WO2015111296A1 - 印刷システム、クラスタ環境における印刷制御方法および印刷制御用プログラム - Google Patents

印刷システム、クラスタ環境における印刷制御方法および印刷制御用プログラム Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015111296A1
WO2015111296A1 PCT/JP2014/080852 JP2014080852W WO2015111296A1 WO 2015111296 A1 WO2015111296 A1 WO 2015111296A1 JP 2014080852 W JP2014080852 W JP 2014080852W WO 2015111296 A1 WO2015111296 A1 WO 2015111296A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
print
printer
print job
printing
status information
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/JP2014/080852
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
孝広 山本
匡俊 田中
甲 島澤
高広 崎本
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Wingarc1st Inc
Original Assignee
Wingarc1st Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Wingarc1st Inc filed Critical Wingarc1st Inc
Priority to CN201480021878.1A priority Critical patent/CN106164842A/zh
Priority to US14/787,109 priority patent/US9588725B2/en
Publication of WO2015111296A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015111296A1/ja
Priority to US15/216,760 priority patent/US9658808B2/en
Priority to US15/216,803 priority patent/US9658809B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/1259—Print job monitoring, e.g. job status
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J29/00—Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J29/38—Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/1203—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
    • G06F3/1204—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/121—Facilitating exception or error detection and recovery, e.g. fault, media or consumables depleted
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/1211—Improving printing performance
    • G06F3/1212—Improving printing performance achieving reduced delay between job submission and print start
    • G06F3/1213—Improving printing performance achieving reduced delay between job submission and print start at an intermediate node or at the final node
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/126—Job scheduling, e.g. queuing, determine appropriate device
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/126—Job scheduling, e.g. queuing, determine appropriate device
    • G06F3/1261—Job scheduling, e.g. queuing, determine appropriate device by using alternate printing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/1267—Job repository, e.g. non-scheduled jobs, delay printing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/1268—Job submission, e.g. submitting print job order or request not the print data itself
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1278—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to adopt a particular infrastructure
    • G06F3/1285—Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
    • G06F3/1288—Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server in client-server-printer device configuration

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a printing system, a printing control method in a cluster environment, and a printing control program, and is particularly suitable for use in a cluster environment printing system including a plurality of print servers.
  • the print server is down while transferring from the spool, it is in a state before being transferred to the print device, so it is not taken over.
  • -A job that has been transferred and has been suspended has already been transmitted to the printing device and may be discharged, so job tracking is taken over and double printing is prevented by checking until completion.
  • a print job has already been completed or has ended due to an error, it will not be taken over.
  • a printing system in which a plurality of printers are clustered so that, when a failure occurs in a printer in use, proxy printing is performed on another printer (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3).
  • the network management device described in Patent Literature 2 when a failure occurs in a printing device that executes a printing process based on an input print job, the failure is detected based on failure occurrence information notified from the printing device to the print server.
  • a substitute print job composed of print data that has not been printed by the printing apparatus in which the error occurred and a control code of the print data is created, and the created substitute print job is output to the substitute printing apparatus.
  • the target distribution destination printer receives the unprinted page information from the printer controller, receives the distributed job stored in the printer buffer, changes the control data of the distributed job, and requests the printing of the unprinted page. A job is generated and supplied to a partner printer.
  • a printing system When a printing system is constructed by clustering a plurality of print servers or printers, when a failure occurs in any of the print servers or printers, it is required to continue printing without stopping. Also, if a failure occurs during execution of a multi-page print job and another print server or printer takes over the print job, the same page is printed twice by re-executing the print job from the beginning. It is also required to avoid this.
  • a function for preventing double printing when another print server takes over a print job of a down print server is provided.
  • this function prevents double printing by taking over the print job and confirming it to completion when the print job has already been transmitted to the print device.
  • the print server is down while being transferred from the spool, there is a problem that printing may stop because the takeover is not performed.
  • Patent Documents 2 and 3 when a failure occurs in a printer that is printing, a print job instructing printing of an unprinted page is generated and printed on another printer. It is possible to prevent the same page from being printed twice.
  • the systems disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3 have a problem in that printing temporarily stops because it is necessary to generate a print job for an unprinted page when taking over. Note that if the original print job is taken over by another printer as it is, the printing stop time can be shortened, but double printing cannot be avoided.
  • the present invention has been made to solve such a problem.
  • a printing system in a cluster environment when a failure occurs in a print server or a printer that is executing a print job of a plurality of pages, another method is provided. It is an object of the present invention to shorten the stop time when a print server or printer takes over a print job and continuously executes printing, and to avoid double printing.
  • a print job generated in a client terminal is input to at least two print servers, and one of the print servers includes a first page based on the print job.
  • the print server sequentially instructs the printer to execute printing of one page per command, and receives a print completion notification from the printer for each page. Then, based on the sequentially received print completion notifications, status information indicating how many pages have been printed is generated, and the status information is stored in the storage units of at least two print servers and shared.
  • the printer is sequentially instructed to execute printing from the unprinted page next to the page indicating completion of printing.
  • the print server executes the print server.
  • the execution of the print job is taken over by another print server in which the same print job as the middle print job has already been input.
  • the page of the page when the failure occurs is referred to by referring to the status information. From then on, printing can be immediately executed based on the input print job.
  • a print job is taken over in response to the occurrence of a failure, a print job for an unprinted page can be continuously executed without stopping printing, and double printing can be performed. It can be avoided.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a printing system according to a third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the printing system by 4th Embodiment.
  • 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a printing system according to a fourth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the printing system by 5th Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a printing system according to a fifth embodiment.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to the first embodiment.
  • the printing system according to the first embodiment is a cluster environment printing system including a plurality of print servers, and includes a client terminal 100 and n print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2. ,... 200 ⁇ n (hereinafter collectively referred to as a print server 200) and a printer 300.
