JPH10326164A - Network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make an optimum printer device efficiently selectable out of printer devices on a network, by allowing a server to output an inquiry signal for device information through a line and determine the printer device according to device information received from respective devices. SOLUTION: A printer server part 32 of the server 20 outputs an inquiry signal for device information to the printers constituting a network system and other servers 20 in response to a print command from a computer. The resolution of each printer which is stored in a data storage part 30 is judged from the ID included in device information sent back from each printer device in response to the inquiry signal to select a printer device having resolution corresponding to the picture quality of image data. Then, the wait time up to the start of printing of each printer is judged and the printer device having the shortest wait time is determined among the selected printer devices for print data transmission.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a network system for converting image data transmitted from an information terminal device connected to a line into print data corresponding to a printer device and printing out the print data.

[0002]

Background Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention Today,
2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of printers are connected on a network, and image information handled by a terminal device such as a personal computer is printed using one of the plurality of printers.

[0003] The image information handled by the computer is:
For example, the image is often a still image or a moving image obtained via the Internet, and the image quality of such an image is often high in the number of gradations and high in the resolution.

In order to print such high-quality image data, it is necessary to perform a process of converting the image data into print data in accordance with the required image quality.
High performance is required for this processing.

However, various types of printers are often connected to the network, and all the printers connected to the network rarely have the processing capability.

For this reason, an image processing server for a printer having a low processing capacity is connected to the network, and image data output from a computer is once taken into the image processing server to generate print data. It is also conceivable to send the data to a printer of lower capacity via a line and print it.

However, in this case, the relationship between the image processing server and the printer is fixed. For this reason, it is not possible to determine and use the optimum printer device in consideration of the usage status of all the printer devices connected to the network. As a result, a plurality of printer devices connected to the network can be efficiently used. The problem that it cannot be used arises.

In addition, when the relationship between the server and each printer is fixed as described above, when a new printer is additionally connected on the network, the server can flexibly respond to the new printer. There is also a problem that it cannot be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to select the quality of image data to be printed and the quality of each image from a plurality of printers connected to a network. It is an object of the present invention to provide a network system capable of efficiently selecting an optimum printer device based on a vacant state of a printer and performing printing.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a server for receiving a print command and image data for printing transmitted from a terminal device is provided to the server via a line. At least one connected printer device, wherein the server outputs a device information inquiry signal via a line based on a print command from the terminal device, and connects to the line in response to the inquiry signal. Based on the device information received from each of the devices, a printer server unit for determining a printer device for print data transmission, and a data conversion process for converting image data from the terminal device into print data, Image processing server means for transmitting the print data generated by the conversion process to the determined printer device via a line, and A device information transmission control unit that transmits device information including the type information of the own device to the server in response to the inquiry signal of the device information, and the image processing server unit that is received via a line. And printing means for printing the print data.

Here, the image data includes, for example, image data obtained from a network such as the Internet, image data obtained from an image output device such as a video camera or an electronic photograph, and image data read from various memory devices. Etc. According to the present invention, a print command and image data for printing are transmitted from the terminal device to the server.

The server first outputs a device information inquiry signal to each printer or the like via a line based on the print command.

Each printer connected to the line transmits device information including its own type information to the server in response to the inquiry signal. Based on the device information obtained from each printer device obtained in this way, the server determines a printer device for print data transmission. In other words, the printer device with the shortest waiting time is determined as the printer device for print data transmission from among the printer devices suitable for the image quality of the image data. In the present invention, since the server instructs each printer to print the print data, the above-described waiting time of each printer can be determined based on the data held by the server. In addition, when there are a plurality of servers, since a plurality of servers respectively instructs printing, by adopting a configuration in which data transmission / reception is performed between the servers as necessary, each server can perform its own and other servers. The waiting time of each printer described above can be determined based on the data of the server.

[0014] As described above, the server of the present invention comprises:
When a print command is transmitted from a terminal device via a line, the terminal device can function as a printer server that determines an optimal printer device from a plurality of printer devices connected to a network.

