JP4463889B2 - Print server, print system, client thereof, and print control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print server connected via a network, a print system including the print server and a plurality of clients, a client thereof, and a print control method thereof .
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, printing via networks has become common with the spread of networks. In particular, since no special network adapter is required for the printer, there is a method in which a host computer to which the printer is locally connected is shared as a print server on the network, and printing is performed by the printer from the client host computer via the print server via the network. The most common.
[0003]
In this connection mode, the printer driver and its peripheral software are used to display the status of the printer and print job connected to the print server on the screen of the client host computer, and to operate the print job controlled by the print server. (Pause, Resume, Forced Print, Cancel, etc.), and even if the user of the client host computer does not go to the location of the print server, the print status on the printer can be grasped and the printer Some of them can be operated.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the print processing by the network having the above configuration has the following problems.
[0005]
If it is possible to cancel a print job on a print server from a client host computer, it becomes possible for another client to delete a print job that is being printed by another client. Undesirable situations such as deleting can occur.
[0006]
Therefore, it is possible to add security information to a print job spooled in the print server so that only the user who has performed printing or access has access to the print job on the print server from the client host computer. Most desirable. However, such a method is complicated because the print job itself must be changed.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional example. A print server, a printing system , a client thereof, and a client capable of controlling the validity / invalidity of an operation for a print job from a client based on a setting in the print server. An object is to provide a printing control method .
[0008]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a print server, a printing system , its client, and its printing which can prohibit a print job being printed by one client from being operated by another client with a simple procedure. It is to provide a control method .
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the print server of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A print server that receives a print job from a client and prints it on a printer,
And instructing means for instructing to display a screen including an instruction item for instructing whether to display the instruction portion for performing an operation instruction to the printer in the client user interface,
Informing means for notifying the client whether or not to display an instruction unit for performing an operation instruction for the printer on the client in accordance with an instruction for the instruction item ;
It is characterized by having.
[0010]
In order to achieve the above object, the printing system of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A printing system for connecting a plurality of clients and a print server connected to a printer via a network,
The print server
And instructing means for instructing to display a screen including an instruction item for instructing whether to display the instruction portion for performing an operation instruction to the printer in the client user interface,
Notification means for notifying the client of an instruction as to whether or not to display on the client an instruction unit for performing an operation instruction for the printer in accordance with an instruction for the instruction item ;
The client
Receiving means for receiving notification by the notifying means;
If the notification content received by the receiving means indicates that the instruction unit is to be displayed on the client, the instruction unit is displayed so as to be instructable on the client, and the notification content received by the receiving means is the instruction Display control means for controlling the display so that the instruction unit cannot be instructed on the client.
[0011]
In order to achieve the above object, the client of the present invention has the following configuration . That is,
A client that instructs a printer to print via a print server,
Receiving means for receiving a notification transmitted from the print server and including an instruction as to whether or not to display an instruction unit for instructing operation of the printer on the client;
When the notification content received by the receiving means indicates that the instruction unit is to be displayed, the instruction unit is displayed so as to be instructable at the client, and the notification content received by the receiving means displays the instruction unit. Display control means for controlling the display so that the instruction unit cannot be instructed in the client,
It is characterized by having.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0013]
[Overview of laser beam printer]
A configuration of a laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as LBP) suitable for applying the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Needless to say, the printer to which the present embodiment is applied is not limited to such an LBP, and may be a printer of various printing systems such as an ink jet printer, a thermal printer, or a thermal transfer printer.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printer (LBP) applicable to the present embodiment.
[0015]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1000 denotes an LBP main body, which receives and analyzes PDL data supplied from an externally connected host computer 100, converts the PDL data into video data after bitmap development, An image is formed on recording paper as a recording medium. A printer controller 1001 processes PDL data supplied from the host computer 100. The printer controller 1001 converts the input PDL data into a video signal having a corresponding pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1002, and notifies the host computer 100 of various statuses of the LBP.
