JP3779493B2 - Printer selection apparatus, printer selection method, and information storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer selection device, a printer selection method, and an information storage medium for selecting a printer candidate suitable for a user from a plurality of printer groups.
[0002]
Here, the printer selection device can be applied to a printer system including a controller device such as a color printer, a printer server, a printer driver or software installed in a computer.
[0003]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, with respect to an image forming system or a printing system, the cost for printing is calculated, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-6-227006, JP-A-7-181850, JP-A-8-241019, etc. Has been proposed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in today's office environment, it is becoming common sense to share and use a plurality of printers having different printing methods and performances via a network. In many cases, a printer is selected in consideration of the above.
[0005]
However, in the above-mentioned publications, etc., the purpose is to calculate the cost of printing itself. In the current state of the art, in the environment where different types of printers are mixed as described above, there is a method for selecting a printer in consideration of the printing cost. No measures are disclosed, and there is no situation where a printer suitable for the user can be easily selected.
[0006]
Accordingly, the present invention provides a printer selection device, a printer selection method, and an information storage medium that can select a suitable printer candidate that meets the user's expectations from the cost of printing under a situation where a plurality of printer groups are provided. The purpose is to do.
[0007]
In addition, a printer selection apparatus and a printer selection method that can estimate the printing cost of each printer in a short time to achieve the above object are provided.
[0008]
Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, there is provided a printer selection device capable of accurately estimating costs for various print data.
[0009]
Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, a printer selection device is provided that can absorb even when the costs vary.
[0010]
Furthermore, a printer selection device, a printer selection method, and an information storage medium capable of calculating the cost as a value having a certain range even when the cost cannot be uniquely determined due to a factor such as an error in achieving the above object. I will provide a.
[0011]
In order to achieve the above object, there are provided a printer selection device, a printer selection method, and an information storage medium capable of accurately calculating costs even if the engine system of the printer is different.
[0012]
Similarly, to achieve the above object, there are provided a printer selection device, a printer selection method, and an information storage medium capable of accurately calculating costs even if the output modes of the printer are different.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The invention according to claim 1 is a printer selection apparatus for selecting a printer candidate for executing printing from among a plurality of printer groups.A primary extraction processing unit that reads a printing condition including an inputted printing cost condition and performs a primary extraction of the printer that meets a printing condition other than the printing cost condition, and cost data including at least a printing medium cost and an ink cost And storage means for storing, and for each printer primarily extracted by the primary extraction processing unit, based on the cost data stored in the storage means,When printing using each printerprintingCost estimation means for estimating the cost, and estimation results by this cost estimation meansPrinters that meet the printing cost conditions as candidate printersSelecting means for selecting.
[0014]
Therefore, even in a situation where a plurality of printer groups are provided, a printer that is suitable for the user's expectation in terms of printing cost can be obtained by estimating the cost when printing using each printer and using the estimation result. Can be selected.
[0015]
  The operation and effect of the invention according to claim 1 is as follows.5It can also be obtained by the invention of the described printer selection method. That is, the claim5The described invention is a printer selection method for selecting a printer candidate for executing printing from a plurality of printer groups.Regarding the primary extraction process of reading the printing conditions including the input printing cost conditions and performing the primary extraction of the printer that meets the printing conditions other than the printing cost conditions, and the respective printers primarily extracted by the primary extraction process, Based on the cost data stored in the storage means for storing cost data including at least the cost of the printing medium and the cost of the ink,When printing using each printerprintingCost estimation process for estimating costs, and estimation results from this cost estimation processPrinters that meet the printing cost conditions as candidate printersAnd a selection process for selecting.
[0016]
  Claims5The printer selecting method according to the invention described in claim9The program is also executed by causing a computer to read a program stored in the described information storage medium. That is, the claim9The described information storage medium is a computer-readable information storage medium storing a program for selecting a printer candidate for executing printing from a plurality of printer groups,A process for reading a printing condition including an inputted printing cost condition and performing a primary extraction of the printer that meets a printing condition other than the printing cost condition, and at least a printing medium cost and ink for each of the primary extracted printers Based on the cost data stored in the storage means for storing the cost data including the cost ofWhen printing using each printerprintingCost estimation process to estimate the cost and estimation result by this cost estimation processPrinters that meet the printing cost conditions as candidate printersA program for causing the computer to execute selection processing to be selected is stored.
