JP2000293324A - Data processing device, data processing method, and storage medium storing computer readable program - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To achieve management processing such as status monitoring of a local printer connected to a data processing apparatus by another data processing apparatus using the same protocol as that used for communication with a network printer. . SOLUTION: An SNMP processing program 3b arranges a printer 2c locally connected to a data processing device 2b under management of an SNMP used for communication with another data processing device 2d, and a printer status management program 3c The status information managed by the storage area 3d obtained from the storage device 3d is notified via the network interface 3a in response to a request by communication with another data processing device 2d.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus and a data processing method capable of communicating with another data processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium by a predetermined protocol, and a storage medium storing a computer readable program. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, network systems have rapidly become widespread. For example, a peripheral device is equipped with a network interface card (hereinafter, referred to as "NIC"), which is directly connected to a network. SimpleNetwork Mana
Gement Protocol, hereinafter referred to as “SNM”.
P "), an SNMP manager function has been installed, whereby an SNMP manager has centrally managed these peripheral devices.

[0003]

However, with respect to a printer locally connected to a computer,
This local printer is also under the control of the computer and is not subject to centralized management by SNMP.
There is a need for a method of controlling under NMP.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a protocol for using a printer locally connected to a data processing device for communication with another data processing device. The other data processing device connects to the data processing device by notifying the status information of the printer acquired under the management and adapted to the request from the communication with the other data processing device to the other data processing device. That a network print environment capable of realizing management processing such as monitoring of the status of a local printer using the same protocol as that used for communication with a network printer can be freely constructed, and a printer locally connected to a data processing apparatus. Is placed under the control of the protocol used to communicate with other data processing When the printer status changes by monitoring the printer status, the printer status information is notified to the other data processing device by an interrupt based on the protocol, so that the other data processing device can connect to the data processing device. A data processing device, a data processing method, and a computer capable of freely constructing a network print environment in which management processing such as status monitoring of a local printer can be realized by the same protocol used for communication with a network printer. It is to provide a storage medium storing a possible program.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing device (data processing device 2d shown in FIG. 4) which communicates with another data processing device (data processing device 2d shown in FIG. 4) via a predetermined communication medium (network 2a shown in FIG. 4). A predetermined protocol (in this embodiment, SNM
P), a data processing device capable of communicating with the printer, an interface (not shown) for transmitting and receiving data bidirectionally to and from a printer, and an obtaining means for obtaining status information of the printer (printer status management program 3c, The port communication program 3e is executed by the CPU 1f shown in FIG. 2 to perform an acquisition process), and storage means for storing the state information acquired by the acquisition means (storage area 3d shown in FIG. 4).
Communication means (network interface 3a shown in FIG. 4) for transmitting and receiving data to and from the other data processing device based on the predetermined protocol; A determination unit that monitors a request to the printer and determines whether the request is related to the printer (the CPU 1f illustrated in FIG. 2 executes the printer status management program 3c illustrated in FIG. 4 and performs determination processing); When it is determined that the information is related to the printer, the extraction means (the printer status management program 3c shown in FIG. 4 and the CPU 1f shown in FIG. 2) extracts response information corresponding to the request from the storage means.
Executes and performs extraction processing), and the communication means includes:
The response information extracted by the extraction means is transmitted as a response to a request from the other data processing device.

[0006] A second invention according to the present invention relates to a method in which a predetermined protocol (in this embodiment, SNM in this embodiment) communicates with another data processing device via a predetermined communication medium (network 2a shown in FIG. 4).
An interface (not shown) for transmitting and receiving data bidirectionally to and from a printer, and an acquisition device for periodically monitoring the status of the printer and acquiring changing status information. Means (printer status management program 3c, port communication program 3e shown in FIG. 4)
Is executed by the CPU 1f shown in FIG. 2).
A storage unit (a storage area 3d shown in FIG. 4) for sequentially storing the status information acquired by the acquisition unit in an updatable manner, and performs data transmission / reception with the other data processing device based on the predetermined protocol. The communication means (the network interface 3a shown in FIG. 4) and the determination means (the CPU 1f shown in FIG. 2 executes the printer status management program 3c shown in FIG. 4) for determining whether the status information stored in the storage means has changed. The communication means, when the determination means determines that the state information has changed, sends the change information read from the storage means to the other data processing device. The interrupt is transmitted.

[0007] A third invention according to the present invention is directed to a data processing device (data processing device 2d shown in FIG. 4) and a predetermined protocol (this embodiment) via a predetermined communication medium (network 2a shown in FIG. 4). In an embodiment, the data processing device is a data processing device capable of communicating by SNMP, and an interface (not shown) for performing bidirectional data transmission / reception with a printer, and status information of the printer or the status of the printer are periodically transmitted through the interface. (A printer status management program 3c and a port communication program 3e shown in FIG.
PU1f executes and performs acquisition processing), storage means (storage area 3d shown in FIG. 4) for storing state information acquired by the acquisition means, and the other data processing apparatus based on the predetermined protocol. Communication means for transmitting and receiving data between the network (network interface 3a shown in FIG. 4)
And a first determination unit (a printer status management program 3c shown in FIG. 4) for monitoring a request from the other data processing apparatus to the own device via the communication unit and determining whether the request is related to the printer. And the port communication program 3e is executed by the CPU 1f shown in FIG. 2 to perform the determination process.) When the first determination unit determines that the request is related to the printer, response information corresponding to the request is transmitted to the printer. The extracting means (the printer status management program 3c and the port communication program 3e shown in FIG. 4 are executed and extracted by the CPU 1f shown in FIG. 2) extracted from the storing means, and the status information stored by the storing means has changed. (A printer status management program 3c and a port communication program 3e shown in FIG. 4 are shown in FIG. 2). The communication unit transmits the response information extracted by the extraction unit as a response corresponding to a request from the other data processing device, or executes the second determination. When it is determined by the means that the state information has changed, the change information read from the storage means is transmitted by interruption to the other data processing device.

A fourth invention according to the present invention is a data processing apparatus capable of communicating with another data processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium (a network 2a shown in FIG. 9) according to a predetermined protocol. An interface (not shown) for transmitting and receiving data in both directions, and an obtaining means for obtaining the status information of the printer (the CPU 1f shown in FIG. 2 executes and obtains the printer status management program 3c and the port communication program 3e shown in FIG. 9). Processing), a storage unit (storage area 3d shown in FIG. 9) for storing the status information acquired by the acquisition unit, and data transmission / reception with the other data processing device based on the predetermined protocol. Communication means to perform (the network interface 3 shown in FIG. 9)
a) and a determination unit that monitors a request from the other data processing apparatus to the own device via the communication unit and determines whether the request is related to the printer or to the own device. The CPU 1f shown in FIG. 2 executes the SNMP determination program 8a shown in FIG. 9 to perform the determination processing.) When the determination unit determines that the request is related to the printer, the first response information corresponding to the request (The printer status management program 3c shown in FIG. 9 is executed by the CPU 1f shown in FIG. 2 to perform an extraction process), and the communication means is extracted by the extraction unit. The first
Or the second response information relating to the device itself is transmitted as a response to the request from the other data processing device.

In a fifth aspect according to the present invention, the communication means uses the response information extracted by the extraction means using the same network address as a response corresponding to a request from the other data processing device. Transmission or the second
When it is determined by the determination means that the state information has changed, the change information read from the storage means is transmitted by interruption to the other data processing device.

In a sixth aspect according to the present invention, the communication means transmits the first response information extracted by the extraction means or the second response information relating to the own device using the same network address. It is transmitted as a response to a request from the other data processing device.

