JP3817913B2 - Network system, terminal device, server, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a network system, a terminal device, a server, and an image forming apparatus, and more specifically, at least one terminal device that generates print data, and executes print processing based on the print data.pluralNetwork system including an image forming apparatus, a server for managing the image forming apparatus, and a resource management server for managing resource data including electronic form data and logo data as necessary, and a terminal device constituting the network system The present invention relates to a server and an image forming apparatus.
[0002]
Note that the image forming apparatus includes all apparatuses that form an image on a recording medium such as paper based on received print data, such as a printer, a plotter, and a digital multifunction peripheral.
[0003]
[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventionally, a network system including a plurality of workstations, a plurality of printers, and a print server that manages the printers has been constructed. During printing processing in such a network system, a large amount of print data is transmitted from the workstation to the print server via the network, temporarily stored in the memory in the print server, and the print server is connected to the network at least. Print data is transmitted to one printer via a network, and print processing of the print data is performed by the printer.
[0004]
However, in the above-described technique, a print request is made by transmitting a large amount of print data from the workstation to the print server. In this way, the print server receives print data from a plurality of workstations connected to the network all at once, so that when the demand for print processing is concentrated, the memory capacity for storing the print data becomes full. Inconveniences such as being unable to accept print data from the workstation may occur. In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to expand the memory area for storing print data of the print server by adding a disk or the like. Problems arise.
[0005]
In addition, a large amount of print data is transmitted from the workstation to the print server via the network, and then a large amount of print data is transmitted from the print server to the printer via the network. Traffic volume) increases, and the data transmission processing efficiency of the entire network system may be reduced.
[0006]
By the way, in the print processing of the print data described above, general-purpose data (hereinafter referred to as resource data) such as fonts, forms, images, logo data, and the like are used. It was transferred to the printer.
[0007]
For this reason, the resource data required for the printing process is transferred to the printer that performs the printing process in advance, and only the print data excluding the resource data is transmitted to reduce the amount of transferred data when transferring the print data. It is possible.
[0008]
However, the above resource data may change periodically, and new problems such as electronic form data and logo data stored in advance for each printer do not match the latest electronic form data and logo data. May occur.
[0009]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a network system, a terminal device, and a server that can smoothly execute a print processing request to a server and transfer of print data to an image forming apparatus. This is the first purpose.
[0010]
More specifically, a second object is to provide a network system, a terminal device, and a server that can reduce traffic on the network and minimize the storage area required for storing data in the server. To do.
[0011]
Furthermore, in addition to the above, a network system, terminal device, server, and image forming apparatus that can smoothly transfer resource data to an image forming apparatus that performs printing processing while avoiding the disadvantage of using old resource data in printing processing It is a third object to provide
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the first object, the network system according to claim 1 executes print processing based on at least one terminal device for generating print data and the print data.pluralAn image forming apparatus and a network system configured to include a server that manages the image forming apparatus, wherein the terminal device is configured to generate print data.Includes print service information indicating the output method specified for the print dataInformation generating means for generating print processing content information representing the contents of the print processing, and requesting the server to print the print data by transmitting the print processing content information generated by the information generating means to the server Print processing request means for performing printing processing content information received from the terminal device.Output method indicated by the print service information contained inBased on the image forming apparatus and the transfer path of the print data to the image forming apparatusFrom a plurality of predetermined transfer route patternsAnd determining means for determining, and control means for controlling the print data to be transferred to the image forming apparatus according to the transfer path determined by the determining means.
[0013]
  In the network system according to claim 2, in the network system according to claim 1, the print processing content information includes print resource information including location information of print data., AndAnd print attribute information indicating execution control information of print processing in the image forming apparatus.furtherIt is characterized by including.
[0014]
  In order to achieve the third object, the network system according to claim 3 executes print processing based on at least one terminal device that generates print data and the print data.pluralAn image forming apparatus includes a resource management server that manages resource data including electronic form data and logo data that are generally used in printing processing, unlike the print data, and a server that manages the image forming apparatus. In the network system, the terminal device generates print data when:Includes print service information indicating the output method specified for the print dataInformation generating means for generating print processing content information representing the contents of the print processing, and requesting the server to print the print data by transmitting the print processing content information generated by the information generating means to the server Print processing request means for performing printing processing content information received from the terminal device.Output method indicated by the print service information contained in, An image forming apparatus that executes a printing process, a resource data transfer path to the image forming apparatus, and a print data transfer path to the image forming apparatus.From a plurality of predetermined transfer route patternsThe determining unit for determining, and the print data is transferred to the image forming apparatus according to the transfer path of the print data determined by the determining unit, and the resource data is transferred to the image forming apparatus according to the determined transfer path of the resource data. Control means for controlling.
[0015]
  Further, in the network system according to claim 4, in the network system according to claim 3, the print processing content information includes print data location information and location information of resource data used in the print processing., AndAnd print attribute information representing execution control information for print processing in the image forming apparatus.
[0016]
In the network system according to claim 5, in the network system according to claim 2 or 4, the server further includes an image forming apparatus performance information storage unit storing performance information for each image forming apparatus. The determining unit determines an image forming apparatus suitable for executing the printing process based on the printing attribute information included in the printing process content information and the performance information for each image forming apparatus. .
[0017]
  In the network system according to claim 6, in the network system according to claim 5, the server isThe terminal device and the image forming device receive data from another device as a communication function, provide data in response to a data acquisition request from another device, send data to the other device, and other Communication function information indicating whether each has a client function for acquiring data from the device.RememberDressFurther comprising a storage performance information storage unit,A transfer path is determined from a plurality of transfer path patterns determined in advance according to an output method based on a combination of the determined image forming apparatus indicated by the communication function information and the communication function of the terminal apparatus that has requested print processing.It is characterized by that.
[0018]
  Moreover, in the network system according to claim 7, the claim6In the network system described inPriorities are determined in advance for the plurality of transfer path patterns, and the determination unit can communicate with a combination of communication functions of the determined image forming apparatus and the terminal apparatus that has requested print processing, and has a priority order. It is characterized by determining a high transfer route pattern as a transfer route.
[0019]
  In the network system according to claim 8, in the network system according to claim 4, the server further includes an image forming apparatus performance information storage unit storing performance information for each image forming apparatus, and the determining unit IsBased on the print attribute information included in the print process content information and the performance information for each image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus suitable for executing the print process is determined,A transfer path of resource data to the image forming apparatus is determined based on the determined image forming apparatus and print resource information included in the print processing content information.
[0020]
Further, in the network system according to claim 9, in the network system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the determined print data transfer path is such that the terminal device transmits print data to the image forming apparatus. The control unit notifies the terminal device of the determined transfer path of the image forming apparatus and the print data, and causes the terminal apparatus to transfer the print data to the image forming apparatus. Features.
[0021]
The network system according to claim 10 is the network system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the determined transfer path of the print data is determined by the image forming apparatus from the terminal device to the print data. The control unit notifies the determined image forming apparatus of the transfer path of the print data, and causes the image forming apparatus to acquire the print data from the terminal device. .
[0022]
  In the network system according to claim 11, in the network system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the determined transfer path of the print data is:Terminal devicePrint dataTheThe control unit notifies the determined image forming apparatus and the terminal device of the transfer path of the print data, and the image forming apparatus acquires the transferred print data from the server. The print data is transferred to a server by the terminal device, and the print data is acquired from the server by the image forming apparatus.
[0023]
The network system according to claim 12 is the network system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a server acquires print data from a terminal device according to the determined transfer path of print data. When the acquired print data is a path for transferring the print data to the image forming apparatus, the control unit notifies the determined image forming apparatus and the terminal apparatus of the transfer path of the print data, and receives the print data from the terminal apparatus. Acquiring and transferring the print data to the image forming apparatus.
[0024]
Further, in the network system according to claim 13, in the network system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the determined print data transfer path is such that a server acquires print data from a terminal device. If the image forming apparatus is a path for acquiring the acquired print data from the server, the control unit notifies the determined image forming apparatus and the terminal apparatus of the transfer path of the print data and prints from the terminal apparatus. Data is acquired, and the print data is acquired from a server by the image forming apparatus.
[0025]
Further, in the network system according to claim 14, in the network system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the determined print data transfer path is such that a terminal device transfers print data to a server. When the server is a path for transferring the print data to the image forming apparatus, the control means notifies the determined image forming apparatus and the terminal apparatus of the transfer path of the print data, and the terminal apparatus transmits the print data. The print data is transferred to a server and transferred to the image forming apparatus.
[0026]
In the network system according to claim 15, in the network system according to claim 8, when the determined resource data transfer path is a path through which the resource management server transfers the resource data to the image forming apparatus, The control means notifies the determined image forming apparatus and resource management server of the transfer path of the resource data, and causes the resource management server to transfer the resource data to the image forming apparatus.
[0027]
In the network system according to claim 16, in the network system according to claim 8, when the determined transfer path of resource data is a path through which an image forming apparatus acquires resource data from a resource management server, The control unit notifies the determined image forming apparatus of the transfer path of the resource data, and causes the image forming apparatus to acquire the resource data from the resource management server.
[0028]
In order to achieve the second object, in the network system according to claim 17, in the network system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, the print processing content information is obtained from the print data. Is characterized by a small amount of data.
[0029]
  In order to achieve the first object, the terminal device according to claim 18 executes print processing based on print data.pluralA terminal device that forms a network system together with an image forming apparatus and a server that manages the image forming apparatus, the print data generating unit generating print data to be printed, and the print data generated by the print data generating unit Printing resource information, including location informationIncludes print service information indicating the output method specified for the print dataInformation generating means for generating print processing content information including job attribute information and print attribute information representing print processing execution control information in the image forming apparatus, and print processing content generated by the information generating means Print processing requesting means for requesting the server to print the print data by transmitting information to the server.
[0030]
  In order to achieve the third object, the terminal device according to claim 19 executes print processing based on print data.pluralA network system is configured together with an image forming apparatus, a resource management server that manages resource data including electronic form data and logo data that are generally used in printing processing, unlike the print data, and a server that manages the image forming apparatus A terminal device that includes print data generation means for generating print data to be printed, location information of print data generated by the print data generation means, and location information of resource data used in print processing Resource information,Includes print service information indicating the output method specified for the print dataInformation generating means for generating print processing content information including job attribute information and print attribute information representing print processing execution control information in the image forming apparatus, and print processing content generated by the information generating means Print processing requesting means for requesting the server to print the print data by transmitting information to the server.
[0031]
  In order to achieve the first object, the server according to claim 20 generates print data and print resource information including location information of the print data.Includes print service information indicating the output method specified for the print dataAt least one terminal device that generates print processing content information including job attribute information and print attribute information representing print processing execution control information in the image forming apparatus, and print processing based on the print data ExecutepluralA server that configures a network system together with the image forming apparatus and manages the image forming apparatus, the print processing content information received from the terminal deviceOutput method indicated by the print service information included in the job attribute information that composesBased on the image forming apparatus and the transfer path of the print data to the image forming apparatusFrom a plurality of predetermined transfer route patternsAnd determining means for determining, and control means for controlling the print data to be transferred to the image forming apparatus according to the transfer path of the print data determined by the determining means.
[0032]
  In order to achieve the third object, a server according to claim 21 is a resource management server for managing resource data including electronic form data and logo data, which is used for general purposes in print processing, unlike print data. Print resource information including the location information of the print data and the location information of the resource data used in the printing process,Includes print service information indicating the output method specified for the print dataAt least one terminal device that generates print processing content information including job attribute information and print attribute information representing print processing execution control information in the image forming apparatus, and print processing based on the print data ExecutepluralA server that configures a network system together with the image forming apparatus and manages the image forming apparatus, the print processing content information received from the terminal deviceOutput method indicated by the print service information included in the job attribute information that composes, An image forming apparatus that executes a printing process, a transfer path of print data to the image forming apparatus, and a transfer path of resource data to the image forming apparatusFrom a plurality of predetermined transfer route patternsPrint data is transferred to the image forming apparatus according to a determining means for determining, and a print data transfer path determined by the determining means, and the resource data is transferred to the image forming apparatus according to the determined resource data transfer path. And a control means for controlling the operation.
[0033]
In the server according to claim 22, in the server according to claim 21, when the job attribute information includes execution control information including the process start time for a print process for which a process start time is defined, The control means controls the resource data and the print data to be sequentially transferred to the image forming apparatus before or when the processing start time is reached.
