JP4295445B2 - Data output via network - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for designating an output device and outputting data in an environment in which a plurality of clients and output devices are connected to a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the spread of LAN (Local Area Network), a mode in which a printer is connected to a network and shared by a plurality of computers connected to the network is becoming widespread. A printer user selects a printer as an output destination from a computer connected to the network, and prints via the network by inputting a print job.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, printing via a network has a problem that it is not convenient to specify an output destination. For example, in order to specify an output destination, it is necessary to know what kind of printer is connected to what location in the network.
[0004]
In addition, when the target printer is turned off or disconnected from the network and is not in operation, the printer cannot be designated as an output destination.
[0005]
Further, the conventional printing has a problem that it is difficult to control the print job. Once communication with the printer is interrupted after a print job is issued, it is not possible to reconnect and then cancel the print job or perform other controls.
[0006]
Here, a printer has been described as an example, but such a problem is common to output devices generally used on a network. SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a technique for improving the convenience of data output to an output device connected to a network.
[0007]
[Means for solving the problems and their functions and effects]
In order to solve at least a part of the above problems, the present invention provides an output control system that controls data output in an output device in an environment in which a plurality of clients and output devices are connected to a network. Here, for convenience of system construction, the network is preferably a limited network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), but may be a wide area network such as the Internet. The output device includes an audio output device, a printing device, a liquid crystal display and other display devices, a liquid crystal projector and other projection devices. Only one of these various output devices may be connected to the network, or may be connected together.
[0008]
The output control system includes an input unit, a search unit, a holding unit, and a transmission unit. The input unit inputs an output request including attribute information specifying an output device as an output destination from the client. This input is performed regardless of whether or not a conforming output device conforming to the attribute information exists on the network. As attribute information, address information specifying the location on the network, information specifying the capability of the output device, and the like can be used.
[0009]
The search unit searches the network for a suitable output device based on the specified attribute information. The holding unit holds the output request while this search is performed. When a compatible output device in operation is found by this search, the transmission unit transmits an output request to the compatible output device via the network.
[0010]
According to the output control system of the present invention, there is an advantage that data can be output by dynamically detecting a compatible output device. That is, it is possible to output data that matches the request without knowing whether or not the compatible output device exists on the network.
[0011]
Further, according to the output control system of the present invention, there is an advantage that an output request can be made regardless of the operating state of the output device. That is, when the compatible output device is in an operating state after the output request, the search unit can detect it and output data. With these advantages, the output control system of the present invention can improve the convenience of data output via a network.
[0012]
In the present invention, the attribute information for specifying the output device is preferably information for specifying the capability of the output device. The attribute information can include information that roughly classifies the type of the output device, such as an audio output device, a printing device, a liquid crystal display or other display device, a liquid crystal projector or other projection device. Moreover, the information which specifies a capability in detail for every output device can be included. For example, the printing apparatus can include color / monochrome, printable paper size, presence / absence of duplex printing, and the like. By specifying the output device according to the capability as described above, it is possible to easily specify an output device that meets the requirements, and to further improve convenience.
[0013]
In the output control system of the present invention, the search by the search unit can be restricted within a predetermined time. A conforming output device does not always exist on the network. By restricting the search time, it is possible to efficiently process a plurality of output requests sequentially. The predetermined time can be arbitrarily set. It can be set in various modes such as a preset fixed value, a value specified by being included in the output request, a value calculated according to the amount of data included in the output request, and the like.
[0014]
In this way, when the search time is restricted within a predetermined time, the processing after the lapse of the predetermined time can take various modes.
As a first aspect, for example, an instruction regarding handling of an output request may be input from a client, and processing according to the instruction may be performed. This process is realized by controlling the operation of at least one of the holding unit and the search unit. For example, the re-search of the suitable output device is realized by the operation of the search unit. The deletion of the output request or the change of the attribute information is realized by the operation of the holding unit.
[0015]
As a second aspect, for example, when the suitable output device is not found within a predetermined time, the output request may be deleted. That is, it is a mode of deleting without waiting for a client instruction. By doing so, it is possible to avoid that highly confidential output data or the like is held for a long time in a state where it can be output, and security in data output via the network can be improved. Note that it is preferable to notify the client that the output request has been deleted so that the client can easily grasp the processing result of the output request.