[0022]
  Claim2The described invention is claimed.1In the printer selection apparatus described above, a method discriminating means for discriminating an engine method of each printerMorePrepared,The cost estimating means includesBy the method discrimination meansThe printing cost corresponding to the determination result is estimated.Therefore, accurate cost calculation is possible even if the engine system of the printer is different, such as an electrophotographic system or a thermal system, and it is possible to select a suitable printer based on the cost.
[0023]
  Such claims2The actions and effects of the described invention are as follows.6It can also be obtained by the invention of the described printer selection method. That is, the claim6The described invention is claimed.5In the described printer selection method,SaidThe system identification process to determine the engine system of each printerMorePrepared,The cost estimation process includes:According to the discrimination result by the method discrimination processEstimated printing costsI did it.
[0024]
  Claims6The printer selection method according to the invention described in claim 10The program is also executed by causing a computer to read a program stored in the described information storage medium. That is, claim 10The information storage medium described is claimed.9In the described information storage medium,SaidMethod discrimination processing to determine the engine method of each printerFurtherA program for causing the computer to execute is storedThe cost estimation process estimates the printing cost according to the determination result of the method determination process..
[0025]
  Claim3The described invention is claimed.1In the printer selection device describedAndOutput mode determination means for determining the lint output modeMorePrepared,The cost estimating means includesThe print output mode determined by the output mode determination meansEstimate printing cost based on. Therefore, even if the print output modes are different, more accurate cost estimation can be performed based on the exact cost calculation according to the output mode, and suitable printer selection based on the cost can be provided.
[0026]
  Such claims3The actions and effects of the described invention are as follows.7It can also be obtained by the invention of the described printer selection method. That is, the claim7The described invention is claimed.5In the described printer selection method,The output mode determination process for determining the lint output modeFurtherIn preparation forThe cost estimation process includes:According to the output mode determination processEstimate the printing cost based on the judged print output modeTo do.
[0027]
  Claims7The printer selection method according to the invention described in claim 11The program is also executed by causing a computer to read a program stored in the described information storage medium. That is, claim 11The information storage medium described is claimed.9In the information storage medium described,Output mode determination process for determining the lint output modeFurtherA program for causing the computer to execute is storedThe cost estimation process estimates the printing cost based on the print output mode determined by the output mode determination process..
[0028]
  Claim4The described invention is claimed.1 or3. The printer selection device according to 3,A print data analysis unit that analyzes print dataPrepared,The cost estimation means estimates a printing cost using analysis data from the print data analysis unit.. Therefore,Even when the printing cost varies greatly depending on the contents of the output image,Exact costBy doing the calculationThus, it is possible to select a suitable printer based on the cost.
  The operation and effect of the invention described in claim 4 can also be obtained by the printer selection method invention described in claim 8. That is, the invention according to claim 8 further includes a process of analyzing print data in the printer selection method according to claim 5 or 7, wherein the cost estimation process uses the analysis data of the print data. Is estimated.
  The printer selection method of the invention described in claim 8 is also executed by causing a computer to read the program stored in the information storage medium of claim 12. That is, an information storage medium according to a twelfth aspect is the information storage medium according to the ninth or eleventh aspect, wherein a program for further causing the computer to execute processing for analyzing print data is stored, and the cost estimation is performed. The process estimates the printing cost using the analysis data of the print data.
[0029]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0030]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a print system 2 including a printer selection device 1 that is a feature of the present embodiment.