[0034]
  In order to achieve the third object, the image forming apparatus according to claim 23 is an image forming apparatus that executes print processing based on print data, and is used in general for print processing unlike print data. Resource management server that manages resource data including electronic form data and logo data, print resource information that generates print data and includes location information of the print data and location data of resource data used in print processing,Includes print service information indicating the output method specified for the print dataAt least one terminal device that generates print processing content information including job attribute information and print attribute information representing print processing execution control information in the image forming apparatus, and print processing content information received from the terminal deviceOutput method indicated by the print service information included in the job attribute information that composes, An image forming apparatus for executing a printing process, a transfer path of print data to the image forming apparatus, and a transfer path of resource data to the image forming apparatusFrom a plurality of predetermined transfer route patternsThe network system is configured together with the server to be determined, the resource data transfer path information determined by the server is received, and the resource data transfer path is a path through which the image forming apparatus acquires the resource data from the resource management server. If there is, resource data is obtained from the resource management server.
[0035]
  The network system according to claim 1 executes print processing based on at least one terminal device that generates print data and the print data.pluralThe image forming apparatus includes a server that manages the image forming apparatus.
[0036]
  In such a network system, the terminal device uses the information generation unit to generate print data.Contains print service information indicating the specified output method for print dataPrint processing content information representing the content of the print processing is generated.
[0037]
The print processing content information includes, for example, print resource information including location information of print data, job attribute information representing print process execution control information in the network system, and print processing in the image forming apparatus. The printing attribute information representing the execution control information can be configured.
[0038]
  Of these, the job attribute information includes, for example, schedule information such as execution priority of print processing, processing start time for the printing processing for which processing start time is defined,the aboveIt includes print service information and the like. The print attribute information includes, for example, information such as the paper size, the number of copies, and the paper orientation.
[0039]
The terminal device requests the print processing of the print data from the server by transmitting the print processing content information as described above to the server by the print processing request means.
[0040]
  The server uses the determining means to receive the print processing content information received from the terminal device.Output method indicated by the print service information contained inBased on the image forming apparatus and the transfer path of the print data to the image forming apparatusFrom a plurality of predetermined transfer route patternsdecide.
[0041]
Specifically, as described in claim 5, the server is provided with an image forming apparatus performance information storage unit that stores performance information for each image forming apparatus, and the determination unit performs the performance information and print processing for each image forming apparatus. Image formation suitable for execution of print processing capable of executing print processing based on the print attribute information by checking print attribute information (eg, paper size, number of copies, paper orientation, etc.) included in the content information The device may be determined.
[0042]
  Further, as described in claim 6, the server includes:The terminal device and the image forming device receive data from another device as a communication function, provide data in response to a data acquisition request from another device, send data to the other device, and other Communication function information indicating whether each has a client function for acquiring data from the device.RememberDressThe device performance information storage unit is further provided, and the determining meansThe transfer path is determined from a plurality of transfer path patterns determined in advance according to the output method based on the combination of the communication function of the determined image forming apparatus indicated by the communication function information and the terminal apparatus that requested the printing process.You may do it.
[0043]
The image forming apparatus performance information storage unit may store performance information for each image forming apparatus in advance, or may store performance information added or changed by the operator. Further, the performance information of the image forming apparatus obtained by the exchange with the image forming apparatus during the printing process may be automatically stored.
[0044]
  AlsoTheTerminal performance information storage unitAnd image forming apparatusEveryCommunication functionInformation may be stored in advance, or the operator added or changedCommunication functionInformation may be stored. Terminal equipmentAnd image forming apparatusObtained through interaction withCommunication functionInformation may be stored automatically.
[0045]
  Moreover, as described in claim 7,Priorities are determined in advance for the plurality of transfer path patterns, and the determination unit can communicate with a combination of communication functions of the determined image forming apparatus and the terminal apparatus that has requested print processing, and has a priority order. A high transfer route pattern may be determined as the transfer route.
[0046]
After determining the image forming apparatus and the print data transfer path to the image forming apparatus as described above, the control unit controls the print data to be transferred to the image forming apparatus according to the determined transfer path.
[0047]
Here, as a transfer route, a route for directly transferring print data having a large amount of data between the terminal device and the image forming apparatus (that is, a route {circle around (1)} or an image in which the terminal device directly transfers print data to the image forming device) A route (2)) in which the forming apparatus directly acquires print data from the terminal device is conceivable.
[0048]
Among these, when the determined transfer path is a path (1) in which the terminal device directly transfers the print data to the image forming apparatus, the control unit determines that the determined image forming apparatus and The terminal device may be notified of the transfer route, and the terminal device may be configured to transfer the print data to the image forming apparatus.
[0049]
Further, when the determined transfer path is a path (2) in which the image forming apparatus directly acquires print data from the terminal apparatus, the control unit transfers the determined data to the determined image forming apparatus. The route may be notified and the image forming apparatus may be configured to acquire print data from the terminal device.
[0050]
The print data having such a large amount of data is transferred directly between the terminal device and the image forming apparatus without being transferred twice between the terminal device and the server and between the server and the image forming apparatus as in the prior art. The amount of traffic on the system can be reduced. In addition, since processing for storing print data with a large amount of data in the server is not executed, the processing time of the entire print data print processing is shortened. Furthermore, since there is no need to store print data with a large amount of data in the server, it is not necessary to add a magnetic disk device or the like to the server, and the cost can be reduced.
[0051]
Further, in addition to the above two transfer routes, the following four routes are conceivable.
[0052]
(3) A route for transferring print data from the terminal device to the server, and for the image forming apparatus to acquire the transferred print data from the server
(4) Path through which the server acquires print data from the terminal device and transfers the acquired print data from the server to the image forming apparatus
(5) Path through which the server acquires print data from the terminal device and the image forming apparatus acquires the acquired print data from the server
(6) A route for transferring print data from the terminal device to the server and for transferring the transferred print data to the image forming device
Among these, when the determined transfer path is a path (3) in which the image forming apparatus acquires the print data transferred from the terminal device to the server, the control means determines as described in claim 11. The transfer path may be notified to the image forming apparatus and the terminal apparatus, the print data may be transferred to the server by the terminal apparatus, and the print data may be acquired from the server by the image forming apparatus.
[0053]
In addition, when the determined transfer path is a path (4) in which the server acquires print data from the terminal device and transfers the print data to the image forming apparatus, the control unit includes: The transfer path may be notified to the determined image forming apparatus and terminal device, print data may be acquired from the terminal device, and the print data may be transferred to the image forming device.
[0054]
Further, when the determined transfer path is a path (5) in which the image forming apparatus acquires the print data acquired by the server from the terminal device, the control unit determines the image formation determined by the control unit. The transfer route may be notified to the apparatus and the terminal apparatus, the print data may be acquired from the terminal apparatus, and the print data may be acquired from the server by the image forming apparatus.
[0055]
The determined transfer path is a path (6) in which print data is transferred from the terminal device to the server, and the transferred print data is transferred from the server to the image forming apparatus. The control unit may be configured to notify the determined image forming apparatus and terminal device of the transfer path, cause the terminal device to transfer the print data to the server, and transfer the print data to the image forming apparatus.
[0056]
In this manner, the server can determine an appropriate image forming apparatus and print data transfer path based on the print processing content information, and can realize transfer of print data to the image forming apparatus based on the determined transfer path.
[0057]
That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the terminal device requests print processing of print data from the server using print processing content information that does not include print data, and the server performs appropriate processing based on the print processing content information. Since a transfer path and an appropriate image forming apparatus are determined, and print data is transferred to the determined image forming apparatus according to the determined transfer path, smooth transfer of print data and printing by an appropriate image forming apparatus are performed. Processing can be realized.
[0058]
In addition, as described in claim 17, if the data amount of the above-described print processing content is smaller than the print data, the print processing content information with a small data amount is used to print the print data to the server. Since the request is made, the amount of data transferred from the terminal device to the server at the time of the request is reduced as compared with the conventional case, and the traffic amount on the network system can be reduced. Further, since the amount of data to be stored in the server is also reduced, the server does not require an additional magnetic disk device or the like, and the cost can be reduced.
[0059]
  By the way, as a terminal device that can constitute the network system according to claim 1, the terminal device according to claim 18 can be cited. In the terminal device according to claim 18, the print data generation unit generates print data to be printed, and the information generation unit includes print resource information including location information of the print data,Includes print service information indicating the output method specified for the print dataPrint processing content information including job attribute information and print attribute information representing print process execution control information in the image forming apparatus is generated. Then, the print processing request means sends the print processing content information to the server, thereby requesting the print processing of the print data from the server. In this way, a print processing request using print processing content information instead of print data can be made to the server.
[0060]
21. The server according to claim 20, wherein the determining means includes print attribute information (for example, paper size, number of copies, paper orientation, etc.) included in the print processing content information from the terminal device and each image managed by the server. By checking the performance information for each forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus suitable for executing the printing process that can execute the printing process based on the printing attribute information is determined. Further, the determination unit determines an appropriate print data transfer path that satisfies the job attribute information (for example, load distribution and designation of divided output) included in the print processing content information within the range of the performance of the image forming apparatus. decide. Then, the control unit controls the print data to be transferred to the determined image forming apparatus according to the determined transfer path. In this way, upon receiving a print processing request from the terminal device using the print processing content information, an appropriate image forming apparatus and print data transfer path are determined, and print data transfer based on the determined transfer path is realized. can do.
[0061]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network management server for managing resource data including electronic form data and logo data that are used in general for printing processing, unlike print data, in addition to a terminal device, an image forming apparatus, and a server. Furthermore, it is comprised. The resource data managed by the resource management server includes electronic form data and logo data, and the electronic form data includes data such as character fonts and form forms.
[0062]
  In a network system including such a resource management server, the terminal device uses the information generation unit to generate print data.Includes print service information indicating the output method specified for the print dataPrint processing content information representing the content of the print processing is generated. As described in claim 4, the print processing content information includes, for example, print resource information including location information of print data and location information of resource data used in the print processing, and execution of print processing in the network system. Job attribute information representing control information and print attribute information representing print process execution control information in the image forming apparatus can be configured.
[0063]
The terminal device requests the print processing of the print data from the server by transmitting the print processing content information to the server by the print processing request means.
[0064]
  The server uses the determining means to receive the print processing content information received from the terminal device.Output method indicated by the print service information contained in, An image forming apparatus that executes a printing process, a resource data transfer path to the image forming apparatus, and a print data transfer path to the image forming apparatus.From a plurality of predetermined transfer route patternsdecide. Then, the control unit controls the print data to be transferred to the image forming apparatus according to the determined transfer path of the print data, and the resource data is transferred to the image forming apparatus according to the determined transfer path of the resource data.
[0065]
  In determining the image forming apparatus,As described in claim 8,The server is provided with an image forming apparatus performance information storage unit that stores performance information for each image forming apparatus, and the determination unit includes print attribute information (for example, paper size, The number of copies to be printed, the orientation of the paper, etc.) and determining an image forming apparatus suitable for executing the printing process that can execute the printing process based on the printing attribute information,Depending on whether or not the determined image forming apparatus has a resource data acquisition function, the determined image formation is performed from a device (resource management server, terminal device, or the like) corresponding to the location information of the resource data included in the print resource information. A transfer path of resource data to the apparatus may be determined.
[0069]
Here, as a transfer path of the resource data, a path for directly transferring the resource data between the resource management server and the image forming apparatus (that is, a path {circle around (7)} for the resource management server to transfer the resource data directly to the image forming apparatus) A route (8)) in which the image forming apparatus directly acquires resource data from the resource management server is conceivable.
[0070]
If the determined image forming apparatus does not have the resource data acquisition function, the determining means determines the transfer path of the resource data as a path (7) for the resource management server to transfer the resource data directly to the image forming apparatus. It ’s fine. In this case, as described in claim 15, the control means notifies the determined image forming apparatus and resource management server of the transfer path of the resource data, and causes the resource management server to transfer the resource data to the image forming apparatus. Just do it.
[0071]
If the determined image forming apparatus has a resource data acquisition function, the determination unit determines the transfer path of the resource data as a path (8) in which the image forming apparatus directly acquires the resource data from the resource management server. It ’s fine. In this case, as described in claim 16, the control means may notify the determined image forming apparatus of the transfer path of the resource data and cause the image forming apparatus to acquire the resource data from the resource management server.
[0072]
As described above, if a path for directly transferring the resource data between the resource management server and the image forming apparatus is set as the transfer path of the resource data, the resource data is transferred between the terminal apparatus and the server together with the print data as in the past. By directly transferring between the terminal device and the image forming apparatus without transferring twice between the server and the image forming apparatus, the traffic amount on the network system can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to store the resource data in the server, it is not necessary to add a magnetic disk device or the like to the server, and the cost can be reduced.
[0073]
Thus, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the resource data and the print data can be transferred independently to an appropriate image forming apparatus through an appropriate transfer path, so that the amount of data transferred at one time is reduced. Concentration of the above traffic amount can be avoided, and the latest resource data can be used in the printing process (that is, the disadvantage that old resource data is used in the printing process can be avoided).
