JPH09282122A - Data processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data processor capable of printing out responding to the request of a user by managing the documents of many users collectively. SOLUTION: In a data processor (printer) for which plural information processors(PCs) are connected through a network 1, at least a printer engine 102a for realizing a printing function, a printer controller 201 for controlling the printer engine 102a, a personal computer (the CPU 203d of a PC mother board 203) capable of prescribed control based on a stored program and a storage device (HDD 203f) for storing information transferred from the outside are mounted on the printer. Then, the HDD 203f is provided with a holder selected by the PC, the CPU 203d stores printing data transferred to the holder selected by the PC in the HDD 203f and the printing controller 201 is made to execute printing based on the stored printing data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus capable of executing print processing on a network to which a personal computer, a copying apparatus, a facsimile, a printing apparatus, etc. are connected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a general office environment, a plurality of printing apparatuses are interconnected with an information processing apparatus such as a workstation or a personal computer in order to effectively use a digital copying apparatus or a printing apparatus having a printing function as a resource. However, a network system such as a so-called local area network (hereinafter referred to as “LAN”) is being constructed.

As a printing device connected to this type of network, a printer for printing data of an original created by a personal computer or the like, a printer function of a digital copying machine for copying the original, or a printer function for a facsimile is used. Etc. can be used. In general printing in such a network, for example, a printer desired to be used is designated from a personal computer, print conditions are transferred to the printer, and print data is received by the printer from the personal computer side. The print data is printed out.

[0004]

In such a network system, a plurality of personal computers (hereinafter also referred to as "PC") and workstations (hereinafter also referred to as "WS") connected to the network are provided. Yes, there is a case where there are print requests from the plurality of PCs or WSs to the same printer. In such a case, printing is performed in the order received by the printer, in other words, in the order received. In such a procedure, if the previously received data is such that many sheets of data are printed, even if only one sheet of data is received later, printing of the previously received data is completed. Otherwise, subsequent data will not be printed. Therefore,
Even if you want one printout, you have to wait a long time.

Also, some documents are urgent with a high degree of urgency, and even if such documents are printed out only in the order in which they are received, it becomes an inconvenient system that cannot respond to the user's request, and the entire network as a whole. Will be evaluated as inefficient.

The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a data processing device capable of collectively managing documents of a large number of users and printing out in response to user's requests. To provide.

[0007]

In order to achieve such an object, a first means is a data processing device to which a plurality of information processing devices are connected via a network, in which at least the printing is performed on the data processing device. Means for realizing a function, means for realizing a personal computer function capable of performing predetermined control based on a stored program, and means for storing information transferred from the outside are mounted, and the means for storing is The holder selected by the information processing device is set, and the means for realizing the personal computer function stores the print data transferred to the holder selected by the information processing device, and the print data is stored based on the stored print data. It is characterized in that printing is executed by means for realizing the printing function.

According to a second aspect, in the first means, the print data from the information processing device includes priority information for printing the print data, and the means for realizing the personal computer function is the priority information. It is characterized in that printing is executed based on

A third means is characterized in that, in the first means, a common holder for storing print data common to the plurality of information processing apparatuses is set in the holder.

A fourth means is a storage which, in the first means, stores the print data in the holder and can execute printing after performing desired processing by means for realizing the personal computer function. The feature is that the holder is set.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1. Network System Environment The network system according to this embodiment basically includes a network, a personal computer / workstation, an image input / output device, and a broker.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a processing system connected to a network in this embodiment.
In this figure, this processing system is a network 1
A personal computer (PC) 2-1 or 2-2 or a workstation (WS) and a printer 3-
1, 3-2, scanner 4, digital multi-function peripheral (MFP-Mu
lti Function Printer) 5-1 and 5-2, and broker 6
It is composed of MFP (MFP1, MFP2)
Reference numerals 5-1 and 5-2 are devices integrally provided with a printer function, a copying function, a facsimile function, a scanner function, and the like, and a broker (service integrated control device) 6 is an input / output device connected to the network 1. It is the middleware that is responsible for maintaining and managing the function information owned by, and establishing the connection between the client and server.

The broker 6 includes a CPU 6a, a ROM 6b,
A RAM 6c, a communication control unit 6d, and a function information database 6e are generally provided and are constructed on a workstation or a personal computer. The CPU 6a manages the entire broker 6, the ROM 6b stores various control programs for the CPU 6a, and the RAM 6c stores data and functions as a work area for the CPU 6a.
Further, the communication control unit 6d selects a serviceable component based on the function information stored in the function information database 6e when a service request is made from each component connected to the network 1. , The control of connecting the lines between the components is performed.

