JP3428277B2 - Transmission / reception system, output device and transmission / reception method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal device for inputting image data and a plurality of output devices for outputting image data, which are connected to each other, and the image data input by the terminal device is output by the output device. configured receiving system as an output apparatus used in this reception system, and a transceiver used in this transceiver system
It is about the method .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a transmission / reception system, for example, a terminal device such as a workstation or a personal computer and a plurality of output devices such as a printer device are connected to each other via a local area network (LAN) or the like. What has been done is known. In such a transmission / reception system, when image data is input to the terminal device, the output device outputs the image data to a recording medium such as a recording sheet.

By the way, in this transmission / reception system,
When there is an output request for requesting output of image data from the terminal device, the output device outputs image data according to the output request. However, since a plurality of output devices are connected to the LAN, the terminal device selects an output device that executes image data output from the plurality of output devices according to the operation of the operator (operator), for example. , An output request is issued to the output device. Therefore, in this transmission / reception system,
Output requests may be concentrated on a specific output device among multiple output devices. In this case, even if other output devices are in a waiting state, output of image data is completed. Spends a lot of time on.

Therefore, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-23316
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8 discloses a method in which an output device calculates a predicted output end time for an output request from a terminal device and notifies the calculation result to the terminal device on the network.
According to the system using this method, when the terminal device issues the output request, the output that can end the output earliest among the plurality of output devices based on the calculation result of the expected output end time. The device can be selected.

[0005]

However, in the system using the method disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-233168, the output device that can finish the output earliest among the plurality of output devices is selected. In doing so, the selection is made based on the calculation result of the expected output end time, so that the correct selection is not always made. That is, if there is a large difference between the expected output end time and the actual output end time due to a trouble such as paper jam or paper shortage, the output device that finishes the output earliest cannot be selected. Therefore, in this case, wasteful time is spent from when the operator makes an output request at the terminal device until the output at the output device ends, resulting in inefficiency.

Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to reliably select the output device capable of outputting the earliest output among the plurality of output devices, and to transmit / receive the image data efficiently. , An output device used in this transmission / reception system, and this transmission / reception system
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a transmission / reception method used in the above.

[0007]

The present invention has been devised in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, and a terminal device for inputting image data and an image data input by the terminal device for receiving the image data. Is a transmission / reception system in which a plurality of output devices for outputting are output to the terminal device, and an output request for transmitting an output request for requesting output of the image data to the plurality of output devices. Means are provided,
In each of the plurality of output devices, output request management means for accumulating the output request when the output request transmitted from the terminal device is received, and image data among the image data stored in the output request management means. When there is an output request that enables output, a cancellation request for canceling the output request that is the same as this output request and sent to another output device among the plurality of output devices is sent to the other output device. And a request deletion unit for deleting the output request corresponding to the cancellation request from among the output requests stored in the output request management unit when the cancellation request is received from the other output device. It is characterized by that.

According to the transmission / reception system configured as described above, when the image data is output, the output requesting means of the terminal device transmits the output request to the plurality of output devices. At this time, in each of the plurality of output devices, the output request management means accumulates the output request from the terminal device, and if there is an output request capable of outputting the image data, the cancellation requesting means will output the other output device. A cancel request for canceling the output request is transmitted to the output device. Further, when the cancellation request is received from another output device, the request deletion unit deletes the output request corresponding to the cancellation request from the output requests stored in the output request management unit. That is, in this transmission / reception system, the output device that outputs the image data earliest in response to the output request from the terminal device cancels the output request transmitted to the other output device among the plurality of output devices.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A transmitting / receiving system according to the present invention, an output device used in the transmitting / receiving system , and a transmitting / receiving system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings .
The transmission / reception method performed will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a transmission / reception system of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a terminal device and an output device used in the transmission / reception system of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the transmission / reception system of the present embodiment has a plurality of terminal devices 10, 10a, 10b, such as workstations and personal computers.
10c and a plurality of output devices 20, 20a, 20b, 20c, etc., including printer devices having a server function, are connected to each other via a LAN 30. That is, in this transmission / reception system, when the operator inputs image data into the terminal devices 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, ..., The image data is output to the output devices 20, 20a, 2 and 2.
0b, 20c ... Are configured to output to a recording medium.