Next, the server performs a data conversion process of converting image data from the terminal device into print data.
The print data thus generated is transmitted to the determined printer device. That is, it functions as an image processing server.

Then, the printer to which the print data has been transmitted prints out the print data via the printing means.

As described above, according to the present invention, when a print command and image data for printing are transmitted from the terminal device to the server, the server selects an empty state or the image quality of the image data to be printed from among the plurality of printers. The most suitable printer can be selected according to the above, the print data subjected to the data conversion processing can be transmitted to the printer, and printed.

Therefore, a plurality of computers connected on the network can be used flexibly and efficiently according to their types and availability, and the server can be optimized based on the device information obtained in response to the inquiry signal. Since a printer is determined, it is possible to flexibly cope with a case where a new printer device is added on the network.

In the present invention, in order to determine an optimum printer device according to the image quality of image data to be printed from among a plurality of printer devices connected on a network, as in the invention of claim 2, Preferably, a server is formed.

That is, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the server has a data processing program for converting capability information indicating printing capability and image data into print data for each of different types of printers. The printer server means includes a storage means stored in advance, and the printer server means, for a print data transmission target, based on a load situation of each of the printer devices and the capability information read from the storage means corresponding to the type information. A printer device is determined, and the image processing server means performs a data conversion process of converting the image data into print data using a data processing program corresponding to the determined type of the printer device. .

In the present invention, the server stores in advance unique capability information and data processing programs of different types of printers in advance.

Here, the capability information includes resolution data of various types of printers, and the data processing program converts the image data for printing into data according to the image quality for the printer device, that is, the number of gradations and the resolution. This is a program for performing conversion processing and generating print data.

Then, based on the type information included in the device information obtained from each device, the server refers to the unique capability information and the idle state of the printer corresponding to the type information. Then, based on the capability information and the idle state of each printer device, the printer device for print data transmission is determined. At this time, it is preferable to determine the print device to which the print data is to be transmitted in consideration of the size of the printable paper, the remaining amount of the ink, and the like, as required, in addition to the empty state and the capability information.

Then, the server performs data conversion processing for converting image data into print data based on a data processing program corresponding to the determined type of printer. As a result, it is possible to generate print data of the number of gradations and resolution corresponding to the capability of the printer, and print out the print data from the determined printer device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first and second aspects, the printer server means of the server communicates with another server or printer device via a line based on a print command from a terminal device. Another server that outputs a device information inquiry signal toward at least one of the devices, and shares the data conversion process based on device information received from another device connected to the line in response to the inquiry signal. Or determine at least one device of the printer device, transmit a sharing command and shared image data to the determined device, the image processing server means of the server, the data of the image data shared based on the sharing command A conversion process is performed, and the print data generated by the data conversion process is transmitted to the determined printer device via a line. It is characterized in.

That is, when the data amount of the image data to be printed is large, it takes too much time to process all the data with one server, and it is often difficult to perform quick printing. In particular, when printing a large amount of high-quality image data, even when using a powerful server,
Image data cannot be converted into print data at high speed.

According to the present invention, the server receiving the print command and the image data for printing from the terminal transmission outputs an assignment inquiry signal to at least one of the other server and the printer device connected to the line, Collect device information for other devices. Then, based on the collected information on the other devices, at least one of the other server and the printer device that is responsible for the data conversion processing of the image data is determined, and the shared command and the shared command are directed to the determined device. Send image data.

At this time, in order to allow the printer device to perform the data conversion process, it is necessary to select a printer device having a data conversion processing capability for converting image data into print data.

The other device that has received the conversion command and the shared image data, that is, at least one of the server and the printer device, performs data conversion processing of the shared image data, and transmits the generated print data to the line. To the printer device determined via the.

As described above, according to the present invention, since image data is shared and processed by a plurality of devices to generate print data, a large amount of image data can be converted into print data at high speed and printed out. It becomes possible.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the printer server means of the server, based on a print command from a terminal device, transmits at least one of another server or a printer device via a line. A device information inquiry signal is output to one of the devices, and based on device information received from another device connected to the line in response to the inquiry signal, the priority order of the printer device for print data transmission is determined. In this case, the terminal device makes a decision selection inquiry to the terminal device, and finally decides the printer device for the print data transmission target based on the selection information of the terminal device.

