JP4082212B2 - Distributed printing system, distributed printing method and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to a distributed printing system, a distributed printing method, and a program that perform load distribution and control of the number of operating devices of a plurality of printing apparatuses.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when a plurality of printers (printing devices) are shared by a plurality of terminals, it is common for each terminal to select and use an arbitrary printer from all printers permitted to be used on the server side. It was the target. In this case, since the user of each terminal selects an arbitrary printer, it is inevitable that the load is concentrated on a specific printer.
Therefore, to avoid concentrating the load on a specific printer, by setting a group to share and use the printer in association with the printer, it is possible to use a printer in which only terminal users belonging to that group are set. For example, Microsoft provides an operating system that incorporates a security function that allows printer A to be used only by a plurality of terminal users in a group and printer B to be used only by terminal users in another group. Has been. However, in this case, even when the printing process is concentrated on the designated printer, the terminal user cannot use other printers. Therefore, the terminal user waits until the printing process of the print data previously input to the designated printer is completed. There was a problem.
As another method for distributing the printer load, it is known that the number of distributions is determined by distributing the printers to be output according to the operation capability of the printers (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-151873 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, setting the groups and users permitted to use for each printer is an operation that is difficult and time-consuming to determine the setting contents.
Further, even if the setting is made so that the load on the printer is equalized, the connection state of the terminal varies, so the load may be biased depending on the connection state.
Even when there are few connected terminals, all the printers can be operated, so that each printer repeats the operation of warming up each time it receives print data, printing a small number of sheets, and entering the sleep mode. As a result, there was a problem that wasteful power was consumed during warm-up and the printer was easily consumed.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a distributed printing system that automatically assigns printers that can print to each terminal so that the load of each printer is distributed and controls the number of printers to be minimized is provided. The purpose is to provide.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a distributed printing system according to the present invention includes a terminal number storage unit that stores a limit number of terminals allocated to one printing apparatus, and a plurality of terminals that request printing of the print data. Allocating means for allocating to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses so as to minimize the number of printing apparatuses to be allocated without exceeding the limit number stored in the storage means.
[0007]
According to such a configuration, since the terminals are automatically allocated so that the load for each printer is distributed to the terminals connected to the network, complicated work for setting the printer is not necessary, and the terminals It is also possible to prevent a situation where the load is concentrated on a specific printer that occurs when the user selects an arbitrary printer.
Also, the number of printers that can be used is determined based on the number of connected terminals and the maximum number of terminals per printer, and one printer connected to the network is assigned by assigning the determined number of printers to each terminal. As a result, the power consumption is reduced, the printer is prevented from being consumed, and the noise is reduced.
[0008]
Furthermore, the distributed printing system of the present invention may further include a time data storage unit that stores time data for starting execution of the allocation by the allocation unit.
By doing so, instead of assigning each time a terminal connection request / disconnection request is made, assignment is performed when a predetermined time has elapsed, so the printing device used in the terminal frequently changes. Therefore, convenience for the user is increased.
[0009]
In addition, the distributed printing system of the present invention further includes an allocation result determining unit that determines whether or not a printing apparatus permitted to print to the plurality of terminals matches a printing apparatus allocated to the plurality of terminals. The allocating unit allocates a terminal that has been determined to be inconsistent between the printing device permitted to be printed by the allocating result determining unit and the allocated printing device to the terminal by replacing the allocated printing device between the terminals. The assignment may be performed so that the change of the printing apparatus being used is minimized.
As a result, even if the printing device used in the terminal is changed as a result of the assignment process, the change of the printing device can be minimized by the replacement process, so the printing device used in the terminal is frequently used. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from being changed, which increases convenience for the user.
[0010]
Furthermore, the distributed printing method according to the present invention stores a limit number of terminals allocated to one printing apparatus, and allows a plurality of terminals that request printing of the print data to be printed without exceeding the stored limit number. The number of apparatuses is allocated to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses so as to minimize the number of apparatuses.
