JPH02306796A - Output control method for remote printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve operability and expansion performance by providing a type map on a server side or a work station side, converting a control code of a printer according to a printer type identified by an ID code and printing out the signal onto a remote printer. CONSTITUTION:A LAN is formed where different kinds of equipments exist in mixture comprising work stations 51-55, a server 56 and a remote printer 57. Moreover, the server 56 is provided with an ID code discrimination section discriminating the printer type in use, an ID code list, a code conversion section converting the control code specific to the printer into the control code of the remote printer 57 and the type map (code system list) used for the code conversion. When an output data is received from the work stations 51-55, the printer type in use is decided by using the ID code, the type map is referenced and converted into a code understandable by the remote printer 57 and output processing is applied. Thus, the operability and the expansion performance are improved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field 1] The present invention is applicable to local area networks (LAN).
Regarding how to control the output of a remote printer connected to
In particular, the present invention relates to a remote printer output control method that can improve operability and expandability.

[Conventional technology 1] In a LAN consisting of a workstation, a server, and a remote printer, when sending a printer control code to a remote printer, the correct judgment is made only if the printer that can be directly connected to the workstation is a remote printer. /It is processed.

In such a system, as shown in FIG.

When the server receives the data sent from the workstation, it creates a spool file (20I) and outputs its contents to the printer (202).

Also, when using applications etc. on a network, data sharing on the server is possible on all workstations (including different models), but when printers are shared, remote printers connected to the server Much depends on. Therefore, if the remote printer and workstation are different types (
(if each model uses its own printer code),
Unable to print out correctly.

On the other hand, since conventional LANs are integrated with DOS, it is necessary to use the functions of DOS when performing work using the network.

The output method of the printer alone is shown in Figure 3,
When using the standard output of S, as shown in (a), when an output request is made (301), the 2-byte code (kanji code) is processed within DOS and output to the printer (302). . This is used when outputting data containing kanji, such as a text file. Furthermore, when the printer's BIOS is used, the output data is directly output to the printer as shown in (b) (311, 312).

This is used when outputting image data because it directly calls the printer's internal functions, so processing is fast, and data can be handled one byte at a time.

Furthermore, the processing procedure for outputting to a remote printer via a network is shown in FIG.

Figure 4(a) shows the case when DOS standard output (PRN) is used, and when the workstation outputs data (
401), the output data is sent as is to the server,
The server creates a spool file from the received data, performs 2-byte processing, and outputs it to a remote printer (402). In addition, (b) is the case when the printer BIO3 is used, and the output data from the workstation is sent as is to the server (411), and the server creates a spool file from the received data and performs 2-byte processing. Output to a remote printer (412). In this case, data that should be output one byte at a time ends up being processed as two bytes. Moreover, (C) is a case where a printer driver for 1-byte processing is provided on the server side and printer BIO3 is used. In this case, the output data from the workstation is sent as is to the server (421), and the server processes it using a 1-byte processing driver and outputs it to a remote printer (422).

In this way, when a workstation outputs to a remote printer, it will not output properly if the BIOS of each printer is used, and in order to output normally, it is necessary to install a printer driver on the server side that outputs 1-byte data. be.

Regarding conventional LAN, for example, 'Current status and future prospects of LAN', Takuo Aimura, Computer network and LAN, separate volume (Showa 6O-05).

pp, 1-8. ”.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, in a LAN where workstations of different models are connected, different printer control codes sent from each workstation can be correctly transmitted to the remote printer, regardless of the type of remote printer. It was difficult for the printer to judge.

Also, if an error occurs during processing on the server (if the sent jD does not fit any type,
(e.g., when a code that cannot be processed for a certain type is sent), the workstation was not notified of the content.

In addition, the LA to which workstations of the same model are connected
N, when a workstation outputs to a remote printer, it will not output properly if the BIOS of each printer is used, and in order to output normally, a printer driver that outputs 1-byte data must be installed on the server side. The purpose of the present invention is to improve this problem, to enable correct printing regardless of the type of remote printer in a LAN composed of different models, and to enable correct printing regardless of the type of remote printer. To provide a remote printer output control method that improves operability and expandability by enabling printing using a printer BIO 3 without providing a 1-byte printer driver in a LAN.

[Means to solve the problem]

The remote printer output control method of the present invention includes an ID code table for identifying a printer type from an ID code, and a printer type identified from the ID code table in a workstation, a server, and a remote printer (in an IH installed LAN). Based on 6 types of map tables (code system tables) for converting printer control codes.
iJ: When outputting data from a workstation of a different model to a remote printer, the ID code table allows
The feature is that the printer type is identified from the ID code, a type-specific map is selected according to the identification result, and a printer-specific control code is converted into a remote printer control code and output to the remote printer.

In addition, when a workstation, a server, and a remote printer are installed on a LAN using DOS, and data is output byte by byte from the workstation to a remote printer of the same model, the workstation needs the parameters necessary to execute the BIOS call. , and create packet data from the output data and send it to the server. When the server receives the packet data, the BIOS
The feature is that it executes a call and outputs to a remote printer.

[Effect]

In the present invention, a type-specific map (code system table) is provided on the server side or workstation side, and when outputting from a workstation of a different model to a remote printer, the printer control code is set according to the printer type identified from the ID code. After converting, output to a remote printer.

As a result, even in a LAN configured with different types of printers, correct printing is possible regardless of the type of remote printer.

Further, when outputting image data or the like one byte at a time at high speed, the BIOS call (output request) is packetized, spooled in the spool directory of the server, and printed using the printer BIO 8 inside each machine.

This makes it possible to perform 1-byte processing using the printer BIO 3 and 2-byte code processing using DOS without providing a 1-byte printer driver in a LAN configured with the same model.

