JPH06195289A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To wholly manage the printing setting state of each print server by a main server so that the printing setting of each print server need not be managed for every client, and besides, to execute printing by selecting automatically the print server of the optimum printing setting to meet the use of a user from among many print servers. CONSTITUTION:Plural clients K1, K2,... to execute the data generation of a document, etc., plural print servers P1, P2, P3,... to receive the data from the client K and print it out, and the main server M which is equipped with a control table to control the data of the print setting at each print server P1, P2, P3,..., and simultaneously, selects the optimum print server P to meet a printing request from the client K, and executes printing control on the basis of this control table are provided on a network.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for use in a network system such as a LAN equipped with a word processor and various computers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, information processing apparatuses for creating data such as documents and printing them out are generally classified into a standalone system and a network system such as a LAN. You can As shown in FIG. 22, the stand-alone system is composed of a device A such as a word processor that creates data such as documents, and a printer Pr connected to the device A, and directly creates the data created by the device A. Print out from the printer Pr.

On the other hand, in the network system, as shown in FIG. 23, a plurality of clients K1, K2, ...
Multiple print servers P1, P2, P3 connected to
Are connected to the network cable B. In this network system, each client K1, K2 ... Makes a print request to a print setting suitable for a user's purpose such as a typeface or size from a plurality of print servers P1, P2, P3. It enables printouts with a wider range of print settings.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional network system, unlike the stand-alone system, by selecting the print server P1, P2, P3 ... From each client K1, K2. In this case, the clients K1 and K2 can print out with the optimum print settings according to the conditions.
Printer Pr (print server P1.
It is necessary to manage the information of P2, P3 ... Therefore, when registering or changing the print servers P1, P2, P3, ...
It is necessary to change all the information of ..., There is a problem that a great burden is placed on the user.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an information processing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention receives a plurality of clients that create data such as documents and data from the clients. Then, the following means are taken in an information processing apparatus including a plurality of print servers for printing the printouts on a network.

That is, printing is performed by having a management table for managing print setting data in each print server, and selecting an optimum print server according to a print request from a client based on this management table and performing print control. Management control means is provided on the network.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an information processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention receives a plurality of clients that create data such as documents and data from the clients and prints them out. In the information processing apparatus including a plurality of print servers on the network, the following means are taken.

That is, each print server has a management table for managing print setting data, and based on this management table, an optimum print server is confirmed in response to an optimum server confirmation request from a client, and this is checked. A confirmation management control means for reporting to the client is provided on the network and printing is performed in response to a direct print request from the client to the print server.

[0009]

According to the above-mentioned structure, when a print request is issued from the client to the print management control means, the print management control means is based on the management table which manages the print setting data in each print server. Then, the optimum print server corresponding to the print request is automatically selected and print control is performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the client issues the optimum server confirmation request to the confirmation management control means, the confirmation management control means manages the print setting data in each print server. Based on the table, the optimum print server that meets the optimum server confirmation request is confirmed, and this is reported to the client. On the other hand, on the client side, after confirming the optimum print server, a print request is made directly to the optimum print server, and printing is performed by the print server.

[0011]

【Example】

[Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 to FIG. 14 regarding an embodiment of the present invention.
The explanation is based on the following. In this embodiment, the information processing device is a LAN (Local Area Network).
The case where it is applied in the system is illustrated.

As shown in FIG. 1, the LAN system according to the present embodiment has a plurality of clients K1 and K2 ... Composed of word processors and a plurality of print servers P1 and P2.
.. and one main server M which constitutes the print management control means are respectively connected via a network cable B. The above print servers P1 and P
A printer Pr is individually connected and provided to each of 2 · P3.

The client K prepares data such as a document to be printed, as shown in FIG.
Send a print request to (). The print server P is
New registration or change as a print server is reported to the main server M (), and printing is executed in response to a print request from the main server M. The main server M adds and corrects a server management table, which will be described later, to the new registration and change report of the server from the print server P, and checks the optimum printer Pr for the print request from the client K. A print request is issued to the printer Pr (print server P) ().