[0074]
In addition, as described in claim 17, if the data amount of the print processing content information described above is less than the data amount of the print data, the data amount transferred from the terminal device to the server at the time of the request is smaller than before, The amount of traffic on the network system can be reduced. Further, since the amount of data to be stored in the server is also reduced, the server does not require an additional magnetic disk device or the like, and the cost can be reduced.
[0075]
  By the way, as a terminal device that can constitute the network system according to claim 1, the terminal device according to claim 19 can be cited. In the terminal device according to claim 19, the print data generation unit generates print data to be printed, and the information generation unit prints the location information of the print data and the location information of the resource data used in the printing process. Resource information,Includes print service information indicating the output method specified for the print dataPrint processing content information including job attribute information and print attribute information representing print process execution control information in the image forming apparatus is generated. Then, the print processing request means sends the print processing content information to the server, thereby requesting the print processing of the print data from the server. In this way, a print processing request using print processing content information instead of print data can be made to the server.
[0076]
In the server according to claim 21, as described above, for example, as described above, the determining means includes print attribute information (for example, paper size, number of copies, paper orientation, etc.) included in the print processing content information received from the terminal device and each image. By checking the performance information for each forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus suitable for executing the printing process that can execute the printing process based on the printing attribute information is determined. In addition, an appropriate print data transfer path that satisfies job attribute information (for example, load distribution and designation of divided output) included in the print processing content information is determined within the performance range of the image forming apparatus. In addition, the determining unit determines whether the determined image forming apparatus has a resource data acquisition function or not, corresponding to the location information of the resource data included in the print resource information (resource management server, terminal device, etc. ) To determine the transfer path of the resource data to the determined image forming apparatus. The control unit controls the print data to be transferred to the image forming apparatus according to the determined print data transfer path, and the resource data is transferred to the image forming apparatus according to the determined resource data transfer path. In this way, in response to a print processing request from the terminal device using the print processing content information, an appropriate image forming apparatus and print data transfer path are determined, and print data based on the determined print data transfer path is determined. Transfer can be realized. Further, it is possible to realize transfer of resource data based on the determined transfer path of resource data.
[0077]
If the job attribute information includes execution control information including the processing start time for the printing process for which the processing start time is determined, the image forming apparatus performs the printing process at the processing start time. Previously, it is necessary to transfer print data and resource data to the image forming apparatus.
[0078]
Here, the control means of the server described in claim 22 controls so that each of the resource data and the print data is sequentially transferred to the image forming apparatus before or when the processing start time is reached. . Accordingly, the amount of data transferred over the network at a time can be reduced, and the printing process by the image forming apparatus at the processing start time can be started smoothly.
[0079]
Since the amount of print data is generally larger than the amount of resource data, the resource data is transferred to the image forming apparatus before the processing start time, and when the processing start time is reached. It is preferable to transfer the print data to the image forming apparatus. In this case, it is not necessary to store print data having a large amount of data in the image forming apparatus for a long time.
[0080]
An image forming apparatus according to claim 23, the resource management server, the terminal device, the image forming apparatus that executes the print processing, the transfer path of print data to the image forming apparatus, and the resource data to the image forming apparatus. A network system is configured with a server that determines a transfer path. The image forming apparatus receives the resource data transfer path information determined by the server. If the resource data transfer path is a path through which the image forming apparatus acquires resource data from the resource management server, Get resource data from the server. Since the image forming apparatus can acquire the resource data in this way, it is not necessary for the server or the resource management server to control the distribution of the resource data, and the processing load on the server or the resource management server is reduced.
[0081]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, various embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0082]
[First Embodiment]
[Network system configuration]
As shown in FIG. 1, the network system according to the present embodiment includes a first network N1 and a second network N2.
[0083]
Among these, in the first network N1, a plurality (four in this embodiment) of terminal devices (hereinafter referred to as workstations) 12W₁, 12W₂, 12W_Three, 12W_FourOne server (hereinafter simply referred to as a server) 14 and a plurality (four in this embodiment) of printers 16P₁, 16P₂, 16P_Three, 16P_FourAre connected to each other via a local area network (LAN) 10. Printer 16P₁, 16P₂, 16P_Three, 16P_FourAre managed by the server 14.
[0084]
In the second network N2, a plurality (four in this embodiment) of workstations 22W are provided.₁, 22W₂, 22W_Three, 22W_FourOne server 24 and a plurality (four in this embodiment) of printers 26P₁, 26P₂, 26P_Three, 26P_FourAre connected to each other via the LAN 20. The printer 26P₁, 26P₂, 26P_Three, 26P_FourAre managed by the server 24.
[0085]
The first network N1 is connected to the LAN (FDDI / ISDN / X.25) 30 via the router 18 and the second network N2 via the router 28, respectively.
[0086]
As shown in FIG.₁Includes a spool 160 for storing print data, a print data generation unit 112 for generating print data, and a reference generation unit 111 for generating a reference representing print contents to be described later, and data for storing print data in the spool 160 A generation unit 110, a print management unit 120 that manages processing related to a print processing request, an input / output interface unit (hereinafter referred to as an input / output I / F) 150 that controls input / output of data to / from the outside, and an input / output I / F 150 A status control unit 130 for grasping / managing print processing status (status) information input via the printer, and data output for outputting print data stored in the spool 160 to an external device via the input / output I / F 150 A portion 140 is provided.
[0087]
The print management unit 120 requests the server 14 to perform print data print processing by transmitting the reference generated by the reference generation unit 111 to the server 14 by the data output unit 140. Further, the print data is transferred to the server 14 or the printer 16P.₁When the data is transferred to an external device such as the print management unit 120, the print data stored in the spool 160 is taken out by the data output unit 140 and output (transferred) to the external device via the input / output I / F 150. Let
[0088]
Other workstation 12W₂, 12W_Three, 12W_Four, 22W₁, 22W₂, 22W_Three, 22W_FourHas the same configuration as above.
[0089]
As shown in FIG. 3, the server 14 includes a print management unit 240 that manages print processing. The print management unit 240 includes a data input unit 211 that inputs data from an external device, and an external device. From the data output unit 212 that outputs data, the status control unit 230 that grasps and manages the print processing status (status), the device information management unit 220 that manages information such as the performance of the printer under management, and the workstation A reference interpretation unit 242 that interprets the reference of the printer, a printer selection unit 243 that selects a printer that outputs print data, a data transfer path determination unit 244 that determines a data transfer path, and a spool for storing received print data and references 250 is connected.
[0090]
The server 14 also includes an input / output I / F 210 that controls input / output of data to / from the outside. The input / output I / F 210 includes a print processing status input via the input / output I / F 210 and a printer. An apparatus monitoring unit 213 that monitors the printer based on information on the status of the printer, the data input unit 211, and the data output unit 212 are connected. Connected to the device information management unit 220 is a memory 221 storing a device information table 222 including various information to be described later regarding the managed printer and a performance information table 223 including performance information to be described later of the managed printer. The apparatus information management unit 220 accumulates and manages information related to the printer status from the apparatus monitoring unit 213 using the apparatus information table 222 and information regarding the printer performance using the performance information table 223.
[0091]
A data input unit 211, a data output unit 212, and a print management unit 240 are connected to the spool 250, and data (such as print data) received by the data input unit 211 is accumulated. The server 24 has the same configuration as described above.
[0092]
As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 16P₁The print processing unit 340 that executes print processing of print data, the input / output I / F 310 that controls input / output of data to / from the outside, print data and references input from an external device via the input / output I / F 310 A data input unit 320 that receives and inputs the information to the print processing unit 340 and a status control unit 330 that transmits and receives information about the print processing status (status) with the external apparatus via the input / output I / F 310 are provided. Other printers 16P₂, 16P_Three, 16P_Four, 26P₁, 26P₂, 26P_Three, 26P_FourThe configuration is the same as above.
[0093]
[Overview of device information table and performance information table]
FIG. 5 shows an example of a device information table for managing devices connected to the network N 1 in the server 14. The device information table 222 is automatically set or updated by the device monitoring unit 213 and the device information management unit 220 shown in FIG. Information in the device information table 222 can be set or updated by a user using a keyboard (not shown).
[0094]
As shown in FIG. 5, information such as a device name, a network address, a device type, a communication function (client function / server function), a performance information table number, and a device state is set in the device information table 222. The client function is a communication function for executing transmission of data to other devices and acquisition of data from other devices, and the server function is the reception of data from other devices and other functions. It is a communication function for executing provision of data in response to a data acquisition request from a device.
[0095]
Among these, the device name is set to a unique device name for identifying each device (printer, server, client) connected via the network N1, and the network address is assigned to each device. Set network address. Type information for each device (type of client (C), printer (P), server (S)) is set in the device type, and all connected devices (workstation 12W in FIG. 1) are set in the communication function.₁, 12W₂, 12W_Three, 12W_Four, 22W₁, 22W₂, 22W_Three, 22W_Four, Server 24, printer 16P₁, 16P₂, 16P_Three, 16P_Four, 26P₁, 26P₂, 26P_Three, 26P_FourCommunication function information (client function / server function) included in () is set. Only when the device is a printer, index information to a performance information table 223, which will be described later, is set in the performance information table number, and information on the status of each device (whether online or offline) is set in the device status. .
[0096]
As shown in FIG. 6, the performance information table 223 includes PDL (print language), print resolution, print speed, corresponding paper size, print surface (single-sided printing / double-sided printing), scale (enlarged / reduced / 1) of each printer. Information on performance and functions of the printer, such as designation (N-up) /% scale) for recording N pages by dividing the sheet area into N pages and color information, is set. The performance information table 223 is automatically set or updated by the device monitoring unit 213 and the device information management unit 220 shown in FIG. The information in the performance information table 223 can be set or updated by a user using a keyboard (not shown).
[0097]
The server 24 also manages the device information of all connected devices by the device information table 222 and the performance information table 223 similar to the above.
[0098]
[Reference Overview]
Next, a reference used for making a print request from a workstation in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 shows a block diagram showing the structure of the reference D2, and FIG. 8 shows items of information included in the reference. The reference D2 is data different from the print data, and is a collection of control information used for making a print request from the workstation to the server.
[0099]
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the reference D <b> 2 includes print resource information 91, job attribute information 92, and print attribute information 93. Of these, the print resource information 91 is set with information on the location of print data to be actually printed, information on various resources used or necessary in the printing process, and the like.
[0100]
In the job attribute information 92, as the operation information of the print job, schedule information such as priority order and execution time designation, specific printer designation information, and an optimum printer for print processing of print data are automatically detected. Applicable printer designation information for print processing with the optimal printer, load distribution (load balance) designation for instructing to distribute the print processing load, and divided output (high-speed output) for instructing to divide and output the print data And print service information including information such as detour output designation for instructing to switch to another printer and continue the printing process without interrupting the printing process at the time of a printer error is set.
[0101]
The print attribute information 93 includes information necessary for printing with a printer, such as paper size (A3, A4, B4...), Number of copies, paper orientation (vertical or horizontal), and extended information (for example, (Enlargement / reduction / designation of N-up, information on designated coloring for single-sided printing or double-sided printing, etc.) and the like are set.
[0102]
[Outline of print request procedure and print data transfer procedure]
FIG. 9 shows a print request procedure from the workstation and the flow of print data D1 in this embodiment. In the following, workstation 12W₁Print request to the server 14 from the printer 16P₁An example of print output will be described.
[0103]
Workstation 12W₁In parallel with the generation of the print data D1 of the application software such as a word processor, the reference D2 including various information relating to the print processing contents of the print data D1 is generated, and the workstation 12W₁It is stored in the spool 160 inside. And workstation 12W₁Sends a reference D2 to the server 14 by using the end of storage of the print data D1 and the reference D2 as a trigger, and requests the server 14 for a printing process.
[0104]
The server 14 analyzes various types of information (print resource information 91, job attribute information 92, print attribute information 93) shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 defined in the received reference D2, and outputs the workstation 12W.₁Determines a printer that prints out the print data D1 stored by the printer and a data transfer path pattern (see routes 1 to 6 shown in FIG. 11) to be described later. Then, the server 14 transmits the determined data transfer path pattern to the workstation 12W.₁Or printer 16P₁Notify
[0105]
Receiving workstation 12W₁Or printer 16P₁Follows the data transfer path from the server 14 to the workstation 12W.₁Print data D1 directly to printer 16P₁To the printer 16P₁Print data D1 to workstation 12W₁Or the server 14 is a workstation 12W₁Print data D1 is received or acquired and the printer 16P₁To the printer 16P₁To print out.
[0106]
Next, various data transfer path patterns shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 will be described.
