JPH11154064A - Network system, terminal device, and server - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly perform printing control as a routine job while avoiding an increase in the communication traffic of a network and making good use of memory resources. SOLUTION: A terminal 12W1 when receiving information as a routine job generates and sends a routine job reference to a server 14 (1). The server 14 stores the routine job reference (2) and monitors a schedule until a routine job execution time specified therein (3). The terminal 12W1 generates and stores printing data in a spool until the specified routine job execution time (4). At the routine job execution time, the server 14 determines a printer 16P1 to process the data and the transfer path to the printer 16P1 according to the routine job reference (5) and sends a transfer indication or acquisition indication for the printing data to the terminal 12W1 or printer 16P1 (6). For example, the printer 16P1 once receiving the acquisition indication acquires the printing data from the terminal 12W1 (7).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a network system, a terminal device, and a server, and more particularly, to at least one terminal device for generating print data and at least one terminal device for executing print processing based on the print data. The present invention relates to a network system including an image forming apparatus and a server that manages the image forming apparatus, and a terminal device and a server that configure the network system. Note that the image forming apparatus includes any device that forms an image on a recording medium such as paper based on the received print data, for example, a printer, a plotter, a digital multifunction peripheral, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a plurality of workstations,
2. Description of the Related Art A network system configured by a plurality of printers and a print server that manages the printers has been constructed. During printing processing in such a network system, a large amount of print data is transmitted from a workstation to a print server via a network and temporarily stored in a memory in the print server. The print data is transmitted to one printer via a network, and the print data is printed by the printer.

However, in the above-described technology, a print request is made by transmitting a large amount of print data from a work station to a print server. Therefore, when print requests from a plurality of work stations are concentrated, the print request is made. There is a possibility that the memory capacity of the print server for storing data becomes full and the print data cannot be received from the workstation, which may cause inconvenience. Further, a large amount of print data is transmitted from the workstation to the print server via the network, and then transmitted from the print server to the printer via the network, so that the amount of data transmission (communication traffic) on the network increases. As a result, the efficiency of data transmission processing in the entire network system may be reduced.

[0004] In recent years, with the spread of workstations and the improvement in performance, jobs (fixed jobs) that individuals and companies always execute every predetermined date have been increasing.
For example, a weekly report or the like in which a person involved in a job reports his or her work every week is a typical example. Also, in a company, a bill processing to be output on a predetermined day of every month, an output processing of an employee salary statement, and the like also correspond to a standard job.

[0005] In such a standard job, the paper size,
Since the print attribute information such as the number of prints and the orientation of the paper is usually the same every time, it is possible to more efficiently make a print request for a fixed job without transmitting the print attribute information etc. from the workstation to the server each time. It was long-awaited. In other words, there has been a long-awaited need to omit or simplify the process of generating a print request including the print attribute information and the like at a workstation each time, and to reduce the amount of data transferred on the network as much as possible.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is intended to avoid an increase in the amount of communication traffic on a network and to effectively use a memory resource, and to form a fixed-size job. It is an object of the present invention to provide a network system, a terminal device, and a server that can smoothly perform print control.

[0007]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network system comprising: at least one terminal device for generating print data; and at least one terminal device for executing print processing based on the print data. A network system including one image forming apparatus and a server that manages the image forming apparatus, wherein the terminal device issues a request for a fixed job as a printing process executed on a predetermined date. In the case, print resource information including location information of print data, job attribute information indicating execution control information of print processing in the network system, print attribute information indicating execution control information of print processing in the image forming apparatus, and a requested fixed form The identification information of the standard job assigned to identify the job and the due date for executing the standard job A fixed job content information generating unit configured to generate fixed job content information including fixed job information including schedule information; and transmitting the fixed job content information generated by the fixed job content information generating unit to the server. Means for requesting the server to execute the fixed job, and generating print data of the fixed job to which the identification information of the fixed job is added by a date indicated in the schedule information. Print data generation means, the server, the information storage means for storing the fixed-form job content information received from the terminal device, the date represented in the schedule information included in the fixed-form job content information Monitoring means for monitoring whether or not the date has been reached; and when the date indicated in the schedule information has come, the information storage means An image forming apparatus that executes a standardized job based on the standardized job content information that has been stored, a determining unit that determines a transfer path of print data to the image forming apparatus, and a transfer path determined by the determining unit. And control means for controlling the transfer of the print data of the standard job generated by the terminal device to the determined image forming apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the network system according to the first aspect, when the terminal device executes an already requested fixed job on a date indicated in the schedule information, The fixed form job content information is not generated by the fixed form job information generating means and the fixed form job requesting means is not requested to be executed by the fixed form job requesting means. Generating print data of the fixed job to which job identification information is added, and when the date indicated in the schedule information has come, determines the print data of the fixed job according to the control of the control means of the server. The image data is transferred to the selected image forming apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the network system of the first or second aspect, the fixed job content information has a smaller data amount than the print data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminal device that constitutes a network system together with at least one image forming apparatus that executes print processing based on print data and a server that manages the image forming apparatus. When requesting a fixed-size job as print processing to be executed on a predetermined date, print resource information including location information of print data; job attribute information indicating execution control information of print processing in the network system; The print job includes print attribute information indicating execution control information of print processing in the image forming apparatus, identification information of the fixed job assigned to identify the fixed job to be requested, and schedule information indicating a date on which the fixed job is to be executed. Generates standard job content information that generates the standard job content information that includes the standard job information A step, a fixed-form job requesting means for requesting the server to execute the fixed-form job by transmitting the fixed-form job content information generated by the fixed-form job content information generating means to the server; Print data generating means for generating print data of the standard job to which the identification information of the standard job is added by a due date.

In addition, when the server according to the fifth aspect generates print data and requests a fixed-size job as print processing to be executed on a predetermined date, the server includes print information including location information of the print data. Resource information, job attribute information indicating execution control information of print processing in the network system, print attribute information indicating execution control information of print processing in the image forming apparatus, and the fixed form assigned to identify the fixed form job to be requested At least one terminal device for generating fixed job content information including fixed job information including job identification information and schedule information indicating a date when the fixed job is to be executed, and printing based on the print data At least one to perform the process
A server configured to form a network system together with the two image forming apparatuses, and to manage the image forming apparatuses, wherein the information storage unit stores the standard job content information received from the terminal device; and Monitoring means for monitoring whether or not the date indicated in the schedule information has been reached; and, when the date indicated in the schedule information has been reached, based on the standard job content information accumulated by the information accumulation means, An image forming apparatus for executing a fixed form job, determining means for determining a transfer path of print data to the image forming apparatus, and printing of the fixed form job generated by the terminal device according to the transfer path determined by the determining means Control means for controlling data to be transferred to the determined image forming apparatus.

The network system according to claim 1, wherein at least one terminal device for generating print data,
At least one of executing print processing based on print data
Manages two image forming apparatuses and the image forming apparatuses (that is, grasps the performance and operation status of each image forming apparatus, etc.)
It is configured to include a server.

[0013] In such a network system, the terminal device is provided with a standard job content information generating means.
When requesting a print process (standard job) to be executed on a predetermined date, print resource information including print data location information, job attribute information representing print process execution control information in a network system, image forming apparatus And print attribute information representing execution control information of the print processing in step (1), and fixed job content information including fixed job information.

The fixed job information includes identification information of the fixed job assigned to identify the requested fixed job, and schedule information indicating a date on which the fixed job is to be executed. The due date for executing the fixed job may be represented, for example, at a time interval such as every third day or every week, or at a time such as 10:00 am on the 20th of every month.

The job attribute information includes, for example, schedule information such as the execution priority of the print processing and the processing start time for the print processing in which the processing start time is determined.
The print attribute information includes, for example, print service information including designation of an image forming apparatus to be printed and output, load distribution, designation of divided output, and the like, and print attribute information includes, for example, information such as a paper size, the number of copies, and a paper orientation. It is comprised including.

Then, the terminal device requests the server to execute the standard job by transmitting the generated standard job content information to the server by the standard job requesting means.
Further, the terminal device generates print data of the standard job to which the identification information of the standard job has been added by the print data generation unit by the date indicated in the schedule information.

On the other hand, the server accumulates the fixed-form job content information received from the terminal device by the information storage means, and determines by the monitoring means whether the date indicated in the schedule information included in the fixed-form job content information has come. Monitor.

When the date indicated in the schedule information is reached, the server executes an image forming apparatus for executing the standard job based on the stored standard job content information and print data for the image forming apparatus. Is determined by the determining means as follows.

That is, the determining means controls the image forming apparatus capable of executing a printing process based on the print attribute information (for example, paper size, number of copies, paper orientation, etc.) included in the standard job content information to execute the standard job. Is determined as the image forming apparatus to be operated. Further, the determining unit may determine the job attribute information included in the standard job content information (for example, designation of load distribution and division output, etc.) within the determined range of the performance of the image forming apparatus.
An appropriate print data transfer path that satisfies is satisfied.

Further, the server controls the control means so that the print data of the standard job generated by the terminal device is transferred to the determined image forming apparatus according to the determined transfer path.