In such a transmission / reception system, the terminal devices 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, ... Are each provided with an operating unit 11 including a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), etc., as shown in FIG. Data storage unit 1 including a display unit 12 and a hard disk device.
3 and output device management file 14, and LAN interface (hereinafter, interface is abbreviated as I / F) 15
And a control unit 16 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like.

The terminal devices 10, 10a having the above-mentioned configuration
In 10b, 10c ..., for example, the operator operates the operation unit 11
When the image data is input using the display unit 12, the image data is temporarily stored in the data storage unit 13 (spool).
After that, the control unit 16 sends the image data to the LAN-I /
Output device 20, 20a, 20b, 20c via F15
It is designed to be sent to ... At this time, the operation unit 11
Then, an output instruction is given by the operator. The output instruction is a user interface as shown in FIG.
/ I). That is, the operator operates the output devices 20, 20a, 20b, 2 on the LAN 30.
0c ... is the fastest output device that outputs image data (hereinafter referred to as automatic selection), or the output device 20, 20a, 2 designated by the operator.
The operation unit 11 designates whether to output image data at 0b, 20c, ... (Hereinafter, referred to as designated output) while observing the display on the display unit 12.

When the automatic selection is designated, the control section 16
Referring to the table shown in FIG. 4 stored in the output device management file 14, output requests for outputting image data to the output devices 20, 20a, 20b, 20c, ... LA)
It transmits via N-I / F15. That is, the control unit 1
6 is a plurality of output devices 20, 20a, 2 on the LAN 30.
The job is transmitted to 0b, 20c ... When the designated output is designated, the control unit 16 sends the job to the designated output device among the output devices 20, 20a, 20b, 20c ... On the LAN 30. That is, the control unit 16 controls the output devices 20, 20a, 2 on the LAN 30.
The job is transmitted to at least one of 0b, 20c, ...

That is, the control section 16 has a function as the output requesting means 16a, as shown in FIG. The control unit 16 uses a ROM (Read Only Me) not shown.
By operating in accordance with the program stored in mory), the function as the output requesting means 16a is fulfilled.

On the other hand, in this transmission / reception system, the output devices 20, 20a, 20b, 20c ... Are respectively provided with a LAN-I / F 21 and a RAM (Rand) as shown in FIG.
a job management unit 22 including an om access memory), a data storage unit 23 including a hard disk device, an image recording unit 24 including a printer engine, and a control unit 25 including a CPU.

The LAN-I / F 21 is for communicating with the terminal devices 10, 10a, 10b, 10c ... On the LAN 30 and other output devices 20a, 20b, 20c. Is for receiving a job, image data, or a cancellation request described later. When the LAN-I / F 21 receives a job, the job management unit 22 temporarily stores the job according to an instruction from the control unit 25. That is, the job management unit 22 has a function as output request management means, as shown in FIG.

Here, the job management unit 22 will be described in detail. The job management unit 22 stores a system table 41 as shown in FIG. The system table 41 includes a system status indicating what the output device 20 is currently in, an input error status indicating whether a trouble such as a paper jam or a paper shortage has occurred, and an output error status indicating the output status. Device 2
Configuration showing 0 output capability (Configrati
on) and the management data address necessary for managing the job are held.

The management data address is the terminal device 10, 1.
Control unit 2 for jobs from 0a, 10b, 10c ...
Process table 4 showing the status of 5
2 and a job table (Jo
b Table) 43. In the process table 42,
A reception unit status, an input status, and an output status indicating what kind of processing the control unit 25 is performing are held. Further, the job table 43 holds the number of reserved jobs, the number of executed jobs, the reserved job queue, and the executed job queue.

The reserved job queue and the execution job queue in the job table 43 are the terminal devices 10 and 10.
It is a processing queue that stores jobs from a, 10b, 10c ... In the state of a job ticket (job-ticket) 44. However, in the reserved job queue, the terminal device 1
A job ticket 44 related to a job to be output from among those received from 0, 10a, 10b, 10c, ... Is stored, and a job ticket 44 related to a job being output is stored in the execution job queue. The number of reserved jobs and the number of executed jobs indicate the number of job tickets 44 stored in the reserved job queue and the executed job queue, respectively.