[0031]
Here, a plurality of clients 3 such as “client 1”, “client 2”, and “client 3” that make a print request, a printer selection device 1 that selects a printer 4 suitable for the print request, and print processing are executed. A plurality of printers 4 such as “printer A”, “printer B”, and “printer C” are connected by a network 5 using a communication line such as a LAN. Here, for convenience of drawing, the printer 4 is composed of only three printers A, B, and C. Of course, the number of printers 4 may be more than that. In the following description, data is sent in the order of A1 → A2. However, when there is a queue in the print selection apparatus 1, a configuration in which print data is sent directly to A1 → A3 by passing through the queue is also possible. Is possible.
[0032]
An actual printing process in the printing system 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining processing on the client 3 side. As shown in FIG. 2, first, the operator requests printing of the edited document. When this print request is made, an operation screen 6 as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display of the client 3, and print conditions are designated there. FIG. 3 shows a slider bar 7 for setting printing cost conditions, a window 8 for displaying printer information, a printer selection button 9 and the like. When the operator sets the cost with the slider bar 7 on the operation screen 6 in FIG. 3, the client 3 sends cost data to the printer selection device 1 to inquire about a candidate printer suitable for use. Thereafter, when information on candidate printers is received from the printer selection device 1 as will be described later, a list of candidate printers matching the designated cost is displayed in the window 8 for displaying printer information. In FIG. 3, since it is designated as 5.5 yen or less, all printers A, B, and C are displayed as selectable. However, in FIG. Since it is 3.5 yen or less, only the printer A is displayed as being incapable of selection.
[0033]
In this way, the operator designates the cost, and then selects one favorite printer selection button 9 from the selectable printer candidates displayed on the operation screen 6 and starts printing with the OK button 10. Instruct. When a printer is selected and printing start is instructed, the client 3 finally transmits the selected print data to the selected printer 4 to start printing (not shown).
[0034]
In the setting items on the printing condition setting screen in FIG. 3, it is possible to instruct items other than the printing cost, for example, a paper size and a printing direction that are instructed at the time of normal printing (not shown).
[0035]
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the printer selection apparatus 1 which is a feature of the present embodiment. The printer selection device 1 includes a network I / F 11 that performs communication processing with the client 3 via the network 5, a candidate printer search unit 12 that performs search / selection processing for selecting a printer candidate that matches the print conditions, and print condition data. A printing condition data storage memory 13 for storing is provided.
[0036]
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the candidate printer search unit 12 shown in FIG. The candidate printer search unit 12 includes a primary extraction processing unit 14 that performs primary extraction of a printer, a cost data storage device 15 as a storage unit that stores a cost for each printer, and printer information and cost data storage device 15 that are primarily extracted. A printing cost estimation unit 16 serving as a cost estimation unit that estimates the printing cost for each printer based on the stored cost data, and an estimation result by the printing cost estimation unit 16 and the network I / F 11 are input. A printing condition suitability judgment processing unit 17 that performs judgment processing based on the printing conditions, and a candidate printer information storage device 18 that stores printer information suitable for the printing conditions obtained from the printing condition suitability judgment processing unit 17 I have. Here, the printing condition suitability determination processing unit 17 and the candidate printer information storage device 18 realize a function as a selection unit.
[0037]
Here, a schematic operation of the printer selection device 1 will be described. When the network I / F 11 receives print data or print conditions set by the operator from the client 3, the network I / F 11 stores the print conditions in the print condition data storage memory 13. When the print conditions and print data are transmitted, the candidate printer search unit 12 is instructed to perform a search operation. As will be described later, when the candidate data for the selected printer is received from the candidate printer search unit 12, the network I / F 11 returns the candidate data for the printer to the client 3. When the search is instructed, the candidate printer search unit 12 reads the print data and print conditions, searches for a printer that meets the print conditions, and transmits the search result via the network I / F 11.
[0038]
Hereinafter, the operation of the candidate printer search unit 12 will be described in detail. In the candidate printer search unit 12, first, the primary extraction processing unit 14 reads the printing conditions, extracts a printer that meets the printing conditions other than the printing cost, and outputs the primary extracted printer information to the printing cost estimation unit 16. To do. In the printing cost estimation unit 16, the printing cost when printing is performed using each printer based on the cost data stored in the cost data storage device 15 as the estimated cost value by the cost calculation unit. It is estimated by calculating (corresponding to the invention according to claim 3). The print condition suitability determination processing unit 17 determines whether or not it matches the cost designated by the operator from the estimation result (cost estimated value) by the printing cost estimation unit 16, and sets the compatible printer as a candidate printer as candidate printer information. The data is stored in the storage device 18.