[0016]
In the output control system of the present invention, it is desirable that the holding unit generates identification information for the output request, and holds the identification information and the output request in association with each other. This identification information is notified to the client. The notification may be performed immediately in a session when an output request is issued, or may be notified again in a subsequent session using a format such as an e-mail.
[0017]
In this way, when an output request is held in association with identification information, the output request can be easily controlled by specifying the identification information from the client and inputting an instruction regarding whether or not to execute the output. It becomes possible.
[0018]
For example, it is possible to input an instruction regardless of whether or not the client that sent the instruction is the same as the client that made the output request. In this way, the output request can be controlled by a person other than the issuer of the output request.
[0019]
It is also possible to input an instruction regardless of whether or not the session that receives the instruction is the same as the session that receives the output request. In this way, even after communication between the client and the output control system is once disconnected after the output request, the client can access the output control system again to control the output request.
[0020]
In the output control system of the present invention, various methods can be used to search for a suitable output device. For example, the attribute may be inquired to each output device of the network for each search.
[0021]
Alternatively, the attribute information of the output device connected to the network may be held, and the search may be performed with reference to the attribute information. In this aspect, since individual communication with the output device is not required at the time of search, an efficient search can be realized.
[0022]
The held attribute information may be actively collected by the output control system, or may be voluntarily registered in the output control system by the output device. In the latter mode, for example, a protocol for easily establishing communication between various devices connected to a network such as Jini (trademark) can be used. The attribute information may be collected by periodically referring to a lookup service constructed by Jini.
[0023]
As described above, the present invention can be applied to a network to which a wide variety of output devices are connected. In particular, the present invention can be effectively used in a network environment including a printing device. Display devices and audio output devices are usually required to output data in front of the user who made the output request, whereas in the case of a printing device, the degree of freedom with respect to the print destination Is relatively high. Therefore, the degree of freedom when the output control system dynamically searches for an output device is high, and the convenience of such search is greatly improved.
[0024]
The present invention can be configured as an output control method in addition to the output control system described above. Moreover, you may comprise with aspects, such as a computer program for implement | achieving the data output via a network, the signal form which can be equated with this program, and the recording medium which recorded this program. Here, as a recording medium, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, a ROM cartridge, a punch card, a printed matter on which a code such as a barcode is printed, an internal storage device of a computer (RAM, ROM, etc. Various types of computer-readable media such as a memory) and an external storage device can be used.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the management system as an embodiment of the present invention will be described in the following order.
A. Overall system configuration:
B. Internal configuration:
C. Issue output request:
D. Job operation:
E. Output control:
F. Variation of output control:
[0026]
A. Overall system configuration:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an output system as an embodiment. Each device shown in the figure is connected via a LAN (Local Area Network). In this embodiment, printers PRT1 and PRT2, liquid crystal displays DISP1 and DISP2, and liquid crystal projectors PRJ1 and PRJ2 are mixedly connected as an output device to the network. Of course, only one type of output device may be connected.
[0027]
Each output device outputs data in a manner corresponding to the function of each device based on an output request from the client 1 connected to the network. The client 1 can use a mobile phone or other portable terminal having a network access function in addition to a general-purpose computer. An output control system 10 for controlling the data output is connected to the network. The output control system 10 is a system configured using a general-purpose computer, and receives, holds, and transmits an output request from the client 1 to a specified output device as output control. In addition to this control, the operating state of each output device is monitored. Although it is possible for the client 1 to directly transmit an output request to each output device, in the present embodiment, the output request is transmitted via the output control system 10.
[0028]
In addition, a mail server MSV is connected to the network. The mail server MSV is a server that receives, holds, and transmits electronic mail according to the SMTP protocol. In this embodiment, as will be described later, it is used for communication between the output control system 10 and the client 1.
[0029]
In this embodiment, a system constructed using a LAN will be described. However, a wide-area network such as the Internet can also be targeted. Needless to say, the number of devices connected to the network is not limited to the contents shown in FIG.
[0030]
B. Internal configuration:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of the output control system 10. In the present embodiment, each functional block shown in the figure is configured as software, but may be configured as hardware.
[0031]
The input unit 12 communicates with the client. Various commands related to data output, an output request, and a search request are input from the client. The output request includes attribute information for specifying an output device that outputs data and data to be output. When receiving an output request, the input unit 12 registers it in the output request queue 20. In the output request queue 20, each output request is held in association with a job number.