According to the present invention, upon receiving a print command from the terminal device, the server determines the priority order of the printer device for print data transmission from among a plurality of printer devices connected to the network, Inquires the terminal device about the decision.

Thus, the user can determine an optimum printer from among a plurality of printers and print image data on the printer, thereby improving the usability of the printer connected to the system. In particular, the user can determine, for example, the printer device closest to his or her seat from among the plurality of printer devices inquired and print image data on the printer device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, any one of the printer devices has a function as the server.

That is, by using a high-performance printer, this printer can also function as the server according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the network system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects is formed so as to be accessible from an external terminal device, and the accessed server of the network system includes the determined server inside the system. The print data is transmitted to a printer device.

According to the present invention, when the server is accessed from outside the network system using a terminal device such as a computer and a print command and image data are transmitted, the image data is transmitted to a printer device in the network system. Can be printed out.

In particular, according to the present invention, even when the image data is transmitted to a network system in a country having a different printing standard, the image data is converted by the server into print data conforming to the standard of the country. Is printed out.

Therefore, for example, the network system of the present invention is constructed in an office in the United States, and from Japan,
When print data and image data are transmitted to the American network system using a terminal device, the transmitted image data is converted into print data conforming to the American standard and printed out.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in a network system in which a server device and a plurality of printer devices are connected via a line, the printer device is configured to perform printing based on a print command and image data transmitted from a terminal device.
A device information inquiry signal is output via the line, and another server or printer device in charge of the data conversion process is determined based on device information received from each device connected to the line in response to the inquiry signal. And, a printer server means for transmitting an assigned command and image data to be assigned to the determined device, and printing means for printing print data transmitted from the determined device, including the other device, An image processing server means for performing data conversion processing of image data in charge based on the instruction in charge, generating print data, and transmitting the print data to the printer device via a line.

When a server and a plurality of printers are connected on a network, the user often wants to print image data to a specific printing device depending on the circumstances of the user. For example, in many cases, the user wants to print out image data from a printer device installed at a location closest to a terminal device used by a user.

However, the printer does not always have a sufficient data conversion processing capability.

According to the present invention, when a print command and image data to be printed are transmitted from the terminal device to the printer device, the printer device that has received the command outputs a device information inquiry signal to another device, Collect information on other devices. Then, another server or a printer device that is in charge of the data conversion process is determined, and a charge command and image data are transmitted to the device.

The other device, for example, a server or a printer which has received this, performs a data conversion process of the image data based on the assigned command, and returns print data generated thereby to the printer.

Then, the printer device receiving the print command from the terminal device prints out the print data returned from the other device.

As described above, the system of the present invention utilizes the data conversion processing capability of another device connected to the network and allows the printer device to perform high-performance processing even if the user does not have sufficient capability in the printer device. High quality image data can be printed out, which is extremely convenient for the user.

[0047]

Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a schematic configuration of the first embodiment of the network system according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a network system 10 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of servers 20A, 20B and a plurality of printers 40a,
40b, 40c... Are connected. Some printers are directly connected to the server 20B, such as 40d. Further, the printer device 40 is formed so that it can be added to the communication line 12 or the server 20 as needed.

Further, a computer 14 which is an information terminal device is connected to the network system 10 via a communication line 12.

The computer 14 can access an external network system, for example, the Internet via the communication line 12 and receive information such as data such as characters, still images, moving images, and voices. Furthermore, image data can be captured via various input / output media, or image data can be generated by itself.

The network system according to the present embodiment
As shown in FIG. 1, when a print command and image data 100 to be printed are transmitted from the computer 14 to a desired server 20 existing on the network system 10, the server 20 that has received the command and the data 100
Determines the most suitable one to be used for printing from a plurality of printer devices 40, and further converts the image data into print data corresponding to the image quality, and uses the determined printer device 40 To print out.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the server 20.