2. Hardware Configuration 2.1 Device Configuration FIG. 2 shows one of the printers 3 connected to the network.
FIG. 3 is an external view of a printer device 102 according to one embodiment. The printer device 102 according to the present embodiment has a printer function by itself and, in addition, has a scanner 10 as shown in the drawing.
By combining with 1, the image data read by the scanner 101 can be output by the printer device 102. In other words, the copy function can be realized by the configurations of the printer device 102 and the scanner 101. Reference numeral 103 denotes a table for mounting the printer device 102 and the scanner 101.

2.2 Hardware FIG. 3 shows a hardware configuration of a control system which is a main part of the printer device according to the present embodiment. The printer device 102 controls the printer engine 102a to realize a printer function. A printer controller board 201 as a control board for a module section, a scanner controller board 202 as a control board for a scanner module section that controls the scanner 101 from the printer apparatus 102 side to realize a scanner function, and a multifunctional printer apparatus 102. PC mother board 203 for performing various controls for the printer controller board 201 and scanner controller board 202, and internal local buses 201e, 20
2 c is composed of a PCI bus connecting expansion board 204 for connecting the PCI bus 203 a of the PC motherboard 203.

The printer controller board 201
Is an ASIC 201a for exchanging data with the printer engine 102a and the printer device 10a.
A CPU 201b for controlling the printer function of 2;
The memory 201c and the I / O 201d, the internal local bus 201e composed of the RISC bus, and the internal local bus 201e are connected to the PC of the expansion board 204 for PCI bus connection.
And a connector 205 for connecting to the I-bridge 204c. Although not shown, an interface such as a NIC for connecting to a LAN or a telephone line, and an expansion memory such as an HDD are provided as necessary.

The scanner controller board 202 is an A for exchanging data with the scanner 101.
The SIC 202a, the I / O 202b for realizing the scanner function from the printer device 102 side, the internal local bus 202c composed of a RISC bus, and the internal local bus 201c are connected to the PC of the expansion board 204 for PCI bus connection.
Connector 206 for connecting to the I-bridge 204c
And a connector 206A for connecting the internal local bus of another expansion board (for example, the internal local bus 201e) and the internal local bus 202c of the scanner controller board 202. Although not shown, an expansion memory such as a CPU or a HDD can be provided if necessary.

The PC motherboard 203 is a general-purpose PCI.
Bus 203a and internal local bus 2 which is a host bus
03b, PCI bus 203a, and internal local bus 20
PCI host bridge 203c connecting to 3b and CPU for host connected to internal local bus 203b
203d, a memory 203e, an HDD 203f and an I / O 203g connected to the PCI bus 203a, and PCI bus slots 210 to 212 which are PCI connectors for connecting another expansion board to the PCI bus 203a. In this case, the CPU 203d for host and the memory 203e function as means for realizing a personal computer, and substantially function as a personal computer. A hard disk device (HDD) 203f is connected to the PCI bus 203a as an external storage device.

The expansion board 204 for PCI bus connection
Can be connected to a PCI interface connector (first connector) 209 connectable to the PCI bus slots 210 to 212 provided on the PC motherboard 203 and the connectors 205 and 206 of the printer controller board 201 and the scanner controller board 202. Two connectors (second connectors) 207 and 208 for the internal local bus interface and a connector 20
Driver / receiver 204a for exchanging data with the internal local bus side via 7, 208
A controller 204b for controlling the driver / receiver 204a, an internal local bus and a PCI bus 203a
And a PCI bridge 204c for connecting to each other.

As described above, the printer device 102 realizes a personal computer function by its own PC motherboard 203 as described above, and is combined with the functions of a display device and an input device (not shown) attached to the main body of the printer device 102. It also functions as an ordinary personal computer.

3. Software Configuration In the printer device 102, a plurality of holders are set in the HDD 203f by the personal computer function. Here, the holder is configured to hold print data from, for example, the personal computers (PC) 2-1 and 2-2. The printing operation using this holder will be described below.

3.1 Selection of Holder FIGS. 4 and 5 are flow charts showing a procedure when five PCs 2 print out using one printer 3. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 300 indicates a procedure on the PC 2 side, and reference numeral 400 in FIG. 5 indicates a procedure on the printer 3 side. In this example, the PC side 300 is connected to the PCs 310, 320, 330, and 340 of the first to fourth (for convenience, shown as A, B, C, and D) users, and the memory 203e of the printer side 400. Are provided with first to fifth holders 410, 420, 430, 440.

