JPH0512150A - Font server and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase the kinds and quantity of character fonts to be subject to utilization by sharing the character fonts among respective devices connected to a network by providing a font server with a means retrieving a management table and notifying of the presence of the desired character font. CONSTITUTION:A network control circuit 33 is connected with a communication table 11 and perform communication with the other workstations via the communication cable 11. A management table 38 managing the fonts to be used in the network is prepared by any prescribed one of a font server 21, etc., and the printer comprising the network. When the desired character font does not exist, the printer can ask which device is provided with the desired character font to the font server 21 provided with the management table 38. It can also requests the transmission of the desired character font from the device posessing it.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a font server and a printer connected to a network such as Ethernet, and more particularly to a font server and a printer which enable common use of font resources.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When many computers and document processing devices are installed in an office, these devices are often connected by a cable to form a network in order to make effective use of each other. As such a network, there is a local area network (LAN) represented by Ethernet.

FIG. 10 shows an example of such a network system. In this network system, a communication cable 11 that constitutes Ethernet or the like is used.
First to Nth workstations 12-1 and 12-
2, ..., 12-N and the first and second printers 13
-1, 13-2 are respectively connected.

In this network system, for example, the first
It is assumed that the document created by the workstation 12-1 is printed out by the first printer 13-1. In this case, the print data of the document is sent from the first workstation 12-1 by designating the first printer 13-1, and the first printer 13-1 uses the built-in character font to print the data. Will be printed out.

However, there may be print data that specifies a character font other than the character font owned by the first printer 13-1, and in such a case,
Cannot print using the specified character font. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-206588 discloses the same point. If there is no corresponding character font in this way, (a) For example, other character fonts that have been previously determined as alternatives, such as replacing the character font specified in Gothic font with the Mincho font. However, when this was not possible, (b) the part of the character font was not printed, it was necessary to leave it blank and write it later.

[0006]

However, in the former method, not only the document not intended by the creator is printed out, but also a printed matter which is not suitable for the occasion is obtained. For example, in a sentence in which the difference between the Gothic typeface and the Mincho typeface is compared while showing the actual type, it is not possible to compare the two using the same character font. On the other hand, in the latter method, the part where the corresponding character font does not exist becomes blank, so that part must be filled by handwriting etc., which is troublesome, and in some cases the corresponding character may be forgotten to be written There was also.

Of course, if the printer itself possesses a sufficient type and amount of character fonts, the probability that the target character font does not exist is greatly reduced. However, the character fonts that can be owned by each printer are naturally limited due to the memory capacity of the disk, the price of the printer, etc., and when trying to create a document using the character fonts prepared by the printer, It caused a lot of restrictions.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a font server capable of increasing the types and amounts of character fonts to be used by sharing character fonts with each device connected to a network. To do.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer capable of increasing the types and amounts of character fonts to be used by sharing character fonts among respective devices connected to a network. To do.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a storage unit for storing character font data, a communication control unit for communicating with another device via a network, and each unit in this network. A management table that describes the location of the character font data that the device has,
The font server is provided with a notifying means for retrieving the management table when a character font is requested and notifying the location of the character font.

That is, according to the first aspect of the invention, the font server (hereinafter referred to as master
It is called a font server. ) Is prescribed. This master font server has a management table that describes the locations of the character font data of each device connected to the network. When a character font is requested, this management table is searched and the character It is supposed to notify which device the font is stored on. This makes it possible to effectively utilize all character fonts in the network.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a communication control unit for communicating with another device via a network, a storage unit for storing character font data, and a reception unit for receiving a character font transfer request. The master font server is provided with character font transfer means for reading the character font for which transfer is requested from the storage means and transferring it to the designated destination.

That is, the invention according to claim 2 defines a font server (hereinafter referred to as a slave font server in this specification) as a managed side.
That is, when there is a character font transfer request in this slave font server, the slave font server reads out the character font from its own storage means and transfers it to the specified destination, thereby effectively utilizing the character font in the network.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication control means for communicating with another device via the network, and a management table in which the locations of the character font data of each device in the network are described. , A storing means for storing character font data, a searching means for searching the management table to find the location of the character font when a transfer of the character font is requested, and a storing means for the character font for which the transfer request is made. The font server is provided with a character font transfer means for transferring it to a specified destination when stored in the font server.

That is, according to the third aspect of the invention, a master font server as a management side having a storage means for storing character font data or a font server which exists only in a network is handled. When the intended character font exists in the storage means, it is to be transferred directly to the designated destination without passing through another device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication control means for communicating with another device via the network, and a management table in which the locations of the character font data of each device in the network are described. , Storing means for storing character font data, printing means for printing using the character font data, and searching the management table when the required character font data does not exist in the storing means, and locating the character font The printer is equipped with a searching means for checking.

