JPH08179901A - Output device, network system and terminal name changing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To recognize an available print language by an existing printer driver even if the language is switched and also to output the data through the printer drive. CONSTITUTION: When the change of a print language is instructed through the operation of a control panel 10, the terminal name information set at present is read out of the real terminal name storage area of a RAM 3 and deleted. Then the terminal name object information on a printer set in a start mode is read out of the terminal name object storage area of an NVRAM 6 together with the selected print language information stored in the selected print language storage area of the NVRAM 6. Then a terminal name serving as 'object:type' is generated based on an object and a prescribed type corresponding to the selected print language of the selected print language information. This terminal name is registered as a printer terminal name of a network. As a result, the type of the terminal name is also changed in response to the change of the print language.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an output device provided with a communication interface having a network protocol for converting a terminal name and a terminal address, a network system to which the output device is connected, and a print language switching instruction. The present invention relates to a terminal name changing method for changing a terminal name.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when communicating with a terminal connected to a network, it is possible to specify a terminal with a name that is easy for a user to understand, rather than directly specifying the terminal with a network address. In addition, a network protocol or network system having a function of converting a terminal name into a network address has been proposed. For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-133229,
Each terminal registers and stores its own name, the communication source terminal sends an address inquiry message by the terminal name including the name of the communication destination terminal, and the name of the communication destination terminal in the message received by the terminal is its own There is disclosed a network system in which when the terminal name matches the terminal name, a message including its own address and its own terminal name is returned to the communication source terminal to communicate between the terminals on the communication line.

AppleTalk (registered trademark) AppleTalk was developed as a network protocol having a function of converting the terminal name and the network address as described above.
Products that implement the appleTalk are provided. Usually, in a terminal in such a network protocol, the attribute of the terminal is expressed by a part of the terminal name. For example, the terminal name is composed of three constituent elements, and one of the constituent elements expresses the attribute of the terminal. In this case, the attribute of the terminal normally indicates the type of communication data, and when the terminal is a printer, the attribute of the terminal corresponds to the print language. For example, when printing from a workstation, the printer driver of the workstation searches for a printer that can process print data in the print language generated by the printer driver by the terminal name having the terminal attribute corresponding to the print language, and finds it. If so, this printer is selected and print data is output.

[0004]

By the way, conventionally, there is usually only one print language installed in a printer, and one fixed terminal attribute is set in the terminal name of the printer. On the other hand, in recent years, printers equipped with a plurality of print languages and printers to which new print languages can be optionally added have been commercialized. In this case as well, a terminal name having a fixed terminal attribute corresponding to one of the print languages installed in the printer is set, or a conventional terminal for the print language installed in the printer is set. Either the terminal name having a new fixed terminal attribute expression different from the attribute has been set.

However, the output device such as a printer having a plurality of print languages and a printer to which a new print language can be added as an option has the following problems. In the case of, even if the printer is equipped with multiple print languages or a new print language is added,
Since a terminal name having a terminal attribute corresponding to any one of these printing languages is fixed, the workstation can output to the printer only in one printing language corresponding to the terminal attribute. In this case, since the terminal name is fixed to have a new terminal attribute, even if the printer has a conventional print language, the conventional printer driver cannot recognize the printer and the data Cannot be output.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and when a plurality of print languages are mounted or a new print language is added, even if the available print languages are switched, the existing printer is changed. An object is to provide an output device, a network system, and a terminal name changing method that can be recognized by a driver and that can output data from the printer driver.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the invention of claim 1, at least a terminal name having a terminal attribute corresponding to a usable print language is arranged on the network. In an output device recognized by another terminal, storage means for storing a terminal name corresponding to a print language currently available, language switching detection means for detecting a print language switching instruction, and the language switching detection means for switching When the instruction is detected, a generation unit that generates a terminal name corresponding to the print language designated by the switching instruction and the terminal name stored in the storage unit are deleted, and the terminal generated by the generation unit is deleted. Change means for changing the terminal name by newly storing the name in the storage means.

According to the first aspect of the invention, when the language switching detecting means detects the switching instruction, the generating means generates the terminal name corresponding to the print language designated by the switching instruction. Then, the changing means deletes the terminal name stored in the storing means,
The terminal name generated by the generation means is newly stored in the storage means to change the terminal name.