Regarding the print instruction related to the LAN system, the instruction operation basically performed by the user (processing that can be performed by the user) is mainly the following two instruction operations (1) and (2). is there.

(1) Instructing operations for changing, registering, canceling the print server P, etc. (2) Instructing operations for a print request The following instructing operations (1) and (2) are respectively shown in FIG.
And it demonstrates based on the flowchart of FIG. still,
As the instruction of (1), only the registration of the server P will be described for the sake of convenience of description, and the change and cancellation have the same processing flow as the registration.

The instruction operation (1) is performed as shown in FIG.
First, in the print server P, data such as the type of the printer Pr managed as the print server P is set (S1), and then the registration request (report) as the server P is made.
(S2), and a registration request signal is transmitted to the main server M (S3).

On the other hand, when the main server M receives the registration request signal from the print server P (S4),
The management table is updated in response to the server registration request (S5), and then a request acceptance response is sent to the print server P (S6).

Then, the print server P confirms the request acceptance (S7), and when the request acceptance is confirmed, the respective processing processes in the print server P and the main server M are terminated.

The instruction operation of (2) is as shown in FIG.
First, the client K prepares print data by creating a document or calling data from a registered file (S11), and sets a print style (S1).
2). After that, a print request is issued to the main server M (S1
3), send a print request signal to the main server M (S1)
4).

On the other hand, when the main server M receives the print request signal from the client K (S15),
A print request acceptance completion report is sent to the client K (S16). Then, the client K confirms the end report (S17), and when the end report is confirmed, the processing process in the client K ends.

Next, the main server M, which has reported the completion of the print request acceptance in S16, checks the optimum printer Pr (print server P) for the print request (S1).
8). Then, a print request is made to the optimum printer Pr (print server P) (S19), and a print request signal is transmitted to the print server P (S20).

On the other hand, when the print server P receives the print request signal from the main server M (S2).
1) Create print data for the requested data (S
22), the printing is executed (S23), and then the printing execution completion report is sent to the main server M (S24). Then, the main server M confirms the end report (S25), and when the end report is confirmed, the print server P
And each processing process in the main server M is ended.

The main server M includes clients K1, K2 ... And print servers P1, P2.
It is necessary to accept the request from P3 ... and process the request. Further, in the reception as described above, it is practically necessary to simultaneously receive them. Therefore, in this LAN system, a multitasking OS (Operating System: management program) such as UNIX is provided in the main server M.

The request receiving process in the main server M having the OS capable of multitasking as described above will be described below. The request acceptance process is realized by inter-process communication of process processes as in (1), (2), and (3) below on the multitasking OS.

(1) Request management process: Always monitors whether there is a request from the client K or the print server P, and if there is a request, a process corresponding to the request (print request management process, server registration change process) ) Is started.

(2) Print request management process: Responsible for processing a print request from the client K.

(3) Server registration change process: Responsible for processing requests such as server registration as the print server P.

When there is the above request, the request management process and other processes are in a state of being executed at the same time. Also, depending on the degree of the request, a plurality of print request management processes and server registration change processes are simultaneously executed.

Next, the request acceptance processing operation by the main server M will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when the request management process is activated, it is determined whether or not there is a request (S31). If it is determined in S31 that there is a request, then it is determined whether or not there is a print request (S32). If it is determined in S32 that there is a print request, the print request management process is activated (S3
3) After that, it returns to S31 again.

On the other hand, if there is no print request in S32, then it is determined whether there is a registration request or a change request for the server P (S34). Then, in S34, if there is no registration or change request, the process directly returns to S31, while if there is a registration or change request, the server registration change process is activated (S35), and then the process returns to S31.

After the print request management process in S33 or the server registration change process in S35 is started, the request management process immediately returns to the request waiting (confirmation) process.

Next, in the system configuration as described above, the form of data flowing on the network will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11.

FIG. 6 shows a basic form of transmission data on the network. Ad is a destination address on the network, As is a source address on the network, and S.S. D is the transmission data itself. Incidentally, S. D is basically in the form of "processing command" + "processing data".

FIG. 7 shows server registration change data used for registration and change of the server P, where Am is the address of the main server M, Ap is the address of the print server P, and C.
D is a processing command such as registration, change, cancellation, addition, D P
1 is an attribute of the printer Pr managed by the server. Also, the above D P1 is necessary data for managing each print server P1, P2, P3 ... In the main server M. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, one print server P has a plurality of printers Pr. Identification No. when managing Print NO. , TN indicating the printer model name, KD indicating the resolution, and S indicating the corresponding size.
It is composed of Z and WF indicating a corresponding typeface.

FIG. 9 shows print request (K → M) data used for a print request from the client K to the main server M, where Am is the address of the main server M, Ak is the address of the client K, and CD is the print request. Command, D
P2 is the attribute of the requested printer Pr, D T is the data body to be printed. Also, the above D Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, P2 is composed of KD indicating the resolution, SZ indicating the size, and WF indicating the typeface.
The above WF is specified (request) in the print data body.
If there is any typeface other than that, it will be printed in Mincho typeface.

FIG. 11 shows print request (M → P) data used for a print request from the main server M to the print server P, where Ap is the address of the print server P and Am.
Is the address of the main server M, CD is the print request command, PN is one print server P and multiple printers P.
Identification No. when managing r. Printer no. ,
D T is the data body to be printed.

Next, the print server P is connected to the main server M.
The above-mentioned server management table managed above will be described below with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 (a) (b) (c).

In the server management table, as shown in FIG. The valid range of the management table is from 0 to n-1, and the contents include a flag (R) indicating whether the data of the record is valid, an address (Ap) on the network of the print server P, and a print. When the server P manages a plurality of printers Pr, the printer No. (PN) for identifying them and the model name (T
N), a code (KD) indicating the type of resolution that the printer Pr (print server P) can support, and the printer Pr.
A code (SZ) indicating the type of size that the (print server P) can support and the printer Pr (print server P)
And a code (WF) indicating the type of typeface that can be used.

The flag (R) is set to "00" when the data is valid, and "F" when the data is invalid.
If "F" is set and a cancellation request is made after server registration, the invalid flag is set. The address (Ap) depends on the management content itself and the communication protocol, but the TCP of the LAN. If the / IP protocol is assumed, it corresponds to the IP address.
N) is an identification number attached in advance to each printer Pr.
(1, 2, ...). Model name (TN) is Shift JIS
It is managed by code etc.

In the resolution code (KD), size code (SZ), and typeface code (WF), each bit corresponds to one function, as shown in FIGS. 13 (a) (b) (c). 2 bytes (16 bits) of data. In addition, “f” described in each drawing is the printer Pr.
Indicates whether or not the function for the bit is satisfied. If not satisfied, "0" is set, while if satisfied, "1" is set.

KD and S in the server management table
The data contents of Z and WF are the same as the data contents of the printer attribute of FIG. 8 for the server registration change. Further, the corresponding function of each bit is the same for each data (KD, SZ, WF) of the requested printer attribute in FIG. 10 for the print request, and when f = 0, the function is not requested. , F = 1, it means that the function is requested.

In the server management table shown in FIG. The information content of the print server P corresponding to 0 is exemplified below.

At this time, the address (Ap) is "010
Similarly, the printer No. (PN) is "1", the model name (TN) is "WD-901D", and the resolution, size, and typeface codes (KD, S).
Z and WF) are “0008” as shown in FIG.
The data becomes "H", "001EH", and "0001H", and these data are shown in FIG.
By comparing the data corresponding to each function of (b) and (c), the corresponding resolution becomes 400 dpi and the corresponding size is B.
5, A4, B4, A3, and the corresponding typeface is Mincho.

Next, an example of an algorithm for selecting and determining the optimum print server P for the print request from the client K will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that this algorithm
With respect to the three evaluation criteria of typeface and typeface, if the requirements are satisfied, the respective evaluation values are set to "1", and if they are not satisfied, the evaluation values are set to "0". Is selected and is determined as the optimum print server P.