At this time, the terminal device may generate and store a plurality of print data of the standard job, but the server identifies the standard job included in the standard job information of the received standard job content information. By matching the information with the identification information of the fixed job added to each print data, the print data corresponding to the corresponding fixed job can be specified.

As a print data transfer path, a path for directly transferring print data having a large data amount between the terminal device and the image forming apparatus (that is, a path for directly transferring the print data from the terminal apparatus to the image forming apparatus). Alternatively, a path in which the image forming apparatus directly acquires the print data from the terminal device can be considered. If the determined transfer path is a path in which the terminal device directly transfers the print data to the image forming apparatus, the server notifies the terminal apparatus of the determined image forming apparatus and the transfer path, and May be used to transfer the print data to the image forming apparatus. Further, if the determined transfer path is a path in which the image forming apparatus directly acquires the print data from the terminal device, the server notifies the determined image forming apparatus of the transfer path, and the server notifies the determined transfer path by the image forming apparatus. The print data may be obtained from. Such a large amount of print data is directly transferred between the terminal device and the image forming apparatus without being transferred twice between the terminal device and the server and between the server and the image forming apparatus as in the related art. There is an advantage that the amount of traffic on the system can be reduced.

Further, in addition to the above two transfer paths, the following four paths can be considered.

A path in which print data is transferred from the terminal device to the server, and a path in which the image forming device obtains the transferred print data from the server. The server obtains the print data from the terminal device, and transfers the obtained print data from the server to the image forming device. Route where the server acquires print data from the terminal device, and route where the acquired print data is acquired from the server from the server. Transfers print data from the terminal device to the server, and the server forms the transferred print data on the server. When the determined transfer path is a path for the image forming apparatus to acquire the print data transferred from the terminal apparatus to the server, the server transfers the print data to the determined image forming apparatus and terminal apparatus. Notify the route, let the terminal device transfer the print data to the server, and obtain the print data from the server by the image forming device You can do it.

If the determined transfer path is a path in which the server obtains print data from the terminal device and transfers the print data to the image forming device, the server transfers the print data to the determined image forming device and terminal device. The route may be notified, print data may be obtained from the terminal device, and the print data may be transferred to the image forming apparatus.

If the determined transfer path is a path in which the image forming apparatus obtains the print data obtained by the server from the terminal device, the server notifies the determined image forming apparatus and the terminal apparatus of the transfer path. Then, the print data may be obtained from the terminal device, and the print data may be obtained from the server by the image forming apparatus.

In the case where the determined transfer path is a path for transferring print data from the terminal device to the server and transferring the transferred print data to the image forming apparatus,
The server may notify the determined image forming apparatus and the terminal apparatus of the transfer path, cause the terminal apparatus to transfer the print data to the server, and transfer the print data to the image forming apparatus.

As described above, in the server, an appropriate image forming apparatus and a transfer path of the print data are determined based on the standard job content information, and the transfer of the print data to the image forming apparatus based on the determined transfer path can be realized. Then, the image forming apparatus performs a printing process on the transferred or acquired print data of the standard job.

As described above, the terminal device can easily request a fixed job by simply generating the fixed job content information and transmitting it to the server, and smoothly execute the fixed job based on the fixed job content information. Can be done.

In the case where the already requested fixed job is to be executed on the date indicated in the schedule information, the terminal device generates the fixed job content information and requests the execution of the fixed job. Without performing, by the date indicated in the schedule information, the print data of the fixed job with the identification information of the fixed job is generated, and when the date indicated in the schedule information is reached,
The standard job is executed by transferring the print data of the standard job to the image forming apparatus under the control of the control means of the server. Thus, the fixed job content information is not retransmitted from the terminal device to the server, so that the traffic amount on the network can be reduced and the processing load on the terminal device can be reduced.

As described in claim 3, if the data amount of the above-mentioned fixed form job is smaller than the print data, the fixed form job content information having a smaller data amount is transmitted to the server using the fixed form job content information. Since the processing is requested, the amount of data transferred from the terminal device to the server at the time of the request is smaller than before, and the traffic amount on the network system can be reduced. Also, since the amount of data to be stored in the server is reduced, the server does not require an additional magnetic disk device or the like, and can reduce the cost.

The terminal device constituting the above network system includes the following terminal device according to claim 4.

In the terminal device according to the present invention, when a request for a printing process (fixed job) to be executed on a predetermined date is made, the fixed job content information generating means includes a print resource including location information of the print data. Information, job attribute information indicating execution control information of print processing in the network system, print attribute information indicating execution control information of print processing in the image forming apparatus, and identification of the standard job assigned to identify the standard job to be requested It generates fixed job content information including fixed job information including information and schedule information indicating a date on which the fixed job is to be executed. Then, the standard job requesting unit sends the generated standard job content information to the server to request the server to execute the standard job. Further, the print data generating means generates print data of the fixed-form job to which the identification information of the fixed-form job is added by the date indicated in the schedule information.

As described above, a standard job request can be easily made only by generating the standard job content information and transmitting it to the server, and the standard job based on the standard job content information can be smoothly executed.

As a server constituting the above network system, the following server according to claim 5 can be mentioned.

In the case where a request for a standard job is made from the terminal device, the standard job content information is transmitted from the terminal device to the server. The fixed job content information includes print resource information including location information of print data,
Job attribute information indicating execution control information of print processing in the network system, print attribute information indicating execution control information of print processing in the image forming apparatus, identification information of a fixed job to be requested, and a due date for executing the fixed job It is configured to include fixed job information including schedule information.

In this server, the information storage means stores the above-mentioned fixed job content information received from the terminal device, and the monitoring means determines whether or not the date indicated in the schedule information included in the fixed job content information has come. To monitor.

When it is detected by the monitoring means that the due date indicated in the schedule information has come, the determining means is based on the standard job content information accumulated by the information accumulating means in the same manner as in claim 1 described above. 2. An image forming apparatus for executing a standard job, and a transfer path of print data to the image forming apparatus are determined.
In the same manner as described above, control is performed so that the print data of the standard job generated by the terminal device is transferred to the determined image forming apparatus according to the determined transfer path.

As described above, in the server, the appropriate image forming apparatus and the transfer path of the print data are determined based on the standard job content information, and the print data can be transferred to the image forming apparatus based on the determined transfer path. Then, the image forming apparatus performs a printing process on the transferred or acquired print data of the standard job.

As described above, a request for a standard job is easily executed only by transmitting the standard job content information from the terminal device to the server, and the smooth execution of the standard job based on the standard job content information is realized.

[0041]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, first, the configuration and operation of a network system to which the present invention is applied will be described, and then, an improved configuration and an operation thereof for realizing a print processing control method according to the present invention will be described. I do.

[Configuration and Operation of Network System to which the Present Invention is Applied] (Schematic Configuration of Network System) As shown in FIG. 1, a network system to which the present invention is applied includes a first network N1 and a second network N2. Of the network N2.

Of these, in the first network N1,
Number (for example, four) of terminal devices (hereinafter referred to as workstations)
12W₁, 12W_Two, 12W_Three, 12W
_Four, One server (hereinafter simply referred to as a server) 1
4 and a plurality (four as an example) of printers 16P₁,
16P_Two, 16P_Three, 16P_FourIs a local area net
They are interconnected via a work (LAN) 10.
The printer 16P ₁, 16P_Two, 16P_Three, 16P
_FourAre managed by the server 14.

In the second network N2, a plurality of (for example, four) workstations 22W ₁ , 2W
2W ₂ , 22W ₃ , 22W ₄ , one server 24, and a plurality of (for example, four) printers 26P ₁ , 26
P ₂ , 26P ₃ , and 26P ₄ are mutually connected via the LAN 20. The printers 26P ₁ , 26P ₂ ,
26P ₃ and 26P ₄ are managed by the server 24.

Note that the first network N1 is the router 1
8, the second network N2 is connected to the LAN (FDDI / ISDN / X.2) via the router 28, respectively.
5) Connected to 30.

As shown in FIG.
2W ₁ has a spool 16 for storing print data.
0, a print data generation unit 112 for generating print data, and a reference generation unit 111 for generating a reference representing print contents to be described later.
A data generation unit 110 that accumulates data, a print management unit 120 that manages processing related to a print processing request, and an input / output interface unit (hereinafter referred to as an input / output I / F) that controls input and output of data with the outside
) 150, a status control unit 130 for grasping and managing print processing status (status) information input via the input / output I / F 150, and print data stored in the spool 160. And a data output unit 140 for outputting the data to an external device via the data output unit.

The print management unit 120 transmits the reference generated by the reference generation unit 111 to the data output unit 140
Requesting the server 14 to print the print data. Also, when transferring the print data to an external device such as the server 14 and a printer 16P _1, the print management unit 120, the print data stored in the spool 160 so fetched by the data output unit 140, input-output I / F150 Output (transfer) to an external device via.

The other workstations 12W ₂ ,
_{12W 3, 12W 4, 22W 1} , 22W 2, 22W 3,
22W ₄ also has the same structure as the above.

