JPH07253860A - Printer load distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To uniformize a load of each printer without deteriorating the operating efficiency of a printer in the system provided with plural printers. CONSTITUTION:A load management means 32 uses a load management table 31 to manage a load quantity (unprocessed print request number, unprocessed print data quantity, and time when unprocessed print data are printed and it is finished) of each of printers 1-1 1-4. On the occurrence of production of a print request, a printer selection means 33 references the load management table 31 to select a printer whose load is least and a transfer means 35 extracts print data requested for print by a print request from a print data file 5 and stores the data to a spool file corresponding to the printer selected by the printer selection means 33.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer load for equalizing the load on each printer in a system such as an online system or batch system in which a plurality of printers such as a center printer, a remote printer and a terminal printer can be used at the same time. Distributing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a system in which a plurality of printers can be used at the same time, it has been conventionally practiced to make the load of each printer uniform.

As a conventional technique of this kind, print data from each host computer is made into a file and stored in a large-capacity external storage device, and the filed print data is stored in the external storage device. In this case, the printer control device searches for a printer that is idle, and if a printer that is idle can be searched for, then one of the print data stored as a file in the external storage device is used as the printer described above. It is known that the output is assigned to (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-120532).

[0004]

The above-mentioned prior art is intended for a system in which one printer control device is provided for a plurality of printers, but a system having a plurality of printers is not available. , For each printer,
A printer control device that includes a spool file that stores print data to be output to a corresponding printer and a control unit that outputs the print data stored in the spool file to the corresponding printer, and prints the print data each time a print request occurs There is also a system in which the print data indicated by the request is transferred to one of the printer control devices provided for each printer and stored in a spool file provided therein.

When the above-mentioned conventional technique is applied to such a system, after detecting the printer in the hibernation state, the print data is stored in the spool file corresponding to the printer. Problems arise.

That is, a plurality of printers P, for example, two printers P
When 1 and P2 are in the sleep state at the same time, first, the print data is stored in the spool file corresponding to one of them (the printer P1), and then the print data is stored in the spool file corresponding to the printer P2. Therefore, the printer P2 is in the hibernation state until the storage of the print data in the spool file corresponding to the printer P1 is completed and the storage of the print data in the spool file corresponding to the printer P2 is started. Left untouched,
This is a problem that the usage efficiency of the printer is reduced.

An object of the present invention is to provide a printer load balancing system in a system having a plurality of printers, which can make the load of each printer uniform without lowering the usage efficiency of the printers. It is in.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of printers and spool files provided corresponding to each printer and storing print data to be output to the corresponding printers. And a printer control device having a control unit for outputting the print data stored in the spool file to a corresponding printer, a load management means for managing the load amount of each printer, and a print request. Occurs, the printer selection means for selecting the printer with the smallest load amount among the plurality of printers based on the load amount of each printer managed by the load management means, and the printer selection means. Print data requested to be printed by the print request in the spool file corresponding to the printer selected by the means Those having a transfer means for storing.

[0009]

By the load management means, the load amount of each printer (for example, the number of unprocessed print requests, the amount of unprocessed print data,
The time until the output of unprocessed print data is finished) is managed, and when a print request occurs, the printer selection unit determines the load amount based on the load amount of each printer managed by the load management unit. Select the least printer. When the printer is selected by the printer selection unit, the transfer unit stores the print data requested to be printed by the print request in the spool file corresponding to the selected printer.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of printers 1-1 to 1-4 and each printer 1 are shown.
Printer control device 2 provided corresponding to -1 to 1-4
-1 to 2-4, a printer load balancing unit 3, a request source 4 such as an application program and a command user,
Print data file 5 and overlay data file 6
It consists of and.

The printer control devices 2-1 to 2-4 include spool files 21-1 to 21-4 and a control unit 2, respectively.
2-1 to 22-4.

The spool files 21-1 to 21-4 store a print request and print data requested to be printed by the print request.

The control units 22-1 to 22-4 edit the print data stored in the spool files 21-1 to 21-4 and the overlay data designated by the print request to edit the printer 1-1 to printers 1-1 to 21-4. 1-4 output function, print data requested by a print request, a function of notifying the printer load distribution means 3 of output completion every time output of overlay data is completed, and paper jam of printers 1-1 to 1-4 When a failure occurs, the printer load balancing means 3 is notified of the failure, and when the failure is restored, the printer load balancing means 3 is notified of the recovery.