That is, according to the fourth aspect of the invention, a management table for character font data is prepared on the printer side connected to the network so that the printer side can manage the locations thereof, thereby achieving the above object.

[0018]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the master / master in one embodiment of the present invention.
1 represents an example of a network system comprising a font server and several slave font servers. The same parts as those in FIG. 10 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be appropriately omitted.

In the network system shown in FIG.
A master font server 21 and first and second slave font servers 22-1 and 22-2 are newly connected to a communication cable 11 that constitutes Ethernet or the like. Here, the master font server 21 has a function of managing the location of all character fonts owned by this network. In the network system shown in this embodiment, a font file storing character fonts is stored in the master font server 21 and the first and second slaves.
It is owned by the font servers 22-1 and 22-2. The first and second printers 13-1 and 13-2 and the respective workstations 12-1 and 12-2,
........ 12-N owns data or font files of character fonts that may be frequently used within a range that does not burden these devices themselves.

FIG. 3 shows a font file owned by each font server. In the master font server 21, the font file “0
1 "," 02 ", ... Are accommodated, and the font file" 1 "is stored in the first slave font server 22-1.
1 "," 12 ", ... Are stored in the second slave font server 22-2.
1 ”,“ 22 ”, ... are stored. For example, the font file“ 01 ”is a file for a 9-point Mincho type character font, and the font file“ 02 ”is a 12-point font file. This is a file for Mincho type fonts.
-1, 22-2 can increase or decrease the font files owned by itself, but this work is performed via the master font server 21. This is in the management table in the master font server 21, which will be described below.
This is because it is necessary to reflect the location of each font file in the up-to-date.

FIG. 1 shows an outline of the circuit configuration of the master font server in this embodiment. The master font server 21 includes a main control unit 31 including a CPU (central processing unit) (not shown), a working random access memory, and the like. Main control unit 31
Is connected to a network control circuit 33, a buffer circuit 34, a font conversion circuit 35, and a disk controller 36 via a bus 32 such as a data bus. Here, the network control circuit 33 is connected to the communication cable 11 and communicates with another workstation 12 or the like via the communication cable 11 as shown in FIG. The buffer circuit 34 is a memory that temporarily stores data such as character fonts read from the magnetic disk 38. The font conversion circuit 35 is a circuit for converting the data of the requested character font into a format suitable for the requested workstation 12 or printer 13. The disk controller 36 is a circuit for writing data to the magnetic disk 37 connected thereto and controlling reading of data. The magnetic disk 37 stores programs for performing various controls of the master font server 21, and also stores a management table 38. In addition, the font file “01” containing the character font to be transferred to the buffer circuit 34
A font file such as (see FIG. 3) is stored.

FIG. 4 shows an outline of the circuit configurations of the first and second slave font servers. The circuit configurations of these slave font servers 22-1 and 22-2 are basically the same as those of the master font server 21 shown in FIG. Therefore, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. However, the management table 38 shown in FIG. 1 is not stored in the first and second slave font servers 22-1 and 22-2 on the magnetic disk 41 connected to the disk controller 36. In addition, it goes without saying that the magnetic disk 41 stores a program for realizing the function as a slave server different from the master font server 21 shown in FIG.

Further, the first slave font server 2
The magnetic disk 41 of 2-1 stores font files such as the font file "11" shown as the first slave font server 22-1 in FIG. Similarly, a font file such as the font file "21" shown as the second slave font server 22-2 in FIG. 3 is stored on the magnetic disk 41 of the second slave font server 22-2. .

FIG. 5 shows the structure of the management table. In the management table 38, the names of all the font files stored in the master font server 21 itself, the first and second slave font servers (SF) 22-1, 22-2 and their names are stored. The affiliation (address) of the file is described. If there are font files newly added or changed after the network is constructed, their contents are also reflected in this management table 38. In this management table 38,
All the font files used in this network are described, but the font files owned by the first and second printers 13-1, 13-2 shown in FIG. 2 are not described. This is because, in the management table 38, data prepared in a form that can be used by each device is described for management.

By the way, in the above network system, the first workstation 12-1 shown in FIG.
Shall produce the document. In the first workstation 12-1, the operator operates a keyboard (not shown) to input characters, and the input characters are also displayed on a display (not shown). It is assumed that the displayed document is composed of characters in Mincho type, and this is changed to a Gothic type as a character font not owned by the first workstation 12-1 for printout. And

In such a case, the first workstation 12-1 first requests the master font server 21 to search for a font server that owns the data of the required character font. When the first workstation 12-1 receives the search result, the first workstation 12-1 requests the necessary character font data from the font server that owns the corresponding character font data. As a request form, a font file of a character font may be requested, or when only one character or a number in the file is required, only the data of the corresponding character font may be requested.

