JP4082042B2 - Data output system, data output program, and data output method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data output system, a data output program, and a data output method, and more particularly, to a data output system, a data output program, and a data output method capable of optimizing productivity.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, improvement in image output productivity has been demanded in a work environment such as an office. For this purpose, for example, a cluster system has been proposed in which a plurality of image output devices (printers) are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like to operate virtually at high speed. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-163235 discloses a control method in which the same job is distributed and supplied to a plurality of image output apparatuses connected to a network. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-314438 discloses a printing apparatus that transfers a remaining job to another image output apparatus on a network and continues print processing when a failure occurs in the image output apparatus in the middle of print processing. Is disclosed. Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-311072 discloses a network printing apparatus that transfers the remaining job to another desired image output apparatus on the network and continues the printing process.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described cluster system has a problem that the scale of the system is large and an economic burden is increased.
[0004]
Also, with the control method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-163235, the amount of jobs transferred to each image output device cannot be changed according to the processing status, so that the productivity can be improved according to the processing status. There is a problem that it is difficult to improve productivity by optimizing. Further, even with the control method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-314438 and the network printing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-311072, a plurality of image output devices can process jobs in parallel. However, it has been difficult to improve productivity by optimizing productivity.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object thereof is to provide a data output system, a data output program, and a data output method capable of optimizing productivity.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a data output system is a data output system including a plurality of data output devices connected to a telecommunication line and a data processing device, and the data processing device Is an accepting means for accepting an output request for output data via a telecommunication line, and when accepting an output request for a plurality of copies of output data at the accepting means, an output command is sent to each of the plurality of data output devices. Transfer means for transferring the output data, and obtaining means for obtaining information on the processing status of the output data for each output number of output data from each of the plurality of data output devices,The number of remaining copies is counted each time information on the processing status is obtained by the input means from one data output device for which one of the plurality of data output devices has been subjected to print processing, and the processing of each data output device Based on the speed and the remaining number of copies, a data output device that outputs each part from the printing process to the end of the total number is registered as an end order, and the data output apparatus that has completed the print process is not registered in the end order If the data output deviceIssuance means for issuing an output stop instruction to the.
[0007]
  Preferably, the data output device receives the output stop command from the data processing device while outputting the output data based on the output command received from the data processing device, and after the output of the corresponding portion of the output data being output is completed. Stop outputting the output data.
  Preferably, the data system is based on the processing speed of the data output device.Ending orderFurther, a determination means for determining.
  More preferably, the determining means includes a measuring means for measuring the processing speed based on a time from the output of the output command to reception of processing status information..
  GoodPreferably, the processing status information includes information for notifying that the output processing based on the output data has been completed.
  Preferably, the processing status information includes trouble information in the data output device.
[0008]
  According to another aspect of the present invention, a data output program receives an output request for output data via a telecommunication line, and receives an output request for a plurality of copies of output data in the reception step. A transfer step for transferring an output command and output data to each of a plurality of data output devices connected to the communication line, and information on the processing status of the output data from each of the plurality of data output devices. Obtaining step for each number of output copies,The number of remaining copies is counted each time information on the processing status is obtained in the input step from one data output device for which one of the plurality of data output devices has been subjected to print processing. The processing of each data output device Based on the speed and the remaining number of copies, a data output device that outputs each part from the printing process to the end of the total number is registered as an end order, and the data output apparatus that has completed the print process is not registered in the end order If the data output deviceAnd issuing a step of issuing an output stop command to the computer.
[0009]
  Preferably, when the data output program receives the output stop command from the data processing device while outputting the output data based on the output command received via the telecommunication line, the output of the corresponding portion of the output data being output After the end, the computer further realizes a stop step for stopping the output of the output data.
  Preferably, the data output program is based on the processing speed of the data output device.Ending orderA determination step for determining
  More preferably, the determining step includes a step of measuring a processing speed based on a time from the output of the output command to reception of processing status information..
  GoodPreferably, the processing status information includes information for notifying that the output processing based on the output data has been completed.
  Preferably, the processing status information includes trouble information in the data output device.