According to the second aspect of the invention, at least in the output device recognized by another terminal arranged on the network by a terminal name having a terminal attribute corresponding to a usable print language, A generation unit for generating a plurality of terminal names corresponding to a plurality of print languages currently available as a terminal name responding to an inquiry from a terminal, and a print language corresponding to a data format supplied from the other terminal are provided. A print language automatic identification means for identifying is provided, and a data format from the other terminal is interpreted according to the print language identified by the print language automatic identification means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of terminal names corresponding to a plurality of currently available print languages are generated by the generation means, and the print data is supplied from another terminal in a predetermined data format. Then, the print language automatic identification means identifies the print language corresponding to the data format, and interprets the data format from another terminal in the identified print language.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, at least an output device that can be currently used by an output device recognized by another terminal arranged on the network by a terminal name having a terminal attribute corresponding to a usable print language. Storage means for storing terminal names corresponding to various print languages,
An automatic identification mode detection unit that detects switching of the print language automatic identification mode, and a plurality of automatic identification mode detection units when the printing language automatic identification mode is ON at the time of start-up or when the automatic identification mode detection unit detects the switching. While generating a plurality of terminal names corresponding to the print language, when the automatic identification mode is off, generation means for generating a terminal name corresponding to one print language of the plurality of print languages, The terminal name is changed by deleting the terminal name stored in the storage means and newly storing one of the plurality of terminal names or the terminal name generated by the generation means in the storage means. And a changing unit for changing the setting.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, at the time of start-up or when the automatic identification mode detection means detects the switching,
When the print language automatic identification mode is on, the plurality of terminal names corresponding to the plurality of print languages are generated by the generating means, while when the automatic identification mode is off, among the plurality of print languages. A terminal name corresponding to one print language is generated. Then, the changing means deletes the terminal name stored in the storing means,
The terminal name is changed by newly storing one of the plurality of terminal names generated by the generation means or the terminal name in the storage means.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4, at least the terminal for generating the output data of the predetermined print language and the terminal name having the terminal attribute corresponding to the usable print language are recognized by the terminal, In a network system connected to an output device that decodes output data supplied from a terminal and outputs the output data in a predetermined form, the output device includes a storage unit that stores a terminal name corresponding to a currently available print language. Language switching detection means for detecting a print language switching instruction, and generation means for generating a terminal name corresponding to the print language designated by the switching instruction when the language switching detection means detects a switching instruction. The terminal name stored in the storage means is deleted, and the terminal name generated by the generation means is newly added. By storing the serial storage means, characterized by comprising a changing means for changing the terminal name.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the output device on the network, when the language switching detecting means detects the switching instruction, the generating means causes the terminal name corresponding to the print language designated by the switching instruction. To generate. Then, the changing unit deletes the terminal name stored in the storing unit, newly stores the terminal name generated by the generating unit in the storing unit, and changes the terminal name.

According to the present invention, when a print language switching instruction is detected, a terminal name corresponding to the print language designated by the switching instruction is newly generated, and the newly generated terminal is generated. The name is registered in the output device as a terminal name for allowing the terminal to recognize that the output device is capable of decoding the print language output from the terminal arranged on the network.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, when the print language switching instruction is detected, a terminal name corresponding to the print language designated by the switching instruction is newly generated, and the newly generated terminal name. To the output device.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. A. Configuration of Embodiment In the present embodiment, in order to simplify the description, the terminal name is assumed to be composed of two elements called an object and a type, and the terminal name is expressed in the format of “object: type”. I shall. The object is the name part required for the operator to distinguish the terminals,
When multiple terminals having the same terminal attribute expression are connected on the network, the terminals are distinguished by this object part. The type is a part of the terminal attribute described above, and when the terminal is a printer, it is an expression corresponding to the print language of the data received by the interface. Of course, the above assumptions on terminal names do not limit the invention.

A-1. Network Configuration First, a network configuration to which a printer, which is an output device according to an embodiment of the present invention, is connected will be described.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a network to which a printer 60 as an output device according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected. In the figure, the printer 60 is connected to a network 66. In addition, the network 66
Is also connected to the network 67 via the router 65. Here, the router 65 interconnects networks. The router 65 may be directly connected to a plurality of networks or may be connected to a communication line such as a public line other than the networks. The network 66 and the network 67 are, in the present embodiment,
Although Ethernet is used as a communication medium, the present invention is not limited to this, and another communication medium such as Token Ring or LocalTalk (registered trademark) developed by Apple Computer, Inc. in the United States is used.
It is also possible to use. A workstation 61, a network 67, and a network 67, respectively.
62 and workstations 63 and 64 are connected. Other printers (not shown) or workstations (not shown) may be connected.

The network configuration of this embodiment can be expanded by connecting networks via routers. In the network configuration of this embodiment, not only the workstations 61 and 62 on the network 66 to which the printer 60 is connected but also the network 6
A printer other than the workstations on the network other than 6, such as the workstations 63 and 64, can operate the printer 60.
It is possible to print out to. Each of the workstations 61 to 64 can print out in a predetermined print language to the printer 60 by a printer driver installed in advance in each workstation. The printer driver converts a document generated by the workstation into a desired print language registered in the printer and outputs the print language to the printer. Usually, the printer driver is a program different for each print language. . Therefore, on the workstation, it is necessary to select the corresponding printer driver in advance according to the print language to be output.

For example, the printer driver for "PostScript (PostScript: registered trademark)" which is a print language of Adobe Systems, Inc. of America and the printer driver for "ART" which is a print language of Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. are different. The user of each workstation selects the printer driver and the printer corresponding to the print language to be used and prints out to the printer 60 prior to printout. Each printer driver outputs print data configured in a corresponding print language to a printer having a type of terminal name corresponding to a print language generated by the printer driver, that is, a printer capable of interpreting and printing out the print language. It is like this.