The printer load distribution unit 3 includes a load management table 31, a load management unit 32, and a printer selection unit 3.
3, faulty printer storage means 34, and transfer means 35
And a printer number notifying unit 36.

As shown in FIG. 2, the load management table 31 includes printer numbers P1 to P1 of the printers 1-1 to 1-4.
P4 and the number of unprocessed print requests of each of the printers 1-1 to 1-4 are stored.

The load management means 32 uses the load management table 3
1 has a function of managing the number of unprocessed print requests of each of the printers 1-1 to 1-4.

The printer selection means 33 is a printer 1-1.
It has a function of selecting the printer having the smallest load amount, that is, the printer having the smallest number of unprocessed print requests from among 1-4.

The faulty printer storage means 34 stores the printer number of the faulty printer.

The transfer means 35 has a function of storing the print data requested by the print request in the spool file corresponding to the printer selected by the printer selection means 33.

The printer number notifying means 36 has a function of notifying the request source 4 of the print request of the printer number to which the request is assigned.

The print data file 5 stores print data of variable parts (date, number, price, etc.) of the form, and the overlay data file 6 stores standard parts (ruled lines, etc.) of the form.
Print data (overlay data) is stored.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a processing example of the load management means 32 and printer selection means 33, and FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a processing example of the transfer means 35. The operation of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. explain.

At the time of a print request, the request source 4 prints a print request including information indicating the location of the print data of the variable portion of the form, an identifier of overlay data to be combined with the print data for printing, and information indicating the request source 4. It outputs to the selection means 33.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, when the print request is output from the request source 4 (YES in step S1), the printer selection means 33 refers to the load management table 31 to check the unprocessed print request. One printer having the smallest number is selected (step S2). At that time, the printer selecting means 3
The reference numeral 3 refers to the faulty printer storage unit 34, and the printer whose printer number is stored is excluded from the selection targets. Further, when there are a plurality of printers having the smallest number of unprocessed print requests, one printer is selected by a method such as selecting one having a smaller printer number. Now, for example, the number of unprocessed print requests A1 to A4 (see FIG. 2) of each of the printers 1-1 to 1-4 is 1 respectively.
If it is 0, 11, 11, 11, the printer selection means 33 will select the printer 1-1.

When the printer selection means 33 selects the printer 1-1, the load management means 32 causes the load management table 3 to operate.
The number of print requests corresponding to the printer 1-1 stored in 1 is incremented by 1 (step S3), and the printer selecting means 33 is selected.
Passes the transfer request from the request source 4 and the printer number P1 of the selected printer 1-1 to the transfer means 35 (step S4).

When the print request and the printer number P1 are passed, the transfer means 35 prints on the printer control device 2-1 corresponding to the printer 1-1 of the selected printer number P1, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Forward the request (step S
11) Then, the print data of the variable portion of the form indicated by the print request is taken out from the print data file 5 and transferred to the printer control device 2-1 (step S12). After that, the transfer unit 35 passes the information indicating the printer number P1 of the selected printer 1-1 and the request source 4 in the print request to the printer number notification unit 36 (step S13), and the process ends.

When the information indicating the printer number P1 and the request source 4 is passed, the printer number notifying means 36 causes the request source 4
To the printer number P1. As a result, the request source 4
Can confirm that the print request output by itself has been accepted.

When the print request and the print data of the variable portion of the form are sent from the transfer means 35, the control unit 22-1 in the printer control device 2-1 stores it in the spool file 21-1. To do.

When there is an unprocessed print request in the spool file 21-1, the control unit 22-1 determines the oldest print request among the unprocessed print requests in the spool file 21-1. , The overlay data for printing the fixed part of the form indicated by the identifier contained in the print request stored in the overlay data file 6 and the printing stored in the spool file 21-1. The request and the print data for printing the variable portion of the form corresponding to the request are combined and output to the printer 1-1. When the above process is completed, the printer selection means 33 is notified of the completion of output. The output completion notice includes the printer number P1 of the printer 1-1.

