JP3490179B2 - Print system, server device, and processing method of server device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is a printing system which is connected to the network, processing of the server device and the server device
More specifically, the present invention relates to a processing method , a printing system including a printer device having a power save function , a server device, and
The present invention relates to a processing method of a server device .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a print system has been known in which a server device is connected to a network constructed by a plurality of workstations. This print system uses a server device to control data transfer to a printer device. Print data can be recorded and output from multiple workstations. In the following description, the workstation is simply called WS and the print data is also called data.

A printing system of this type is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 373434/1993.
In this print system, a server device registers data from a WS in a queue of queues, accumulates the data, and then transfers the data to a printer device according to a waiting order. The server device waits for data. Without
Moreover, when the printer device is not driven, the data is directly transferred to the printer device without being registered or stored in the queue. With this configuration, when the above conditions are met, the file creation for registering in the queue is eliminated, and the time from the sending of data to the end of recording and outputting is shortened.

[0004]

However, in recent printer devices, when there is no print operation for recording and outputting data even after a lapse of a certain period of time, the power supply to the heater of the engine section, which consumes a large amount of power, is low. A power save function that turns on or off is frequently used, and it is devised to suppress unnecessary power consumption by switching from the normal mode to the power save mode (hereinafter also simply referred to as save mode) when not operating. (For example, Ricoh's SP-10P). Then, after receiving the data transferred by the server device, the printer device starts warming up for warming the heater of the engine part, starts the normal mode, and then starts recording output.

That is, in the conventional print system, the server device simply transfers data.
When a printer having a power save function is used, there is a problem that it takes time to start recording and outputting data. This problem is caused by Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-273.
The same is true of the print system described in Japanese Patent No. 429, and even if the above conditions are met, it takes a time that cannot be compared with the transfer process until the normal mode is activated, and the effect is diminished.

In view of the above, the present invention reduces the waiting time until the start of recording output even in the save mode by causing the printer device to perform a start-up operation for switching to the normal mode before transfer of print data. The purpose is to shorten the time from the sending of print data to the recording output.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is connected to a network constructed by a plurality of workstations, and after registering print data from the workstations in a queue, in the print system comprising a server apparatus for transferring to the printer in accordance with order waits for the print data, to the server device, identifying means for identifying whether the printer apparatus is provided with a power saving function, by the identification means Power
-If it is identified as having a save function,
When the print data is registered in the queue,
Control to shift from word save mode to normal mode
A control means for transmitting a command to the printer is provided.

Further , the present invention is a printing system comprising a server device which is connected to a network constructed by a plurality of workstations and which transfers print data from the workstations to a printer device. device is provided with whether identifying means for identifying which comprises a power saving function, and detecting means for detecting that a login of the workstation, the power saving function by the detection means
If it is identified that the
At the same time detecting custody login
Control frame to shift from save mode to normal mode
In which it characterized in that a control means for transmitting the command to the printer.