[0011]
Furthermore, the program according to the present invention includes a process for storing a plurality of terminal data for requesting printing of the print data in a terminal connection state storage means, and a terminal assigned to one printing apparatus stored in the terminal number storage means. A process of allocating a plurality of terminal data stored in the terminal connection state storage means to each of the plurality of printing devices so as not to exceed the limit number and the number of printing devices to be allocated is minimized based on the limit number of devices data. Is a program for causing a computer to perform the above.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an entire network according to an embodiment of the present invention. The entire network includes a server 1 connected to the communication network 5, terminals 2-1 to 2-n (hereinafter each terminal is abbreviated as terminal 2), printers 3-1 to 3-m (hereinafter each printer). And printers 4-L1 and 4-L2 (hereinafter, each printer is abbreviated as printer 4) locally connected to the server 1.
[0014]
The communication network 5 is, for example, a telephone line, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, or the like, and transmits and receives data between the server 1, the terminal 2, and the printer 3. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a LAN is used as the communication network 5.
The server 1 receives a connection request / disconnection request from the terminal 2 via the communication network 5, and the number of connected terminals 2 and an optimum number of terminals per printer registered in advance will be described in detail later. Based on the result, the number of printers that can be used at that time is calculated.
[0015]
The terminal 2 is, for example, a personal digital assistant such as a personal computer or a PDA, a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone, and the like, and is an information terminal capable of transmitting and receiving data by communication. A connection request / disconnection request and a file to be printed (a spool file 24 described later) are transmitted to the server 1.
The printer 3 receives a print file (a print file 18 described later) from the server 1 and performs print processing.
The printer 4 is locally connected to the server 1 via a printer cable, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, or the like, and receives a print file (a print file 18 described later) from the server 1 and performs a printing process.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server 1 of FIG.
The server 1 includes a software group including a server module 10, an assignment management module 11, an output module 12, and a printer control module (OS) 13, an output destination table 14, a terminal connection table 15, an assignment condition definition file 16, an assignment file 17, and a print. The file 18 is composed of a file group.
First, the file groups 14 to 18 will be described.
[0017]
The output destination table 14 stores definition data of the printers 3 and 4 connected to the communication network 5 and the server 1 in advance. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, a “No.” memory 141 that stores serial numbers as the definition data of the printer, a “printer name” memory 142 that stores printer identification names, and whether the printer is in use (value: 1) or not. A “use state” memory 143 that stores a use state value of use (value: 0), an IP (Internet Protocol) address that stores a logical address on the communication network 5 of the printer, or an “address that stores a local address "Memory 144", "Type" memory 145 for storing the type of printer, "Manufacturer name" memory 146 for storing manufacturer name, "Model name" memory 147 for storing model name, and "Printing speed" memory for storing printing speed 148.
[0018]
The terminal connection table 15 stores data representing the connection state of the terminal 2 connected to the communication network 5 as shown in FIG. 5, and a “No.” memory for storing serial numbers as shown in FIG. 151, “Terminal IP” memory 152 for storing the IP address of the terminal 2; “Connection status” memory 153 for storing the connection status value indicating whether the terminal 2 is connected (value: 1) or disconnected (value: 0); "Assignment" memory 154 for storing the assigned printer, "reassignment" memory 155 for storing the reassigned printer, and whether the comparison results of the contents of the reassignment and the assignment match (value: 0), The printer name in the “assignment” memory 154 is used in any of the “reassignment” memory 155 due to a mismatch (value: 1), or the printer name in the “assignment” memory 154 is a “reassignment” memory 1 due to a mismatch. It not used in any of the 5 (value: 2) "reallocation result" for storing Kano value consists memory 156.
[0019]
The allocation condition definition file 16 stores various conditions when a printer is allocated as shown in FIG. The data includes an optimum number of terminals NTa memory 161 in which the optimum number of terminals per printer is stored, an allocation processing interval time memory 162, an allocation processing date / time memory 163, and an allocation processing day / time memory 164. .
[0020]
The allocation file 17 stores data instructing the printer to be permitted to use to the terminal 2, and as shown in FIG. 6B, a “printer name” memory 171 for storing the printer identification name, the printer "Use state" memory 172 for storing a use state value indicating whether the printer is in use (printing permitted) or not used, and an "address" for storing a logical address on the communication network 5 of the printer or a local address It consists of a memory 173.