[0016]
The laser driver 1002 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1003, and switches on / off the laser light 1004 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 in accordance with the input video signal. The laser beam 1004 is swung in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 1005 to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 1006. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern or a graphic pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1007 disposed around the electrostatic drum 1006 and then transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used as the recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1008 mounted on the LBP 1000 and is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 1009 and transport rollers 1010 and 1011, and an electrostatic drum 1006. To be supplied.
[0017]
[Network configuration diagram]
FIG. 2 is a network diagram for explaining the configuration of network 110 in the present embodiment.
[0018]
In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a network cable in a local area, and devices connected to the network 110 are connected to each other via the network cable 10. Reference numerals 100, 200, and 300 denote host computers, which are connected to the network cable 10 via network connection cables 101, 201, and 301, respectively. The host computer 100 is connected to the printer 1000 via a printer cable 1100, and functions as a print server that receives print jobs using the printer 1000 from other client host computers 200 and 300 and performs printing. The host computer 200 and the host computer 300 are client host computers that output a print job to the printer 1000.
[0019]
In this way, the printer 1000 connected to the host computer (print server) 100 is. The network 110 is set to be shared. A user of the host computer 200 or 300 uses an application program (not shown) to issue a print job to the printer 1000 connected to the print server 100 shared by the network 110 and perform printing. Do. At this time, the print data spooled by the host computers 200 and 300 is sent to the host computer 100 via the network cable 10. The print data sent to the host computer 100 is sent to the printer 1000 via the printer cable 1100 and printing is executed. The host computer 100 and the printer 1000 are connected by bidirectional communication, and the host computers 100, 200, and 300 are configured to be able to display the status of the printer 1000 and the status of the print job. .
[0020]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the print server 100 according to the present embodiment.
[0021]
A CPU 310 such as a microprocessor controls the overall operation of the print server 100 in accordance with a control program stored in the RAM 311 or the like. The RAM 311 further has a work area for storing various data when the CPU 310 executes control processing. An input unit 312 includes, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and is used to input various data, commands, and the like according to user operations. A display unit 313 is composed of, for example, a CRT or a liquid crystal, and is used to display a printer status window or the like which will be described later. A printer interface 314 controls a bidirectional interface between the print server 100 and the printer 1000. A hard disk 315 stores print jobs received via the network 110 and various application programs and control programs executed by the CPU 310. A network control unit (NCU) 316 controls communication with the network 110.
[0022]
The configuration of the client host computers 200 and 300 in FIG. 2 described above is substantially the same as the configuration excluding the printer interface 314 and the printer 1000 from the print server 100, and therefore the drawings and description thereof are omitted.
[0023]
[Status display on the print server (printer status window)]
FIG. 4 shows a screen display example of the display unit 313 by an application program (printer status window) for notifying the user of the status of the printer 1000 or the print job in the host computer (print server) 100 functioning as a print server. FIG.
[0024]
As shown in the figure, the printer status window displays the current printing status (in this case, “printing”), the application that performed printing (here, “Microsoft Word” (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation)), and printing. The document file name ("PRNTTEST.DOC") is displayed.
[0025]
[Status display on client (network status monitor)]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen display example by an application program (network status monitor) for notifying the user of the status of the printer 1000 of the print server and the print job in the display unit of the host computers 200 and 300 functioning as clients. It is.
[0026]
The network status monitor communicates with the printer status window of the connected print server 100 to acquire information regarding printing, and sends operation information regarding the printing. The network status monitor displays the current printing status (in this case, “printing”), the application that performed the printing (here “Notepad”), the file name (here “test”), and so on. The Further, the name of the connected print server (“DECP133” in FIG. 5) and the printer name (Canon LBP-220) are displayed in the title bar portion of the network status monitor.
[0027]
[Print job operation on the client]
In the network status monitor operating on the client host computers 200 and 300, operations such as temporary stop, restart, forced print, and stop of printing on the print server 100 can be performed.
[0028]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a method for performing operations of temporary suspension, resumption, forced printing, and cancellation of printing in the network status monitor of the client host computers 200 and 300.