When the printer selection means 33 receives the output completion notice from the control section 22-1 (YES in step S5 of FIG. 3), the load management means 32 causes the load management table 31 to operate.
The number of unprocessed print requests stored in the printer 1-1 is decremented by 1 (step S6).

The control unit 22-1 also includes a printer 1-1.
If a paper jam or a power failure occurs in the printer, the printer selection unit 33 is instructed to the printer number P of the printer 1-1.
Failure notification including 1 is performed.

When the printer selection means 33 receives this failure notification (FIG. 3, step S7 is YES), the printer number P1 of the printer 1-1 notified of the failure is written in the failed printer storage means 34 (step S8). , The printer 1-1 is not selected.

Further, the control unit 22-1 includes the printer 1-1.
When the failure of (1) is restored, the printer selection means 33 is notified of restoration including the printer number P1 of the printer 1-1.

Upon receiving this restoration notification (YES in step S9), the printer selection means 33 deletes the printer number P1 of the printer 1-1 notified of restoration from the faulty printer storage means 34 (step S10). 1-
1 is selected again.

In the above-described embodiment, the number of unprocessed print requests (load amount) of each of the printers 1-1 to 1-4 is managed by the printer load distribution means 3. It is not necessary to manage the load distribution means 3, and the printers 1 to 2-4 corresponding to the printers 1-
The number of unprocessed print requests 1-1 to 1-4 is managed, and the printer selection unit 33 is used by each printer controller 2-1 to 2-1 as needed.
Of course, the number of unprocessed print requests managed by 2-4 may be referred to.

In the above embodiment, each printer 1-1 to 1 is used.
-4, since the printer to which the print request is assigned is selected based on the number of unprocessed print requests, the print data amount of each print request is the same, and the print speed of each printer 1-1 to 1-4 is It is suitable to apply to the same system.

Next, a description will be given of a preferred embodiment to be applied to a system in which the printing speeds of the printers 1-1 to 1-4 are the same but the amount of data to be printed varies depending on each print request.

In this embodiment, the contents of the load management table 31 of the system shown in FIG. 1 are shown in FIG. 5, and the load management means 32 and printer selection means 33 are caused to perform the processing shown in the flow chart of FIG. Will be realized.

In the load management table 31 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the printer numbers P1 to P4 of the printers 1-1 to 1-4 and the printers 1-1 to 1-4 are unprocessed. And the print data amount of

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

At the time of a print request, the request source 4 is information indicating the location of the print data of the variable portion of the form, the data amount of the print data of the variable portion, the identifier of the overlay data to be printed by combining with the print data, and the request source 4. The print request including the information indicating is output to the printer selection unit 33.

As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 6, when the printer selection means 33 receives a print request from the request source 4 (YES in step S21), the printer control means 33 refers to the load management table 31 to determine the amount of unprocessed print data. One of the least number of printers is selected (step S22). At this time, the printer selection unit 33 refers to the faulty printer storage unit 34, and excludes the printer whose printer number is stored from the selection target. In addition, when there are a plurality of printers having the smallest amount of unprocessed print data, the printers are set to one by a method such as selecting one having a smaller printer number.
Select the unit. Now, for example, the unprocessed print data amounts B1 to B4 (see FIG. 5) of the printers 1-1 to 1-4 are 10 Kbytes, 15 Kbytes, 15 Kbytes, and 15 Kbytes, respectively.
If it is a byte, the printer selection means 33 will select the printer 1-1.

When the printer selection unit 33 selects the printer 1-1, the load management unit 32 determines the print data amount of the variable portion of the form included in the print request from the request source 4,
The print data amount including the overlay portion is calculated based on the overlay data identifier (step S23), and the print data amount corresponding to the printer 1-1 stored in the load management table 31 is printed in step S23. The data amount is added (step S24). The print data amount including the overlay part is, for example, the print data amount of the overlay part and the print data amount of the variable part included in the print request because the print data amount of the overlay part is constant for each type of overlay data. It can be calculated by adding the print data amount of the overlay data indicated by the assigned identifier, or by multiplying the print data amount of the variable portion by the fixed value determined for each identifier.

When the process of step S22 is completed, the printer selection means 33 sends a print request from the request source 4 to the transfer means 35 and the printer 1 selected in step S22.
The printer number P1 of -1 is passed (step S25).