  • the client terminal 100 and the plurality of print servers 200, the plurality of print servers 200, and the plurality of print servers 200 and the printer 300 are connected via a communication network.
  • the communication network may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network).
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the printing system according to the first embodiment.
  • the client terminal 100 includes a print job generation unit 11 and a print job input unit 12 as its functional configuration.
  • the print server 200 includes a print job storage unit 21, a print execution control unit 22, a status information sharing management unit 23, a status information storage unit 24, and a server failure occurrence detection unit 25 as functional configurations.
  • the printer 300 includes a print processing unit 31 as its functional configuration.
  • Each function of the client terminal 100 can be configured by any of hardware, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and software.
  • DSP Digital Signal Processor
  • each of the above functions is actually configured by including a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. of a computer, and a program stored in a recording medium such as RAM, ROM, hard disk, or semiconductor memory operates. It is realized by.
  • each of the above functions is actually configured by including a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. of a computer, and a program stored in a recording medium such as RAM, ROM, hard disk, or semiconductor memory operates. It is realized by.
  • the print job generation unit 11 generates a print job in accordance with a print instruction from a user who uses the client terminal 100. For example, when a user issues a print instruction for a document that covers a plurality of pages, the print job generation unit 11 generates a print job for the plurality of pages.
  • the print job input unit 12 inputs the print job generated by the print job generation unit 11 to at least two of the n print servers 200.
  • a print job is input to two print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 .
  • the print job input unit 12 inputs a print job with either one of the two print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 serving as the main person and the other serving as the sub person.
  • Which two printers to select from among the n print servers 200 and which of the two printers are to be in charge can be determined based on an arbitrary rule.
  • the primary and secondary print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 are determined in order from the lowest processing load applied to the print server 200 when the print job is submitted.
  • the print job input unit 12 first transmits a request to all the print servers 200 and receives an index value indicating the load status from all the print servers 200.
  • the index value representing the load status includes a CPU usage rate, a memory usage rate, an I / O level, and the like.
  • the print job input unit 12 determines the primary and secondary print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 in order from the lowest processing load based on the load status index value received from each print server 200. To do.
  • the print job input unit 12 transmits the print job to the primary and secondary responsible print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 determined as described above. In addition, the print job input unit 12 also transmits to the print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 assignment assignment information indicating which is the primary charge and which is the secondary charge.
  • the print job storage unit 21 of the print server 200 temporarily stores the print job transmitted by the print job input unit 12 of the client terminal 100 until the printer 300 finishes printing.
  • the print job since the print job is transmitted from the client terminal 100 to the two print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 , the same print job is sent to the two print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 . It is stored in the print job storage unit 21.
  • the print execution control unit 22 controls print execution in the printer 300 based on the print job stored in the print job storage unit 21. Specifically, the print execution control unit 22 sequentially instructs the printer 300 to execute printing of one page per command from the first page, and receives a print completion notification from the printer 300 for each page.
  • the print processing unit 31 of the printer 300 executes printing one page at a time according to the command sent from the print server 200, and returns a print completion notification to the print server 200 every time printing of one page is completed.
  • the print execution control unit 22 transmits one command to the printer 300, waits for a print completion notification to be returned from the printer 300, and then transmits a command for instructing printing of the next page to the printer 300.
  • the print job by the print job submitting unit 12 is only the print server 200 -1 of the main charge, which is turned on.
  • the print execution control for the printer 300 is not performed even if the print job is stored in the print job storage unit 21.
  • the secondary printing server 200 -2 controls printing execution during printing (until the command for all pages is completely transmitted from the primary printing server 200-1 to the printer 300). This is when a failure occurs in the main print server 200-1 .
  • the status information sharing management unit 23 generates status information indicating how many pages have been printed based on the print completion notification received from the printer 300 by the print execution control unit 22. Then, the status information is stored in the status information storage units 24 of the two print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 to which the same print job is input and shared.
  • the status information sharing management unit 23 determines which one based on the print completion notification received from the printer 300 for each page. Status information indicating whether printing has been completed up to the page is generated and stored in its own status information storage unit 24. In addition, the generated status information is transmitted to the sub-in charge print server 200-2 . In the subordinate print server 200-2 , the status information sharing management unit 23 stores the status information received from the main charge print server 200-1 in its own status information storage unit 24.
  • the print execution control unit 22 notifies the user of how far printing has been completed by notifying the client terminal 100 of the print status information stored in the status information storage unit 24. Inform. Note that after taking over the secondary charge print server 200 -2 print job from the print server 200 -1 of the main charge of as will be described later, the print server 200 -2 sub charge, the print execution control unit 22 of the printing Status information is notified to the client terminal 100.
  • the server failure occurrence detection unit 25 detects the occurrence of a failure in the print server 200.
  • the occurrence of a failure is detected in the print server 200 -1 that is the main person in charge.
  • the failure referred to here is a failure in which the print server 200-1 becomes unable to continue control of print execution for the printer 300.
  • a situation where the print server 200 -1 can not operate down or frozen, such a situation where the print server 200 -1 can not communicate is disconnected from the communication network is applicable.
  • the server failure occurrence detection unit 25 of each print server 200 always communicates with each other, and determines that a failure has occurred in the print server 200 of the other party when communication with a specific party is no longer possible. That is, the main charge of the print server 200 -1 and the when the secondary charge and the print server 200 -2 is a communication at all times, when the print server 200 -1 of the main charge fails, the print server 200 of the sub-charge -2 cannot communicate with the main print server 200-1 . In this case, the server failure occurrence detection unit 25 of the secondary responsible print server 200-2 determines that a failure has occurred in the primary responsible print server 200-1 .
  • the print execution control unit 22 of the print server 200 -2 sub responsible, Based on the print job stored in the print job storage unit 21, the printer 300 starts printing from an unprinted page next to the page indicated by the status information stored in the status information storage unit 24 as the completion of printing. Are sequentially instructed.