[0032]
The attribute information can include output device capabilities or network location. In the figure, as an example of the former, a case where “the printer is capable of color printing” is illustrated. As an example of the latter, an address on the network can be used. The attribute information further includes a retry time. The retry time corresponds to the upper limit of the time for searching for the output device. In this embodiment, the retry time can be designated from the client 1, but a set value may be prepared in advance by the output control system 10.
[0033]
The search request includes attribute information for specifying the output device. The search request is issued when the client 1 confirms whether a desired output device exists on the network. It differs from the output request in that the output data is not included. When receiving the search request, the input unit 12 registers it in the search request queue 18. In the search request queue 18, each search request is held in association with the search request number in the same manner as the output request queue 20. The output request queue 20 and the search request queue 18 may be shared.
[0034]
These output requests and search requests are processed by the search control unit 16. The search control unit 16 searches for output devices on the network that match the request. The retrieved output device is set as a transmission destination of the output request and is held in the output request queue 20. The output request in which the transmission destination is set is transmitted by the transmission unit 22 to the printer PRT1 and other designated output devices. The transmission unit 22 has a function of searching the output request queue 20 for an output request for which a transmission destination is set, and transmitting it to each designated output device.
[0035]
When searching for the output device based on the search request, the search control unit 16 notifies the client 1 of the search result via the input / output unit 12. The notification may be displayed directly on the client 1 via the network, or may be sent to the mail server MSV in the form of an e-mail. In any aspect, the display destination of the search result is specified together with the search request from the client 1. Note that the session for displaying the search result via the network may be the same as the session that transmits the search request, or may be a different session.
[0036]
The search of the output device by the search control unit 16 is performed by referring to the lookup service 14. The lookup service 14 has a function of holding output devices that are available on the network together with attributes, and providing information related to output devices that conform to the attributes requested by the search control unit 16. In this embodiment, a lookup service in Jini (trademark) is applied.
[0037]
In the lookup service 14, each output device is grasped as a “service” that provides a certain function. Each service is managed by a unique identification number (ID), and the function content is managed as attribute information. The output device is appropriately deleted from the lookup service 14 because it becomes unusable due to power off or disconnection from the network. Also, the output device that is newly in operation is appropriately registered in the lookup service 14. The lookup service 14 is updated spontaneously when the network environment changes by using Jini.
[0038]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the update of the lookup service 14. Here, the printer PRT1 will be described as an example. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that Jini compatible devices are used as the output devices. A Jini compatible device means a device that can use the Jini protocol. Such devices each include a discovery module 30 and a join module 32 in the output device.
[0039]
The discovery module 30 has a function of detecting the location of the lookup service 14 from the network. When the printer PRT1 is newly connected to the network or powered on, the discovery module 30 starts searching for the lookup service 14. That is, the discovery module 30 transmits a signal set by the Jini protocol by multicast on the network, and specifies the location of the lookup service 14 on the network based on the response.
[0040]
When the location of the lookup service 14 is specified in this way, the join module 32 next registers the service. The join module 32 generates a service object 33 and a service attribute 34 and registers them in the lookup service 14. The service object 33 corresponds to a method used for the client to use the printer PRT1. The service attribute 34 is attribute information indicating the capability of the printer PRT1. The join module 32 specifies a service ID that uniquely identifies itself at the time of registration. As described above, in the lookup service 14, each service is managed by this service ID.
[0041]
The lookup service 14 is appropriately updated using Jini as described above. In FIG. 3, the printer PRT1 is described as an example, but similar modules are prepared for other output devices.
[0042]
In this embodiment, the output device is managed using Jini. However, it is not always necessary to use Jini. Instead of the lookup service 14, it is possible to apply various configurations that can manage output devices that are operating on the network and that can search for output devices according to their capabilities.
[0043]
In the present embodiment, the case where the lookup service 14 is built in the output control system 10 is illustrated, but the lookup service 14 may be configured separately from the output control system 10. In this case, the search control unit 16 can search for an output device by referring to the lookup service via the network. A list for holding operable output devices may be provided in the output control system 10, and the search control unit 16 may perform a search with reference to this list. The list can be updated by appropriately referring to a lookup service provided separately from the output control system 10.
[0044]
With the above configuration, the output control system 10 according to the present embodiment can transmit the output request received from the client 1 to the designated output device. Hereinafter, specific processing contents will be described in each stage until data output is performed.