[0010]
  According to another aspect of the present invention, a data output method includes: an accepting step for accepting an output request for output data via a telecommunication line; and an electrical request when receiving an output request for a plurality of copies of output data in the accepting step. A transfer step for transferring an output command and output data to each of a plurality of data output devices connected to the communication line, and information on the processing status of the output data from each of the plurality of data output devices. Obtaining step for each number of output copies,The number of remaining copies is counted each time information on the processing status is obtained in the input step from one data output device for which one of the plurality of data output devices has been subjected to print processing. The processing of each data output device Based on the speed and the remaining number of copies, a data output device that outputs each part from the printing process to the end of the total number is registered as an end order, and the data output apparatus that has completed the print process is not registered in the end order If the data output deviceAnd an issue step for issuing an output stop instruction.
  Preferably, the data output method is based on the processing speed of the data output device.Ending orderAnd a determination step for determining.
  More preferably, the determining step includes a step of measuring a processing speed based on a time from the output of the output command to reception of processing status information..
  GoodPreferably, the processing status information includes information for notifying that the output processing based on the output data has been completed.
  Preferably, the processing status information includes trouble information in the data output device.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system that is a data output system according to the present embodiment.
[0013]
Referring to FIG. 1, a printing system according to the present embodiment includes a host computer (hereinafter referred to as host PC) 100 that is a data (image data) processing device connected to a network 300, and a data (image data) output device. Printers 200a to 200d. The printing system according to the present embodiment communicates with each other via the network 300. Note that communication by the network 300 which is a telecommunication line includes wireless communication.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the host PC 100 shown in FIG. The host PC 100 is composed of a general PC, and manages a print job for causing the printer 200 (printers 200a to 200d to represent the printer 200) to execute print processing.
[0015]
Referring to FIG. 2, host PC 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and stores a control unit 101 that controls the entire host PC 100, and various programs and data that are executed by control unit 101. An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 102, a memory 103 that is a work area when a program is executed by the control unit 101, a display unit 104 that displays various information, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like And an input unit 105 that receives input of various types of information, and a network I / F (interface) 106 for exchanging information via the network 300.
[0016]
A general process in the above-described host PC 100 will be described below.
The control unit 101 reads various programs and data from the HDD 102 and loads them into the memory 103. The control unit 101 executes a program on the memory 103, and performs output control to the display unit 104, input control from the input unit 105, processing of a print command, and the like. In response to the print command, the command and image data are transferred from the network I / F 106 to the network 300, and the printer 200 executes print processing.
[0017]
The above-described host PC 100 is constructed by a general PC, and the configuration is not limited to the above-described configuration shown in FIG.
[0018]
3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the printer 200 shown in FIG. The printer 200 executes print processing in accordance with a control command output from the host PC 100.
[0019]
Referring to FIG. 3, printer 200 includes a CPU and the like, and includes a control unit 201 that controls the entire printer 200, an HDD 202 that stores various programs and data executed by the control unit 201, and a control unit. A memory 203 that is a work area when the program is executed in 201, a printing unit 204 that executes a printing process, and a network I / F 205 for exchanging information via the network 300 are included.
[0020]
A general process in the printer 200 will be described below.
The control unit 201 reads various programs and data from the HDD 202 and loads them into the memory 203. The control unit 201 executes a program on the memory 203, and controls printing processing in the printing unit 204, reception of image data to be printed, and the like. When the control unit 201 receives a print command or image data from the network 300 via the network I / F 205, the control unit 201 buffers the data in the memory 203 and then develops a bitmap for performing a printing process (RIP (Raster Image Processor)). Execute the process. Then, the RIP processed (bitmap expanded) data is transferred to the printing unit 204 and printed on a predetermined sheet, thereby executing the printing process.
[0021]
Note that the above-described printer 200 is a general data output device having a print processing function, and the configuration thereof is not limited to the above-described configuration shown in FIG. 3, and may include other scanning functions and the like. Absent. The printers 200a to 200d may not be printers having the same function and ability.
[0022]
Processing in the printing system in the present embodiment including the host PC 100 and printer 200 described above will be described below. In the following description, it is assumed that 16 copies of the same image data are to be printed. Needless to say, the same applies to the case of printing the other number of copies of image data.