[0029]
Such an operation can be executed by selecting each menu item such as “pause”, “resume”, “forced printing”, “cancel” from the “printer (P)” menu. Further, operations that can be executed are limited by the current state of the printer 1000, and menu items for operations that cannot be executed in the current state (in the example of FIG. 6, “pause (P)” “forced printing (F)”). ) Is grayed out and cannot be selected. In the example of FIG. 6, only “Resume” and “Cancel” can be selected.
[0030]
The display and operation of the print job on the network status monitor is valid for the print job currently being printed on the connected print server 100.
[0031]
However, the number of client host computers is not limited to one, and a plurality of client host computers are generally connected to one print server at the same time. In this case, for example, a user of client B can perform an operation such as canceling printing using a network status monitor for a print job printed from client A, and a print job performed by another user. An unfavorable situation may occur, such as deleting. In order to avoid such a situation, in this embodiment, a function for enabling / disabling an operation for a print job in the network status monitor of the connected client is added to the printer status window of the print server.
[0032]
[Enable / Disable client operation on the print server]
FIG. 7 shows a method for enabling / disabling an operation for a print job on the network status monitor (see FIG. 6) of the connected client in the printer status window displayed on the screen of the display unit 313 of the print server 100. It is a figure for demonstrating.
[0033]
In FIG. 7, when the “operation on client (C)” menu item in the “option (O)” menu of the printer status window is turned on (checked), the operation for the print job on the client becomes valid. FIG. 7 shows the on state. In this case, the “printer (P)” menu of the client network status monitor is displayed as valid, for example, as shown in FIG.
[0034]
On the other hand, when the “operation on client (C)” menu item is turned off (unchecked), the operation on the print job on the client becomes invalid. In this case, the “printer (P)” menu of the client network status monitor is displayed in gray as indicated by reference numeral 801 in FIG. 8, and the selection becomes invalid.
[0035]
[Details of communication method between print server 100 and clients 200 and 300]
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining details of a communication method between the printer status window 2000 of the print server 100 and the network status monitor 3000 of the client 200. Although FIG. 9 describes the case where one client is connected to the print server 100, it goes without saying that a plurality of clients may be connected simultaneously.
[0036]
In the figure, a printer status window 2000 is controlled by an application program running on the print server 100, and is configured to display the status of the printer 1000 and print job and to perform various operations by the user. The network status monitor 3000 is controlled by an application program running on the client 200, communicates with the print server 100 controlled by the printer status window 2000, and communicates with the printer 1000 connected to the print server 100. It is configured to be able to display the status and the status of the print job and perform operations by the client user.
[0037]
In the printer status window 2000, the main thread 2001 communicates with the printer 1000 and other modules 2010 that monitor the status of the print job to acquire information. Communication between modules is performed using a registry and an event, and the main thread 2001 performs status display on the screen and various other processes. Reference numeral 2002 denotes a server thread. When a status change or the like occurs in the main thread 2001, the information is transmitted to the server thread 2002 by an event from the main thread 2001. The server thread 2002 notifies the NSM connection thread 2004 and the NSM thread 2005 of information such as the status change using the named pipe 2003. The NSM thread 2005 notifies this information to the ReadPipe thread 3002 of the network status monitor 3000 of the client 200 via the network 110 using the NSM connection thread 2006 and the named pipe 2007. Further, the NSM thread 2005 notifies the main thread 2001 of information related to the operation of the printer 1000 sent from the network status monitor 3000 using an event.
[0038]
On the other hand, in the network status monitor 3000, the ReadPipe thread 3002 receives information such as the status from the printer status window 2000 via the network 110 using the named pipe 2007. The ReadPipe thread 3002 passes information to the screen display unit 3004 and displays a screen for showing the user the status of the print job as shown in FIGS.
[0039]
On the other hand, operations such as “print stop”, “resume”, “forced printing”, “cancel” and the like for the printer and print job performed by the user from the network status monitor 3000 are processed by the printer operation unit 3003 and use the WritePipe thread 3001. The NSM thread 2005 of the printer status window 2000 of the print server 100 is notified via the network 110, and sent to the main thread 2001 as an event for processing.
[0040]
[Details of communication data format between print server and client]
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the details of the data format (NET_MONITOR structure) used for communication between the printer status window 2000 of the print server 100 and the network status monitor 3000 of the client 200.