[0045]
C. Issue output request:
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of output request issue processing. The process executed by the client 1 is shown on the left side, and the process executed by the output control system 10 is shown on the right side.
[0046]
First, the client 1 generates an output request (step S10). The output request includes output data, retry time, and attribute information. The output data is prepared in a file format suitable for the output device. In this embodiment, since the output control system 10 determines the output device, it is desirable that the output data has a general-purpose file format that does not depend on the output device. As such a file format, for example, a page description language such as PDF or Postscript (registered trademark) can be used.
[0047]
When the client 1 transmits the output request prepared in this way (step S12), the output control system 10 receives this (step S20), assigns a job number (step S22), and stores this in the output request queue 20. Processing for registering the output request is performed (step S24). The job number is transmitted to the client 1 and displayed (step S14).
[0048]
The above operation is performed regardless of whether or not the output device designated by the client 1 is operating. For example, there may be no output device in operation on the network.
[0049]
Although the issue of the output request is illustrated here, the same applies to the issue of the search request for the output device. The only difference is that the search request does not include output data. When receiving a search request from the client 1, the output control system 10 assigns a search request number and holds it in the search request queue 18 in the same procedure as in FIG.
[0050]
D. Job operation:
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of job operation. The process executed by the client 1 is shown on the left side, and the process executed by the output control system 10 is shown on the right side. The output request held in the output request queue 20 can be variously operated according to the job number.
[0051]
In the job operation, the client 1 transmits the job number given to the output request to be operated to the output control system 10 (step S30). At this time, the client 1 that performs the job operation is not necessarily the same as the issuer of the output request. Since identity with the output request issuer is not required, job operation is possible only by knowing the job number. In this embodiment, this improves the convenience of job operation. Of course, in order to avoid unnecessary job operation by a third party, the identity of the output request issuer may be authenticated.
[0052]
When the job control number is input (step S40), the output control system 10 searches the output request queue 20 for a corresponding output request and transmits the status to the client 1 (step S42). The status is information indicating the processing status of the output request. For example, statuses such as “searching for output device”, “waiting for transmission to output device”, and “output completed” can be used. The status information is displayed on the client 1 (step S32).
[0053]
The user of the client 1 issues an output request operation instruction based on the displayed status (step S34). Examples of operations include deletion of output requests, change of attribute information, retry time, and other conditions, change of priority of output requests, and the like. Changing the priority of the output request is an operation corresponding to changing the processing order between the output requests held in the output request queue 20.
[0054]
The output control system 10 inputs an operation instruction from the client 1 (step S44), and performs a job operation according to this (step S46). If the job is to be deleted, the corresponding output request is deleted from the output request queue 20. If the condition is changed, the output request queue 20 is accessed and the corresponding data is changed.
[0055]
When the operation is completed, the output control system 10 transmits the operation result to the client 1 (step S48). When the client 1 displays this (step S36), the user can confirm the result of the job operation.
[0056]
In this embodiment, since the output request is managed by the job number, there is a first advantage that the job operation can be performed in a session different from the issue of the output request. That is, it is possible to issue an output request, once disconnect the connection between the client 1 and the output control system 10, and then connect the both again to perform job operations. In addition, as described above, there is a second advantage that job operations can be performed by a person other than the issuer of the output request. In this way, the output control system 10 can realize job operations under various situations. In particular, the first advantage is particularly useful when the client 1 is a portable terminal that is easily disconnected from the network.
[0057]
Here, the operation for the output request is illustrated, but the same operation is possible for the search request. By designating a search request number from the client 1, it is possible to delete a search request as in the case of an output request.
[0058]
E. Output control:
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of output control. This is a process periodically executed by the search control unit 16 of the output control system 10.
[0059]
In this process, the search control unit 16 acquires the attribute information based on the output request held in the output request queue 20 (step S50). As described above, the attribute information includes the capability and other conditions that should be satisfied by the output device to be the output destination.
[0060]
The search control unit 16 executes a search for an output device based on the attribute information (step S52). The output devices that are in operation on the network are centrally managed by the lookup service 14. Accordingly, the search control unit 16 transmits the attribute information to the lookup service 14 and receives information regarding an output device that matches the attribute information.
[0061]
When an output device matching the attribute information is found (step S54), the output device is determined as a transmission destination (step S66). That is, the search control unit 16 accesses the output request queue 20 and registers the searched output device as a transmission destination of the output request to be searched.