Further , the present invention is a printing system including a server device which is connected to a network constructed by a plurality of workstations and transfers print data from the workstations to a printer device, wherein the server device is provided with the printer. apparatus and whether identifying means for identifying which comprises a power saving function, and detecting means for detecting that the logical session is established utilizing the printer between the workstation, before
It is recognized that the power saving function is provided by the detection means.
In the case of being separated, the detection means detects the session
At the same time as detecting the establishment, the power save mode
A control command to shift to the round mode is sent to the printer.
A control means for transmitting is provided. The present invention also allows multiple workstations to
The work that can be connected to the built network
Register the print data from the station in the queue
Then print the print data according to the queue.
In the server device transferring to the linter device, the printer
Identify whether the device has a power save function
And a power saving function by the identifying means.
If the print data is identified as having the print data,
At the same time that the
Control command to switch from normal mode to normal mode
And a control means for transmitting to the printer.
It The present invention also allows multiple workstations to
The work that can be connected to the built network
Register the print data from the station in the queue
Then print the print data according to the queue.
In the server device transferring to the linter device, the printer
Identify whether the device has a power save function
Identification means and login of the workstation.
Detection means for detecting that
If it is identified as having a word save function,
Log in to the workstation by the detection means.
At the same time as detecting,
To send control commands to the printer
And a control means for Also, the present invention
Is a net built by multiple workstations
It is possible to connect to the work and from the workstation
After registering the print data of
Data to the printer device according to the queue
In the server device, the printer device
And an identification means for identifying whether or not the
Make sure you have a logical session with your workstation.
By the detection means for detecting that it has been erected and the identification means,
When it is identified as having a power saving function
To detect the establishment of the session by the detecting means.
At the same time, from power save mode to normal mode
Control for transmitting control command to be transferred to the printer
And means. In addition, the present invention is
Network built with a number of workstations
It is possible to connect to the
After registering the print data in the queue,
Server that transfers the data to the printer device according to the queue.
In the processing method of the server device, the printer device is
-An identification step that identifies whether or not the
And the power saving function by the identification step
If the print data is
At the same time as registering in the queue, the power save mode
Control command to shift to normal mode from
It is characterized by comprising a control step of transmitting to the printer
It The present invention also allows multiple workstations to
The work that can be connected to the built network
Register the print data from the station in the queue
Then print the print data according to the queue.
In the processing method of the server device for transferring to the linter device,
Does the printer device have a power save function?
Identification step for identifying whether or not the workstation
Before the detection step to detect that there was a login
The power saving function is provided by the identification step.
If it is identified as
At the same time detecting custody login
Control frame to shift from save mode to normal mode
And a control step for sending the
It is characterized by The present invention also provides a plurality of work stations.
Can connect to the network built by
Waiting for print data from the workstation.
After registering in the queue, wait for the print data
Processing of server device that transfers to printer device according to queue
In the method, the printer device has a power saving function.
An identification step for identifying whether or not the
A logical session has been established with the
Detection step for detecting that
When it is identified as having a more power saving function
In addition, the establishment of the session is detected by the detecting step.
At the same time as issuing the
Send a control command to shift to the printer
And a control step.

Here, the work station means a device capable of sending at least print data to be recorded and output to a printer device, and may be configured to be capable of transmitting predetermined data between each other on a network. It may be.

[0011]

According to the present invention, when it is determined by the identifying means that the printer has the power saving function, the control command for changing the power save mode to the normal mode is transferred to the server before the print data is transferred to the printer. It is sent by the control means of the device. Therefore, even if the printer device is in the power save mode, the warm-up of the printer device is started before or during the registration of the print data in the queue by the server device, and there is no waiting time until the start of recording output by the printer device. , Or less.

Further , according to the present invention, when the printer device is connected, it is identified by the identification means that the printer device has the power saving function, and the presence of the login of the workstation is detected by the detection means. Then, the control means of the server device sends a control command for causing the printer device to shift from the power save mode to the normal mode. Therefore, the warm-up of the printer device is started before the server device receives the print data, and there is little or no waiting time until the start of recording output by the printer device.

Further , according to the present invention, it is identified by the identifying means that the printer device has a power saving function,
Further, when the detection means detects establishment of a logical session using the printer device with the workstation, the control means of the server device issues a control command for shifting the printer device from the power save mode to the normal mode. Sent out. Therefore, the warm-up of the printer device is started before the server device receives the print data, and there is little or no waiting time until the start of recording output by the printer device. At this time, since the establishment of the session using the printer device is detected, warming up of the printer device is not started during transmission of other than print data.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a printer system according to the present invention. First, the configuration of the printer system will be described. In FIG. 1, 11 is a server device,
11 is, for example, a local area network (LA) constructed by a plurality of workstations (WS) 21.
N) is connected to the connection medium 25, and the server device 11 is L
Print data is transmitted to and from the control unit 22 including the LAN driver of the WS 21 via the AN driver 12, and the received print data (hereinafter, also simply referred to as data) is transferred to the printer device 31 and recorded and output. It is like this.

The server device 11 has a queue 13 capable of registering and accumulating received data from the WS 21 in a queue and a queue of the received data by creating a file of the received data.
A server control unit 14 for registering in the queue of 23 and accumulating and then storing the received data to the printer device 31 in accordance with the waiting order, an operation panel 15 for input operation such as setting by the user, and an input from the operation panel 15. In accordance with a basic program stored based on the information sent together with the information or the received data, the respective parts are collectively controlled, and various processing programs of the present invention are executed to register, store and transfer the received data by the server control part 14. An overall control unit 16 for controlling is provided. The queue 13 is WS21.
It shows a disk area for registering / accumulating received data from, and may be formed in a memory provided in the server device 11 or may be configured by providing an external storage device, for example.
One of the registration and storage may be an internal memory and the other may be a storage device.