In a seventh aspect according to the present invention, the acquisition means includes a printer driver (FIG. 7,
The printer status information of the printer is obtained via the printer driver 6c) shown in FIG. 8 or the interface.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the obtaining means can obtain the status information of the printer via a printer driver for controlling the printer and the interface.

A ninth invention according to the present invention is directed to a generating means (an application 10h shown in FIG. 11 and a CPU shown in FIG. 2 for generating print data to be output to the printer).
1f executes the generation processing), and output means for outputting to the printer the first print data generated by the generation means or the second print data received by the communication means from the other data processing device. (The print data management program 10g and the port communication program 10e shown in FIG.
Is executed by the CPU 1f shown in FIG. 2 and is output to the printer 2c). When the output unit outputs the second print data, the communication unit outputs the second print data. Is notified to another data processing apparatus which is a print request source by the predetermined protocol.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a generating means for generating print data to be output to the printer. The application 10h shown in FIG.
1f executes the generation processing), and print information storage means for storing the first print data generated by the generation means or the second print data received by the communication means from the other data processing device ( Storage area 10 shown in FIG.
d) and output means for outputting the first or second print data read from the print information storage means to the printer (the print data management program 10g and the port communication program 10e shown in FIG. 11 are executed by the CPU 1f shown in FIG. 2). Executing the output process to the printer 2c), and when the output unit outputs the second print data, the communication unit determines that the printing of the second print data is completed by the predetermined This is to notify another data processing device that is a print request source by a protocol.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a generating means for generating print data to be output to the printer (the application 10h shown in FIG.
PU1f executes and performs generation processing) and print information storage means (which stores the first print data generated by the generation means or the second print data received by the communication means from the other data processing device) Storage area 1 shown in FIG.
2b) and state determination means for determining whether the printer can print the first or second print data stored in the print information storage means based on the state information stored in the storage means (FIG. 13) The CPU 1f shown in FIG. 2 executes the printer information management program 12g shown in FIG. 2 and deletes it in the printer 2c), and the first or second information read from the print information storage means based on the determination result by the state determination means. Output means for outputting the print data to the printer (the print data management program 1 shown in FIG. 13).
2a, the port communication program 10e is a CPU shown in FIG.
1f to execute output processing to the printer 2c) and a deletion unit (FIG. 13) for deleting the first or second print data printed by the output unit from the print information storage unit.
The print data management program 10g shown in FIG.
PU1f executes and performs deletion processing on the printer 2c), and when the second print data is output by the output means, the communication unit notifies the end of printing of the second print data. This is to notify another data processing device that is a print request source by a predetermined protocol.

In a twelfth aspect according to the present invention, the output means transmits the first or second print data read from the print information storage means via a printer driver (a printer driver 14a shown in FIG. 15). Output to a printer.

In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined protocol is a simple network management protocol.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, a predetermined protocol (this embodiment) communicates with another data processing device (data processing device 2d shown in FIG. 4) via a predetermined communication medium (network 2a shown in FIG. 4). In an embodiment, a data processing method in a data processing device capable of communicating by SNMP) includes an obtaining step (step S503 illustrated in FIG. 6) of obtaining printer status information via an interface that performs bidirectional data transmission and reception; A storing step of storing the state information obtained in the obtaining step in a storage unit, and a communication step of transmitting and receiving data to and from the another data processing device based on the predetermined protocol (step S504 in FIG. 6). Monitoring a request from the other data processing device to the own device in the communication step and determining whether the request is related to the printer. Determination step (step S5 shown in FIG. 6
01, S502), and an extraction step (step S503 in FIG. 6) of extracting response information corresponding to the request from the storage means when it is determined that the request is related to the printer. The communication step (step S504 in FIG. 6) transmits the response information extracted in the extraction step as a response to a request from the other data processing device.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to communicate with another data processing device (data processing device 2d shown in FIG. 4) via a predetermined communication medium (network 2a shown in FIG. 4) by a predetermined protocol. A data processing method in a simple data processing apparatus, the method comprising: periodically monitoring the status of a printer via an interface for bidirectional data transmission and reception to obtain changing status information (step S401 in FIG. 5). , S402), a storing step (not shown) of sequentially storing the state information obtained in the obtaining step in the storage unit while sequentially updating the data, and a data communication between the other data processing apparatus based on the predetermined protocol. A communication step of performing transmission / reception (step S403 in FIG. 5) and a determination step of determining whether the state information stored by the storage unit has changed (FIG. The communication step (Step S403 in FIG. 5) includes, when the determination step determines that the state information has changed, reads the change information read from the storage unit into the other information. The interrupt is transmitted to the data processing device.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, a predetermined protocol (this embodiment) communicates with another data processing device (data processing device 2d shown in FIG. 4) via a predetermined communication medium (network 2a shown in FIG. 4). A data processing method in a data processing device capable of communicating by SNMP), wherein an interface for transmitting and receiving data bidirectionally with a printer;
An acquisition step (steps S401, S402, and FIG. 6 in FIG. 5) in which the status information of the printer or the status information of the printer is periodically monitored to obtain status information that is changing via an interface that performs bidirectional data transmission and reception. Step S503), a storing step (not shown) of storing the state information acquired in the acquiring step in a storage unit, and data transmission / reception with the other data processing device based on the predetermined protocol. In the communication step (step S403 shown in FIG. 5 and step S504 shown in FIG. 6), the communication step monitors a request from the other data processing apparatus to its own device and determines whether the request is related to the printer. First judgment step (step S shown in FIG. 6)
501), and an extraction step (step S503 shown in FIG. 6) of extracting response information corresponding to the request from the storage means when it is determined in the first determination step that the request is related to the printer. A second determination step (step S401 shown in FIG. 5) for determining whether or not the state information stored by the storage means has changed, and the communication step (step S504 in FIG. 6 and the step shown in FIG. 5). S403) transmits the response information extracted in the extraction step as a response corresponding to the request of the other data processing device, or when the second determination step determines that the state information has changed, The change information read from the storage means is transmitted by interruption to the other data processing device.

A seventeenth invention according to the present invention relates to a data processing method in a data processing device capable of communicating with another data processing device via a predetermined communication medium (a network 2a shown in FIG. 9) by a predetermined protocol. Acquiring the printer status information via an interface for bidirectional data transmission and reception (step S503 shown in FIG. 6)
And a storing step (not shown) of storing the state information obtained in the obtaining step in a storage unit, and a communication step of transmitting and receiving data to and from the other data processing device based on the predetermined protocol (FIG. Ten steps S901)
And a determination step of monitoring a request from the other data processing apparatus to the own apparatus via the communication step and determining whether the request is related to the printer or the own apparatus itself (FIG. 10). Step S902)
And an extraction step (step S503 shown in FIG. 6) of extracting, from the storage means, first response information corresponding to the request when it is determined in the determination step that the information relates to the printer. The communication step (steps S903 and S904 in FIG. 10) uses the first response information extracted in the extraction step or the second response information relating to the own device as a response to a request from the other data processing device. What to send.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the communication step, the response information extracted in the extraction step using the same network address is used as a response corresponding to a request from the other data processing device. When it is determined that the state information has changed in the transmission or the second determination step, the change information read from the storage unit is interrupt-transmitted to the other data processing device.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the communication step, the first response information or the second response information relating to the own device itself is extracted by the extracting means using the same network address. It is transmitted as a response to a request from the other data processing device.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the obtaining step, the status information of the printer is obtained via a printer driver for controlling the printer or the interface.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the obtaining step, the printer status information of the printer is obtained via a printer driver (a printer driver 6c shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) for controlling the printer and the interface. It is possible.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a generation step (not shown) for generating print data to be output to the printer, and a first step for generating the print data to be output to the printer.
An output step (step S1105 shown in FIG. 12) of outputting to the printer the print data or the second print data received by the communication step from the other data processing device. Step S110 shown
6) a step of notifying the other data processing apparatus that is a print request source of the end of printing of the second print data by the predetermined protocol when the second print data is output in the output step. It is.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a generating step (not shown) for generating print data to be output to the printer, and a first step for generating the print data to be output to the printer.
Spooling the print data or the second print data received by the communication unit from the other data processing device in the print information storage unit (step S shown in FIG. 14).
1303) and an output step (step 1309 shown in FIG. 14) of outputting the first or second print data read from the print information storage unit to the printer.
The communication step (step S1311 shown in FIG. 13)
When the second print data is output by the output means, the print completion of the second print data is notified to another data processing apparatus serving as a print request source by the predetermined protocol.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a generating step (not shown) for generating print data to be output to the printer, and a first step for generating the print data to be output to the printer.
Spooling the print data or the second print data received by the communication unit from the other data processing device in the print information storage unit (step S shown in FIG. 14).
1303) and a state determining step of determining whether the printer can print the first or second print data stored in the print information storage unit based on the state information stored in the storage unit (FIG. 14). Step S130 shown in
4) and based on the result of the determination by the state determination step,
The first or second read from the print information storage means
An output step of outputting the print data of FIG.
4), and a deleting step (step S1310 shown in FIG. 14) of deleting the first or second print data printed in the output step from the print information storage means. (Step S1311 shown in FIG. 14) includes, when the second print data is output in the output step, printing of the second print data is terminated by another data which is a print request source according to the predetermined protocol. This is to notify the processing device.