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the printing system according to the first embodiment configured as described above. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 starts when execution of printing is instructed at the client terminal 100. First, the print job generation unit 11 of the client terminal 100 generates a print job in accordance with a print instruction from the user (step S1).
  • the print job input unit 12 specifies two print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 as the main charge and sub charge from the n print servers 200, and specifies the two specified print servers 200 -1. , 200 -2 , the print job generated by the print job generation unit 11 is input (step S2). At this time, the print job input unit 12 also transmits to the print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 assignment assignment information indicating which is the main charge and which is the secondary charge.
  • the two print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 store the print job input by the print job input unit 12 of the client terminal 100 in the print job storage unit 21 (steps S3 and S4).
  • the main charge and the print server 200 the print execution control unit 22 of -1 were based on the print job stored in the print job storage unit 21, a command for instructing the print execution of the first page to the printer 300 Transmit (step S5).
  • the print processing unit 31 of the printer 300 executes the printing of the first page in accordance sent from the print server 200 -1 of the main charge command (step S6), and the main charge of the print completion notification at the time the printing is completed return of the print server 200 -1 (step S7).
  • the print processing unit 31 determines whether the printing of all the pages is completed by the printing job sent from the print server 200 -1 of the main charge in step S3 (step S8). If printing of all pages has not been completed yet, the process returns to step S6 to continue printing. On the other hand, when all pages have been printed, the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 ends.
  • the status information sharing management unit 23 When the main print server 200 -1 receives a print completion notification for the first page from the printer 300, the status information sharing management unit 23 generates status information indicating how many pages have been printed, The status information is stored in the status information storage unit 24 (step S9). In addition, the status information sharing management unit 23 transmits the generated status information to the print server 200 -2 in charge of subordinate (step S10).
  • the print server 200 -2 secondary charge, status information sharing management unit 23 determines whether it has received the status information from the print server 200 -1 of the main charge (step S11), and when it receives its status The information is stored in its own status information storage unit 24 (step S12). Thereafter, the server failure detection unit 25 of the sub-charge print server 200 -2, determines whether or not a failure has occurred in the print server 200 -1 of the main charge (step S13). If no failure has occurred, the process returns to step S11.
  • the status information sharing management unit 23 transmits the status information to the print server 200 -2 secondary charge in step S10, the print execution control unit 22, the print job in step S3 It is determined whether or not printing of all pages by the print job stored in the storage unit 21 has been completed (step S14). If the printing of all the pages has not been completed yet, the process returns to step S5 and the printing of the second and subsequent pages is continued.
  • printing one page for one command is executed sequentially from the first page of the print job, and each time one page is printed, two print servers are printed. Status information is shared between 200 -1 and 200 -2 .
  • step S14 If it is determined in step S14 that printing of all pages has been completed, the print execution control unit 22 deletes the print job from the print job storage unit 21 (step S15), and the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. .
  • the secondary print server 200-2 also determines that printing of all pages has been completed based on the status information stored in the status information storage unit 24. In this case, the print execution control unit 22 deletes the print job from the print job storage unit 21.
  • step S13 when the print server 200 -1 of the main charge has failed when it is determined by the server failure detection unit 25, the print server 200 -2 secondary charge, print execution The control unit 22 confirms the status information stored in the status information storage unit 24, and takes over execution of the print job (step S16).
  • the print execution control unit 22 of the subordinate print server 200-2 taking over the print job checks the status information stored in the status information storage unit 24, and issues a command for instructing print execution from the unprinted page to the printer. It transmits to 300 (step S17).
  • the print processing unit 31 of the printer 300 executes printing for one page in accordance with the command sent from the sub-in charge print server 200 -2 (step S18), and when the print is completed, the print completion notification is sub-in charge.
  • step S19 To the print server 200 -2 (step S19).
  • the print processing unit 31 determines whether the printing of all the pages is completed by the printing job sent from the print server 200 -1 of the main charge in In step S4 (Step S20). If printing of all pages has not been completed yet, the process returns to step S18 to continue printing. On the other hand, when all pages have been printed, the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 ends.
  • the status information sharing management unit 23 when the print completion notification is received from the printer 300, the status information sharing management unit 23 generates status information indicating to what page printing has been completed, and its own status information storage unit 24 (step S21).
  • the print execution control unit 22 determines whether or not printing of all pages by the print job taken over in step S16 is completed (step S22). If the printing of all the pages has not been completed yet, the process returns to step S17, and the printing of the subsequent pages is continued. On the other hand, if it is determined that printing of all pages has been completed, the print execution control unit 22 deletes the print job from the print job storage unit 21 (step S23), and the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.
  • the print job generated in the client terminal 100 is input to the two print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 , and the single print server 200 that is in charge of the main print server 200. -1 , the printer 300 is sequentially instructed to execute printing from the first page, and a print completion notification is received from the printer 300 for each page. Then, status information indicating how many pages have been printed is shared by the two print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 .
  • the print execution control unit 22 executes print execution from the unprinted page to the printer 300 based on the status information shared in the status information storage unit 24 according to the print job already stored in the print job storage unit 21. Are instructed sequentially.
  • the print job being executed in the print server 200 -1 executes the print job being executed in the print server 200 -1
  • Execution of the print job is taken over by the secondary print server 200 -2 in which the same print job has already been submitted.
  • the status information storage unit 24 of the sub-in charge print server 200-2 stores the status information of the printing executed until the failure occurs, the failure can be detected by referring to the status information. From the continuation of the page when it occurs, a command for printing can be issued immediately based on the input print job.
  • a print job for an unprinted page can be continuously executed without stopping printing, and double printing can be performed. It can be avoided.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to the second embodiment.