[0107]
Route 1 (route {circle around (1)} in FIG. 10) follows the instruction from the server 14 to the printer 16P.₁The stored print data D1 is sent to the workstation 12W.₁The route 2 (route {circle around (2)} in FIG. 10) acquired directly from the workstation is the workstation 12W according to the instruction from the server.₁Print data D1 to printer 16P₁This is a data transfer path that transmits directly to
[0108]
In route 3 (route (3) in FIG. 10), the server 14 stores the print data D1 stored in the workstation 12W.₁And obtain this print data D1 from the printer 16P.₁Is a data transfer path acquired from the server 14, and the route 4 (route (4) in FIG. 10) indicates that the server 14 sends the print data D1 to the workstation 12W.₁From the printer 16P₁It is a data transfer route to transfer to.
[0109]
Route 5 (route {circle over (5)} in FIG. 10) follows workstation 12W in accordance with instructions from server.₁Sends the print data D1 to the server 14, and the printer 16P₁Is a data transfer path for acquiring the print data D1 from the server 14 according to the instruction from the server 14, and the route 6 (route (6) in FIG. 10) is the workstation 12W according to the instruction from the server 14.₁Transmits the print data D1 to the server 14, and the print data D1 received by the server 14 is transmitted to the printer 16P.₁This is the same route as before.
[0110]
Next, the characteristics of each route described above will be described.
[0111]
In route 1 (workstation ← printer), data flows only once on the network. Since the print data is acquired by the printer, the workstation has no consciousness of the output destination, and the workstation has an advantage that the print job is released at an early stage.
[0112]
In route 2 (workstation → printer), data flows only once on the network. The workstation itself transmits print data, but the user who makes a print request at the workstation is unaware of the output destination.
[0113]
In route 3 (workstation ← server ← printer), data flows twice on the network. Since the print data is acquired by the server, the workstation has no consciousness of the output destination, and the workstation has an advantage that the print job is released at an early stage. In the server, since the print data is acquired by the printer, there is no need to control output of the print data to the printer.
[0114]
In route 4 (workstation ← server → printer), data flows twice on the network. Since the print data is acquired by the server, the workstation has no consciousness of the output destination, and the workstation has an advantage that the print job is released at an early stage.
[0115]
In route 5 (workstation → server ← printer), data flows twice on the network. In the server, since the print data is acquired by the printer, there is no need to control output of the print data to the printer.
[0116]
In route 6 (workstation → server → printer), data flows twice over the network (prior art).
[0117]
By the way, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, priorities are set in advance for the data transfer path pattern in accordance with the job attribute information 92 of the reference D2 shown in FIGS. In FIG. 12, WS indicates a workstation, PRT indicates a printer, and SV indicates a server. In FIG. 23 described later, the same abbreviations are used.
[0118]
As shown in FIG. 12, for example, when there is no designation in the job attribute information 92 (when there is no print service) and when load distribution is designated, the routes 1, 2, 3, 4, Priorities 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are set in advance in the order of 5 and 6, respectively.
[0119]
Further, when divided output is specified in the job attribute information 92, the routes 1 and 2 in FIG. 11 are not adopted, so that the priorities 1, 2, 3, 4 are previously set in the order of the routes 3, 4, 5, and 6. Are set, and only the route 6 in FIG. 11 is adopted when the detour output is specified in the job attribute information 92, and therefore priority 1 is set in advance for the route 6.
[0120]
However, as described above, the default priority order (1 to 6) of the route pattern is determined by the system, but can be changed to an arbitrary priority order by the user.
[0121]
[Selection of data transfer path according to the combination of device type and communication function]
Next, selection of a data transfer path according to the combination of the device type and the communication function in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0122]
FIG. 13 shows combinations of device types and communication functions managed by the device information table 222, and FIG. 23 shows data transfer paths that can be realized for each combination of FIG.
[0123]
The communication function includes a client function (communication function for executing transmission of data to other devices and acquisition of data from other devices) and a server function (reception of data from other devices and data from other devices). And a communication function that executes provision of data in response to an acquisition request). The server 14 in this embodiment possesses both a client function and a server function.
[0124]
M01 shown in FIG. 13 is a combination when both the workstation and the printer have a client function and a server function. As shown in FIG. 23, all the routes 1 to 6 in the data transfer path pattern shown in FIG. The print data can be communicated.
[0125]
M02 is a combination when the workstation has both the client function and the server function, and the printer has only the server function. As shown in FIG. 23, M02 is the route 2 and route 4 of the data transfer path pattern of FIG. , Communication of print data on the route 6 can be performed.
[0126]
M03 is a combination in the case where the workstation has both the client function and the server function, and the printer has only the client function. As shown in FIG. 23, M03 is the route 1 and route of the data transfer path pattern in FIG. 3. Communication of print data on route 5 can be performed.
[0127]
M04, M08, M12, and M16 are combinations when the printer has neither a client function nor a server function, and cannot communicate print data. (Indicated as NONE in FIG. 23).
[0128]
In M05, M06, M07, and M08, since the workstation has only the server function and does not have the client function regardless of the function of the printer, the reference cannot be transmitted from the workstation. For this reason, this combination is excluded from the scope of the present embodiment (described as NONE in FIG. 23).
[0129]
M09 is a combination in which the workstation has only the client function, and the printer has both the server function and the client function. As shown in FIG. 23, as shown in FIG. Communication of print data on route 6 can be performed.
[0130]
M10 is a combination in which the workstation owns only the client function and the printer owns only the server function. As shown in FIG. 23, communication of print data in route 2 and route 6 in the data transfer route pattern of FIG. It can be performed.
[0131]
M11 is a combination in which the workstation owns only the client function and the printer owns only the client function. As shown in FIG. 23, M11 communicates print data on route 5 in the data transfer path pattern of FIG. Can do.
[0132]
M13, M14, and M15 cannot transmit a reference from the workstation because the workstation does not have a client function. For this reason, this combination is excluded from the scope of the present embodiment (described as NONE in FIG. 23).
[0133]
[Achievable combinations of devices for reference transmission / reception, print data transmission / reception, and print data acquisition and provision]
First, with reference to FIG. 14, a description will be given of a combination of a transmission apparatus and a reception apparatus that can be realized with respect to a reference transmission / reception operation. FIG. 14 shows a combination of a transmission device for reference D2 created by a workstation and a device for receiving the reference.
[0134]
14 is a combination in which the workstation transmits the reference D2 to the server, and M21 is a combination in which the workstation transmits the reference D2 to the printer.
[0135]
M22 is a combination in which the server that receives the reference D2 in M20 described above transfers the reference D2 to another server connected via the network. Also, M23 is a combination in which the server that receives the reference D2 in M20 described above transfers the reference D2 to the printer that is the target of management and output.
[0136]
Next, a combination of a transmission device and a reception device that can be realized with respect to the print data transmission / reception operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 shows a combination of a transmission device for print data D1 created at a workstation and a reception device for receiving the print data D1.
[0137]
M30 shown in FIG. 15 is a combination in which the workstation transmits the print data D1 to the server, and M31 is a combination in which the workstation transmits the print data D1 to the printer.
[0138]
M32 is a combination in which the server that has received the print data D1 in M30 described above transfers the print data to another server connected via the network. M33 is a combination in which the server that receives the print data D1 in M30 described above transfers the print data D1 to the printer that is the target of management and output.
[0139]
Next, a combination of an acquisition device and a provision device that can be realized with respect to print data acquisition and provision operations will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 shows a combination of an acquisition device that acquires print data D1 created at a workstation and a provision device that provides the print data D1.
[0140]
M40 shown in FIG. 16 is a combination in which the server acquires the print data D1 accumulated by the workstation, and M41 connects the print data D1 acquired by the server in M40 described above to the server via the network. The combination acquired by the other server.
[0141]
M42 is a combination in which the printer acquires the print data D1 accumulated by the workstation. M43 is a combination in which the printer acquires the print data D1 acquired by the server in M40 from the server.
[0142]
[Operation of First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, as an operation of the present embodiment, a communication control processing routine executed by each of the workstation, the server, and the printer when the print data D1 generated by the workstation is subjected to print processing will be described. In the following, as an example, workstation 12W₁In the following description, it is assumed that the print data D1 is generated and a print processing request for the print data D1 is made to the server 14.
[0143]
Workstation 12W₁In FIG. 17, a control routine of FIG. 17 described below is executed. Workstation 12W₁In FIG. 17, the presence or absence of a print processing request from application software such as a word processor is monitored (S100 in FIG. 17).
[0144]
When there is a print processing request, the document data from the application software is converted into print data D1, and a reference D2 related to the converted print data D1 is generated (S101). The print data D1 generated here is the workstation 12W.₁It is accumulated in the spool 160 in the inside. When the conversion to the print data D1 and the generation of the reference D2 are completed, the reference D2 is transmitted to the server 14 via the LAN 10, thereby making a print request using the reference D2 to the server 14 (S102). Since the reference D2 has a data amount smaller than that of the print data D1, there is an advantage that the communication traffic amount at the time of the print request is reduced as compared with the conventional case.
[0145]
After making a print request using such a reference D2, it waits for an instruction from the server 14 (S103). When an instruction is notified from the server 14, the instruction content is analyzed (S104). As a result of the analysis, if the instruction content is transmission of the print data D1 (in the case of routes 2, 5, and 6 in FIG. 11), information on the transmission destination to which the print data D1 is to be transmitted is obtained from the instruction content (S106). Then, the print data D1 stored in the spool 160 is transmitted to the acquired transmission destination (S107).
[0146]
On the other hand, as a result of analyzing the instruction content, if the instruction content is not transmission of the print data D1 (for example, the print data D1 stored in the spool 160 is stored in the server 14 or the printer 16P).₁(= Routes 1, 3, and 4 in FIG. 11)), the workstation 12W₁Releases the print job at that time, returns to S100, and waits for a new print processing request.
[0147]
Next, in the server 14, the control routine of FIG. 18 described below is executed. In S200 of FIG. 18, the server 14 is connected to a device (workstation 12W) connected via the network N1.₁, 12W₂, 12W_Three, 12W_FourOr printer 16P₁, 16P₂, 16P_Three, 16P_Four) Is monitored. When the reception of data is detected in S200, the process proceeds to the next S201, where the data is received, and the received data (received data) is stored in the spool 280 in FIG.
[0148]
When the received data is stored in the spool 280 in S201, it is checked in next S202 whether the received data is the reference D2. If the received data is not the reference D2 but the print data D1, the process proceeds to S208, which will be described later. If the received data is the reference D2, the process proceeds to S203, and the output printer extraction process subroutine of FIG. 20 is executed.
[0149]
Here, the output printer extraction process of FIG. 20 will be described. In S400 of FIG. 20, an extraction printer table for storing extracted printer information, an extraction printer counter N1 for counting the number of extracted printers, and a search counter N2 for counting the number of searched devices are initialized. In step S401, the job attribute information 92 and the print attribute information 93 included in the reference D2 are read.
[0150]
In next step S402, it is determined whether search / comparison (explained later) for extracting a printer from the device group managed by the server 14 is completed, whether the search counter N2 is equal to the total number of devices NT. When the search / comparison for all devices is completed, the processing of FIG. 20 is terminated and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.
[0151]
If the search / comparison for all the devices has not been completed yet, the process proceeds to S403, and it is checked whether or not the printer to be output is specified in the print service item of the job attribute information 92 of the reference D2. Here, if the printer to be output is not designated, the process proceeds to S406 described later.
[0152]
On the other hand, if the printer to be output is designated, the performance information table number of the designated printer is retrieved from the device information table 222 in S404, and the performance information of the printer corresponding to the performance information table number is obtained from the performance information. Obtained from table 223. In step S405, the search counter N2 is set to (total number of devices NT-1). As a result, the search ends in the next search loop.
In the next S406, the device information for one device is read from the device information table 222. Of course, when a printer is designated, the device information of the designated printer is read. In next step S407, it is determined whether or not the read device information is printer information. If the read device information is information other than that of the printer, the process proceeds to S413 to be described later.
[0153]
On the other hand, if the read device information is printer information, the process advances to step S408, and the printer performance information corresponding to the performance information table number of the read device information is read from the performance information table 223. In step S409, the print of FIG. The condition check processing subroutine is executed.
[0154]
In the print condition check process in S409, first, a flag F indicating whether or not the target printer is a compatible printer is initialized (turned off) in S410 in FIG. 20 (S500 in FIG. 21). When the flag F is on, it indicates that the target printer is a compatible printer, and when the flag F is off, it indicates that the target printer is not a compatible printer.
[0155]
Next, in S501 to S507, it is determined whether or not the target printer is a printer that satisfies various attributes specified by the print attribute information 93 of the reference D2, for each individual attribute unit as follows. . If the attribute is not satisfied in each determination, the subroutine of FIG. 21 is terminated and the process returns to the routine of FIG.
[0156]
That is, in S501, it is determined whether or not the extracted printer is in an operable state. If it is in an operable state, the process proceeds to the next S502. In S502, it is determined whether or not a print language (PDL) condition is satisfied. If the PDL condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to the next S503.