[0023]
In the following description, it is assumed that the printers 200 registered in the printing system are the four printers 200, which are printers 200a to 200d. Needless to say, other numbers of printers 200 are registered. This is the same even if
[0024]
First, processing in the host PC 100 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing print control processing in the host PC 100. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is realized by the control unit 101 of the host PC 100 reading a program stored in the HDD 102 and executing it on the memory 103.
[0025]
Referring to FIG. 4, first, a print flag process indicating whether or not a print process is being performed in host PC 100 is executed (S1). Next, print command processing is executed (S2), and necessary print commands and image data are output.
[0026]
Then, based on the processing information from the printer 200, a copy count process for counting the number of printed copies is executed (S3). Further, trouble processing is executed according to the trouble of the printer 200 (S4).
[0027]
Further, based on the processing information from the printer 200, a process end ranking process is executed every time one copy is printed (S5), and the order of the printer 200 to be stopped is determined. Then, in accordance with the determined order, a print stop process command process is executed for the printer 200 at a predetermined timing (S6). If necessary, other processes other than those described above are executed (S7), and then the above processes are repeatedly executed from step S1.
[0028]
The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is a main routine of processing executed by the host PC 100, and the above-described processing (S1 to S6) will be described in detail with the following subroutines. .
[0029]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the print flag process executed in step S1 of FIG.
[0030]
Referring to FIG. 5, control unit 101 confirms the print flag, the print flag is OFF (NO in S101), and network I / F 106 receives a print request from another device via network 300 ( If YES in S103, the print flag is turned ON (S105).
[0031]
When the printing process related to the print request accepted in step S103 is completed (16 copies in total) (YES in S107), the print flag is turned off (S109).
[0032]
The program is thus finished, and the process returns to the main routine shown in FIG.
If the print flag is ON by executing the above-described print flag process, the print system accepting a print request from another device is being executed in the print system, and the control in the host PC 100 is in the print mode. It is judged that there is. If the print flag is OFF, it is determined that all the copies (16 copies) of the print processing that has received a print request from another device are completed in the printing system, and the control in the host PC 100 is not in the print mode. Is done.
[0033]
Next, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the print command process executed in step S2 of FIG.
[0034]
Referring to FIG. 6, when the print flag is turned ON by the print flag process executed in step S1 of FIG. 4 (when host PC 100 is in the print mode) (YES in S201), the four pre-registered units It is confirmed whether or not registration is valid for the printers 200a to 200d (S203, S205), and a print command (print command) and image data (code) are respectively sent to the printer 200 for which registration is valid. Transfer (S207).
[0035]
When the above-described processing is executed for the four printers 200a to 200d registered in advance (YES in S209 and S211), this program is terminated and the processing is returned to the main routine shown in FIG.
[0036]
By executing the above-described processing, a print command and image data for executing the print processing related to the print request are transferred to each of the printers 200a to 200d that are effectively registered in the printing system, and the printers 200a to 200d are transferred. Processing is started in parallel at d. The processing in the printer 200 will be described later with reference to a flowchart.
[0037]
Next, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the copy count process executed in step S3 of FIG.
[0038]
Referring to FIG. 7, when the print flag is ON, the print command and the image data are transferred to printers 200a to 200d in step S2 of FIG. 4, and the printing process is started in printer 200 (S301), the host For each copy, the PC 100 receives processing information notifying that the printing process for one copy has been completed from the printer 200 that has completed the printing process for one copy (S303).
[0039]
When processing information is received from the printer 200 in step S303 (YES in S303), the processing speed required for one copy of printing processing in the printer 200 is measured (S305). The processing speed of the printer 200 is measured based on the time from when the print command is output until the processing information is received.
[0040]
Further, 1 is added to the total copy count indicating the number of copies that have been printed in the entire printing system (S307).
[0041]
If the print flag is OFF in step S301 (NO in S301), it is determined that all 16 print processes related to the print request have been completed, and the stored total copy count is cleared (S309).
[0042]
The program is thus finished, and the process returns to the main routine shown in FIG.