Here, FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a user interface screen when a client selects a printer. In the figure, when a printer is selected, a list 70 of installed printer drivers is displayed on the screen of the workstation. For example,
When the user selects a printer driver for "ART" as the print language from the printer driver list 70, the workstation displays the terminal name "*: Ar" for the printers (plurality) connected to the network.
An address inquiry is performed by t ". Here, the object" * "means a wildcard that matches an arbitrary object name. The printer sends an inquiry to the address inquiry by the terminal name from the workstation described above. Only when it has a terminal name that matches the type "Art", "NetPrinterA: Ar" is set as the terminal name in which the object of the own terminal is set.
t "is set and responded. On the other hand, in the workstation, the objects 71 of all the printers that have responded to the address inquiry by the terminal name are displayed in the list 71 on the screen.

Here, for example, the list 7 shown by the user
"NetPrinterA" as printer from 1
When is selected, "NetPrinterA: A" is set as the terminal name of the printer that the workstation prints out.
rt "is stored in the workstation. When a printing operation is performed in the workstation, the terminal name stored in the workstation is used to make an address inquiry by" NetPrinterA: Art "as the terminal name. The printer is searched for, the address thereof is acquired, and the print data in the print language generated by the printer driver is transmitted to the corresponding printer. Further, when the printer having the terminal name to be searched cannot be found during the print operation, A warning is displayed on the workstation, prompting the user to select the printer again in this case.

A-2. Printer Configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a CPU, which controls the entire printer. Reference numeral 2 denotes a ROM (Read Only Memory), which stores a control program of the CPU 1 and font data.
3 is a RAM (random access memory), which is C
It is used to store the work area of the PU 1 and expanded image data and received data. A DMA (direct memory access) controller 4 controls DMA transfer of expanded image data to the print engine interface 8. 5 is an interrupt controller, DMA
Completion of DMA transfer of the controller 4, completion of data reception of the communication interface 7, completion of image output of the print engine interface 8 and interruption of key operation input of the operation panel 10 are accepted in a predetermined priority order and notified to the CPU 1.

Next, 6 is a non-volatile memory (NVRAM)
That is, data that requires non-volatility is stored. The communication interface 7 described above is an OSI (Open System In
terconnection; open system interconnection) Corresponds to the physical layer of the reference model and controls the communication medium. The print engine interface 8 has an interface with the print engine 9. The print engine 9
D from RAM3 to print engine interface 8
The expanded image data transferred from the MA is image-formed on a recording medium such as paper. The operation panel 10 displays various states of the printer and inputs various operations. 11 is a CPU
1 is a data bus, and 12 is an address bus.

A-3. Software Configuration Next, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the software configuration of the printer of this embodiment. The printer software described above, that is, the program, is stored in the ROM 2,
It is executed by the CPU 1. In the figure, reference numeral 20 is a kernel of an operating system, which performs switching of tasks or processes and memory management. 21 is a device driver for controlling the communication interface 17,
Reference numeral 22 is a device driver that controls the print engine interface 8, and 23 is a device driver that controls the operation panel 10. A network protocol 24 processes various protocols forming a protocol stack. Reference numeral 25 denotes an operation panel control unit, which displays status information notified from various control units in the operation panel 1
0, or operation information input from the operation panel 10 to various control units. A print engine control unit 26 manages the state of the print engine 9 notified from the device driver 22 and controls the print output of the expanded image data.

A print server control unit 27 manages jobs received from the network and performs various controls on the network. Access to the network protocol is performed only by an API (application program interface) described later. 28 is a job control unit,
The job requested by the print server controller 27 is scheduled. A print language translation unit 29 decodes data described in the print language to perform image expansion and control. 30 is a page memory control unit,
Secures / releases the page memory of the required size from the expanded image data area. Reference numeral 31 is a system control unit, which performs control management of the entire printer system such as starting and stopping of each control unit.

A-4. Memory Allocation Configuration Next, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the memory allocation configuration of the NVRAM 6 and the RAM 3 described above. In the figure, NV
The memory area of the RAM 6 includes a terminal name object storage area 40, a selected print language storage area 41, a print automatic language identification switch storage area 42, an on-board print language storage area 44, and various parameter storage areas 45. In the terminal name object storage area 40,
Information on the object part of the terminal name of the printer at startup is stored. The selected print language storage area 41 stores print language information of data received by the communication interface 7. Further, in the automatic print language identification switch storage area 42, as the control information for automatically recognizing the print language of the data received by the communication interface 7, an automatic state of "ON" or "OFF" is set. The identification switch is stored. This is because when a printer, which is an output device, has a plurality of print languages or is added later, a terminal name (object: type) is registered for each of the plurality of print languages and communication is performed. This is because when the interface 7 receives the data, the print language of the data is automatically recognized, and printing can be performed in any print language. The automatic identification switch is set by a command in the print language from the operation panel 10 or a workstation (not shown) which is a client connected to the printer.