[0157]
In S503, it is determined whether or not the print resolution condition is satisfied. If the print resolution condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to the next S504. In S504, it is determined whether or not the sheet condition is satisfied. If the sheet condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to the next S505.
[0158]
In S505, it is determined whether or not the printing surface condition (single-sided printing or double-sided printing) is satisfied. If the printing surface condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to the next S506. In S506, it is determined whether or not the scale condition is satisfied. If the scale condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to the next S507.
[0159]
In S507, it is determined whether or not the color condition is satisfied. If the color condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to the next S508. In S508, since all the conditions determined in S501 to S507 are satisfied, the flag F is turned on, the process is terminated, and the process returns to the routine of FIG.
[0160]
In this way, if the target printer is a compatible printer, the flag F is set on, and if the target printer is not a compatible printer, the flag F remains off.
[0161]
In the next step S410 in FIG. 20, it is determined based on the on / off state of the flag F whether or not the searched printer performance meets the printing conditions set in the printing attribute information 93 of the reference D2. If the searched printer performance does not match the printing conditions, the process proceeds to S413 described later.
[0162]
On the other hand, if the searched printer performance meets the printing conditions, the process proceeds to S411, and the extracted printer counter N1 is incremented by 1. In the next S412, the communication function of the extracted printer and the workstation that made the print request. Are set in the extraction printer table.
[0163]
In the next S413, the search counter N2 is incremented by one, and the process returns to S402 to repeat the processing.
[0164]
Thereafter, the processing of S402 to S413 is executed for each device information. When the processing for all device information is completed and the search counter N2 becomes equal to the total number of devices NT, an affirmative determination is made in S402, and the subroutine of FIG. 20 ends.
[0165]
After finishing the output printer extraction process in S203 of FIG. 18 as described above, in the next S204, a data transfer path pattern and printer selection process subroutine of FIG. 22 described below is executed.
[0166]
First, in S600 of FIG. 22, in the output printer extraction process, the printer extraction table in which the communication function of the extracted printer is set is read. In the next S601, the number of extracted printers is read from the extraction printer counter N1. In the next step S602, the job attribute information 92 included in the reference D2 is read. In the next step S603, it is determined whether or not the bypass output is designated by the designated job attribute information 92. If the detour output is designated here, the data transfer path of the print data D1 is set to the pattern 6 in FIG. 11 in S604, the process is terminated, and the process returns to the main routine in FIG.
[0167]
On the other hand, as a result of the determination of the job attribute information 92 in S603, if the bypass output is not specified, it is determined whether or not the divided output is specified in the job attribute information 92 in the next S605. If it is determined that divided output is designated, the process advances to step S606, and a printer capable of combining the data transfer path pattern 4 or pattern 6 is searched from the printer extraction table read in step S600. In the next S607, it is determined whether there is a printer that can be searched in S605. If there is a printer that can be searched, the process proceeds to S613 to be described later. If there is no printer that can be searched, error information indicating that the printer could not be searched is displayed on a display (not shown) in S608, the process is terminated, and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.
[0168]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S605 that the output is not divided output, the process advances to step S609 to determine whether or not the load balance is designated by the job attribute information 92. If the load balance is designated as a result of the determination, in S610, the printer having the lowest operating rate is selected from the printers in the printer extraction table read in S600, and the process proceeds to S613. As a result of the determination in S609, if the load balance is not specified, the process proceeds to S611, and it is determined whether or not the compatible printer is specified in the job attribute information 92. As a result of the determination, if a suitable printer is designated, in S612, the printer having the highest combination of communication functions (function pattern) is selected from the printer extraction table read in S600, and the process proceeds to S613.
[0169]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S611 that no suitable printer has been designated, it is assumed that the designated printer has been designated, and the process advances to step S613 without selecting a printer.
[0170]
In S613, a data transfer path having a higher priority is selected according to the priority table of the data transfer path shown in FIG. 12 from the printer selected in S606, S610, or S612 or the printer specified in the job attribute information 92. Then, the process ends, and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.
[0171]
The data transfer path and printer of the print data D1 are determined by the data transfer path pattern and printer selection process in S204 of FIG. 18 as described above.
[0172]
Next, in S205 of FIG. 18, the workstation 12W making a request for print processing.₁And the printer determined in S204 (for example, the printer 16P₁) Is notified of the determined data transfer path pattern.
[0173]
In next step S206, it is determined whether or not the determined data transfer path is a pattern for acquiring print data by the server (that is, route 3 and route 4 in FIG. 11). If the data transfer path is not a pattern for acquiring print data by the server, the process returns to S200 and waits for the next received data.
[0174]
On the other hand, if the data transfer path is a pattern for acquiring print data by the server (= route 3 and route 4 in FIG. 11), the print data location information of the print resource information 91 included in the reference D2 is referred to in S207. Workstation 12W₁The print data is acquired from the print data, and the acquired print data is stored in the spool 280 in FIG. In the next S208, it is determined whether or not the determined data transfer path is a pattern for transferring print data from the server (that is, route 4 in FIG. 11). If the data transfer path is not a pattern for transferring print data from the server (that is, route 3 in FIG. 11), the process returns to S200 and waits for the next received data.
[0175]
On the other hand, if the data transfer path is a pattern for transferring print data from the server, the process proceeds to S209, scheduling for outputting the print data D1 from the printer determined in S204 is performed, and the next printer determined in S210 is performed. Print data D1 is transmitted. Thereafter, the process returns to S200 and waits for the next received data.
Next, in the printer, a control routine of FIG. 19 described below is executed. Printer (here, printer 16P as an example)₁) In S300 of FIG. 19, the workstation 12W connected via the network N1.₁, 12W₂, 12W_Three, 12W_FourAlternatively, it is checked whether the print data D1 has been received from the server 14. If the print data D1 has not been received, it is checked in S302 whether a data acquisition instruction from the server 14 has been received. If the data acquisition instruction from the server 14 is not accepted in S302, the process returns to S300 and the reception check of the print data D1 is performed again.
[0176]
If it is determined in S302 that a data acquisition instruction from the server 14 has been received, the process proceeds to S303, and information on the print data acquisition destination (workstation or server) is obtained from the contents of the data acquisition instruction. In the next S304, the print data D1 is acquired from the print data acquisition destination, and the acquired print data D1 is stored in the spool 350 in FIG. When the storage ends, the process proceeds to S305, and the stored print data D1 is printed out.
[0177]
On the other hand, when reception of the print data D1 is detected in S300, the process proceeds to S301, and the received print data D1 is stored in the spool 350 in FIG. When the storage ends, the process proceeds to S305, and the stored print data D1 is printed out. In this way, the print data D1 is printed out in the printer.
[0178]
In the first embodiment described above, the workstation requests the server to print the print data D1 using the reference D2, which has a smaller data amount than the print data D1, and is transferred from the workstation to the server at the time of the request. The amount of data to be reduced is smaller than before, and the amount of traffic on the network system can be reduced. In addition, since the amount of data to be stored in the server at the time of a print processing request is reduced, the server does not require an additional magnetic disk device or the like, and costs can be reduced.
[0179]
Further, the server receives a print processing request from the workstation using the reference D2, and determines an appropriate printer and print data transfer path. The print processing of the print data based on the appropriate transfer path can be realized by the control processing routine in each of the workstation, server, and printer described above.
[0180]
[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, unlike a print data, a network system including a resource management server for managing resource data including electronic form data (fonts, forms, etc.) and logo data that are used for general purposes in print processing The print control method in the will be described. Since the configuration of the network system and various devices constituting the network system in the second embodiment are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment described above, only the differences will be described below.
[0181]
[Network system configuration]
As shown in FIG. 24, the network system in the second embodiment is configured to include a first network N1 and a second network N2. In addition to the configuration of the first embodiment described above, the resource management server 15 Are connected to the first network N1, and the resource management server 25 is connected to the second network N2. That is, the resource management server 15 sends a printer 16P connected via the LAN 10.₁~ 16P_FourThe resource data used in the printing process is stored and managed collectively. The resource management server 25 is connected to the printer 26P connected via the LAN 20.₁~ 26P_FourThe resource data used in the printing process is stored and managed collectively.
[0182]
Since the configuration of each workstation is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment (FIG. 2), description thereof will be omitted, and the configuration of each server will be described next.
[0183]
As shown in FIG. 25, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the server 14 includes a schedule control unit 241 that is connected to the print management unit 240 and controls the schedule of a print job requested for printing, and the schedule control unit. And a queue table 260 for registering a print job scheduled in accordance with H.241. Further, in the device information table 222 shown in FIG. 27 stored in the memory 221, a device name (here, “RSV01” as an example) related to the resource management server 15 connected to the first network N1 as well as the server 14, the network Information such as address, device type, communication function (client function / server function), performance information table number, device status, etc. is included (arrow K section). The device type “R” means a resource management server. The server 24 has the same configuration as described above.
[0184]
Further, the resource management server 15 has the same configuration as that of the server 14 so that the role of the server 14 can be substituted when the server 14 fails. Similarly, the resource management server 25 has the same configuration as that of the server 15 so that the role of the server 15 can be substituted.
[0185]
As shown in FIG. 26, the printer 16P₁In addition to the input / output I / F 310, the data input unit 320, the status control unit 330, the print processing unit 340, and the spool 350 described above, the print control unit 370 that controls the print processing, and the print control unit 370 perform print processing. A schedule table 360 for storing scheduled schedule information and a resource spool 380 for accumulating resource data input from an external device are provided. Other printers 16P₂, 16P_Three, 16P_Four, 26P₁, 26P₂, 26P_Three, 26P_FourThe configuration is the same as above.
[0186]
[Overview of Reference D2]
In the reference D2 shown in FIG. 28, location information about each of resource data such as fonts, forms, images, and the like used or necessary in the printing process is added to the print resource information 91 as resource information. The location “RSV01” included in the resource information of FIG. 28 corresponds to the device name related to the resource management server 15 in the device information table 222 of FIG.
[0187]
[Overview of resource data transfer procedure]
FIG. 29 shows a print request procedure from the workstation, the flow of print data D1, and the flow of resource data D3 in this embodiment. In the following, workstation 12W₁Print request to the server 14 from the printer 16P₁An example of print output will be described.
[0188]
Workstation 12W₁In parallel with the generation of the print data D1 of the business application or the like, the reference D2 including various information regarding the print processing contents of the print data D1 is generated, and the workstation 12W₁It is stored in the spool 160 inside. And workstation 12W₁Sends a reference D2 to the server 14 by using the end of storage of the print data D1 and the reference D2 as a trigger, and requests the server 14 for a printing process.
[0189]
The server 14 analyzes various information (print resource information 91, job attribute information 92, print attribute information 93) shown in FIG. 28 defined in the received reference D2, and the workstation 12W₁Determines a printer that prints out the print data D1 stored therein, a print data transfer path pattern, and resource data transfer path patterns described later (see routes 11 to 16 shown in FIG. 31). Then, the server 14 transmits the determined print data transfer path pattern to the workstation 12W.₁Or printer 16P₁And the determined resource data transfer path pattern to the resource management server 15 and the printer 16P.₁Notify
[0190]
The resource management server 15 and printer 16P that have received the notification₁In accordance with the resource data transfer path pattern, the resource management server 15 transfers the resource data D3 to the printer 16P.₁Or download to the printer 16P₁Acquires the resource data D3 from the resource management server 15.
[0191]
Also, the workstation 12W that received the notification₁Or printer 16P₁Follows the data transfer path from the server 14 to the workstation 12W.₁Print data D1 directly to printer 16P₁To the printer 16P₁Print data D1 to workstation 12W₁Or the server 14 is a workstation 12W₁Print data D1 is received or acquired and the printer 16P₁To the printer 16P₁To print out.
[0192]
[Resource data route pattern]
Next, various resource data path patterns and their characteristics shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 will be described.
[0193]
Routes 11 and 12 are resource data transfer paths that are selected when print processing is performed using resource data stored by the resource management server 15. Of these, the route 11 follows the instruction from the server 14 and the printer 16P.₁However, this is a resource data transfer path for acquiring the resource data D3 from the resource management server 15, and since the resource data is acquired by the printer, there is an advantage that the server does not need to control output of the resource data to the printer. In the route 12, the resource management server 15 transfers the resource data D3 to the printer 16P in accordance with an instruction from the server 14.₁This is a resource data transfer path to be distributed (downloaded) to
[0194]
Routes 13 and 14 are workstations 12W₁This is a resource data transfer path that is selected when printing processing is performed using resource data newly created or changed. Of these, the route 13 is a printer 16P in accordance with an instruction from the server 14.₁Supplies resource data D3 to workstation 12W₁The route 14 is a resource data transfer route acquired from the workstation 12W, and the route 14 is in accordance with an instruction from the server 14 to the workstation 12W.₁Supplies the resource data D3 to the printer 16P₁This is a resource data transfer path to be distributed (downloaded) to
[0195]
Routes 15 and 16 are resource data transfer paths that are selected when printing processing is performed using the resource data stored by the server 14. Of these, the route 15 is a printer 16P according to an instruction from the server 14.₁Is a resource data transfer path through which the resource data D3 is acquired from the server 14, and the route 16 is that the server 14 sends the resource data D3 to the printer 16P.₁This is a resource data transfer path to be distributed (downloaded) to
[0196]
[Achievable combinations of devices for acquiring and providing resource data]
First, with reference to FIG. 32, a combination of a transmission device and a reception device that can be realized with respect to the transmission / reception operation of resource data will be described. FIG. 32 shows a combination of a transmission device for resource data D3 used in the printing process and a reception device for receiving the resource data D3.