The above-described copy count process is a process that is executed for the printer 200 that has received the processing information every time one copy process is completed, and is a process that counts the number of copies that have been printed by the entire printing system. is there.
[0043]
Next, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the trouble process executed in step S4 of FIG.
[0044]
Referring to FIG. 8, when receiving trouble information notifying the occurrence of trouble from the printer 200 (YES in S401), the host PC 100 deletes the received registration of the printer 200 (S403).
[0045]
The program is thus finished, and the process returns to the main routine shown in FIG.
By executing the trouble processing described above, the printer 200 in which the trouble has occurred immediately deletes the registration from the printing system and does not perform the printing processing.
[0046]
Next, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the process end ranking process executed in step S5 of FIG.
[0047]
Referring to FIG. 9, when the print flag is ON and print processing is being executed in printer 200 (YES in S501), host PC 100 receives processing information from each printer 200 registered in the print system. Each time one copy of the printing process is completed and the total number of copies is incremented by one (YES in S503), based on the timing at which the image is received and the processing speed measured in step S305 of FIG. From then on, from the end of the 16th copy process (which is the total number), the printer 200 that ends the print process is registered (S505 to S509).
[0048]
  When the printer 200 that has finished the printing process is not registered in the printer that finishes the printing process after the printing process (NO in S511), that is, after the printing process is completed, the printer 200 has completed one copy printing process. Is not registered, it is determined that the processing speed of the printer 200 is slow enough to reduce the efficiency of the entire printing system, and the printer 200 that has finished the printing process is stopped.MakeRegister as a printer (S513).
[0049]
  The program is thus finished, and the process returns to the main routine shown in FIG.
  By executing the process end ranking process described above, each time one print process is completed, the printers 200 registered in the printing system are re-registered in order of increasing print process speed, and the printer 200 having a slow print process speed is registered. In orderWith the printer to stopdecide.
[0050]
Next, FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the print stop command process executed in step S6 of FIG.
[0051]
  Referring to FIG. 10, when the print flag is ON and the print process is being executed in printer 200 (YES in S601), host PC 100 causes the print process to end one copy (YES in S603). ,ConcernedPrinter 200As a printer to stopIt is confirmed whether it is registered (S605). That is, at the time when the printing process is executed (the remaining number of unprocessed copies is determined),Rinta 200As a printer to stopCheck if it is registered.
[0052]
  TheRinta 200As a printer to stopIf registered (YES in S605), registeredRupuA print stop command for print processing is issued to the printer 200 (S607).
[0053]
  The program is thus finished, and the process returns to the main routine shown in FIG.
  By executing the print stop command process described above, every time a print process is completed,ConcernedPrinter 200As a printer to stopIt is determined whether it is registered (whether there is a printer 200 to be stopped), and instructs the printer 200 to be stopped to stop the printing process.
[0054]
The above processing is executed in the host PC 100 of the printing system.
Subsequently, processing in the printer 200 will be described.
[0055]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing in the printer 200. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is realized by the control unit 201 of the printer 200 reading a program stored in the HDD 202 and executing it on the memory 203.
[0056]
Referring to FIG. 11, first, the printer 200 receives a print command from the host PC 100 and executes a print flag process indicating whether or not the print process is being performed (S10). Next, RIP processing is executed on the image data received from the host PC 100 (S20), and printing processing of the image data on which the RIP processing has been executed is executed (S30). Then, processing information transfer processing for transferring processing information indicating that one copy of printing processing has been executed to the host PC 100 is executed (S40). If necessary, other processes other than those described above are executed (S50), and then the above processes are repeatedly executed from step S10.
[0057]
Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 is a main routine of processing executed by the printer 200, and the above-described processing (S10 to S40) will be described in detail with the following subroutines. .
[0058]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the print flag process executed in step S10 of FIG.
[0059]
Referring to FIG. 12, control unit 201 confirms the print flag, if the print flag is OFF (NO in S701), and a print command is received from host PC 100 via network I / F 205 (YES in S703). Then, the print flag is turned ON (S705).
