to the predetermined communication medium. Therefore, the latest output resources connected to the communication medium can be grasped at an appropriate timing.

According to the third aspect, the second control means controls the setting from the setting means to be invalid or valid based on the result of the determination by the determination means for determining the connection state to the predetermined communication medium. While connected to the communication medium, it is possible to reliably prevent the changed output environment from being changed carelessly.

[0093] According to the fourth aspect, when the acquisition means acquires the resource information from the output device detected by the detection means detecting the output device connected via the predetermined communication medium, the acquired resource information is obtained. The registering means registers, as a logical output resource, an output device group capable of forming a group in accordance with an arbitrary attribute in the memory resource, and the selecting means registers an output resource designated for predetermined output information. When any one of the output devices is selected by comparing the candidate destination with the candidate of the logical output resource, a transmitting unit transmits output information to the selected one of the output devices. The output information can be transmitted to the most suitable unique output device.

According to the fifth aspect, the output device group includes:
Since the memory resources are registered so as to be hierarchized according to the attribute, the output device group hierarchized according to the attribute can be managed as a logical output resource.

According to the sixth invention, it is determined whether there is an output resource that can communicate with the information processing apparatus via the predetermined communication medium, and the second resource set from the output resource is determined. Since information is acquired and the first resource information is changed based on the acquired second resource information, it is possible to automate environment setting for obtaining an output intended by the information processing apparatus.

[0096] According to the seventh aspect, upon input from the setting means, the connection state to the predetermined communication medium is determined, and the setting from the setting means is disabled or enabled based on the determination result. While connected to the medium, it is possible to reliably prevent the changed output environment from being changed carelessly.

[0097] According to the eighth aspect, an output device connected via the predetermined communication medium is detected, resource information is obtained from the detected output device, and an arbitrary information in the obtained resource information is obtained. An output device group capable of forming a group in accordance with the attribute is registered as a logical output resource in the memory resource, and a candidate output resource designated for predetermined output information and a candidate logical output resource are defined. Matching and selecting one of the output devices and transmitting the output information to the selected one of the output devices, transmitting the output information to an optimal unique output device selected from logical output resources Can be.

According to the ninth aspect, it is determined whether there is an output resource capable of communicating with the information processing apparatus via the predetermined communication medium, and the second resource set from the output resource is determined. Information is acquired, and a process of changing the first resource information based on the acquired second resource information is stored as a program in a storage medium, so that the computer reads out the program stored in the storage medium and reads the program. By executing, it is possible to automate the environment setting for obtaining the output intended by the information processing apparatus.

According to the tenth aspect, at the time of input from the setting means, the connection state to the predetermined communication medium is determined, and the setting from the setting means is disabled or enabled based on the determination result. Is stored in the storage medium as a program, so that the computer reads and executes the program stored in the storage medium to ensure that the changed output environment is inadvertently changed while connected to the communication medium. Can be prevented.

According to the eleventh aspect, an output device connected via a predetermined communication medium is detected, resource information is obtained from the detected output device, and an optional attribute in the obtained resource information is obtained. A group of output devices capable of forming a group according to is registered as a logical output resource in a memory resource, and a candidate for an output resource specified for predetermined output information is compared with a candidate for the logical output resource. To select one of the output devices, and store the process of transmitting the output information to the selected one of the output devices in the storage medium as a program, so that the computer reads out the program stored in the storage medium. , The output information can be transmitted to the optimal unique output device selected from the logical output resources.

[0101]

As described above, according to the output device, the data processing method of the output device, and the storage medium storing the computer-readable program according to the present invention, the other device connected to the predetermined communication medium can be used. When it is determined that an output device exists, the second resource information set from the other output device is obtained, and the first resource information is changed based on the obtained second resource information. Since the output means is controlled based on the changed first resource information, the resource information of the connected output device is automatically changed so as to match the resource information of the already connected output device. In addition, it is possible to automate environment setting for obtaining an output intended by the information processing apparatus. According to the information processing apparatus, the data processing method of the information processing apparatus, and the storage medium storing the computer-readable program according to the present invention, the detection for detecting the output apparatus connected via the predetermined communication medium is performed. When the acquisition unit acquires the resource information from the output device detected by the unit, the registration unit registers the output device group capable of forming a group according to an arbitrary attribute in the acquired resource information as a logical output device to the memory resource. When the selection unit selects one of the output devices by comparing the candidate output device designated for the predetermined output information with the candidate logical output device, the selected device is selected. A transmitting unit transmits output information to any one of the output devices, acquires an attribute associated with a group of the registered output device group, and obtains an attribute of the output device group. If it is determined that there is a second output device group belonging to a lower hierarchy of the hierarchy corresponding to the loop, the attribute corresponding to the group of the second output device group is further acquired. The output information can be transmitted to an optimal unique output device selected from the devices, and the output device group hierarchized according to the attribute can be managed as a logical output device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an output device to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system to which the output system according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a data processing method of the output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the data processing method of the output device according to the present invention.

