JP5024024B2 - Spool server and data communication control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a network printer system.

  In a conventional network printer system, data is sent from a client PC to a server, data is temporarily stored in the server, data is sent from the server to the printer, and printing is executed. Here, a system is known in which the communication band is limited when the CPU load on the data receiving side is large, and the restriction is released when the CPU load falls below a threshold (Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-188226 A

  When data is sent from the client PC to the server, the server may refuse the reception. In such a case, even if the server cuts the communication path and refuses data reception, data may be retransmitted from the client PC depending on the configuration of the client PC. In that case, the server's reception refusal and the data transmission from the client PC are repeated endlessly, which may increase the load on the server.

  An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the above-described problems and reduce the load on the server.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises the following aspects.

  A first aspect of the present invention is a spool server in a system in which a terminal, a spool server, and a printer are connected via a network. The spool server forms a connection with a transmission unit provided in the terminal, receives a data to be printed by the printer from the transmission unit, and a predetermined time when the connection is formed. And a control unit that interrupts reception of the data from the transmission unit while maintaining the connection in the reception unit based on the determination result. According to this aspect, since the connection is maintained, the reception refusal due to the disconnection of the communication path from the spool server and the data transmission from the transmission unit of the terminal are not repeated endlessly, and the load on the spool server can be reduced. .

  In the spool server according to the first aspect of the present invention, the data received from the terminal includes specific information for specifying the terminal or a user of the terminal, and the determination unit acquires the data from the terminal. In addition, the determination may be made based on the specific information. According to this aspect, it is possible to continue the reception process or interrupt the reception process for data transmitted from a specific terminal or transmitted by a specific user operation on the terminal.

  In the spool server according to the first aspect of the present invention, the specific information may be configured to be a user account of a user who uses the terminal. According to this aspect, it is possible to continue the reception process or interrupt the reception process for data transmitted by an operation of a user having a specific user account.

  In the spool server according to the first aspect of the present invention, the data received from the terminal includes specific information for specifying the terminal, and the determination unit loads the load on the spool server before acquiring the specific information. You may comprise so that it may judge based on a state. In general, information for specifying a terminal is included in the beginning of data such as a header portion of communication data. Therefore, according to this aspect, whether or not the reception process can be continued can be determined at an initial stage.

  In the spool server according to the first aspect of the present invention, the condition may be configured such that the printer is capable of printing the data. According to this aspect, since the data reception is interrupted when the printer cannot print the data, the load on the spool server can be reduced.

  In the spool server according to the first aspect of the present invention, the data received from the terminal includes specific information for specifying the terminal, and the determination unit includes the specific information when acquiring the specific information. The determination may be made based on the above. In general, information for specifying a terminal is included in the beginning of data such as a header portion of communication data. Therefore, according to this aspect, whether or not the reception process can be continued can be determined at an initial stage.

  In the spool server according to the first aspect of the present invention, the determination unit determines the predetermined condition again after the interruption is performed, and the control unit determines the determination based on the determination result again. The reception of the data from the transmission unit may be maintained, or the reception of the data may be started again. According to this aspect, the load on the spool server can be reduced during reception interruption. If it is determined again that the reception is resumed, the data is received and printed, so that the convenience of the user can be improved.

  In the spool server according to the first aspect of the present invention, the determination unit determines the predetermined condition when the condition that is the basis for the determination or the value of the information that is the basis for the determination changes. You may comprise. This is because, according to this aspect, the load on the spool server changes if the condition that is the basis for the judgment or the value of the information that is the basis for the judgment changes.

  A second aspect of the present invention is a data communication control method in a spool server of a system in which a terminal, a spool server, and a printer are connected via a network. In this data communication control method, a connection is formed between a transmission unit provided in the terminal and a reception unit of the spool server, a predetermined condition is determined at a predetermined timing, and based on the determination result, The receiving unit performs control to interrupt data reception from the terminal while maintaining the connection. According to this aspect, since the connection is maintained, the reception refusal due to the disconnection of the communication path from the spool server and the data transmission from the transmission unit of the terminal are not repeated endlessly, and the load on the spool server can be reduced. .

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the network printer system according to the present embodiment. The network printer system 10 includes a client PC 20, a spool server 30, and a printer 40 that are connected to a network 60. An authentication device 50 is connected to the printer 40.