[0060]
Then, the printing process is executed in accordance with the printing command received in step S703, printing of the final page included in one copy of the image data received by the printing command is completed (YES in S707), and a printing stop command is received from the host PC 100. If YES in step S709, the print flag is turned OFF (S711).
[0061]
This program is finished as described above, and the process is returned to the main routine shown in FIG.
[0062]
If the print flag is ON by executing the above-described print flag processing, the printer 200 is printing one copy of the image data in accordance with the print command received from the host PC 100, and the control in the printer 200 performs printing. The mode is determined. If the print flag is OFF, a print stop command is received from the host PC 100, the print process is stopped after completing the print process for one copy of the image data, and the control in the printer 200 is not in the print mode. It is judged.
[0063]
Next, FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the RIP process executed in step S20 of FIG.
[0064]
Referring to FIG. 13, when the print flag is ON by the print flag process executed in step S10 of FIG. 11 (when the print process starts in printer 200) (YES in S801), control unit 201 of printer 200 The image data is received from the host PC 100 via the network I / F 205 and buffered in the memory 203 (S803).
[0065]
When reception of image data included in one copy is completed from the host PC 100 (YES in S805), when the RIP is permitted (YES in S807), that is, the memory 203 using hardware or software for developing a bitmap. When a control signal for accessing the buffered image data is issued, RIP processing is executed for the image data in units of pages (S809).
[0066]
When the page count indicating the number of pages included in one copy of the image data to be printed in the printer 200 is not 0 every time the RIP process in step S809 is completed for one page (YES in S811) (NO in S813). That is, when there is an unprocessed page included in one copy of image data to be printed in the printer 200, the page count indicating the unprocessed page is decremented by 1 (S815). When the page count indicating the number of pages of image data to be printed in the printer 200 is 0 (YES in S813), that is, the RIP process is one copy of image data to be printed in the printer 200. When processing of all the pages is completed, the page counter is set to the number of pages included in one copy in order to process the next copy of the image data (S817).
[0067]
Note that if the print stop command is received in step S709 in FIG. 12 and the print flag is OFF (NO in S801), the RIP process is not executed.
[0068]
This program is finished as described above, and the process is returned to the main routine shown in FIG.
[0069]
By executing the RIP process described above, the received image data is developed in a bitmap that is subjected to print processing in the printing unit 204 of the printer 200 in units of pages. Further, the number of pages for which RIP processing has been completed by the above-described processing is counted for each copy of image data to be printed by the printer 200.
[0070]
In the above RIP processing, characters and images described in mathematical formulas, programming languages, etc. are arranged in necessary sizes and positions using hardware or software generally called RIP and developed as a filled bitmap. Since the method is a general deployment method, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.
[0071]
Next, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the printing process executed in step S30 of FIG.
[0072]
Referring to FIG. 14, the print flag is turned ON by the print flag process executed in step S10 of FIG. 11 (YES in S901), and the RIP process is executed in step S20 of FIG. 11 for the received image data. (YES in S903), when the printing is permitted (YES in S905), that is, the control signal for accessing the RIP processed image data buffered in the memory 203 is issued. In step S907, the control unit 201 of the printer 200 causes the printing unit 204 to perform print processing on the RIP-processed image data.
[0073]
If the print stop command is received in step S709 in FIG. 12 and the print flag is OFF, this is determined in step S901 in FIG. 14 (NO in S901), and the printing process is not executed.
[0074]
When the printing process in step S907 ends (YES in S909), this program ends, and the process returns to the main routine shown in FIG.
[0075]
By executing the above printing process, the printer 200 executes the printing process of the image data transmitted from the host PC 100. When a print stop command is accepted, the printing process for the number of copies is not executed after the printing process for the previous number of copies of the image data is completed. That is, the printing process is stopped according to the received print stop command at the break of the number of copies of the image data to be printed.
[0076]
Next, FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the process information transfer process executed in step S40 of FIG.
[0077]
Referring to FIG. 15, when the print flag is turned ON by the print flag process executed in step S10 of FIG. 11 (YES in S1001), and no trouble has occurred in the printer 200 (NO in S1005). When the printing process in step S30 in FIG. 11 ends up to the last page included in one copy of the image data to be printed (YES in S1009), the control unit 201 of the printer 200 determines the number of copies of the image data to be printed. Processing information for notifying that the printing process has been completed is transferred to the host PC 100 (S1011).
