JPH11134139A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer which is connected to a network and can perform printing with no waiting time required in an emergency and also can know the print end time and also to provide a printing system. SOLUTION: The print data supplied from the clients 2-1 to 2-n which are connected to a computer network are managed by a printing server 3 and printed by a printer 4. In such a printing system, the printing data which are simultaneously supplied from plural clients are printed according to their priority or with no waiting time required in an emergency. So with even in a case where three or more priority levels are set. Thus, the printing data are printed in the order of higher priority levels so that a printing system requiring no waiting time is secured.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing system connected to a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Today, computer networks such as LANs (local area networks) are widely used, and printing apparatuses are also connected to the networks and used. In such a computer network, a printing device is shared by many client computers (hereinafter simply referred to as clients). Therefore, print requests from a plurality of clients may overlap. In such a case, in a conventional system, when print data is sent from a client to a print server, information indicating a priority is written at the head of the data, and printing processing is performed according to the priority.

[0003] In a printing apparatus used in a conventional printing system, there is a system that performs printing without setting a priority order as described above. This is a so-called first-in first-out printing system.

[0004]

The above conventional printing apparatus has the following problems. (A) First, in a system for performing print processing by setting a priority order, once processing of print data having a high priority order is started, print processing is performed even if print data to be printed is urgently input. I couldn't do that.

(B) In a system that does not set the priority order, the processing of the print data requested by itself is performed, and it is not known when the processing will be completed, and an unnecessary waiting time is required.

[0006] The present invention, when urgent processing is required,
An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing system that can perform a printing process without waiting time and can also know a printing end time.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system connected to a network and having at least a server computer, first and second client computers, and a printing apparatus. If print data with a high print priority is output from the second client computer during the printing process of the print data output from the first client computer, the print data output from the second client computer is output. Can be achieved by providing a printing system that performs print processing first.

Here, the network is, for example, a computer network such as a LAN, the server computer is a print server for managing print data in the network, and the client computer is, for example, a personal computer. Many computers are connected in addition to the second client computer.

[0009] With this configuration, the printing apparatus connected to the network can print the print data with high priority according to the management of the server computer. For example, if print data with a high print priority is output from the second client computer while processing print data from the first client computer, the print data output from the second client computer is immediately processed. In addition, it is possible to print emergency print data with almost no waiting time.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the print data output from the second client computer includes, for example, a command for instructing priority printing.

With this configuration, the priority of the print data can be known by inputting the print data, and an efficient priority print instruction can be performed with a very simple command configuration.

Here, the instruction of the priority printing is not limited to the command, and a configuration may be employed in which high-priority print data is supplied from different inputs. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the command is located, for example, at the head of the print data.

With this configuration, the command included in the print data can be known at an early stage, and the priority print processing for the print data with high priority can be immediately performed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect, the supply of the command has a different supply timing, for example, from a normal command. Here, the supply timing of the command instructing the high-priority processing is different from the normal command when the supply timing of the command instructing the high-priority processing is longer than the supply timing of the normal command, or It is a short case.

According to this configuration, when the print data is input to the server computer, for example, the command can be recognized immediately, and the printing process of the print data with high priority can be started immediately. The printing process can be performed faster than the system.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the print data has, for example, a print processing end command, and the print command of the print data having a higher priority is ended by the end command. Is returned to the print processing of the print data.

With this configuration, it is possible to immediately return to the previous print data print processing after the print processing of the print data with high priority is completed. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in a printing system connected to a network and having at least a server computer, a plurality of client computers, and a printing device, the client computer outputs print data, and This can be achieved by providing a printing system in which the data includes a command indicating the level of printing priority.

In this embodiment, for example, three or more client computers are provided, and print data supplied from these computers is printed in accordance with the priority order. The printing process is performed according to the priority. Also, it is possible to set four or more priorities for four or more print data and perform the printing process.