[0041]
In the figure, “netStatus” is a status code. “NetJobName [32]” is a job name and is used to display the job name in FIG. “NetReq_PaperSize [32]” is a paper size name and is not used in the network status monitor 3000. “NetDocument” has two states of “PSW_ENABLE (operation permission)” and “PSW_DISABLE (operation disapproval)”, and changes according to the setting of the “operation on client (C)” menu in FIG. If the “operation on client (C)” menu setting in FIG. 7 is checked (ON), “PSW_ENABLE (operation permission)” is notified. Also, if the “operation on client (C)” menu setting is unchecked (off), “PSW_DISABLE (operation not permitted)” is notified.
[0042]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the “client operation” setting process using the “option (O)” menu in the print server 100, and a program for executing this process is stored in a program memory area such as the RAM 311. .
[0043]
First, in step S1, whether or not the “option” menu in the title bar is selected and clicked with the mouse cursor or the like by operating the mouse of the input unit 312 or the like is checked. Execute the process. When the “option” menu is selected, the process proceeds to step S3, and as shown in FIG. 7, the menu item “operation on the client” is displayed, and the selection of the item is waited. When the item is selected, the process proceeds to step S4, and it is checked whether or not “operation on the client” is currently checked on. If so, the process proceeds to step S5. PSW_DISABLE "is notified to the client. On the other hand, if “operation on the client” is currently checked off in step S4, the process proceeds to step S6, where it is turned “on” and “PSW_ENABLE (operation permission)” is notified to the client.
[0044]
As a result, each client can determine whether or not the execution of the print job in the printer 1000 can be controlled via the print server 100, and accordingly, the display form of the “printer” menu is displayed as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. change.
[0045]
[Printer menu prohibition processing of network status monitor 3000]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an algorithm of processing for enabling / disabling the “printer” menu in the screen display unit 3004 of the network status monitor 3000 of the client 200.
[0046]
In the figure, first, in step S11, the NET_MONITOR structure data sent from the print server 100 is received via the ReadPipe thread 3002. In step S12, it is checked whether the netDocument item in the NET_MONITOR structure data is PSW_ENABLE (operation permitted). If so, the process proceeds to step S13, and the “printer” menu is enabled (see FIG. 5). Set and finish the process.
[0047]
On the other hand, if it is not PSW_ENABLE but PSW_DISABLE (operation not permitted) in step S12, the process proceeds to step S14, the “printer” menu is set to an unusable state (see FIG. 8), and the process ends.
[0048]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), or a device (for example, a copier, a facsimile device, etc.) including a single device. You may apply to.
[0049]
Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for implementing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. This can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.
[0050]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0051]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0052]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. A case where part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.
[0053]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0054]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, a certain client host is used in an environment in which a plurality of client host computers are connected to one print server and the plurality of client host computers share one printer. If it is not desirable for another client host computer user to perform a print job operation on a print job that is being printed by a computer user, the print server administrator can provide another print job for that client. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a failure in the print job by invalidating the operation from the client.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to control the validity / invalidity of an operation for a print job from a client based on the setting in the print server.
[0056]
In addition, according to the present invention, there is an effect that an operation to a print job by another client can be prohibited with respect to a print job being printed by a client by a simple procedure.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a printer device (LBP) according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of a network configuration in which a client and a print server are connected in the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print server according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a printer status window in the print server.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of a network status monitor in a client host computer.