In the case of this example, it is assumed that it is found by search that there is a Gothic font file corresponding to the first slave font server 21-1. First
The workstation 12-1 requests the first slave font server 21-1 for a character font, and when this is transferred, the character is displayed in Gothic on the display. Further, assuming that the printer designated as the printer is the first printer 13-1, the same work is performed when the character font which the first printer 13-1 does not own is designated and the search is performed. When the result is received, the first slave font server 21-1 is designated and a character font is requested. Then, the Gothic font is printed using the transferred character font data.

FIG. 6 shows how the master font server is controlled when the font server is determined. In the master font server 21, when a connection request is made from the workstation 12 or the printer 13 (step S101; Y), when the font file name to be searched is received from this device after connection (step S102; Y). ) The management table 38 shown in FIG. 5 is searched, and if the corresponding file name exists (step S103; Y), the address of the font server holding the font file is returned to the destination. (Step S104). Then, the connection with the device is logically cut off (step S105), and the work is ended (end).

On the other hand, if there is no corresponding font file name in the management table 38 (step S103; N), the error flag is set to ON instead of the address of the font server, and the corresponding address is set. Reply first (step S106) and proceed to step S105.
From this, it can be seen that the destination device does not have the corresponding font file in this network.

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of font information transmitted and received between the master font server and the font file request source. The font information 51 is composed of a requested font file name, a target character code, an identification number of a requesting device, an error flag, and an address of a font server holding the corresponding font file. There is. The font file name, character code, and device identification number are written in the font information sent from the request source to the master font server.
The address of the font server holding the requested font file is written in the font information returned from the master font server to the request source. If not, the error flag is set. In this embodiment, the error flag is constructed as the most significant bit of the font server address.

At this time, if the error flag of the returned font information 51 is turned on, it is determined that the corresponding character font does not exist, and a predetermined process such as replacement with another character font is performed. become. If the error flag is off and the font server address is entered, the font information 51
The workstation 12 or printer 13 that received the
The specified font server is requested to transfer the font file. Therefore, when the font file exists in the master font server 21 itself as a result of the master font server 21 searching the management table 38, the master font server 21 again serves as the same font server. On the other hand, the transfer of the font file will be requested. Of course, depending on the network system, in order to avoid accessing the master font server 21 twice in such a case, instead of the font information 51 returned from the master font server 21, or together with this, the corresponding font file Can be returned.

FIG. 8 shows how control is performed when a device that receives font information returned in response to a request requests a font file from a corresponding font server. When the master font server 21 or the slave font servers 22-1 and 22-2 receive a connection request from the workstation 12 or the printer 13 (step S201; Y), when the character font information of the transfer request is received ( In step S202; Y), the corresponding font file is read from the magnetic disks 37 and 41 and written in the buffer circuit 34 (not shown) (step S203). Then, the font of the next requested character code is read from the buffer circuit 34, processed by the font conversion circuit 35, and converted into the requested format (step S204). When the conversion is completed, the character font data as the converted data is transferred to the request destination (step S205). Then, the line is logically disconnected (step S206), and all the work is finished (END).

FIG. 9 shows a circuit configuration of a first printer as an example of an apparatus using a character font. The configuration of the second printer 13-2 is also essentially the same as this. 9, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be appropriately omitted. First
In addition to the main control unit 31, the network control circuit 33, and the disk controller 36, a font memory 61, an image generation circuit 62, and a printing unit 63 are connected to the bus 32 of the printer 13-1. Further, the disk controller 36 is connected to a magnetic disk 64 in which a program for controlling the first printer 13-1 and a relatively popular character font frequently used for printout by this apparatus are stored in advance. There is. Further, depending on the apparatus, there may be a read-only memory in which a relatively popular character font frequently used for printout is written in advance.

In the first printer 13-1, the font memory 61 is composed of a RAM (random access memory), and the character font to be printed is written in it. In addition, a master font server 21 and a slave font server 22-
The character fonts or font files transferred from Nos. 1 and 22-2 are stored in the magnetic disk 64. The image generation circuit 62 is a circuit for generating image information as a character pattern from a character font. The printing unit 63 is a unit that prints a document, and is composed of, for example, a dot printer or a laser printer.