[0062]
If no output device matching the attribute information is found (step S54), the search is continued until the time required for the search has passed the retry time (step S56). Here, a case where a loop for repeatedly executing a search is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, when no suitable output device is found, the output control process may be completed as it is. Since an output request whose transmission destination has not been determined is again a search target in the output control process, the search is substantially repeatedly executed. By managing the time required for the search for each output request, it is possible to determine whether or not the retry time has been exceeded.
[0063]
If the network environment changes within the retry time and an output device suitable for the attribute information is detected, the output device is determined as the transmission destination (step S66). If a suitable output device is not detected, the elapse of the retry time is notified to the client 1 (step S58), and the output request is processed in accordance with an instruction from the client 1 (step S60).
[0064]
When deletion of the output request is instructed from the client 1, the output request is deleted from the output request queue 20 (step S64). When a re-search is instructed from the client 1, processing such as reset of information related to the search time and extension of the retry time is performed. These processes are performed as an update of the attribute information held in the output request queue 20 (step S62). The client 1 may instruct relaxation of conditions related to the output device, that is, change of attribute information. Even in such a case, the attribute information held in the output request queue 20 is updated in accordance with an instruction from the client 1 (step S62).
[0065]
According to the output control system 10 of the present embodiment described above, the client 1 can realize data output to a desired output device without knowing the status of the output device on the network. . In particular, an output request can be issued even when an output device in operation is not present on the network, and data output can be realized when the network environment is ready. Therefore, according to the output control system 10 of the present embodiment, the convenience of data output via the network can be improved.
[0066]
Further, in the output control system 10 of the present embodiment, the search for the output device is limited within the retry time. Therefore, it is possible to avoid holding the output request for a very long time without determining the output device. As a result, waste of resources can be suppressed, and processing efficiency can be improved. On the contrary, in the output control system 10 of this embodiment, the search for the output device is repeated not only once but within the retry time, so that the output device can be selected according to the change in the network environment.
[0067]
In the embodiment (see FIG. 6), the case where the processing according to the instruction of the client 1 is performed for the output request after the retry time has been illustrated is exemplified, but the processing content may be set in advance. For example, the output request may be deleted regardless of the instruction from the client 1 when the retry time elapses. By doing so, it is possible to avoid that highly confidential output data or the like is held for a long time in a state where it can be output, and security in data output via the network can be improved. In this case, it is preferable to notify the client 1 that the output request has been deleted so that the client 1 can easily grasp the processing result of the output request.
[0068]
In the embodiment (FIG. 6), the output control based on the output request is exemplified, but the search processing based on the search request is the same. Instead of determining the transmission destination in step S66, the client 1 may be notified of the search result. The notification may be displayed directly on the client 1 via the network, or may be sent to the mail server MSV in the form of an e-mail. In any aspect, the display destination of the search result is specified together with the search request from the client 1. Note that the session for displaying the search result via the network may be the same as the session that transmits the search request, or may be a different session.
[0069]
F. Variation of output control:
In the embodiment, the case where the search is repeatedly performed until an output device that perfectly matches the requested attribute information is detected has been illustrated. There are not always perfectly compatible output devices on the network. In addition, the requested attribute information often includes essential contents and desired contents. That is, the requested attribute information often includes information that can be relaxed for the user. In the modified example, in view of such a point, a process of detecting an output device that is generally suitable even if the attribute information is not completely adapted by gradually relaxing the attribute information is illustrated.
[0070]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart in a modified example of output control. In the output control of FIG. 6, only the process for detecting the output device is extracted and shown.
[0071]
In the process of the modified example, first, the output device is searched based on the requested attribute information (step S52A).
[0072]
In the figure, an example of searching for a printer is also shown. In this example, the attribute information includes four items: color printing presence / absence, paper size, double-sided printing presence / absence, and layout.
[0073]
The user demands color printing, A3 size, double-sided printing, and 2 in 1 format (a format in which reduced-size printing is performed so that two pages of originals are contained in one page). In the network, two printers PRT1, PRT2 are in operation. The printer PRT1 cannot perform duplex printing. The printer PRT2 cannot perform printing in the 2-in-1 format. Therefore, in step S52A, an output device that perfectly matches the requested attribute information is not found.
[0074]
If a suitable output device is found, the search control unit 16 sets the output device as a transmission destination (step S66A). If no output device is detected, the search is performed by relaxing the condition and performing the next search. (Step S52B). Note that the difference from the embodiment in setting the transmission destination (step S66A) will be described later.