In a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the output step, the first or second print data read from the print information storage means is output to the printer via a printer driver.

[0030] In a twenty-sixth aspect according to the present invention, the predetermined protocol is a simple network management protocol.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, a predetermined protocol (this embodiment) communicates with another data processing device (data processing device 2d shown in FIG. 4) via a predetermined communication medium (network 2a shown in FIG. 4). In an embodiment, a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a data processing device capable of communicating by SNMP, and obtaining status information of a printer via an interface for bidirectional data transmission / reception (Step S50 shown in FIG. 6)
3), a storing step of storing the state information obtained in the obtaining step in a storage unit, and a communication step of transmitting and receiving data to and from the other data processing device based on the predetermined protocol (see FIG. 6). Step S504) and a judging step (Step S501 shown in FIG. 6) in which a request from the other data processing apparatus to the self apparatus by the communication step is monitored to determine whether the request is related to the printer.
S502), and an extracting step (step S503 in FIG. 6) of extracting response information corresponding to the request from the storage means when it is determined that the request relates to the printer in the determining step. In the communication step (step S504 in FIG. 6), a computer-readable program that transmits the response information extracted in the extraction step as a response to a request from the other data processing device is stored in a storage medium. .

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to communicate with another data processing device (data processing device 2d shown in FIG. 4) by a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium (network 2a shown in FIG. 4). A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-readable program that controls a data processing apparatus, and periodically monitors the status of the printer via an interface that performs bidirectional data transmission and reception, and changes the status information. Acquisition process to acquire (Step S4 in FIG. 5)
01, S402), a storing step (not shown) of sequentially storing the state information acquired in the acquiring step while updating the state information in the storage means, and the other data processing apparatus based on the predetermined protocol. The communication step (step S403 in FIG. 5) for transmitting and receiving data and the determining step (step S401 in FIG. 5) for determining whether or not the state information stored by the storage unit has changed. Step S403 in FIG. 5 is readable by a computer that interrupts and transmits the change information read from the storage unit to the other data processing device when it is determined in the determination step that the state information has changed. The program is stored in a storage medium.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, a predetermined protocol (this embodiment) communicates with another data processing device (data processing device 2d shown in FIG. 4) via a predetermined communication medium (network 2a shown in FIG. 4). A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a data processing device capable of communicating by SNMP, wherein printer status information or status of the printer is transmitted via an interface for bidirectional data transmission / reception. Step of periodically monitoring and acquiring changing state information (steps S401 and S402 in FIG. 5, step S503 in FIG. 6).
And a storing step (not shown) of storing the state information obtained in the obtaining step in a storage unit, and a communication step of transmitting and receiving data to and from the other data processing device based on the predetermined protocol (FIG. Step S40 shown in 5
3, a step S504 shown in FIG. 6) and a first determination step (FIG. 6) in which a request from the other data processing apparatus to the own apparatus is monitored by the communication step, and whether the request is related to the printer is determined. Step S501 shown in FIG.
An extracting step (step S503 shown in FIG. 6) of extracting response information corresponding to the request from the storage means when it is determined by the first determining step that the information relates to the printer; A second determining step (step S401 shown in FIG. 5) for determining whether the state information stored by the means has changed, and the communication step (step S504 in FIG. 6 and step S4 in FIG. 5).
03) transmits the response information extracted in the extraction step as a response corresponding to the request of the other data processing device, or when the second determination step determines that the state information has changed, A computer-readable program for interrupt-transmitting the change information read from the storage means to the another data processing device is stored in a storage medium.

According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, a computer for controlling a data processing device capable of communicating with another data processing device by a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium (network 2a shown in FIG. 9) reads out. An acquisition step (step S503 shown in FIG. 6) for acquiring printer status information via an interface for bidirectional data transmission and reception, and a state acquired by the acquisition step. A storage step (not shown) for storing information in a storage means, a communication step for transmitting and receiving data to and from the another data processing apparatus based on the predetermined protocol (step S901 in FIG. 10), and a communication step Monitoring a request from the other data processing device to the own device via the A determining step (step S902 in FIG. 10) for determining whether the request is related to the printer, and when the determining step determines that the request is related to the printer, the first response information corresponding to the request is transmitted to the printer. An extraction step (step S503 shown in FIG. 6) for extracting from the storage means, and the communication step (steps S903 and S904 in FIG. 10) includes the first response information extracted by the extraction step or the own device. A computer-readable program that transmits second response information relating to itself as a response to a request from the other data processing device is stored in a storage medium.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, in the communication step, the response information extracted in the extraction step using the same network address is used as a response corresponding to a request from the other data processing device. A computer readable program which interrupts and transmits the change information read from the storage means to the another data processing device when it is determined that the state information has changed by the transmission or the second determination step. It is stored on a medium.

[0036] In a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, in the communication step, the first response information or the second response information relating to the own device itself is extracted by using the same network address in the extraction step. A computer-readable program, which is transmitted as a response to a request from the other data processing device, is stored in a storage medium.

According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, in the obtaining step, the status information of the printer is obtained via a printer driver (a printer driver 6c shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) for controlling the printer or the interface. Computer-readable program stored in a storage medium.

According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the obtaining step, the printer driver for controlling the printer and a computer-readable program for obtaining status information of the printer via the interface are stored in a storage medium. Is stored in.

According to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a generation step (not shown) for generating print data to be output to the printer, and a first step for generating the print data to be output to the printer.
An output step (step S1105 shown in FIG. 12) of outputting to the printer the print data or the second print data received by the communication step from the other data processing device. Step S110 shown
6) a computer that, when the second print data is output in the output step, notifies another data processing device that is a print request source of the end of printing of the second print data by the predetermined protocol. Are readable programs stored in a storage medium.

According to a thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a generating step (not shown) for generating print data to be output to the printer, and a first step for generating the print data to be output to the printer.
Spooling the print data of the second print data or the second print data received by the communication process from the other data processing device in the print information storage means (step S shown in FIG. 14).
1303) and an output step (step 1309 shown in FIG. 14) of outputting the first or second print data read from the print information storage unit to the printer.
The communication step (step S1311 shown in FIG. 13)
When the second print data is output in the output step, a computer that notifies another data processing apparatus serving as a print request source of the end of printing of the second print data by the predetermined protocol is readable. The program is stored in a storage medium.