The server 20 according to the present embodiment has the communication line 1
2, a signal input / output unit 22 for transmitting and receiving data via
A processing unit 24 configured using a PU or the like, a program memory 26 storing various operation programs, a processing data storage unit 28 storing print data generated by performing data conversion processing on image data, A capability data storage unit 30 storing capability information specific to different types of printer devices, and a data processing program memory 36 storing a data processing program for generating print data from image data for each type of printer device. It is comprised including.

Here, the image processing data storage unit 30 stores, as capability information unique to the printer device, IDs for specifying the models of various printer devices, and resolutions and other capability data corresponding thereto. Is stored for each type of printer device. Further, the data processing program stored in the program memory 36 is stored together with the version data in association with IDs for specifying various types of printers.

The server 20 according to the present embodiment accesses a host computer (not shown) via the communication line 12 according to an operator's instruction or periodically.
The information such as the ID of the newly released printer, the capability information corresponding thereto, and the data processing program is downloaded to the image processing data storage unit 30 and the program memory 36 together with the version information.

The arithmetic processing section 24 is based on an operation program stored in the program memory 26 and a data conversion processing program stored in the program memory 36 and the like. Function as

The printer server unit 32 outputs a device information inquiry signal to the printer 40 and the other server 20 constituting the network system 16 based on a print command from the computer 14. Then, in accordance with the inquiry signal, a printer device 40 for print data transmission is determined based on device information received from each device, as described later.

Specifically, the resolution of each printer stored in the data storage unit 30 is determined based on the ID included in the device information returned from each printer device 40 in response to the inquiry signal, and A printer device having a resolution according to the image quality of data is selected. Next, the waiting time until the printing of each printer is started is determined from the selected printer devices, and the priority order is determined in the order of the shortest waiting time. Then, the printer device 40 having the highest priority is determined as a print data transmission target.

It should be noted that the printer server unit 32
May transmit the priority information to the computer 14 via the communication line 12 so that the user can determine the printer device to which the print data is to be transmitted.
In this case, the information of the printer selected by the user using the computer 14 is returned to the server 20 via the communication line 12, and the printer server unit 32 sends a print data transmission target printer based on the return data. The final decision of the device 40 is made.

The image processing server unit 34 sequentially converts the image data into print data using a data conversion program corresponding to the determined ID of the printer device 40, and converts the converted print data into the sequentially processed data. Storage unit 28
Write to. Then, the processing data storage unit 28
Are sequentially output via the communication line 12 to the printer device 40 for print data transmission.

The network system 10 according to the present embodiment
In, the print control of each printer 40 is basically performed by the server 20. For this reason, when only one server 20 exists, the current waiting time of each printer device 40 can be determined from the data in the processing data storage unit 28 of the server. Therefore, when the printer server unit 32 gives priority to the printer device for print data transmission, the data in the processing data storage unit 28 may be referred to.

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of servers 2
In some cases, the printing of each of the printers 40 is shared and controlled by using the printers 0A and 20B, and in another case, a high-performance printer among the plurality of printers 40 has a function as an image processing server unit. . In such a case, each of the servers 20A and 20B and the printer device 40 functioning as a server respond to the above-mentioned inquiry signal from the printer server unit 32 to print the processing amount of each printer 40 at present. The data indicating whether or not
It is formed so as to send a reply to the printer server unit 32.

As a result, the printer server unit 32 can accurately determine the waiting time of each printer device 40 and accurately set the priority of the printer device to which the print data is to be transmitted.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the printer 40.

The printer 40 according to the present embodiment stores a signal input / output unit 42 connected to the communication line 12, an arithmetic processing unit 44 constituted by using a CPU and the like, and an operation program as a printer. A program memory 48;
A print data storage unit 50 for storing print data transmitted from the server; and a printer information storage unit 5 for storing an ID for specifying a model number (model name) of the printer of the own device.
2 and a printing unit 46 for performing actual printing based on the print data
It is comprised including.

The arithmetic processing section 44 is configured to function as a device information transmission control section 56 and a print control section 58 based on a program stored in a program memory 48.