Further, the printer device 31 has a power save function for lowering the power supply to the heater of the engine part or cutting it off to reduce the power consumption when the print data is not sent after a lapse of a certain time. It is equipped with a heater that warms the heater when the print data is received after switching from the normal mode to the power save mode (hereinafter also simply referred to as the save mode) or when the warm-up command (control command) is received. After starting the mode, recording output is started.

Next, a first embodiment of the printer system according to the present invention will be described. In FIG. 1, the overall control unit 16 is
When connected to the LAN, the printer device
When the print data is received from WS21, the presence or absence of the power save function of 31 is identified and the presence of the power save function is identified, and the queue is queued by the server control unit 14 in the queue 13. Is executed and the warm-up command is sent to the printer device 31 to start the warm-up of the printer device 31 before transferring the received data after storage. That is, the overall control unit 16
Constitutes an identification means and a control means.

Therefore, when the printer device 31 is in the save mode after a certain time has passed from the previous print output, the server device 11 for the next print data from the WS 21 is shown in FIG. At the same time as registration / accumulation in the queue 13 by, the warming-up command sent is received and warming-up is started, and the normal mode is set during the time A during which the WS 21 is sending print data (recording output to the WS 21). Since the time B until the start-up has elapsed, the print mode can be recorded and output at any time by switching to the normal mode so that the server device 11 finishes the registration / accumulation of data and starts the transfer. Start. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, since the printer device 31 in the normal mode has not been warmed up for a certain period of time since the previous recording output, the registration / accumulation of data is completed and the transfer is started. The recording output is started at the same time.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, in the conventional print data recording and output when the printer device 31 is switched to the save mode, the print data sending time A from the WS 12 and the warming up of the printer device 31 are performed. The time required for adding the time B and the recording output time C by the printer device 31 was required.
It is possible to omit the warm-up time B of the above and set the print data sending time A and the recording output time C without being influenced by the mode. Further, even if the printer device 31 does not rise to the normal mode during the sending time A, the sending time A is omitted from the warm-up time B, so that the time is considerably shortened.

The presence or absence of the power saving function of the printer device 31 set in the overall control unit 16 is not limited to the input from the operation panel 15, but may be performed, for example, by remote setting via the LAN from the WS 21, or the printer device 31. Needless to say, when the interfaces with and are in the bidirectional direction, the function may be confirmed from the overall control unit 16 and automatically set, or another method may be used.

As the warm-up command, for example, "ESC W0" (save mode setting) and "ESC W0" defined as one of escape sequences are used.
C W1 "(release of save mode (warming up)) and PostS used with Adobe printer
In the script language or the like, an operator (meaning a command) corresponding to the escape sequence may be used.

As described above, in this embodiment, the printer device 31
When the general control unit 16 identifies that the printer controller 31 has the power save function, the warm-up command is sent before the print data is transferred to the printer device 31. When the printer device 31 is registered in the queue, the printer device 31 starts warming up and shifts to the normal mode even if it is in the save mode. Therefore, the waiting time from the transfer of data to the printer device 31 to the start of recording output is eliminated or shortened.

Next, a second embodiment of the printer system according to the present invention will be described. In FIG. 1, the overall control unit 16 is
In addition to the configuration of the first embodiment described above, when the WS 21 that uses the printer device 31 is registered in advance in a memory (not shown) and print data is recorded and output, login (so-called user authentication) is performed. Therefore, when the information requesting the login from the WS 21 is detected, the warm-up command is sent to the printer device 31 to start the warm-up of the printer device 31 in advance. That is, the overall control unit 16 also constitutes detection means.

Here, the processing of print data in the server device 11, the WS 21, and the printer device 31 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. <WS21> First, the WS21 initializes the information used for transmission control (step W11), sends the login information for connecting to the server device 11 (step W12), and the user authentication (login) is performed by the server device 11. After that, all the print data is sent (step W13) and the server device 11
To log out (step W14), and this process ends.