The on-board print language storage area 43 stores print languages installed on the printer and on-board print language list information, and a new print language is installed on the printer which is an output device (such as downloading a program or downloading a program). , An expansion program card is added), information on the print language is added to the on-board print language list information. Various other non-volatile parameters are stored in the various parameter storage area 44.

In this embodiment, in order to simplify the explanation, the communication interface has only one network interface, but it may have a plurality of communication interfaces. In this case, the selected print language storage area 41 and the print language automatic identification switch storage area 42 store information for each interface.

The memory area of the RAM 3 is composed of a developed image data storage area 50, a received data storage area 51, a real terminal name storage area 52, and a work area 53. The expanded image data storage area 50 stores the expanded image generated by the above-mentioned print language translation unit 29 translating the received data. In the reception data storage area 51,
The data received by the communication interface 7 is stored.
The actual terminal name storage area 52 stores the currently set terminal name information. Work data of various programs are stored in the work area 53.

B. Operation of Embodiment Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. (A) Main Routine FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a main routine for explaining the operation of the print server control unit 27. First, when the system control unit 31 activates the print server control unit 27 during system activation of the printer, the print server control unit 207 operates according to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in step S1, the automatic identification switch information of the print language stored in the print language automatic identification switch storage area 43 of the NVRAM 6 is read to determine whether or not the automatic identification switch is on. As described above, the automatic identification switch is set by the operation panel 10 or the client (not shown) connected to the printer by the command in the print language. When the automatic identification switch is off, the determination result in step S1 is "NO".
Then, the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, NV
The object stored in the terminal name object storage area 40 of the RAM 6 is read.

Next, in step S3, the selected print language information stored in the selected print language storage area 41 of the NVRAM 6 is read. Then, in step S4, a terminal name is generated according to the type determined in advance corresponding to the selected print language of the selected print language information acquired in step S3 and the object acquired in step S2. For example, if the object is "NetP
"Printer" and the selected print language is "ART", the terminal name is "NetPrint".
r: Art ”is generated, and the object is“ N
"etPrinter" and the selected print language is "Pos"
If it is "tScript", the terminal name is "
NetPrinter: LaserWriter "is generated. Then, the process proceeds to step S5, and the above step S is performed.
The terminal name generated in 4 is, for example, “NetP” described above.
printer: Art ”or“ NetPrint ”
er: LaserWriter ”is set and registered as the terminal name of the printer on the net. Step S
Details of 5 will be described later. When step S5 ends, the process proceeds to step S12.

On the other hand, if the automatic identification switch is on, the result of the determination in step S1 is "YES", and the flow advances to step S7. In step S7, NVRA
The object stored in the terminal name object storage area 40 of M6 is read. Next, in step S8, the installed print language list information stored in the installed print language storage area 43 of the NVRAM 6, that is, the list of print languages installed in the printer is read. In step S9, the print language information is read from the on-board print language list information acquired in step 8, and a predetermined type for this print language information and step S9 are read.
A terminal name of "object: type" is generated from the object acquired in 7.

Next, the process proceeds to step S10 and step S
The terminal name generated in 9 is set and registered as the terminal name of the printer on the net. The process in step S10 is the same as that in step S5 described above. Next, in step S11, it is determined whether or not all print language information has been read from the mounted print language list information. If all the print language information has not been read, the determination result in step S11 is "N.
It becomes "O" and returns to step S9. Hereinafter, steps S9 to S11 are repeatedly executed until all print language information is read from the loaded print language list information. As a result, each time step S9 is executed, the print language information is sequentially read from the beginning of the loaded print language list information, a terminal name is generated, and the terminal name is set and registered as the terminal name of the printer on the net. Then, when the terminal name is generated and registered for all the print language information of the installed print language list information, the determination result in step S11 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S12.

As described above, in the above-described process, when the automatic language identification switch is off, the objects stored in the terminal name object storage area 40 and the selected print language storage area 41 are processed in steps S2 to S5.
The terminal name is generated and registered according to the type determined in advance corresponding to the selected print language stored in.
For example, the print language registered by the printer is "AR
In T "and" PostScript ", if the automatic identification switch is off, the printer will display" NetPrinter: Art "according to the selected print language.
Or "NetPrinter: LaserWrite
Any one terminal name of "r" is registered.

On the other hand, when the automatic language identification switch is turned on, in steps S7 to S11, depending on the object and the type determined in advance corresponding to each of the plurality of print languages installed in the printer, A terminal name is generated and registered for each print language. For example, when the print languages registered in the printer are "ART" and "PostScript" and the automatic identification switch is on, the printer has "NetPrinter:" according to the selected print language.
"Art" and "NetPrinter: LaserWri
Both terminal names of "ter" are registered.

When the setting and registration of the terminal name is completed by the above-described processing, the time limit value is set in the timer T in step S12. The time limit value set in the timer T is, for example, 4 seconds. However, this time limit value is not limited to 4 seconds, and may be set in consideration of system performance. Next, in step S13, the network protocol 24 is polled for reception of net events, and it is determined whether a net event has been received. Here, the network protocol 24 notifies the print server control unit 27 of the net event if there is received data from another terminal connected to the network. And when a net event is received,
The determination result in step S13 is “YES”,
It proceeds to step S14. In step S14, net event processing according to the net event is performed. The net event process in step S14 is a subroutine, and the details will be described later. When the net event process of step S14 is completed, the process returns to step S12 described above.

On the other hand, when the net event is not received, the determination result in step S13 is "NO", and the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, it is determined whether the timer T started in step 12 has timed out. If the timer T has not timed out, the determination result in step S15 is "N
It becomes "O" and returns to step 13. Hereinafter, until the timer T times out, the determination in step S13 is repeated to determine whether a net event has been received.
Then, when the net event is not received and the timer T times out, the determination result in step S15 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step 16. In step S16, it is determined whether or not a system event has been received, for example, whether or not there is any notification from each control unit from the operation panel control unit 25 to the system control unit 31. At this time, if the system event is not received, the determination result in step S15 is "NO", the process returns to step S12 and the above-described step S12 is performed.
When S16 is repeatedly executed and the net event is received, the net event process is executed in step S14.

On the other hand, if a system event is received when the timer T times out, step S
The determination result in 16 is “YES”, and step S
Proceed to 17. In step S17, system event processing according to the received system event is executed. The system event process in step S17 is a subroutine, and the details will be described later. When the system event process of step S17 ends, the process returns to step S12. Hereinafter, steps S12 to S17 described above are repeatedly executed. Further, when the end of the system event is notified from the system control unit 27, the process ends in the process of step 17.

As a method of notifying a system event, interprocess communication such as a message queue or shared memory is generally used, but the present invention is not limited to this. In this embodiment, the message queue is used. The system control unit 31 includes the operation panel control unit 25 to
When each control unit of the page memory management unit 30 is activated, a message queue is generated and activated for each. For example, when the print language of the data received by the interface or the change operation of the automatic identification switch is performed by the operation of the operation panel 10, the operation panel control unit 25 detects this and selects the selected print language storage area. The information of 41 and the information of the automatic identification switch storage area 42 are respectively updated, and a message indicating this update is sent to the print server control unit 27.
Send to the message queue of. Further, in the present embodiment, the type corresponding to the print language is determined in advance, but when installing the print language, the NVR
Alternatively, the print language may be registered in the on-board print language list information stored in the on-board print language storage area 43 of the AM 6 and referred to.

(B) Operation of API Here, the API operation used in the process described later will be described. As an API (application program interface) relating to terminal name control of the network protocol 24, a terminal name registration API (NameR
egist) and terminal name deletion API (NameRemo)
ve) and are prepared. The operation of these APIs will be described below. Terminal name registration API (NameRe
gist) confirms that the terminal name information passed from the print server control unit 27, which is an application, does not overlap with the terminal names of other terminals on the network. Hold name information. Also, the terminal name deletion API
(NameRemove) deletes the designated terminal name from the terminal names held as internal data of the network protocol 24.

The terminal name duplication determination by the above-mentioned terminal name registration API is performed as follows. First, when the terminal name registration API (NameRegist) is called, the network protocol 24 generates and transmits the terminal name control packet shown in FIG. In this terminal name control packet, the destination address 80 is the broadcast address, the source address 81 is its own address, the function information 82 is a code indicating the terminal name registration, the terminal name size 83 is the length of the terminal name character string, Character string data of the terminal name is set in the terminal name character string 84.

After the terminal name control packet is transmitted,
It is checked whether or not a terminal name control packet in which a code indicating the terminal name duplication is set in the function information 82 is received for a predetermined time. When the network protocol 24 receives the terminal name control packet in which the code indicating the terminal name registration is set in the function information 82, the terminal name information held inside the protocol stack and the terminal name in the terminal name control packet are received. Compare with the information.

If they match, the function information 82 is sent to the sender of this terminal name control packet.
The terminal name control packet in which the code for duplicating the terminal name is set is sent back to. Therefore, if the terminal name to be registered is duplicated on the network, the terminal name control packet indicating the duplicated terminal name sent from another terminal is received. It is returned as a response value for name registration (NameRegist). If the terminal name control packet indicating the duplication of the terminal name is not received within the predetermined time, the registration success is indicated as the terminal name registration AP.
It is returned as a response value of I (NameRegist).

On the other hand, the terminal name deletion API (NameRe
move) is called, the network protocol 24 deletes the specified terminal name among the terminal names held as internal data.

(C) Terminal Name Setting Process Next, the above-mentioned terminal name setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, step S2
At 0, the terminal name registration API (NameRegist) described above is called in order to set the terminal name.
Next, in step S21, this terminal name registration AP
Based on the response value of I (NameRegist), it is determined whether the terminal name is duplicated on the network. Then, if the terminal names are duplicated on the network, the determination result in step S21 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the terminal name is changed by adding a number to the end of the object portion of the terminal name.