In response to the inquiry signal from the printer server unit 32 of the server 20, the device information transmission control unit 56 stores the ID of its own device stored in the printer information storage unit 52 and other necessary information. Server 2 as information
Send to 0. Here, the other necessary information includes the size of paper that can be printed by the own device, the remaining amount of ink for printing, and the like. The arithmetic processing unit 44 checks the hardware of the printer device when the inquiry signal is received, and detects the size of the paper and the remaining amount of ink each time.

As will be described later, the printer 40
Function in the same manner as the image processing server unit 34,
The version information of the data conversion processing program stored in the program memory 60 is included in the device information and transmitted to the server 20.

The print control unit 58 stores the print data transmitted from the image processing server unit 34 of the server 20 in a print data storage unit 50 functioning as a buffer.
The print data is written in the printer, and the print unit 46 is controlled to sequentially print out the print data.

The printer 40 according to the present embodiment is
Basically, it is sufficient to provide the above configuration, but if necessary, these printer devices 40
0 may be formed to have the same function as the image processing server unit 34. In this case, the printer device 40
In addition to the above configuration, the configuration includes a program memory 60 for data conversion processing and a processing data storage unit 62.

In the program memory 60, a data conversion program for converting image data into print data in accordance with the resolution of its own device is stored together with its version information.

If the printer device 40 has enough capacity, the program memory 60 stores the data in accordance with the resolution of a printer device of a type different from its own.
A program for converting image data into print data and its version information may be stored.

The arithmetic processing section 44 functions as image processing server means for converting image data into print data based on a data conversion program stored in the memory 60, and processes the converted print data. The data is sequentially stored in the data storage unit 60.

Accordingly, the printer device 40 configured as described above prints image data without passing through the server 20 even when a print command and image processing data are directly transmitted from the computer 14 by designating the printer 40 itself. It can be converted into data and printed out using the printing unit 46.

Further, this type of printer 40
When a sharing command and shared image data are transmitted from the server 20 as described later, the shared image data is sequentially converted into print data in accordance with the sharing command, and the converted printing data is sent to the printer 40 designated by the server. To be transmitted sequentially.

As described above, since the server 20 and the printer 40 share the processing of converting image data into print data, the entire system can be moved efficiently and the printing speed can be further increased.

Next, a more detailed configuration of the network system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing functions of the server 20 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing functions of the printer 40 of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that a print command from the computer 14 to the server 20A and image data to be printed are sequentially transmitted as data 100.

In this case, the printer server unit 32 of the server 20A performs the operation shown by the flow 1000 in FIG.
It determines that the received data 100 is a print command and acquires the data (steps S10 and S12), and outputs a device information inquiry signal 110 on the network (step S14).

Each printer 40 on the network that has received the inquiry signal 110 responds to the inquiry signal 110 of the device information and responds to the flow 110 of FIG.
It operates as indicated by 0. That is, each printer device 4
0 indicates that the received signal 110 is an inquiry signal (step S100), and the printer information storage unit 52
As shown in FIG. 2, the ID of the own device, the size of printable paper, and the remaining amount of ink stored in the
To the server 20 (step S10).
2). At this time, the program memory 60 for data processing is used.
The printer device 40 provided with
Reply with version information of data processing program.

The server 20 that has received the device information 120 from each of the printers 40 operates as shown by a flow 1200 in FIG.

That is, the printer server unit 32 of the server 20 determines that the received information 120 from each printer 40 is the device information from the printer device on the network, and obtains the device information 120 (step S16). , S18).

Then, the device information 1 from each of the printers
20, a printer device 4 for print data transmission
The priority of 0 is determined (step S20). That is, from the ID of each printer device 40, each printer device 4
The printing capability such as the resolution of 0 is determined, and the printer device 40 that satisfies the printing quality of the image data is selected. At this time, even if the printer device 40 satisfies the image quality, the printer device does not match the paper size based on the data such as the paper size and the remaining ink amount included in the received device information 120, Printer devices with a small remaining amount are excluded from the target. Next, a priority order is assigned to the selected printer device 40. Higher priority is given in ascending order of the waiting time until the start of printing.