As shown in FIG. 3, the server 14 includes a print management unit 240 for managing print processing. The print management unit 240 includes a data input unit 211 for inputting data from an external device, and an external A data output unit 212 for outputting data to the device; a status control unit 230 for grasping and managing the print processing status (status); and a device information management unit 22 for managing information such as the performance of the printer under management.
0, a reference interpreting unit 242 for interpreting a reference from a workstation, a printer selecting unit 243 for selecting a printer for outputting print data, a data transfer path determining unit 244 for determining a data transfer path, and receiving the print data and the reference. A spool 250 for storing is connected.

The server 14 has an input / output I / F 210 for inputting / outputting data to / from the outside. The input / output I / F 210 has a print processing input through the input / output I / F 210. An apparatus monitoring unit 213 that monitors the printer based on information on the status and the status of the printer, the data input unit 211, and the data output unit 212 are connected. The device information management unit 220 includes a device information table 222 including various types of information regarding the printer under management, which will be described later.
A memory 221 storing a performance information table 223 including performance information of the printer under management, which will be described later, is connected. The device information management unit 220 stores information on the status of the printer from the device monitoring unit 213 in the device information table 22.
2, information on the performance of the printer is stored and managed by the performance information table 223.

The data input unit 21 is provided on the spool 250.
1. The data output unit 212 and the print management unit 240 are connected to each other, and the data (print data and the like) received by the data input unit 211 is stored. The server 24 has the same configuration as described above.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 16P _1, the print processing unit 34 that executes the printing process of the print data
0, an input / output I / F 31 for inputting and outputting data to and from the outside
0, receives print data and a reference input from an external device via the input / output I / F 310, and
Input unit 320 for inputting to the input / output I / F 31
A status control unit 330 is provided for transmitting and receiving information relating to the print processing status (status) to and from an external device via an external device 0. The other printers 16P ₂ , 16P ₃ ,
16P ₄ , 26P ₁ , 26P ₂ , 26P ₃ , 26P ₄ have the same configuration as above.

(Overview of Device Information Table and Performance Information Table) FIG.
1 shows an example of a device information table for managing a device connected to No. 1. The device information table 222 is automatically set or updated by the device monitoring unit 213 and the device information management unit 220 shown in FIG. Also, device information table 2
The information 22 can be set or updated by a user using a keyboard (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 5, the device information table 22
2, information such as a device name, a network address, a device type, a communication function (client function / server function), a performance information table number, and a device state are set. Note that the client function is a communication function for transmitting data to another device and acquiring data from another device, and the server function is for receiving data from another device and other functions. A communication function for providing data in response to a data acquisition request from a device.

The device name includes the network N1
A unique device name is set for each device for identifying a device (printer, server, client) connected via the, and a network address assigned to each device is set for the network address. In the device type, type information (type of client (C), printer (P), server (S)) for each device is set, and in the communication function, all connected devices (workstation 12W in FIG. 1) are set. _{1, 12W 2, 12W 3,} 12W 4, 22
_{W 1, 22W 2, 22W 3} , 22W 4, the server 24, the printer _{16P 1, 16P 2, 16P 3} , 16P 4, 26
_{P 1, 26P 2, 26P 3} , 26P 4) communication capability information having (client function / server function) is set. Only when the device is a printer, index information to the performance information table 223 described later is set in the performance information table number, and information (online or offline) regarding the status of each device is set in the device status. .

As shown in FIG. 6, the performance information table 22
3 includes PDL (print language) of each printer, print resolution, print speed, corresponding paper size, print surface (single-sided printing /
All information on the performance and functions of the printer, such as double-sided printing, scale (enlargement / reduction / designation of dividing one sheet area into N and recording N pages (N-up) /% scale), color information, etc. Is set. The performance information table 223 is automatically set or updated by the device monitoring unit 213 and the device information management unit 220 shown in FIG. The information in the performance information table 223 can be set or updated by a user using a keyboard (not shown).

The server 24 also manages the device information of all the connected devices by using the same device information table 222 and performance information table 223 as described above.

(Overview of Reference) Next, a reference used for making a print request from a workstation will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the structure of the reference D2, and FIG. 8 shows items of information included in the reference. The reference D2 is data different from the print data, and is a set of control information used for making a print request from the workstation to the server.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the reference D2
Is composed of print resource information 91, job attribute information 92, and print attribute information 93. In the print resource information 91, information on the location of the print data to be actually printed, information on various resources used or necessary in the printing process, and the like are set.

The job attribute information 92 includes, as print job operation information, schedule information such as priority order and execution time designation, designation information of a specific printer, and a printer which is automatically optimal for print data print processing. Compatible printer designation information for detecting and performing print processing by the optimum printer, designation of load distribution (load balance) for instructing to distribute the load of print processing, division output for instructing to divide and output print data ( Print service information including information such as designation of (high-speed output) and designation of bypass output for instructing to switch to another printer and continue print processing without interrupting print processing in the event of a printer error.

The print attribute information 93 includes the paper size (A3, A3) as information necessary for printing by the printer.
4, B4...), Number of copies, paper orientation (vertical or horizontal), extended information (for example, information on enlargement / reduction / N-up designation, information on coloring for designation of single-sided printing or double-sided printing, etc.), etc. Is set.

(Overview of Print Request Procedure and Transfer Procedure of Print Data) FIG. 9 shows a print request procedure from the workstation and a flow of the print data D1. In the following, performs a print request from the workstation 12W ₁ to the server 14, an example will be described for printing out by the printer 16P _1.

The workstation 12W ₁ is provided with print data D1 of application software such as a word processor.
Generated in parallel with the, it generates a reference D2 that contains various information about printing processing of the print data D1, stored in the spool 160 within the workstation 12W _1.
The workstation 12W ₁ print data D1
And sending the reference D2 to the server 14 with the end of storage of the reference D2 as a trigger.
Request for print processing.

[0064] The server 14 7 defined in reference D2 received, analyzes the various information shown in FIG. 8 (print resource information 91, the job attribute information 92, the print attribute information 93), storage workstation 12W ₁ The printer that prints out the print data D1 and the data transfer path pattern (see routes 1 to 6 shown in FIG. 11) to be described later are determined. Then, the server 14 notifies the determined data transfer path pattern to the workstation 12W ₁ or the printer 16P _1.

The notified workstation 12W ₁
Or according to the data transfer path from the printer 16P ₁ server 14, workstations 12W ₁ directly print data D1, and transmits to the printer 16P _1, the printer 16P ₁ workstation print data D1 12W
Do or to acquire than _1, or the server 14 transfers the print data D1 workstation 12W ₁ on the received or acquired printer 16P _1, printing out by the printer 16P _1.

Next, various data transfer path patterns shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 will be described.

[0067] Route 1 (route 10), the printer 16P ₁ in accordance with an instruction from the server 14 is a data transfer path to obtain directly the stored print data D1 from the workstation 12W _1, Route 2 (FIG. 10 route) is a data transfer path workstation 12W ₁ transmits directly print data D1 to the printer 16P ₁ in accordance with an instruction from the server 14.

Route 3 (the route in FIG. 10) is a server
14 transmits the accumulated print data D1 to a workstation
12W₁From the printer 1
6P ₁Is a data transfer path acquired from the server 14.
The route 4 (the route in FIG. 10) is marked by the server 14.
The printing data D1 is transmitted to the workstation 12W.₁Earned from
And printer 16P₁Data transfer path to transfer to
You.

[0069] Route 5 (route 10) is a workstation 12W ₁ print data D1 is transmitted to the server 14 in accordance with an instruction from the server 14, the printer 16P ₁
There is a data transfer path to acquire print data D1 from the server 14 in accordance with an instruction from the server 14 (route 10) routes 6, the workstation 12W ₁ print data D1 in accordance with an instruction from the server 14 the server 14
Sent to the same route as the conventional transferring the print data D1 server 14 receives the printer 16P _1.

Next, the characteristics of each route described above will be described.

In route 1 (workstation ← printer), data flows on the network only once.
Since the print data is acquired by the printer, the workstation is unaware of the output destination, and the workstation has the advantage that the print job is released early.

In route 2 (workstation → printer), data flows on the network only once.
Although the workstation itself transmits the print data, the user who makes a print request at the workstation is unaware of the output destination.

Route 3 (workstation ← server ←
Printer), data flows twice over the network. Since the print data is acquired by the server, the workstation is unaware of the output destination, and the workstation has the advantage that the print job is released early. Further, in the server, since the print data is acquired by the printer, it is not necessary to control the output of the print data to the printer.

Route 4 (workstation ← server →
Printer), data flows twice over the network. Since the print data is acquired by the server, the workstation is unaware of the output destination, and the workstation has the advantage that the print job is released early.

Route 5 (workstation → server ←
Printer), data flows twice over the network. In the server, since the print data is acquired by the printer, it is not necessary to control the output of the print data to the printer.

Route 6 (workstation → server →
Printer), data flows twice over the network (prior art).

By the way, as shown in FIG. 12, priorities are set in advance for the data transfer path patterns according to the job attribute information 92 of the reference D2 shown in FIGS. Note that WS shown in FIG. 12 indicates a workstation, PRT indicates a printer, and SV indicates a server. The same abbreviations are used in FIG. 23 described later.

As shown in FIG. 12, for example, when the job attribute information 92 does not specify anything (when there is no print service) and when the load distribution is specified, the routes 1, 2, 3 shown in FIG. , 4, 5, and 6, the priorities 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are set in advance, respectively.