[0197]
32 is a combination of transmitting resource data D3 owned by the workstation to the server, and M331 transmits resource data D3 owned by the workstation to the resource management server (stored in the resource management server). ) Combination.
[0198]
M332 is a combination of transmitting (distributing / downloading) the resource data D3 owned by the workstation to the printer, and M333 is connected via the network to the server that has received the resource data D3 in M330 described above or M336 described later. This is a combination of transferring the resource data D3 to the other server.
[0199]
M334 is a combination in which the server that has received the resource data D3 in the above-described M330 or M336 described later transfers the resource data D3 to the resource management server (relaying the accumulation), and M335 is the above-described M330 or M336 described later. In this combination, the server that receives the resource data D3 transfers the resource data D3 to the printer (relays download).
[0200]
M336 is a combination in which the resource management server transfers the resource data D3 owned by the resource management server or the resource data D3 received in M331 described above to another server via the network, and M337 is the resource management server Is a combination in which the resource management server transfers resource data D3 received by M331 to the other resource management server via the network (mirroring the resource data).
[0201]
M338 is a combination in which the resource management server transmits (distributes / downloads) the resource data D3 owned by the resource management server or the resource data D3 received in M331 described above to the printer via the network.
[0202]
Next, with reference to FIG. 33, a description will be given of combinations of acquisition devices and provision devices that can be realized with respect to resource data acquisition and provision operations. FIG. 33 shows a combination of an acquisition device that acquires resource data D3 used in print processing and a provision device that provides the resource data D3.
[0203]
M440 shown in FIG. 33 is a combination in which the server acquires resource data D3 owned by the workstation, and M441 connects the resource data D3 acquired by the server in M440 described above to the server via the network. The combination acquired by the other server.
[0204]
M442 is a combination in which the server acquires resource data D3 owned by the resource management server, and M443 is a combination in which the resource management server acquires resource data D3 owned by the workstation.
[0205]
M444 is a combination in which the resource management server acquires the resource data D3 acquired by the server in the aforementioned M440, M441, and M442, and M445 is the resource data owned by another resource management server connected via the network. D3 or a combination in which the resource management server acquires the resource data D3 acquired by the other resource management server in M443 and M444 described above.
[0206]
M446 is a combination in which the printer acquires the resource data D3 owned by the workstation, and M447 is a combination in which the printer acquires the resource data D3 acquired by the server in M440, M441, and M442 described above. M448 is a combination in which the printer acquires resource data D3 owned by the resource management server.
[0207]
[Tables used for print job control]
Server 14 is workstation 12W₁In order to manage the reference D2 received from the reference processing table 224, the reference processing table 224 shown in FIG. 45 is used. In the reference processing table 224 in FIG. 45, the job ID assigned to each print request (job) is associated with the reference identifier assigned to the reference D2 for storage in the spool 250 in FIG. It is remembered.
[0208]
The server 14 stores and manages job information in a time designation processing table 226 shown in FIG. 47 for a job whose processing start time is designated (hereinafter referred to as a time designation job) among arbitrary jobs. For jobs other than the designated job, the job information is stored and managed in the output processing table 225 shown in FIG. The output processing table 225 and the time designation processing table 226 include a job name for a job waiting to be processed, identification information of a workstation that has created print data, identification information of a printer that performs print processing, and transfer path information of the print data. , Job ID and resource data transfer path information are stored, and the time designation processing table 226 further stores processing priority information and start time information.
[0209]
The server 14 stores the reference processing table 224, the output processing table 225, and the time designation processing table 226 in the queue table 260.
[0210]
[Operation of this embodiment]
Hereinafter, as an operation of the present embodiment, when print data D1 generated by a workstation is printed using resource data D3, communication control processing executed by each of the workstation, the server, the resource management server, and the printer The routine will be described. In the following, as an example, workstation 12W₁In the following description, it is assumed that the print data D1 is generated and a print processing request for the print data D1 is made to the server 14.
[0211]
Workstation 12W₁In FIG. 34, the control routine of FIG. 34 described below is executed. Workstation 12W₁In FIG. 34, the presence or absence of a print processing request from application software such as a word processor is monitored (S100 in FIG. 34). If there is a print processing request, the document data from the application software is converted into print data D1, and a reference D2 related to the converted print data D1 is generated (S101). The print data D1 generated here is the workstation 12W.₁It is accumulated in the spool 160 in the inside. When the conversion to the print data D1 and the generation of the reference D2 are completed, the reference D2 is transmitted to the server 14 via the LAN 10, thereby making a print request using the reference D2 to the server 14 (S102). Since the reference D2 has a data amount smaller than that of the print data D1, there is an advantage that the communication traffic amount at the time of the print request is reduced as compared with the conventional case.
[0212]
After making a print request using such a reference D2, it waits for an instruction from the server 14 (S103). When an instruction is notified from the server 14, the instruction content is analyzed (S104). As a result of the analysis, if the instruction content is transmission of the print data D1 (in the case of routes 2, 5, and 6 in FIG. 11), information on the transmission destination to which the print data D1 is to be transmitted is obtained from the instruction content (S106). Then, the print data D1 stored in the spool 160 is transmitted to the acquired transmission destination (S107).
[0213]
On the other hand, as a result of analyzing the instruction content, when the instruction content is transmission of the resource data D3 (in the case of the route 14 in FIG. 31), information on the destination printer to which the resource data D3 is to be transmitted is obtained from the instruction content ( In step S109, the resource data D3 stored in the spool 160 is transmitted to the acquired transmission destination printer (step S110).
[0214]
When the content of the instruction from the server 14 is neither transmission of the print data D1 nor transmission of the resource data D3 (for example, the print data D1 stored in the spool 160 is stored in the server 14 or the printer 16P₁(= Routes 1, 3, and 4 in FIG. 11), or the resource data D3 stored in the spool 160 is stored in the printer 16P.₁Is acquired (= in the case of route 13 in FIG. 31), the workstation 12W₁Releases the print job at that time, returns to S100, and waits for a new print processing request.
[0215]
Next, a control routine executed in the server 14 will be described. In the server 14, four processes are executed in parallel: the data reception control process of FIG. 35, the reference process of FIG. 36, the execution control process of the job waiting for processing of FIG. 41, and the execution control process of the time designation job of FIG. . The processing form may be a form (time sharing method) in which the CPU provided in the server 14 executes the above-mentioned processes while switching each minute time, or the above processes are performed by four CPUs provided in the server 14. It is also possible to execute the program one by one.
[0216]
Hereinafter, the above four processes will be described in order.
[0217]
In S220 of the data reception control process of FIG. 35, a device (workstation 12W) connected via the network N1.₁, 12W₂, 12W_Three, 12W_FourOr printer 16P₁, 16P₂, 16P_Three, 16P_Four) Is monitored. If reception of data is detected in S220, it is determined in next S221 and S225 whether the received data (reception data) is reference D2, print data D1, or resource data D3.
[0218]
If the received data is the reference D2, the process proceeds to S222, and a job ID serving as job identification information is assigned to the received print processing request (job) at the reference D2. At this time, a unique ID is assigned in the job managed by the server 14. In the next S223, a reference identifier to be stored in the spool 250 in FIG. 25 is assigned to the received reference D2, and the job ID of the received reference D2 and the assigned reference identifier are stored in the reference processing table in FIG. sign up. After the registration, in the next S224, the received reference D2 is stored in the spool 250 using the reference identifier as a key. When this accumulation is completed, the process returns to S220 and a new reception check is performed.
If the received data is the print data D1, the process proceeds to S226, and the received print data D1 is stored in the spool 250. When this accumulation is completed, the process returns to S220 and a new reception check is performed.
[0219]
If the received data is resource data D3, the process proceeds to S227, and the received resource data D3 is stored in the spool 250. When this accumulation is completed, the process returns to S220 and a new reception check is performed.
[0220]
Through the above data reception control processing, the reference D2, print data D1, and resource data D3 received by the server 14 are accumulated in the spool 250.
[0221]
Next, the reference process of FIG. 36 will be described. In S230 of FIG. 36, the reference processing table of FIG. 45 is monitored to check whether job information to be processed is registered. If the job information to be processed is registered, the process proceeds to S231, the job information at the head of the reference processing table is extracted, and the reference identifier included in the extracted job information is used as a key to correspond to the job information. The reference D2 is taken out from the spool 250.
[0222]
In the next S232, the output printer extraction process subroutine of FIG. 20 described in the first embodiment is executed. Through this output printer extraction process, a printer whose printer performance meets the printing conditions is extracted, and the communication function of the extracted printer and the communication function of the workstation that issued the print request are set in the extraction printer table.
[0223]
In the next S233, a data transfer path pattern and printer selection subroutine shown in FIG. 37, which will be described later, is executed to determine the transfer path of the print data D1, the transfer path of the resource data D3, and the printer.
[0224]
In the next S234, a data transfer path pattern notification processing subroutine shown in FIG. 39, which will be described later, is executed to notify the transfer path of the print data D1 and the transfer path of the resource data D3.
[0225]
In the next step S235, it is determined whether or not the processing target job is time-designated based on the contents of the schedule information included in the job attribute of the reference D2 of the processing target job. If the time is not specified for the processing target job, the process proceeds to S236, and the job name of the processing target job, the identification information of the workstation that created the print data, the identification information of the printer that performs the printing process, in the output processing table of FIG. The print data transfer path information, job ID, and resource data transfer path information are registered.
[0226]
If the time of the job to be processed is designated, the process advances to step S237 to determine whether the print data transfer path is route 3 or route 4 (route through which the server acquires print data from the workstation). If the print data transfer path is not route 3 or route 4, the process advances to step S239. If the print data transfer path is route 3 or route 4, the workstation 12W in step S238.₁After acquiring the print data from the image data and storing it in the spool 250, the process proceeds to S239.
[0227]
In S239, a time designation process table registration process subroutine shown in FIG. 40, which will be described later, is executed, so that the process start time, job name, and print data of the processing target job are created in the time designation process table shown in FIG. Identification information, identification information of a printer that performs printing processing, print data transfer path information, job ID, and resource data transfer path information are registered.
[0228]
Next, each subroutine executed in the reference process of FIG. 36 will be described. Since the output printer extraction process (FIG. 20) in S232 is the same as that in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
[0229]
The data transfer path pattern and printer selection process of FIG. 37 executed in S233 is substantially the same as the process routine of FIG. 22 described in the first embodiment, but the print data transfer path pattern is determined in S604 or S613. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S614, where the resource data transfer path determination process subroutine of FIG. 38 is executed. Hereinafter, the resource data transfer route determination process of FIG. 38 will be described.
[0230]
In S700 of FIG. 38, the transfer path pattern of the print data determined in S604 or S613 of FIG. 37 is read. In the next S701, the print resource information 91 included in the reference D2 of FIG. The location information of the resource data to be read is read.
[0231]
In next step S702, it is determined whether the transfer path pattern of the print data read in step S700 is any one of the routes 1, 3, and 5 (that is, the path pattern in which the printer acquires the print data).
[0232]
If the print data transfer path pattern is one of the routes 1, 3, and 5, the resource data transfer path pattern is determined as one of the path patterns for the printer to acquire the resource data as follows. Here, an example will be described in which a transfer path pattern is individually determined for resource data, assuming a case where there are a plurality of resource data used in the printing process.
[0233]
That is, in S703 and S704, the location of the target resource data is determined based on the location information of the resource data read in S701. If the target resource data is in the resource management server 15 (stored by the resource management server 15), an affirmative determination is made in step S703, and the process advances to step S707, where the route for transferring the resource data is route 11 (resource management server ← printer). ). The target resource data is the workstation 12W.₁(Workstation 12W₁In step S704, an affirmative determination is made, and the process advances to step S705 to determine the transfer path of the resource data as route 13 (workstation ← printer). If the target resource data is in the server 14 (stored by the server 14), a negative determination is made in S704, the process proceeds to S706, and the transfer path of the resource data is determined as route 15 (server ← printer). Thereafter, the processes of S703 to S707 are sequentially performed on other resource data used in the printing process one by one. Then, when the processing of S703 to S707 is completed for all resource data used in the printing processing, the processing in FIG.