  • the printing system according to the second embodiment is a cluster environment printing system including a plurality of print servers and a plurality of printers, including a client terminal 100, n print servers 200, m printers 300 -1 , 300 -2 ,..., 300 -m (hereinafter collectively referred to as a printer 300).
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the printing system according to the second embodiment.
  • the print server 200 further includes a printer failure occurrence detection unit 26 as its functional configuration.
  • a print execution control unit 22A and a status information sharing management unit 23A are provided instead of the print execution control unit 22 and the status information sharing management unit 23A.
  • the print execution control unit 22A specifies one of the m printers 300 and sequentially instructs the execution of printing from the first page. Which one of the m printers 300 is selected can be determined based on an arbitrary rule. For example, when the execution of printing is instructed at the client terminal 100, the printer 300 to be used is instructed at the same time. The print execution control unit 22A specifies one printer 300 in accordance with this instruction and instructs the execution of printing.
  • the status information sharing management unit 23A Based on the print completion notification received from the printer 300 by the print execution control unit 22A, the status information sharing management unit 23A generates status information indicating which page of the m printers 300 has completed printing. To do.
  • the status information is stored in the status information storage units 24 of the n print servers 200 and shared.
  • the printer failure occurrence detection unit 26 detects the occurrence of a failure in the printer 300 that is executing printing.
  • the failure mentioned here is a failure that prevents the printer 300 from continuing printing. For example, a situation where the printer 300 is disconnected from the communication network and cannot communicate, or a situation such as out of paper / paper jam occurs. Specifically, even when the print execution control unit 22A transmits a command to the printer 300, a printer error occurrence is detected when a transmission error is returned or a print completion notification is not returned for a predetermined time or longer. The unit 26 determines that a failure has occurred in the printer 300.
  • the print execution control unit 22A refers to the status information stored in the status information storage unit 24 to complete the printing. Is sequentially instructed to another printer 300 to execute printing from an unprinted page next to the page indicated by.
  • Another printer 300 selected here is preferably an empty printer that is not performing printing.
  • the n print servers 200 share status information indicating which printer 300 is executing printing. Therefore, when the print execution control unit 22A starts a print execution instruction to another printer 300 in response to the occurrence of a failure, an inquiry is made to the m printers 300 at that time to confirm the print status. Instead, it is possible to immediately specify the printer 300 that has not been printed and continue printing.
  • printer 300 If there is no unexecuted printer 300, it is preferable to take over the execution of the print job by specifying the printer 300 with the fewest remaining pages until the end of printing. It is possible to immediately confirm which printer 300 has the smallest number of remaining pages by referring to the status information shared among the n print servers 200.
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the printing system according to the third embodiment.
  • those given the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 2 have the same functions, and therefore redundant description is omitted here.
  • the print server 200 includes a print execution control unit 22 ⁇ / b> B instead of the print execution control unit 22 as a functional configuration.
  • the print server 200 does not include the status information sharing management unit 23 and the status information storage unit 24 provided in the embodiment of FIG.
  • the printer 300 includes a print processing unit 31B instead of the print processing unit 31 as a functional configuration, and further includes a status information management unit 32.
  • the print execution control unit 22B of the print server 200 instructs the printer 300 to execute the print job for all pages based on the print job stored in the print job storage unit 21. In other words, the print execution control unit 22B instructs the print execution by transmitting the print job stored in the print job storage unit 21 to the printer 300 without reconstructing the print job.
  • the primary print server 200 -1 also takes over the print job when a failure occurs in the primary print server 200 -1 while transmitting the print job to the printer 300.
  • the responsible print server 200 -2 also instructs the printer 300 to print all pages.
  • the print processing unit 31B of the printer 300 executes printing one page at a time according to the print job sent from the print server 200.
  • the status information management unit 32 generates status information indicating how many pages have been printed based on the print execution result by the print processing unit 31B and stores the status information in an internal memory (not shown).
  • the status information management unit 32 updates the status information and sequentially stores it in the internal memory each time printing of one page is completed by the print processing unit 31B.
  • the status information management unit 32 transmits the print status information stored in the internal memory to the print server 200 at predetermined timings.
  • the print processing unit 31B executes printing from the first page when a print job for all pages is sent from the main print server 200-1 .
  • the print processing unit 31 ⁇ / b> B discards the page indicated by the status information stored in the internal memory. (Skip) and print from the next unprinted page.
  • the predetermined timing at which the printer 300 transmits the printing status information may be every timing at which printing of n pages (n is an arbitrary value not less than 1 and not more than the maximum number of pages of the print job) is completed. However, it may be every predetermined time.
  • an inquiry may be received from the print execution control unit 22B of the print server 200 every predetermined time, and status information may be transmitted as a response to the inquiry.
  • status information is transmitted in response to an inquiry every predetermined time will be described below.
  • the printer 300 is a network device using SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)
  • MIB Management Information Base
  • the print execution control unit 22B obtains status information from the printer 300 by making an inquiry to the printer 300 using this MIB mechanism.
  • the print execution control unit 22B notifies the user of how far printing has been completed by notifying the client terminal 100 of the print status information received from the printer 300.
  • the print execution control unit 22B status information of the print client The terminal 100 is notified.
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the printing system according to the third embodiment configured as described above. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 starts when the client terminal 100 is instructed to execute printing. First, the print job generation unit 11 of the client terminal 100 generates a print job in accordance with a print instruction from the user (step S31).
  • the print job input unit 12 specifies two print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 as the main charge and sub charge from the n print servers 200, and specifies the two specified print servers 200 -1. , 200 -2 , the print job generated by the print job generation unit 11 is input (step S32). At this time, the print job input unit 12 also transmits to the print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 assignment assignment information indicating which is the main charge and which is the secondary charge.
  • the print job input by the print job input unit 12 of the client terminal 100 is stored in the print job storage unit 21 (steps S33 and S34).