When the print request and the printer number P1 are given to the transfer means 35, the printer control device 2-corresponding to the printer 1-1 having the printer number P1 is transferred in the same manner as described above.
1, the print request and the print data of the variable portion of the form indicated by the print request are transferred to the printer control device 2-1 and then the printer number P1 of the selected printer 1-1 and the information indicating the request source 4 are set to the printer number. It is passed to the notification means 36.

As a result, the control unit 22-1 and printer number notifying means 36 perform the same processing as described above.

Further, if there is an unprocessed print request in the spool file 21-1, the control unit 22-1 determines the oldest print request stored in the spool file 21-1 as described above. , Print data for printing the variable part of the form, and overlay data file 6
The overlay data for printing the standard part of the form stored in the above is combined and output to the printer 1-1.
Then, when the above processing is completed, the printer selecting means 33.
To the output completion notification. The output completion notice includes the printer number P1 of the printer 1-1 and the print data amount output to the printer 1-1.

When the printer selection means 33 receives the output completion notice from the control section 22-1 (FIG. 6, step S26).
Is YES), the load management means 32 uses the load management table 3
The print data amount included in the output completion notice is subtracted from the unprocessed print data amount of the printer 1-1 stored in the No. 1 (step S27).

Further, the printer selecting means 33 receives the failure notification and the recovery notification (steps S28 and S30).
Is YES), the same processing as in the above-described embodiment is performed (steps S29 and S31).

Next, an embodiment suitable for a system in which the printing speeds of the printers 1-1 to 1-4 are different and the print data amount is different depending on each print request will be described.

In this embodiment, the contents of the load management table 31 of the system shown in FIG. 1 are shown in FIG. 7, and the load management means 32 and printer selection means 33 are caused to perform the processing shown in the flow chart of FIG. Will be realized.

In the load management table 31 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the printer numbers P1 to P4 of the printers 1-1 to 1-4 and the printers 1-1 to 1-4 are unprocessed. The print time until output of the print data is stored.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

When a print request is issued, the request source 4 is information indicating the location of the print data of the variable portion of the form, the data amount of the print data of the variable portion, the identifier of overlay data to be combined with the print data for printing, and the request source 4. The print request including the information indicating is output to the printer selection unit 33.

As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 8, when the printer selecting means 33 receives a print request from the request source 4 (YES in step S41), it refers to the load management table 31 to find the most unprocessed print time. One of the few printers is selected (step S42). At that time, the printer selecting means 3
The reference numeral 3 refers to the faulty printer storage unit 34, and the printer whose printer number is stored is excluded from the selection targets. When there are a plurality of unprocessed printers with the shortest printing time, one printer is selected by a method such as selecting the printer with the smallest printer number. Now, for example, the time C1 to C4 until the output of the unprocessed print data of each of the printers 1-1 to 1-4 is completed (see FIG.
The printer selection means 33 selects 45%, 1 minute and 20 seconds, 1 minute, and 1 minute, respectively, and selects the printer 1-1.

When the printer selecting unit 33 selects the printer 1-1, the load managing unit 32 determines the print data amount of the variable portion of the form included in the print request from the request source 4,
The print data amount including the overlay portion is calculated based on the overlay data identifier (step S43), and the print time required for this print request is calculated based on the calculated print data amount and the printing speed of the printer 1-1. (Step S44), and at the printing time corresponding to the printer 1-1 stored in the load management table 31, step S4.
The printing time calculated in 4 is added (step S45).
The printing speed of the printer can be obtained by referring to a system configuration table (not shown) in which the system configuration is stored. It is also possible to store the printing speed of No. 4 and obtain the printing speed of the printer from the load management table 31.

When the process of step S42 is completed, the printer selection means 33 sends a print request from the request source 4 to the transfer means 35 and the printer 1 selected in step S42.
The printer number P1 of -1 is passed (step S46).

When the print request and the printer number P1 are passed to the transfer means 35, the printer control device 2-corresponding to the printer 1-1 having the printer number P1 is transferred, as described above.
The print request and the print data of the variable portion of the form indicated by the print request are transferred to 1, and then the printer number P1 of the selected printer 1-1 and the information indicating the request source 4 are passed to the printer number notifying unit 36.

As a result, the control unit 22-1 and printer number notifying means 36 perform the same processing as described above.

When there is an unprocessed print request in the spool file 21-1, the control unit 22-1 determines the oldest print request stored in the spool file 21-1 as described above. , Print data for printing the variable part of the form, and overlay data file 6
The overlay data for printing the standard part of the form stored in the above is combined and output to the printer 1-1.
Then, when the above processing is completed, the printer selecting means 33.
To the output completion notification. It should be noted that this output completion notification includes the printer number P1 of the printer 1-1 and the time from the start to the end of the print data output for the print request.

When the printer selection means 33 receives the output completion notice from the control section 22-1 (FIG. 8, step S47).
Is YES), the load management means 32 uses the load management table 3
The print time included in the output completion notice is subtracted from the print time of the printer 1-1 stored in the item 1 (step S48).

Further, the printer selecting means 33 receives the failure notification and the recovery notification (steps S49, S51).
Is YES), the same processing as the above-described embodiment is performed (steps S50 and S52).

In the above-described embodiment, the time until the output of the unprocessed print data is finished is stored in the load management table 31.
The unprocessed print data amount is stored in, and the print time is calculated based on the print speed of the printer and the print data amount stored in the load management table 31 when performing the process of step S42. It is also possible to select the printer based on the printing time.

[0065]

As described above, according to the present invention, the load amount of each of a plurality of printers is managed, and when the print request is generated, the print data requested to be printed by the print request has the smallest load amount. It is stored in the spool file corresponding to the printer.Because the spool file that stores the print data can be determined before the printer goes into hibernation, the print data stored in the large-capacity external storage device can be placed in the hibernation state. As compared with the conventional technique of allocating the printer to the new printer, there is an effect that the usage efficiency of the printer can be increased and the load on the printer can be made uniform.

Further, in the configuration in which the number of unprocessed print requests of each printer is managed as the load amount of each printer, there is an effect that the management of the load amount becomes easy.

Furthermore, in the configuration in which the unprocessed print data amount of each printer is managed as the load amount of each printer, even if the print data amount of each print request is different, the load of each printer is made uniform. There is an effect that can be.

Furthermore, in the configuration in which the time until the output of the unprocessed print data of each printer is finished is managed as the load amount, when the print data of each print request is different and the print speed of each printer is different. Even in this case, there is an effect that the load on each printer can be made uniform.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of contents of a load management table 31.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing example of a load management unit 32 and a printer selection unit 33.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing example of a transfer unit 35.

5 is a diagram showing another example of contents of the load management table 31. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another processing example of the load management means 32 and the printer selection means 33.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of contents of the load management table 31.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another processing example of the load management means 32 and the printer selection means 33.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-1 to 1-4 ... Printer 2-1 to 2-4 ... Printer control device 21-1 to 21-4 ... Spool file 22-1 to 22-4 ... Control unit 3 ... Printer load distribution means 31 ... Load management Table 32 ... Load management means 33 ... Printer selection means 34 ... Faulty printer storage means 35 ... Transfer means 36 ... Printer number notification means 4 ... Request source 5 ... Print data file 6 ... Overlay data file

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of printers, spool files provided corresponding to the respective printers, each storing a print data to be output to the corresponding printer, and print data stored in the spool file. In a system including a printer control device having a control unit for outputting to a printer, a load management unit that manages a load amount of each printer and a load management unit that manages the load when a print request is generated. A printer selection unit that selects the printer with the smallest load amount among the plurality of printers based on the load amount of each printer that is present, and the spool file that corresponds to the printer selected by the printer selection unit. And a transfer unit for storing print data requested to be printed by the print request. Linter load balancing method. 2. The load management means manages the number of unprocessed print requests of each printer as the load amount of each printer, and each printer selection means manages the unprocessed print of each printer. 2. The printer load balancing system according to claim 1, wherein the printer with the smallest number of requests is selected. 3. The load management unit manages the unprocessed print data amount of each printer as the load amount of each printer, and the printer selection unit controls the unprocessed print data amount of each of the printers. The printer load balancing method according to claim 1, wherein the printer with the smallest number is selected. 4. The load management means manages the time until the output of the unprocessed print data of each printer as the load amount of each printer is finished, and the printer selection means: 2. The printer load balancing method according to claim 1, wherein a printer that takes the shortest time to output unprocessed print data is selected.