For example, the terminal name is "NetPrint".
If r: Art ", then" NetPrint "
r0: Art ". When the terminal name change in step 22 is completed, the process returns to step 20, and the changed terminal name is set again in the processing of step S20 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, when the terminal names are not duplicated on the network, the determination result in step S21 is "NO", and the process proceeds to step S23. In step S23, the terminal name information is stored in the actual terminal name area 52. Then, when the process of step S23 is finished and the setting of the terminal name is finished,
Return to the original routine.

(D) System Event Processing Next, the above-mentioned system event processing (step S1)
The operation 7) will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, in step S30 shown in FIG. 7, the type of the system event received in step S16 described above is determined. In step S31, it is determined whether the system event is a print language change notification based on the result of the system event type determination. If the system event is a print language change notification, the determination result in step S31 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S32. In step S32, it is determined whether or not the print language automatic identification switch is on. Then, if the print language automatic identification switch is turned on, the determination result in step S32 is "YES", the system event process is terminated, and the main routine shown in FIG. 4 (step S1).
Return to 2). That is, when the print language automatic identification switch is turned on, a plurality of print languages are automatically switched, so it is not necessary to intentionally change the print language.

On the other hand, if the print language automatic identification switch is off, the determination result in step S32 is "N".
"O" and the process proceeds to step S33. In this case, the print language is not automatically switched and one print language is registered. Therefore, when the print language automatic identification switch is off and a change of the print language is instructed, the process proceeds to the following steps. In step S33, the currently set terminal name information stored in the real terminal name storage area 52 of the RAM 13 is read. Next, in step S34, the terminal name actually registered in the printer is deleted by the above-described terminal name deletion API (NameRemove).

Next, in step S35, the NVRAM
The object stored in the terminal name object storage area 40 of No. 6 is read out. Then, in step S36, the selected print language storage area 41 of the NVRAM 6
The print language information stored in is read. next,
In step S37, a terminal name is generated according to a predetermined type corresponding to the selected print language of the selected print language information acquired in step S36 and the object acquired in step S35. next,
Proceeding to step S38, the terminal name is set and registered as the terminal name of the printer on the net by the above-described terminal name setting process shown in FIG. For example, when the print language "ART" of the printer is changed to "PostScript", the terminal name of the printer is "NetPr".
"inter: Art" to "NetPrinter: L
"userWriter". Then, the system event process is terminated, and the process returns to the main routine (step S12) shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when the system event is not a print language change notification, the determination result in step S31 is "NO", and step S40 shown in FIG.
Go to. In step S40, it is determined whether the system event is a print language automatic identification switch change notification. Then, if it is not the notification of the print language automatic identification switch change, the determination result in step S40 is "NO", the system event process is terminated, and the process returns to the main routine (step S12) shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the system event is the notification of the change of the print language automatic identification switch, step S40.
The determination result in step S41 is “YES”, and step S41
Go to. In step S41, the print language automatic identification switch information in the print language automatic identification switch storage area 42 of the NVRAM 6 is read to determine whether or not the print language automatic identification switch is turned on.

If the print language automatic identification switch is turned on, the result of the determination in step S41 is "YES", and the flow advances to step S42. In steps S42 to S48 described below, processing for setting the automatic identification mode is performed. In step S42, RAM
The currently set terminal name information stored in the real terminal name storage area 52 of No. 3 is read out. Then, in step S43, the terminal name actually registered in the printer is changed to the above-described terminal name deletion API (NameRem).
ove) to delete. Next, in step S44, the terminal name object storage area 4 of the NVRAM 6
Read the object stored in 0. In step S45, the installed print language list information of the NVRAM 6, that is, the list of print languages installed in the printer is read. Next, in step S46, the print language information is read from the object acquired in step S44 and the on-board print language list information acquired in step S45, and the "object: Generate a terminal name that is "type".

Next, in step S47, the above-mentioned terminal name is set and registered as the terminal name of the printer on the net by the above-described terminal name setting process shown in FIG. Then, in step S48, it is determined whether or not the setting of all terminal names has been completed. Then, when setting of all the terminal names is not completed, the determination result in step S48 becomes "NO", and the process returns to step S46.
Hereinafter, steps S46 to S48 are repeatedly executed until the setting of all the terminal names is completed, the terminal names for all the print languages included in the mounted print language list information are generated, and these terminal names are online. Set and register as the printer terminal name. For example, the print languages registered by the printer are "ART" and "Po".
If the automatic identification switch is set to off in "stScript", the printer will display "NetPrinter: Art" or "Net" depending on the selected print language "ART" or "PostScript".
Although any one of the terminal names "Printer: LaserWriter" is registered, if the automatic identification switch is set to be turned on during the process, the printer will have "NetPrinter: Art" and "Net".
Both terminal names “Printer: LaserWriter” are set and registered. When the setting of all terminal names is completed, the determination result in step S48 becomes “YES”, the system event process is terminated, and Returning to the main routine (step 12) shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when the print language automatic identification switch read from the print language automatic identification switch storage area 42 of the NVRAM 6 is turned off, step S4
The determination result in 1 is "NO", and the process proceeds to step S50 shown in FIG. Steps S50 to S5 described below
At 6, a process for canceling the automatic identification mode is performed.
In step S50, the real terminal name storage area 5 of the RAM 3
The currently set terminal name stored in 2 is read. Next, in step S51, the terminal name actually registered in the printer is changed to the above-mentioned terminal name deletion AP.
Deleted by I (NameRemove). In step S52, it is determined whether deletion of all terminal names has been completed. Then, if the deletion of all the terminal names has not been completed, the determination result in step S52 is "N
"O" and the process returns to step S51. Hereinafter, steps S51 and S52 are repeatedly executed until all the names are deleted.