When the division output is designated by the job attribute information 92, the routes 1 and 2 in FIG. 11 are not adopted, and therefore the priorities 1, 2, and 5 are set in advance in the order of the routes 3, 4, 5, and 6. When the detour output is designated by the job attribute information 92, only the route 6 in FIG. 11 is adopted, and the priority 6 is set to the route 6 in advance.

As described above, the default priority order (1 to 6) of the route pattern is determined by the system, but can be changed to an arbitrary priority order by the user.

(Regarding Selection of Data Transfer Path According to Combination of Device Type and Communication Function) Next, selection of data transfer path according to combination of apparatus type and communication function will be described with reference to FIGS. I do.

FIG. 13 shows combinations of device types and communication functions managed in the device information table 222. FIG. 23 shows data transfer paths that can be realized for each combination in FIG. I have.

The communication function includes a client function (a communication function for transmitting data to another device and acquiring data from another device) and a server function (for receiving data from another device and other devices). (A communication function for executing data provision in response to a data acquisition request from the Internet).
The server 14 has both a client function and a server function.

M01 shown in FIG. 13 is a combination when the workstation and the printer both have the client function and the server function. As shown in FIG. 23, all the routes 1 in the data transfer path pattern of FIG.
6 can be performed.

M02 is a combination when the workstation has both the client function and the server function and the printer has only the server function. As shown in FIG. 23, route 2 of the data transfer path pattern in FIG. , Route 4 and route 6 can be communicated.

M03 is a combination when the workstation has both the client function and the server function, and the printer has only the client function.
As shown in FIG. 23, communication of print data can be performed on route 1, route 3, and route 5 of the data transfer route pattern of FIG.

M04, M08, M12 and M16 are combinations in the case where the printer has neither the client function nor the server function, and cannot carry out communication of print data, and thus are not applicable to this embodiment. This is a combination (described as NONE in FIG. 23).

M05, M06, M07 and M08 have the workstation function only for the server function and not the client function regardless of the function of the printer.
The reference cannot be sent from the workstation. For this reason, the combination is out of the scope of the present embodiment (described as NONE in FIG. 23).

M09 is a combination in which the workstation has only the client function and the printer has both the server function and the client function.
As shown in FIG. 11, the print data can be communicated on route 2, route 5, and route 6 in the data transfer path pattern of FIG.

M10 is a combination in which the workstation has only the client function and the printer has only the server function. As shown in FIG. 23, printing on route 2 and route 6 in the data transfer path pattern of FIG. Data communication can be performed.

M11 is a combination in which the workstation has only the client function and the printer has only the client function. As shown in FIG.
It is possible to perform communication of print data on route 5 in one data transfer path pattern.

M13, M14 and M15 cannot transmit a reference from the workstation because the workstation does not have the client function.
For this reason, the combination is out of the scope of the present embodiment (described as NONE in FIG. 23).

(Regarding Combination of Applicable Devices for Reference Transmission / Reception, Print Data Transmission / Reception, and Acquisition / Provision of Print Data) First, referring to FIG. Will be described. FIG. 14 shows a combination of a transmission device for the reference D2 created by the workstation and a device for receiving the reference.

M20 shown in FIG. 14 is a combination in which the workstation transmits the reference D2 to the server, and M21 is a combination in which the workstation transmits the reference D2 to the printer.

M22 is a combination in which the server receiving the reference D2 in M20 transfers the reference D2 to another server connected via the network. M23 is a combination for transferring the reference D2 to the printer managed and output by the server that has received the reference D2 in M20 described above.

Next, with reference to FIG. 15, a description will be given of a combination of a transmitting device and a receiving device that can be realized with respect to the operation of transmitting and receiving print data. FIG. 15 shows a combination of a transmitting device for the print data D1 created by the workstation and a receiving device for receiving the print data D1.

M30 shown in FIG. 15 is a combination in which the workstation transmits the print data D1 to the server, and M31 is a combination in which the workstation transmits the print data D1.
1 is a combination for transmitting 1 to the printer.

M32 is the print data D in M30 described above.
1 is a combination in which the server that receives 1 transfers print data to another server connected via the network. M33 is the print data D in M30 described above.
1 is a combination in which the server receiving the print data 1 transfers the print data D1 to the printer managed and output.

Next, with reference to FIG. 16, a description will be given of a combination of an acquiring device and a providing device that can be realized with respect to the operation of acquiring and providing print data. FIG. 16 shows a combination of an acquisition device that acquires the print data D1 created by the workstation and a providing device that provides the print data D1.

M40 shown in FIG. 16 is a combination in which the server acquires the print data D1 accumulated by the workstation, and M41 transmits the print data D1 acquired by the server in M40 to the server through the network. This is a combination acquired by another server connected via the server.

M42 is a combination in which the printer acquires the print data D1 stored by the workstation. M43 is a combination in which the printer acquires the print data D1 acquired by the server in M40 described above from the server.

(Communication Control Operation of Each Component) Hereinafter, the communication control operation of each component is executed by each of the workstation, the server, and the printer when printing the print data D1 generated by the workstation. The communication control processing routine will be described. In the following, as an example, to generate print data D1 workstation 12W _1, assumed to be described the case of performing print processing request of the print data D1 to the server 14.

[0103] In the work station 12W ₁ is,
The control routine of FIG. 17 described below is executed. In workstation 12W _1, monitors the presence or absence of print processing request from the application software such as word processor (S100 in FIG. 17).

When a print processing request is received, document data from the application software is converted into print data D1, and a reference D2 relating to the converted print data D1 is generated (S101). The print data D1 generated here is stored to the spool 160 within the workstation 12W _1. Then, the print data D1
When the conversion to the reference and the generation of the reference D2 are completed, L
By transmitting the reference D2 to the server 14 via the AN 10, a print request using the reference D2 is made to the server 14 (S102). Since the reference D2 has a smaller data amount than the print data D1, there is an advantage that the communication traffic amount at the time of a print request is reduced as compared with the related art.

After making a print request using such a reference D2, it waits for an instruction from the server 14 (S10).
3). When the instruction is notified from the server 14, the contents of the instruction are analyzed (S104). As a result of the analysis, when the instruction content is transmission of the print data D1 (route 2 in FIG. 11,
In the case of (5) and (6), information on the transmission destination to which the print data D1 is to be transmitted is obtained from the above-mentioned instruction contents (S106), and the print data D1 stored in the spool 160 is transmitted to the obtained transmission destination (S107). ).

[0106] On the other hand, a result of analyzing the instruction content, if the instruction content is not a transmission of the print data D1 (e.g., the root of the case (= 11 to the print data D1 accumulated in the spool 160 server 14 or the printer 16P ₁ to acquire 1,
For 3,4)), a workstation 12W ₁ releases the print job at the time and waits for a new print process request returns to S100.

Next, in the server 14, the control routine of FIG. 18 described below is executed. The server 14
In S200 of FIG. 18, the devices (workstations 12W ₁ , 12W ₂ , 1) connected via the network N1
2W _3, 12W ₄ or the printer 16P _1, 16P _{2, 1}
6P ₃ , 16P ₄ ). If the data reception is detected in S200, the process proceeds to the next S201, where the data is received, and the received data (received data) is stored in the spool 280 in FIG.

When storage of the received data in the spool 280 is completed in S201, it is checked in next step S202 whether the received data is the reference D2. Here, if the received data is not the reference D2 but the print data D1, the process proceeds to S208 described below. If the received data is the reference D2, the process proceeds to S203 to execute a subroutine of the output printer extraction process of FIG.

Here, the output printer extraction processing of FIG. 20 will be described. In S400 of FIG. 20, an extraction printer table for storing information on the extracted printers, an extraction printer counter N1 for counting the number of extracted printers, and a search counter N2 for counting the number of searched devices are initialized. In the next step S401, the job attribute information 92 and the print attribute information 9 included in the reference D2
Read 3

In the next step S402, whether the search / comparison (described later) for printer extraction from the device group managed by the server 14 has been completed or not is determined by the search counter N2 equal to the total number of devices NT. 20. When the search / comparison for all the devices is completed,
And returns to the main routine of FIG.

If the search / comparison has not been completed for all apparatuses, the process advances to step S403 to check whether a printer to be output is specified in the print service item of the job attribute information 92 of the reference D2. Here, if the printer to be output is not specified, the process proceeds to S406 described later.

On the other hand, if the printer to be output is specified, the performance information table number of the specified printer is searched from the device information table 222 in S404, and the performance information of the printer corresponding to the performance information table number is retrieved. From the performance information table 223. And the next S
At 405, the search counter N2 is set to (the total number of devices NT-1). Thus, the search ends in the next search loop. In the next step S406, device information for one device is read from the device information table 222. Of course, when a printer is specified, the device information of the specified printer is read. In the next step S407, it is determined whether or not the read device information is printer information. If the read device information is information other than that of the printer, the process proceeds to S413 described later.

On the other hand, if the read device information is printer information, the process advances to step S408, and printer performance information corresponding to the performance information table number of the read device information is
The information is read from the performance information table 223, and in the next step S409, the print condition check subroutine of FIG. 21 is executed.