[0078]
If a trouble occurs in the printer 200 (YES in S1005), trouble information for notifying the fact is immediately transferred to the host PC 100 (S1007).
[0079]
Further, when the print flag is turned off by the print flag process executed in step S10 of FIG. 11 (NO in S1001), a print stop command is accepted from the host PC 100, and the print process is completed. The counter for the number of processing copies is cleared (S1003).
[0080]
This program is finished as described above, and the process is returned to the main routine shown in FIG.
[0081]
By executing the processing information transfer process described above, it is possible to notify the host PC 100 of the completion of the printing process or the occurrence of a trouble for each printer 200. Then, the host PC 100 can collect the application information of the operation status from each printer 200a to 200d one by one.
[0082]
The above processing is executed in the printer 200 of the printing system.
A specific example of the processing status in each printer 200a to 200d and control in the host PC 100 when 16 sets of image data are printed in the printing system will be described below.
[0083]
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the processing status in each printer 200a to 200d and the control in the host PC 100 when printing 16 copies of the same image data in the printing system. In FIG. 16, the horizontal axis indicates the elapsed time, and the process in each printer 200 a to 200 d and the control in the host PC 100 with the passage of time.
[0084]
Referring to FIG. 16, first, the host PC 100 transmits a print command for printing 16 sets of image data to each of the printers 200a to 200d (job command), and the same image data is transmitted.
[0085]
In each of the printers 200a to 200d, the print control process shown in FIG. 11 described above is executed, and each time the print process for one copy of the image data is completed, process information notifying that is transferred to the host PC 100. . If a trouble occurs (indicated by the printer 200a), trouble information indicating that is transferred to the host PC.
[0086]
The host PC 100 receives the above processing information and executes the processing end ranking processing and the print stop command processing shown in steps S5 and S6 of FIG. A print stop command (stop command) is issued, and the image data of 16 copies is efficiently printed by the entire printing system.
[0087]
By executing the above processing in the printing system, the operation statuses of the printers 200 registered in the printing system can be collected one by one, and printing can be performed on an appropriate printer 200 when the desired number of copies is completed. A stop command can be issued. For this reason, the number of processing copies in each printer 200 can be optimized, and the productivity of the entire system can be optimized.
[0088]
In the above-described embodiment, the data processing apparatus is described as the host PC 100 and the data output apparatus is the printer 200. However, the data processing apparatus and the data output apparatus are not limited to the above-described apparatuses. The apparatus may have other data processing functions and data output functions.
[0089]
Furthermore, a print control method performed by the above-described host PC 100 and printer 200 can be provided as a program. Such a program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a ROM, a RAM, and a memory card attached to the computer and provided as a program product. Alternatively, the program can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk built in the computer. A program can also be provided by downloading via a network.
[0090]
The provided program product is installed in a program storage unit such as a hard disk and executed.
[0091]
The program product includes the program itself and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.
[0092]
The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system that is a data output system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a host PC 100 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of the printer 200 illustrated in FIG. 1;
4 is a flowchart showing print control processing in the host PC 100. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a print flag process executed in step S1 of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing print command processing executed in step S2 of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a copy count process executed in step S3 of FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing trouble processing executed in step S4 of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process end ranking process executed in step S5 of FIG.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a print stop command process executed in step S6 of FIG.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing in the printer.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing print flag processing executed in step S10 of FIG.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing RIP processing executed in step S20 of FIG.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing print processing executed in step S30 of FIG.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a process information transfer process executed in step S40 of FIG.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a processing status in each printer 200a to 200d and control in the host PC 100 when 16 copies of the same image data are printed in the printing system.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 host PC, 101 host PC control unit, 102 host PC HDD, 103 host PC memory, 104 display unit, 105 input unit, 106 host PC network I / F, 200, 200a-d printer, 201 printer Control unit, 202 Printer HDD, 203 Printer memory, 204 Printing unit, 205 Printer network I / F, 300 network.