  When the client PC 20 executes various applications and receives a print instruction from the user, the client PC 20 creates predetermined print data and sends it to the spool server 30. A plurality of client PCs 20 may be connected to the network printer system 10. The spool server 30 manages and stores print data sent from the client PC 20 and transmits the print data to the printer 40. The printer 40 prints print data. The network printer system 10 may be connected to a plurality of printers 40 such as a printer having a color printing function and a printer having a double-sided printing function.

  The authentication device 50 is used to authenticate a user who needs to be authenticated when printing by the printer 40. For example, when the authentication is successful in the authentication device 50, the printer 40 requests print data from the spool server 30, acquires the print data, and executes printing.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the client PC 20. The client PC 20 includes a CPU 200, an input device 210, a hard disk 220, and a network interface 240.

  The CPU 200 controls the operation of the entire client PC 20. The input device 210 receives data input to the client PC 20 and operations to the client PC 20. In the present embodiment, for example, a keyboard and a mouse are used as the input device 210. The hard disk 220 stores an application program 225, a printer driver 230, and a communication program 235. The network interface 240 connects the client PC 20 to the network 60.

  The application program 225 is executed by the CPU 200 and realizes application functions such as a word processor function and a spreadsheet function. The printer driver is executed by the CPU 200 and creates print data in a predetermined format. The communication program 235 is executed by the CPU 200 and forms a connection on the client PC 20 side among the connections connecting the CPU 200 and the CPU 300. The connection refers to a virtual communication path that is connected between the CPU on the transmission side and the CPU on the reception side in order to send data reliably. The CPU 200 can reliably send data to the CPU 300 by sending data to the CPU 300 via the connection.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the spool server 30. The spool server 30 includes a CPU 300, a hard disk 310, and a network interface 380.

  The CPU 300 controls the overall operation of the spool server 30. The hard disk 310 stores a print data management program 315, a reception permission determination program 320, determination data 325, a reception control program 330, a print authority management program 335, a load monitoring program 340, a printer monitoring program 345, and a communication program 350. . In addition, the hard disk 310 is provided with a buffer area 355 for storing print data. The network interface 380 connects the spool server 30 to the network 60.

  The print data management program 315 is executed by the CPU 300 and manages print data. Here, the management of print data means that the CPU 300 manages, for example, which print data is which user's print data.

  Receivability determination program 320 is executed by CPU 300 to determine whether or not to continue receiving print data. In this embodiment, judgment conditions and criteria are stored in judgment data 325. The determination includes the determination that the CPU 300 continues the reception when the condition / standard stored in the determination data 325 is satisfied, and interrupts the reception when the condition / standard is not satisfied, and conversely, the determination is stored in the determination data 325. There are two judgments: the reception is interrupted when the condition / standard is satisfied, and the reception is continued if the condition / standard is not satisfied. The reception control program 330 is executed by the CPU 300, and if the determination is that the data reception is to be continued, the data reception is continued, and if the data reception is to be interrupted, the data reception is interrupted. To do.

  The print authority management program 335 is executed by the CPU 300 and manages the print authority for the print data. The print authority refers to whether or not there is a right to print using the printer 40 for print data that requires authentication, for example. When the print data request from the printer 40 is an unauthorized print data request, the CPU 300 cannot send the print data to the printer 40. When the authentication data is sent from the authentication device 50 of the printer 40, the CPU 300 determines whether or not there is a printing authority using the authentication data.

  The load monitoring program 340 is executed by the CPU 300 and monitors how much load is applied to the spool server 30 or the CPU 300, such as the usage rate of the CPU 300, the number of connections, and the remaining capacity of the hard disk. The printer monitoring program 345 is executed by the CPU 300 and monitors what printer is connected to the network printer system 10. For example, the CPU 300 receives information from the printer on whether or not the printer connected to the network printer system is turned on, the type of the printer, and whether the printer has functions such as a color printing function and a duplex printing function. get.

  The communication program 350 is executed by the CPU 300, forms a connection on the spool server 30 side among the connections with the CPU 200, and transmits / receives data to / from the CPU 200. When the CPU 300 sends print data to the printer 40, a connection on the spool server 30 side is formed among the connections between the CPU 300 and the CPU (not shown) of the printer 40, and Send and receive. The CPU 300 stores and accumulates the received data in the buffer area 355.