According to a thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a generating step (not shown) for generating print data to be output to the printer;
Spooling the print data of the second print data or the second print data received by the communication process from the other data processing device in the print information storage means (step S shown in FIG. 14).
1303) and a state determining step of determining whether the printer can print the first or second print data stored in the print information storage unit based on the state information stored in the storage unit (FIG. 14). Step S130 shown in
4) and based on the result of the determination by the state determination step,
The first or second read from the print information storage means
An output step of outputting the print data of FIG.
4), and a deleting step (step S1310 shown in FIG. 14) of deleting the first or second print data printed in the output step from the print information storage means. (Step S1311 shown in FIG. 14) includes, when the second print data is output in the output step, printing of the second print data is terminated by another data which is a print request source according to the predetermined protocol. A computer readable program for notifying the processing device is stored in a storage medium.

According to a thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the output step, a computer which outputs the first or second print data read from the print information storage means to the printer via a printer driver is readable. The program is stored in a storage medium.

According to a thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined protocol is a simple network management protocol in which a computer-readable program is stored in a storage medium.

[0044]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] <Description of Apparatus> FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the system configuration of a network device including a data processing apparatus according to the present invention.

In the figure, a printer 102 is a printer having an open architecture and a network board (N
B) It is connected to the network via 101. N
B101 includes an Ethernet interface 10Base-2 having a coaxial connector and a 10
Through a local area network interface such as Base-T, a local area network (LA)
N) 100.

PC 103, PC 104, PC 111, P
Multiple personal computers (PC) such as C112
Are also connected to the LAN 100, and these PCs are controlled by the network operating system under N.
It can communicate with B101.

Therefore, one of the PCs, for example, the PC 103
Can be used as a network device management PC. Further, the printer 105 may be locally connected to the PC 104 as a local printer.

A PC functioning as a file server
106 is connected to the LAN 100 and manages access to files stored in a large-capacity (for example, 10 billion bytes) network disk 107.

PC 104 functioning as print server
Manages printing to a printer such as the locally connected printer 105 or the remote printer 102.

Similarly, P which functions as a scanner server
The C115 manages a scanner such as the scanner 117 connected locally or the scanner 110 at a remote place. The scanner 110 is connected to the LAN 100 via a network board or the like. Also, the copying machine 118
Provides a function as a printer or a scanner under the control of the image processing unit 119.

In the network shown in FIG. 1, in order to efficiently communicate between various network members, Nov
network software such as ell or UNIX can be used. For example, Novell's Net
Software (registered trademark of Novell, hereinafter abbreviated) software can be used. The detailed description of this software package is described in online documentation included in the NetWare package (included in the NetWare package from Novell), and thus the description is omitted.

PC 103 and PC 104 are respectively
Generation of data file, LA of generated data file
This is a general PC that can perform transmission to the N100, reception of files from the LAN 100, and display and / or processing of those files.

Although FIG. 1 shows a personal computer (PC), another computer suitable for executing network software may be used. For example, if UNIX software is used, UNIX workstations may be connected to the network, and these workstations are used with the PC shown.

Normally, the LAN 100 provides services to a relatively local user group, for example, a user group on one floor or a plurality of consecutive floors in one building.

On the other hand, a wide area network (WAN) may be constructed as the users move away from each other, such as in different buildings or different prefectures. Basically,
A WAN is a collection of LANs formed by connecting several LANs with a high-speed digital line such as an integrated services digital network (ISDN).
For example, as shown in FIG.
0 are connected by the backbone 140 to form a WAN. LAN100, LAN12
0, the devices respectively connected to the LAN 130 are W
It is possible to access functions of devices connected to other LANs via the AN connection.

<Description of Apparatus> FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a data processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to, for example, the PC or server shown in FIG.

In the figure, 1b is a video RAM (VRA).
M), the characters and images displayed on the screen of the CRT display device (CRT) 1a are developed and stored. A bit move unit (BMU) 1c controls data transfer between memories or between a memory and each device.

Reference numeral 1d denotes a keyboard (KB) provided with various keys for input. Reference numeral 1e denotes a pointing device (PD) used for pointing an icon or the like on a screen. Reference numeral 1g denotes a ROM which stores a boot program, a BIOS, and the like.

Reference numeral 1h denotes a RAM, which is used as a work area when various programs are loaded or executed by the CPU 1f and a temporary save area for error processing, and has a capacity that can be expanded by an optional RAM (not shown). I have.

1i is a hard disk drive (HDD)
OS and various programs (including device drivers)
It is used for storing data, libraries, etc. 1j
Is a floppy disk drive (FDD), and 1k is a printer (PRN), which is connected to a local port and is an output device which is a device to be managed by SNMP using this embodiment.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a network interface (NET-I / F) for performing a LAN connection, and performs data control and diagnosis on the network in order to transfer data with another device via the network. 1m is an I / O bus (consisting of an address bus, a data bus and a control bus) for connecting the above-mentioned units. In the data processing device configured as described above, when the device is powered on, the CPU 1f initializes the device in accordance with the boot program in the ROM 1g,
h, and then various applications and the like are operated.

Since the device of this embodiment is based on a general data processing device (such as a personal computer), the program is stored in a hard disk or the like. Of course, the program is stored in a ROM. Alternatively, the present invention is not limited by the storage medium.

<SNMP Management of Network Printer>
Hereinafter, an information device including a manager and an agent and managed by a simple network management protocol (hereinafter, “SNMP”) will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a first network connection configuration in the data processing device according to the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 2a denotes a network, and 2b denotes a data processing device connected to a local printer 2c, for example, constituted by a personal computer or the like. 2d is a data processing device having an SNMP manager function, and is an SNMP device on the network 2a.
Manages information devices with an agent function.

Reference numeral 2e denotes a network interface card (hereinafter, "NIC") having an SNMP agent function, connected to the printer 2f, and connecting the printer 2f to the SNM.
This is a dedicated card for operating as a managed device of P. The combination of the NIC 2e and the printer 2f forms a network printer managed by the data processing device 2d.

Originally, the NIC 2e and the printer 2 shown in FIG.
Only the network printer composed of such a combination as f is a device to be managed by the SNMP manager. In the present embodiment, the data processing device 2b to which the local printer 2c is connected is also realized as a device to be managed by the SNMP manager. It is.

<Acquisition of Printer Status Information> Here, an example of an internal program configuration of the data processing device 2b which is the object of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

FIG. 4 shows the data processing device 2b shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the module configuration of FIG. 1, showing cooperation between a printer 2c and a data processing device 2d having a print process and an SNMP manager. The same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 3a denotes a network interface, which is a program for controlling connection to a network for exchanging with the data processing device 2d on the network 2a by SNMP.

Reference numeral 3b denotes an SNMP processing program, which is an SNMP processing program.
A request from the data processing device 2d having the P manager function is received through the network interface 3a, and the printer status management program 3c described in detail later is received.
Get the information appropriate for the request information in the request from
A process of sending a request response to the data processing device 2d having an SNMP manager through the network interface 3a, or
When the status of the printer 2c changes in the c, the information is obtained, and the SNMP manager is a program capable of performing a trap process of the change information, a request response process, and a trap process for the SNMP manager.

The printer status management program 3c
Is a program for acquiring information on the printer 2c through the port communication program 3e. The information is stored in the storage area 3d, and the SNMP processing program 3b
Provide information to

The storage area 3d is a storage area used by the printer status management program 3c to store its contents.