[0021]
The print file 18 receives data to be printed, converts it into a data format suitable for the printer model, and stores it.
[0022]
Next, the software groups 10 to 13 in FIG. 2 will be described.
The server module 10 receives the connection request / disconnection request from the terminal 2, and sets the connection state corresponding to the terminal 2 received in the terminal connection table 15, that is, the value of the “connection state” memory 153 to the connection request / disconnection request. In addition to updating in response, various data such as transmission of the allocation file 17 to the terminal 2 is transmitted and received. Further, synchronization with the allocation management module 11 and the output module 12 is taken.
[0023]
Although details will be described later, the allocation management module 11 equally distributes the printer name data in the “printer name” memory 142 registered in the output destination table 14 to the “allocation” memory 154 or the “reassignment” memory 155 of the terminal connection table 15. The allocation file 17 is generated for each terminal 2 while setting by allocation. In addition, the printer name data assigned to each terminal stored in the “assignment” memory 154 or “reassignment” memory 155 of the terminal connection table 15 is reassigned when the connection state of the terminal 2 changes. Thus, the number of operating printers is controlled.
[0024]
The output module 12 adds parameter information for instructing the address of the printer to output the spool file 24 received from the terminal 2 by the server module 10 and converting the spool file 24 into a data format suitable for the printer model to be output. It transmits to the control module (OS) 13.
[0025]
The printer control module (OS) 13 generates a print file 18 based on the received spool file 24 and parameter information. If the output destination of the print file 18 is a printer connected to the network, the printer control module (OS) 13 passes through the server module 10. If the output destination is a locally connected printer, it is directly transmitted to the printer 4.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal 2.
The terminal 2 includes a software group including an application 20, a print API (Application Program Interface) 21, and a terminal module 22, and a file group including an allocation file 23 and a spool file 24.
[0027]
The allocation file 23 stores the allocation file 17 received from the server 1 as it is.
The spool file 24 is generated by a request from the application 20 by the print API 21, and is composed of header data such as a printer identification name and print data in a data format independent of the printer model.
The application 20 may be an application arbitrary by the user, and requests the print API 21 to print out.
In response to a print output request from the application 20, the print API 21 generates a spool file 24 for output to the printer specified by the allocation file 23.
The terminal module 22 transmits a connection request / disconnection request to the server 1 together with the IP address of the terminal. Further, the allocation file 17 is received from the server module 10 and stored as the allocation file 23, and the spool file 24 is transmitted to the server module 10 in cooperation with the print API 21.
[0028]
Next, the overall flow of the printer assignment control process that the server 1 of the present invention permits the terminal 2 to use will be described. Before that, as an overview of the printer assignment control process, the “connection” in the terminal connection table 15 is described. The relationship between the value of the “status” memory 153 and the value of the “usage status” memory 143 of the output destination table 14 will be described. Taking assignment state 1 in FIG. 7A as an example, all 23 terminals are connected and all four printers are in use. As for the correspondence relationship between the terminal and the printer, the printer Nos. 1 to 4 are sequentially associated with the terminal Nos. 1 to 4, the printers No. 1 to 4 are again associated with the terminal Nos. 5 to 8, and thereafter. Similarly, up to terminal No. 23 is associated. As a result, the number of terminals per printer is equalized.
[0029]
In the example of allocation state 2 in FIG. 7B, 15 of the 23 terminals are connected and 3 of the 4 printers are in use. This is an example in which the number of connected terminals has decreased from the allocation state 1 in FIG. Since the correspondence relationship between the terminal and the printer is assigned up to No. 3, the printer is assigned in order from No. 4 of the printer. That is, printer Nos. 4, 1, and 2 are associated with terminal Nos. 1, 3, and 5, respectively, and printers No. 4, 9, and 2 are associated with terminal Nos. 8, 9, and 10 again. Thereafter, the correspondence is made in the same manner up to terminal No. 22.