In this manner, when the priority ranking for the printer device 40 for print data transmission is completed,
Next, as shown in FIG. 2, an inquiry signal 130 of the printer device 40 to be used is output to the computer 14 (step S22).

When the user selects the printer device 40 in response to this inquiry, the selection signal 1 shown in FIG.
40 is returned from the computer 14 to the server 20, and the printer device 40 for print data transmission is determined (step S24).

Next, the image processing server unit 34 sequentially converts the image data into print data using a data conversion program corresponding to the determined ID of the printer device 40, and converts the converted print data into processing data. It is stored in the storage unit 28 (step S26). In parallel with this conversion processing operation, the arithmetic processing unit 24 determines that the determined version of the program stored in the memory 60 of the printer device 40 is
It is determined whether or not the version matches the version stored in the image processing data storage unit 30. If the version does not match, the version-up program information 150 is stored as shown in FIG. The printer 40
Is transmitted (step S28). Further, the image processing server unit 34 transmits the print data 160 generated by the above-described data conversion process to the target printer device 40 as shown in FIG. 4 (step S3).
0).

The printer 40 receiving the data 150 and 160 receives the data 1200 and 13 shown in FIG.
It operates as shown at 00.

That is, the printer 40 is connected to the server 2
When the version upgrade program information 150 is received from 0, the program for data conversion processing in the program memory 60 and the version information thereof are updated as shown in a flow 1300. Specifically, step S1
At 30, it is determined that the received information is an image processing program for upgrading, and the data in the memory 60 is updated at step S132.

Next, when the print data 160 is transmitted from the server 20, this printer 40
It operates as indicated by 00. Specifically, it is determined that the received data 160 is print data, the data is stored in the print data storage unit 50, and printed using the printing unit 46 (steps S110, S112). In the present embodiment, the printing unit 46 and the printing control unit 58
Function as printing means.

As described above, according to the system of the present embodiment, when the print data is transmitted from the server 20 to the printer 40, the image processing program in each printer 40 is also upgraded. Therefore, the entire system is always unified with the latest version of the program, and the entire system can be operated efficiently.

In the system according to the present embodiment, when the processing amount of the image data processed by the server 20 is large, it is preferable that the processing is shared with another server or the printer device 40 having a processing capability. .

For this reason, the server 20 of the present embodiment
In step S60 shown in FIG. 8, it is determined whether to perform the sharing process.

That is, when it is determined that the data processing amount is large and the shared processing should be performed based on the data amount of the image data transmitted from the computer 14 and the image quality thereof (step S60), the processing capacity is reduced. A query message of the processing capability is transmitted to some other server 20 or the printer device 40, and the server 20 or the printer device 40 which is responsible for the process is determined based on information obtained from each device by this message (step S)
62).

More specifically, when the inquiry message is transmitted through the communication line 12 in step S62, the other servers operate as shown in the flow 2000 of FIG. 8, and the printer device 40 operates as shown in the flow 1500 of FIG. It operates as shown by. That is, the other server 20 and the printer device 40 determine that there has been an inquiry about the processing capability in steps S40 and S140, respectively, and transmit information indicating the data processing capability of the own device to the server (steps S42 and S142). ). At this time, the capability information transmitted to the server 40 includes an ID of a printer device that can be shared by the own device, version information of a processing program, information on how much load the own device currently has, and the like.

The server 20 that has received this information determines the device that performs the data conversion process, that is, the other server 20 or the printer 40 (step S62), and determines the image data that each device shares toward the sharing device, The address information of the printer device 40 that transmits the print data is transmitted (step S64).

When transmitting such data, the server 20 of the present embodiment determines whether or not the version information of the data conversion processing program of each device sharing the data conversion processing is the latest version. The latest version of the data conversion program is transmitted to each device as necessary.

Next, the server 20 executes a data conversion process of converting image data shared by the server 20 into print data (step S66).