  • the main charge and has been print server 200 -1 print execution control unit 22B of, by sending a print job of all pages stored in the print job storage unit 21 in the printer 300 to instruct the execution of printing (Step S35).
  • Print processing unit 31B of the printer 300 while receiving the print job transmitted from the print server 200 -1 of the main charge, executes printing on the first page of the document (step S36). Further, the status information management unit 32 generates status information indicating how many pages have been printed, and stores the status information in the internal memory (step S37).
  • the print server 200 -1 of the main charge after starting the transmission of the print job in step S35, at a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed, makes an inquiry of the status information to the printer 300 (step S38).
  • Status information management unit 32 of the printer 300 in response to this inquiry, and returns to the print server 200 -1 of the main charge of the status information stored in the internal memory (step S39).
  • the print processing unit 31B determines whether or not printing of all pages by the print job sent from the main print server 200-1 has been completed (step S40). If printing of all pages has not been completed yet, the process returns to step S36 to continue printing. On the other hand, when all pages have been printed, the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 ends.
  • the print server 200 -1 of the main charge after the print execution control unit 22B was carried out an inquiry to the printer 300 in step S38, the based on the status information returned from the printer 300, and transmitted to the printer 300 in step S35 print It is determined whether printing of all pages by the job has been completed (step S41). If the printing of all the pages has not been completed yet, the process returns to step S38, and the status information inquiry is performed again at a timing when a predetermined time has passed.
  • the print execution control unit 22B deletes the print job from the print job storage unit 21 (step S42), and the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. Incidentally, although not shown in FIG. 7, to notify that the main printing in charge of the print from the server 200 -1 to the print server 200 -2 secondary charge is completed, the print server 200 of the sub-charge accordingly Also at -2 , the print execution control unit 22B deletes the print job from the print job storage unit 21.
  • the sub-print server 200-2 has a server failure detection unit. 25 determines whether failure has occurred in the print server 200 -1 of the main charge (step S43).
  • the print server 200 -2 sub charge the print execution controller 22B takes over execution of the print job (step S44) .
  • Print processing unit 31B of the printer 300 when the print job of the whole page from the print server 200 -2 secondary charge is sent, a page completion of printing is indicated by the status information stored in the internal memory Confirm (step S46). Then, the print processing unit 31B skips the page for which printing has been completed and executes printing from the next unprinted page (step S47).
  • the status information management unit 32 generates status information indicating how many pages have been printed and stores the status information in the internal memory (step S48). Took over the print job in the print server 200 -2 secondary charge, after starting the transmission of the print job in step S45, at a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed, it makes an inquiry of the status information to the printer 300 (step S49) . In response to this inquiry, the status information management unit 32 of the printer 300 returns the status information stored in the internal memory to the sub-print server 200-21 (step S50).
  • the print processing unit 31B determines whether the printing of all the pages of the print job sent again from the print server 200 -2 secondary charge is completed at step S45 (step S51). If printing of all pages has not been completed yet, the process returns to step S47 to continue printing. On the other hand, when all pages have been printed, the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 ends.
  • the print execution control unit 22 ⁇ / b> B makes an inquiry to the printer 300 in step S ⁇ b> 49, and then the print transmitted to the printer 300 in step S ⁇ b> 45 based on the status information returned from the printer 300. It is determined whether printing of all pages by the job is completed (step S52). If the printing of all the pages has not been completed yet, the process returns to step S49, and the status information inquiry is performed again at a timing when a predetermined time has passed. On the other hand, if it is determined that printing of all pages has been completed, the print execution control unit 22B deletes the print job from the print job storage unit 21 (step S52), and the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.
  • a print job generated in the client terminal 100 is input to the two print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 , and one print server 200 that is in charge of the main print server 200. 1 , the print job for all pages input from the client terminal 100 is transmitted to the printer 300 to instruct execution of printing. In response to this instruction, the printer 300 executes printing, and the printing status information is sequentially updated and stored in the internal memory.
  • the secondary print server 200 -2 also sends the print job for all pages input from the client terminal 100 to the printer 300 as it is, and instructs execution of printing.
  • the printer 300 executes printing from an unprinted page with reference to the status information stored in the internal memory.
  • a failure in the primary contact of the print server 200 -1 is transmitting the print job is generated, taking over the print job sub charge of the print server 200 -2
  • a print job that has already been input from the client terminal 100 may be transmitted to the printer 300 as it is to instruct execution of printing.
  • printing can be executed from an unprinted page while skipping a printed page.
  • the subordinate print server 200 -2 takes over a print job in response to the occurrence of a failure, printing is performed with a short temporary stop time without generating a new print job for an unprinted page. It can be executed continuously and double printing can be avoided.
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the printing system according to the fourth embodiment.
  • components having the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 have the same functions, and thus redundant description is omitted here.
  • the print server 200 includes a print execution control unit 22C in place of the print execution control unit 22 shown in FIG.
  • the printer 300 includes a print processing unit 31B instead of the print processing unit 31 illustrated in FIG. 2 as a functional configuration, and further includes a status information management unit 32.
  • the print processing unit 31B and the status information management unit 32 have the same functions as those shown in FIG.
  • the print execution control unit 22C of the print server 200 instructs the printer 300 to execute printing based on the print job stored in the print job storage unit 21, and acquires print status information from the printer 300 at every predetermined timing. . Every predetermined timing is the same as that described in the third embodiment.
  • Every predetermined timing is the same as that described in the third embodiment.
  • the printer 300 transmits status information in response to an inquiry from the print server 200 every predetermined time will be described.