[0030]
In the terminal connection table 15, as shown in FIG. 8A, the address of the first row of the terminal connection table 15, that is, the row where the data related to the No. 1 terminal is stored is Ts, and the last terminal Let Te be the address of the row in which the data related to (No. n1) is stored, and T be the address of the row currently addressed between addresses Ts and Te. Similarly, in the output destination table 14, as shown in FIG. 8B, the address of the first row of the output destination table 14, that is, the row where data related to the No. 1 printer is stored is Ps, and the last printer is stored. Let Pe be the address of the row in which the data related to (No. n2) is stored, and P be the address of the row currently addressed between the addresses Ps and Pe.
[0031]
Next, the overall flow of printer assignment control processing in the server 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The entire process is controlled by the server module 10 and the allocation management module 11 working together.
First, when the server module 10 receives a connection request or disconnection request from the terminal 2 together with an IP address in step S1 (hereinafter referred to as S1), the IP address of the requested terminal 2 is registered with reference to the terminal connection table 15. (S2). In S3, it is determined whether the IP address has been registered and whether it is a connection request or a disconnection request, and the process branches to one of S4, S5, and S6. If the determination result is a connection request from a terminal 2 that has not yet been registered, the process proceeds to S4, and the terminal 2 that has requested connection is the new terminal 2, and a new area is designated as the new address T, and the IP address is specified. Write and add to terminal connection table 15. If the determination result in S3 is a connection request from the registered terminal 2, the value of the “connection state” memory 153 of the corresponding terminal indicated by the address T is updated to “connected” (S5). If the determination result in S3 is a disconnection request from the registered terminal 2, the value of the “connection state” memory 153 of the corresponding terminal 2 indicated by the address T is set to “disconnected” (S6), and the process proceeds to S8. After the process of S4 or S5, an additional assignment process of S7 is performed in order to notify the terminal 2 that requested the connection of the name of the printer permitted to be used.
[0032]
FIG. 10 shows the detailed processing contents of the additional allocation processing in S7.
First, the “assignment” memory 154 corresponding to the row of the terminal 2 indicated by the current address T of the terminal connection table 15 of FIG. 5 is added to the printer row indicated by the current address P of the output destination table 14 of FIG. The value of the corresponding “printer name” memory 142 is written (S11). As a result, one printer is assigned, and the current address P in the output destination table 14 is advanced (S12). In S13, it is determined whether or not the current address P exceeds the end address Pe. If the determination result is Yes in S13, the current address P is returned to the head address Ps (S14). If the determination result is No in S13, the process proceeds to S15. In S15, an allocation file 17 is generated in order to notify the allocated printer to the terminal that requested the connection, and the generated allocation file 17 is transmitted to the terminal, and the additional allocation process is terminated.
Returning to FIG. 9, in S <b> 8, the number of printers is increased or decreased depending on the connection state of the terminal 2, and an assignment process for assigning a printer to each terminal 2 is performed.
[0033]
Here, FIG. 11 shows the detailed processing contents of the allocation processing in S8.
This allocation process is performed by the allocation management module 11.
First, with reference to the values of the “connection state” memory 153 of all terminals registered in the terminal connection table 15, the number of terminals NTn in which the value of the “connection state” memory 153 is “connected” is calculated. (S22). Next, with reference to the values in the “use state” memory 143 of all the printers registered in the output destination table 14, the number of terminals NPn whose value in the “use state” memory 143 is “in use” is determined. Calculate (S23). Thereafter, a process of calculating the optimum allocated number NPa indicating the optimum number of printers in the current connection state of the terminal 2 (S24) is performed.
[0034]
Here, FIG. 12 shows the detailed processing contents of the calculation processing of the optimum allocated number NPa of S24.
First, the total number of printers NPt, which is the number of all printers registered in the output destination table 14, is calculated (S31). Next, the number of connected terminals NTn is substituted into the counter N (S32), and 1 is substituted as the initial value of the optimum allocated number NPa to be obtained (S33).