  The operation of the client PC 20 when transmitting print data to the spool server will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the client PC 20 when print data is transmitted to the spool server.

  The CPU 200 of the client PC 20 detects the print instruction when a print instruction is given to the input device 210 (step S100).

  The CPU 200 activates and executes the printer driver 230 to generate a print data header (step S110). The CPU 110 uses any optional functions of the printer 40 such as user account information of the user, printer designation information for designating the printer 40, color printing function / double-sided printing function / stapler function, for example, in the header portion of the print data. Stores optional function information for specifying. These user account information, printer designation information, and optional function information stored in the header portion of the print data are referred to as print attribute information. User account information, printer designation information, and optional function information are examples of print attribute information, and other information may be included in the print attribute information.

  The CPU 200 generates a portion other than the header portion of the print data (step S120). The CPU 200 creates print data that conforms to the data format of the printer that executes printing. The CPU 200 sends the created print data to the spool server 30 via the network 60 (step S130).

  The CPU 200 executes the communication program 235 and adds a TCP header to the print data. The TCP header includes the port number of the client PC 20 that is the transmission source, the port number of the spool server 30 that is the transmission destination, and flag information. The port number is used in the client PC 20 or the spool server 30 to indicate which program the CPUs 200 and 300 execute for the data. In addition, the TCP header includes, as flag information, for example, a synchronization flag (SYN) for requesting establishment of a connection, a response confirmation flag (ACK) for responding confirmation to the request, and an end for reporting the end of the connection It contains information about the flag (FIN).

  The CPU 200 executes the communication program 235 and adds an IP header before the header portion of the print data. The IP header includes the IP address of the client PC 20 that is the transmission source and the IP address of the spool server 30 that is the transmission destination. The IP address is a unique number assigned to a network device connected to the network based on a predetermined rule. The IP address in the IP header is used to indicate from which network device to which network device data is sent.

  Hereinafter, information included in the TCP header and the IP header is referred to as communication connection attribute information. The print data is sent to the network 60 after the TCP header and IP header are added. Since the amount of print data is generally large, the print data is usually divided and then sent with a TCP header and an IP header added thereto. Each of these divided print data is called a packet.

  The print data reception process in the spool server 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of print data reception processing in the spool server 30. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a determination criterion of the reception process availability determination 1 in the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a determination criterion of the reception process availability determination 2 in the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 5.

  The print data sent to the network 60 is sent to the spool server 30 based on the IP address of the IP header. When the print data reaches the spool server 30 and the synchronization flag is set in the TCP header of the print data, the CPU 300 of the spool server receives a communication connection request (step S200).

  CPU 200 and CPU 300 establish a connection (step S205). If the synchronization flag is set in the received TCP header, the CPU 300 sends data including a response confirmation flag and a TCP header with the synchronization flag set to the CPU 200. When the synchronization flag of the TCP header of the transmitted data is set, the CPU 200 sends the data including the TCP header with the response confirmation flag set to the CPU 300. As described above, the CPUs 200 and 300 establish the connection through the three steps of transmission of the synchronization flag, transmission of the response confirmation flag / synchronization flag, and transmission of the response confirmation flag.

  The CPU 300 acquires communication connection attribute information from the arrived print data (S210). In the present embodiment, the CPU 300 acquires the IP address and port number of the client PC 20 and the IP address and port number of the spool server 30.

  The CPU 300 determines whether to continue the reception process based on the IP address of the client PC or to interrupt the reception process while maintaining the connection (step S215). The CPU 300 continues the reception process when the same IP address as the acquired IP address is stored in the determination data 325, and controls to interrupt the reception process while maintaining the connection when the IP address is not included. When the same IP address as the acquired IP address is stored in the determination data 325, the reception process is interrupted while maintaining the connection, and when it is not included, both of the control to continue the reception process are possible. is there. Since the CPU 300 determines whether to continue the reception process or interrupt the reception process based on the IP address, it is possible to improve security.

  In this embodiment, the CPU 300 determines whether to continue or interrupt the reception of print data using the IP address, but other determination criteria may be used. An example is shown in FIG. In addition, what is shown in FIG. 6 is an example, and does not exclude other criteria.