The job ticket 44 stored in the reserved job queue and the execution job queue is "job ID".
, "Job type", and other terminal devices 10, 10
It stores information necessary for managing jobs from a, 10b, 10c, .... For example, in the “automatic selection / designation” in the job ticket 44, whether the automatic selection is designated or the designated output is designated for the job in the terminal device 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, ... Information indicating whether or not it is stored.
Further, for example, when automatic selection is designated for a job, the “output device information” in the job ticket 44 includes the output devices 20, 20a, 2 to which the job is transmitted.
A list of 0b, 20c ... Is stored.

Further, in FIG. 2, the data storage unit 23 is
The LAN-I / F 21 uses the terminal devices 10, 10a, 10b,
When the image data from 10c ... Is received, the image data is temporarily stored (spooled). The image recording unit 24 stores the image data stored in the data storage unit 23,
The image is output to a recording medium as a visible image using an electrophotographic method or the like.

The control unit 25 controls the above-mentioned units and the entire output device 20. That is, the control unit 25 refers to the system table 41 of the job management unit 22 to determine whether the output of the image data in the image recording unit 24 is disabled due to a trouble such as a paper jam or a paper shortage. Alternatively, by referring to the job table 43 of the job management unit 22, the job to be executed by the image recording unit 24 to output the image data is determined from the jobs stored in the job management unit 22. Has become. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 25 has functions as a cancellation requesting unit 25a, a request deleting unit 25b, an output request transferring unit 25c, and an output notifying unit 25d. The control unit 25 operates according to a program stored in a ROM (not shown) so as to fulfill the functions of these means.

The cancellation requesting means 25a is used by the job management unit 2
If there is a job determined to execute the output of the image data among the jobs stored in No. 2, the cancel request for canceling the output request is issued to the other output devices 20, 20a, 20b, 20c on the LAN 30. To ... LAN-I / F21
Is to be sent via. The request deleting means 25b
Other output devices 20, 20a, 20b, 2 on the LAN 30
When the LAN-I / F 21 receives the cancellation request from the job management unit 0c ..., the job corresponding to the cancellation request is deleted from the jobs stored in the job management unit 22.

The output request transfer means 25c receives the job received by the LAN-I / F 21 on the LAN 30 when the image recording unit 24 cannot output the image data due to a trouble such as a paper jam or a paper shortage. Other output device 20
a, 20b, 20c ... The output notification means 25d is a job in which the output of the image data in the image recording unit 24 is not disabled, and the job stored in the job management unit 22 is determined to execute the output of the image data. If there is, the terminal device 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, ... Which has transmitted the determined job is notified to that effect.

Next, an example of image data output operation in the transmission / reception system configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In this transmission / reception system, when an operator operates a window panel (see FIG. 3) on the terminal device 10 in order to output image data input by the terminal device 10, for example, an output instruction is given (step 10
1 and the following steps are abbreviated as S), the terminal device 10
The input image data is temporarily spooled in the data storage unit 13, and a job for outputting the image data is transmitted to the output devices 20, 20a, 20b, 20c ... (S102). However, when automatic selection is designated by the terminal device 10 at this time, the terminal device 10 outputs the output device 20, 20a, 20b, 20c registered in the table (see FIG. 4) in the output device management file 14. Submit the job to ... When the designated output is designated, the terminal device 10 causes the designated output device 20, 20a, 20b,
20c ... Send the job to.

At this time, each output device 2 on the LAN 30
0, 20a, 20b, 20c ... In the terminal devices 10, 1
0a, 10b, 10c ... Or a waiting state for jobs from other output devices 20, 20a, 20b, 20c ... On the LAN 30 (S103). Here, for example, in the output device 20, when the job transmitted from the terminal device 10 is received, the control unit 25 refers to the system table 41 of the job management unit 22 and refers to the output device 20 such as paper jam or paper shortage. It is determined whether or not image data cannot be output due to a trouble (S104).

When the control unit 25 determines that the output is impossible and the received job is the automatic selection designation, the control unit 25 does nothing. In this case, since the job has been transmitted to the other output devices 20a, 20b, 20c ..., The output is performed by the other output devices 20a, 20b, 20c. Further, when the control unit 25 determines that the output is impossible and the received job is the designated output, that is, the output device 20 is designated, the output request transfer means 25c of the control unit 25 receives the output. The job is transferred to the other output devices 20a, 20b, 20c ... (S105). Then, the output device 20 returns to the job waiting state again.