[0039]
When the search for whether or not all the printers that have been primarily extracted can be candidates is completed, the printer information listed as candidates is read from the candidate printer information storage device 18 and transmitted to the network I / F 11.
[0040]
Examples of the cost data for each printer stored in the cost data storage device 15 include the cost of printing media such as paper and film, the cost of ink, and the like (corresponding to the invention according to claim 2). The cost data is not necessarily limited to consumables. For example, cost data for maintenance and cost data for durable members (such as photoconductors in electrophotography) are stored, and these cost data are used as cost estimates. You may use when calculating. Further, since these cost data are not always constant, it is possible to store each of them with a range between the minimum value and the maximum value (corresponding to the invention according to claim 4).
[0041]
For example, for printer A, the cost per sheet is
Media: From 0.8 yen to 1.2 yen
Ink: ¥ 1.6 to ¥ 3.0
For example, these values may be stored in a range from a minimum value to a maximum value, and these median values may be used for cost calculation. In this example, specifically, the cost estimated value is obtained as ¥ 1.0 + ¥ 2.3 = ¥ 3.3 per sheet.
[0042]
Alternatively, an expected cost range may be obtained by a combination of maximum values of each cost data and a combination of minimum values. In the above example, specifically, the price is 2.4 to 4.2, and the printer can be selected only when the operator designates a cost within this range. .
[0043]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the cost estimation value for each printer is used when selecting a printer candidate by the printer selection device 1, printing can be performed even in a situation where a plurality of printers 4 are provided. In view of this cost, it is possible to select and present suitable printer candidates that meet the user's expectations.
[0044]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted (the same applies to the following embodiments). In the present embodiment, the estimation accuracy of the estimated cost value by the printing cost estimation unit 16 is increased. For this purpose, for example, in the configuration example of the present embodiment of the candidate printer search unit 12 shown in FIG. 7, a print method determination unit 19 as a method determination unit is added in front of the print cost estimation unit 16 (claim) This corresponds to the invention described in item 5). According to the determination result by the printing method determination unit 19, the cost calculation means in the printing cost estimation unit 16 is switched. The contents discriminated by the printing method discriminating unit 19 relate to the engine methods of each printer such as “electrophotographic method” and “thermal method”, for example.
[0045]
For example, the contents of cost data in an electrophotographic printer
Media: ¥ 0.8 or more and ¥ 1.2 or less
Ink: ¥ 1.6 to ¥ 3.0
Maintenance: ¥ 5.0 to ¥ 9.0
Is stored in advance in the cost data storage device 15 and, for example, the median value is adopted, and the cost calculation means
¥ 1.0 + ¥ 2.3 + ¥ 7.0 = ¥ 1O. 3
Can be calculated as
[0046]
Since maintenance is usually contracted in unit time (for example, one year, one month, etc.), a value obtained by dividing the maintenance contract fee by the number of output sheets expected in the unit time may be adopted.
[0047]
On the other hand, in a thermal printer using a thermal material, since consumables can only be regarded as a thermal material,
Thermal material: ¥ 4.0 to ¥ 7.6
Is stored in the cost data storage device 15 in advance. In this case, since only the heat-sensitive material needs to be taken into consideration in the calculation, the cost is calculated as 5.8 by the cost calculation means by similarly adopting the median value.
[0048]
In this way, for more accurate calculation, it is better to set the contents of cost data as finely as possible, but even for consumable parts, an item that becomes a negligible amount when converted to cost per sheet Of course, you can omit it. Specifically, it is the cost of a thermal printing head.
[0049]
Thus, according to the present embodiment, accurate cost calculation is possible even if the engine system of the printer 4 is different, such as an electrophotographic system or a thermal system, and it is used for selecting a suitable printer candidate based on the cost. be able to.