  If the host name of the client PC 20 is included in the communication connection attribute information, the CPU 300 uses the host name to determine whether to continue the print data reception process or to interrupt the print data reception process. May be. Here, the host name refers to a name given to the device in order to make it easy for a human to recognize the device connected to the network. Since the CPU 300 can continue the reception process or interrupt the reception process for data transmitted from the specific client PC 20, security can be improved.

  The CPU 300 may determine whether to continue the print data reception process or to interrupt the print data reception process using the number of communication connections with other client PCs. This is because the amount of data received increases at the same time as the number of communication connections is large, and the load on the CPU 300 increases. In this embodiment, the CPU 300 continues the print data reception process when the number of communication connections with other client PCs is equal to or less than the predetermined number, and interrupts the print data reception process when the number is greater than the predetermined number. To do. Therefore, the CPU 300 can suppress an increase in the load on the CPU 300, that is, the load on the spool server 30.

  The CPU 300 determines whether to continue the print data reception process or to interrupt the print data reception process depending on whether or not the time during which the connection with the CPU 200 is established is included in the time zone during which communication is permitted. May be. When the CPU 300 receives communication outside the permitted time zone, the CPU 300 interrupts the reception process, so that security can be improved.

  The CPU 300 may determine whether to continue the print data reception process or interrupt the print data reception process depending on whether or not the number of simultaneous accesses to the hard disk 310 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. This is because when the number of simultaneous accesses to the hard disk 310 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the load on the CPU 300 and the hard disk 310 is heavy. The CPU 300 can suppress the addition of the CPU 300, that is, the increase in the load on the spool server 30.

  The CPU 300 may determine whether to continue the print data reception process or to interrupt the print data reception process depending on whether the usage rate of the CPU 300 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. This is because when the usage rate of the CPU 300 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the load on the CPU 300 is large. The CPU 300 can suppress an increase in the load on the CPU 300, that is, the load on the spool server 30.

  The CPU 300 may determine whether to continue the print data reception process or to interrupt the print data reception process depending on whether the print data storage amount is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. This is because if the print data storage amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the print data may not be stored even if it is received. The CPU 300 can prevent the received print data from being stored.

  If CPU 300 determines to continue receiving (step S215, yes), it continues the print data reception process and receives the header portion of the print data (step S220). The CPU 300 sends a response confirmation packet having a TCP header with a response confirmation flag (ACK) set to the CPU 200, thereby causing the CPU 200 to transmit the header portion of the print data, and the CPU 300 receives the header portion of the print data.

  The CPU 300 acquires print attribute information from the header portion of the print data (step S225). The CPU 300 determines whether to continue the reception process based on the user account information included in the print attribute information or to interrupt the reception process while maintaining the connection (step S230). The CPU 300 continues the reception process when the same user account information as the acquired user account information is stored in the determination data 325, and interrupts the reception process while maintaining the connection when the user account information is not included. Control and control of suspending the reception process while maintaining the connection when the same user account information as the acquired user account information is stored in the determination data 325, and continuing the reception process when not included Both are possible. Since the CPU 300 determines whether to continue the reception process or interrupt the reception process based on the user account, security can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the CPU 300 determines whether to continue or interrupt the reception of print data using a user account, but other determination criteria may be used. An example is shown in FIG. In addition, what is shown in FIG. 7 is an example, and does not exclude other criteria.

  The CPU 300 determines whether to continue the print data reception process or to interrupt the print data reception process depending on whether the number of print data stored in the hard disk for each user account is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. May be. Thereby, the used capacity of the hard disk can be suppressed. Note that the CPU 300 determines whether to continue the print data reception process or to interrupt the print data reception process depending on whether the print data storage amount is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold as well as the print data storage number. May be. The CPU 300 can suppress the used capacity of the hard disk for each user account.

  CPU 300 continues print data reception processing or print data reception processing depending on whether the sum of the number of print data stored for each user account and the number of communication connections during reception processing is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold. It may be determined whether to interrupt. When the reception process is completed, the print data is stored in the hard disk 310. Therefore, the CPU 300 can suppress the used capacity of the hard disk for each user account.

  The CPU 300 continues the print data reception process or performs the print data reception process depending on whether or not the time during which the connection with the CPU 200 is established is included in the time zone during which communication is permitted for each user account. You may decide whether to interrupt. The CPU 300 can improve security.