  • the contents of a print job to be transmitted to the printer 300 differ depending on whether the print server 200 is a main charge or a secondary charge that takes over the print job. That is, when the primary contact of the print server 200 -1, the print execution controller 22C instructs to the third embodiment and the printer 300 printing performed by the print job for all pages as well. That is, the print execution control unit 22C transmits the print job stored in the print job storage unit 21 to the printer 300 without reconstructing the print job.
  • the print execution control unit 22C is Based on the print job stored in the print job storage unit 21, the print job from the next page of the page indicated by the status information stored in the status information storage unit 24 (hereinafter, not completed). A notification page print job) is generated, and based on this, the printer 300 is instructed to execute printing. That is, the print execution control unit 22 ⁇ / b> C reconfigures a print job for an unnotified page based on the print job stored in the print job storage unit 21 and transmits it to the printer 300.
  • the status information sharing management unit 23 generates status information indicating how many pages have been printed based on the print status information acquired from the printer 300 by the print execution control unit 22C every predetermined time. Then, the status information is stored in the status information storage units 24 of the two print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 to which the same print job is input and shared. In the printer 300, status information in the internal memory is updated page by page by the status information management unit 32, whereas in the print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 , the status information storage unit 24 is updated by the status information sharing management unit 23. Since the status information is updated every predetermined time, there is a time zone in which the status information of the two is different.
  • the print processing unit 31B of the printer 300 executes printing one page at a time according to the print job sent from the print server 200. Specifically, the print processing unit 31B executes printing from the first page when a print job for all pages is sent from the main print server 200-1 . On the other hand, when a print job for an unnotified page is sent from the sub-in charge print server 200-2, the print processing unit 31 ⁇ / b> B prints according to the status information stored in the internal memory among the unnotified pages. Discards (skips) the page indicated to be completed, and executes printing from the next unprinted page.
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the printing system according to the fourth embodiment configured as described above. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is started when execution of printing is instructed at the client terminal 100. First, the print job generation unit 11 of the client terminal 100 generates a print job in accordance with a print instruction from the user (step S61).
  • the print job input unit 12 specifies two print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 as the main charge and sub charge from the n print servers 200, and specifies the two specified print servers 200 -1. , 200 -2 , the print job generated by the print job generation unit 11 is input (step S62). At this time, the print job input unit 12 also transmits to the print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 assignment assignment information indicating which is the main charge and which is the secondary charge.
  • the print job input by the print job input unit 12 of the client terminal 100 is stored in the print job storage unit 21 (steps S 63 and S 64).
  • the main charge and has been print server 200 -1 print execution control unit 22C of, by sending a print job of all pages stored in the print job storage unit 21 in the printer 300 to instruct the execution of printing (Step S65).
  • Print processing unit 31B of the printer 300 while receiving the print job transmitted from the print server 200 -1 of the main charge, executes printing on the first page of the document (step S66). Further, the status information management unit 32 generates status information indicating which page has been printed, and stores it in the internal memory (step S67).
  • the print server 200 -1 of the main charge after starting the transmission of the print job in step S65, at a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed, makes an inquiry of the status information to the printer 300 (step S68).
  • Status information management unit 32 of the printer 300 in response to this inquiry, and returns to the print server 200 -1 of the main charge of the status information stored in the internal memory (step S69).
  • the print processing unit 31B determines whether printing of all pages by the print job sent from the main print server 200-1 has been completed (step S70). If printing of all pages has not been completed yet, the process returns to step S66 to continue printing. On the other hand, when all pages have been printed, the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 ends.
  • the print server 200 -1 of the main charge after the print execution control unit 22C Contacted the printer 300 in step S68, upon receiving the notification of the status information from the printer 300, the status information sharing management unit 23, to which page Status information indicating whether printing is completed is generated and stored in its own status information storage unit 24 (step S71). Further, the status information sharing management unit 23 transmits the generated status information to the print server 200 -2 in charge of subordinate (step S72).
  • the print server 200 -2 secondary charge, status information sharing management unit 23 determines whether it has received the status information from the print server 200 -1 of the main charge (step S73), when it receives its status The information is stored in its own status information storage unit 24 (step S74). Thereafter, the server failure detection unit 25 of the sub-charge print server 200 -2, determines whether or not a failure has occurred in the print server 200 -1 of the main charge (step S75). If no failure has occurred, the process returns to step S73.
  • step S76 it is determined whether printing of all pages by the print job transmitted to the printer 300 in step S65 is completed. If the printing of all the pages has not been completed yet, the process returns to step S68, and the status information is again inquired when a predetermined time has passed.
  • the print execution control unit 22C deletes the print job from the print job storage unit 21 (step S77), and the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.
  • the print server 200 -2 in charge of subordinates also determines that printing of all pages has been completed based on the status information stored in the status information storage unit 24. In this case, the print execution control unit 22C deletes the print job from the print job storage unit 21.
  • step S75 the when the print server 200 -1 of the main charge has failed when it is determined by the server failure detection unit 25, the print server 200 -2 secondary charge, print execution The control unit 22C takes over execution of the print job (step S78).
  • Print execution control unit 22C of the printing took over the job sub charge of the print server 200 -2 to check the status information stored in the status information storage unit 24, the next page to complete the printing is shown
  • step S79 execution of printing is instructed
  • the print processing unit 31B of the printer 300 indicates the completion of printing by the status information stored in the internal memory when the print job of the unnotified page is sent from the sub-in charge print server 200-2 .
  • the page is confirmed (step S80).
  • the print processing unit 31B skips the pages that have been printed out of the uncompleted notification pages and executes printing from the next unprinted page (step S81).
  • the status information management unit 32 generates status information indicating which page has been printed, and stores it in the internal memory (step S82).
  • the secondary print server 200 -2 that has taken over the print job makes an inquiry about status information to the printer 300 at a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed after starting the transmission of the print job in step S79 (step S83).
  • the status information management unit 32 of the printer 300 returns the status information stored in the internal memory to the sub-in charge print server 200-21 (step S84).