[0234]
On the other hand, if it is determined in S702 that the print data transfer path pattern is not one of the routes 1, 3, and 5, the resource data transfer path pattern is changed to the path pattern for transmitting the resource data to the printer as follows. Decide on either one.
[0235]
That is, in S709 and S710, the location of the target resource data is determined based on the location information of the resource data read in S701. If the target resource data is in the resource management server 15 (stored by the resource management server 15), an affirmative determination is made in S709, and the process proceeds to S712, where the route for transferring the resource data is route 12 (resource management server → printer). ). The target resource data is the workstation 12W.₁(Workstation 12W₁In step S710, the process proceeds to step S713, and the transfer path of the resource data is determined to be route 14 (workstation → printer). If the target resource data is in the server 14 (stored by the server 14), a negative determination is made in S710, the process proceeds to S711, and the transfer path of the resource data is determined to be route 16 (server → printer). Thereafter, the processes of S709 to S713 are sequentially performed one by one for other resource data used in the printing process. When the processes in S709 to S713 are completed for all resource data used in the printing process, the process in FIG.
[0236]
The data transfer path pattern and printer selection process of FIG. 37 including the resource data transfer path determination process of FIG. 38 as described above determines the transfer path of the print data D1, the transfer path of the resource data D3, and the printer.
[0237]
Next, the data transfer path pattern notification process of FIG. 39 executed in S234 of FIG. 36 will be described. In S240 of FIG. 39, the data transfer path pattern and printer selection process (FIG. 37) of S233 is performed for an apparatus (for example, the resource management server 15) storing various resources defined in the print resource information 91 of the reference D2. The resource data transfer path pattern and the resource data name (resource data identification information) to be transferred are determined.
[0238]
In next step S241, the schedule information included in the job attribute 92 of the reference D2 in FIG. 28 is referred to and it is determined whether or not the processing start time is designated. If the processing start time is not specified, the process proceeds to S242, and the workstation 12W making the print processing request₁And the determined printer (eg, printer 16P₁) Is notified of the transfer path pattern of the determined print data and the process returns.
[0239]
On the other hand, if the processing start time is designated, the process proceeds to S243, where the print data transfer path pattern is route 1 or route 2 (that is, the print data is not transferred between the workstation and the printer without going through the server 14). It is determined whether the route is a direct exchange route). If the print data transfer path pattern is route 1 or route 2, the workstation 12W₁Return without notifying the transfer path pattern of print data for. If the transfer path pattern of the print data is not route 1 or route 2, the process proceeds to S244 and the workstation 12W₁Is notified of the transfer path pattern of the determined print data, and the process returns.
[0240]
Next, the time designation process table registration process of FIG. 40 executed in S239 of FIG. 36 will be described. In S250 of FIG. 40, a record representing the information of the job for which the start time is designated to be registered in the time designation processing table shown in FIG. 47 is generated, and in the next S251, the generated record is registered in the time designation processing table. To do.
[0241]
In the next S252, all the records stored in the time designation processing table are rearranged in order of the start time, and in the next S253, the timer setting is set for the job (first job) represented in the first record after the rearrangement. It is determined whether it has been completed. Here, only when the timer has been set, the timer is reset in S254. In the next step S255, a process start time timer is set for the first job.
[0242]
In next step S256, it is determined whether or not the resource data transfer path relating to the head job is route 16 (path through which the server transmits resource data to the printer). If the resource data transfer path is route 16, the process proceeds to S257. The resource data is transmitted to the determined printer before the processing start time, and the process returns.
[0243]
36 including the subroutines shown in FIGS. 37 to 40 described above, the transfer path of the print data D1, the transfer path of the resource data D3, and the printer are determined and notified. The job information is registered in the table, and the job information is registered in the output processing table for jobs other than the time designation job.
[0244]
Next, the process for controlling the execution of the job waiting for processing shown in FIG. 41 will be described. In S260 of FIG. 41, it is checked whether there is a job waiting for processing in the output processing table of FIG. If there is a job waiting for processing in the output processing table, the process advances to step S261, and job information is read from the output processing table by FIFO (first-in first-out method).
[0245]
In the next S262, it is determined whether or not the print data transfer route is route 3 or route 4 (route through which the server acquires print data from the workstation) based on the read job information. If the print data transfer path is route 3 or route 4, the process proceeds to S263, and the workstation 12W₁The print data is acquired from the data and stored in the spool 250 in FIG. In step S264, it is determined whether the print data transfer path is route 4 (route 3). If the print data transfer path is route 4, the process advances to step S265, and the print data transfer path is route 3. If there is, there is no need to transfer the print data from the server 14, so the process proceeds to S267 to be described later.
[0246]
In step S265 that proceeds when the print data transfer path is route 4 and when the print data transfer path is any one of routes 1, 2, 5, and 6, the print data D1 is stored in the spool 250, and is stored. Upon completion, the process proceeds to S266, and the print data D1 stored in the spool 250 is transferred to the transfer destination (for example, the printer 16P) set in the read job information.₁).
[0247]
In next step S267, it is determined whether or not the transfer route of the resource data set in the job information read in S261 is route 16 (route through which the server transfers the resource data to the printer), and the transfer route of the resource data is determined. If it is route 16, the process proceeds to S268, and the resource data is transferred to the transfer destination (for example, printer 16P).₁).
[0248]
After transferring the resource data or if the transfer path of the resource data is other than the route 16, the process returns to S260 to check whether there is a new job waiting for processing.
[0249]
The job information registered in the output processing table is sequentially read out by the execution control processing of the job waiting for processing described above, and print data acquisition / transfer and resource data transfer are performed based on the job information.
[0250]
Next, the execution control process for the time designation job shown in FIG. 42 will be described. In S270 of FIG. 42, it is determined whether or not a process start timer interrupt for the time designation job registered in the time designation process table of FIG. 47 is detected. When the process start timer interruption is detected, the process proceeds to S271, and the time designation job information arranged at the head of the time designation process table is extracted from the time designation process table. That is, the first time designation job information is extracted from the time designation processing table, and the first time designation job information is deleted from the time designation processing table.
[0251]
In the next S272, all records stored in the time designation processing table after sampling are rearranged in the order of early start time, and in the next S273, for the job (first job) represented in the first record after the rearrangement, Set the processing start time timer.
[0252]
In next step S274, it is determined whether or not the print data transfer path included in the time designation job information extracted in step S271 is route 4 or route 6 (route through which the server transfers print data to the printer). If the print data transfer path is route 4 or route 6, the process advances to step S276, and the print data D1 stored in the spool 250 is transferred to the transfer destination (for example, the printer 16P).₁). On the other hand, if the print data transfer path is other than the routes 4 and 6, the process proceeds to S275, and the print data transfer path is notified.
[0253]
Thereafter, the process returns to S270 to detect a process start timer interrupt for a new time designation job.
[0254]
Through the above-described execution control process of the time designation job, the job information registered in the time designation process table is sequentially read, and print data transfer or print data transfer path notification is performed based on the job information.
[0255]
Next, communication control processing executed in the resource management server 15 will be described with reference to FIG. In S801 and S802 of FIG. 43, resource data reception check and resource data transfer path reception check are performed, respectively. If reception of the resource data is detected, the process proceeds to S803, where the resource data is received, and the received resource data is stored in the spool 250 of FIG.
[0256]
On the other hand, when the reception of the resource data transfer path is detected, the process proceeds to S804, and it is determined whether or not the resource data transfer path is the route 12 (the path through which the resource management server transfers the resource data to the printer). If the resource data transfer path is route 12, the process advances to step S805 to transfer the resource data transfer destination (for example, the printer 16P).₁), And in step S806, the resource data is transferred to the destination (for example, the printer 16P).₁). If the resource data transfer path is other than the route 12, there is no need to transfer the resource data from the resource management server 15, so the process returns to S801 and the resource data reception check is continued.
[0257]
Next, referring to FIG. 44, the printer 16P₁The communication control process executed in FIG. In S300 and S302 in FIG. 44, a reception check for print data or resource data and a reception check for a data acquisition instruction from the server 14 are performed. When reception of print data or resource data is detected, the process proceeds to S301, where the print data or resource data is received, the received print data is stored in the spool 350 in FIG. 26, or the received resource is stored in the resource spool 380. Accumulate data.
[0258]
On the other hand, when reception of a data acquisition instruction from the server 14 is detected, the process proceeds to S303, and information on the acquisition destination of print data or resource data is obtained from the content of the data acquisition instruction. In next step S304, it is determined whether or not the data to be acquired is resource data (whether it is print data).
[0259]
If the data to be acquired is resource data, the process proceeds to S305, where the resource data is acquired from the resource data acquisition destination, and the acquired resource data is stored in the resource spool 380. That is, if the resource data transfer path is route 11, resource data is acquired from the resource management server 15, and if the resource data transfer path is route 13, the workstation 12W₁If the resource data transfer path is route 15, the resource data is acquired from the server 14.
[0260]
If the data to be acquired is print data, the process proceeds to S306, where the print data is acquired from the print data acquisition destination, and the acquired print data is stored in the spool 350. That is, if the print data transfer path is route 1, the workstation 12W₁If the print data transfer path is route 3 or route 5, the print data is obtained from the server 14.
[0261]
By using a printer having a function for acquiring print data and resource data in this way, it is not necessary for the server to control the distribution of print data, and the server or resource management server does not need to control the distribution of resource data. There is an advantage that the processing load of the server is reduced.
[0262]
In next step S307, the print data D1 to be printed is accumulated in the spool 350, and all the resource data D3 used in the printing process are accumulated in the resource spool 380, and whether or not the print process can be started is determined. Determine. If there is print data D1 and resource data D3 that have not yet been accumulated and the print processing is not ready, the process returns to S300 and waits for reception of print data D1 and resource data D3 that have not yet been accumulated.
[0263]
If the print processing can be started, the process proceeds to S308, and print processing of the print data D1 is performed using the accumulated resource data D3. After the print processing is completed, the process returns to S300 and waits for reception of new print data D1 and resource data D3.
[0264]
According to the second embodiment described above, the server receives a print processing request from the workstation using the reference D2, and determines an appropriate printer, print data transfer path, and resource data transfer path. Then, the print processing of the print data based on the proper transfer path of the print data and the transfer path of the resource data can be realized by the control processing routine in each of the workstation, the server, the resource management server, and the printer.
[0265]
In addition, resource data and print data are transferred separately, thereby reducing the amount of data transferred at a time and avoiding concentration of traffic on the network. Further, the resource data can be smoothly transferred to the printer that performs the printing process according to the contents of the reference D2, so that the latest resource data can be used in the printing process, and the old resource data is used in the printing process. Can be avoided.
[0266]
For timed jobs, resource data can be stored in the printer in advance, the amount of data transferred at the processing start time can be reduced, and the printing process by the printer at the processing start time can be performed smoothly. Can be started.
[0267]
In the operation of the first and second embodiments, the workstation 12W₁In the above description, it is assumed that the print data D1 is generated and a print processing request for the print data D1 is made to the server 14. However, the present invention is not limited to one network, and all the connections connected via the network are described. Communication control processing similar to the above can be realized among the workstation, server, resource management server, and printer.
[0268]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the terminal device requests print processing of print data from the server using print processing content information that does not include print data, and the server performs appropriate processing based on the print processing content information. Since a transfer path and an appropriate image forming apparatus are determined, and print data is transferred to the determined image forming apparatus according to the determined transfer path, smooth transfer of print data and printing by an appropriate image forming apparatus are performed. Processing can be realized.
[0269]
In particular, according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the resource data and the print data can be transferred independently to an appropriate image forming apparatus through an appropriate transfer path. The concentration of traffic on the network can be reduced, and the latest resource data can be used in the printing process (that is, the disadvantage that the old resource data is used in the printing process can be avoided).
[0270]
According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the amount of data transferred from the terminal device to the server at the time of the request is obtained by requesting the server for print processing using the print processing content information having a data amount smaller than the print data. Since the amount of traffic on the network system can be reduced and the amount of data to be stored in the server is also reduced, the server does not require an additional magnetic disk device or the like, thereby reducing costs. be able to.
[0271]
According to the inventions of claims 18 and 19, it is possible to make a print processing request using print processing content information instead of print data.
[0272]
According to the invention described in claims 20 and 21, in response to a print processing request from the terminal device using the print processing content information, an appropriate image forming apparatus and an appropriate transfer path are determined, and the determined transfer is determined. Transfer of print data based on the route can be realized.
[0273]
According to the invention of claim 22, since each of the resource data and the print data is sequentially transferred to the image forming apparatus, the amount of data transferred over the network can be reduced at the same time, and at the processing start time. The printing process by the image forming apparatus can be started smoothly.
