JPH10283134A - Print processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To flexibly print according to the data quantity and the degree of freedom of print data. SOLUTION: A print server 2 of this client/server system is provided with a spool file 12 which temporarily stores print data that is received from a client machine 1 through a buffer 11, a print data priority control module group 14 which acquires data size of the print data stored in the file 12 and generates priority control information of the print data based on the data size and an output queue 15 which performs control that outputs the print data to a printer 3 based on the priority control information and a print processing control module 16.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a print processing apparatus used in, for example, a client / server system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in a client / server system, since print data is transmitted from users of individual client machines according to various requests, it is desired to realize more flexible print processing.

[0003] Conventional client / server systems include:
From the concept of sharing and rationalization, one print processing apparatus, that is, a print server, is configured to perform print processing for a plurality of clients.

In this case, when print data is transmitted from a plurality of clients at about the same time, each print data is accumulated in a spool file via a buffer in a print server, and usually, the print data is first-in-first-out.
Out (FIFO) processing sequentially outputs to the printer and prints. In the FIFO processing, data is printed in the order in which they are received.

[0005] In this case, although it is fair to process the same priority and the same amount of data, for example, a user of a certain client machine transmits one page of data to a print server, and Is received by the print server after several hundred pages of data from others,
Even if one page is printed, one page of data is printed after printing several hundred pages of data.

For this reason, from the viewpoint of a client machine that has transmitted one page of data, a large amount of waiting time is required for printing one page, which results in poor work efficiency.

[0007]

As described above, in the above-described conventional print server, that is, the print processing apparatus, the received print data is stored in the FIFO regardless of the content of the data.
Since the printing is performed by the process, there is a problem that the printing process as desired by the user on the client machine side cannot be performed depending on the data amount and the priority of the print data.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and has as its object to provide a print processing apparatus capable of flexibly performing print processing of print data.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print processing apparatus which prints print data received from another machine by a printer. A temporary storage unit for temporarily storing print data received from another machine, and information including a data size of the print data stored by the temporary storage unit, and acquiring the print data based on at least the data size information. Priority control information generating means for generating priority control information relating to data; andprint processing control means for controlling output of the print data to the printer based on the priority control information generated by the priority control information generating means. It is characterized by:

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the plurality of pieces of priority control information are transmitted by the priority control information generating means within a predetermined waiting time. When generated, each piece of priority control information is compared, and print data having a shorter data size is preferentially output to the printer.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print processing apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a stay time measuring means for measuring a stay time of the priority control information generated by the priority control information generating means. The print processing control unit, when a plurality of pieces of priority control information are generated by the priority control information generation unit within a predetermined waiting time, print data having a longer residence time in the apparatus measured by the residence time measurement unit. Is output to the printer with priority.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the print processing apparatus according to the first aspect, priority processing number counting means for counting the number of priority processing of the priority control information generated by the priority control information generating means. The print processing control means, when a plurality of priority control information is generated by the priority control information generation means within a predetermined waiting time, the priority processing number counted by the priority processing number counting means the predetermined number of times The print data that has been reached is preferentially output to the printer.

In the above invention, information including at least the data size of the print data is obtained, priority control information on the print data is generated from the information, and the print data is output to the printer based on the priority control information, and the print processing is performed. If multiple print data are received at about the same time, priority is given to printing data with a small amount of data, printing with a long residence time in the device, or priority processing. Printing can be performed flexibly, for example, printing is performed with priority given to a large number of times.

[0014]

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a client / server system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a client machine. This client machine 1 has an LA (not shown)
A print server 2 as a print processing device is connected via a network such as N. A printer 3 is connected to the print server 2.

The print server 2 includes a buffer 11, a spool file 12, a print data priority control queue 13, a print data priority control module group 14, an output queue 15,
It is composed of a print processing control module 16 and the like.
The print data priority control module group 14 includes a print data size comparison module 21, a print data size comparison wait timer 22, a print data difference value calculation module 23, a priority count counter 24, and a stay timer 25 in the print data server.
Etc.