FIG. 6 is a view showing a display example of a “printer” menu of the network status monitor in the client host computer.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a client operation valid / invalid switching method in the printer status window of the print server.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example when the printer operation of the network status monitor in the client host computer is disabled.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating details of a communication method between the print server and the client host computer according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a NET_MONITOR structure that is a communication data format between a print server and a client.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a setting process based on an “operation on client” menu in the print server according to the embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a processing algorithm in the screen display unit of the network status monitor in the client host computer of the embodiment;

Claims (15)

A print server that receives a print job from a client and prints it on a printer,
And instructing means for instructing to display a screen including an instruction item for instructing whether to display the instruction portion for performing an operation instruction to the printer in the client user interface,
Informing means for notifying the client whether or not to display an instruction unit for performing an operation instruction for the printer on the client in accordance with an instruction for the instruction item ;
A print server.   The print server according to claim 1, wherein the operation instruction to the printer includes at least one of an instruction to stop printing, resume printing, forced printing, and stop printing.   The print server according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit displays a menu item of an operation instruction for the printer in a selectable manner. A printing system for connecting a plurality of clients and a print server connected to a printer via a network,
The print server
And instructing means for instructing to display a screen including an instruction item for instructing whether to display the instruction portion for performing an operation instruction to the printer in the client user interface,
Notification means for notifying the client of an instruction as to whether or not to display on the client an instruction unit for performing an operation instruction for the printer in accordance with an instruction for the instruction item ;
The client
Receiving means for receiving notification by the notifying means;
If the notification content received by the receiving means indicates that the instruction unit is to be displayed on the client, the instruction unit is displayed so as to be instructable on the client, and the notification content received by the receiving means is the instruction And a display control unit that controls display so that the instruction unit cannot be instructed on the client when the client is not displayed on the client.   The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the operation instruction to the printer includes at least one of an instruction to stop printing, restart printing, forced printing, and printing stop.   The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the instruction unit displays a menu item of an operation instruction for the printer in a selectable manner. A client that instructs a printer to print via a print server,
Receiving means for receiving a notification transmitted from the print server and including an instruction as to whether or not to display an instruction unit for instructing operation of the printer on the client;
When the notification content received by the receiving means indicates that the instruction unit is to be displayed, the instruction unit is displayed so as to be instructable at the client, and the notification content received by the receiving means displays the instruction unit. Display control means for controlling the display so that the instruction unit cannot be instructed in the client,
A client characterized by comprising: A print control method in a print server for receiving a print job from a client and printing it on a printer,
Indicating means, and an instruction step to instruct displaying a screen including the instruction item for instructing whether to display the instruction portion for performing an operation instruction to the printer in the client user interface,
A notification step of notifying the client whether or not an instruction unit for displaying an instruction for operating the printer according to an instruction for the instruction item is displayed on the client;
A print control method in a print server, comprising:   9. The print control method in the print server according to claim 8, wherein the operation instruction to the printer includes at least one of an instruction to stop printing, restart printing, forced printing, and printing stop.   The print control method in the print server according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the instruction unit displays a menu item of an operation instruction for the printer in a selectable manner. A printing control method in a printing system in which a plurality of clients and a print server connected to a printer are connected via a network,
Instruction means of said print server, and an instruction step of instructing to display a screen including an instruction item for instructing whether to display the instruction portion for performing an operation instruction to the printer in the client user interface,
A notification step in which the notification means of the print server notifies the client of an instruction as to whether or not to display on the client an instruction unit for performing an operation instruction to the printer in accordance with an instruction to the instruction item ;
A receiving step in which the receiving means of the client receives a notification by the notification step;
When the display control means of the client indicates that the notification content received in the receiving step indicates that the instruction section is displayed on the client, the instruction section is displayed to be instructible on the client, and the receiving section And a display control step for controlling display so that the instruction unit cannot be displayed on the client when the notification content received by the client indicates that the instruction unit is not displayed on the client. Print control method.   12. The printing control method in the printing system according to claim 11, wherein the operation instruction to the printer includes at least one of an instruction to stop printing, resume printing, forced printing, and printing stop.   The print control method in the printing system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the instruction unit displays a menu item of an operation instruction for the printer in a selectable manner. A print control method in a client that instructs a printer to print via a print server,
A receiving step of receiving a notification transmitted from the print server and including an instruction as to whether or not to display an instruction unit for giving an operation instruction to the printer on the client;
When the display control means indicates that the notification content received in the reception step is to display the instruction unit, the display unit displays the instruction unit in an instructionable manner on the client, and the notification content received by the reception means is When indicating that the instruction unit is not displayed, a display control step for controlling display so that the client cannot instruct the instruction unit;
A print control method in a client, comprising:   15. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the printing control method according to claim 8.

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