[0050]
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, in order to estimate the cost more strictly, the cost calculation can be performed after analyzing the contents and output method of the output image. Such a configuration is particularly effective in a printer in which the printing cost is completely different depending on the content and mode of an image, such as an ink jet printer. For example, even for media, the price of plain paper and dedicated coated paper is almost 10 times different. Even though the ink cartridge is expensive, the amount of ink contained is relatively small, so even a slight difference in ink consumption results in a large difference in printing cost. In addition, the amount of ink consumed differs between full-color images and text images, and even when the same image is output, ink is ejected on the printer side in plain paper mode and high-quality mode using dedicated coated paper. The amount is changing. These factors require complex analysis for accurate cost calculations.
[0051]
FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the printer selection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment that performs cost calculation after analyzing the contents and output method of the output image, and FIG. 9 shows a detailed configuration example thereof. In the printer selection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a print data master queue 20 for receiving print data is added. In addition, in the candidate printer search unit 12, a mode determination unit 21 to which print data is input and a print data analysis unit 22 are added, and the determination data by the mode determination unit 21 and the analysis by the print data analysis unit 22 are added. Data is input to the printing cost estimation unit 16 together with the printer information from the primary extraction processing unit 14, and is used for calculation / estimation of the printing cost.
[0052]
In such a configuration, a processing example according to the present embodiment will be described. Upon receiving the data, the printer selection device 1 stores the print conditions in the print condition data storage memory 13, spools the print data in the print data master queue 20, and instructs the candidate printer search unit 12 to perform a search operation. . When the printer candidate data is received from the printer search unit 12 through a search process described later, the network I / F 11 returns the printer candidate data to the client 3. When the search is instructed, the candidate printer search unit 12 reads the print data and the print conditions, searches for a printer that meets the print conditions including the cost estimation process, and transmits the search result via the network I / F 11. .
[0053]
In the candidate printer search unit 12, the primary extraction processing unit 14 first reads the printing conditions, extracts a printer that meets the printing conditions other than the printing cost, and stores the extracted printer information.
[0054]
On the other hand, the print data analysis unit 22 analyzes the print data spooled in the print data master queue 20 and transmits the analysis data to the print cost estimation unit 16. The analysis data includes, for example, an image area and a print mode for each ink color.
[0055]
In the printing cost estimation unit 16, first, cost data corresponding to the printer primarily extracted by the primary extraction processing unit 14 is loaded from the cost data storage device 15. In addition, the printing cost is estimated using the analysis data from the print data analysis unit 22. The estimated cost value is sent to the printing condition suitability determination processing unit 17.
[0056]
Finally, the print condition suitability determination processing unit 17 determines whether the cost specified by the operator is met or not, and stores the matched printer as a candidate printer in the candidate printer information storage device 18. When the search with cost estimation is completed for all the printers that have been primarily extracted, the candidate printer information is read from the candidate printer information storage device 18 and transmitted to the network I / F 11.
[0057]
In the present embodiment, the cost data stored in the cost data storage device 15 includes, for example, ink ejection such as a plurality of media, ink costs per unit, and an ink ejection ratio depending on a printing mode. The ratio is information that, for example, when the discharge amount in the normal mode is 1, the discharge amount in the high image quality mode is 1.5.
[0058]
A specific calculation procedure will be described. Assume that the printing cost estimation unit 16 receives the primary extracted printer name and obtains the following information as its cost data.
[0059]
Media 1: ¥ 0.8 to ¥ 1.2
Metena 2: From ¥ 6.0 to ¥ 12.0
Media 3: ¥ 40.0 to ¥ 60.0
Ink 1: ¥ 1.6 to ¥ 3.0 / unit area
Ink 2: ¥ 2.0 to ¥ 4.0 / unit area
Mode 1: Discharge ratio: 1.5
As analysis data,
-Printing conditions: Media 1 + Ink 1 combination
・ Printing area is 5
Furthermore, as mode judgment data,
・ Use mode 1
If the median is adopted, the estimated cost of printing for one sheet is
¥ 1.0 + ¥ 2.3 * 1.0 * 5 = ¥ 12.5
It can be asked. The estimated cost value thus obtained is compared with the condition designated by the operator, and the result is returned to the client 3 as a search result.