On the other hand, when the control unit 25 determines that the paper is not jammed or out of paper and the output is not possible, the output device 20 stores the jobs received by the job management unit 22, that is, the reserved job queue. Queuing is performed (S106). Here, the request deletion unit 25b of the control unit 25 determines whether or not there is a cancellation request from the other output devices 20a, 20b, 20c ... (S107), and if there is a cancellation request, it is stored in the job management unit 22. The job corresponding to the cancellation request is deleted from the existing jobs (S1).
08). Then, the output device 20 returns to the job waiting state again.

If there is no cancellation request, the control unit 25 subsequently determines whether or not the image recording unit 24 is in a state capable of outputting image data (S109). Then, if it is not in a possible state, it returns to the job waiting state again. When the image recording unit 24 is ready to output the image data, the control unit 25 refers to the job table 43 of the job management unit 22 and selects the image data from the jobs stored in the job management unit 22. Determine the job to output. Then, the cancellation requesting means 25a of the control unit 25 sends a cancellation request for the determined job to the other output devices 20a, 2a.
0b, 20c ... (S110). However, which output device 20a, 20b, 20c, ... Is to be transmitted with the output cancellation request is determined by referring to the “output device information” in the job ticket 44 regarding the determined job.

Further, when the job to output the image data is decided, the output notifying means 25d of the control section 25 becomes ready to output the image data to the terminal device 10 which has transmitted the decided job. (S11)
1). When the notification from the output device 20, that is, the output OK of the image data is notified, in the terminal device 10, the display unit 1
2 displays information such as the name of the output device that is enabled to output based on the notification (S112), and the data storage unit 1
The image data stored in 3 is transmitted to the output device 20 (S113). Then, in the output device 20, the terminal device 1
After the image data from 0 is temporarily stored in the data storage unit 23, the image recording unit 24 outputs it as a visible image on the recording medium.

As described above, in the transmission / reception system of this embodiment, the terminal devices 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, ... Execute one job as a plurality of output devices 20, 20a, 20b, 2
0c ... and the output device that outputs the image data for the one job earliest among the plurality of output devices 20, 20a, 20b, 20c ... Is the other output device. The one job sent is canceled. Therefore, in this transmission / reception system, the output of the image data is output to the plurality of output devices 20, 2
0a, 20b, 20c ... Is performed by the output device capable of outputting the earliest. That is, the output device capable of outputting the image data earliest among the plurality of output devices 20, 20a, 20b, 20c ... Can be reliably selected, and the terminal devices 10, 10a, 10b, 10 can be selected.
It is possible to efficiently output the image data as a result without wasting time from when the job is issued by c to the end of the output of the image data.

Further, in the transmission / reception system of this embodiment, the terminal devices 10, 10a, 10b, 10c ... Send jobs to at least one output device 20, 20a, 20b, 20c. If at least one of the output devices 20, 2
0a, 20b, 20c ... Can not output image data due to trouble such as paper jam or paper out, but the transmitted job is another output device 20, 20a, 20b, 20c ... To be transferred to. Therefore, in this transmission / reception system, the output device capable of outputting the image data earliest among the plurality of output devices 20, 20a, 20b, 20c ... Can be reliably selected.

In addition, the output devices 20 and 20 of the present embodiment
a, 20b, 20c, ..., The job management unit 22 uses the terminal devices 10, 10a, 10b, 10c ,.
When the jobs from 20a, 20b, 20c, ... Are accumulated and the image data can be output among them, the cancellation requesting means 25a of the control unit 25 causes the other output devices 20, 20a, 20b ,. 20c ... Sending a cancellation request to the other output devices 20, 20a, 20
When there is a cancellation request from b, 20c ..., The request deletion means 25b of the control unit 25 deletes the job corresponding to the cancellation request from the job management unit 22. Therefore, this output device 20, 20a, 20b, 20c
Are used in a transmission / reception system in which the terminal devices 10, 10a, 10b, 10c ... And the output devices 20, 20a, 20b, 20c ... Are connected to each other.
Image data can be output by an output device capable of outputting image data earliest among 0, 20a, 20b, 20c, ....