5 is a diagram illustrating a printer group stored in a logical printer name table set in an external memory shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a data processing method of the data processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of the data processing method of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the printing system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 12 CPU 13 ROM 19 RAM 1000 Printer 1012 Operation unit 3000 Host computer

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-7-325679 (JP, A) JP-A-5-324226 (JP, A) JP-A-7-121322 (JP, A) JP-A-7-325 319650 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/12

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] 1. An output device capable of communicating with an information processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the output device prints out output information input from the information processing device, and is set for the output device. The first in the output device
Storage means for storing the resource information of the above, a determination means for determining whether there is another output device connected to the predetermined communication medium , and a case where the determination means determines that the other output device exists. Acquiring means for acquiring second resource information set from the other output device; and changing the first resource information based on the second resource information acquired by the acquiring means. Means for controlling the output means based on the first resource information changed by the change means. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines whether there is an output device capable of communicating with the information processing device via the predetermined communication medium when connecting to the predetermined communication medium. The output device according to claim 1. 3. A setting unit for setting the first resource information; a judging unit for judging a connection state to the predetermined communication medium; and invalidating a setting from the setting unit based on a judgment result of the judging unit. The output device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second control unit configured to perform effective control. 4. An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of output devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the detection means detects an output device connected via the predetermined communication medium, and the detection means detects the output device. A first acquiring unit for acquiring resource information from the output device that has been obtained, and an output device group capable of forming a group according to an arbitrary attribute in the resource information acquired by the first acquiring unit.
Registration means for registering the memory resources to the hierarchy in response to the attribute as an apparatus, by matching the candidate destination of the candidate destination and said logic output device of the output device specified for a given output information Selection means for selecting one of the output devices; transmission means for transmitting output information to the one of the output devices selected by the selection means; and correspondence to a group of output device groups registered in the registration means
A second acquisition unit for acquiring the output attribute , and further below a layer corresponding to the group of the output device group.
To determine whether there is a second output device group belonging to the rank hierarchy
Determining means for determining, and if the determining means determines that there is a second output device group, the second obtaining means further obtains an attribute corresponding to the group of the second output device group. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit that selects a high-priority device from a group of a plurality of second output device groups based on the attribute information acquired by the second acquisition unit. Item 5. The information processing device according to item 4. 6. An output unit that prints out output information input from an information processing apparatus, a storage unit that stores first resource information set for the output unit, and stores the first resource information. Setting means for setting, and a data processing method of an output device capable of communicating with the information processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein it is determined whether there is another output device connected to the predetermined communication medium. a determination step, when said determining step determines that the other output devices exist, an acquisition step of acquiring second resource information set from the other output device, wherein the acquisition step acquires Based on the second resource information
Wherein the changing step of changing the first resource information, based on the first resource information changed by said changing step
And a first control step of controlling the output means . 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining step includes :
The information at the time of connection, via the front Symbol predetermined communication medium against
Determines whether there is an output device that can communicate with the processing unit.
Data processing method output device according to claim 6, characterized in that the constant. 8. A connection state with respect to the predetermined communication medium.
A discriminating step of discriminating, and the setting means based on the discrimination result of the discriminating step.
7. The output device according to claim 6, further comprising a second control step of controlling the setting to be invalid or effective .
Data processing method. 9. A plurality of output devices via a predetermined communication medium
Detecting an output device connected via the predetermined communication medium in the data processing method of the information processing device capable of communicating with the information processing device.
Detecting resource information from the output device detected by the detecting step.
A first acquisition step, and an optional attribute in the resource information acquired by the first acquisition step.
Logical output of output devices that can form groups according to their characteristics
Memory resources so that the device is hierarchized according to the attribute
A registration process for registering the output device, and a candidate output device designated for predetermined output information.
The output of any of the logical output devices is checked against the candidate destination.
A selecting step of selecting a device, and any one of the output devices selected in the selecting step
And transmitting the output information to the group of output device groups registered in the registration step.
A second acquisition step of acquiring the output attribute , and further below a hierarchy corresponding to the output device group.
To determine whether there is a second output device group belonging to the rank hierarchy
Determining that there is a second output device group in the determining step.
In the case, the second acquisition step is performed by the second output device group.
The feature is to further acquire the attribute corresponding to the group.
A data processing method for an information processing apparatus. 10. The attribute information obtained by said second obtaining step.
From the group of the plurality of second output device groups based on
It is characterized by having a selection step of selecting the one with the highest priority
The data processing method of the information processing apparatus according to claim 9,
Law. 11. The data according to claim 6, wherein
That the program that implements the data processing method is stored.
A computer-readable storage medium.