[0060]
With this configuration, even when the printing cost varies greatly depending on the output mode and the content of the output image, such as an ink jet printer, accurate cost calculation is performed, so that the operator can accurately calculate the cost. It is possible to provide a simple cost criterion.
[0061]
In the description of the present embodiment, only two modes, the normal mode and the high image quality mode, are assumed. However, in reality, a mode that calls for saving ink consumption (referred to as economy mode) is also used. Strictly speaking, even in the same normal mode, the discharge amount changes depending on a halftone processing method. For this reason, for more accurate cost estimation, it is preferable to further subdivide each print mode, prepare a separate calculation formula for cost calculation for each print mode, and use it by switching according to the print mode (claims) This corresponds to the invention described in item 6).
[0062]
Even when the cost calculation unit of the printing cost estimation unit 16 uses a common calculation formula for cost calculation, different parameters are prepared for each printing mode, and the parameter changing unit switches the parameter to be used according to the printing mode. This makes it possible to estimate the estimated cost more accurately (corresponding to the invention described in claim 7).
In the description of these embodiments, it is assumed that only one page is printed out as an example. Of course, the same applies to any page or when using media of different sizes. By analyzing the print mode and the contents of the print data according to the above procedure, the estimated value of the print cost can be obtained. In that case, the cost designated by the operator may be designated by an average cost per page, or may be designated by the total cost of all output pages. Also good.
[0063]
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the print system 2, the configuration of the printer selection device 1, and the configuration of the candidate printer search unit 12 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0064]
The present embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, but clarifies a printer selection method that includes a printing cost estimation process corresponding to the invention described in claims 8 to 12.
[0065]
Upon receiving the printing conditions set by the operator from the client 3 via the network 5, the printer selection device 1 first extracts a printer that meets the printing conditions other than the designated printing cost (step S1... Primary extraction process). A printing method is determined for each extracted printer (S2... Method determination process), and then a print mode is determined (S3... Output mode determination process). The printing cost is estimated with reference to these determination results (S4... Cost estimation process). Note that the calculation method for actual cost calculation may be as described in the first embodiment, and the calculation result may be similarly obtained from one point or has a certain range. You may make it obtain | require as a value (equivalent to the invention of Claim 12).
[0066]
Next, it is determined whether or not the cost estimation value matches the designated cost designated by the operator, and the matching printer is registered as a candidate printer in the candidate printer information storage device 18 (Y in S5, S6... Selection process). The above processing steps are repeated for each printer (N in S5, N in S7), and the obtained result is transmitted to the client 3 via the network 5 to complete the printer selection processing step. The operator finishes the series of processes by selecting one appropriate printer from the displayed printer candidates and executing printing.
[0067]
As described above, it is possible to estimate the cost more accurately by determining the printing method and the printing mode before estimating the printing cost.
[0068]
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the configuration of the print system 2, the configuration of the printer selection device 1, and the configuration of the candidate printer search unit 12 are the same as those in the third embodiment.
[0069]
This embodiment is basically the same as the third embodiment, but clarifies a printer selection method that involves the printing cost estimation process. Specifically, a print data analysis process (S8) for analyzing the contents of data to be printed in advance is added before the cost estimation process, which is the print cost estimation in step S4, and the cost is estimated using the analyzed result. It is a thing. Specifically, the content to be analyzed is a printing area for each color plate.
[0070]
By analyzing the print data before estimating the cost in this way, more accurate costs can be obtained when printing a mixed original of monochrome pages / color pages or a printer equipped with multiple inks with completely different costs. Estimation is possible.