The port communication program 3e is a program for directly communicating with the local printer 2c connected to the local port through the local port.
This is a program for acquiring printer status information and providing information to the printer status management program 3c.
The present embodiment can be realized by these programs.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention.
This corresponds to a trap processing procedure for the data processing device 2d having the MP manager function. Note that S401 to S4
03 indicates each step.

First, in step S401, it is determined whether a change in the status of the printer 2c has occurred. If it is determined that there has been no change, the process ends.

On the other hand, in step S401, the printer 2c
If it is determined that the state change has occurred, step S
At 402, the changed status of the printer 2c is acquired. Then, in step S403, the acquired information is subjected to a trap process for the data processing device 2d having the SNMP manager function, and the process ends.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to a request response processing procedure when a request comes from the SNMP manager. In addition, S501-
S504 shows each step.

First, in step S501, it is determined whether there is a request from the data processing device 2d having the SNMP manager function, that is, whether information indicating the request from the SNMP manager has been obtained.
If it is determined that there is no request, the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S501 that the information indicating the request has been obtained, the process proceeds to step S5.
At 02, the management information requested is confirmed based on the content of the obtained request. Then, in step S503, data suitable for the management information request confirmed in step S502 is acquired from the printer 2c.

Further, in step S504, the printer 2
The information obtained from c is transmitted to the SNMP manager as a response to the request, and the process ends.

The device of this embodiment is similar to the device shown in FIGS.
Holds even if it has the data processing shown in
It is possible to provide a data processing device having both the request response process and the trap process of the MP agent.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to construct a printing system as a data processing device having an SNMP agent capable of realizing a local printer that does not belong to the management of the conventional SNMP manager as a managed device. Can be.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
The printer 2c, which is a local printer that does not belong to the management of the conventional SNMP manager, can be realized as a managed device by directly communicating with a local port by SNMP, acquiring information indicating a change in the status of the printer, and using the information. A case has been described in which the data processing device 2b having the SNMP agent controls communication of the locally connected printer 2c as a managed device. However, instead of directly communicating with the local port, information obtained by the device driver of the printer is used. To implement an SNMP agent function and control a local printer connected to the data processing device as a managed device. Less than,
The embodiment will be described.

In the following description including the second embodiment, it is assumed that the configuration of the data processing apparatus is the same as that of FIG. 1 and that the configuration of the network is also the same as that of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a print control module of a data processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 6a denotes a printer status management program which requests the driver communication program 6b for information that can be obtained from the printer driver 6c, and stores the obtained information in the storage area 3d.

The driver communication program 6b obtains information requested by the printer status management program 6a from the printer driver 6c, and transmits the information to the printer status management program 6a.

Reference numeral 6c denotes a printer driver, which is a program (software) registered in the OS for performing printing control and status acquisition of the printer 2c as a local printer.

In the present embodiment, by configuring the data processing device 2b as described above, the request response and the trap in the SNMP agent function are determined based on whether the information resource is a local printer through a local port or a printer driver. The data processing is performed according to a processing procedure substantially similar to that in FIGS.

As described above, the printer status management is performed by setting the information acquisition target to the printer driver 6c, and the SNMP processing is performed by using the information.
A printing system can be constructed by using a local printer using information acquired from the printer driver 6c as a device to be managed by the SNMP manager.

[Third Embodiment] In the first and second embodiments, a local printer which does not belong to the management of the conventional SNMP manager communicates directly with a local port to acquire information, and a device driver of the printer is used. In each case where serial information was acquired, the case where a data processing device having an SNMP agent that can be realized as a managed device using the information was described. However, acquisition via a printer driver and direct local port And the SNM having both configurations of the first and second embodiments using the information obtained by the acquisition by communication.
A data processing device that implements a P agent may be provided so that a local printer is configured as a managed device of the SNMP manager to construct an SNMP printing system.

The reason why both the first embodiment and the second embodiment are provided is as follows.

In general, a device driver of a printer stores information enabling setting information for printing to be handled. For example, it deals with the current number of print jobs and status information at the driver level.

On the other hand, as information that can be taken directly through the local port, data that is currently being printed and information such as door open and ink / toner out can be acquired.
Needless to say, some printer drivers may acquire and store such information.

Therefore, the present embodiment is characterized in that both of the above information are obtained and more desired information is returned by request management information from the SNMP manager.

For example, when the status of the printer driver is unavailable and the information from the local port is available, the status of being unavailable is returned to the SNMP manager as a request response. On the other hand, even when the status of the printer driver is available, but the information from the local port is unavailable due to power-off or the like, a request response indicating that the information is unavailable is also returned.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a print control module of a data processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIGS. 4 and 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals. .

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 7a denotes a printer status management program which acquires information of both the driver communication program 6b and the port communication program 3e, further compares the contents to select more appropriate information, and performs SNMP processing. This is a program provided to the program 3b.

By using the above printer status management program 7a, appropriate information can be determined and transmitted to the SNMP processing. The data processing procedure has a step of determining the above information added to FIGS. 5 and 6. Just do it.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to acquire both the information of the local printer, which has been able to acquire only one of the information in the first and second embodiments. A printing system can be constructed as a data processing device capable of realizing an SNMP agent function using information.

[Fourth Embodiment] In the first to third embodiments, the data processing having the SNMP agent function can realize the printer 2c as a local printer which does not belong to the management of the conventional SNMP manager as a managed device. The case where the printing system is constructed by the device 2b has been described. However, in the data processing device of the first to third embodiments, when the data processing device itself is a device to be managed by the SNMP manager, a local printer to be connected is connected. May be configured to construct an SNMP printing system as a managed device. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a print control module of a data processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the fourth embodiment, the method in the first embodiment is used as an example of a printer status management program for simplification of the description. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this method. Of course, the method of acquiring information from the device driver of the printer described in (1) can also be used. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, a characteristic portion for determining the content of the SNMP request and its own SNMP request and trap processing will be described in detail.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 8a denotes an SNMP judgment program which sends a request from the data processing device 2d having the SNMP manager function to the network interface 3d.
a, and when the content is itself, sends data to its own SNMP processing program 8b,
When the content is related to the printer,
The data is transmitted to the NMP processing program 3b.

According to the SNMP determination program 8a,
A request from its own SNMP manager is sent to its own S
It is possible to selectively use the NMP processing and the SNMP processing of the local printer.

The own SNMP processing program 8b
May be a known method, and is not particularly limited in the fourth embodiment.

When the received contents are related to the printer, the processing is shifted to the SNMP processing program 3b of the printer by the SNMP determination processing program 8a. However, since this processing has been described in the above embodiment, the description is omitted. I do.

Further, regarding the trap processing, its own S
The NMP processing program 8b and the SNMP processing program 3b of the printer may be individually executed through the network interface 3a, or the transfer processing may be performed to the SNMP determination program 8a, and there is no particular limitation.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the function processing procedure of the SNMP determination processing program 8a which is a feature of the fourth embodiment. . Note that S
Reference numerals 901 to S904 denote steps.

First, in step S901, the SNM
It is determined whether or not there is a request from the data processing device 2d having the P manager function. If it is determined that there is no request, the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S901 that a request has been made, it is determined in step S902 whether the request is for its own data processing device or a local printer. If the request is determined to be
The process proceeds to step 903, and if it is determined that the request is for the own data processing device, the process proceeds to step S904.

In step S 903, the printer performs a SNMP request response process (a process of transmitting the acquired information to the SNMP manager), and ends the process.

In step S904, an SNMP request response process (a process of transmitting the acquired information to the SNMP manager) of the data processing device is executed, and the process ends.