With such a configuration, the printing apparatus connected to the network can perform the printing process in accordance with the priority order, for example, by the management of the server computer. Since printing processing is performed, more efficient printing processing can be performed.

According to a seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, the command is located at the head of the print data. With this configuration,
The command included in the print data can be known at an early stage, and quick print processing can be performed according to the priority.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the seventh aspect, the server computer creates a table storing print priorities in accordance with, for example, the command.

That is, a command included in the print data is analyzed, the priority of printing is checked, the print data is set in the printing order, and a table is created. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the eighth aspect, the server computer manages a print schedule of the print data according to the table created as described above, and performs a print process according to the print schedule. is there.

According to a tenth aspect, in the sixth aspect, the print data has a print processing end command, and the print processing of the print data having a higher priority is ended by the end command. This is a configuration for shifting to print data print processing.

For example, if the process has shifted from the normal printing process to the priority printing process, the process returns to the normal printing process after the priority printing process ends. If the print processing has shifted from the print processing with the highest priority to the print processing with the highest priority, the process returns to the print processing with the highest priority after the print processing with the highest priority. The above object is claimed in claim 11
According to the described invention, in a printing system connected to a network and having at least a server computer, a client computer, and a printing device, the client computer creates print data including a print time and sends the print data to the printing device. The printing apparatus can be achieved by providing a printing system that performs printing processing of the print data according to the printing time.

Here, the configuration of the network, the client computer, and the printing apparatus are the same as those described above, but the present embodiment is an invention in which the printing process is performed at a designated time.

With this configuration, when the printing apparatus is used via the network, the printing time is set in advance. For example, the operator only has to go to the printing apparatus at the set time, eliminating the waiting time and improving the efficiency. You can do good work.

In a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the printing time is, for example, a printing start time. In this case, the print time set in advance may be used as it is, and the print time can be reserved by simple settings.

According to a thirteenth aspect, in the invention of the eleventh aspect, the print time is, for example, a print end time. In this case, since the preset print time is the print end time, the print time of the print data is subtracted from the print end time to start the print processing. Even with such a configuration, print data can be processed in accordance with the set time.

In a fourteenth aspect based on the eleventh aspect, the printing time is, for example, a printing start time relative to a current time. Here, the print start time relative to the current time is, when outputting the print data, "starting the print process after several hours from now" or "starting the print process after several hours from now". Time setting.

According to a fifteenth aspect, in the invention of the eleventh aspect, the print time is a print end time relative to a current time. Here, the print end time relative to the current time refers to the time when print data is output.
The time setting is "how many hours from now the print processing is to be ended" and "what time and how many minutes to end the print processing from now".

According to a sixteenth aspect, in the invention according to the thirteenth aspect, the printing apparatus has a calculating means for subtracting a print time of the print data from the print end time.

That is, the calculating means performs a calculation for subtracting the print time of the print data from the set print end time. According to a seventeenth aspect, in the invention according to the fifteenth aspect, the printing apparatus has a calculation unit that subtracts a printing time of the print data from the relative printing end time.

That is, the calculating means performs a calculation of subtracting the print time of the print data from the set relative print end time. According to an eighteenth aspect, in the invention according to the eleventh aspect, the server computer performs schedule management of a print time of print data supplied from the client computer.

With this configuration, the server computer sets a schedule in the order of printing time and controls printing of the printing apparatus. According to a nineteenth aspect, in the invention according to the eleventh aspect, the printing apparatus notifies the client computer when the printing of the print data cannot be performed at the printing time.

With this configuration, if there is no print data at the set print time, a message to that effect is displayed on the client computer. For example, the operator does not supply the print data to the server computer or the printing apparatus. You can see that.

[0036]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system for explaining a first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, a plurality of clients 2-1 to 2-n, a print server 3, and printers 4 and 5 are connected to a network 1. The clients 2-1 to 2-n are, for example, personal computers, and output print data created by built-in application programs to the print server 3. The print server 3 performs print control, stores print data output to the printer device 4 in an auxiliary storage device 6 such as a magnetic disk, and performs print control. Printer devices 4 and 5
Is a versatile printing device, and various clients 2
It corresponds to specifications of -1 to 2-n.

FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the clients 2-1 to 2-n. Clients 2-1 to 2-n are CPUs
8, an application program 9, a RAM 10, a print driver 11, an abnormality notification program 12, and a communication / interface (I / F) unit 13. C
The PU 8 is a central processing unit of the personal computer (client), and creates print data according to the application program 9. The RAM 10 has a work area for the CPU 8, and stores created print data. The printer driver 11 sets print data to be output to the printer device 4 in a command format corresponding to print processing in the printer device 4. The print data set in the print format corresponding to the printer device 4 by the printer driver 11 is output to the printer device 4. The abnormality notification program 12 will be described later.

On the other hand, FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a connection configuration of the print server 3 and the printer device 4 described above. The print server 3 manages and controls the print data output from the clients 2-1 to 2-n, and outputs the print data to the printer device 4. The printer device 4 includes a printer controller 14 and a printer engine 15, and print data output from the print server 3 is output to the printer controller 14.

The printer controller 14 has a host I /
F16, system ROM 17, system RAM 18, C
It includes a PU 19, a CG (character generator) 20, and an engine I / F 21. The printer device 4 has a connection portion 2 for a LAN board or a Centronics board.
2 is provided, and when a LAN board or a Centronics board is connected to the connection unit 22, data from the LAN board or the like is input via the extension I / F 23. The CG 20 converts a character code included in the print data into a corresponding character pattern.

The print data input from the print server 3 is transmitted to the system RAM 1 via the host I / F 16.
The image data that is stored in the reception buffer in the CPU 8, analyzed by the CPU 19 in the analysis process, and converted into the pattern data by the above-described CG 20 is expanded in a frame memory (not shown). When the image data for one sheet is developed in the frame memory, the engine I / F 2
The image data is output to the printer engine 15 via the printer 1 and the image data is printed on paper. The processing operation of the printing apparatus and printing system having the above configuration will be described below.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the processing when the urgent print data is received from the client 2-1 while the print data output from the client 2-4 is being printed in the system of the present embodiment.

First, print data sent from the client 2-4 to the print server 3 via the network 1 is supplied to the printer controller 14 of the printer device 4. The process of transmitting print data from the client 2-4 to the printer controller 14 at this time is a handshake method, and a busy signal and a strobe signal are alternately transmitted and received. For example, the print data is output together with the strobe signal from the client 2-4, the busy signal is output to the client 2-4 while the printer controller 14 performs the reception processing of the print data, and the output of the busy signal is stopped again when the output of the busy signal is stopped. A strobe signal is output from the 2-4 side and print data is output. By repeating this, the print data of the client 2-4 is stored in the reception buffer in the printer device 4.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show the flow of the above-described print data in the printer controller 14. FIG. FIG. 1A shows the configuration of a normal print process, and FIG. 2B shows the configuration when emergency print data with high priority is received. That is, in this example, the system RAM 1
8, two reception buffers A and B, two work areas A and B, and two image memories (frame memories) A and B. Here, the client 2-
4 is stored in the reception buffer A shown in FIG.
Nineteen data analysis processes are performed. Further, the image data converted into the pattern data by the CG 20 is developed in an image memory (frame memory) A, and a printing process is performed by a printer engine.