In the print condition checking process in S409, first, a flag F indicating whether or not the target printer is a suitable printer is initialized (OFF) in S410 in FIG. 20 (S500 in FIG. 21). When the flag F is on, it indicates that the target printer is a compatible printer, and when the flag F is off, it indicates that the target printer is not a compatible printer.

Next, in S501 to S507, it is determined whether or not the target printer is a printer satisfying the various attributes specified by the print attribute information 93 of the reference D2. Perform on unit. If the attribute is not satisfied in each determination, the subroutine of FIG. 21 is terminated, and the process returns to the routine of FIG.

That is, in S501, it is determined whether or not the extracted printer is in an operable state, and if it is in an operable state, the flow proceeds to the next S502. In S502, it is determined whether or not the print language (PDL) condition is satisfied. If the PDL condition is satisfied, the flow advances to the next S503.

In S503, it is determined whether or not the print resolution condition is satisfied. If the print resolution condition is satisfied, the flow advances to the next S504. In S504, it is determined whether or not the paper condition is satisfied. If the paper condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to the next S505.

In S505, it is determined whether or not the printing surface condition (single-sided printing or double-sided printing) is satisfied. If the printing surface condition is satisfied, the flow advances to the next S506. In S506, it is determined whether or not the scale condition is satisfied. If the scale condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to the next S507.

In S507, it is determined whether or not the color condition is satisfied. If the color condition is satisfied, the flow advances to the next S508. In S508, since all of the conditions determined in S501 to S507 are satisfied, the flag F is turned on, the processing ends, and the routine returns to the routine of FIG.

As described above, if the target printer is a suitable printer, the flag F is set to ON. If the target printer is not a suitable printer, the flag F is set.
Remains off.

In FIG. 20, in the next S410, the retrieved printer performance is the print attribute information 93 of the reference D2.
Is determined based on the on / off state of the flag F. If the searched printer performance does not meet the printing conditions,
The process proceeds to S413 described below.

On the other hand, if the retrieved printer performance conforms to the printing conditions, the flow advances to S 411 to increment the extracted printer counter N 1 by one, and in the next S 412,
The extracted communication function of the printer and the communication function of the workstation that has issued the print request are set in the extracted printer table.

In the next S413, the search counter N2 is set to 1
The process returns to S402 and the process is repeated.

Thereafter, for each device information, S402 to S402
413 is executed. Then, the processing is completed for all the device information, and the search counter N2 indicates the total number of devices NT.
If it becomes equal to, an affirmative determination is made in S402, and the subroutine of FIG. 20 ends.

After the output printer extraction processing in S203 of FIG. 18 is completed as described above, in the next S204,
The subroutine of the data transfer path pattern and printer selection processing of FIG. 22 described below is executed.

First, in S600 of FIG. 22, in the output printer extraction processing, a printer extraction table in which communication functions of the extracted printers are set is read, and in the next S601, the number of extracted printers is read from the extracted printer counter N1. Then, in the next step S602, the job attribute information 92 included in the reference D2 is read, and in the next step S603, it is determined whether the bypass output is designated by the designated job attribute information 92. If the bypass output has been designated here, the data transfer path of the print data D1 is set to the pattern 6 in FIG. 11 in S604, and the process ends, and the process returns to the main routine in FIG.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination of the job attribute information 92 in S603, if the bypass output is not specified, it is determined in the next S605 whether or not the divided output is specified in the job attribute information 92. If it is determined that the divided output has been specified, the process proceeds to S606, and a printer capable of combining the data transfer path pattern 4 or pattern 6 is searched from the printer extraction table read in S600. In the next step S607, it is determined whether there is a printer that can be searched in step S605. If there is a printer that can be searched, the process proceeds to step S613 described below. If there is no printer that could be searched, error information indicating that the printer could not be searched is displayed on a display (not shown) in S608, the process ends, and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in S 605 is that the output is not divided output, the flow advances to S 609 to change the job attribute information 92.
To determine whether the load balance is specified.
If the result of determination is that load balance has been specified, S
At 610, the printer with the lowest operation rate is selected from the printers in the printer extraction table read at S600, and the process proceeds to S613. If the result of determination in S609 is that load balancing has not been specified,
The process proceeds to 611, where it is determined whether a compatible printer is specified in the job attribute information 92. If the result of the determination is that a compatible printer has been designated, then in S612 the above S6
From the printer extraction table read in 00, a printer having the most advanced communication function combination (functional pattern) is selected, and the flow advances to S613.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S611 that a compatible printer has not been designated, it is assumed that the designated printer has been designated, and the flow advances to step S613 without selecting a printer.

Then, in S613, S606, S61
12 from the printer selected in S612 or the printer designated by the designated printer of the job attribute information 92.
According to the priority table of the data transfer path shown in (1), a data transfer path having a higher priority is selected, the processing is terminated, and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

The data transfer path and the printer of the print data D1 are determined by the data transfer path pattern and the printer selection processing in S204 of FIG. 18 as described above.

[0132] Next, in S205 of FIG. 18, the workstation 12W ₁ and the S making the request of the printing process
204 (for example, the printer 16P
Notify ₁ ) the determined data transfer path pattern.

In the next step S206, it is determined whether or not the determined data transfer path is a pattern for obtaining print data by the server (ie, route 3 and route 4 in FIG. 11). If the data transfer path is not a pattern for acquiring print data by the server, the process returns to S200 and waits for the next received data.

On the other hand, if the data transfer path is a pattern for acquiring print data by the server (= route 3 and route 4 in FIG. 11), in S207, the print data location information of the print resource information 91 included in the reference D2 is changed. referring to acquire the print data from the work station 12W _1,
The acquired print data is stored in the spool 280 in FIG. Then, in the next S208, it is determined whether or not the determined data transfer path is a pattern for transferring print data from the server (that is, route 4 in FIG. 11). Here, if the data transfer path is not a pattern for transferring print data from the server (that is, route 3 in FIG. 11), the process returns to S200 and waits for the next received data.

On the other hand, if the data transfer path is a pattern for transferring print data from the server, the process proceeds to S209, and
The scheduling for outputting the print data D1 from the printer determined in 204 is performed, and the print data D1 is transmitted to the printer determined in next S210. Thereafter, the flow returns to S200 to wait for the next received data. next,
In the printer, a control routine of FIG. 19 described below is executed. The printer (here, for example, the printer 16P ₁ ) is connected to the network N in S300 of FIG.
Workstations 12W ₁ , 1 connected via
From 2W _2, 12W _3, 12W ₄ or the server 14, it is performed for checking whether or not received print data D1. If the print data D1 has not been received, it is checked in S302 whether a data acquisition instruction from the server 14 has been received. If a data acquisition instruction from the server 14 has not been received in S302, the process proceeds to S30.
Returning to 0, the reception check of the print data D1 is performed again.

If it is determined in step S302 that a data acquisition instruction from the server 14 has been received, the process advances to step S303.
Information on the print data acquisition destination (workstation or server) is obtained from the content of the data acquisition instruction. Then, in the next S304, the print data D1 is obtained from the print data obtaining destination, and the obtained print data D1 is stored in the spool 350 in FIG. When this storage is completed, S
Proceeding to 305, printout of the stored print data D1 is performed.

On the other hand, when the reception of the print data D1 is detected in S300, the process proceeds to S301, where the received print data D1 is stored in the spool 350 in FIG. When the storage is completed, the process advances to step S305 to store the stored print data D1.
Print output. Thus, in the printer,
The print data D1 is printed out.

As described above, in the network system to which the present invention is applied, the workstation requests the server to perform the print processing of the print data D1 using the reference D2 having a smaller data amount than the print data D1, so Sometimes the amount of data transferred from the workstation to the server is smaller than before, and the amount of traffic on the network system can be reduced. Further, since the amount of data to be stored in the server at the time of a print processing request is also reduced, the server does not require an additional magnetic disk device or the like, and cost can be reduced.

In addition, the server receives a print processing request from the workstation using the reference D2,
Determine an appropriate printer and print data transfer path.
The print processing of the print data based on the appropriate transfer path can be realized by the control processing routine in each of the workstation, the server, and the printer described above.

[Configuration Improved to Achieve the Present Invention and Its Operation] Next, the configuration improved to achieve the present invention and its operation will be described.

[0141] As shown in FIG. 24, the work station 12W _1, prior to the data generation unit 110 described with reference to FIG. 2, reference generating unit 111, in addition to the print data generating unit 112, including the routine job information A standard job reference generation unit 113 for generating a standard job reference D3 to be described later, and a standard job data generation unit 114 for adding a standard job identifier to print data of the standard job and storing it on the spool 160 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 25, in addition to the configuration described above with reference to FIG. 3, the server 14 has a schedule monitoring unit 291 for monitoring the execution date and time of the standard job, and a standard job transmitted from the workstation. Reference D3
And a standard job information management unit 293 for managing the standard job information specified in the standard job reference D3.

[0143] The configuration of the printer 16P ₁ is the same as the configuration of FIG. 4 mentioned above, FIG. 5 device information table 222 and the printer performance information table 223 is used by the server 14 also described above, it is similar to that of FIG. 6 .

As shown in FIG. 26, the standard job reference D3 newly adds the standard job information 94 to all the components (print resource information 91, job attribute information 92, and print attribute information 93) of the print request reference D2. This is the added configuration. The standard job reference D3 is generated when it is necessary to print the standard job on the workstation (not when the standard job is printed, but can be generated in advance when the standard job is clear). Is transferred to the server and stored in the server.

As shown in FIG. 27, the fixed job information 94 included in the fixed job reference D3 includes a fixed job identifier and a fixed job execution time interval (for example, every three days, every week, every month, etc.). (Schedule interval) and control information indicating registration of the standard job reference D3 in the server or deletion of the standard job reference D3 stored in the server.

FIG. 28 shows the routine job request method and the flow of print data in this embodiment.

[0147] Workstation 12W _1, if there is fixed a job to be executed, by specifying (input) the information of the standard job, routine jobs Reference D
3 is generated, and the generated standard job reference D3 is transmitted to the server 14 (1).

The server 14 receiving the fixed job reference D3 accumulates the fixed job reference D3 (2), and monitors the schedule until the fixed job specified in the fixed job reference D3 is executed (3).

[0149] On the other hand, the workstation 12W ₁ generates print data of the standard job until the specified standard job execution, and stored in the spool 160 in FIG. 2 (4).

The server 14 is now ready to execute a standard job
Printer that prints a standard job (for example,
Printer 16P₁) Extract workstation 1
2W ₁From the printer 16P₁Print data transfer up to
The road is determined (5). Then, the server 14 has determined
Workstation 12W based on transfer path₁Or
Linter 16P₁To send or acquire print data
An instruction is given (6).

[0151] Workstation 12W ₁ receives a transfer instruction of the print data, in response to the instruction, and transfers the print data to the printer 16P ₁ (7). Or, printer 16P ₁ receives an acquisition instruction of the print data, in response to the instruction, to acquire the print data from the workstation 12W ₁ (7).

[0152] Figure 29, the spool information table 1 is used by the workstation 12W ₁ in this embodiment
91 is shown. The spool information table 191 includes a fixed job identifier for managing print data of a fixed job stored in the spool 160 (hereinafter, referred to as fixed job data), and a memory area of the spool 160 in which the fixed job data is stored. It is composed of an address and the size of fixed job data, is generated by the fixed job data generating unit 114 in FIG. 24, and is held in the fixed job data generating unit 114.

The work station 12W ₁ is the server 14
In the case where the fixed form job data is transmitted or provided in accordance with the instruction from, the data output unit 140 reads all the fixed form job data holding the corresponding fixed form job identifier from the spool information table 191, and transfers the data to the destination printer. Alternatively, it is provided to the requested printer.

FIG. 30 shows the standard job information 224 used by the server 14 in this embodiment. The fixed job information 224 includes a fixed job identifier, client information (such as the name of a workstation) that has transmitted the fixed job reference D3, schedule information for performing print control of the fixed job, and a print control target at the current time. And the processing target information indicating whether or not the standard job reference storage unit 2 in the server 14
When the standard job information D3 is accumulated by the standard job information management unit 293, the standard job reference D3 is generated in the standard job information management unit 293 and stored in the standard job information management unit 293.

Using the schedule information included in the fixed job information 224, the schedule monitoring unit 291 in the server 14 performs a schedule monitoring process. When the scheduled time comes, the fixed job information 224 is set.
Is set to "1" for the processing target information. Then, the print management unit 240 searches for processing target information of the standard job information, reads the standard job reference D3 to be processed from the standard job reference storage unit 292 using the standard job identifier as a key, and reads the reference interpretation unit 242 and the printer. Via the selection unit 243 and the data transfer path determination unit 244, a printer to perform the print processing of the fixed job and the transfer path of the print data are determined. Also, fixed job information 2
Using the client information 24, and instructs the workstation 12W ₁ which has transmitted the standard job reference D3.

(Effects of the present embodiment) Hereinafter, as the effects of the present embodiment, various processes relating to the print control method for a fixed job using the fixed job reference D3 will be described. Here, the six processes are roughly described below in order.

[0157] server 1 when a user receives a fixed job reference generating / transmission processing routine job reference D3 executed in processing workstation 12W ₁ to specify various information about the routine jobs
Before reaching the processing schedule date performed in 4 is executed in the print data generation processing server 14 of the fixed jobs executed at the workstation 12W _1, transfer printer extraction processing and the print data for the fixed job when the scheduled date executed in determination / notification processing workstation 12W ₁ route, processing transfers routine job data at the determined transfer path pattern first, the processing for the user to specify various information about the routine jobs, FIGS. 37 to 39 This will be described with reference to FIG.

When the user registers a fixed job, the user
Routine job request screen 182 shown in is displayed on the display 180 of the workstation 12W ₁ (see FIG. 1). The fixed job request screen 182 includes an identifier input field 183 for inputting a fixed job identifier, and a schedule field 184 for inputting schedule information.
, A job attribute setting button 185, and a print attribute setting button 186. In addition, a fixed form job registration button 187 is displayed below the fixed form job request screen 182.
, Fixed job delete button 188, and request cancel button 1
89 are provided.

In the identifier input field 183, a unique identifier assigned to the standard job is set. In the schedule field 184, information indicating how long the regular job is re-executed and printed is set. Here, as an example, the setting of how many days from the date and time when the fixed job request was made is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may adopt it.

When a job attribute setting button 185 is operated on the standard job request screen 182, a standard job job attribute setting screen 190 shown in FIG.
80 (FIG. 1). The user can select desired job attribute information on this screen (for example, select a compatible printer,
(Load distribution, split output, bypass output, and broadcast output) and operate the OK button 192. When the setting of the job attributes is completed in this way, the standard job request screen 182 of FIG. 37 is displayed again.

When the print attribute setting button 186 is operated on the standard job request screen 182, a standard job print attribute setting screen 194 shown in FIG. 39 is displayed on the display 180 (FIG. 1). The user sets or selects desired print attribute information (eg, paper size, paper orientation, reduction ratio, number of copies, print surface, resolution) on this screen, and operates the OK button 196. When the print attributes are set in this way, the standard job request screen 182 shown in FIG. 37 is displayed again.

Fixed job request screen 182, job attribute setting screen 190 in FIG. 38, and print attribute setting screen 1 in FIG.
When all the desired information is set at 94, the user operates the standard job registration button 187 in FIG. This starts the process of FIG. 32 to be described later, fixed job reference D3 of "registration" is set is generated in the control information in the standard job information 94 in FIG. 27, the constant type from the workstation 12W ₁ to the server 14 The job reference D3 is transmitted.

When the user wants to delete the standard job reference D3 registered in the server 14, the user specifies the standard job identifier of the standard job to be deleted on the standard job request screen 182, and clicks the standard job delete button 188.
By operating, a routine job reference D3 in which the control information in the routine job information 94 of FIG. 27 is set to "delete" is generated.

[0164] Next, a description will be given of a routine job reference generating / transmission processing executed at the workstation 12W ₁ in Figure 32. In the present embodiment,
In order to simplify the control, a process of generating and registering a fixed job reference D3 of a fixed job that is known in advance before the execution timing of the fixed job will be described. However, the process is not limited to this. When the print data of the standard job is generated and the standard job is executed, control may be performed such that the standard job reference D3 is generated and registered.

The standard job request screen 18 shown in FIG.
When the user operates the standard job registration button 187 or the standard job deletion button 188 at 2, the standard job reference generation / transmission processing of FIG. 32 is started. That is, this process is interrupted as an interrupt routine with respect to the process of FIG. 31 described later.

In step S130 of FIG. 32, the standard job reference generation unit 113 reads various information (standard job identifier, schedule information, job attributes, print attributes, etc.) regarding the standard job specified by the user in the manner described above, and then proceeds to step S131. And the standard job reference generation unit 1
13 is a standard job reference D based on the read information.
3 is generated. Then, in the next S132, the generated standard job reference D3 is stored in the input / output I / F 150.
Is transferred to the server 14 via.

Next, the operation of the server 14 when receiving the standard job reference D3 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 33, processes related to the above operation are S214 and S215, and these processes will be described here. Also, S200 to S210 in FIG.
The processing of S200 to S2 described above with reference to FIG.
This is the same as the processing of No. 10.

In the processing up to S214, the server 14 has received some data from the external device (S214).
200 is affirmatively determined), the reception and storage of the data have been completed (S201), and it is determined in S202 that the received data is not the print request reference D2.

In S214, it is checked whether or not the received data is the standard job reference D3. Here, if it is not the fixed job reference D3, the process proceeds to S208 described above. If it is determined in S214 that the received data is the standard job reference D3,
Proceeding to S215, the subroutine of the routine job reference management process of FIG. 35 described later is executed. In the template job reference management process, the template job reference D3 is registered or deleted, and after the process is completed, the process returns to S200 in FIG.