<Server Device 11> The server device 11 first receives (detects) the login information sent in step W12 of WS21 by the overall control unit 16 and authenticates the user (step S11), and then the printer. A warm-up command is sent to the device 31 (step S12) to cause the printer device 31 to start warm-up. Then, the print data sent in step W13 of WS21 is received (step S13), and the server control unit 14 registers the received data in the queue of the queue 13 and stores it. After that, after confirming the logout in step W14 of WS21 (step S14),
Received data registered / stored in the queue 13 is printed by the printer device 31.
(Step S15), and this process ends.

<Printer Device 31> The printer device 31 receives the warming-up command sent by the server device 11 in step S12 and starts warming-up of the engine unit (heater) (step P11) to switch to the normal mode. Then, the print data transferred in step S15 of the server device 11 is received, and the recording output is started in the state of being switched to the normal mode (step P12).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the printer device 31 of the first embodiment described above is simultaneously registered and stored with print data.
On the other hand, the warm-up command is sent to the printer device 31 when the general control unit 16 detects that the WS21 has logged in, whereas the server control unit 14 prints to the queue 13. Before registering the data in the queue, the printer device 31
Warming up is started. Therefore, the printer device 31 is switched to the normal mode at a timing earlier than that of the first embodiment. Further, since the warm-up command is sent to the printer device 31 before the WS 21 sends the print data, the warm-up command can be suitably applied even to a print system having no function of accumulating received data.

Next, a third embodiment of the printer system according to the present invention will be described. In FIG. 1, the server device 11 is W
Data other than print data (for example, file data) can be transmitted and processed between S21 and S21. In addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the overall control unit 16 transmits print data to be recorded and output. In order to do so, a logical session is established with the WS 21, and when the establishment of the session with the WS 21 is detected, a warm-up command is sent to the printer device 31 to start the warm-up of the printer device 31 in advance. Has become. That is, the overall control unit 16 of the present embodiment is
It is configured to detect the establishment of a session instead of the login of WS21 in the embodiment.

From this, the same steps as those in the above-described second embodiment are given the same number of steps, and the server device 11, WS2
1 and the print data processing in the printer device 31 will be briefly described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. <WS21> The WS21 first initializes step W11, establishes a session for transmitting print data with the server apparatus 11 (step W22), and then executes step W13.
After sending the print data in, the session with the server device 11 is disconnected (step W24), and this processing ends.

<Server Device 11> The server device 11 first sends a warming-up command to the printer device 31 in step S12 after the overall control unit 16 detects establishment of a session with the WS 21 (step S21). Warming up is started, and print data is registered and stored in step S13. Then, after confirming the disconnection of the session with the WS 21 (step S24), the received data registered / stored in the queue 13 at step S15 is transferred to the printer device 31 to start recording and outputting the print data.

As described above, in this embodiment, substantially the same operation and effect as those of the second embodiment can be obtained, and the warm-up command uses the printer device 31 for the W
Since the establishment of the session with S21 is detected and sent to the printer device 31, it can be suitably applied to a print system that also transmits data other than print data (for example, file data).

Needless to say, the above-described embodiment may be applied to the print system described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-273429 described in the prior art.

[0033]

According to the present invention, even if the printer device has the power save function, the control command for shifting the power save mode to the normal mode is sent to the printer device before transferring the print data. ,
When the print data is registered in the queue, warming up of the printer device can be started, and the time from sending the print data to recording output can be shortened.

Further, according to the present invention, even if the printer device has a power save function, when the workstation logs in, a control command for shifting from the power save mode to the normal mode is sent to the printer device. Therefore, the warm-up of the printer device can be started before the server device receives the print data, and the time from the transmission of the print data to the recording output can be shortened.

Further, according to the present invention, even when the printer device has the power save function, when the logical session using the printer device is established with the workstation, the power save mode is changed to the normal mode. Since the control command for shifting to the mode is sent to the printer device, the warm-up of the printer device can be started before the server device receives the print data, and the time from sending the print data to recording output can be shortened. . Even in a system in which the server device transmits data other than print data to and from the workstation, the printer device starts warming up when a session using the printer device is established, so that the printer device is wasted normally. Never switch to mode.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of a print system according to the present invention, and a connection diagram thereof.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the printing system according to the present invention, and an explanatory diagram for explaining the recording output from the power save mode.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating recording output from the normal mode.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a conventional print output for explaining the operation.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the print system according to the present invention, and is a flow chart for explaining the print output of the print data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the print system according to the present invention, and is a flow chart for explaining the print output of the print data.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Server device 13 cues 14 Server control unit 15 Operation panel 16 Overall control unit (identification means, control means, detection means) 21 workstation 31 Printer device