The algorithm of the queue processing in the output queue 15 is First In First Out (FIFO) processing. In the print data priority control queue 13, the print data size comparison waiting time, the number of times of priority (specified number of times), and the like are registered (set) in advance, and the print data size comparison waiting timer 22, the number of times of priority counter 24, the print data The measurement value or the count value of the server residence timer 25 or the like is monitored and compared with each other. The priority count is set based on the following two criteria when priority control information is queued in the print data priority control queue 13. Criterion 1: When the print server 2 has a high frequency of receiving print data per unit time, the number of times of priority is relatively increased. When the print data reception frequency per unit time in the print server 2 is low, the number of priorities is relatively reduced. Criterion 2: When the print data size is large,
The number of times of priority is relatively increased. When the print data size is small, the number of times of priority is relatively reduced.

The print data server residence timer 25 is for monitoring the residence time of the priority control information existing in the print data priority control queue 13. Note that the staying time in the print data server indicates a time during which print data can stay in the print server 2. Strictly speaking, the priority control information indicates the time during which the priority control information can stay in the print data priority control queue 13. The residence time in the print data server is set based on the following two criteria when priority control information is queued in the print data priority control queue 13. When the print data size is large, the stay time is made relatively long. When the print data size is small, the staying time is relatively shortened. The residence time in the print data server is set longer than the print data size comparison waiting time.

The operation of the client / server system will be described below with reference to FIGS.

In this client / server system, as shown in FIG. 2, print data is transmitted from the client machine 1 to the print server 2 (step
101), this print data is received by the print server 2,
When the print data is buffered in the buffer 11 in the print server 2 (step 102), the print data is spooled in the spool file 12 (step 103). Then, the print data priority control module group 14 generates priority control information from the information of the spool file 12 (step 104).

In the print data priority control module group 14, first, as information of the spool file 12, address information of the spool file 12 where print data exists,
Information such as the size information of the print data is obtained. Then, priority control information is generated by adding information such as the number of times of priority, print data size comparison time, and residence time in the print data server to the address information and data size information. Each piece of information is a variable value.

This priority control information is, as shown in FIG.
It is queued in the print data priority control queue 13 (step 201). In this case, since this is the first queue queued in the print data priority control queue 13, this priority control information is referred to as a previous queue. Note that the previous queue usually means priority control information having the longest time in the print data priority control queue 13. The post-queue, as will be described later, refers to the priority control information having the longest time in the print data priority control queue 13 next to the previous queue.

When the priority control information (previous queue) is queued in the print data priority control queue 13, the print data size comparison wait timer 22 and the print data server residence timer 25 start operating (step 202, step 202).
203).

Then, the print data priority control queue 13
Monitors whether the time measured by the print data size comparison waiting timer 22 (the time during which the priority control information exists in the queue) exceeds a predetermined print data size comparison waiting time (step 204). .

Here, if other priority control information (back queue) is not queued even if the print data size comparison waiting time has been exceeded (YES in step 204), the previous queue is queued in the output queue 15. (Step 205
).

If another priority control information (back queue) is queued within the print data size comparison waiting time (YES in step 206), the print data size comparison module 21 returns to the first priority control information (previous queue). A comparison is made as to whether the size of the print data written in the queue is the same as the size of the print data written in the next priority control information (back queue). As a result of the comparison, if the print data sizes are not the same, the print data difference value calculation module 23 calculates a difference value between the print data.

In this case, the value of the print data size written in the next priority control information (back queue) is subtracted from the value of the print data size written in the first priority control information (previous queue) and Is calculated.

If the calculated difference value is negative (YES in step 207), the previous queue is changed to the output queue 15 (step 207).
(Step 208), and the post-queue is converted to the pre-queue (step 209).

On the other hand, when the calculated difference value is plus (0 or more) (NO in step 207), the print processing is started by giving priority to the rear queue over the front queue (step 210).
). The processing in this case is called priority processing. Similar to this, processing the front queue after the rear queue is called priority processing.