[0075]
The relaxation of the condition will be described based on a search example in the figure. In this embodiment, the condition is relaxed by removing any one of the designated attribute information. In the example shown in the figure, the layout-related conditions (hatched portions in the figure) are excluded from the conditions. As a result, the printer PRT2 becomes an output device that meets the requirements.
[0076]
When an output device that meets the relaxed conditions is found, the search control unit 16 sets the output device as a transmission destination (step S66A). If no suitable output device is found, the search is continued with the conditions further relaxed.
[0077]
In the next stage, another condition may be relaxed in addition to the layout condition, or another condition may be relaxed instead of the layout condition. For example, the former case corresponds to the case where the layout condition and the condition regarding double-sided printing are removed. The latter mode corresponds to, for example, the case where only the conditions regarding double-sided printing are removed.
[0078]
The order of relaxation can be arbitrarily set. FIG. 7 illustrates the case where the conditions regarding the layout are first removed. In step S52B, the conditions regarding double-sided printing may be removed first. In this case, the printer PRT1 corresponds to an appropriate output device. The order of removing the conditions may be set in advance in the output control system 10, or the user may specify the priority of the item together with the output request. The latter has an advantage that printing according to the user's intention can be realized.
[0079]
In step S52B, the search is performed by removing only the conditions relating to the layout. However, all output devices that do not satisfy any one of the items may be searched. In this case, in the example shown in the figure, the printer PRT1 does not satisfy only the conditions regarding double-sided printing, and the printer PRT2 does not satisfy only the conditions regarding layout, so both are searched as conforming output devices. When a plurality of output devices are searched, these lists may be displayed on the client 1 and the user may select any one of the output devices.
[0080]
It is desirable to set a certain limit for relaxing the conditions. In other words, it is desirable to provide essential conditions that are not subject to relaxation. For example, when the condition regarding color printing is an essential condition, at least a printer capable of color printing is selected as the output device. Of course, a plurality of essential conditions may be provided. The essential condition may be set in advance in the output control system 10 or may be specified by the user together with the output request.
[0081]
Here, the difference from the embodiment in the process of step S66A will be described. In the embodiment, an output device that perfectly matches the attribute information is set as the transmission destination (see step S66 in FIG. 6). On the other hand, in the modified example, as a result of relaxing the attribute information, the searched output device may be set as the transmission destination.
[0082]
The network environment may change at any time during the period from when the transmission destination is set to when the transmission is actually performed for the output request. Due to such fluctuation, there is a possibility that an output device having a higher degree of conformity to the attribute information than the output device once set may appear. In the modification, output control is performed in consideration of such a possibility.
[0083]
In the modification, even if the output request has a transmission destination set, the output device is searched until the transmission is actually completed, that is, as long as it is held in the output request queue 20. Therefore, there is a possibility that an output device having a higher degree of conformance to the attribute information than the previously set transmission destination may be searched due to network fluctuations. In this case, the process of step S66A means that an output device having a higher fitness is set as the transmission destination. The degree of conformity can be determined by the number of items removed from the attribute information or its priority.
[0084]
According to the process of the modification described above, it is possible to detect an output device that is generally satisfied even if it does not completely match the attribute information. In addition, by enabling the user to set priority, essential items, and the like for each item of attribute information, it is possible to easily search for an output device that meets the user's intention.
[0085]
The processing of the modified example can be similarly applied to the search request. When processing the search request, the search result may be notified to the client 1 in step S66A.