In this state, urgently desired data is input from the client 2-1. in this case,
In the client 2-1, a command of "<ESC>PRIS" indicating that the priority is high is added to the head of the print data to be transmitted. Moreover, the output timing of this command is different from the normal command supply timing. As described above, when urgent printing is desired, a special command “<ES
The reason for making the output timing different from the output of C> PRIS ”is that if the command analysis by the CPU 19 is performed after the reception in the reception buffer, the processing is delayed, and the print data from the client 2-1 desiring the urgent printing is transferred to the reception buffer. This is because it cannot be supplied to 2-1.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the process of receiving the print data supplied from the client 2-1. In the figure, indicates the input timing of the previous print data (print data from the client 2-4), and when the output of the busy signal shown thereafter is stopped, the previous print data is supplied from the client 2-4 at the same short timing. (Shown in the figure). Next, after the busy signal is output at the timing (1), the print data supplied next has long intervals (slow timing). In other words, this print data is data that is output from the client 2-1 and that is urgently required for print processing. This print data is initially provided with a command “<ES” indicating that the priority is high.
“C> PRIS” is supplied (“ESC>”), and after the busy signal (FIG. 14) is stopped, “P” in the command “<ESC> PRIS” is supplied next. (Of the figure).

Similarly, after outputting the busy signal,
"R" in the sequential command "<ESC>PRIS",
“I” and “S” have long intervals (slow timing)
It is supplied at the timing. Therefore, the CPU 19 assumes that the print data requiring urgency due to the difference in the input timing has been supplied, and stores this data and the print data to be input thereafter in the reception buffer B. That is, as shown in FIG. 5 (I in FIG. 5), the receiving buffer for storing the print data is switched from A to B. Then, the print data input thereafter is sequentially stored in the reception buffer B, the print data stored in the reception buffer B is analyzed using the work area B, and the image data converted into the pattern data by the CG 20 is stored in the image memory (frame). Memory) B
Expand to The data expanded in the image memory (frame memory) B is printed by the printer engine 15.

By performing printing control as described above, the printing data from the client 2-1 is printed by the printer device 4. That is, when print data supplied from the client 2-4 is subjected to print control processing and urgent print data is input from the client 2-1, the print data is processed with priority. Thereafter, the print processing is returned to the print data output from the previous client 2-4 (FIG. 5).
II), the process is continued. It should be noted that the end of the print data to be subjected to priority processing is determined at the end of the print data by an end command “<
The CPU 19 makes a judgment by adding “ESC> PRIE”.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when print data requiring an urgent print process is input during normal printing, the print data is processed with priority. Printing processing can be performed efficiently, and work efficiency can be improved.

In this embodiment, the printing of the priority data is switched according to the command and the output timing of the command. However, the print data for the emergency printing is input from the hardware input, that is, the connection unit 22 of the LAN board or the Centronics board. It is good also as a structure which performs.

Further, a configuration may be adopted in which print data is input from the connection section 22 of the LAN board or the Centronics board, and the above-mentioned commands are combined. In this case, a plurality of priorities can be set.

Further, in the above example, the client 2-4
Supplies normal print data from the client 2-1 and supplies data for emergency printing from the client 2-1. However, the present invention is not limited to this combination.
The same processing can be performed on print data from 1 to 2-n. <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. This example is also a printing process by a printer connected to a network, and this example describes a case where three or more priorities are set.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the system configuration is the same as that of FIG. 1, and the configuration of the clients 2-1 to 2-n and the configuration of the printer device 4 are also the same as those shown in FIGS.
Is the same as

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the processing of this embodiment. In the case of this example, a client 2-2 is shown in addition to the clients 2-1 and 2-4 described above. This client 2-2
Output print data having higher priority than the processing of print data from the previous clients 2-1 and 2-4. In the description of this example, the client 2-1
The print data output from the client 2-4 and the print data output from the client 2-4 have higher priority than the print data output from the client 2-4, as in the above-described embodiment.

First, it is assumed that normal print data (low-priority print data) is transmitted from the client 2-4 to the print server 3 via the network 1 as described above. At this time, the print data from the client 2-4 to the printer controller 14 is transmitted by the handshake method as described above. Then, the print data is sequentially stored in the print server 3. This print data is stored in the area 3a of the memory.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show the print server 3.
It is a priority management table inside. However, FIG. 7A shows an arrangement state of the print job, and the normal job (D
This shows the state after the end of 3). According to the state of the table shown in FIG. 3, three standard (normal) print data D0, D1, and D2 have already been registered.