Note that the trap processing is performed for each data processing apparatus and local printer.
Since the NMP processing part manages the device and notifies the SNMP manager when there is a status change, each SNMP manager can perform its own trap processing, and the procedure of the trap processing is omitted. I do.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, when the data processing device itself is a device to be managed by the SNMP manager, the connected local printer is also printed as a data processing device to be provided as the device to be managed. A system can be built.

[Fifth Embodiment] In each of the above embodiments, a case where a printing system is constructed as a data processing device having an SNMP agent which can realize a local printer which does not belong to the management of the conventional SNMP manager as a device to be managed. As described above, in the data processing apparatus of each embodiment, the print data obtained from another data processing apparatus on the network, or the print data according to the print instruction from the application of the data processing apparatus itself, is transmitted to the printer. The information is acquired, and if available, the output processing of the print data is performed. If the information is not available, the output is disabled and the result of the print processing is trapped or S
As a response to the request from the NMP manager, SN
A printing system may be constructed as a data processing device for notifying using the MP. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a print control module of a data processing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
In this embodiment, a case where information is acquired from the local port shown in the first embodiment will be described for simplicity of description. Of course, even when information is acquired from the driver shown in the second embodiment, the information is acquired from both sides. The acquisition of is also acceptable. In addition, as shown in the fourth embodiment, it goes without saying that the data processing device itself may have an SNMP agent function, and these may be combined.

Hereinafter, processing of print data in which SNMP information is synchronized, which is a feature of the present embodiment, will be described.

In FIG. 11, reference numeral 10a denotes a network interface which receives print data in addition to sending and receiving SNMP.

Reference numeral 10b denotes an SNMP response program.
And is a program that implements the SNMP agent function.

Reference numeral 10c denotes a printer information management program.
In addition to the printer status in the printer status management program 3c shown in FIG. 4, information is exchanged with a print data management program 10g to be described later, and information relating to the print data is stored in the storage area 10d. It manages all printer information, such as print data processing results notified from the management program 10g, and provides information to the SNMP program processing program 10b.

A storage area 10d is used by the printer information management program 10c. Reference numeral 10e denotes a port communication program. In addition to the process of acquiring the status of the printer from the local port in the port communication program 3e shown in FIG.
The print data received from the printer 1g is received, and the local printer 2c outputs the print data using the local port.

Reference numeral 10f denotes a print data receiving program which receives, via the network interface 10a, print data transmitted from another data processing device on the network, the address of which is specified, and transfers it to the print data management program 10g. It is a program. In addition,
A method for acquiring print data may be a known method as long as the print data can be acquired, and is not limited in the present invention.

The print data management program 10g manages print data passed from the print data reception program 10f or print data from the application 10h.

The print data management program 10g
Is a program that obtains the current status of the local printer from the printer information management program 10c, and issues a print instruction to the port communication program 10e when the status is available. On the other hand, if it cannot be used, the process ends as an error. Then, the print data management program 10g performs a process of transmitting the output result (success / failure) to the printer information management program 10c.

Reference numeral 10h denotes an application program in the data processing device, which creates and edits a document, an image, etc., and issues a print instruction. When a print instruction is issued in the application program 10h,
The processing is performed by the print data management program 10g, similarly to the print data transmitted from the network.
The processing of this embodiment is performed by the above-described program configuration example.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to a print data processing procedure. Note that S
1101 to S1106 indicate each step.

First, in step S1101, it is determined whether or not print data has been received from another data processing device on the network. If it is determined that print data has not been received, the process proceeds to step S1102, where the data processing device itself is notified. An application issues a print instruction and determines whether print data has been generated. If it is determined that there is no print data, the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1101 or step S1102 that print data has been generated, the flow advances to step S1103 to use the status information of the managed printer so that the local printer can be used. If it is determined that the print data cannot be used, the process advances to step S1104 to transmit to the data processing apparatus 2d having the SNMP manager function that print data cannot be output, and To end.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1103 that the print data can be used, the flow advances to step S1105, and the print data obtained in either step S1101 or step S1102 is transmitted to the local printer 2c through the local port. Output processing is performed.

If the printing of the print data has been completed, the flow advances to step S1106 to indicate that printing has been completed.
The data is transmitted to the data processing device 2d having the NMP manager, and the process ends.

Although the trap processing is used for the above processing, it is also possible to respond when a request regarding whether the designated print data is output from the SNMP manager or the like is received. For this processing, a method of storing the result of the printing processing and responding to the request may be used, and the detailed procedure thereof will not be described.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, print data obtained from another data processing device on the network or print data according to a print instruction from an application of the data processing device itself is transmitted to the printer. An SNMP agent function that acquires information and performs print data output processing when available, and otherwise disables output as trap processing or responds to a request from an SNMP manager. A printing system can be constructed as a data processing device that realizes the above.

[Sixth Embodiment] In the fifth embodiment,
Print data output from print data obtained from other data processing devices on the network, or print data according to print instructions from the application of the data processing device itself, by obtaining printer status information and using it when available In the case where the print system is configured as a data processing device that notifies the result of the print processing by SNMP, the print data transmitted from the network and the print data of the own application are described. Once stored in the storage area, if the data is available, the data is deleted from the storage area when output is completed, and the end of printing is notified by SNMP. On the other hand, if the data is not available, the data is unavailable. Is notified by SNMP, the print data is held, and the print data is held. Preparative may be constructed printing system as a data processing apparatus to notify the SNMP the. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a print control module of a data processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 12a denotes a print data management program, which is the print data management program 1 shown in FIG.
In addition to the 0g function, the print data acquired from the application program 10h and the print data receiving program 10f is once stored in a storage area 12b, which will be described later, and the status of the printer can be obtained / determined from the printer status management and used. At this time, the output processing is performed, the stored print data is deleted, and the end of printing is notified to the printer information management program 12c.

On the other hand, if the print data cannot be used, the print data is kept held until the print data becomes usable, and the information on the held print data is transferred to the printer information management program 12.
c, the print data is printed when it becomes available, the stored print data is deleted, and the print information is notified to the printer information management program 12c.

It should be noted that the term “unusable” here includes that other print data is currently being printed on the local printer. Accordingly, the printer information management program 12c is notified of the print data that is currently being printed and that the print data is in a waiting state, as well as the queued print data.

A storage area 12b is used by the printer information management program 12c and the print data management program 12a for print data management.

Also, the printer information management program 12c
Is a printer information management program 10c shown in FIG.
In addition to the functions described above, the print data management program 12a and the data held in the storage area 12b also store information on print data that is currently unavailable and is waiting to be printed in the storage area 12b. Program 12
This is a program for notifying d.

The SNMP response program 12d is configured as shown in FIG.
In addition to the functions of the SNMP response program 10b shown in FIG.
Further, the program is a program that appropriately obtains information on print wait information or print data during printing that can be obtained from the printer information management program 12c, and performs a trap or a request response. The processing of this embodiment is performed by the example of the program configuration described above.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the fifth data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the print data processing procedure in the sixth embodiment. In addition, S1301 to S1311 indicate each step.

First, in step S1301, it is determined whether or not print data has been obtained from the data processing device on the network.
In step 02, it is determined whether the application of the data processing apparatus itself has generated print data, that is, whether there is a print instruction from the application of its own. If it is determined that print data has not been generated, the process ends.

On the other hand, steps S1301, 1S1302
If both are YES, that is, if the print data has been acquired, the process proceeds to the next step S1303, where the print data is stored in the storage area 12b.

Then, in step S1304, it is confirmed whether or not the local printer is available. If it is determined that the local printer is not available, the flow advances to step S1305, and
The SNMP response program 12 indicates that the printer is currently unavailable and that the print data is in a print waiting state.
Notify d. In this case, the notification may be a response from the data processing device 2d having the SNMP manager function in response to the request as a request, or a notification as a trap due to a state change.