The first printer 13-1 searches the magnetic disk 64 at the time of printing and if the corresponding character font does not exist, the first font 13-1 requests the master font server 21 for the search as described above. Depending on this result, the font server concerned is requested to transfer the character font. If a document created in this network is to be printed, the corresponding character font always exists, so the master font server 21 does not return an error flag. However, in the case of an externally created document, the error flag will be returned because the font request will only tell that the font file is not in this network unless the document is viewed and checked on the workstation. It will be.

In this case, it is necessary to newly create or purchase a font file having the character font. To register such a new font file, the font file name and the address of the file server storing the font file are added to the management table 38 provided in the master font server 21 and stored. Put the font file in the correct font server.

(Variability of Invention)

In the embodiment described above, the master font server 21 for management is defined in the font server, and the management table is owned by the master font server 21 to manage the character font data of the entire network. . The present invention is not limited to this. That is, by preparing the same management table for a specific or all printers in the network and constantly rewriting this content to the latest one, the printer side can manage the location of the character font.

Therefore, since the side using the character font can retrieve the management table by itself, it is not necessary to request the font server side to retrieve the management table. Therefore, the time required to obtain the desired character font is shortened. Also, since the number of accesses to other devices on the network is reduced, the traffic on the communication cable can be reduced.

With the same logic, it is possible to provide a management table for a dedicated document creation machine which is assumed to access the font server particularly frequently among the workstations.

Further, in the embodiment, the workstation 12
And the printer 13 as required by the master font server 21 or the slave font servers 22-1, 22.
-2, but in the known network control, each device can also make a plurality of logical connections via the network. Therefore, the font servers 21, 22
And a printer 13 or a specific workstation 12 are not connected as needed, but logically connected to a font server 21 or 22 intended for a device such as a printer 13 in which character fonts are required. You can also In this case, when viewed from the workstation 12 and the printer 13, the font servers 21 and 22 function as their own dedicated servers.

[0043]

As described above, according to the invention as set forth in claim 1, the management table in which the locations of the character font data of each device in the network are described, and this management table is searched for, and desired. Since the font server is provided with a notification means for notifying the location of the character font, the location of the font can be known by accessing this font server by any device on the network. Therefore, there is no need to inquire whether or not the desired font exists at various places on the network, and there is an effect that the processing becomes efficient.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the character font transfer request is accepted via the network and the character font is transferred to the desired destination, it is common to various places on the network. It is not necessary to store various character font data in advance, and a storage medium such as a magnetic disk can be used efficiently.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the font server is provided with a management table and character font transfer means, and when the target character font exists in its own device, it is sent to the designated destination. Since it can be directly transferred, there is an effect that traffic on the network can be reduced and a desired character font can be quickly obtained.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the management table is arranged in the printer itself so that the location of the character font can be searched for, the character which the user does not own at the time of printing is printed. The font can be quickly obtained from the intended font server or other device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a circuit configuration of a master font server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing a network system in this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a font file owned by each font server of the network in this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of a circuit configuration of first and second slave font servers in this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing in principle the configuration of a management table in this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the control of the master font server when searching the location of the font server in this embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of font information transmitted / received between a master font server and a font file requesting source in this embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a control state when a device which receives font information returned in this embodiment requests a font file from a corresponding font server.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a first printer in this embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a conventionally used network system.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 ... Workstation, 13 ... Printer, 21 ... Master font server, 22 ... Slave font server, 31 ... Main control unit, 33 ... Network control circuit, 3
4 ... Buffer circuit, 37, 41, 64 ... Magnetic disk,
38 ... Management table, 61 ... Font memory, 51 ... Reply font information

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location B41J 5/44 8907-2C G06F 3/12 G 8323-5B 15/20 562 N 7343-5L

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit for storing character font data, a communication control unit for communicating with another device via a network, and the location of the character font data of each device in the network. And a notification means for notifying the location of the character font by searching the management table when a request for confirmation of the location of the character font is made. 2. A communication control unit for communicating with another device via a network, a storage unit for storing character font data, a reception unit for receiving a character font transfer request, and a character for which a transfer request has been made. A font server comprising: a character font transfer means for reading a font from the storage means and transferring the font to a designated destination. 3. A communication control means for communicating with another device via a network, a management table indicating the location of the character font data of each device in the network, and the character font data are stored. Storage means, a search means for searching the management table to find the location of the character font when a transfer request for the character font is made, and the character font for which the transfer request is made is stored in its own storage means. A font server, comprising: a character font transfer means for transferring this to a designated destination. 4. A communication control means for communicating with another device via a network, a management table indicating the location of the character font data of each device in the network, and character font data are stored. Storing means, a printing means for printing using the character font data, and a searching means for searching the management table to find the location of the character font when the necessary character font data does not exist in the storing means. A printer comprising: