JPH06301625A - Output management device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an output management device capable of easily outputting a file without considering the identifier (ID) of an output device, the format of a file to be outputted, or the like. CONSTITUTION:An output request managing part 11 receives an output request 103 including an output file 101 of a Post Script type, e.g. and a file format ID 102 'PS' and excluding an output device ID for specifying an output device, an output device information storing part 14 stores an output information list so as to allow the ID 102 to correspond to an output control instruction 105 corresponding to an output device capable of outputting a file of the format concerned, an output device selecting part 12 outputs the output control instruction 105 (e.g. '1pr-P1w') of an instruction format corresponding to the received output file 101, and an output control part 13 executes processing corresponding to the instruction 105 and transmits an output instruction 107 to the output device or the like.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an output management device which is connected to an output device such as a printer and receives an output request from a computer connected via a network and causes the output device to output. Is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, computer systems in which a plurality of computers are connected by a network are becoming popular. In this type of computer system, another computer (client computer) shares an output device or selects and uses multiple output devices via an output management device (server computer) to which an output device such as a printer is connected. You can do it.

A computer system including the above output management device is constructed as shown in FIG. 16, for example. In the figure, 141 and 142 are output devices (printers or facsimile devices). 110 is the output device 141.
It is a client computer that sends an output request to the 142.

Reference numerals 120 and 130 denote client computers 11.
The output device 141 receives the output request transmitted from
A server computer as an output management device that sends an output command to 142. The client computer 110 is
Specifically, the output request unit 111, the output request processing unit 112,
114 and output device information storage units 113 and 115.

The output requesting unit 111 outputs files 141 and 142 according to an output instruction operation of an operator.
To issue an output instruction to. Output request processing unit 11
Reference numerals 2 and 114 are for transmitting an output request of a predetermined format in response to an output instruction from the output request unit 111. The output device information storage units 113 and 115 include the output request processing unit 11
Referred to when an output request is generated by 2 ・ 114,
It holds information in which an output device identifier for identifying an output device and a server computer are associated with a server identifier.

Further, the server computers 120 and 130
Specifically, has output control units 121 and 131 and output device information storage units 122 and 132. The output control units 121 and 131 receive an output request from the client computer 110 and send an output command in a format corresponding to the output devices 141 and 142. The output device information storage units 122 and 132 are referred to by the output control units 121 and 131 when the output command is generated.
It holds information in which an output device identifier for specifying 142 is associated with a port number of a device port to which the output device identifier is connected.

The operation of the computer system configured as above will be described. Here, the output device identifier that identifies the output device 141 is text, and the server identifiers that identify the server computers 120 and 130 are alpha and beta, respectively.
Suppose In addition, the output device information storage unit 113/11
5, 122, and 132, information, etc. in which the output device identifier and the server identifier are associated with each other is / etc / print.
It is assumed that the file is held as a file indicated by cap.

For example, the operator outputs the contents of the file (zzz) indicated by the file name zzz to the output device 141 (t
ext), the output request unit 111 inputs “lpr-Ptext zzz” as an output instruction including a command, an output device identifier, and an output file name. When the output request processing unit 112 receives the output instruction via the output request unit 111, the file (/ etc / print) held in the output device information storage unit 113.
tcap) and obtains information that the output device 141 (text) is connected to the server computer 120 (alpha), and sends an output request to the server computer 120 (alpha).

When the server computer 120 (alpha) receives the output request, the server computer 120 (alpha) refers to the file (/ etc / printcap) held in the output device information storage unit 122, and the output device 141 (text) is connected. Obtain the port number of the device port and send the output command to the device port of that port number. Output device 141
(Text) prints out based on the sent output command.

Here, the command format of the output instruction given to the output request unit 111 generally differs depending on the output device. For example, when outputting by the output device 142 which is a facsimile machine, the output device 142 is used. It is necessary to give an output instruction corresponding to the output device 142 including the output device identifier to be specified. Further, for example, the output instruction can be given to the output device 141 with an output device identifier different from the output device identifier (text). For that purpose, information such as the output device identifier is beforehand provided to the client computer 110. At file (/ e
It is necessary to register in tc / printcap).

Further, it is possible to output by a new output device. In this case, however, information about the new output device such as an output device identifier is also registered, and the new output device is output according to the output device. It is necessary to give the output instruction in the instruction format.

[0012]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional output management device, the operator needs to give an output instruction in a command format corresponding to each output device, and in order to perform an appropriate output, the output is required. Each time the instruction is given, it is necessary to consider the output device that can be used, the format of the file that can be output by the output device, the identifier of the output device, and the like, which has a problem of poor operability.

In addition, it is necessary to register information such as the output device identifier of each output device for each client computer in advance, which is troublesome. In view of the above points, the present invention has an object to provide an output management device that can easily output a file without considering the identifier of the output device, the format of a file that can be output, and the like.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention determines a receiving means for receiving an output request including an output file and an output device capable of outputting the received output file. An output device control means for executing an output control command according to the output device to cause the output device to perform an output process is provided.

The determination of the output device capable of the above output processing is performed by
It may be performed based on the file format identifier received together with the output file, or may be performed based on the determination result of the file format determining means for determining the format of the output file. Also, as an output device that receives an access right identifier indicating an access right to the output device, can perform output processing of the received output file, and that causes an output device that is permitted access by the access right identifier to perform output processing. You may decide.

Further, when there are a plurality of output devices capable of outputting the received output file, the output device to be subjected to the output processing may be determined based on the state information indicating the state of the output device. Good. Further, as the output device which receives the condition information indicating the condition of the output device for performing the output process, the output process of the received output file is possible, and the output device according to the condition information is for performing the output process. You may decide.

[0017]

With the above structure, the receiving means receives the output request including the output file, and the output device control means determines the output device capable of performing the output processing of the received output file and responds to the output device. The output control command is executed to cause the output device to perform output processing.

[0018]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the output management device in the first embodiment. This output management device is connected to a client computer that sends an output request 103 to this output management device and an output device that receives the output command 107 sent by this output management device or another output management device.

The output management device includes an output request management unit 11 and
An output device selection unit 12, an output control unit 13, and an output device information storage unit 14 are provided. The output request management unit 11
It receives an output request 103 from a client computer or another output management device. The output request 103 is
For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the output file 101
And the file format identifier 102 are included, but it is not necessary to include the output device identifier for specifying the output device as described later. It should be noted that, for example, in the file format identifier 102 “PS” shown in the same figure, the output file 101 has PostScript (Adobe Systems).
The file is in the Incorporated trademark) format.

The output device information storage unit 14 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the output information list in which the file format identifier 102 and the output control command 105 including the output device identifier corresponding to the output device capable of outputting the file corresponding to the file format identifier 102 are associated with each other. 104 is stored. That is, in the example of the figure, PostS indicated by the file format identifier 102 “PS”
The output control command 105 corresponding to the output device capable of outputting the file in the script format is “lpr-Plw” “lp
r-Ptext "" rfax-hfaxA "and the like are shown.

Further, the output control instruction 105 is not limited to the instruction to execute a single command as described above, but may be an instruction to execute a plurality of commands sequentially. For example, as the output control instruction 105 corresponding to the file format identifier 102 "TIFF", "tiff2ps" shown in FIG.
| Lpr −Plw ”, the output control unit displays“ t
The output file may be converted into a different format by the command "iff2ps", and then the command "lpr-Plw", which is a command for actually transmitting the output file, may be executed. By thus converting the file format and transmitting it to the output device, it is possible to expand the types of file formats that can be accepted as the output request 103.

The output device selection unit 12 includes the output request management unit 1
1 selects the output device that can output the received output file 101 based on the output request 103 received and the stored contents of the output device information storage unit 14, and performs the output control in the command format according to the output device. The output request 106 including the instruction 105 and the output file 101 is output.
More specifically, for example, "cat fileme |
A format such as "lpr-Plw" that gives the contents of the output file via standard output, or after storing the output file in a temporary storage unit (not shown), "lpr-Plw fi"
The output request 106 in the format that specifies the file name in the temporary storage unit, such as "name" is output.

The output control unit 13 executes a process according to the output request 106 from the output device selection unit 12 and sends the output command 107 to the output device or another output management device according to the request. Is. In addition, in addition to this, various components for realizing a function of receiving a response from the output device or another output management device and transmitting the response to the output request source are actually required. , Which is not the main point of the present invention, and therefore will be omitted.

The operation of the output management device configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. (1) For the client computer, the operator P
When an output instruction operation is performed by designating the output file 101 of the ostScript format and the file format identifier 102 “PS”, and the client computer transmits the output request 103, the output request management unit 11 receives the output request 103 and selects the output device. It is passed to the section 12 (S21).

(2) The output device selection unit 12 determines whether or not the file format identifier 102 "PS" is stored in the output device information storage unit 14 (S22). (3) If the file format identifier 102 “PS” is not stored, information indicating that the output process has failed is transmitted to the output request source, and the process ends (S23). (4) On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 2B, the file format identifier 1
Since 02 "PS" is stored, for example, "lpr-Plw" stored at the head of the output control commands 105 corresponding to this is obtained (S24), and the output file 1
The output request 106 is output together with 01 to the output control unit 13. That is, even if the operator does not specify the output device, the output device capable of outputting the output file 101 is selected, and the output control command 105 corresponding to the output device is output to the output control unit 13.

(5) The output control unit 13 outputs the output control command 1
By executing 05 "lpr-Plw", the output command 107 is transmitted to the output device or another output management device in the format and the destination according to the output control command 105 (S25). Here, the output control command 105 stored in the output device information storage unit 14 does not cause the output control unit 13 to directly output the output command 107 to the output device, but an output request to another output management device. If you want to output
Output to an output device connected to another output management device can be performed.

As described above, even if the operator does not know the existence of the output device capable of outputting or the information such as the command format corresponding to the output device, the operator can properly output the output file and the file format identifier by the output instruction. You can get the output. (Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the output management device in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, components and processes having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. The output request management unit 31 includes an output file 101 from a client computer or another output management apparatus, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, but does not include the file format identifier as in the first embodiment. File format identifier 3 according to the output file 101 after receiving the output request 302
04 is added and output to the output device selection unit 12.

The file determination unit 35 is used for the output file 10
The format of No. 1 is discriminated and the file format identifier 304 is passed to the output request management unit 31. The format identification information storage unit 36, as shown in FIG. 5B, information for determining the format of a file (comparison position, comparison method, comparison character string).
The file format identifier correspondence table 303 in which the file format identifier 304 and the file format identifier 304 are associated with each other is stored.

The operation of the output management device configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. (1) For the client computer, the operator P
When the output instruction operation is performed by designating the output file 101 in the ostScript format and the client computer transmits the output request 302, the output request management unit 31 receives this (S41).

(2) The file determination unit 35 uses the information (comparison position, comparison method, comparison character string) obtained from the file format identifier correspondence table 303 stored in the format identification information storage unit 36 to output the output file 101. The file format is determined (S42). Specifically, if the beginning of the output file 101 is the character string “%!”, For example, PostS
It is determined that the format is script.

(3) If the file determination unit 35 cannot identify the file format of the output file 101, the output processing failure is transmitted to the output request source and the processing is terminated (S).
23). (4) When the file format can be identified, the output request management unit 31 receives the file format identifier 304 “PS” from the file determination unit 35 (S43), and the output file 101
It is also passed to the output device selection unit 12.

Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, in the processing from (S22) to (S25), the output device selection unit 12 of the first embodiment makes the file format identifier 102 from the output request source.
The output instruction 107 is transmitted to the output device or another output management device by the same processing as that for obtaining the output. As described above, the operator does not need to consider the file format identifier in addition to the existence of an output device capable of outputting and the command format corresponding to the output device, and the output instruction that specifies the output file allows the operator to output an appropriate output. Can be obtained.

In the above example, the file determination unit 35
Has shown an example in which the format of the file is determined by directly examining the contents of the output file 101, but not limited to this,
For example, a file confirmation command for confirming the file format and a file format identifier are stored in the format identification information storage section 36 in association with each other, and the file determination section 35 is stored.
The file confirmation commands may be sequentially executed, and if the execution result is true, the corresponding file format identifier may be passed to the output request management unit 31.

Further, the format identification information storage unit 36 is made to hold the extension of the file name and the file format identifier (for example, the extension ".ps" and the file format identifier "PS"), and the file name of the output file is stored. The file format may be determined based on the above, or the determination may be performed with high accuracy in combination with the above method. (Third Embodiment) A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the output management device in the third embodiment. Note that, also in the third embodiment, components and processes having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. The output request management unit 11 outputs the output request 50 from the client computer or another output management device as in the first embodiment.
Receive 4 However, the output request 504 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the output request 103 of the first embodiment.
In addition to the output file 101 and the file format identifier 102 similar to, the access right identifier 503 is included. Here, as the access right identifier 503, for example, a user name, a host name, a password or the like is used.

The output device selection unit 52 obtains the output control command 105 based on the file format identifier 102, as in the output device selection unit 12 of the first embodiment, and then outputs to the output device indicated by the output control command 105. It is designed to determine whether or not access is permitted. The access right management unit 55 manages output permission for each output device.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the output permission information storage unit 56 includes an output device identifier 506 and an access right identifier 508 which is permitted to output to the output device indicated by the output device identifier 506. The corresponding output permission correspondence table 507 is held. The operation of the output management device configured as described above will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

(1) An operator having an access right "host2" accesses the client computer
Output file 101 in the Script format, file format identifier 102 “PS”, and access right identifier 5
When the output instruction operation is performed by specifying 03 "host2" and the client computer transmits the output request 504, the output request management unit 11 receives this and passes it to the output device selection unit 52 (S21).

(2) The output device selecting section 52 first
Similar to the output device selection unit 12 of the embodiment, it is determined whether or not the file format identifier 102 “PS” is stored in the output device information storage unit 14 (S22), and if not stored, the output process has failed. Is transmitted to the output request source, and the process ends (S23). (3) On the other hand, if it is stored, the corresponding output control command 105, for example, "lpr-PprA" is obtained (S2
4) The output device identifier 506 “prA” included in the output control instruction 105 is output to the access right management unit 55.

(4) The access right management unit 55 refers to the output permission correspondence table 507 of the output permission information storage unit 56, and the access right to output to the output device indicated by the output device identifier 506. Identifier 508 "hos
"t1, host2, host3" are obtained and passed to the output device selection unit 52 (S61). The output device identifier 506
May be directly obtained by using the correspondence table of the file format identifier 102 and the output device identifier 506, instead of obtaining the output control instruction 105 and then obtaining the contents contained therein, as described above. .

(5) The output device selection unit 52 next receives the access right identifier 503 received from the output request management unit 11.
It is determined whether or not "host2" is included in the access right identifier 508 that is permitted to output (S62),
If not included, (S22) to (S62) are repeated to perform the same processing for the other output control instruction 105 corresponding to the file format identifier 102 “PS”,
Output file 101 and output control command 1 if included
The output request 106 including 05 is output to the output control unit 13.

(6) The output control unit 13 sends the output command 107 to the output device or another output management device by executing the output control command 105 "lpr-PprA", as in the first embodiment. Yes (S25). In addition, for example, the client computer has the access right identifier 5
When the output request 504 including 03 "user2" is transmitted, the access right identifier 503 is not included in the access right identifier 508 permitted to output corresponding to the output device identifier 506 "prA". By returning from (S62) to (S22) and performing the same processing, the output device identifier 506 included in the next output control instruction 105 corresponding to the file format identifier 102 “PS”.
The output by the output device indicated by "prB" is performed.

As described above, the operator can output,
In addition, even if you do not know the existence of output devices that are permitted to output or the information such as the command format corresponding to the output device, you can output the output file, file format identifier, and access right identifier appropriately according to the output instruction. Can get
Further, in the output management device, the presence / absence of permission to use each output device can be centrally managed.

In place of the output request management section 11,
Similar to the second embodiment, the output request management unit 31, the file determination unit 35, and the format identification information storage unit 36 may be provided so that the operator does not need to specify the file format identifier. Further, a means for requesting the access right identifier 503 from the output management device to the output request source may be provided so that the operator can interactively specify even if the access right identifier 503 is not included in the output request 504.

Further, a means for judging the access right from the output request (for example, a means for analyzing the output request protocol to obtain the IP address and making a judgment based on the IP address) is provided so that the operator does not specify the access right identifier 503. You can also do better. In addition, after obtaining the output control command 105 corresponding to the file format identifier 102 as described above, it is determined whether output is permitted for the output device of the output device identifier 506 included in the output control command 105. Instead of listing the output device identifier 506 of the output device that is permitted to output, the output control instruction 105 including the output device identifier 506 and corresponding to the file format identifier 102 is searched for. May be. (Fourth Embodiment) A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the output management device in the fourth embodiment. Also in the fourth embodiment, components and processes having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. The output device selection unit 72, like the output device selection unit 12 of the first embodiment, selects an output device that can output the received output file 101 and outputs the output request 106. However, when selecting the output device, the load of each output device is taken into consideration.

The output load management unit 75 sends the output state information acquisition command 707 to the output device to acquire the output state information 708, and based on this, obtains the output load 709 and passes it to the output device selection unit 72. Has become. The acquisition information storage unit 76 stores the output device identifier 705 as shown in FIG.
And the output state information acquisition command correspondence table 7 in which the output state information acquisition command 707 for determining the output load 709 of the output device indicated by the output device identifier 705 is associated.
06 is held.

The operation of the output management device configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. (1) Similar to the first embodiment, the output request management unit 11 receives the output request 103 from the client computer (S2
1), the output device selection unit 72 uses the file format identifier 10
2 is stored in the output device information storage unit 14 (S22), and if not stored, information indicating that the output process has failed after performing the confirmation process of (S88) described later. Is sent to the output request source and the process is terminated (S23), while if stored, the corresponding output control command 105, for example, "lpr-PprA" is obtained (S24).

(2) The output load managing unit 75 outputs the output device identifier 705 "pr" included in the output control command 105.
Based on the “A”, the output state information acquisition instruction correspondence table 706 of the acquisition information storage unit 76 is referred to, and the output state information acquisition instruction 7
07 "lpq-PprA" is obtained and executed (S
83), receiving the output state information 708 of the output device,
Based on this, the output load 709 is obtained (S84). The output load 709 is, for example, “0” or “active usr1 125 u if the output state information 708 obtained from the output device is“ no entries ”.
If “sr1 20546 bytes”, then “20546
(Bytes) "," active usr1 125
If “usr1 1039 bytes”, then “10
39 (bytes) ".

(3) The output device selection unit 72 determines whether or not the output load obtained by the output load management unit 75 is larger than "0" (S85). Since the output can be immediately performed by sending the output command 107 to the apparatus, the process proceeds to (S89) described later. (4) If the output load is larger than "0" in (S85),
Next, referring to the output device candidate information temporary storage unit (not shown), the output device candidate does not already exist, or even if it exists, the output load of the output device candidate is more than the output load (S84).
It is determined whether or not the new output load 709 obtained in step 1 is smaller (S86), and if any of the above, the new output load 709 is output together with the output device identifier 705 as output device candidate information and output device candidate information temporary. It is stored in the storage unit (S
87) and (S22), while there is an output device candidate and the output load of the output candidate is smaller, the process directly returns to (S22).

Specifically, for example, first, the output load of the output device having the output device identifier 705 "prA" is "20546".
(Bytes) ”is required,
“PrA, 20546” is stored in the output device candidate information temporary storage unit, and then the output load for “prB” is “1”.
039 (bytes) ”, the output load is smaller, so“ prA, 205
46 ”is erased and“ prB, 1039 ”is stored.

(5) Hereinafter, the same processing is repeated for all the output device identifiers 705 corresponding to the file format identifier 102, which are held in the output information list 104. (6) For all output device identifiers 705 (S22)
When the processing from (S87) to (S87) is performed, the process proceeds from (S22) to (S88), and the output device selection unit 72 refers to the output device candidate information temporary storage unit to check whether there is an output device candidate. If it does not exist, information indicating that the output processing has failed is transmitted to the output request source (S2
3) While the processing is terminated, if there is an output device candidate, the process proceeds to (S89).

(7) In (S89), if it is determined in (S88) that there is an output device candidate and a transition is made, based on the output device identifier 705 of the output device candidate, and in (S85) above. When the output load is determined to be “0” and the transition is made, the output control command 105 including the output device identifier 705 is executed based on the output device identifier 705 of the output device whose output load is “0”. Get
The output request 106 including the output file 101 and the output control instruction 105 is output to the output control unit 13.

(8) The output control unit 13 outputs the output control command 105, eg, "lpr-Ppr", as in the first embodiment.
By executing "B", the output command 107 is transmitted to the output device or another output management device (S90). (9) Also, the output device selection unit 72 sends the next output request 10
In preparation for reception of 3, the stored contents of the output device candidate information temporary storage unit are erased (S91).

By selecting an output device having a small output load as described above, it is possible to disperse the load of each output device and shorten the time until an output is obtained. In the above example, the number of bytes returned from the output device is used as the output load 709. However, for example, the output device identifier 705 and the output speed of the output device are held and the output is The time until it is obtained may be calculated and used as the output load 709. In this case, the load can be distributed according to the output speed of each output device.

If the output device is provided with a buffer for storing the processed data after the received data is processed, the output obtained from the output device is stored. The state information 708 may not necessarily be an accurate output load, but in such a case, for example, the output load is determined by holding information that associates the output device identifier 705 with the buffer capacity of each output device. At this time, by preferentially selecting a buffer having a small buffer capacity, it is possible to compensate for the decrease in the output load determination accuracy.

Further, a quick process is performed by determining whether or not the output load is 0 in (S85), but this determination is not performed and all the files corresponding to the file format identifier 102 are always processed. Even if the processing from (S22) to (S87) is performed on the output device identifier 705, substantially the same processing result is obtained.

Further, in order to select the output device having the smallest output load, it is not limited to the process of sequentially obtaining the loads of the output devices capable of outputting and holding them in the output device candidate information temporary storage unit as described above. , For example, the output status of each output device is acquired in advance, an output device list is created in which the output load is sorted in ascending order, and it is determined whether or not the output device can be selected in order from the output device with the smallest output load. You may make it select.

Further, instead of the output request management section 11, an output request management section 31, a file determination section 35, and a format identification information storage section 36 are provided as in the second embodiment.
The operator may not be required to specify the file format identifier. In addition, the access right management unit 55 and the output permission information storage unit 56 of the third embodiment are provided, and only the output device having the access right (S2
The process after 4) may be performed.

The configuration of the second embodiment (above) and the third embodiment
The configurations of the embodiments (above) may be combined together. (Fifth Embodiment) A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the output management device in the fifth embodiment. Also in the fifth embodiment, components and processes having the same functions as those in the first and fourth embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

The output request management unit 11 receives the output request 904 from the client computer or another output management device as in the first embodiment. However, the output request 904 is
For example, as shown in FIG. 14A, in addition to the output file 101 and the file format identifier 102 similar to the output request 103 of the first embodiment, an output condition identifier 903 indicating that an output device with high resolution is selected. "Resolu
"Tion" is included. The output condition identifier 903
In addition to the resolution, the cost required for output, the distance from the client computer to the output device, the output speed, and the like may be instructed.

The output device selection unit 92, like the output device selection unit 12 of the first embodiment, receives the output file 101.
Is selected, and the output request 106 is output. However, when selecting the above-mentioned output device, one having a high resolution is selected. The output condition management unit 95 outputs the output condition indicated by the output condition identifier 903 in the output device indicated by the output device identifier 906 output from the output device selection unit 92 as the output condition information 908.

The output condition information storage unit 96 stores, for example, FIG.
As shown in (b), the output condition identifier 903 and the output condition information correspondence table 907 in which the output condition information 908 of each output device is associated with the output condition identifier 903 are held. The operation of the output management device configured as described above will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

(1) Similar to the fourth embodiment, the output request management unit 11 receives the output request 904 from the client computer (S21), and the output device selection unit 92 stores the output device information in the file format identifier 102. It is determined whether or not it is stored in the unit 14 (S22), and if it is not stored, the confirmation processing of later-described (S88) is performed, and then information indicating that the output processing has failed is transmitted to the output request source. Then, the processing is terminated (S23), while if stored, the corresponding output control instruction 105, for example, "lpr-P" is output.
“PrA” is obtained (S24), the output device identifier 906 “prA” included in the output control command 105, and the output request 9
04 output condition identifier 903, for example, "res
output ”to the output condition management unit 95.

(2) The output condition management unit 95 refers to the output condition information correspondence table 907 of the output condition information storage unit 96,
Output condition information 908 "300" indicating that the resolution of the output device with the output device identifier 906 "prA" is 300.
Is returned to the output device selection unit 92 (S103). (3) The output device selection unit 92 refers to an output device candidate information temporary storage unit (not shown), and the output device candidate does not exist, or even if it exists, rather than the resolution of the output device candidate, the above (S103). It is determined whether the new resolution obtained in step 1 is higher (more appropriate) (S104), and if any of the above, the new output condition information 908 “300” is output device candidate information together with the output device identifier 906. As the output device candidate information temporary storage unit (S105),
While returning to (S22), there are output device candidates, and
If the resolution of the output candidate is lower, the process directly returns to (S22).

Specifically, for example, first, the output condition information 908 "3" of the output device having the output device identifier 906 "prA" is output.
When "00" is obtained, "prA, 300" is stored in the output device candidate information temporary storage unit, and when output condition information 908 "600" for "prB" is obtained next, Since the resolution is higher, "prA, 300"
Is deleted and “prB, 600” is stored.

(4) Thereafter, the same processing is repeated for all the output device identifiers 906 corresponding to the file format identifier 102, which are held in the output information list 104. After the processing from (S22) to (S105) is performed on all the output device identifiers 906, the following processing similar to that in the fourth embodiment is performed. That is, (5) the output device selection unit 92 refers to the output device candidate information temporary storage unit and determines whether or not there is an output device candidate (S88). The information shown is transmitted to the output request source (S23), and the process is terminated. If an output device candidate exists, the output control command 1 including the output device identifier 906 of the output device candidate.
05 is obtained (S89), and the output request 106 including the output file 101 and the output control instruction 105 is output to the output control unit 13.

(6) Similar to the first embodiment, the output control section 13 outputs the output control command 105, eg, "lpr-Ppr".
By executing "B", the output command 107 is transmitted to the output device or another output management device (S90). (7) Also, the output device selection unit 92 sends the next output request 10
In preparation for reception of 3, the stored contents of the output device candidate information temporary storage unit are erased (S91).

As described above, the operator can obtain the output according to the desired condition without knowing the existence and performance of the output device capable of outputting and the information such as the command format according to the output device. (Modification of Fifth Embodiment) In the above example, the output device selection unit 92 outputs the output request 9 including one output condition identifier 903.
Although the example in which the output device is configured to be selected according to 04 is described, the output device may be configured to be selected according to a plurality of output conditions having priorities.

Specifically, for example, in the above (S104), when the output condition information 908 of the output device stored in the output device candidate information temporary storage unit and the newly obtained output condition information 908 are the same. Further, output conditions with lower priority may be compared, and the more appropriate one may be held as output device candidate information in the output device candidate information temporary storage unit.

The output device candidate information temporary storage section may be made to hold a plurality of output device candidate information, and the following processing may be performed. That is,
First, in (S104), regarding the output condition with the highest priority, the output condition information 908 of the output device stored in the output device candidate information temporary storage unit and the newly obtained output condition information 908 are equal. In addition, new output device candidate information is added and held without erasing the original output device candidate information. As a result, (S22) to (S10
After the process of 5) is repeated, one or more output device candidate information that satisfies the output condition with the highest priority is held in the output device candidate information temporary storage unit.

Next, for example, after it is determined that there is an output device candidate in (S88), there is only one output device candidate, or all output conditions (S2
It is determined whether or not the processes 2) to S105 have been performed, and if any, the processes after the process S89 are performed while there are a plurality of output device candidates and all output conditions are determined in S22. )-(S105) are not performed, it returns to (S22) and repeats the same processing about the output condition of the next priority. As a result, the most appropriate output device candidate can be obtained for a plurality of output conditions.

In the fifth embodiment and its modification, in order to select the output device according to the output condition, the output conditions of the output devices capable of outputting as described above are sequentially determined and output. The processing is not limited to the processing held in the device candidate information temporary storage unit. For example, an output device list in which the output condition information 908 of each output device is sorted in advance is created,
The output device more suitable for the output condition information 908 may be sequentially selected to determine whether the output device is selectable.

The output conditions are not limited to those specified by the operator for the client computer, but may be set in advance in the output management device. The designation may be prioritized. In addition, in response to a request from the client computer or automatically, the information indicating the output device candidate may be notified to the operator, at which time confirmation of the operator is requested, or when there are a plurality of output device candidates. Alternatively, the selection of any one of the output devices may be accepted.

When the distance from the client computer to the output device can be designated as the output condition, the distance may be set in advance in the output management device as the output condition information 908, or the client may be set. The computer and the output device may transmit information regarding their respective positions to the output management device, and based on this, the output management device may obtain the distance and dynamically update the output condition information 908.

In the above example, the output condition is relatively designated such as "high resolution". However, the absolute value of the output condition or the range of values is designated, and In the determination of (S104), instead of comparing the output condition information 908 newly obtained in (S103) with the content held in the output device candidate information temporary storage unit, the output condition information 908 is compared with the specified output condition value or the like. You may make it collate. In this case, the designation of the output device can also be designated as the output condition.

Further, instead of the output request management unit 11, the second
Similar to the embodiment, the output request management unit 31, the file determination unit 35, and the format identification information storage unit 36 may be provided so that the operator does not need to specify the file format identifier. In addition, the access right management unit 5 of the third embodiment
5, and the output permission information storage unit 56 may be provided so that the processes after (S24) are performed only for the output device having the access right.

The configuration of the second embodiment and the configuration of the third embodiment may be combined together. Further, when the output load management unit 75 and the acquisition information storage unit 76 of the fourth embodiment are provided and there are a plurality of output device candidates that satisfy the output condition,
The output device with the smallest output load may be selected from among them, and as described in the rewriting of the fourth embodiment, the output state of each output device is acquired in advance and the output load is ascended. When a sorted output device list is created and the output condition information 908 of the output device stored in the output device candidate information temporary storage unit and the output condition information 908 newly obtained in (S103) are equal, output is performed. An output device with a small load may be set as an output device candidate. Furthermore, such a configuration and the configuration of the second embodiment and / or the third embodiment may be combined together.

When the output device is selected according to a plurality of output conditions as in the modification of the fifth embodiment, the output load is also one of the output conditions and the output device candidate is determined. It may be done. Specifically, when determining the output load as the output condition, the processes of (S83) and (S84) of the fourth embodiment are performed instead of the process of (S103), and the process of (S104) is replaced with (S86). It suffices to perform the processing of.

The output load may be specified by the operator as an output condition having a desired priority level, or may be set as, for example, the output condition having the lowest priority level at all times even if no particular instruction is given. Good. (Other Modifications) In each of the above embodiments, the output time may be designated.

That is, for example, the output request management unit 11.3
When 1 receives the output request 103 or the like including the designation of the output time, when the designated time (for example, 10:30) is reached, the output request management unit 11.31 sends the output device selection unit 12 or the like. It is also possible to provide an output time management unit for outputting the output request 103 of FIG.

[0083]

As described above, according to the present invention,
You can easily output the file without considering the identifier of the output device and the format of the output file.
Moreover, there is an effect that it is possible to save the trouble of previously registering the information such as the output device identifier of each output device for each client computer.

In particular, even when performing output according to conditions such as the access right to the output device, the load of the output device, the resolution of the output device, etc., the identifier of the output device and the format of the file that can be output are not taken into consideration. Good.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an output management device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data format of an output request input to an output request management unit and an example of contents held in an output device information storage unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an output management device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a data format example of an output request input to an output request management section and an example of contents held in a format identification information storage section in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in the same embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an output management device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data format of an output request input to an output request management unit and an example of contents held in an output permission information storage unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an output management device according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of contents held in an acquisition information storage unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in the example.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an output management device in a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data format of an output request input to an output request management unit and an example of contents held in an output condition information storage unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in the example.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional output management device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 output request management unit 12 output device selection unit 13 output control unit 14 output device information storage unit 31 output request management unit 35 file determination unit 36 format identification information storage unit 52 output device selection unit 55 access right management unit 56 output permission information storage Part 72 Output device selection part 75 Output load management part 76 Acquisition information storage part 92 Output device selection part 95 Output condition management part 96 Output condition information storage part 101 Output file 102 File format identifier 103 Output request 104 Output information list 105 Output control command 106 output request 107 output command 110 client computer 302 output request 303 file format identifier correspondence table 304 file format identifier 503 access right identifier 504 output request 506 output device identifier 507 output permission correspondence table 508 access right identifier 705 output Device identifier 706 outputs status information acquisition command correspondence table 707 outputs status information acquisition command 708 output status information 709 output load 903 the output condition identifier 904 output request 906 output apparatus identifier 907 output condition information corresponding table 908 output condition information

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A receiving means for receiving an output request including an output file and an output device capable of outputting the received output file are determined, and an output control command corresponding to the output device is executed to output the output request. An output management device comprising: an output device control unit that causes the device to perform output processing. 2. The output management device according to claim 1, further comprising a file format identifier indicating a format of the output file, and an output control command corresponding to the output device capable of outputting the output file of the format. The receiving means receives the output request including the output file and the file format identifier indicating the format of the output file, and the output device control means stores the content stored in the holding means. And an output management device configured to execute an output control command corresponding to the file format identifier included in the received output request. 3. The output management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a file format determination means for determining the format of the output file, wherein the output device control means is based on the determination result of the file format determination means. An output management device configured to determine an output device capable of performing output processing of an output file of a determined format as an output device for performing output processing. 4. The output management device according to claim 1, further comprising access right identifier receiving means for receiving an access right identifier indicating an access right to the output device, the output device, and access to the output device. Holding means for holding the corresponding relationship with the access right identifier, and access permission judging means for judging the output device to which access is permitted by the received access right identifier by referring to the held contents of the holding means. The output device control means determines an output device that is capable of performing output processing of the received output file and that access is permitted by the access permission determination means as an output device for performing output processing. An output management device comprising: 5. The output management device according to claim 1, further comprising a status information acquisition unit that acquires status information indicating a status of the output device from the output device, and the output device control unit receives the status information. When there are a plurality of output devices capable of performing output processing of the output file, the output management device is configured to determine the output device to perform the output processing based on the status information. 6. The output management device according to claim 5, wherein the status information acquisition means acquires the load of the output device as the status information, and the output device control means performs an output process of the received output file. An output management device configured to determine the output device with the smallest load among the possible output devices as an output device for performing output processing. 7. The output management device according to claim 1, further comprising condition information receiving means for receiving condition information indicating a condition of an output device for performing output processing, wherein the output device control means receives the condition information. An output management device capable of performing output processing of the output file, and configured to determine an output device according to the condition information as an output device for performing output processing.