Since the optimum number of terminals NTa indicating the optimum number of terminals per printer is preset, it is determined in S34 whether N is larger than the optimum number of terminals NTa. If the determination result in S34 is Yes, the optimum number of terminals NTa is subtracted from N and the result is substituted for N (S35). In S36, it is determined whether or not the optimum terminal number NPa is smaller than the total printer number NPt. If the determination result in S36 is Yes, the value of the optimal allocation number NPa is incremented by one, the process returns to S34, and the above-described processing is repeated (S37). When the determination result is No in S34 and when the determination result is No in S36, the process of calculating the optimum allocated number NPa is terminated.
[0035]
Applying the above-described calculation process of the optimal allocation number NPa to an example in which the allocation state 1 in FIG. 7A changes to the allocation state 2 in FIG. 7B, for example, the allocation state 2 in FIG. 7B. Since the total number of printers NPt is 4, the number of connected terminals NTn is 15, and the optimum number of terminals NTa is 6, the optimum allocated number NPa is calculated as 3. In the allocation state 1 in FIG. 7A, the optimal allocation number NPa is four, and as a result of this processing, one unit is reduced.
[0036]
Returning to FIG. 11, in step S25, the number of used terminals NPn and the optimum allocated number NPa are compared. If the number of used terminals NPn and the optimum allocated number NPa do not match, a series of reassignment processing in steps S26 to S29 is performed. If they match, reassignment is unnecessary and the assignment process is terminated.
In S26, a reassignment output process for updating the contents of the “reassignment” memory 155 of the terminal connection table 15 in accordance with the connection state of the terminal is performed.
[0037]
Here, FIG. 13 shows the detailed processing contents of the reassignment output processing in S26. In the reassignment output process, among the terminals registered in the terminal connection table 15, the terminals in which the value of the “connection state” memory 153 is “connected” are sequentially selected, and the optimal allocation among the printers registered in the output destination table 14 is performed. The assignment is repeated using the number of printers equal to the number NPa.
[0038]
First, since the process proceeds sequentially from the head terminal to the terminal immediately before the terminal, the current address T in the terminal connection table 15 is set as the head address Ts (S41). Next, the current address P of the output destination table 14 indicating the printer to be assigned at this time is saved (S42). Subsequently, the optimal allocation number NPa is set in the counter N (S43), and the process proceeds to S44 to S56 in which the value of the “reassignment” memory 155 in the terminal connection table 15 is updated according to the connection state of the terminal.
[0039]
In S44, it is determined whether or not the value of the “connection state” memory 153 of the terminal connection table 15 is “connected”. If the determination result is Yes in S44, the value of the "printer name" memory 142 indicated by the current address P of the output destination table 14 is set to the value of the "reassignment" memory 155 of the terminal connection table 15 (S45). , Go to S47. If the determination result is No in S44, the value of the “reassignment” memory 155 of the terminal connection table 15 is cleared (S46). In S47, the current address T in the terminal connection table 15 is advanced to the next line, and it is determined whether or not the current address T in the terminal connection table 15 exceeds the end address Te (S48). If the determination result in S48 is No, the following processing of S49 to S55 is performed, and then the processing of returning to S44 is repeated.
[0040]
In S49, 1 is subtracted from N, and the result is substituted into N. As a result of the subtraction, it is determined whether or not N is “0” (S50). If the determination result is Yes, the optimal allocation number NPa is set again to N (S51), and the current address P of the output destination table 14 is saved. The set value is restored (S52). If the determination result is No in S50, the current address P in the output destination table 14 is advanced to the next line (S53). In S54, it is determined whether or not the current address P in the output destination table 14 exceeds the end address Pe. If the determination result is Yes in S54, the current address P is set as the head address Ps (S55), and the process returns to S44. If the determination result is No in S54, the process returns to S44 as it is.
If the determination result is Yes in S48, the current address P in the output destination table 14 is returned to the saved value (S56), and the reallocation output process is terminated.
[0041]
When the connection state transitions from (a) allocation state 1 to (b) allocation state 2 in FIG. 7 as a result of the above-described reassignment output processing, the value of the “reassignment” memory 155 of the terminal connection table 15 is As shown in FIG. That is, the number of assigned printers is reduced from four to three, and the printer whose printer name is “PRT3” is in a dormant state.
