JPH0439722A - Printer multiple address output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the load of a host computer by providing an operation terminal operated by an operator and an operation managing part which manages a multiple address output state, executes a command processing contains an inquiry and retransmission and is subjected to program control. CONSTITUTION:The device is provided with an operation terminal 5 operated by an operator, and an operation managing part 4 which manages a multiple address output state, executes a command processing containing a circuit state inquiry, a stagnant state inquiry, a telegraphic message contents inquiry, and retransmission. Also, by a means for allocating a telegraphic message serial number for discriminating management information to data transmitted from a host computer 6 in a receiving part 1, a transmitting part 3 has a function for informing a fault to the operation managing part 4 when a fault of a printer 7 is detected. In such a way, a load of the host computer can be reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention is applied to a system for simultaneously outputting the same data from a host computer to a plurality of printers. The present invention relates to a printer broadcast output device.

〔overview〕

The present invention provides a printer broadcast output system in which the same data is output from a host computer to multiple printers, in which a function for broadcasting to multiple printers and associated services to users is provided from a post computer. By making them separate and independent, the load on the host computer is reduced and resources can be used more effectively.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, this type of broadcast output has been performed by connecting a plurality of printers directly to a host computer, as shown in FIG.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the conventional method described above, the host computer directly manages the status of the printers, so when there are many printers, the load on the host computer increases and the processing capacity of the entire system decreases. .

Additionally, service functions for users such as ``line status inquiry,'' ``retention status inquiry,'' ``message content inquiry,'' and ``retransmission'' were performed on the host computer, which further increased the load on the host computer. It became. Furthermore, when there are a large number of printers, there is a drawback that the resources of the host computer cannot be used effectively for other purposes.

The present invention solves these problems, and aims to provide a device that can reduce the load on a host computer and make effective use of resources.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides a receiving section that receives print image data transmitted from a host computer, a recording device that stores the data received by the receiving section, and a recording device that stores the data that is stored in the recording device. In a printer broadcast output device equipped with a transmitting unit that sends data to multiple printers, an operation terminal operated by an operator is installed to manage the broadcast output status, and to check line status, retention status, and message content. , and a program-controlled operation management section that performs command processing including retransmission.

The receiving unit includes means for assigning a message serial number for identifying management information to data transmitted from the host computer, and the transmitting unit includes means for assigning a message serial number for identifying management information to data transmitted from the host computer, and the transmitting unit includes a means for assigning a message serial number for identifying management information to the data transmitted from the host computer, and a means for assigning a message serial number for identifying management information to the data transmitted from the host computer, and a means for assigning a message serial number for identifying management information to the data transmitted from the host computer. It is desirable to include a means of notifying.

[Effect]

A printer broadcast output device receives print image data transmitted from a host computer and stores the received data. This accumulated data is sent to multiple printers, and the broadcast output status is managed to allow line status inquiries, retention status inquiries, message content inquiries from operational terminals, etc.
Performs command processing such as resending.

Thereby, the load on the host computer can be reduced and resources can be used effectively.

〔Example〕

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

The embodiment of the present invention includes a receiving section 1 that receives print image data transmitted from a host computer 6, a recording device 2 that stores the data received by the receiving section 1, and a recording device 2 that stores the data stored in the recording device 2. It is further provided with an operation terminal 5 operated by an operator to manage the broadcast output status, including line status inquiry, retention status inquiry, message content inquiry, and retransmission. The receiving section 1 includes means for assigning a message serial number for identifying management information to the data transmitted from the host computer 6, and the transmitting section 3 includes: It includes means for notifying the operation management section 4 of a failure when a failure of the printer 7 is detected.

A receiving unit 1 receives print image data sent from a host convenience store via a line, and writes it into a recording device 2. At this time, a message serial number is assigned to the received data as a key of management information.

The data reception process in the reception unit 1 is performed from the host computer 6 side through the same interface, as if the data were to be output to one printer 7. When one data reception from the host computer 6 is completed, the transmission unit 3 and the operation management unit 4 are notified of the completion of the reception.

The recording device 2 records the print image data and management information received by the receiving section 1.

A plurality of transmitting units 3 are provided corresponding to the number of printers 7,
Upon receiving the notification of completion of reception from the receiving section 1, print image data is read out from the marking device 2 and transmitted to the printer 7. The reason why the transmitting sections 3 are provided in correspondence with the number of printers is to enable seemingly simultaneous transmission to a plurality of printers 7. When each transmitting section 3 completes transmission to the assigned printer 7, it sends a transmission completion notification to the operation management section 4. Further, when a failure in the printer 7 is detected, the operation management section 4 is notified of the failure.

The operation management section 4 manages the unsent or sent status of each printer 7 using the message serial number assigned to each data by the receiving section 1 as key information. It also manages the operating status of each printer 7 (e.g., out of service, in service, failure, etc.) and processes commands according to user needs (e.g., line status inquiry, hold status inquiry, message content inquiry, resending, etc.). )I do.

The operation terminal 5 inputs commands and outputs processing results.

Here, an example of command processing will be explained.

Line status inquiry refers to the operational status of multiple connected printers 7 (for example, out of service, in service, faulty, etc.)
is displayed for each line, and the retention status inquiry is
The total number of data retained for each printer 7 and its message serial number are displayed. In addition, message content inquiry is to display the message content for each message serial number, and resending is to resend already transmitted data to a specific printer 7 by specifying the printer code and message serial number. .

This message content inquiry is used to specify the data to be output.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the load on the host computer can be reduced by separating and independent from the host computer the broadcast transmission to multiple printers and the accompanying service function for users. Furthermore, by making multiple printers appear as one to the host computer, the resources of the host computer can be used effectively for other purposes.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional example. 1... Receiving section, 2... Recording device, 3... Transmitting section,
4...Operation management department, 5...Operation terminal, 6...Host computer, 7...Printer.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A receiving section that receives print image data transmitted from a host computer, a recording device that stores the data received by this receiving section, and a plurality of storage devices that store the data stored in this recording device. In a printer broadcast output device equipped with a transmitter that sends data to the printer, an operation terminal operated by an operator is installed to manage the broadcast output status, and to inquire about line status, retention status, etc.
A printer broadcast output device characterized by comprising a program-controlled operation management unit that performs command processing including message content inquiry and retransmission. 2. The receiving unit includes means for assigning a message serial number for identifying management information to the data transmitted from the host computer, and the transmitting unit includes a means for assigning a message serial number for identifying management information to the data transmitted from the host computer, and the transmitting unit includes a means for assigning a message serial number for identifying management information to the data transmitted from the host computer, and the transmitting unit includes a means for assigning a message serial number for identifying management information to the data transmitted from the host computer, 2. The printer broadcast output device according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying the failure.