Claims (17)

A data output system comprising a plurality of data output devices and data processing devices connected to a telecommunication line,
The data processing device includes:
Receiving means for receiving an output request for output data via the telecommunication line;
A transfer means for transferring an output command and output data to each of the plurality of data output devices when the receiving means accepts an output request for a plurality of copies of the output data;
Obtaining means for obtaining information on the processing status of the output data for each number of output copies of the output data from each of the plurality of data output devices;
The number of remaining copies is counted each time information on the processing status is obtained by the input means from one data output device that has completed print processing for one of the output copies among the plurality of data output devices. Based on the processing speed of the output device and the remaining number of copies, a data output device that outputs each part from the printing process to the end of the total number is registered as an end order, and the data output apparatus that has finished the printing process ends the end A data output system comprising issuing means for issuing an output stop command to the data output device when the rank is not registered .   When the data output device receives the output stop command from the data processing device while outputting the output data based on the output command received from the data processing device, the data output device The data output system according to claim 1, wherein the output of the output data is stopped after the output of the unit is completed. The data output system according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines the end order based on a processing speed of the data output device.   The data output system according to claim 3, wherein the determination unit includes a measurement unit that measures the processing speed based on a time from the output of the output command to reception of the processing status information.   The data output system according to claim 1, wherein the information on the processing status includes information for notifying that an output process based on the output data has been completed.   The data output system according to claim 1, wherein the processing status information includes trouble information in the data output device. A receiving step for receiving an output request for output data via a telecommunication line;
A transfer step of transferring an output command and output data to each of the plurality of data output devices connected to the telecommunication line when receiving an output request of a plurality of parts of the output data in the receiving step; When,
Obtaining information on the processing status of the output data from each of the plurality of data output devices for each number of output copies of the output data;
Each time the information on the processing status is obtained in the input step, the remaining number of copies is counted from one data output device that has completed print processing for one of the output copies among the plurality of data output devices, and each of the data Based on the processing speed of the output device and the remaining number of copies, a data output device that outputs each part from the printing process to the end of the total number is registered as an end order, and the data output apparatus that has finished the printing process ends the end A data output program for causing a computer to realize an issue step of issuing an output stop instruction to the data output device when the order is not registered . When the output stop command is received from the data processing device while the output data is being output based on the output command received via the telecommunication line, the output of the corresponding portion of the output data being output is terminated. The data output program according to claim 7 , further causing a computer to realize a stop step of stopping output of the output data later. 8. The data output program according to claim 7 , further comprising a determination step of determining the end order based on a processing speed of the data output device. The data output program according to claim 9 , wherein the determining step includes a step of measuring the processing speed based on a time from the output of the output command to reception of the processing status information. 8. The data output program according to claim 7 , wherein the processing status information includes information for notifying that output processing based on the output data has been completed. The data output program according to claim 7 , wherein the processing status information includes trouble information in the data output device. A receiving step for receiving an output request for output data via a telecommunication line;
A transfer step of transferring an output command and output data to each of the plurality of data output devices connected to the telecommunication line when receiving an output request of a plurality of parts of the output data in the receiving step; When,
Obtaining information on the processing status of the output data from each of the plurality of data output devices for each number of output copies of the output data;
Each time the information on the processing status is obtained in the input step, the remaining number of copies is counted from one data output device that has completed print processing for one of the output copies among the plurality of data output devices, and each of the data Based on the processing speed of the output device and the remaining number of copies, a data output device that outputs each part from the printing process to the end of the total number is registered as an end order, and the data output apparatus that has finished the printing process ends the end And a issuing step of issuing an output stop command to the data output device when not registered in the rank . The data output method according to claim 13 , further comprising a determination step of determining the end order based on a processing speed of the data output device. The data output method according to claim 14 , wherein the determining step includes a step of measuring the processing speed based on a time from the output of the output command to reception of the processing status information. The data output method according to claim 13 , wherein the processing status information includes information for notifying that the output processing based on the output data has been completed. 14. The data output method according to claim 13 , wherein the processing status information includes trouble information in the data output device.

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