In the case of the priority processing, since the print data of the first priority control information (previous queue) waits for printing, the value of the data size of the priority control information (previous queue) is determined by the difference calculation result. The value is changed to a certain difference value, and the priority count of the priority count counter 24 is incremented by +1.

Thus, the priority control information (previous queue) becomes a priority queue. Here, the priority queue refers to a queue that is a front queue but is subjected to print processing after the rear queue as a result of priority control. A priority queue is the opposite of the priority queue. The priority queue refers to a queue that is a post-queue but is subjected to print processing as a result of the priority control as a result of the priority control.

The priority queue has a priority count counter 24
The number of times of priority (number of times of waiting) counted by the timer is compared with the specified number of times, and the retention timer 2 in the print data server is used.
It is checked whether or not the residence time in the server of the priority-priority queue measured by 5 exceeds a predetermined residence time in the server.

Here, when the number of waiting times of the priority-priority queue exceeds the specified number (NO in step 211) or when the residence time in the server is exceeded (YES in step 212),
The priority queue is queued to the output queue 15 (step 213).

If the residence time of the priority queue in the server does not exceed a predetermined residence time in the server,
The number of waits of the priority count counter 24 is incremented by +1 (step 214), and the print data difference value of the priority queue is calculated (step 215).

When the priority control information is queued in the output queue 15, the print processing control module 16 refers to the address information (address in the spool file 12) in the priority control information queued in the output queue 15. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the corresponding print data is extracted from the spool file 12 (step 30).
1), perform transmission processing (output) to the printer 3 (step 3)
02). Thereby, the printing process on the printing paper is executed in the printer 3 (step 303).

Here, a specific operation example of the print server 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating an operation example regarding a print data size comparison waiting time, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation example regarding a print processing priority count, and FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation example regarding a print data difference value.

For example, priority control information (queue 1) of print data having a data size such as 10 Mbytes is generated, and this queue 1 is queued in a print data priority control queue 13 as shown in FIG. After the queue 1 has been queued, after a lapse of the print data size comparison waiting time (1 / n of the time required for printing the queue 1), the subsequent queuing to the print data priority control queue 13 is performed. If there is no print data, the print processing of the print data in the queue 1 is immediately started.

As shown in FIG. 6, after the queue 1 has been queued in the print data priority control queue 13, the print data size comparison waiting time has not elapsed yet.
When the priority control information (queue 2) of the subsequent print data having a data size such as 500 Kbytes is queued in the print data priority control queue 13, the subsequent queue 2
Is printed before the queue 1. At this time, the data size of the priority-controlled queue 1 is 9.5 Mbytes, which is the difference value between the queue 1 and the queue 2, and the priority count of the priority count counter 24 is incremented by +1 (addition).

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, after the queuing of the queue 1 and the queue 2, the print data having a data size of, for example, 500 Kbytes is prioritized while the print data size comparison waiting time of the queue 1 has not elapsed. When the control information (queue 3) and the priority control information (queue 4) of the print data having a data size of, for example, 3 Mbytes are continuously queued in the print data priority control queue 13,
If the priority limit of queue 1 is 2 times, queue 1
Is controlled by the queue 2 first. Queue 1 at this time
Are as follows, respectively.

Data size: 9.5 MB (10 MB-
(500K bytes = 9.5M bytes) Number of times of priority: 1 (0 times + 1 time) Subsequently, the priority of queue 1 is controlled to that of queue 3. At this time, the data size and the number of times of priority in the queue 1 are as follows.

Data size: 9.0 MB (9.5 MB-
500K bytes = 9.0MB) Number of times of priority: 2 times (1 time + 1 time) Further, the priority of queue 1 is controlled by queue 4. At this time, the data size and the number of priorities in the queue 1 are:
Each is as follows.

Data size: 6.0 MB (9.0 MB-
(3 MB = 6.0 MB) Number of times of priority: 3 times (2 times + 1 time) At this point, queue 1 has exceeded the number of times of priority 2 times, so print processing for print data in queue 1 following queue 4 Is started unconditionally.