Furthermore, the output devices 20 and 2 of the present embodiment
0a, 20b, 20c ... Are terminal devices 10, 10a, 1
If the image data cannot be output for the jobs from 0b, 10c, ..., The output request transfer means 25c of the control unit 25 sends the transmitted job to the other output devices 20, 20a, 20.
b, 20c ... Therefore, the output devices 20, 20a, 20b, 20c ...
Terminal device 10, 10a, 10b, 10c ... and output device 2
When used in a transmission / reception system in which 0, 20a, 20b, 20c, ... Are connected to each other, a plurality of output devices 2 can be used even if a trouble occurs or an operator makes a mistake in designation.
Image data can be output by an output device capable of outputting image data earliest among 0, 20a, 20b, 20c, ....

In the above embodiment, the case where the output device is a printer device has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the output device is, for example, a facsimile server device. Is also applicable. Here, an embodiment of a transmission / reception system when the output device is a facsimile server device will be described with reference to FIG.

This transmission / reception system, as shown in FIG. 7, includes a plurality of terminal devices 1 including workstations and the like.
0, 10a, ..., and a facsimile server device (hereinafter abbreviated as FAX / S) that functions as an output device in the present invention.
20d, 20e, 20f, ... Are connected to each other via the LAN 30. In addition, FAX / S20d, 20
The e, 20f, ... Are connected to fax machines (hereinafter abbreviated as FAX) 51, 52, 53, ... Via a public telephone line network 50. In addition, FAX / S20d, 20e, 20
f are for transmitting image data from the terminal devices 10, 10a on the LAN 30 to the faxes 51, 52, 53 on the public telephone line network 50.

In the transmission / reception system configured as described above, for example, when the terminal device 10 tries to transmit the image data to the FAX 51 earliest, the terminal device 10 transmits the image data to the FAX / S 20d, 20e, 20f. Submit a job requesting to send the. Terminal device 1
If there is a job from 0, FAX / S 20d, 20e,
20f ... is the FAX 51 designated by the job
A request for image data transmission is made to. And FAX
In / S20d, 20e, 20f, etc., when the transmission of the image data to the FAX 51 is OK, the terminal device 10 is notified that the image data can be transmitted, and the transmission from the terminal device 10 to the FAX 51 is performed. Send image data. Here, for example, when the FAX / S20d can transmit the image data to the FAX 51 earliest, the LAN30 is used in the FAX / S20d.
A job cancellation request is transmitted to the other FAX / S 20e, 20f ... Above. And other FAX / S20e, 20
At f ..., the job from the terminal device 10 is deleted in accordance with the cancellation request.

In the transmission / reception system configured as described above, when FAX / S20d is designated in the terminal device 10 when image data is transmitted from the terminal device 10 to the FAX 52, the FAX / S20 is specified.
In d, a transmission request for image data is transmitted from the terminal device 10 as a job. At this time, if the image data cannot be transmitted to the FAX 52 due to some trouble or the like, the FAX 52
/ S20d is another FAX / S20e on the LAN 30,
The job from the terminal device 10 is transferred to 20f. Here, when the FAX / S20e becomes able to transmit image data to the FAX 52 first, this FAX
The X / S 20e requests the FAX / S 20f ... To cancel the job, and further notifies the terminal device 10 that the image data can be transmitted. Also, FA
FAX / S2 that received the cancellation request from X / S20e
0f ... Deletes the job. And the terminal device 10
Image data from the
It is transmitted to X52.

As described above, according to the present invention, the output device is FA
Even with the X / S 20d, 20e, 20f, ..., It is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment (when the output device is a printer device).

[0041]

As described above, in the transmission / reception system , the output device and the transmission / reception method of the present invention, the terminal device transmits the output request to the plurality of output devices and the output request is transmitted among the plurality of output devices. The output device that outputs the image data earliest in response to the output request cancels the output request transmitted to the other output device. Therefore, according to the present invention, the output of the image data is performed by the output device capable of outputting the earliest of the plurality of output devices. That is, it is possible to reliably select the output device capable of outputting the image data earliest among the plurality of output devices, and it is possible to output the image data after the terminal device issues the output request. There is an effect that wasteful time is not spent and, as a result, efficient image data output can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an example of an embodiment of a transmission / reception system according to the present invention.