First, a pointer (pt) indicating the record position of the server management table of FIG. 12, an evaluation value counter (jn) for evaluating the requirement satisfaction corresponding to the position (pt),
Initialize each pointer variable of the memory (jm) that stores the maximum value of (jn) and the memory (ptm) that stores the pointer value of the management table having the value of (jm) (S).
41). The minimum value of (jn) is “0”,
The degree of satisfaction is indicated by the magnitude of the value.

Next, it is judged whether or not all the data in the management table have been checked (S42). If the check has not been completed, then flag data (= (pt) for the record at the (pt) position is determined. ) It is determined whether R) is valid or invalid (S43). S43
If the flag is invalid, the process proceeds to S55, which will be described later, while if the flag is valid, the requested data for the resolution (= P Resolution data (= (pt) for records at the KD) and (pt) positions AND with KD) and set it to (A) (S44).

Next, the set data (A) and the resolution request data (P KD) to determine whether or not the resolution requirement is satisfied (S45). S
45, set data (A) and resolution request data (P
If it is not equal to KD), the resolution requirement is not satisfied, and therefore the process directly proceeds to S47 described later. On the other hand, set data (A) and resolution request data (P KD) is equal, the resolution requirement is satisfied, so S46.
Then, the value of (jn) is set to +1 and the process proceeds to S47.

At S47, the requested data (P Size data (= (pt) for records at SZ) and (pt) positions SZ) and AND to set this to (A), then set data (A) above
And size request data (P By comparing with SZ),
It is determined whether or not the size request is satisfied (S4).
8). At S48, the set data (A) and the size request data (P If SZ) is not equal, the size request is not satisfied, and the process directly moves to S50 described later. On the other hand, set data (A) and size request data (P S
When Z) is equal to each other, the size requirement is satisfied, so that the value of (jn) is set to +1 in S49, and the process proceeds to S50.

At S50, the requested data (P
Typeface data (= (pt) for the records at WF) and (pt) AND with (WF) and (A)
, And then the set data (A) and typeface request data (P WF) is compared to determine whether the typeface requirements are satisfied (S51). S5
1, set data (A) and typeface request data (P W
If F) is not equal, the typeface requirement is not satisfied, and therefore the process directly proceeds to S53, which will be described later. On the other hand, set data (A) and typeface request data (P If WF) is equal, the requirement for the typeface is satisfied, and thus (j
The value of n) is set to +1 and it transfers to S53.

In S53, the resolution, size, and typeface evaluation factors as described above are counted (jn).
Is compared with the maximum value (jm) counted so far, and if (jm) is larger, the process proceeds to S55, while if (jn) is larger, (jm) and (pt
m) and the value are updated (S54), and the process proceeds to S55.

Then, in S55, the pointer to the table is changed to the next pointer value, and the process returns to S42 again.
After that, the above steps from S42 to S55 are executed, and in S42, it is determined that the check of all data in the management table is completed, and the processing process is ended.

Further, in the above evaluation algorithm, when there are many print servers P, there is a high possibility that a plurality of optimum print servers P also exist. If it is necessary to determine the most suitable server, for example, the following (1)
(2) Add an evaluation element like (3).

(1) The resolution, size, and typeface evaluation values are the same, but the values are changed in consideration of their importance. For example, if resolution is important,
Resolution = 2, size = 1, typeface = 1.

(2) Even when the requirements are not satisfied, the evaluation values are not all set to "0", but the evaluation value (not more than the evaluation value when satisfied) is given according to the content. For example, for a resolution request of 400 dpi, the server P is 300 dpi,
In the case of supporting 500 dpi and 600 dpi,
A value of "0.5" is given as the evaluation value.

(3) In addition to the above three evaluation criteria, another evaluation criteria is added. For example, a ready state is added to improve the evaluation of printable items.