[0042]
Returning to S27 of FIG. 11, the reallocation result output process for outputting the value of the “reallocation result” memory 156 of the terminal connection table 15 is performed.
In S27, the printer name in the “assignment” memory 154 and the printer name in the “reassignment” memory 155 are compared for each row of the terminal connection table 15, and the comparison result is discriminated to determine “0”, “1”, “2”. And set as the value of the “reallocation result” memory 156. The value in the “reassignment result” memory 156 is “0” if the printer name in the “assignment” memory 154 matches the printer name in the “reassignment” memory 155, and the printer name in the “assignment” memory 154 If the printer name in the “assignment” memory 155 does not match and the printer name in the “assignment” memory 154 is used in any of the “reassignment” memory 155, the printer name in the “assignment” memory 154 If the printer name in the “reassignment” memory 155 does not match and the printer name in the “assignment” memory 154 is not used in any of the “reassignment” memory 155, “2” is set. “1” means that the currently used printer will continue to be used as a result of the reassignment, and “2” means that the currently used printer is no longer used due to the reassignment or a new printer is used. Means that it is now used.
[0043]
When the connection state transitions from the assignment state 1 in FIG. 7A to the assignment state 2 in FIG. 7B, the value of the “reassignment result” memory 156 of the terminal connection table 15 is as shown in FIG. . Of the values in the “reassignment result” memory 156, the parentheses indicate the contents of the result of the reassignment replacement process described later.
In S28, the contents of the “reassignment result” memory 156 are determined, and in order to avoid changing the printer used by the result of the reassignment as much as possible, that is, “1” in the “reassignment result” memory 156 or In order to minimize the number of values “2”, a reassignment replacement process is performed in which the printer name in the “reassignment” memory 155 of the terminal connection table 15 is replaced between lines.
[0044]
Here, FIG. 14 shows the detailed processing contents of the reassignment replacement processing in S28. In this reassignment replacement process, attention is paid to a terminal whose value of the “reassignment result” memory 156 of the terminal connection table 15 is “1”, and the value of the terminal and the “reassignment result” memory 156 is “1”. Alternatively, the process of changing the contents of the “reassignment” memory 155 of the terminal “2” and setting the value of the “reassignment result” memory 156 to “0” is sequentially repeated.
[0045]
First, since the process proceeds sequentially from the head terminal to the terminal immediately before the terminal, the current address T in the terminal connection table 15 is set as the head address Ts (S61).
In S62, it is determined whether or not the value of the “reallocation result” memory 156 in the row indicated by the current address T is “1”. If the value of the “reallocation result” memory 156 is determined to be “1” in S62, the head address Ts is set to the replacement target address T2 in order to search for the replacement target row (S63).
[0046]
In S64, it is determined whether or not the value of the “reallocation result” memory 156 in the row indicated by the replacement target address T2 is “1” or “2”. If the determination result in S64 is Yes, the printer name in the “reassignment” memory 155 in the row indicated by the current address T and the printer name in the “reassignment” memory 155 in the row indicated by the replacement target address T2 are temporarily replaced. Look (S65). As a result of the replacement, it is determined whether or not the printer name in the “assignment” memory 154 in the row indicated by the current address T matches the printer name in the “reassignment” memory 155 in the same row (S66). If so, the following S67 to S69 are performed, and the printer name in the “reassignment” memory 155 is replaced.
[0047]
In S67, the printer name in the “reassignment” memory 155 in the row indicated by the current address T is replaced with the printer name in the “reassignment” memory 155 in the row indicated by the address T2 to be exchanged. Subsequently, the value of the “reassignment result” memory 156 of the row indicated by the current address T is set to “0” (S68), and the “reassignment result” memory 156 of the row indicated by the address T2 to be exchanged is replaced. (S69) and advance to S72.
[0048]
If the determination result in S66 is No, the target address T2 is advanced to the next line in S70. As a result of advancement of the replacement target address T2 to the next line in S70, it is determined whether the replacement target address T2 exceeds the end address Te (S71). If the determination result in S71 is Yes, the process proceeds to S72. If the determination result is No in S71, the process returns to S64, and the process of S64 to S71 is repeated while changing the replacement target.
If the determination result is No in S64, the process also proceeds to S70.
[0049]
In S72, the current address T is advanced to the next line. As a result of advancing the current address T to the next line in S72, it is determined whether or not the current address T exceeds the end address Te (S73). If the determination result in S73 is No, the process returns to S62. Then, the processing of S62 to S71 for finding the next row with the value “1” in the “reassignment result” memory 156 is repeated. If the determination result is Yes in S73, the reallocation replacement process is terminated.
[0050]
As a result of the above reassignment replacement processing, the values of the “reassignment” memory 155 and the “reassignment result” memory 156 in the terminal connection table 15 of FIG. 5 are shown in parentheses. In this example, the value of the “reallocation result” memory 156 of the six terminals 2 is changed from “1” to “0”.
[0051]
Returning to S29 in FIG. 11, processing for transmitting the allocation file is performed.
In S29, the printer name in the “reassignment” memory 155 of the terminal connection table 15 has been determined by the processing up to S28, so that the process of notifying each terminal 2 of the printer name permitted to be used is performed. The allocation management module 11 generates an allocation file 17 for the terminal 2 whose printer name is changed, and the server module 10 transmits the allocation file 17 to each corresponding terminal 2. The module 22 receives the allocation file 17 and stores it as the allocation file 23.
[0052]
The above is the description of the entire printer assignment control process.
When the server 1 performs the printer assignment control process, an assignment file 23 instructing a printer to be used for each terminal 2 is stored in each terminal 2.
[0053]
Here, an outline of processing until print data from the application 20 of the terminal 2 is printed by the printer will be described.
When the application 20 outputs print data to the print API 21, the print API 21 refers to the allocation file 23 and generates a spool file 24. The terminal module 22 transmits the generated spool file 24 to the server 1.
[0054]
In the server 1, the output module 12 receives the spool file 24 via the server module 10. The output module 12 reads the spool file 24, determines whether the output destination printer is a network connection or a remote connection, and instructs the printer control module (OS) 13 to perform printing.
[0055]
The printer control module (OS) generates a print file 18 in a data format suitable for the type of the instructed printer, and then sends it to the printer 3 connected to the instructed output destination communication network 5 or the locally connected printer 4. The print file 18 is transmitted. The printer 3 connected to the communication network 5 that has received the print file 18 or the locally connected printer 4 performs printing according to the contents of the print file 18.
[0056]
Next, FIG. 15 shows a part of the assignment process of S8 in the assignment control process of the printer shown in FIG. In FIG. 15, S21 is added to the head of the allocation process shown in FIG. 11, and the allocation process is performed when the time set in advance in the allocation process interval time 162 of the allocation condition definition file 16 in FIG. It is what I did.
[0057]
As the information processing apparatus 1 in the above embodiment, any computer apparatus can be used as long as the program according to the present invention can be executed. In this case, the information processing apparatus 1 that executes the above-described processing is configured by installing the program in a computer device from a medium (flexible disk, CD-ROM, or the like) that stores the program for executing the above-described processing. can do.
[0058]
Moreover, it is possible to supply a program to a computer apparatus using various communication means, In this case, the means for supplying a program to a computer apparatus are arbitrary. For example, the program may be superimposed on a carrier wave and supplied via a communication line, a communication network, a communication system, or the like.
[0059]
In the above embodiment, the reassignment process is performed every time a connection request / disconnection request from the terminal or when a preset time has elapsed, but the assignment condition definition file 16 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the allocation process date 163 or the allocation process day / time 164 may be set, and the allocation process may be performed at the time when the set date / time, day of the week, and time match.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, since the terminals are automatically allocated so that the load for each printer is distributed to the terminals connected to the network, complicated work for setting the printer is unnecessary, and the user of the terminal It is also possible to prevent a situation where the load is concentrated on a specific printer that occurs when an arbitrary printer is selected.