As shown in FIG. 8, after the queuing of the queue 1, while the print data size comparison waiting time has not elapsed, the priority is given to the queues 2 and 3 and the print data having a data size of, for example, 10 Mbytes. When the control information (queue 5) and the queue 5 are queued, the priority of the queue 1 is set to five, and the priority of the queue 1 is first controlled to the queue 2. At this time, the data size and the number of times of priority in the queue 1 are as follows.

Data size: 9.5 MB (10 MB-
(500K bytes = 9.5M bytes) Number of times of priority: 1 (0 times + 1 time) Subsequently, the priority of queue 1 is controlled to that of queue 3. At this time, the data size and the number of priorities in the queue 1 are:
Each is as follows.

Data size: 9.0 MB (9.5 MB-
500K bytes = 9.0M bytes) Number of times of priority: 2 times (1 time + 1 time) Further, the priority of queue 1 is controlled by that of queue 5. At this time, the data size and the number of priorities in the queue 1 are:
Each is as follows.

Data size: -1 MB (9.0 MB-
(10 MB = -1 MB) Number of times of priority: 3 times (2 times + 1 time) At this point, since the data size (difference value) of the queue 1 has become negative, printing of the print data of the queue 1 following the queue 5 is performed. Processing starts unconditionally. As described above, according to the client / server system of this embodiment, when print data is received by the print server 2, the print data priority control module group 14 generates priority control information based on the data size value of the print data. The output of the print data is controlled based on the priority control information. For example, when two print data are received by the print server 2 almost at the same time, the print queues stored in the spool file 12 are output queues in order from the print data with the smaller data size or the print data in which the number of print waiting times reaches the specified number. 15, print data having a small data size is not printed after data having a large data size, and reasonable printing is possible.

As a result, flexible printing can be performed in consideration of the priority of the print data.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention, print priority information is generated from the data amount of print data, and printing is performed based on the print priority information. When data is received, printing can be performed flexibly, for example, printing is performed in ascending order of data size.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a client / server system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the client / server system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the client / server system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the client / server system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation example regarding a print data size comparison waiting time.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation example regarding a print data size comparison waiting time.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation example regarding the number of times a print process is given priority.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation example regarding a print data difference value.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Client machine, 2 ... Print server, 3 ... Printer, 11 ... Buffer, 12 ... Spool file, 1
3 print data priority control queue, 14 print data priority control module group, 15 output queue, 21 print data size comparison module, 22 print data size comparison wait timer, 23 print data difference value calculation module, 2
4: priority count counter, 25: residence timer in the print data server.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A print processing apparatus for performing print processing of print data received from another machine by a printer, comprising: a temporary storage unit for temporarily storing print data received from the other machine; Obtain information including the data size of the stored print data,
Priority control information generating means for generating priority control information relating to the print data based on at least data size information; and control for outputting the print data to the printer based on the priority control information generated by the priority control information generating means. And a print processing control means for performing the following. 2. The print processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print processing control unit is configured to generate a plurality of pieces of priority control information when the plurality of pieces of priority control information are generated by the priority control information generation unit within a predetermined waiting time. Wherein the print data having a shorter data size is preferentially output to the printer. 3. The print processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a dwell time measuring unit that measures a dwell time of the priority control information generated by the priority control information generation unit; When a plurality of pieces of priority control information are generated within the time by the priority control information generating means, the print data with the longer residence time in the apparatus measured by the residence time measuring means is preferentially output to the printer. A print processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 4. The print processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising priority processing number counting means for counting the number of priority processing times of the priority control information generated by the priority control information generating means, wherein the print processing control means comprises: When a plurality of pieces of priority control information are generated by the priority control information generating means within a predetermined waiting time, the printer preferentially gives priority to the print data whose priority processing number counted by the priority processing number counting means has reached a predetermined number. A print processing device for outputting to a printer.