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A print provided with a server device, which is connected to a network constructed by a plurality of workstations, registers print data from the workstations in a queue, and transfers the print data to a printer device according to a waiting order. In the system, the server device includes an identification unit that identifies whether or not the printer device has a power save function, and a power save function by the identification unit.
The print data in the queue when identified
At the same time you register to
Send control command to switch to the printer
Printing system characterized by comprising a control means for. 2. A printing system comprising a server device which is connected to a network constructed by a plurality of workstations and transfers print data from the workstations to the printer device, wherein the server device saves power. and whether identifying means for identifying is a function, and detecting means for detecting that a login of said workstation and is provided with a power saving function by the detection means
If it is identified, the work unit is detected by the detecting means.
At the same time detecting the login of the
Control command to switch from normal mode to normal mode
Printing system characterized by comprising a control means for transmitting to said printer. 3. A printing system comprising a server device which is connected to a network constructed by a plurality of workstations and transfers print data from the workstations to the printer device, wherein the server device saves power by the printer device. and whether identifying means for identifying is a function, and detecting means for detecting that the logical session is established utilizing the printer between the workstations, the power saving function by the detection means If you have
If identified, the session is detected by the detection means.
At the same time that the establishment of
The control command for shifting to the normal mode is given to the printer.
Printing system characterized by comprising a control means for transmitting to. 4. Constructed by a plurality of workstations
It can be connected to a network
After registering the print data from the printer in the queue,
The print data is sent to the printer device according to the queue.
In the server device for transferring to the storage device, whether the printer device has a power save function
And an identification means for identifying whether or not the power saving function is provided by the identification means.
The print data in the queue when identified
At the same time you register to
Send control command to switch to the printer
A server device comprising: 5. Constructed by a plurality of workstations
It can be connected to a network
After registering the print data from the printer in the queue,
The print data is sent to the printer device according to the queue.
In the server device for transferring to the storage device, whether the printer device has a power save function
Identification means for identifying whether or not there is a login of the workstation
And a power saving function provided by the identifying means.
If it is identified, the work unit is detected by the detecting means.
At the same time detecting the login of the
Control command to switch from normal mode to normal mode
Control means for transmitting to the printer.
Server device. 6. Constructed by a plurality of workstations
It can be connected to a network
After registering the print data from the printer in the queue,
The print data is sent to the printer device according to the queue.
In the server device for transferring to the storage device, whether the printer device has a power save function
A logical session is established between the identification means for identifying whether or not the workstation and the workstation.
And a detection means for detecting establishment and a power saving function by the identification means.
If identified, the session is detected by the detection means.
At the same time that the establishment of
The control command for shifting to the normal mode is given to the printer.
And a control means for transmitting to the server
apparatus. 7. Built by a plurality of workstations
It can be connected to a network
After registering the print data from the printer in the queue,
The print data is sent to the printer device according to the queue.
In the processing method of the server device for transferring to the storage device, is the printer device provided with a power save function?
And an identifying step for identifying whether or not the power saving function is provided by the identifying step.
If the print data is
At the same time as registering in the line,
A control command to shift to the round mode is sent to the printer.
And a control step for transmitting.
The processing method of the device. 8. Built by a plurality of workstations
It can be connected to a network
After registering the print data from the printer in the queue,
The print data is sent to the printer device according to the queue.
In the processing method of the server device for transferring to the storage device, is the printer device provided with a power save function?
Identification step to identify whether or not there was login of the workstation
The power saving function is provided by the detecting step and the identifying step.
If it is identified as the
At the same time it detects the workstation login.
-The control command to shift from save mode to normal mode
And a control step for transmitting a command to the printer.
A processing method of a server device characterized by the above. 9. Built by a plurality of workstations
It can be connected to a network
After registering the print data from the printer in the queue,
The print data is sent to the printer device according to the queue.
In the processing method of the server device for transferring to the storage device, is the printer device provided with a power save function?
And an identification step for identifying whether or not a logical session is established between the workstation.
The power saving function is provided by the detection step of detecting the establishment and the identification step.
If it is identified as
At the same time that the establishment of a
Control command to switch from normal mode to normal mode
And a control step for transmitting to the printer.
The processing method of the server device.