Here, if it is assumed that printing is performed from the user A's PC 310, the user A's PC first sets print parameters and sets print conditions [step 311], and sets the holder on the printer 400 side. Select [step 312]. Here, the first holder (hereinafter referred to as “holder A”) 410 of the printer 400.
Is selected. Next, the user A sets a password [step 313] and specifies the priority (Priority) and page order (Page Order) [step 314].
After that, other print parameters are set according to the priority order and page order [step 315], and the data is transferred to the printer 400 side [step 316].

On the printer 400 side, since the user A has selected the holder A410, the print data transferred to the holder A is stored [step 411], and it is confirmed whether or not the parameters match [step 4].
12], print is executed by the procedure described later [Step 4
13]. The transition from the PC side 300 to the printer side 400 is indicated by * in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the parts marked with the same * are connected.

User B desires urgent printing. In such a case, the print parameters are set from the PC 320 side of the user B [step 321] and the fourth holder (holder D) of the printer 400 is selected [step 322]. This holder D is a holder for directly printing without storing print data. When this holder D is selected, the data is immediately transferred [Step 4
50], and is printed as it is according to the procedure described later [Step 451].

In the case of the user C, the data is transferred from the PC 330 of the user C as in the case of the user A [steps 331 to 336]. However, this is different from the case of the user A in that the holder selected in step 332 is the third holder (holder C) set as a common holder. When the common holder C is selected in this way, the print data is similarly stored in the holder C, the printing is executed by the procedure described below after confirming whether the parameters match in the same manner [Step 4
30-433].

When the user D selects the common holder C, the procedure is the same as that of the user C, and this procedure is shown in steps 340 to 346 and steps 430 to 433.

If the user wants to simply store the data instead of printing now, the processing is performed as shown from step 350 onward by user D. This procedure is the same as the procedure on the side of the user A's PC 300 described above, but when the holder A is selected in step 352, the holder A is selected.
The difference is that the fourth holder (holder S) that is simply stored is not selected. When the holder S is selected in this way, the transferred print data is stored in the holder S (Strage Holder) [step 44].
0,441]. The print data thus stored in the holder S is stored in the PC motherboard 2 of the printer device 102.
The data can be processed by the printer apparatus 102 side independently of the processing on the PC 300 side, such as being taken out by the CPU 203d of 03 and printed, or printed in combination with other print data.

In this example, the user B makes the second
Since the holder B of No. 1 is not selected, it is not possible to print out using this holder from the PC side 300, but if the user B selects this holder B, it is processed by the procedure from Step 420 to Step 423. Printing is performed.

The PCs 310 of the users A, C and D,
Steps 314, 334, 3 of 330, 340, 350
Since the priority (Priority) is input at 44 and 354, the CPU 203d on the printer 400 side selects the holder holding the data to be printed out according to this priority and executes the printing. Note that, here, a user's personal holder is specified, and a common holder and a storage specialized holder are set, but these holders can be appropriately changed by the setting.

3.2 Printing Procedure When print data is transferred from the PC side 300, the printer side 400 sets a print mode and executes printing. FIG. 6 shows this processing procedure.

This procedure Digital first checks the print mode [step 500]. In this embodiment, the print mode is the direct mode.
), Output Tray Mod
e), a user holder mode (User Holder Mode), a common holder mode (Common Holder Mode), and a print data storage mode (Print Data Strage Mode) are set. The direct mode is a mode in which the print data is directly printed out without being stored in the holder as in the printing of the user B described above. The output tray mode is a mode in which a tray for ejecting printed paper is selected and printed out. The user holder mode is a mode for printing out the print data stored in the holder designated by the user like the user A described above. The common holder mode is a mode for printing out print data stored in a common holder like the users C and D described above. The print data storage mode is a mode in which the print data is stored without being printed out like the user D described above.

Therefore, if the print mode is the direct mode in step 500 [step 510], print parameters are set [step 511] and printing is immediately performed [step 512].

If the print mode is the output tray mode in step 500 [step 520], print parameters are set [step 521], an output tray is set [step 522], and printing is performed [step 523]. The printed paper is output to the set tray.

If the print mode is the user holder mode in step 500 [step 530], the print parameters are set [step 531], the holder of the corresponding user is selected [step 532], and the password is set [step 533]. ]. Then, the priority and page order are set [step 534] and other parameters are set [step 535], and then the data is transferred [step 536]. The transferred print data is HD
The data is stored in the D203f [step 537], and if the parameters match [step 538], it is read from the holder and printing is executed [step 539].