As described above, the LAN system according to the present embodiment has a plurality of clients K for creating data such as documents.
, K2 ..., and a plurality of print servers P1, P2, P3, ..., which receive data from the client K and print it out, and each print server P1, P2.
It has a management table that manages the print setting data for P3 ... And based on this management table, an optimum print server P that responds to a print request from the client K.
A main server M for selecting and performing print control is provided on the network.

Therefore, since the main server M can manage all the print setting states of the print servers P1, P2, P3, ..., The print servers P1, P2 ,. It is not necessary to manage the print settings of P3 ..., and there are a large number of print servers P1, P2, P depending on the print request from the client K.
It is possible to automatically select the print server P having the optimum print settings according to the user's purpose from among 3 ...

[Embodiment 2] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 15 to 21. In this embodiment, the information processing device is a LAN (Loca
l Area Network) system, the same configuration as that of the LAN system of the first embodiment is omitted for convenience of description. As shown in FIG. 15, the LAN system according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of clients K including word processors.
1, K2 ..., and multiple print servers P1, P2, P
3 ..., and one main server M forming a confirmation management control means
And are connected via a network cable B, respectively. The print servers P1 and P2 described above
A printer Pr is individually connected to each of the P3 ...

As shown in FIG. 16, the client K issues an optimum printer confirmation request to the main server M for data such as a document to be printed (), prepares data such as a document to be printed, and prints the data. A print request is made to the server P (). The print server P reports new registration or change as a print server to the main server M (), and also executes printing in response to a print request from the client K. The main server M is the print server P
The server management table is added and modified in response to the new registration and the change report of the server from the client K, and the optimum printer Pr (print server P) is checked in response to the optimum printer confirmation request from the client K, and the contents thereof are displayed. Notify client K ().

Further, regarding the print instruction related to the present LAN system, the instruction operation basically performed by the user (processing that can be performed by the user) is mainly shown below as in the LAN system of the first embodiment ( There are two instruction operations, 1) and 2).

(1) Instructing operation for changing, registering, canceling, etc. of the print server P (2) Instructing operation for printing request The following (2) instructing operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Since the instruction operation (1) is the same as that in the first embodiment, its explanation is omitted.

In the instruction operation of (2), first, the client K prepares print data by creating a document or calling data from a registered file (S6).
1) The print style is set (S62). Thereafter, the optimum print confirmation request is issued to the main server M (S63), and a confirmation request signal is transmitted to the main server M (S64).

On the other hand, when the main server M receives the confirmation request signal from the client K (S65),
The optimum printer Pr (print server P) is checked (S6
6), report the contents to the client K (S
67), and ends the processing process in the main server M.
On the other hand, the client K confirms the reply (report) from the main server M (S68), and when confirming the report, makes a print request to the (optimal) print server P (S6).
9) Send a print request signal to the print server P (S)
70).

On the other hand, the print server P receives the print request signal from the client K (S7).
1) Create print data for the requested data (S
72), the printing is executed (S73), and then the printing completion report is sent to the client K (S74). Then, the client K confirms the end report (S75). When the end report is confirmed, the print server P
And each processing process in the client K is ended.

The main server M includes clients K1, K2 ... And print servers P1, P2.
It is necessary to accept the request from P3 ... and process the request. Further, in the reception as described above, it is practically necessary to simultaneously receive them. Therefore, in this LAN system, a multitasking OS (Operating System: management program) such as UNIX is provided in the main server M.

The request receiving process in the main server M having the OS capable of multitasking as described above will be described below. The request acceptance process is realized by inter-process communication of process processes as in (1), (2), and (3) below on the multitasking OS.

(1) Request management process: Always monitors whether or not there is a request from the client K or the print server P, and if there is a request, a process corresponding to the request (optimum server confirmation request management process, server registration) Change process).

(2) Optimal server confirmation request management process:
It is in charge of processing for the optimum print server confirmation request from the client K.

(3) Server registration change process: Responsible for processing requests such as server registration as the print server P.

When the above request is made, the request management process and other processes are in a state of being executed at the same time. Further, depending on the degree of request, a plurality of optimum server confirmation request management processes and server registration change processes are also executed simultaneously.

Next, the request acceptance processing operation by the main server M will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, with the activation of the request management process, the presence or absence of a request is determined (S81). If it is determined in S81 that there is a request, then it is determined whether or not there is an optimum server confirmation request (S82). Then, if it is determined in S82 that there is an optimum server confirmation request, the optimum server confirmation request management process is activated (S83), and then S is executed again.
Return to 81.

On the other hand, in S82, if there is no optimum server confirmation request, it is next determined whether or not there is a server P registration request or change request (S84). And S84
If there is no request for registration or change, the above S
Meanwhile, if there is a request for registration or change, the server registration change process is activated (S85), and then the process returns to S81.

After the optimum server confirmation request management process in S83 or the server registration change process in S85 is started, the request management process immediately returns to the request waiting (confirmation) process.

Next, in the system configuration as described above, the form of data flowing on the network will be described below with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21. The basic form of transmission data on the network, the server registration change data used for registration and change of the server P, and the printer attribute of the server registration change data are described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 of the first embodiment, respectively. Since the contents are the same as those shown in, the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 19 shows the optimum print server confirmation request data used for the optimum server confirmation request from the client K to the main server M. Am is the address of the main server M, Ak is the address of the client K, and CD is the print request. Command, D P2 is an attribute of the requested printer Pr. Also, the above D Since the specific content of P2 is the same as that shown in FIG. 10 of the first embodiment, its description is omitted.

FIG. 20 shows the optimum printer confirmation report data used to report the optimum printer Pr from the main server M to the client K. Ak is the address of the client K, Am is the address of the main server M, and CD is the optimum printer. The confirmation report command, Ap is the address of the (optimal) print server P, and PN is the identification number when one print server P manages a plurality of printers Pr. Printer no. Is.

FIG. 21 shows print request (K → P) data used for a print request from the client K to the print server P, where Ap is the address of the print server P and Ak.
Is the address of the client K, CD is the print request command, PN is one print server P and multiple printers P.
Identification No. when managing r. Printer no. ,
D T is the data body to be printed.

The server management table for managing the print server P on the main server M is the same as that shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 (a) (b) (c) of the first embodiment. Further, the algorithm for determining the optimum printer is the same as that shown in FIG. 14 of the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

As described above, the LAN system according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of clients K that create data such as documents.
, K2 ..., and a plurality of print servers P1, P2, P3, ..., which receive data from the client K and print it out, and each print server P1, P2.
In addition to having a management table for managing print setting data for P3, the optimum print server P that meets the optimum server confirmation request from the client K is confirmed based on this management table, and this is designated as the client K. The main server M for reporting is provided on the network, and at the time of data printing, the client K directly requests the print server P to perform printing, so that the print server P performs printing.

Therefore, it is not necessary to manage the print settings of the print servers P1, P2, P3 ... For each of the clients K1, K2 ... As in the LAN system of the first embodiment. By the way, in the first embodiment described above, the main server M responds to the print request by the clients K1 and K2.
Print request from ... and each print server P1, P2, P
It is necessary to manage both print requests to the print server 3 and the like, the load on the main server M is heavy, and the data to be printed itself, the client K to the main server M, and the main server M to the print server P are networked twice. Since it flows above, the load on the network is large (especially when the amount of data is large).

On the other hand, in the LAN system according to the present embodiment, the optimum print request having the print setting according to the user's purpose is selected from the many print servers P1, P2, P3 ... In response to the optimum server confirmation request from the client K. The server P is confirmed and this is reported to the client K, and the actual printing is performed by a direct print request from the client K to the print server P.

Therefore, the load on the main server M can be reduced as compared with the first embodiment, and as a result, the reaction speed of the main server M with respect to a request from the client K or the like can be increased and can be managed. The number of print servers P can be increased. Further, since the load on the network can be reduced as compared with the first embodiment, the possibility of the idle time on the network is increased and the possibility of data collision is reduced. The actual data transfer rate can be increased.

The first and second embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the main server M of each of the above embodiments
The server itself does not have the function of the print server P, but it is also possible to have a configuration having such a function of the print server P together.

Further, the main server M is provided with an OS capable of multitasking, so that each of the clients K1 and K2 is
, And the simultaneous requests from the print servers P1, P2, P3, ... Can be accepted, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be a little inconvenient, but a restriction of simultaneous acceptance may be set. Then, single task OS
A LAN system can be realized by using.

[0087]

As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention has the management table for managing the print setting data in each print server, and the client is based on this management table. The print management control means for selecting an optimum print server according to the print request and performing print control is provided on the network.

As a result, since the print management control means can manage all the print setting states of each print server, it is not necessary to manage the print settings of each print server for each client. Print request, it is possible to automatically select the print server with the best print settings according to the user's purpose from a large number of print servers and execute printing. It is possible to provide the device.

The information processing apparatus according to the second aspect has a management table for managing print setting data in each print server, and based on this management table,
The optimum print server that responds to the optimum server confirmation request from the client is confirmed, and the confirmation management control means for reporting this to the client is provided on the network, and printing is performed in response to a direct print request from the client to the print server. It is a configuration for performing.

As a result, unlike the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, there is no need to manage the print settings of each print server for each client, and an information processing apparatus with excellent operability can be provided. Has the effect.

In the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the print management control means needs to manage the print request from each client and the print request to each print server in response to the print request. Yes, the load of the print management control means is large, and furthermore, the data to be printed itself, the print management control means from the client, and the print management control means flow through the print server twice on the network. The load on the network is heavy.

On the other hand, in the information processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the optimum server confirmation request from the client is used to confirm the optimum print server having the print setting according to the user's purpose from among the many print servers. This is reported to the client, and the actual printing is performed by a direct print request from the client to the print server. Therefore, the load of the confirmation management control unit can be reduced as compared with the print management control unit according to the first aspect, and as a result, the reaction speed of the confirmation management control unit with respect to a request from the client or the like may be increased. The number of print servers that can be managed can be increased. Further, since the load on the network can be reduced as compared with the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, the possibility of the idle time on the network increases and the possibility of data collision also decreases. This has the effect of increasing the actual transfer rate of data on the network.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a LAN system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing processing contents among respective components of a client, a print server, and a main server which constitute the LAN system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for a print server registration request in the LAN system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for a print request in the LAN system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for request reception in the main server in the LAN system.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic form of transmission data.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing server registration change data.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing configuration data of printer attributes that form the server registration change data.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing print request (K → M) data.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing configuration data of printer attributes that form the print request (K → M) data.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing print request (M → P) data.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a server management table.

FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram showing resolution data forming a server management table, FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram showing size data forming a server management table, and FIG. 7C is an explanatory diagram showing the data of the typeface forming the server management table.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an optimum printer determination algorithm for a request.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram showing a LAN system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing processing contents among the respective components of the client, the print server, and the main server which constitute the LAN system.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for a print request in the LAN system.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for request reception in the main server in the LAN system.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing optimum print server confirmation request data.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing optimum printer confirmation report data.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing print request (K → P) data.

FIG. 22 is a configuration diagram showing a stand-alone system in a conventional example.

FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram showing a network system in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

K client P print server M main server (print management control means, confirmation management control means)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus comprising a plurality of clients for creating data such as documents and a plurality of print servers for receiving data from the clients and printing out the data on a network, The printer has a management table for managing print setting data in each print server, and based on the management table, a print management control means for selecting an optimum print server according to a print request from a client and performing print control is networked. An information processing device having the above. 2. An information processing apparatus comprising a plurality of clients for creating data such as documents and a plurality of print servers for receiving data from the clients and printing out the data on a network, Each print server has a management table that manages print setting data, and based on this management table, the optimum print server that meets the optimum server confirmation request from the client is confirmed and this is reported to the client. An information processing apparatus comprising a confirmation management control unit on a network, and performing printing in response to a direct print request from a client to a print server.