When all the terminal names are deleted,
The determination result in step S52 is “YES”,
It proceeds to step S53. In step S53, NVRA
The object stored in the terminal name object storage area 40 of M6 is read. Next, in step S54, the selected print language storage area 41 of the NVRAM 6
The selected print language information stored in is read. Then, the process proceeds to step S55, and one terminal name is generated according to the object acquired in step S53 and the predetermined type corresponding to the selected print language of the selected print language information acquired in step S54. Next, in step S56, the above-mentioned terminal name is set and registered as the terminal name of the printer on the net by the above-described terminal name setting process shown in FIG. For example, the print languages registered by the printer are "ART" and "Post".
If the automatic identification switch is set to "ON" in "Script", the printer is instructed to "NetPrint".
r: Art "and" NetPrinter: Lase "
Both terminal names of "rWriter" are registered, but if the automatic identification switch is set to off during the process, the printer will display "NetPrint" according to the selected print language "ART" or "PostScript".
nter: Art ”or“ NetPrinter: L
Any one of the terminal names "userWriter" is set and registered. When the process of step S56 ends, the system event process ends and the process returns to the main routine (step 12) shown in FIG.

(E) Net Event Processing Next, the above-mentioned net event processing (step S14)
The operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in step S60, the type of net event received in step S13 shown in FIG. 4 is determined. Next, in step S61, it is determined whether or not the net event is a connection opening request based on the type determination result. Then, if the net event is a connection opening request, the determination result in step S61 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S62. In step S62, the job control unit 28 is notified of a job request event, and the schedule result is acquired.

Next, in step S63, the obtained schedule result is determined to determine whether the job request is a schedule success. Then, if the job request is the schedule success, the determination result in step S63 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S64.
In step S64, the connection establishment permission response packet is transmitted to the workstation, which is the client, to establish the connection and start the job. When step 64 ends, the process returns to the main routine (S12) shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the job request is a schedule unsuccessful, the determination result in step S63 is "NO", and the process proceeds to step S65. In step S65, a connection establishment refusal response packet is transmitted to the workstation, which is the client, to notify the client that the connection cannot be established. When step 65 ends, the process returns to the main routine (S12) shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if the net event is not a connection opening request, the result of the determination in step S61 is "NO", and the flow advances to step S66. Step S
At 66, it is determined whether the net event is received data. If the net event is the received data, the result of the determination in step S66 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S67. In step S67, the data received from the client workstation is stored in the received data storage area 51 of the RAM 3. The stored received data is read by the print language translation unit 29, and is decoded and translated according to the print language registered at that time. When step 67 ends, the process returns to the main routine (S12) shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if the net event is neither a connection opening request nor received data, step S6
The determination result in 6 is “NO”, and step S68
Go to. In step S68, it is determined whether the request is a connection release request. If it is a connection release request, the determination result in step S68 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S69. Step S
At 69, a connection release permission response packet is transmitted to the workstation which is the client, the connection is released, and the job is ended. If the net event is not one of the above events, step S
The judgment result in 68 is "NO" and an error occurs.
The procedure returns to the main routine (S12) shown in FIG. 4 described above.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the print language change is instructed by the operation of the operation panel 10,
After the currently set terminal name information is read from the actual terminal name storage area 52 and deleted, the terminal name object information of the printer at startup is stored in the terminal name object storage area 40 and the selected print language storage area 41. Read the selected print language information. Next, according to the object and a predetermined type corresponding to the selected print language of the selected print language information,
A terminal name of "object: type" is generated, and the terminal name is set and registered as the terminal name of the printer on the net. As a result, the type of the terminal name is changed according to the print language. The printer driver corresponding to the print language mode can recognize the printer and output the data.

When the print language automatic identification mode is turned on, the terminal names up to that point are deleted and the terminal names corresponding to all the installed print languages are generated and registered. Therefore, the printer can be recognized and output from all the conventional printer drivers corresponding to the available print language modes. In addition, when the print language automatic identification mode is turned off, all registered terminal names up to that point are deleted, and the default or set 1 is set in the installed print languages. Generate and register the terminal name corresponding to one print language. For this reason,
The printer can be recognized and output only by the conventional printer driver corresponding to the actually available print language of the installed print languages.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in a printer in which a plurality of print languages are installed, it is possible to select one of the installed print languages without limiting the print language from the workstation. There is. In addition, in the present embodiment, even if a print language is newly added, the terminal name (type) is also changed according to the newly added print language, so that a printer driver corresponding to this print language is used for output. it can.