If the print mode is the common holder mode in step 500 [step 540], the print parameters are set [step 541], the common mode holder is selected [step 542], and the password is set [step 543]. . Then, the priority and page order are set [step 544] and other parameters are set [step 545], and then the data is transferred [step 546]. The transferred print data is stored in HDD2.
It is stored in 03f [step 547], and when the parameters match [step 548], it is read from the holder and printing is executed [step 549].

If the print mode is the print data storage mode in step 500 [step 55]
0], set print parameters [step 55]
1], select the holder of the print data storage mode [step 552] and set the password [step 553]. Then, the priority and the page order are set [Step 554], other parameters are set [Step 555], and the data is transferred [Step 556].
The transferred print data is stored in the holder set in the HDD 203f [step 547]. As a result, various processing and printout processes are performed on the printer device 102 side by using the print data stored in the holder, for example, the stored print data are collectively printed, or different selected data are printed out. Can be output as one document and stapled. The stored print data is printed out according to the priority when the parameters match in steps 538 and 548. However, the CPU 203d of the PC motherboard 203 sets the number of copies and the order to print a plurality of documents. It is also possible to staple and output in one document at once.

Further, since the print data stored in the holder is stored in the printer device 102 side in a printable form even for documents and drawings created by different applications, the PC motherboard 203 is provided.
The CPU 203d can process and edit a common document or drawing, and print processing can be performed in an integrated form regardless of the difference in application. In addition, when a sorter or stapler is attached to the printer device 102, it is naturally possible to use a plurality of PCs by using the functions of these sorters and staplers.
Integrate (multiplayer) documents from 2-1 and 2-2,
It is also possible to staple and print using the sort function.

Further, by designating the holder by using the function of the PC mother board 203 at the time of printing, it is possible to integrate and manage a large number of documents collectively.

Although not shown, when printing, the document stored in the holder is called on the display device provided in the printer device 102, the contents are confirmed, and the document is printed out. it can.

Further, it is possible to arrange the page order of the documents stored in the holder by using the input device or change the page order to print out, which can be easily expanded to a large number of documents. You can do it.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The following effects are obtained.

According to the first aspect of the invention, means for realizing at least the printing function in the data processing device, means for realizing the personal computer function capable of performing predetermined control based on the stored program, and externally A means for storing the transferred information is installed, the holder selected by the information processing device is set in the storing means, and the means for realizing the personal computer function is transferred to the holder selected by the information processing device. Stored print data and executing printing based on the stored print data, printing based on the stored print data becomes possible by control of the means for realizing the personal computer function, whereby the user's request It is possible to perform printing according to. At that time, since it is converted into printable data and stored in the holder regardless of the application used in the information processing device,
All applications can be managed collectively.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the print data from the information processing apparatus includes priority information for printing the print data, and the means for realizing the personal computer function includes the priority information in the priority information. Since the printing is executed based on the print data, the print data having a high priority is printed first, and thus the required document can be obtained first.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the holder is set to the common holder for storing print data in common with a plurality of information processing apparatuses, one holder can be used to print data from a plurality of information processing apparatuses. Can be edited and processed.

According to the invention described in claim 4, a storage holder is set which is capable of storing print data in the holder and performing printing after performing desired processing by means for realizing a personal computer function. Therefore, even print data that does not need to be printed immediately can be stored in the holder and read out and printed as needed, or can be arbitrarily processed and edited for printing.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an appearance of a data processing device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a data processing device in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the personal computer side in the network.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the printer side in the network.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a printing procedure on the printer side.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Network 2 Personal Computer (PC) 3 Printer 4 Scanner 5 Multifunction Device (MFP) 6 Broker 101 Scanner 102 Printer Device 102a Printer Engine 106 Broker 201 Printer Controller 202 Scanner Controller 203 PC Motherboard 203d CPU 203e Memory 203f Hard Disk Device (HDD)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A data processing device in which a plurality of information processing devices are connected via a network, wherein the data processing device is capable of performing at least a printing function and predetermined control based on a stored program. Means to realize various personal computer functions,
A means for storing information transferred from the outside is installed, the storing means is provided with a holder selected by the information processing apparatus, and the means for realizing the personal computer function is selected by the information processing apparatus. A data processing device, wherein print data transferred to a holder is stored, and printing is executed by means for realizing the printing function based on the stored print data. 2. The print data from the information processing apparatus includes priority information for printing the print data, and the means for realizing the personal computer function causes the printing to be executed based on the priority information. The data processing device according to claim 1. 3. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holder is set with a common holder that stores print data in common with the plurality of information processing apparatuses. 4. A storage holder capable of storing the print data in the holder and executing printing after performing desired processing by means for realizing the personal computer function is set. The data processing device according to claim 1.