Next, in this state, the client 2
When data desiring to be printed urgently is input from “−1”, “<ESC> PR” indicating that the print data output from the client 2-1 has a higher priority at the beginning of the print data as described above.
The command "IS" is added, which indicates that the print data has high priority. The print data is stored in the area 3b of the print server 3 (memory). In the table shown,
It indicates that three pieces of high-priority print data (A0, A1, A2) have been registered.

Next, in this state, the client 2
It is assumed that data requiring the highest priority printing is input from -2. In this case, "<ESC>PR" indicating the highest priority is added to the top of the print data output from the client 2-2.
IS <M>". Therefore, the CPU 1
9 indicates that this command is the highest priority print data. Then, the print data is stored in the area 3c of the print server 3 (memory). In the table shown in FIG. 8, two print data (S
0, S1) is registered.

When print data having different priorities are supplied from the plurality of clients 2-1 to 2-n connected to the network 1 as described above, the print server 3 sends the print data as shown in FIG. Are classified into three types, standard, priority, and highest priority, according to the command added to the head of the print data, and registered in the table.

In this state, the print server 3 first starts the printing process from the highest-priority job, and among the same highest-priority jobs, the previously registered job (print data) S
Print processing is performed on 0. This printing process is the same as described above. The command analysis is performed, the image data is created, and the printing process on paper is performed. As described above, FIG. 8B shows the table configuration after the print processing of the above-described highest-priority print data S0 is completed.

Also in the case of this example, there is a case where print data having a higher priority is input to a job which is currently being printed, and after processing of print data having a higher priority, the original print data is processed. Data processing needs to be continued. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the printer device 4 has three reception buffers A, B, and C, and has three work areas A,
B and C, and three image memories (frame memories). The above-mentioned memories 2a to 2c mean this image memory.

For example, if print data with a high priority is supplied during printing of standard (normal) print data,
New print data is stored in the reception buffer B while the previous standard (normal) print data is expanded in the image memory A.
Then, for example, analysis processing of the print data stored in the reception buffer B is performed, and the analysis processing is performed on the image memory B to perform the printing processing.
When the print data with the highest priority is received, the print data with the highest priority is stored in the reception buffer C while the previous print data is expanded in the image memory B. Then, the print data stored in the reception buffer C is analyzed, the highest-priority print data is developed in the image memory C, and the print processing on paper is performed.

Thereafter, the print processing for the interrupted priority print data in the image memory B is performed, and the print processing for the print data finally expanded in the image memory A is performed.
With this configuration, print processing can be efficiently performed on three types of print data having different priorities.

In this embodiment, the print processing for three types of print data having different priorities has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the three types of priorities, but four types, five types,...
Priority can be given to print data having different priorities.

In this case, the command indicating the degree of priority is replaced by “<ESC> PRIS <PRI><M>” instead of “<ESC> PRI” indicating the priority by a numeral.
S <N> ”, and the value of“ N ”may be used as the priority number. <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. This example is also a printing process by a printer device connected to a network, and this example performs an efficient operation by setting a start time of the printing process in advance.

Also in this example, the system configuration is the same as that of FIG. 1, and the configuration of the clients 2-1 to 2-n and the configuration of the printer device 4 are also the same as those of FIGS. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the clients 2-1 to 2-n. When print data is created by the application program 9, first, driver setting processing is performed (step (hereinafter, referred to as S) 1). This driver setting process is performed by displaying a setting screen. FIG.
1 displays this setting screen.

As shown in the figure, on the setting screen of the driver, various buttons, a printing method, and an input event of a time-designated printed matter are set, and the operator makes settings individually. Here, for example, if the end (cancel) button is turned on, the process is immediately terminated (YES in S3 and S4). Normally, the cancel button is not turned on immediately,
The printing method designation is determined (S5). Here, if the printing method is not specified (S5: NO), other setting information is stored (S6).