The other servers 20 which share the conversion of image data into print data are provided by the flow 2100, 2100 of FIG.
The printer device 40 that operates as shown in FIG. 200 and shares the processing operates as shown in the flowcharts 1300 and 1400 in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a case where the image data and the data associated therewith are transmitted as data 170B and 170C from the server 20A to the other server 20B and the printer 40a which share the processing. The data flow is shown. These data 170B,
As described above, the 170C includes a program for data conversion processing for upgrading, as necessary, together with version information.

If the data 170B contains version upgrade information, the server 20B responsible for processing is
Updates the data conversion processing program and its version information stored in its own memory 36 according to the flow 2100 (steps S50 and S52).

Then, the image data included in the received data 170b is converted into print data according to the flow 2200 (step S46), and the designated printer 40
The print data is transmitted to b (step S48).

Similarly, the printer 40 sharing the processing
If the version up information is included in the data 170C, a updates the data conversion processing program and its version information stored in its own memory 60 according to the flow 1300 (step S1).
30, S132).

Then, the image data included in the received data 170B is converted into print data according to the flow 1400 (step S122), and the designated printer 4
0b is transmitted (step S12).
4).

As described above, in the system according to the present embodiment, the processes of sharing the image data to be processed using the plurality of servers 20A and 20B and the printer device 40a and converting them into print data are performed in parallel. The converted print data is transmitted from each device to the data 160A, 160B, 16B.
Printer device 40b for print data transmission target as 0C
Send to.

The printer 40b prints a large amount of print data at high speed by rearranging the sequentially transmitted print data based on, for example, page information and storing the rearranged print data in the print data storage unit 50. It becomes possible.

Further, the network system of the present invention
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the system shown in FIG. 1, a print command and image data for printing are transmitted from the computer 14 to a desired printer 40 constituting the network system 10, and the image data is printed from the printer 40. It can be formed to output.

Specifically, when the network system shown in FIG. 1 is constructed, a printer device 40c exists next to the computer 14, and the other printers 40a, 40b, 4
0d may be at a remote location. In such a case, many users want to print using the nearby printer device 40c.

However, there is no problem if the printer device 40c has a function of converting image data into print data. However, if the printer device 40c has a simple configuration and is inexpensive, such a function is provided. Often not.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the system 10
Of the printers 40 that do not have the ability to convert image data into print data are configured to have the functions shown in FIG. It is configured to further have the function shown in FIG.

The specific configuration will be described below.

In this embodiment, a printer 40c having no ability to convert image data into print data
Is a function as a printer server means shown in steps S300 to S312 in FIG.
It is configured to have a function as a printing unit indicated by reference numeral 316.

That is, when a print command and image data are transmitted from the computer 14 to the printer device 40c, the printer device 40c determines in step S300 that the print command has been received, and determines in step S302 that other print commands have been received. Of the printer 40 or the server 20 about the capability.

In response to this inquiry, the other printer 40a or the server 20 having the processing capability transmits the information of its own processing capability to the printer device 40c in response to the inquiry as shown in FIG. (Steps S400, S402).

The printer device 40c operates in step S402.
(Steps S304 and S306), and determines a server or a printer to request processing (step S308). Then, the image data transmitted from the computer 14 is transmitted to the request destination device determined in step S308 (steps S310 and S312).

The device at the request destination receiving the image data performs data conversion processing for converting the received image data into print data (steps S404, S406, S40).
8) Then, the converted print data is returned to the printer device 40c (step S410).

When receiving the print data, the printer device 40c sequentially prints out the print data (steps S314, S316).

As described above, according to the system of the present embodiment, even when a print command and image data are transmitted from the computer 14 to the printer device 40c which does not have the ability to convert image data into print data, even if the computer 14 It is possible to convert image data into print data by utilizing the capabilities of other devices existing in the printer and print out the print data.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the computer 14 is directly connected to the communication line 12 constituting the network system 10 has been described as an example. The system 10 can be configured to be accessible.

By doing so, it is possible to prepare for an illegal intrusion from the outside, and the network system 1
0 can be improved in security.

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the network system of the present invention.