Also, the number of printers that can be used is determined based on the number of connected terminals and the maximum number of terminals per printer, and one printer connected to the network is assigned by assigning the determined number of printers to each terminal. As a result, the power consumption is reduced, the printer is prevented from being consumed, and the noise is reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an entire network according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server 1;
3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a terminal 2. FIG.
4 is a diagram showing the contents of a data file used in the server 1 shown in FIG. 2 and showing the contents of an output destination table 14. FIG.
5 is a diagram showing the contents of a data file used in the server 1 shown in FIG. 2, and shows the contents of the terminal connection table 15. FIG.
6 is a diagram showing the contents of a data file used in the server 1 shown in FIG. 2; (a) an allocation condition definition file 16; (b) an allocation file 17 (the same contents of the allocation file 23 used in the terminal 2); ) And (c) The contents of the second embodiment of the allocation condition definition file 16 are shown.
7 is a diagram showing a relationship between the terminal connection table 15 and the output destination table 14, showing an example in which the state transitions from (a) allocation state 1 to (b) allocation state 2. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing addresses related to (a) terminal connection table 15 and (b) output destination table 14;
9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of printer assignment control in the server 1. FIG.
10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the additional assignment process shown in FIG. 9;
11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the assignment process shown in FIG. 9;
12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the process of calculating the optimum allocated number NPa shown in FIG.
13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the reassignment output process shown in FIG. 11; FIG.
14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the reassignment replacement process shown in FIG. 11. FIG.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second example of the assignment process shown in FIG. 9;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 server
2 terminal
3 Printer (network connection)
4 Printer (local connection)
5 Communication network
10 Server module
11 Allocation management module
12 Output module
13 Printer control module (OS)
14 Output destination table
15 Terminal connection table
16 Allocation condition definition file
17 Allocation file
18 Print file
20 applications
21 Print API
22 Terminal module
23 Allocation file
24 Spool file

Claims (7)

A distributed printing system that distributes and assigns print data from a plurality of terminals connected to a network to a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to the network, and prints the print data from the terminals respectively assigned by the plurality of printing apparatuses. In
A terminal number storage means for storing a limit number of terminals to be assigned to one printing apparatus;
Allocation means for allocating a plurality of terminals that request printing of the print data to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses so as not to exceed the limit number stored in the terminal number storage means and to minimize the number of printing apparatuses to be allocated. When,
A distributed printing system comprising: The distributed printing system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal number storage unit and the allocation unit are provided in a server device connected to the network. And a connection state storage means for storing connection state data of the plurality of terminals.
The distributed printing system according to claim 1, wherein the allocating unit performs the allocation based on the connection state data stored in the connection state storage unit. 3. The distributed printing system according to claim 1, further comprising time data storage means for storing time data for starting execution of assignment by the assignment means. Furthermore, it comprises an assignment result judging means for judging whether or not a printing device permitted to print to the plurality of terminals and a printing device assigned to the plurality of terminals match.
The assigning unit is already assigned to the terminal by replacing the assigned printing device between the terminals for which the printing device permitted to be printed by the assignment result judging unit is determined not to match the assigned printing device. 3. The distributed printing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the assignment is performed so that the change of the printing apparatus used is minimized. A distributed printing method for distributing and assigning print data from a plurality of terminals connected to a network to a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to the network and printing the print data from the terminals respectively assigned by the plurality of printing apparatuses Because
Store the maximum number of terminals that can be assigned to one printing device,
A plurality of terminals that request printing of the print data is allocated to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses so as not to exceed the stored limit number and to minimize the number of printing apparatuses to be allocated. Distributed printing method. Distributed printing in which print data from a plurality of terminals connected to a network is distributed and assigned to a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to the network, and print data from the terminals respectively assigned by the plurality of printing apparatuses is printed. A program for
On the computer,
A process of storing a plurality of terminal data for requesting printing of the print data in a terminal connection state storage means;
Based on the limit number data of the terminals assigned to one printing device stored in the terminal number storage means, the number of printing devices assigned to the plurality of terminal data stored in the terminal connection state storage means does not exceed the limit number. Assigning to each of the plurality of printing devices so as to minimize
A program characterized in that it is executed.

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