2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a terminal device and an output device used in the transmission / reception system of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing U / I when performing an output instruction in the terminal device of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a table stored in an output device management file.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a system table stored in a job management unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of image data output operation in the transmission / reception system of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of another embodiment of a transmission / reception system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 10a, 10b, 10c Terminal device 16a Output requesting means 20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20
f output device 22 output request management means (job management section) 25a cancellation request means 25b request deletion means 25c output request transfer means

Claims (12)

(57) [Claims] 1. A transmission / reception system in which a terminal device for inputting image data and a plurality of output devices for receiving and outputting the image data input by the terminal device are connected to each other. Is provided with output request means for transmitting an output request for requesting output of the image data to the plurality of output devices, and each of the plurality of output devices is transmitted from the terminal device. If there is an output request management means for accumulating the output request when the output request is received and an output request capable of outputting image data among the output request management means, the output request management means is the same as the output request. Cancellation request means for sending to the other output device a cancellation request for canceling the output request transmitted to the other output device of the plurality of output devices; and the cancellation request from the other output device. And upon receiving the request, transmitting and receiving system, characterized in that a request deleting means for deleting output request corresponding to said mounting off request from those stored in the output request management unit is provided. 2. Is the cancellation request means the terminal device?
Stores the list of output devices to which the output request was sent
The cancellation request may be sent based on the output device information.
The transmitting / receiving system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The output device is a sender of the output request.
That the image data can be output to the terminal device of
Equipped with output notification means to know, The terminal device can output image data from the output device.
When there is a notification that it is enabled,
Equipped with transmission means for transmitting image data Characterized by
The transmission / reception system according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The terminal device includes the plurality of output devices.
Output the image data with the fastest output device
Force automatic selection and operation among the multiple output devices
The finger that outputs the image data on the output device specified by the data
Operation means for specifying either constant output or
And In the output request means, automatic selection is designated by the operation means.
Output request to the plurality of output devices
To send 4. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein
Sending and receiving system. 5. A terminal device for inputting image data, a one of said output devices in a transmitting and receiving system and a plurality of output devices are connected to each other to output the image data input in the terminal device When an output request for requesting output of the image data is transmitted from the terminal device, an output request management unit that receives the output request and stores the output request, and an output request management unit that stores the output request When there is an output request capable of outputting the image data, a cancel request for canceling the output request that is the same as the output request and transmitted to another output device in the transmission / reception system is sent to the other output device. When receiving the cancellation request from the cancellation request means for transmitting to the cancellation request means and another output device in the transmission / reception system, an output request corresponding to the cancellation request is stored in the output request management means. Output apparatus characterized by comprising an output request deleting means for deleting from that is. 6. Is the cancellation request means the terminal device?
Stores the list of output devices to which the output request was sent
The cancellation request may be sent based on the output device information.
The output device according to claim 5, wherein 7. Image to the terminal device of the sender of the output request
Output notification hand to notify that data can be output.
A stage, and the terminal device is provided after the notification by the output notification means.
Is configured to receive image data from the
The output device according to claim 5, which is a characteristic of the output device. 8. In the terminal device,
Image data output with the fastest output device
Automatic selection and operating among the plurality of output devices.
Designation to output image data with the output device designated by
Equipped with operation means for specifying either output or
If automatic selection is specified by the operating method,
The cancellation requesting means and the output request deleting means function.
7. The structure according to claim 5, 6 or
7. The output device according to 7. 9. A transmission / reception method used between a terminal device for inputting image data and a plurality of output devices connected via a network for receiving and outputting image data input by the terminal device. An output request step of transmitting an output request for requesting output of the image data from the terminal device to the plurality of output devices; and, in the plurality of output devices, transmitted from the terminal device. When the output request is received, the output request is accumulated, and when the output request can be output, a cancellation request for canceling the output request is sent to another output device to which the output request is transmitted in the output request step. And a cancellation requesting step for transmitting. 10. In the cancellation request step, the end
List of output devices to which the output request was sent from the end device.
The cancellation request is sent based on the output device information stored.
10. The transmission / reception method according to claim 9, wherein the transmission / reception is performed. 11. The output device transmits the output request
The fact that image data can be output to the original terminal device
Output notification step to notify, The terminal device can output image data from the output device.
When there is a notification that it is enabled,
A sending step for sending image data Characterized by including
The transmission / reception method according to claim 9 or 10. 12. The method according to claim 12, In the terminal device, the plurality of output devices
Of the image data with the output device that can output the fastest
Automatic selection for output and operation among the output devices
Output the image data with the output device specified by the converter
If you include an operation step that specifies either the specified output
Together In the output request step, automatic selection is performed in the operation step.
The output request is output to the plurality of output
Send to device 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein
Or the transmission / reception method according to item 11.