Here, in the network system, notification may be performed by a desired method, and both a request response and a trap may be used. In the sixth embodiment, the notification is made to the SNMP response program 12d.

Next, in step S1306, it is determined whether or not printing has been stopped. If it is determined that printing is to be continued, the flow returns to step S1304 to check again whether the local printer can be used.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1306 that printing has been canceled, the flow advances to step S1307.

Here, the means for designating print suspension may be selected by the user, may be determined by the number of times, or a method of providing a certain waiting time, and is not particularly limited here.

Next, in step S1307, the stored print data is deleted. Then, step S13
At 08, the SNMP response program 12d is notified that the printing has failed, and the process ends.

If it is determined in step S1304 that the local printer is available, the flow advances to step S1309 to output target print data from the local printer. Then, when the printing process ends, in step S1310, step S130
3, the print data stored in step S1311 is deleted.
Then, the end of the output is notified to the SNMP response program 12d, and the process ends.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, when the local printer is unavailable, the print data is held and the SN which is in the print waiting state is held.
A printing system can be constructed as a data processing device that sends an MP notification, resumes printing when it becomes available, and notifies the end of printing by SNMP.

[Seventh Embodiment] In the fifth and sixth embodiments, print data obtained from another data processing device on the network or print data in accordance with a print instruction from an application of the data processing device itself is transmitted. In the fifth embodiment, a description has been given of a data processing apparatus which directly outputs to a printer via a local port and also notifies the print data information by SNMP. However, in the fifth embodiment, the print data transmitted from the network and its own A print system may be constructed as a data processing device that outputs print data of an application using a device driver of a printer and notifies each information at that time by SNMP. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a print control module of a data processing apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals. However, in order to simplify the description of the characteristic configuration, an acquisition method from the device driver of the printer described in the second embodiment is described as a method for acquiring information on the printer. However, it is needless to say that the method is not limited to this method. The port communication shown in the first embodiment may be used, or the acquisition method from both shown in the third embodiment may be used.

Further, the present invention can also be applied to the case where the data processing device itself shown in the fourth embodiment is a device to be managed by the SNMP manager. Although the method of managing the print data displayed as an example of the program configuration uses the method of the fifth embodiment in order to simplify the description of the present embodiment, the method of the sixth embodiment may be used.

Referring to FIG. 14, reference numeral 14a denotes a printer driver, which is a program (software) registered in the OS for performing printing control and status acquisition of the local printer. Reference numeral 14b denotes a driver communication program which transfers print data passed from the print data management program 14c using an interface prepared for the printer driver 14a, acquires a printer status, and gives a print instruction from the application program 14e to the printer driver. This is a program that also acquires information on the passed print data.

The print data management program 14c obtains the current printer status from the printer status management program 14d and, when available, passes the obtained print data to the driver communication program 14b and causes the driver communication program 14b to perform print processing. It is a program.

The printer status management program 14d uses the driver communication program 14b to store status information of the printer driver 14a and the application program 14a.
e is a program for acquiring and managing print data information from e.

The application program 14e is a program capable of instructing the printer driver 14a to print data such as images and documents. The processing of this embodiment is performed by the example of the program configuration described above.

A feature of the seventh embodiment is that the output method is performed via a device driver. The flowchart is the same as the processing procedure shown in FIG. 14, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, the print data transmitted from the network and the print data of its own application are output using the device driver of the printer, and each information at that time is notified by SNMP. And a control method thereof.

Although the programs described in the first to seventh embodiments have been described for the case where the system is configured by being divided to explain the configuration, in particular, these are divided and each can be started. The program may be a simple program, may be a single program, or may be a form loaded as a library, and is not particularly limited as long as it fulfills the function of these contents.

Further, the data processing device for operating the application in each embodiment can be realized by a general-purpose data processing device such as a personal computer. In short, the present invention can be realized by incorporating a program for performing the above processing.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by the data processing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by the data processing apparatus according to the present invention.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, etc. is also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, the program is An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. Also, a program for installing various programs on a computer, and a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed, may be stored in some cases.

In this embodiment, FIGS.
The functions shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or the CPU or the MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of a storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, and C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0174]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the inventions of (1) to (39), a printer locally connected to the data processing device is arranged under control of a protocol used for communication with another data processing device, and adapted to a request by communication with another data processing device. Notifying other data processing devices of the status information of the printer acquired by the other data processing devices allows the other data processing devices to use management processes such as status monitoring of a local printer connected to the data processing device for communication with the network printer. It is possible to freely construct a network print environment that can be realized by the same protocol as the protocol to be performed.

Further, a printer locally connected to the data processing device is arranged under the control of a protocol used for communication with another data processing device, and the status of the locally connected printer is monitored to change the printer status. If you do
By notifying the status information of the printer to another data processing device by an interrupt based on a protocol, the other data processing device can perform management processing such as monitoring the status of a local printer connected to the data processing device with the network printer. This makes it possible to freely construct a network print environment which can be realized by the same protocol as the protocol used for the communication.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a network device including a data processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first network connection configuration in the data processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a module configuration of the data processing device illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the data processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the data processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a print control module configuration of a data processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control module of a data processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control module of a data processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the data processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control module of a data processing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the data processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a print control module configuration of a data processing apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fifth data processing procedure in the data processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control module of a data processing apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the data processing device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2b, 2d Data processing device 2c Printer 3a Network interface 3b SNMP processing program 3c Printer status management program 3e Port communication program 3d Storage area

Claims (39)