  The CPU 300 determines whether to continue the print data reception process or to interrupt the print data reception process depending on whether or not the printer 40 capable of printing the received print data is connected to the network printer system 10. Also good. The CPU 300 can interrupt reception of print data that cannot be printed by the printer 40.

  For each user account, the CPU 300 continues print data reception processing depending on whether a printer that is permitted to be used or a printer that includes optional devices that are permitted to be used is connected to the network printer system 10. Alternatively, it may be determined whether to interrupt the print data reception process. The CPU can interrupt reception of print data that cannot be printed by the printer 40.

  If the CPU 300 continues to receive print data (step S230, Yes), it receives the remainder of the print data (step S235). The CPU 300 sends to the CPU 200 a response confirmation packet having a TCP header in which a response confirmation flag (ACK) is set. When the CPU 200 receives a packet including a TCP header for which a response confirmation flag is set, the CPU 200 sends the remaining print data packet to the CPU 300. CPU 300 receives the remainder of the print data. It should be noted that every time the CPU 300 receives a predetermined number of packets, the CPU 300 sends a packet including a TCP header in which a response confirmation flag is set to the CPU 200. CPU 300 combines the received packets and stores them in hard disk 310.

  When the reception of the print data is completed (step S240), the CPU 300 sends data with an end flag set in the TCP header to the CPU 200, disconnects the connection, and ends the process (step S245).

  If the CPU 300 determines to interrupt the reception process in step S215 (No in step S215), the CPU 300 interrupts the reception process (step S260). For example, the CPU 300 does not send data including a TCP header for which a response confirmation flag is set to the CPU 200. Since the CPU 200 cannot obtain the reception confirmation from the CPU 300, it cannot send the remaining packets. Therefore, the CPU 300 can interrupt reception. Note that the CPU 300 does not send data with an end flag set in the TCP header to the CPU 200. Therefore, the connection between CPU 200 and CPU 300 remains maintained.

  When the CPU 300 determines again whether to continue the interruption of the reception process or to restart the reception process (step S265, Yes), the CPU 300 returns to step S215. CPU 300 makes another determination when a predetermined time has elapsed since the reception process was interrupted, or when a predetermined condition has changed.

  An example when the predetermined condition changes is shown in the right column of FIG. As an example when the predetermined condition is changed, for example, when an IP address / host name is added to or deleted from the determination data 325, the communication connection number is completed or communication is established for another communication connection. When the connection is disconnected, the time is within the permitted time due to the passage of time, or the permitted time is changed, the hard disk access status and the usage rate of the CPU 300 are printed every predetermined time. An example of the data storage amount is when print data is deleted by executing printing. Note that these examples are merely examples and do not exclude when other conditions change.

  When the CPU 300 does not make the determination again (No at Step S265), the CPU 300 sends the data with the end flag set in the TCP header to the CPU 200 and disconnects the connection (Step S270). As a case where the CPU 300 does not make the determination again, for example, there is a case where the interruption continues for a certain period and there is no possibility of starting the reception process again. The CPU 300 consumes resources to maintain the connection. Since there is a limit to the amount of resources that can be used by the CPU 300, the CPU 300 decides to disconnect the connection when there is no expectation of restarting the reception process.

  When CPU 300 determines in step S230 that the reception process is interrupted (No in step S230), CPU 300 interrupts the reception process (step S280). For example, the CPU 300 does not send data including a TCP header in which a response confirmation flag is set to the CPU 200 for the reception confirmation for the reception of the header portion of the print data. CPU 200 cannot send the remaining packets when it cannot obtain the reception confirmation from CPU 300. Therefore, the CPU 300 can interrupt reception. Note that the CPU 300 does not send data with an end flag set in the TCP header to the CPU 200. Therefore, the connection between CPU 200 and CPU 300 remains maintained.

  When the CPU 300 determines again whether to continue the interruption of the reception process or to resume the reception process (step S285, Yes), the CPU 300 returns to step S230. CPU 300 makes another determination when a predetermined time has elapsed since the reception process was interrupted, or when a predetermined condition has changed.