On the other hand, if the printing method is designated (S5 is YE
S), it is determined whether the print is a time-designated print (S7). That is, since the printer device connected to the network 1 is used, it is not known at what time the printing process of the print data starts, so the printing start time is set. Therefore, when setting the print start time (S7 is YE
S), the time setting method and the time information are stored (S8). That is, the time setting method is, for example, the setting based on the relative time or the actual time, and the time information sets the printing start time or the printing end time. Then, the information input by the operator is stored. Note that the above determination (S
7), if the print is not time-specified printing (S7 is N)
O), and store as no time designation (S9).

After the driver setting process is performed in this way, print data output process is performed. This processing is shown in FIG.
The processing is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, it is determined whether the printing is time-designated printing (step (hereinafter, shown as ST))
1). Here, when the time designation printing is set based on the above setting conditions (ST1 is YES), time information is added to the print data created by the application program (ST2). On the other hand, when the printing is not time-specified printing (NO in ST1), information indicating no time specification is added to the print data (ST3).

Next, the printer driver 11 creates print data (ST4). FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the print data. This print data is composed of header information and print data as actual information, and the header information is information to which information set by the above-described setting processing of the driver is added. Request source client information, time specification type, and time data. Here, the above time specification types are not specified, start time specification, end time specification, relative start time specification,
It is a relative end time specification.

As described above, the print data composed of the header information and the print data is output to a predetermined position of the print server 3 (ST5). On the other hand, the print server 3
Are processed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, referring to the schedule management table, it is checked whether there is print data for starting printing (step (hereinafter referred to as STP) 1). FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a schedule management table, in which spool file names, print start times, and data of requesting clients are registered. For example, the information of the spool file name of SP00L-001 indicates that the print time is “YYYY-MM-
DD HH: MM ", and the requesting client is a PC
−101. The information of the spool file name of SP00L-123 is that the print time is “YYYY-MM-D”.
DHH: MM ", and the requesting client is PC-
115. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. Note that the above “YYYY” indicates, for example, the year of the Christian era, “MM” indicates a month, “DD” indicates a date, and “HH”: “MM” indicates hours and minutes.

Here, referring to the above schedule management table, if there is data to start printing (ST
If P2 is YES), the print is linked to the head of the print queue (STP3). Then, print processing of the print data is performed (STP3). FIG. 15 is a flowchart specifically explaining this data printing process. First, status information of the printing apparatus 4 is obtained (W1). That is, information on whether or not the printing apparatus 4 is in the ready state is obtained, and if the printing apparatus 4 is in the ready state, the printed matter (print data) at the head of the print queue is printed (YES in W2, W3). On the other hand, if the printing device 4 is not in the ready state, an abnormal signal is output to the client computers 2-1 to 2-n to notify the abnormal printing state (NO in W2, W4). That is, this print abnormal state is output when there is no data to be printed despite the print instruction, and notifies the operator of this. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing in this case. For example, client computers 2-1 to 2-
n waits for an abnormal signal output from the print server 3 (step (hereinafter referred to as V) 1), and when an abnormal signal not normally output is input, the client computer 2-
An abnormality is displayed on the displays 1-2 to n (V2).

FIG. 17 shows the client computer 2
The example of a display which performed printing abnormal notice on the display of -1 to 2-n is shown. On the other hand, after performing the printing process as described above,
Shift to processing (STP5). In addition, the aforementioned judgment (ST
If P2) is NO, the process shifts to direct processing (STP5). This process (STP5) is to check whether new print data is present. If no print data is present (STP6: NO), sleep is performed for a certain time (STP5).
TP7), the above-described processing is repeated (from STP1).

On the other hand, when print data exists (STP
6 is YES), and it is determined whether or not there is a time designation (STP).
8). Here, if the print data is the normal print data without time designation (NO in STP8), the print processing of the print data is performed (STP9). After that, sleep is performed for a fixed time as described above (STP7), and the above-described processing is repeated (STP1).
Or later).