[0086]
As mentioned above, although the various Example of this invention was described, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to these Examples, and can take a various structure in the range which does not deviate from the meaning. For example, each of the above processes may be realized by hardware as well as by software.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an output system as an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of the output control system 10;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing update of a lookup service 14;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an output request issue process.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of job operation.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of output control.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart in a modified example of output control.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Client
10 ... Output control system
12 ... I / O section
14 ... Lookup service
16 ... Search control unit
18 ... Search request queue
20 ... Output request queue
22: Transmitter
30 ... Discovery module
32 ... Join module
33 ... Service object
34 ... Service attribute

Claims (11)

An output control system for transmitting an output request including the output data to an output device based on an output request including output data from a client connected to a network,
An attribute information holding unit that holds output device attribute information related to an output device that is registered by an output device that is switched from an unusable state to an available state in the network;
Regardless of whether there is a conforming output device corresponding to the output device attribute information that conforms to the output destination attribute information that identifies the output device that is included in the output request that includes the output data and that is the output destination, the output data An input unit that receives an output request including a message from a client and registers it in the output request queue;
The compatible output device is searched with reference to the output device attribute information held in the attribute information holding unit, and when the compatible output device is not found, the adaptive output device based on the output device attribute information The first search is made by referring again to the output device attribute information held in the attribute information holding unit so that the compatible output device switched to a usable state in the network can be found after the first search of A search unit that searches again for the conforming output device under the same search conditions as
A holding unit for holding an output request including the output data in the output request queue during the search of the conforming output device by the search unit;
A transmitter that transmits an output request including the output data registered in the output request queue via the network to the found compatible output device when the compatible output device is found;
An output control system comprising: The output control system according to claim 1,
The output destination attribute information and the output device attribute information are information for specifying the capabilities of the output device, respectively. The output control system according to claim 1,
The search for the suitable output device by the search unit is restricted within a predetermined time,
An instruction input unit that inputs an instruction relating to handling of an output request including the output data from the client when the compatible output device is not found within the predetermined time;
An output control system comprising: a control unit that controls at least one operation of the holding unit or the search unit in accordance with the instruction. The output control system according to claim 1,
The search for the suitable output device by the search unit is restricted within a predetermined time,
An output control system comprising: a deletion unit that deletes an output request including the output data when the suitable output device is not found within the predetermined time. The output control system according to claim 1,
The holding unit generates identification information for an output request including the output data, and holds the identification information and the output request in association with each other.
A notification unit for notifying the client of the identification information;
An instruction input unit that inputs an instruction regarding whether or not to execute an output in response to an output request including the output data in association with the identification information;
An output control system comprising: a processing unit that performs processing according to the instruction with respect to an output request corresponding to the identification information. The output control system according to claim 5,
The output control system in which the instruction input unit inputs the instruction regardless of whether or not a client that has transmitted the instruction is the same as a client that has made an output request including the output data. The output control system according to claim 5,
The output control system in which the instruction input unit inputs the instruction regardless of whether or not a session for receiving the instruction is the same as a session for receiving an output request including the output data. The output control system according to claim 1,
The output control system, wherein the output device includes a printing device. An output control method for transmitting an output request including the output data to an output device based on an output request including output data from a client connected to a network,
Registered by an output device that has been switched from an unusable state on the network to an available state, and holding output device attribute information relating to the output device usable on the network; and
Regardless of whether there is a conforming output device corresponding to the output device attribute information that conforms to the output destination attribute information that identifies the output device that is included in the output request that includes the output data and that is the output destination, the output data Receiving an output request including a message from a client and registering it in an output request queue;
Searching the compatible output device with reference to the output device attribute information held in the attribute information holding unit;
If the matching output device is not found, the matching output device switched to a usable state in the network after the initial search for the matching output device based on the output attribute information may be found. Re-referring to the output device attribute information held in the attribute information holding unit and searching again for the compatible output device under the same search conditions as the first search;
Holding an output request including the output data in the output request queue during a search for the conforming output device;
If the compatible output device is found, transmitting an output request including the output data registered in the output request queue via the network to the found compatible output device;
An output control method comprising: A computer program for executing, by a computer, output control for transmitting an output request including output data to an output device based on an output request including output data from a client connected to a network,
A function for storing output device attribute information related to an output device that is registered by an output device that has been switched from an unusable state to an available state on the network and usable on the network;
Regardless of whether there is a conforming output device corresponding to the output device attribute information that conforms to the output destination attribute information that identifies the output device that is included in the output request that includes the output data and that is the output destination, the output data A function for receiving an output request including a message from a client and registering it in an output request queue;
A function of searching for the suitable output device with reference to the output device attribute information held in the attribute information holding unit;
If the compatible output device is not found, the compatible output device switched to a usable state in the network after the initial search of the compatible output device based on the output device attribute information can be found. A function for re-searching the conforming output device under the same search conditions as the first search by referring again to the output device attribute information held in the attribute information holding unit;
A function of holding an output request including the output data in the output request queue during a search for the conforming output device;
A function of transmitting an output request including the output data registered in the output request queue via the network to the discovered compatible output device when the compatible output device is found;
A program for realizing this with a computer.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program according to claim 10 is recorded.

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