Here, the subroutine of the routine job reference management processing of FIG. 35 will be described. First, in S801, it is determined whether “registration” is specified in the standard job information 94 in the standard job reference D3 (“delete” is specified). Here, if “delete” is specified in the standard job information 94, the process proceeds to S 805, where the standard job reference D 3 holding the standard job identifier designated for deletion is set
In step S806, the entry of the corresponding fixed job identifier is deleted from the fixed job information stored in the fixed job information management unit 293.

On the other hand, if “registration” is specified in the standard job information 94 in S801, the process proceeds to S802, where the standard job reference D3 is stored in the standard job reference storage unit 292, and in the next S803, the stored standard job reference is stored. From the contents of the job reference D3, one entry of the fixed job information including the fixed job identifier, the schedule information, and the client information of the sender of the fixed job reference is generated, and the generated one entry is notified to the fixed job information management unit 293. Then, the standard job information management unit 293 additionally updates the standard job information held at the time.

Then, in the next step S804, the schedule monitoring unit 291 starts a subroutine of the schedule monitoring process of FIG. 36 using the schedule information of the standard job information 94.

This schedule monitoring process is a process performed in parallel with other processes. That is, after the schedule monitoring process is started by the standard job reference management process of FIG. 35, the standard job reference management process of FIG. 35 ends without waiting for the end of the schedule monitoring process. Therefore, the schedule monitoring process of FIG. 36 is executed without being affected by other processes.

Here, the schedule monitoring processing of FIG. 36 will be described. First, in S901 of FIG. 36, the schedule monitoring unit 291 acquires a fixed job identifier of a fixed job to be monitored from the fixed job information managed by the fixed job information management unit 293. In the next step S902, the schedule information specifying the schedule interval to be monitored is obtained from the standard job information. In the next step S903, the schedule information is acquired.
The monitoring control is performed by a timer that times out when a time corresponding to the schedule interval elapses (hereinafter, referred to as a schedule interval timer). Here, as an example, processing is waited until the schedule interval timer times out (sleep is performed), and when control is returned from sleep, control is performed so as to determine that the schedule date has been reached. The method described in the above may be used.

When the control is returned from the monitoring control by the timer in S903, it is determined that the schedule date has been reached, so the schedule monitoring unit 29 in S904.
1 retrieves the standard job information held by the standard job information management unit 293, and turns on the processing target flag in the entry of the standard job identifier held in S901. Here, by turning on the processing target flag, it is determined that the printing job should be started in the processing target fixed job confirmation process (FIG. 34) to be described later.

[0176] Next, a description will be given of a print data generating process routine job that is executed in the workstation 12W ₁ to reach the scheduled date in Figure 31. The processing of S110 to S118 in FIG. 31 (S11
1 except for S100 to S10 in FIG. 17 described above.
7 is the same as the processing of FIG.

In FIG. 31, related processing is S11
1, the processing of S119 to S121 will be described.

At S111, the workstation 12W ₁
It is checked whether or not the print operation requested in step 1 is a print request for a standard job. It should be noted that the print request instruction of the standard job will not be described in detail here, but only when the standard job identifier is additionally specified on the normal print request screen,
This can be interpreted as a print request instruction for a standard job.

If the determination in S111 is affirmative and it is determined that the print request is a print request for a standard job, the process proceeds to S11.
In step S120, the routine proceeds to step S120, at which a fixed job identifier specified at the time of the print request is acquired, and in step S120, the acquired fixed job identifier is added to the print data of the fixed job requested to be printed (hereinafter, referred to as fixed job data). Then, the fixed job data to which the fixed job identifier is added is stored in the spool 160 in FIG.

[0180] All the fixed job data are stored in the spool 160.
When the storage of the fixed job data is completed, the process proceeds to S121, and the fixed job identifier of the fixed job data and the spool 160 storing the fixed job data are stored in the spool information table 191 of FIG. 29 managed by the fixed job data generating unit 114.
The start address in the memory area and the data size of the fixed-form job data are collectively registered as one entry.

[0181] The above S111, the processing of S119~S121 is determined that the routine job reference D3 is then transferred to the server 14 is generated at the workstation 12W _1, it reached the scheduled date in the schedule monitoring process of the server 14 Is done until

By the above processing, the workstation 1
In 2W _1, in response to the acquisition request of the standard job data by the server 14 or the printer 16P _1, it is possible to provide a fixed job data. In addition, it becomes possible to transmit the fixed form job data in response to the fixed form job data transmission instruction from the server 14.

When re-executing a standard job in which the standard job reference D3 has been generated once, the user generates standard job data and additionally designates a standard job identifier of a desired standard job on a normal print request screen. Print request. As a result, an affirmative determination is made in S111, and S
In steps S119 to S120, the fixed-size job data to which the specified fixed-form job identifier is added corresponds to the spool 1 in FIG.
60. Then, when the schedule date comes, the fixed-form job data is transferred to or acquired by the printer, as will be described in detail later, and is printed by the printer.

Next, the server 14 performs a printer extraction process for a fixed job whose schedule date has been reached and an operation up to determination / notification of a print data transfer path in FIG.
3 will be described. Note that the related processes in FIG. 33 include the processes of S211 to S213 and S203 to S2.
10 is a process. Of these, the processing of S203 to S210 is the same as the content described above with reference to FIG.
Here, the description is omitted.

If it is determined in S200 of FIG. 33 that no data has been received by the server 14, the flow advances to S211 to execute a subroutine of a process-targeted fixed job confirmation process in FIG. 34 described later. However, control may be passed to S211 when the server 14 is receiving data from the outside.

In step S211, although the details will be described later, information as to whether or not there is a fixed job to be processed is obtained from the fixed job information described above.
Based on the information obtained in S211, it is determined whether a fixed job to be processed exists.

If there is no fixed job to be processed, the process returns to S200 to check again whether data is transmitted from the external device. On the other hand, if there is a fixed job to be processed,
Proceeding to S213, the fixed-form job reference storage unit 292
Reads the corresponding standard job reference D3 from
Job attribute information 92 in FIG. 27 that are specified for the standard job reference in D3, on the basis of the print attribute information 93, the processing of S203~S205 are performed, the printer should print processing routine job (printer 16P ₁₎ is is extracted, is determined transfer path of the print data, to the workstation 12W ₁ and printer 16P _1, the transfer path of the determined print data is notified.

Here, a description will be given of the processing target fixed job confirmation processing of FIG. 34 executed in S211. S7 in FIG.
In step 01, the existence flag indicating that there is a standard job to be processed (= the specified schedule date has been reached) is initialized (reset). In the next step S702, the standard job information management unit 293 manages the existence flag. The number of entries of the fixed job information is calculated and the number of entries is held. Thereafter, the process of determining whether or not the fixed-size job is to be processed is repeated by the number of entries held here.

At the next step S703, the number of entries is “0”.
Check if it is. Here, an affirmative determination is made in the following two cases.

(1) When the standard job reference D3 does not exist in the server 14 (2) It is confirmed whether or not all the entries registered in the standard job information are to be processed. In any of the above cases, and if an affirmative determination is made in S703, the processing in FIG. 34 ends, and the process returns to the main routine in FIG. If none of the above cases apply, S7
In step 04, information of one entry (standard job identifier, client information, schedule information, processing target flag) is read from the standard job information.

In the next step S705, it is checked whether or not the processing target flag in the read information is on. If the processing target flag is not on, the process proceeds to S706, and the number of entries is decremented by one, and then returns to S703.

On the other hand, if the processing target flag is ON in S705, there is a fixed job to be processed (that is, the specified schedule date has been reached). Therefore, in S707 and S708, the fixed job is The identifier and the client information are stored in the work area, and S709
To turn on the presence flag.

Then, in order to monitor the next schedule of the above-mentioned routine job, the processing target flag of the routine job information is turned off in the next step S710, and in the next step S711, the schedule monitoring processing of FIG. 36 is started again.

With the above processing, it is determined whether or not there is a fixed-size job that has reached the designated schedule date.

[0195] Next, in the transfer path pattern determined by the server 14 will be described with reference to operation of workstation 12W ₁ transfers standard job data in Figure 31. Note that the related processing in FIG.
Since these are the processes of S127 to S127, these will be described.

If it is determined in S110 of FIG. 31 that there is no print processing request from the user, the flow advances to S122 to check whether or not a data transfer control instruction for a standard job has been received from the server 14. However, control may be performed such that the process proceeds to S122 even when a process for a print processing request from the user is being executed.

Here, if the data transfer control instruction for the standard job has not been received, the process returns to S110. On the other hand, if the data transfer control instruction for the fixed job has been received,
Proceeding to S123, it is checked whether or not the instruction is an instruction to transmit the fixed form job data to another device.

[0198] Here, the data transfer path pattern determined by the server 14, if the route 2,5,6 in FIG. 11, the workstation 12W ₁ transmits a fixed job data to the server 14 or the printer 16P ₁ Since the pattern is a pattern, the process proceeds to S124, where the destination information included in the transmission instruction from the server 14 is obtained, and in S125, the fixed form job identifier included in the transmission instruction is obtained. Then, in the next step S126, all entries holding the above-mentioned fixed job identifier are acquired from the spool information table 191 of FIG. 29 managed by the fixed job data generating unit 114, and in the next S127, the corresponding fixed job data is obtained.
The data is transmitted to the transmission destination obtained in S124.