However, when determining the presence or absence of the above-described time-designated print data, if it is time-designated print data (ST
If P8 is YES, the processing time of the print data is calculated (S8).
TP10). The calculation of the processing time of the print data is performed as follows. That is, the time designation type and time information,
The processing start time is calculated from the processing time of the print data (STP11). That is, this calculation process calculates the processing time from the content of the print data. Further, the processing time is calculated according to the type of the printing apparatus used.

Specifically, the command of the print data is analyzed, and the processing time of the print data is calculated from the processing time of each command shown in FIG. For example, a line drawing command requires 10 ms per line, an arc drawing command requires 30 ms per circle, and an image drawing command requires 10 ms per image.
ms. Therefore, the processing time of the print data is calculated from the information obtained from the analysis result of the print data. Here, if the print data includes a print instruction for 10 lines, 10 arc drawing commands, and 5 image drawing commands, 10 × 10 + 30 × 10 +
A printing time of 450 ms is required from the calculation of 10 × 5.

FIG. 19 shows a printing apparatus (printer apparatus).
Indicates the data transfer time depending on the type of the data transfer. For example, if the printer device 4 that prints the print data described above is a type A printer, it takes 1 KB / Min of transfer time, and for example, 1 KB / 450 ms print time, which is the calculation result, is 1 KB.
A processing time including the transfer time of / Min is required. If the above-described printer device 4 is a B-type printer,
A transfer time of 200 KB / Min is required, and a processing time obtained by adding a transfer time of 200 KB / Min to a print time of 450 ms is required as described above.

Here, the calculation of the print time differs depending on the type of the print time designation. In the following, description will be given separately according to the type of print time designation. <When the print time is designated as the print start time> In this case, the print time set by the operator becomes the print start time of the print data as it is, so that only the transfer time of the print data according to the type of the printer device 4 is considered. Perform the calculated calculation. Then, the printing start time obtained from the calculation result is registered in the schedule management table (STP12).
At this time, the requesting client name and the print data file name are also registered in the schedule management table at the same time (STP12). <When the print time is the print end time> In this case, since the print time set by the operator cannot be used as it is as the print start time, the time required for printing described with reference to FIG. Then, the print start time is set by adding the transfer time of the print data according to the type of the printer device 4.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining an example in this case. For example, the current time is set to 13:00, and at this time, the operator sets the print end time to 14:30. In this case, assuming that the time required for printing is 20 minutes from the above calculation result, 1 is obtained by subtracting 20 minutes from 14:30 described above.
4:10.

The printing start time set in this manner is registered in the schedule management table, as described above, and at the same time, the requesting client name and the file name of the print data are also registered in the schedule management table (ST).
P12). <When the print time is a relative print start time>
Also in this case, the print time set by the operator does not directly become the print start time of the print data. That is,
At this time, the time set by the operator is a print start time setting ignoring the current time, and the relative time must be added. For example, if the relative time is six hours later, the original print start time is the time obtained by adding the relative time to the print start time set by the operator.

The printing start time set in this manner is registered in the schedule management table as described above, and at the same time, the requesting client name and the file name of the print data are also registered in the schedule management table (ST).
P12). <When the print time is a relative print end time>
Also in this case, the print time set by the operator cannot be directly used as the print start time. In this case, the time required for printing described with reference to FIG.
Further, the print start time is set by adding the transfer time of the print data according to the type of the printer device 4, and the relative time is further added.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining an example in this case. For example, if the current time is 13:00 as described above and the relative end time is 90 minutes, the print end time is 14:30 as shown in FIG. In this case, the required printing time, for example, 20 minutes is subtracted, and the printing start time is set to 14:
It is assumed to be 10.

The print start time set in this way is registered in the schedule management table as described above, and at the same time, the requesting client name and the file name of the print data are also registered in the schedule management table (ST).
P12).