[0063]

As described above, according to the invention described in claim 1, 4 or 5, since the terminal name is changed according to the switching of the print language, which print language is set. Also, it is possible to obtain the advantage that the printer driver corresponding to the print language can recognize and the data can be output. Even if a print language is added, selecting the print language sets the terminal name corresponding to this print language, so it can be recognized by the printer driver corresponding to the added print language mode, and data can be output. The advantage is that you can.

According to the second or third aspect of the invention, since the terminal names corresponding to all the installed print languages are registered, it can be recognized by the existing printer driver and the data can be output. The advantage is that you can. Also, even if there is a newly added print language, the terminal name corresponding to the added print language is also set, so it can be recognized by the printer driver corresponding to the added print language, and The advantage is that data can be received.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a software configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a memory allocation configuration of NVRAM 6 and RAM 3 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a main routine for explaining the operation of the print server control unit 27 of this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a packet used for terminal name registration and terminal name deletion according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of a terminal name setting process of this embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of system event processing of this embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of system event processing of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the system event process of this embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the net event processing of this embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a network configuration of this embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing a screen of a workstation-side user interface for setting the printer of the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CPU (language switching detection means, generation means, change means,
Print language automatic identification means) 2 ROM (read only memory) 3 RAM (storage means) 4 DMA (direct memory access) controller 5 interrupt controller 6 NVRAM (nonvolatile RAM) 7 communication interface 8 print engine interface 9 Print engine 10 Operation panel 11 Data bus 12 Address bus 20 Kernel 21-23 Device driver 24 Network protocol 25 Operation panel control unit 26 Print engine control unit 27 Print server control unit (language switching detection means, generation means, change means) 28 jobs Control unit 29 Print language translation unit 30 Page memory management unit 31 System control unit 40 Terminal name object storage area 41 Selected print language storage area 42 Print language automatic recognition Switch the storage area 43 mounted print language storage area 44 various parameter storage area 50 developed image data storage area 51 receives the data storage area 52 real terminal name memory area 53 work area 61 to 64 workstations (terminals) 66, 67 network

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A terminal name corresponding to a print language currently available in an output device recognized by other terminals arranged on a network by at least a terminal name having a terminal attribute corresponding to a usable print language. And a language switching detection unit that detects a print language switching instruction, and when the language switching detection unit detects a switching instruction, a terminal name corresponding to the print language designated by the switching instruction is displayed. Generating means for generating and deleting the terminal name stored in the storage means,
An output device comprising: a changing unit that changes the terminal name by newly storing the terminal name generated by the generating unit in the storage unit. 2. An output device at least recognized by another terminal arranged on the network by a terminal name having a terminal attribute corresponding to a usable print language, and responding to an inquiry from the other terminal. Generating means for generating a plurality of terminal names corresponding to a plurality of currently available print languages as terminal names, and automatic print language identifying means for identifying a print language corresponding to a data format supplied from the other terminal An output device comprising: a data format from the other terminal according to the print language identified by the print language automatic identification means. 3. A terminal name corresponding to a print language currently available in an output device recognized at least by another terminal arranged on the network by a terminal name having a terminal attribute corresponding to a usable print language. Storage means, an automatic identification mode detection means for detecting switching of the printing language automatic identification mode, and the printing language automatic identification mode is turned on at start-up or when the automatic identification mode detection means detects the switching. In some cases, a plurality of terminal names corresponding to the plurality of print languages are generated, while when the automatic identification mode is off, a terminal name corresponding to one print language among the plurality of print languages is generated. The generation means for generating and the terminal name stored in the storage means are deleted, and the generation means One of said plurality of terminal name or the terminal name has been made, an output apparatus characterized by comprising a changing means for changing the terminal name by newly stored in the storage means. 4. At least a terminal that generates output data in a predetermined print language and output data that is recognized by the terminal by a terminal name having a terminal attribute corresponding to a usable print language and is supplied from the terminal. In a network system to which an output device for decoding and outputting in a predetermined form is connected, the output device detects storage means for storing a terminal name corresponding to a currently available print language, and a print language switching instruction. A language switching detection unit, a generation unit configured to generate a terminal name corresponding to a print language designated by the switching instruction when the language switching detection unit detects a switching instruction, and the storage unit. Delete the terminal name,
A network system comprising: a changing unit that changes the terminal name by newly storing the terminal name generated by the generating unit in the storage unit. 5. When a print language switching instruction is detected, a terminal name corresponding to the print language designated by the switching instruction is newly generated, and the newly generated terminal name is arranged on the network. A terminal name changing method, wherein the terminal name is registered in the output device as a terminal name for causing the terminal to recognize that the output device is capable of decoding a print language output from the terminal.