  An example when the predetermined condition changes is shown in the right column of FIG. For example, when a predetermined condition changes, for example, when a user account is added to or deleted from the determination data 325, the number of print data and the amount of print data are deleted by printing. When there is a change in the number of communication connections due to deletion of print data due to printing execution or communication disconnection for the number of usable data, the time is within the permitted time due to the passage of time or the permitted time The printer connection status is changed when the printer is turned on, when an optional device is changed, or when the printer becomes usable due to replacement or replenishment of consumables. Regarding usage rights, replacement of consumables when the printer power is turned on, optional equipment is changed, etc. When the printer supplementation becomes available, or when a change of use permission of optional equipment is performed, and the like. Note that these examples are merely examples and do not exclude cases where other conditions change.

  If the CPU 300 does not make the determination again (No at Step S285), the CPU 300 sends the data with the end flag set in the TCP header to the CPU 200 and disconnects the connection (Step S290).

  The operations of the printer 40 and the authentication device 50 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of the printing process. Here, the printer 40 and the authentication device 50 will be described as an integral unit.

  When an authentication operation is performed on authentication device 50, CPU 500 (not shown) of authentication device 50 reads authentication information (step S300). For example, the CPU 500 may read authentication information from an IC card, or may read biometric information such as a fingerprint from a user. In this embodiment, description will be made assuming that authentication information is read from an IC card.

  The CPU 500 performs an authentication process using the authentication information (step S310). For example, the CPU 500 determines whether the user has the authority to use the printer 40. If the user has the authority to use the printer 40, the CPU 500 acquires user account information corresponding to the acquired authentication information (step S320). The user account information is stored in a storage device (not shown) in the authentication device 50, for example.

  The CPU 500 sends user account information and information indicating that the user has authority to use the printer 40 (hereinafter referred to as “authentication permission information”) to the CPU 400 (not shown) of the printer 40. The CPU 400 sends user account information and authentication permission information to the spool server 30 to the CPU 300, and acquires print data from the CPU 300 (step S330).

  CPU 400 executes printing using the acquired print data (step S340). Description of the printing process is omitted. When CPU 400 detects the completion of the printing process (step S350), it instructs CPU 300 to delete the print data (step S360).

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the CPU 300 interrupts the data reception process from the CPU 200 while maintaining the connection. As a result, the disconnection of the connection by the CPU 300 and the repeated data transmission by the CPU 200 are prevented from being repeated endlessly. Or, the frequency of the repetition is lowered. As a result, the load on the CPU 300 can be reduced.

  According to the present embodiment, the IP header portion of the print data includes the IP address of the client PC 20. As a result, the CPU 300 can continue the reception process for the data transmitted from the specific client PC 20 or interrupt the reception process, thereby improving the security. Since the IP header is included at the beginning of the data, it is possible to decide whether or not to continue the reception process at the initial stage of data reception.

  According to this embodiment, the header name of the print data includes the host name of the client PC 20. As a result, the CPU 300 can continue the reception process for the data transmitted from the specific client PC 20 or interrupt the reception process, thereby improving the security.

  According to the present embodiment, the user account of the user who uses the client PC is included in the header portion of the print data. As a result, the CPU 300 can continue the reception process or interrupt the reception process for the data transmitted by the operation of the user having the specific user account, and can improve the security.

  According to the present embodiment, the CPU 300 determines whether or not the printer 40 capable of printing print data is connected to the network printer system 10, and interrupts data reception when no printer capable of printing is connected. As a result, the load on the CPU 300 can be reduced.

  According to the present embodiment, when reception of print data is interrupted, the CPU 300 determines whether to continue interrupting reception of print data at a predetermined timing or to resume reception. When the reception process is resumed by the determination again, print data is received and printing is performed, so that convenience for the user can be achieved.