As described above, in a system in which many clients are connected, printing can be performed at a designated time by setting a print start time or a print end time in advance.

[0086]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to print high-priority print data among print data from client computers connected to a network. Can perform print processing with almost no waiting time.

Further, even when, for example, three types of priorities, ie, normal, priority, and highest priority, are set, the printing process is performed in accordance with the priority order, and the printing process can be performed efficiently. Furthermore, by specifying the print time, printing can be performed at the time, and efficient printing can be performed without waiting time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system illustrating a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of a client.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a connection configuration of a print server and a printer device.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining processing when urgent print data is received from a client during print processing of print data.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show the flow of the print data in the printer controller.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of receiving print data supplied from a client. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a printer driver (not shown) incorporated in a host device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a process according to the second embodiment.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are priority management tables in a print server.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating priority processing among three reception buffers.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a client.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a setting screen.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the print server.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a schedule management table.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart specifically illustrating a data printing process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an abnormality notification process.

FIG. 17 is a notification screen at the time of abnormal printing.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the processing time of each command.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the type of printer and the data transfer processing time.

FIG. 20 is a calculation example of a print start time.

FIG. 21 is a calculation example of a print start time.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 network 2-1 to 2-n client 3 print server 4, 5 printer device 6 auxiliary storage device 8 CPU 9 application program 10 RAM 11 print driver 12 error notification program 13 communication / interface (I / F) unit 14 printer controller 15 Printer Engine 16 Host I / F 17 System ROM 18 System RAM 19 CPU 20 CG (Character Generator) 21 Engine I / F 22 Connection 23 Extended I / F

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Akihiro Shimizu 2-229 Sakuragaoka, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Inside Casio Electronics Co., Ltd. (72) Isao Kamono 2-229 Sakuragaoka, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Casio Electronics Industries Inside the corporation

Claims (19)

[Claims] In a printing system connected to a network and having at least a server computer, first and second client computers, and a printing device, during a print process of print data output from the first client computer A print system that prints the print data output from the second client computer first when print data with a high print priority is output from the second client computer. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the print data output from the second client computer includes a command for instructing priority printing. 3. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the command is located at the head of the print data. 4. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the supply timing of the command is different from that of a normal command. 5. The printing method according to claim 1, wherein the print data has a print processing end command, and the print processing of the print data having a higher priority is ended by the end command, and the print processing returns to the previous print data. Item 7. The printing system according to Item 1. 6. A printing system connected to a network and having at least a server computer, a plurality of client computers, and a printing device, wherein the client computer outputs print data,
A print system, wherein the print data includes a command indicating a print priority level. 7. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the command is located at the head of the print data. 8. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the server computer creates a table storing print priorities according to the command. 9. The printing system according to claim 8, wherein the server computer manages a print schedule of the print data according to the table. 10. The print data has a print processing end command, the print command of high priority print data is ended by the end command, and the process shifts to print processing of previous print data. The printing system according to claim 6. 11. At least a server computer, a client computer connected to a network,
In a printing system having a printing device, the client computer creates print data including a print time and sends the print data to the printing device, and the printing device performs a print process of the print data according to the print time. Characteristic printing system. 12. The printing system according to claim 11, wherein the printing time is a printing start time. 13. The printing system according to claim 11, wherein the print time is a print end time. 14. The printing time according to claim 11, wherein the printing time is a printing start time relative to a current time.
The printing system as described. 15. The print time according to claim 11, wherein the print time is a print end time relative to a current time.
The printing system as described. 16. The printing system according to claim 13, wherein the printing apparatus includes a calculating unit that subtracts a print time of the print data from the print end time. 17. The printing system according to claim 15, wherein the printing apparatus includes a calculating unit that subtracts a print time of the print data from the relative print end time. 18. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the server computer manages a schedule of a print time of print data supplied from the client computer. 19. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing device notifies a client computer when printing of print data cannot be performed at the printing time.