In S123, the data transfer path pattern determined by the server 14 is the route 1, 3,
For 4, since the server 14 or the printer 16P ₁ is a pattern to acquire print data from the workstation 12W _1, the process proceeds to S125, to obtain the standard job identifier included in the acquisition request. Then, in the next S126, all entries holding the above-mentioned fixed job identifier are acquired from the spool information table 191 managed by the fixed job data generating unit 114, and in the next S127, a request to acquire all the corresponding fixed job data is made. The server 14 that went
Or the printer 16P _1, provides all the standard job data relevant.

[0200] Thus, using routine job reference D3 registered in the server 14, automatically every predetermined schedule date, standard job data stored in the workstation 12W ₁ is determined by the server 14 and according to the data transfer path patterns, will be delivered to the printer 16P ₁ determined by the server 14, is the printing process by the printer 16P _1.

According to the above-described embodiment, the user of the workstation simply inputs various types of information relating to the standard job using the screens shown in FIGS. 37 to 39, and receives the standard job reference D3 based on the input information. Is automatically generated and sent to the server, and a request for a standard job is made. In this way, a request for a fixed job can be easily made, and a fixed job based on the fixed job content information can be smoothly executed.

When a standard job is requested, not the print data, but the standard job reference D3 having a smaller data amount than the print data is transmitted to the server. Therefore, the data amount transferred from the workstation to the server at the time of the request is transmitted. Can be reduced as compared with the conventional case, and the traffic amount on the network system can be reduced. Also, since the amount of data to be stored in the server is reduced, the server does not require an additional magnetic disk device or the like, and can reduce the cost.

Further, since the fixed job reference D3 transmitted from the workstation is managed and stored in the server, when the fixed job is re-executed, the fixed job information is reset by the user or the fixed job information is transmitted from the workstation to the server. Retransmission of the job reference D3 is unnecessary. Therefore, the user load and the processing load on the workstation can be reduced, and the traffic volume on the network can be further reduced.

[0204] In the operation of the above embodiment, generates print data D1 workstation 12W _1, has been described by assuming the case of performing print processing request of the print data D1 to the server 14, one The same communication control processing as described above can be realized between all workstations, servers, and printers connected via the network without being limited to the network.

[0205]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The terminal device can easily request a standard job by simply generating the standard job content information and sending it to the server.
It is possible to smoothly execute a fixed job based on the fixed job content information.

In particular, according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the terminal device executes the already requested fixed job on the date indicated in the schedule information, it generates the fixed job content information and executes the fixed job. Without making a request, by the date indicated in the schedule information, print data of the standard job with the identification information of the standard job added is generated, and when the date indicated in the schedule information is reached, the server By transferring the print data of the standard job to the image forming apparatus under the control of the control unit, the standard job is executed, so that the standard job content information is not retransmitted from the terminal device to the server, thereby reducing the amount of traffic on the network. In addition, the processing load on the terminal device can be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by requesting the server to perform print processing using print processing content information having a smaller data amount than the print data, the request is transferred from the terminal device to the server when requested. Since the amount of data is smaller than before, the amount of traffic on the network system can be reduced, and the amount of data to be stored in the server is also reduced. Reduction can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a network system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a workstation.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a server.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer.

FIG. 5 is a table showing an example of a device information table managed by a server.

FIG. 6 is a table illustrating an example of a printer performance information table managed by a server.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a print request reference.

FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of detailed information of a print request reference.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing the flow of printing.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a data communication route.

FIG. 11 is a list of data transfer path patterns.

FIG. 12 is a table showing priorities regarding data transfer paths;

FIG. 13 is a communication function matrix table of a workstation and a printer.

FIG. 14 is a matrix table of reference transmitting devices and receiving devices.

FIG. 15 is a matrix table of a print data transmitting device and a print data receiving device;

FIG. 16 is a matrix table of print data acquisition devices and provision devices.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a communication control processing routine executed in the workstation.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a communication control processing routine executed in the server.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a communication control processing routine executed in the printer.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of an output printer extraction process.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of a print condition check process.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a data transfer path pattern and a subroutine of printer selection processing.

FIG. 23 is a table showing data transfer paths for each communication function matrix of FIG. 13;

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a workstation to which an improvement according to the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server to which an improvement according to the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 26 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a standard job reference.

FIG. 27 is a table showing an example of detailed information of a standard job reference.

FIG. 28 is a conceptual diagram showing a standard job print control and a flow of print data.

FIG. 29 is a table showing an example of a spool information table.

FIG. 30 is a table showing an example of standard job information.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a processing routine including a fixed job data storing process and a transferring process executed in the workstation.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a routine for generating / transmitting a standard job reference executed in the workstation.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a processing routine including a registration / deletion process of a standard job reference executed by the server and a print control process for the standard job to be processed.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a process-targeted fixed job confirmation process.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a routine job reference management process.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a schedule monitoring process routine executed in the server.

FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen for generating a standard job reference.

FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen for setting job attributes of a standard job.

FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen for setting print attributes of a standard job.

[Explanation of symbols]

_{10,20 LAN 12W 1, 12W 2,} 12W 3, 12W 4 workstations 14,24 server _{16P 1, 16P 2, 16P 3} , 16P 4 printer _{22W 1, 22W 2, 22W 3} , 22W 4 workstation 26P _1, 26P _2, 26P _3, 26P ₄ printer D1 print data D2 Reference D3 routine job reference 94 fixed job control information 113 fixed job reference generating unit 114 fixed job data generating unit 291 Schedule monitoring unit 292 fixed job reference storage unit 293 fixed job information management unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G06F 15/16 380 G06F 15/16 380D

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A network including at least one terminal device that generates print data, at least one image forming device that executes a printing process based on the print data, and a server that manages the image forming device. In the system, when the terminal device requests a fixed job as print processing to be executed on a predetermined date, print resource information including location information of print data, execution of print processing in the network system Job attribute information representing control information, print attribute information representing execution control information of print processing in the image forming apparatus, identification information of the fixed job assigned to identify the requested fixed job, and executing the fixed job. Fixed job content information including fixed job information including schedule information indicating a due date A fixed-form job content information generating means for generating; a fixed-form job request means for requesting the server to execute the fixed-form job by transmitting the fixed-form job content information generated by the fixed-form job content information generating means to the server; A print data generating unit configured to generate print data of the fixed job to which the identification information of the fixed job is added by a date represented in the schedule information, wherein the server receives the print data from the terminal device. Information storage means for accumulating standard job content information; monitoring means for monitoring whether or not a date indicated in the schedule information included in the standard job content information has been reached; and a date indicated in the schedule information When it becomes
An image forming apparatus that executes a fixed job based on the fixed job content information accumulated by the information accumulating means, and a deciding means for deciding a transfer path of the print data to the image forming apparatus; Control means for controlling transfer of the print data of the standard job generated by the terminal device to the determined image forming apparatus according to a transfer path. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device executes a fixed-job information requesting unit to generate a fixed-job information by the fixed-job information generating unit and execute the fixed-job request when executing the fixed job already requested on a date indicated in the schedule information. Without making a request for execution of a fixed job by the means, by the date indicated in the schedule information, the print data generating means generates print data of the fixed job to which identification information of the fixed job is added, 2. The print data of the standard job is transferred to the determined image forming apparatus according to control by a control unit of the server when a date indicated in the schedule information is reached. Network system. 3. The fixed form job content information has a smaller data amount than the print data.
Or the network system according to claim 2. 4. A terminal device constituting a network system together with at least one image forming apparatus for executing a printing process based on print data and a server for managing the image forming apparatus, wherein the terminal apparatus is executed on a predetermined date. When requesting a standard job as a print process, print resource information including location information of print data, job attribute information indicating execution control information of the print process in the network system, execution control of the print process in the image forming apparatus Print attribute information indicating the information, and fixed job information including identification information of the fixed job assigned to identify the requested fixed job and schedule information indicating a date on which the fixed job is to be executed. A fixed job content information generating means for generating fixed job content information; and the fixed job content information A fixed-form job requesting means for requesting the server to execute the fixed-form job by transmitting the fixed-form job content information generated by the forming means to the server; and, by a date indicated in the schedule information, A print data generating unit configured to generate print data of the fixed job to which identification information is added. 5. When generating print data and requesting a fixed-size job as print processing to be executed on a predetermined date, print resource information including location information of the print data; Job attribute information representing process execution control information, print attribute information representing print process execution control information in the image forming apparatus,
And generates standard job content information including standard job information including identification information of the standard job assigned to identify the standard job to be requested and schedule information indicating a date on which the standard job is to be executed. A server that configures a network system with at least one terminal device and at least one image forming device that executes a print process based on the print data, and manages the image forming device, wherein the server receives the fixed form received from the terminal device. Information storage means for storing job content information; monitoring means for monitoring whether or not a date indicated in the schedule information included in the standard job content information has been reached; and a date indicated in the schedule information When
An image forming apparatus that executes a fixed job based on the fixed job content information accumulated by the information accumulating means, and a deciding means for deciding a transfer path of the print data to the image forming apparatus; Control means for controlling transfer of the print data of the standard job generated by the terminal device to the determined image forming apparatus according to a transfer path.