[0274]
According to the invention of claim 23, since the image forming apparatus can acquire the resource data, it is not necessary for the server or the resource management server to control the distribution of the resource data. The load is reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a network system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a workstation in the first and second embodiments.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server in the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a table showing an example of a device information table managed by a server in the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a table showing an example of a printer performance information table managed by the server.
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a reference.
FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of detailed reference information in the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a flow of printing in the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a print data communication route.
FIG. 11 is a list of print data transfer path patterns.
FIG. 12 is a table showing a priority order regarding a print data transfer path.
FIG. 13 is a communication function matrix table of workstations and printers.
FIG. 14 is a matrix table of a reference transmission device and a reception device.
FIG. 15 is a matrix table of a transmission device and a reception device for print data.
FIG. 16 is a matrix table of print data acquisition apparatuses and provision apparatuses.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a communication control processing routine executed in the workstation of the first embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a communication control processing routine executed in the server of the first embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a communication control processing routine executed in the printer of the first embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of output printer extraction processing.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of print condition check processing.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a data transfer route pattern and printer selection processing subroutine in the first embodiment;
23 is a table showing data transfer paths for each communication function matrix of FIG.
FIG. 24 is an overall configuration diagram of a network system in a second embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server in the second embodiment.
FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 27 is a table showing an example of a device information table managed by a server in the second embodiment.
FIG. 28 is a table showing an example of detailed reference information in the second embodiment.
FIG. 29 is a conceptual diagram showing a flow of printing in the second embodiment.
FIG. 30 is a conceptual diagram showing a resource data communication route.
FIG. 31 is a list of resource data transfer path patterns;
FIG. 32 is a matrix table of a transmission device and a reception device of resource data.
FIG. 33 is a matrix table of resource data acquisition apparatuses and provision apparatuses.
FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a communication control processing routine executed in the workstation of the second embodiment.
FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a data reception control processing routine executed in the server according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a reference processing routine executed in the server of the second embodiment.
FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of data transfer path pattern and printer selection processing in the second embodiment.
FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of resource data transfer path determination processing.
FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of data transfer path pattern notification processing;
FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of time designation processing table registration processing.
FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing an execution control processing routine of a job waiting to be executed in the server according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing an execution control processing routine of a time designation job executed in the server of the second embodiment.
FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing a communication control processing routine executed in the resource management server of the second embodiment.
FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing a communication control processing routine executed in the printer of the second embodiment.
FIG. 45 is a table showing an example of a reference processing table.
FIG. 46 is a table showing an example of an output processing table.
FIG. 47 is a table showing an example of a time designation processing table.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 20 LAN
12W₁, 12W₂, 12W_Three, 12W_Four  Work station
14, 24 servers
15, 25 Resource management server
16P₁, 16P₂, 16P_Three, 16P_Four  Printer
22W₁, 22W₂, 22W_Three, 22W_Four  Work station
26P₁, 26P₂, 26P_Three, 26P_Four  Printer
D1 print data
D2 reference
D3 Resource data
91 Printing Resource Information
92 Job attribute information
93 Print attribute information
110 Data generator
220 Device information management unit
240 Print Management Department
241 Schedule control unit
243 Printer Selection Department
244 Data transfer route determination unit
340 Print processing unit
370 Print control unit

Claims (23)

A network system configured to include at least one terminal device that generates print data, a plurality of image forming apparatuses that execute print processing based on the print data, and a server that manages the image forming apparatus,
The terminal device
Information generation means for generating print processing content information indicating the content of the print processing including print service information indicating an output method designated for the print data when generating the print data;
Print processing requesting means for requesting print processing of the print data to the server by transmitting the print processing content information generated by the information generating means to the server;
Have
The server
A plurality of predetermined transfer paths for transferring the print data to the image forming apparatus for executing the print process based on the output method indicated by the print service information included in the print process content information received from the terminal apparatus Determining means for determining from the pattern ;
Control means for controlling the print data to be transferred to the image forming apparatus according to the transfer path determined by the determining means;
A network system. The print processing content information, billing, characterized in that it is further comprising constituting the print attribute information representative of the execution control information of the print process in the printing resource information,及 beauty the image forming apparatus including the location information of the print data Item 4. The network system according to Item 1. At least one terminal device that generates print data, a plurality of image forming devices that execute print processing based on the print data, and electronic form data and logo data that are generally used in print processing, unlike the print data A network system configured to include a resource management server that manages resource data, and a server that manages the image forming apparatus,
The terminal device
Information generation means for generating print processing content information indicating the content of the print processing including print service information indicating an output method designated for the print data when generating the print data;
Print processing requesting means for requesting print processing of the print data to the server by transmitting the print processing content information generated by the information generating means to the server;
Have
The server
An image forming apparatus that executes print processing based on an output method indicated by print service information included in print processing content information received from the terminal device, a transfer path of resource data to the image forming apparatus, and the image formation Determining means for determining a transfer path of print data to the apparatus from a plurality of predetermined transfer path patterns ;
Control means for controlling the print data to be transferred to the image forming apparatus according to the print data transfer path determined by the determining means and the resource data to be transferred to the image forming apparatus according to the determined resource data transfer path;
A network system. The print processing content information further print attribute information representative of a print resource information, execution control information of the print processing in 及 beauty the image forming apparatus including the location information of the resource data used in the printing process and the location information of the print data The network system according to claim 3, comprising: The server further includes an image forming apparatus performance information storage unit storing performance information for each image forming apparatus,
The determination unit determines an image forming apparatus suitable for executing a printing process based on printing attribute information included in the printing process content information and performance information for each image forming apparatus. The network system according to claim 2 or claim 4. The server receives data from another device as a communication function by the terminal device and the image forming device, and transmits data to another device that provides data in response to a data acquisition request from another device. and, further comprising a equipment performance information storage unit that stores a communication function information indicating whether each having a client function to acquire data from the other device,
The determining unit is configured to select a plurality of transfer path patterns determined in advance according to an output method based on a combination of the determined image forming apparatus indicated by the communication function information and the communication function of the terminal apparatus that has requested printing. 6. The network system according to claim 5, wherein a transfer path is determined . Priorities are predetermined for the plurality of transfer path patterns,
  The determination unit determines a transfer route pattern that can be communicated by a combination of communication functions of the determined image forming apparatus and the terminal device that has requested print processing and has a high priority as a transfer route. The network system described. The server further includes an image forming apparatus performance information storage unit storing performance information for each image forming apparatus,
The determining unit determines an image forming apparatus suitable for execution of a printing process based on printing attribute information included in the printing process content information and performance information for each image forming apparatus, and the determined image forming apparatus 5. The network system according to claim 4, wherein a transfer path of resource data to the image forming apparatus is determined based on the print resource information included in the print processing content information.   When the determined print data transfer path is a path through which the terminal device directly transfers the print data to the image forming apparatus, the control unit sends the determined image forming apparatus and the print data transfer path to the terminal apparatus. The network system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the terminal device is notified to transfer print data to the image forming apparatus.   When the determined print data transfer path is a path through which the image forming apparatus directly acquires the print data from the terminal device, the control unit notifies the determined image data transfer apparatus of the print data transfer path. The network system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein print data is acquired from the terminal device by the image forming apparatus. Transfer path of the print data said determined is, if a route of acquiring the print data by the image forming apparatus terminal device transfers the print data to the servers is the transfer from the server, the control means have determined The print data transfer path is notified to an image forming apparatus and a terminal device, the print data is transferred to a server by the terminal device, and the print data is acquired from the server by the image forming device. The network system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.   When the determined transfer path of the print data is a path in which the server acquires the print data from the terminal device and transfers the acquired print data to the image forming apparatus, the control unit determines the determined image forming apparatus and terminal 9. The print data transfer path is notified to an apparatus, print data is acquired from the terminal apparatus, and the print data is transferred to the image forming apparatus. The network system described in 1.   When the determined transfer path of the print data is a path where the server acquires the print data from the terminal device and the image forming apparatus acquires the acquired print data from the server, the control unit determines the determined image forming apparatus 9. The print data transfer path is notified to the terminal device, the print data is acquired from the terminal device, and the print data is acquired from the server by the image forming apparatus. The network system according to any one of the above.   When the determined transfer path of the print data is a path in which the terminal device transfers the print data to the server and the server transfers the print data to the image forming apparatus, the control unit determines the determined image forming apparatus and terminal 9. The print data transfer path is notified to an apparatus, the print data is transferred to a server by the terminal device, and the print data is transferred to the image forming apparatus. The network system according to item 1.   When the determined resource data transfer path is a path for the resource management server to transfer the resource data to the image forming apparatus, the control means transfers the resource data transfer path to the determined image forming apparatus and the resource management server. 9. The network system according to claim 8, wherein the resource data is transferred to the image forming apparatus by the resource management server.   When the determined transfer path of the resource data is a path for the image forming apparatus to acquire the resource data from the resource management server, the control unit notifies the determined image forming apparatus of the transfer path of the resource data. 9. The network system according to claim 8, wherein resource data is acquired from the resource management server by the image forming apparatus.   The network system according to claim 1, wherein the print processing content information has a data amount smaller than that of the print data. A plurality of image forming apparatuses that execute print processing based on print data, and a terminal device that constitutes a network system together with a server that manages the image forming apparatuses;
Print data generation means for generating print data to be printed;
Print resource information including location information of print data generated by the print data generation unit , job attribute information including print service information indicating an output method designated for the print data , and printing in the image forming apparatus Information generating means for generating print processing content information including print attribute information representing processing execution control information;
Print processing requesting means for requesting print processing of the print data to the server by transmitting the print processing content information generated by the information generating means to the server;
A terminal device. A plurality of image forming apparatuses that execute print processing based on print data, a resource management server that manages resource data including electronic form data and logo data that are generally used in print processing, unlike the print data, and the image A terminal device that constitutes a network system together with a server that manages the forming device,
Print data generation means for generating print data to be printed;
Print resource information including location information of print data generated by the print data generation means and location information of resource data used in print processing, and print service information indicating an output method designated for the print data and job attribute information, and the information generation means for generating print processing content information is configured to include a print attribute information representative of the execution control information of print processing in the image forming apparatus but,
Print processing requesting means for requesting print processing of the print data to the server by transmitting the print processing content information generated by the information generating means to the server;
A terminal device. Print resource information including print data location information including print data location information , job attribute information including print service information indicating an output method designated for the print data , and print processing in the image forming apparatus A network system is configured with at least one terminal device that generates print processing content information including print attribute information representing execution control information, and a plurality of image forming devices that execute print processing based on the print data. A server for managing the image forming apparatus,
An image forming apparatus for executing print processing based on an output method indicated by print service information included in job attribute information constituting print processing content information received from the terminal apparatus, and transfer of print data to the image forming apparatus Determining means for determining a route from a plurality of predetermined transfer route patterns ;
Control means for controlling the print data to be transferred to the image forming apparatus according to the print data transfer path determined by the determining means;
Server with. Unlike print data, a resource management server for managing resource data including electronic form data and logo data that is used in general for printing processing, location information of the printing data and resources used for printing processing Print resource information including data location information , job attribute information including print service information indicating an output method designated for the print data , and print attributes representing print process execution control information in the image forming apparatus A network system is configured with at least one terminal device that generates print processing content information including information and a plurality of image forming devices that execute print processing based on the print data, and manages the image forming device A server that
An image forming apparatus that executes print processing based on an output method indicated by print service information included in job attribute information included in print processing content information received from the terminal device, and transfer of print data to the image forming apparatus Determining means for determining a path and a transfer path of resource data to the image forming apparatus from a plurality of predetermined transfer path patterns ;
Control means for controlling the print data to be transferred to the image forming apparatus according to the transfer path of the print data determined by the determining means and the resource data to be transferred to the image forming apparatus according to the determined transfer path of the resource data; ,
Server with.   When the job attribute information includes execution control information including the process start time for a print process for which a process start time is set, the control unit is set to the process start time before or at the process start time. 22. The server according to claim 21, wherein each of the resource data and the print data is controlled to be sequentially transferred to the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus that executes print processing based on print data,
Unlike print data, a resource management server for managing resource data including electronic form data and logo data that is used in general for printing processing, location information of the printing data and resources used for printing processing Print resource information including data location information , job attribute information including print service information indicating an output method designated for the print data , and print attribute information representing print process execution control information in the image forming apparatus Based on an output method indicated by print service information included in job attribute information constituting print processing content information received from the terminal device, and at least one terminal device that generates print processing content information including An image forming apparatus that executes a printing process, a transfer path of print data to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus Together constituting a network system with a server for determining a plurality of transfer paths to a predetermined pattern transfer path RDATA to the image forming apparatus,
If the server receives resource data transfer path information determined by the server, and the resource data transfer path is a path through which the image forming apparatus acquires the resource data from the resource management server, the resource data from the resource management server An image forming apparatus characterized in that

Images