  • the print processing unit 31B determines whether the printing of all the pages of the print job sent again from the print server 200 -2 secondary charge is completed at step S79 (step S85). If printing of all pages has not been completed yet, the process returns to step S81 to continue printing. On the other hand, when all pages have been printed, the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 ends.
  • the status information sharing management unit 23 determines to which page. Status information indicating whether printing is completed is generated and stored in its own status information storage unit 24 (step S86).
  • the print execution control unit 22C determines whether printing of all pages by the print job transmitted to the printer 300 in step S79 is completed based on the status information stored in the status information storage unit 24 (step S79). S87). If the printing of all the pages has not been completed yet, the process returns to step S83, and the status information is again inquired when a predetermined time has passed. On the other hand, if it is determined that printing of all pages has been completed, the print execution control unit 22C deletes the print job from the print job storage unit 21 (step S88), and the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.
  • the print job generated in the client terminal 100 is input to the two print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 , and the single print server 200 that is the main person in charge. 1 , the print job for all pages input from the client terminal 100 is transmitted to the printer 300 to instruct execution of printing. In response to this instruction, the printer 300 executes printing, and the printing status information is sequentially updated and stored in the internal memory. Further, the main print server 200 -1 periodically inquires the printer 300 about status information, and the status information acquired from the printer 300 is shared by the two print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 .
  • the print execution control unit 22 C uses the print job already stored in the print job storage unit 21 to change the status information shared in the status information storage unit 24. Based on this, the print job of the unnotified page is reconstructed and transmitted to the printer 300.
  • the printer 300 refers to the status information stored in the internal memory, skips pages that have actually been printed out of uncompleted notification pages, and executes printing from the next unprinted page. Like to do.
  • the fourth embodiment constructed as described above when a failure in the primary contact of the print server 200 -1 is transmitting the print job is generated, taking over the print job sub charge of the print server 200 -2 In this case, it is necessary to reconstruct the print job for the unnotified page from the print job for all pages that have already been input from the client terminal 100. However, on the printer 300 side, it is possible to reduce the number of pages that have already been printed and should be skipped from the print jobs sent from the secondary print server 200 -2 . For this reason, the time required for confirming the page to be skipped can be reduced. As a result, when the subordinate print server 200 -2 takes over the print job in response to the occurrence of a failure, the temporary stop time can be shortened and printing can be continued, and double printing can be avoided. can do.
  • FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the printing system according to the fifth embodiment.
  • components having the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 8 have the same functions, and thus redundant description is omitted here.
  • the print server 200 includes a print execution control unit 22D as a functional configuration in place of the print execution control unit 22C shown in FIG.
  • the printer 300 includes a print processing unit 31D as a functional configuration in place of the print processing unit 31B illustrated in FIG.
  • the print execution control unit 22D of the print server 200 instructs the printer to execute printing based on the print job stored in the print job storage unit 21, and obtains printing status information from the printer 300 at every predetermined timing. Every predetermined timing is the same as that described in the third embodiment.
  • the printer 300 transmits status information in response to an inquiry from the print server 200 every predetermined time.
  • the print execution control unit 22D transmits the print job for all pages to the printer 300 Instructs execution of printing.
  • the print processing unit 31D of the printer 300 starts printing from the first page based on one of the print jobs.
  • the print job employed here may be sent from either of the print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 , but for example, printing is performed based on the print job sent from the main print server 200 -1. Shall be executed.
  • the print execution control unit 22D adds, for example, role assignment information to the print job and transmits the print job so that it can identify which print job is the main charge.
  • reception of the print job sent from the main print server 200 -1 is interrupted.
  • the print processing unit 31D is based on another print job in the same time received from the secondary charge print server 200 -2 to execute printing more pages.
  • the print execution control unit 22 ⁇ / b> D makes an inquiry about status information to the printer 300 every predetermined time.
  • the status information management unit 32 transmits the status information stored in the internal memory to the main print server 200-1 .
  • Status information sharing management unit 23 of the print server 200 -1 of the main charge based from the print execution control unit 22D printer 300 to retrieve status information for each predetermined time, status information indicating whether the printing to which the page is completed Is stored in the status information storage unit 24 and shared with the sub-print server 200 -2, and is notified to the client terminal 100.
  • the print execution control unit 22 ⁇ / b> D does not make an inquiry about status information to the printer 300 in principle.
  • the print execution control unit 22D of the print server 200 -2 secondary charge when occurrence of a failure in the print server 200 -1 of the main charge is detected by the server failure detection unit 25, a predetermined time to the printer 300
  • the status information is inquired every time, and the status information is acquired from the printer 300 as a response.
  • the status information sharing management unit 23 of the sub-in charge print server 200 -2 generates status information indicating which page has been printed based on the status information acquired from the printer 300 every predetermined time, This is stored in the status information storage unit 24 and notified to the client terminal 100.
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the printing system according to the fifth embodiment configured as described above. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 starts when execution of printing is instructed at the client terminal 100. First, the print job generation unit 11 of the client terminal 100 generates a print job according to a print instruction from the user (step S91).
  • the print job input unit 12 specifies two print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 as the main charge and sub charge from the n print servers 200, and specifies the two specified print servers 200 -1. , 200 -2 , the print job generated by the print job generation unit 11 is input (step S92). At this time, the print job input unit 12 also transmits to the print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 assignment assignment information indicating which is the main charge and which is the secondary charge.
  • the print job input by the print job input unit 12 of the client terminal 100 is stored in the print job storage unit 21 (steps S93 and S94).
  • the print execution control units 22D of the two print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 execute the printing by transmitting the print jobs for all the pages stored in the print job storage unit 21 to the printer 300.
  • An instruction is given (steps S95 and S96).