[Example] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, a first example will be described.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a remote printer output control method in a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a LAN in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the processing of the server in the first embodiment.

In FIG. 5, 51 to 55 are workstations (W
SA to WS6), 56 is a server (SRV), and 57 is a remote printer, which are a mixture of different types and constitute a LAN.

The server 56 also includes an ID code determination unit that determines the type of printer being used based on the It) code of data sent from the workstations 51 to 55;
It is equipped with an ID code table used for code discrimination, a code conversion unit that converts a printer-specific control code into a control code of the remote printer 57, and a type-specific map (code system table) used for the code conversion. In other words, when output data is received from the workstations 51 to 55, the type of printer being used is determined from the ID code added at the beginning (601).
), converts the code into a code that can be understood by the remote printer 57 by referring to the type map (602), creates a Subur file using the converted code (603), and performs output processing (604).

In this embodiment, when outputting from the workstations 51 to 55 to the remote printer 57, the workstation 57 sends printer output processing (ID code transmission (101a) and output data transmission) to the server 56, as shown in FIG. (IOlb)) is performed (101). This results in
The server 56 determines the ID code of the data and creates a spool file (102), converts the output data into a control code for the remote printer 57 using the type map (103), and outputs it to the remote printer 57 (102).
04). Repeat these operations for each spool file.

Note that if the received ID number is an undefined number in step 103, an error code is returned to the workstation side.

Furthermore, in conversion using a type map, a code that is not in the map is returned to the workstation as an error code, and the workstation decides whether to ignore the code and continue the work, or to terminate.

According to this embodiment, when outputting to a remote printer from the workstation side (application software, etc.), it is possible to print correctly regardless of the type of remote printer.

Next, a second example will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the remote printer type determination process in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the process after receiving the ID code of the remote printer in the second embodiment of the invention. be.

In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a LAN is composed of workstations, servers, and remote printers, and different types of printers are mixed.

Additionally, each workstation and server is provided with a printer ID code table. In addition, each workstation is equipped with a type-specific map similar to the first embodiment for converting output data into codes suitable for remote printers.

With such a configuration, the processing procedure for determining the type of remote printer is shown in Figure ff57.

In other words, on the workstation side, there is an output request from application software, etc., and the ID of the remote printer is received.
When the code is requested from the server (701, 702), the server sends out the remote printer's 10 code (70
3). When the ID code is received in this way, the workstation proceeds to output processing if the ID code is in the ID code table (704). Also, from the server T'
If a code that is not in the D code table is sent, a message is displayed and the output request is canceled (705).
.

Furthermore, the process after receiving the correct ID code is shown in FIG.

That is, the workstation converts the transmitted data into a code suitable for the remote printer using a type map based on the received ID code (801). Note that control codes and the like have variable lengths depending on the model, so they are sent all at once to a type-specific map for conversion. Send the code converted in this way to the server side until all data is completed (
802°803).

Next, a third example will be described.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a remote printer output control method in a third embodiment of the present invention.

The LAN of this embodiment is composed of workstations, servers, and remote printers, similar to that shown in FIG. However, these are the same model.

In this embodiment, when outputting image data one byte at a time, the BIOS call (output request) is packetized, spooled in the server's spool directory, and printed using the printer BIO3 inside each machine. do. This allows processing of 2-byte codes by DOS and 1-byte processing by BiO2.

This process is shown in FIG.

Figure 9(a) shows the case using the standard output of DOS,
When the workstation receives an output request, it sends the output data as is to the server (901), and the server processes 2 bytes of the data to create a spool file and outputs it to a remote printer (902).

In addition, (b) shows the case where a BIOS call is used; when the workstation receives an output request, it packetizes the BIOS call itself and sends it to the server, including the parameters and output data used to execute the Bl○S call. do(
911). The server determines whether it is DOS standard output or a BIOS call based on the identification number (D code) added to the beginning of the sent data, executes the same process as a BIOS call, and processes 1 byte. A spool file is created and output to a remote printer (912).

According to this embodiment, in order to output image data at high speed, the printer BI can be used without providing a printer driver.
You can output to a remote printer using O3.

[Effect of the invention 1 According to the present invention, in a LAN configured with different models,
Correct printing is possible regardless of the type of remote printer. In addition, in a LAN configured with the same model, ■ Printer B can be used without providing a printer driver for bytes.
Printing using IO3 is possible.

This makes it possible to improve operability and expandability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a flowchart showing a remote printer output control method in the first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing server processing in a conventional LAN, and Fig. 3 is a conventional output processing of a single printer. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing printer output in a conventional LAN.
The figure is a configuration diagram of a LAN in the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing server processing in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the process for determining the type of remote printer; FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the process after receiving the remote printer ID code in the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
The figure is an explanatory diagram showing a remote printer output control method in a third embodiment of the present invention. 51-55: Workstation (WSA-W
SE). 56: Server (SRV), 57: Remote printer. Figure 2 WS data printer ♂ Figure 4 Workstation Figure 6 Workstation Workstation Figure 6 Printer Figure 8 Workstation

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a LAN equipped with workstations, servers, and remote printers, a printer control code is created based on an ID code table for identifying the printer type from the ID code and the printer type identified from the ID code table. When outputting data from a workstation of a different model to a remote printer, the ID code table identifies the type of printer from the ID code and converts the type map according to the identification result. 1. A remote printer output control method comprising: selecting a printer, converting a control code specific to the printer into a control code for the remote printer, and outputting the control code to the remote printer. (2) In a LAN that includes a workstation, a server, and a remote printer and uses DOS, when outputting data byte by byte from the workstation to a remote printer of the same model, the workstation
Packet data is created from parameters necessary for executing the IOS call and output data and sent to the server, and upon receiving the packet data, the server executes the BIOS call and outputs it to a remote printer. How to control remote printer output.