Variations:
In this embodiment, the CPU 300 determines whether to interrupt the reception process or continue the reception process after acquiring communication connection attribute information such as an IP address. For example, before acquiring the IP address Then, it may be determined whether to interrupt the reception process or continue the reception process based on the load status of the spool server 30 such as the load status of the CPU 300 or the hard disk 310. Since the IP address is included at the beginning of the data, it is possible to determine whether or not the reception process can be continued at the initial stage of data reception.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above based on some examples. However, the above-described embodiments of the present invention are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and limit the present invention. It is not a thing. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and it is needless to say that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the network printer system which concerns on a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of client PC. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a spool server. 6 is an operation flowchart of the client PC when sending print data to a spool server. 5 is an operation flowchart of print data reception processing in a spool server. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a determination criterion of a reception process availability determination 1 in the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 5. It is explanatory drawing which shows the criteria of the reception process availability judgment 2 in the flowchart shown in FIG. It is an operation | movement flowchart of a printing process.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Network printer system 20 ... Client PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Spool server 40 ... Printer 50 ... Authentication apparatus 60 ... Network 200 ... CPU
210 ... input device 220 ... hard disk 225 ... application program 230 ... printer driver 235 ... communication program 240 ... network interface 300 ... CPU
310 ... Hard disk 315 ... Print data management program 320 ... Receivability judgment program 325 ... Judgment data 330 ... Reception control program 335 ... Print authority management program 340 ... Load monitoring program 345 ... Printer monitoring program 350 ... Communication program 355 ... Buffer area 380 ... Network interface

Claims (8)

A spool server in a system in which a terminal, a spool server, and a printer are connected via a network,
A receiver that forms a connection with a transmitter provided in the terminal and receives data to be printed by the printer from the transmitter;
When the connection is formed , the spool server has information included in the communication connection attribute information or the print attribute information based on the communication connection attribute information or the print attribute information included in the data. A determination unit that performs a first determination process to determine that the reception unit continues to receive the data from the transmission unit when the information matches , and interrupts when the information does not match ;
When the determination unit determines that the reception of the data from the transmission unit is interrupted in any one or more of the determination processes including the first determination process, the reception unit maintains the connection. A control unit for interrupting reception of the data from the transmission unit ,
A spool server comprising The spool server according to claim 1, wherein
The communication connection attribute information or the print attribute information includes specific information for specifying a terminal or a user of the terminal,
In the first determination process, the determination unit determines whether the spool server has information that matches the specific information when the communication connection attribute information or the print attribute information is acquired from the terminal . A spool server that determines whether the reception unit continues to receive the data or interrupts reception of the data from the transmission unit based on The spool server according to claim 2,
The specific information is a user account of a user who uses the terminal, spool server. The spool server according to claim 1 , wherein
The communication connection attribute information includes the IP address of the terminal,
The determination unit, in the first determination process, when obtaining the IP address of the terminal, based on the information that matches the IP address of the terminal to whether it has said spool server, the receiving A spool server that determines whether to continue receiving the data, or interrupts reception of the data from the transmitting unit while maintaining the connection in the receiving unit . The spool server according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The determination unit further causes the reception unit to continue receiving the data when the load is equal to or less than a threshold based on a load state of the spool server, and when the load exceeds the threshold, A spool server that performs a second determination process for determining that reception of the data from the transmission unit is interrupted while maintaining the connection in the reception unit . The spool server according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The determination unit further determines whether or not a printer capable of printing the data is connected to a spool server. When the printer is not connected, the reception of the data from the transmission unit is interrupted. A spool server that performs a third determination process for determining . The spool server according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The determination unit determines whether the changed communication connection attribute information or the changed communication connection attribute information or the print attribute information changes when a certain time has elapsed after the reception of the data is interrupted. Based on the print attribute information, when the changed communication connection attribute information or the information included in the print attribute information matches the information that the spool server has, the receiver again sends the information to the receiver. the reception of data is continued, the interrupting If they do not match, and determines the,
When it is determined again that the reception of the data from the transmission unit is interrupted , the control unit maintains the interruption of the reception of the data from the transmission unit, and the data from the transmission unit A spool server that restarts the reception of the data and the accumulation of the data in the storage unit when it is determined again to continue the reception of the data . A data communication control method in a spool server of a system in which a terminal, a spool server, and a printer are connected via a network,
A connection is formed between a transmission unit provided in the terminal and a reception unit of the spool server, and data to be printed by the printer is received from the transmission unit,
When the connection is formed, the spool server has information included in the communication connection attribute information or the print attribute information based on the communication connection attribute information or the print attribute information included in the data. A first determination process is performed to determine that the reception unit continues to receive the data from the transmission unit if the information matches , and interrupts if the information does not match ,
In any one of the one or more determination processes including the first determination process, when it is determined that the reception of the data from the transmission unit is interrupted, the transmission is performed while the connection is maintained in the reception unit. Interrupting reception of the data from the department ,
Data communication control method in spool server.

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