Network system 10 of the present embodiment
Is formed to be accessible from an external computer 14. Then, the server 20 of the network system 10 that has been accessed from the external computer 14 and has received the print command and the image data determines the printer device 40 to which the print data is to be transmitted, as in the above-described embodiment, and To print out the image data.

In particular, the present embodiment is suitable for transmitting a print command and image data from an area having a different printing standard, for example, from Japan to the network system 10 provided in the United States using the computer 14. It becomes something.

By doing so, the accessed system 10 performs a data conversion process on the image data in accordance with the US printing standard based on the print command and the image data transmitted from Japan to print the image data. Data can be generated and printed out using the optimal printer device 40.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the server 20 is provided in the network system 10 has been described as an example. However, if there is a printer 40 having sufficiently high capability, the printer The system 10 may be configured to have a function as a server.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a server used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a printer device used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a server used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a printer used in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a printer device used in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a printer or a server used in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Network system 12 Communication line 14 Computer 20 Server 22 Signal input / output unit 24 Arithmetic processing unit 26 Program memory 28 Processing data storage unit 30 Data storage unit 32 Printer server unit 34 Image processing server unit 36 Program memory for data conversion processing 40 Printer Device 44 Arithmetic processing unit 46 Printing unit 48 Program memory 52 Printer information storage unit 56 Device information transmission control unit 58 Printing control unit 60 Program memory for data conversion processing 62 Processing data storage unit

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A server that receives a print command and image data for printing transmitted from a terminal device, and at least one printer device connected to the server via a line, the server comprising: A device information inquiry signal is output via a line based on a print command from the terminal device, and based on device information received from each device connected to the line in response to the inquiry signal, a print data transmission target A printer server means for determining the printer device, and a data conversion process for converting image data from the terminal device into print data. The print data generated by the data conversion process is transmitted via a line to the determined printer. Image processing server means for transmitting to the device, wherein the printer device responds to an inquiry signal of the device information. Device information transmission control means for transmitting device information including type information of the own device to the server; and printing means for printing print data received from the image processing server means via a line. And a network system. 2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the server includes, for each of different types of printers, storage means for storing in advance capability information indicating printing capability and a data processing program for converting image data into print data. The printer server unit determines a printer device for print data transmission based on the load status of each of the printer devices and the capability information read from the storage unit in correspondence with the type information; A network system, wherein the image processing server means performs data conversion processing for converting the image data into print data using a data processing program corresponding to the determined type of the printer device. 3. The server according to claim 1, wherein the printer server means of the server communicates with at least one of another server and a printer device via a line based on a print command from a terminal device. Output a device information inquiry signal, and based on device information received from another device connected to the line in response to the inquiry signal, based on at least one of another server or a printer device sharing the data conversion process One of the devices is determined, and the sharing command and the image data to be shared are transmitted to the determined device. The image processing server means of the server performs a data conversion process of the shared image data based on the sharing command. The print data generated by the conversion process is transmitted to the determined printer device via a line. Network system. 4. The server according to claim 1, wherein the printer server means of the server communicates with at least one device of another server or a printer device via a line based on a print command from a terminal device. Output a device information inquiry signal, and based on device information received from another device connected to the line in response to the inquiry signal, determine the priority order of the printer device for print data transmission target, the terminal A network system in which a device selection inquiry is made to a device, and the printer device for print data transmission is finally determined based on the selection information of the terminal device. 5. The network system according to claim 1, wherein one of the printer devices has a function as the server. 6. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the network system is configured to be accessible from an external terminal device, and the accessed server of the network system is directed to the determined printer device inside the system. A network system for transmitting print data. 7. In a network system in which a server device and a plurality of printer devices are connected via a line, the printer device is connected to a device via a line based on a print command and image data transmitted from a terminal device. Output an information inquiry signal, based on device information received from each device connected to the line according to the inquiry signal, determine another server or printer device that is responsible for the data conversion process,
A printer server for transmitting a charge command and image data for the determined device to the determined device; and a printing device for printing print data transmitted from the determined device. A network system, comprising: an image processing server unit that performs data conversion processing of image data in charge based on a command, generates print data, and transmits the print data to the printer device via a line.