[0071]
A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment relates to an information storage medium that causes a computer to execute processes such as those described in the fourth and fifth embodiments. In other words, in the present embodiment, the printing system 2 as shown in FIG. 1 is actually used, as shown in FIG. 12, in that the printer selection device 1 can be configured by a computer as a print server. Further, the client can also be constituted by a personal computer or the like as shown in PC1, PC2, PC3 in practice.
[0072]
That is, in the present embodiment, the client PC that exists on the network 5 that makes a print request, a print server that selects a printer suitable for the print request, and a plurality of printers that execute print processing are configured. . In addition to a normal print driver, there is a cost estimation program according to the present invention on the print server, and a similar print driver and various application programs are on the client PC.
[0073]
A hardware configuration example of the print server (printer selection apparatus 1) is shown in FIG. A microcomputer 25 as a computer that controls the print server 1 is configured with a CPU 26, a ROM 27, and a RAM 28 as processors. The ROM 27 is a read-only memory, and stores predetermined data in addition to a program executed by the CPU 26. The microcomputer 25 also includes a DISK 29 (which means a fixed disk here), which is a large-capacity storage device, and a NIC (Network Interface Card) 30 that communicates with devices on the network 5. The microcomputer 25 is connected to a display 31, a keyboard (including a pointing device such as a mouse) 32, a data reader 33, and the like, and an FDD (FD Drive) in which an FD (Floppy Disk) 34 is loaded. 35), a CD-ROM drive 37 in which the CD-ROM 36 is loaded is connected.
[0074]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the information storage medium that can provide prestored software to the microcomputer 25, particularly the CPU 26, includes the DISK 29, the FD 34, the CD-ROM 36, etc. in addition to the ROM 27, the RAM 28, and the like. As a specific example, a control program for causing the CPU 26 to execute various processing operations, in particular, processing corresponding to each step shown in the fourth and fifth embodiments is preset as software. Such a control program is stored in advance in the CD-ROM 26, for example. Such software is preinstalled in the DISK 29, copied to the RAM 28 when the CPU 26 is started up, and read by the CPU 26 during operation. Since the CPU 26 reads various programs and executes corresponding processes in this manner, various processing functions are realized, and the microcomputer 25 executes the printer selection process as described above.
[0075]
However, the information storage medium that provides the software to the CPU 26 may be any medium that can be accessed by the CPU 26. For example, such software may be used by the CPU 26 from the CD-ROM 36, or the ROM 27 in advance. May be stored in a fixed manner, or may be distributed over a plurality of information storage media. Alternatively, it is also possible to store the program in another server on the network 5 and perform take-download via the network 5 for execution.
[0076]
In the present embodiment, the various storage devices 13, 18, 20, etc. can actually be replaced by the RAM 28, ROM 27, DISK 29, etc. in FIG. 13, and the various estimation / determination units 14, 16, 17, 21 , 22 and the like can be substituted by the CPU 26. Media, ink cost data, etc. may be set and held in the DISK 29 in advance. Further, if the administrator can rewrite the cost data or the like as necessary, the latest data can always be reflected. Furthermore, the latest cost information can be downloaded from a cost database (not shown) existing on the network 5 as necessary or periodically. Further, the actual cost calculation method and the like may be as described in the first embodiment.
[0077]
【The invention's effect】
  Claim 1,5as well as9According to the described invention, the printer candidates to be printed are selected from the plurality of printer groups based on the estimation result by the cost estimation means for estimating the cost when printing using each printer. Even when a plurality of printer groups are provided, it is possible to select a suitable printer that meets the user's expectations from the cost of printing.
[0081]
  Claim2, 6 and 10According to the described invention, the cost is calculated according to the determination result of the engine method of the printer.Estimate printing costsAs a result, accurate cost calculation is possible even if the engine system of the printer is different.
[0082]
  Claim3, 7 and 11According to the described invention, when calculating the cost, the printer output modeEstimate printing cost based onAs a result, accurate cost calculation is possible even if the printer output mode is different.
[0083]
  Claim4, 8 and 12According to the described invention, when calculating the cost,Estimate printing cost using analysis data of printing dataI did soEven when the printing cost varies greatly depending on the contents of the output image,Accurate cost calculation is possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a printing system according to a first embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the client.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a display example of an operation screen in the client.
FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a display example of an operation screen on a client when a printing cost instruction is changed.
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printer selection device.
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the candidate printer search unit.
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a candidate printer search unit according to the second embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printer selection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the candidate printer search unit.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of printer selection processing by a printer selection device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of printer selection processing by a printer selection device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a printing system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the printer selection device.
[Explanation of symbols]
4 Printer
15 Storage means
16 Cost estimation means
17, 18 Selection means
19 Method discrimination means

Claims (12)

In a printer selection device for selecting a printer candidate for executing printing from a plurality of printer groups,
A primary extraction processing unit that reads a printing condition including an inputted printing cost condition and performs a primary extraction of the printer that meets a printing condition other than the printing cost condition;
Storage means for storing cost data including at least the cost of printing media and the cost of ink;
Cost estimation means for estimating the printing cost when printing using each printer based on the cost data stored in the storage means for each printer primarily extracted by the primary extraction processing unit ;
Selecting means for selecting, as a candidate printer, a printer whose estimation result by the cost estimating means meets the printing cost condition ;
A printer selection apparatus comprising: Further comprising a method discriminating unit for discriminating the engine method of each printer;
The cost estimating unit estimates a printing cost according to a determination result by the method determining unit;
The printer selection apparatus according to claim 1. An output mode determining means for determining a print output mode;
The cost estimation unit estimates a printing cost based on the print output mode determined by the output mode determination unit;
The printer selection apparatus according to claim 1 . A print data analysis unit for analyzing the print data;
The cost estimation means estimates the printing cost using the analysis data from the print data analysis unit,
4. The printer selection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the printer selection apparatus is a printer. In a printer selection method for selecting a printer candidate for executing printing from a plurality of printer groups,
A primary extraction step of reading the printing conditions including the inputted printing cost conditions, and performing a primary extraction of the printer that meets the printing conditions other than the printing cost conditions;
With respect to each printer primarily extracted by this primary extraction process, printing is performed using each printer based on the cost data stored in storage means for storing cost data including at least the cost of printing media and the cost of ink. A cost estimation process for estimating the printing cost when
A selection process in which the estimation result of the cost estimation process selects a printer that matches the printing cost condition as a candidate printer;
A printer selection method comprising: Further comprising a method determining process for determining the engine method of each printer;
The cost estimation process estimates a printing cost according to a determination result by the method determination process.
6. The printer selection method according to claim 5, wherein: An output mode determination process for determining a print output mode;
The cost estimation process estimates a printing cost based on the print output mode determined by the output mode determination process.
6. The printer selection method according to claim 5, wherein: A process for analyzing print data;
The cost estimation process estimates a printing cost using analysis data of the print data.
8. The printer selection method according to claim 5, wherein the printer is selected. Select a printer candidate for printing from a group of multiple printers. A computer-readable information storage medium storing a program for selecting,
A process of reading a printing condition including an inputted printing cost condition and performing a primary extraction of the printer that meets a printing condition other than the printing cost condition;
Printing cost when printing using each printer based on the cost data stored in the storage means for storing cost data including at least the cost of printing media and the cost of ink for each of the printers that have been primarily extracted A cost estimation process for estimating
A selection process for selecting, as a candidate printer, a printer whose estimation result by the cost estimation process matches the printing cost condition;
An information storage medium storing a program for causing the computer to execute. A program for causing the computer to further execute a method determining process for determining the engine method of each printer is stored,
The cost estimation process estimates a printing cost according to a determination result by the method determination process.
The information storage medium according to claim 9. A program for causing the computer to further execute an output mode determination process for determining a print output mode is stored,
The cost estimation process estimates a printing cost based on the print output mode determined by the output mode determination process.
The information storage medium according to claim 9. A program for causing the computer to further execute processing for analyzing print data is stored,
The cost estimation process estimates the printing cost using the analysis data of the print data.
The information storage medium according to claim 9 or 11,

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