  • Print processing unit 31D of the printer 300 while receiving the print job transmitted from the print server 200 -1 of the main charge, executes printing on the first page of the document (step S97). Further, the status information management unit 32 generates status information indicating how many pages have been printed and stores the status information in the internal memory (step S98).
  • the print server 200 -1 of the main charge after starting the transmission of the print job in step S95, at a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed, makes an inquiry of the status information to the printer 300 (step S99).
  • Status information management unit 32 of the printer 300 in response to this inquiry, and returns to the print server 200 -1 of the main charge of the status information stored in the internal memory (step S100).
  • the print processing unit 31D determines whether the printing of all the pages is completed by the printing job sent from the print server 200 -1 of the main charge (step S101). When printing of all pages is completed, the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 ends. On the other hand, if not yet completed printing of all the pages, the print processing unit 31D determines whether the reception of the print job sent from the print server 200 -1 of the main charge is interrupted (step S102) . If the reception of the print job is not interrupted, the process returns to step S97 and printing is continued. On the other hand, when reception of a print job sent from the main print server 200-1 is interrupted, the process proceeds to step S112.
  • the print server 200 -1 of the main charge after the print execution control unit 22D was performed a query to the printer 300 in step S99, upon receiving the notification of the status information from the printer 300, the status information sharing management unit 23, to which page Status information indicating whether printing has been completed is generated and stored in its own status information storage unit 24 (step S103). Further, the status information sharing management unit 23 transmits the generated status information to the print server 200 -2 in charge of subordinate (step S104).
  • the print server 200 -2 secondary charge, status information sharing management unit 23 determines whether it has received the status information from the print server 200 -1 of the main charge (step S105), when it receives its status The information is stored in its own status information storage unit 24 (step S106). Thereafter, the server failure detection unit 25 of the sub-charge print server 200 -2, determines whether or not a failure has occurred in the print server 200 -1 of the main charge (step S107). If no failure has occurred, the process returns to step S105.
  • the print execution control unit 22D includes the status information storage unit 24 Based on the status information stored in step S95, it is determined whether printing of all pages by the print job transmitted to the printer 300 in step S95 is completed (step S108). If the printing of all the pages has not been completed yet, the process returns to step S99, and the status information is again inquired when a predetermined time has passed.
  • the print execution control unit 22D deletes the print job from the print job storage unit 21 (step S109), and the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.
  • the secondary print server 200-2 also determines that printing of all pages has been completed based on the status information stored in the status information storage unit 24. In this case, the print execution control unit 22D deletes the print job from the print job storage unit 21.
  • the server failure occurrence detection unit 25 determines in step S107 that a failure has occurred in the primary responsible print server 200-1 , the secondary responsible print server 200-2 determines that a predetermined time has elapsed. At the timing when elapses, status information is inquired to the printer 300 (step S110). In response to this inquiry, the status information management unit 32 of the printer 300 returns the status information stored in the internal memory to the subordinate print server 200-21 (step S111).
  • the print processing unit 31D of the printer 300 according to print jobs sent from the print server 200 -2 secondary charge in step S96, the print job received that was sent from the print server 200 -1 of the main charge The printing is continued from the next page after the page is interrupted (step S112).
  • the status information management unit 32 generates status information indicating how many pages have been printed, and stores the status information in the internal memory (step S113).
  • the print processing unit 31D determines all pages of the print job sent from the print server 200 -2 secondary charge printing whether or not it is completed (step S114). When the printing of all pages is completed, the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 ends. On the other hand, if printing of all pages has not been completed, the process returns to step S111.
  • the status information sharing management unit 23 determines to which page. Status information indicating whether printing has been completed is generated and stored in its own status information storage unit 24 (step S115). Thereafter, the print execution control unit 22D determines, based on the status information stored in the status information storage unit 24, whether printing of all pages by the print job transmitted to the printer 300 in step S96 has been completed (step S116). ).
  • step S110 If the printing of all the pages has not been completed, the process returns to step S110, and the status information is again inquired when a predetermined time has passed. On the other hand, if it is determined that printing of all pages has been completed, the print execution control unit 22D deletes the print job from the print job storage unit 21 (step S117), and the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.
  • the print job generated in the client terminal 100 is input to the two print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2, and the print job for all pages is transmitted to the two print servers.
  • the print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 are transmitted to the printer 300 to instruct execution of printing.
  • the print processing unit 31D at this time the printer 300, while receiving the print job transmitted from the print server 200 -1 of the main charge, executes printing on the first page of the document in accordance with the print job.
  • the printer 300 can continue printing. In this way, it is not necessary to reconstruct a print job when a failure occurs in the main print server 200-1 , and it is not necessary to discard (skip) pages on the printer 300 side, so printing is stopped. Can be continued without double printing.
  • the client terminal 100 determines the input destination of the print job.
  • the present invention is not limited to this.
  • a terminal that monitors the load status of the print server 200 may be provided between the client terminal 100 and the n print servers 200, and a print job input destination may be determined at this terminal.
  • the present invention is not limited to this.
  • the printer 300 that has not been printed at that time may be identified and the execution of printing may be instructed.
  • the printer 300 may be further clustered.
  • the example in which the print status information acquired by inquiring of the printer 300 is shared between the two print servers 200 -1 and 200 -2 has been described. Not required.
  • each of the first to fifth embodiments described above is merely an example of a specific example for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. It will not be. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist or the main features thereof.

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PCT/JP2014/080852 2014-01-22 2014-11-21 印刷システム、クラスタ環境における印刷制御方法および印刷制御用プログラム Ceased WO2015111296A1 (ja)

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JP6888347B2 (ja) * 2017-03-16 2021-06-16 セイコーエプソン株式会社 課金計算装置、課金計算方法および課金計算システム
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CN109732926A (zh) * 2018-12-30 2019-05-10 武汉朋谊科技有限公司 3d打印机共享系统
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