[Claims] 1. A data processing device capable of communicating with another data processing device via a predetermined communication medium using a predetermined protocol, comprising: an interface for bidirectionally transmitting and receiving data to and from a printer; Acquiring means for acquiring, storage means for storing state information acquired by the acquiring means, communication means for transmitting and receiving data to and from the other data processing device based on the predetermined protocol, and the communication means Monitoring a request from the other data processing apparatus to its own device via the other device, and determining means for determining whether the request is related to the printer.If the determination means determines that the request is related to the printer, Extracting means for extracting response information corresponding to the request from the storage means, wherein the communication means extracts the response information by the extracting means. A data processing device and transmits the response information in response to the request of the other data processing apparatus. 2. A data processing device capable of communicating with another data processing device by a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: an interface for bidirectionally transmitting and receiving data to and from a printer; Acquiring means for monitoring the status information that is being monitored and changing, storage means for storing the status information acquired by the acquiring means so as to be sequentially updated, and the other data processing based on the predetermined protocol Communication means for transmitting and receiving data to and from the device; and determination means for determining whether the status information stored by the storage means has changed. The communication means changes the status information by the determination means. And determining that the change information read from the storage means is transmitted to the other data processing device by interruption when it is determined that the data processing has been performed. Equipment. 3. A data processing device capable of communicating with another data processing device by a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the interface performs bidirectional data transmission / reception with a printer; and An acquisition unit that periodically monitors the status information of the printer or the status of the printer to acquire changing status information; a storage unit that stores the status information acquired by the acquisition unit; A communication unit for transmitting and receiving data to and from the other data processing device based on the request; and monitoring a request from the other data processing device to its own device via the communication unit to determine whether the request is related to the printer. A first determination unit for determining whether or not the request is related to the printer by the first determination unit. Extraction means for extracting response information corresponding to the information from the storage means, and second determination means for determining whether the state information stored by the storage means has changed. The response information extracted by the means is transmitted as a response corresponding to the request of the other data processing device, or is read from the storage means when the second determination means determines that the state information has changed. A data processing device, wherein the change information is transmitted by interruption to the other data processing device. 4. A data processing device capable of communicating with another data processing device via a predetermined communication medium with a predetermined protocol, comprising: an interface for bidirectionally transmitting and receiving data to and from a printer; Acquiring means for acquiring, storage means for storing state information acquired by the acquiring means, communication means for transmitting and receiving data to and from the other data processing device based on the predetermined protocol, and the communication means Monitoring means for monitoring the request from the other data processing device to the own device via the printer, and determining whether the request is related to the printer or to the own device. Extracting means for extracting, from the storage means, first response information corresponding to the request when it is determined that the The communication unit transmits the first response information extracted by the extraction unit or the second response information relating to the own device as a response to a request from the other data processing device. Data processing device. 5. The communication means transmits the response information extracted by the extraction means using the same network address as a response corresponding to a request from the other data processing device, or the second determination means. 4. The data processing device according to claim 3, wherein when it is determined that the status information has changed, the change information read from the storage unit is transmitted by interruption to the other data processing device. 6. The communication unit according to claim 1, wherein the first response information extracted by the extraction unit using the same network address or the second response information relating to the own device is requested by the another data processing device. 5. The data processing device according to claim 4, wherein the data is transmitted as a response to the request. 7. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the status information of the printer via a printer driver that controls the printer or the interface. . 8. The data according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit is capable of acquiring the status information of the printer via a printer driver for controlling the printer and the interface. Processing equipment. 9. A generating unit for generating print data to be output to the printer, and a first print data generated by the generating unit or a second print data received by the communication unit from the other data processing device. Output means for outputting the print data of the second print data to the printer, wherein the communication means, when the second print data is output by the output means, terminates printing of the second print data. 5. A method of notifying another data processing apparatus which is a print request source according to the protocol of (1).
The data processing device according to any one of the above. 10. A generation unit for generating print data to be output to the printer, and a first print data generated by the generation unit or a second print data received by the communication unit from the another data processing device. Print information storage means for storing print data, and first or second read out from the print information storage means
Output means for outputting the print data of the second print data to the printer, wherein the communication means, when the second print data is output by the output means, terminates printing of the second print data. 5. A method of notifying another data processing apparatus which is a print request source according to the protocol of (1).
The data processing device according to any one of the above. 11. A generating means for generating print data to be output to the printer, and a first print data generated by the generating means or a second print data received by the communication means from the other data processing device. Print information storage means for storing print data, and whether or not the printer can print the first or second print data stored in the print information storage means based on the state information stored in the storage means. State determining means for determining, output means for outputting the first or second print data read from the print information storage means to the printer based on the determination result by the state determining means, and printing by the output means. And a deletion unit for deleting the first or second print data from the print information storage unit, wherein the communication unit outputs the first or second print data by the output unit. When the second print data is output, according to claim 1, wherein the notifying the print end of the second print data to the print requesting source to become other data processing apparatus by said predetermined protocol
The data processing device according to any one of the above. 12. The printer according to claim 9, wherein the output unit outputs the first or second print data read from the print information storage unit to the printer via a printer driver. A data processing device according to claim 1. 13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined protocol is a simple network management protocol.
12. The data processing device according to any one of to 4, 9 to 11. 14. A data processing method in a data processing device capable of communicating with another data processing device via a predetermined communication medium by a predetermined protocol, wherein the state of the printer is controlled via an interface for bidirectional data transmission / reception. An acquisition step of acquiring information; a storage step of storing state information acquired by the acquisition step in a storage unit; and a communication step of transmitting and receiving data to and from the other data processing device based on the predetermined protocol. And a monitoring step of monitoring the request from the other data processing apparatus to its own device by the communication step, and determining whether the request is related to the printer; and determining that the request is related to the printer by the determining step. Extracting the response information corresponding to the request from the storage unit, the communication step, A data processing method, wherein the response information extracted in the extraction step is transmitted as a response to a request from the another data processing device. 15. A data processing method in a data processing device capable of communicating with another data processing device by a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the status of the printer is controlled via an interface for bidirectional data transmission / reception. An acquisition step of periodically monitoring and acquiring changing state information; a storage step of storing the state information acquired in the acquisition step while sequentially updating the state information in a storage unit; based on the predetermined protocol. A communication step of transmitting and receiving data to and from the other data processing device; and a determination step of determining whether state information stored by the storage unit has changed. The communication step includes: When it is determined that the state information has changed, the change information read from the storage unit is transmitted as an interrupt to the other data processing device. Data processing method characterized by. 16. A data processing method in a data processing device capable of communicating with another data processing device via a predetermined communication medium using a predetermined protocol, wherein the status of the printer is controlled via an interface for bidirectional data transmission / reception. An acquisition step of periodically acquiring information or the status information of the printer to acquire changing status information; a storage step of storing the status information acquired by the acquisition step in a storage unit; A communication step of transmitting and receiving data to and from the other data processing device based on the request, and monitoring a request from the other data processing device to its own device by the communication step to determine whether the request is related to the printer. A first determining step of determining whether the request is related to the printer in the first determining step. An extraction step of extracting response information to be performed from the storage unit, and a second determination step of determining whether the state information stored by the storage unit has changed. When the extracted response information is transmitted as a response corresponding to a request from the other data processing device or when the state information is determined to have changed in the second determination step, the change read out from the storage unit is performed. A data processing method, wherein information is transmitted by interruption to said another data processing device. 17. A data processing method in a data processing device capable of communicating with another data processing device by a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the state of the printer is controlled via an interface for bidirectional data transmission / reception. An acquisition step of acquiring information; a storage step of storing state information acquired by the acquisition step in a storage unit; and a communication step of transmitting and receiving data to and from the other data processing device based on the predetermined protocol. A monitoring step of monitoring the request from the other data processing apparatus to the own apparatus via the communication step, and determining whether the request is related to the printer or the own apparatus itself; When it is determined in the step that the request is related to the printer, first response information corresponding to the request is stored in the storage unit. An extraction step of extracting the first response information or the second response information relating to the own device itself extracted in the extraction step as a response to a request of the other data processing device. A data processing method characterized by transmitting. 18. The communication step includes transmitting the response information extracted in the extraction step using the same network address as a response corresponding to a request from the other data processing device, or performing the second determination step. 17. The data processing method according to claim 16, wherein when it is determined that the status information has changed, the change information read from the storage unit is interrupted to the other data processing device. 19. The communication process according to claim 1, wherein the first response information extracted in the extraction step or the second response information relating to the own device is requested by the other data processing device using the same network address. 18. The data processing method according to claim 17, wherein the data is transmitted as a response to the data. 20. The data processing method according to claim 14, wherein said obtaining step obtains status information of said printer via a printer driver for controlling said printer or said interface. . 21. The data according to claim 14, wherein in the obtaining step, the status information of the printer can be obtained via a printer driver for controlling the printer and the interface. Processing method. 22. A generation step of generating print data to be output to the printer, and a second print data generated by the generation step or a second print data received by the communication step from the other data processing device. An output step of outputting the print data of the second print data to the printer, wherein the communication step includes, when the second print data is output by the output step, notifying the end of printing of the second print data. 15. A method of notifying another data processing apparatus which is a print request source by using the protocol described in claim 14.
18. The data processing method according to any one of 17. 23. A generating step of generating print data to be output to the printer, and a first print data generated by the generating step or a second step of receiving the communication data from the other data processing device. Spooling the print data in the print information storage means; and a first or second read out from the print information storage means.
An output step of outputting the print data of the second print data to the printer, wherein the communication step includes, when the second print data is output by the output step, notifying the end of printing of the second print data. 15. A method of notifying another data processing apparatus which is a print request source by using the protocol described in claim 14.
18. The data processing method according to any one of 17. 24. A generating step of generating print data to be output to the printer, and a second print data generated by the generating step or a second print data received by the communication step from the other data processing device. A spooling step of spooling the print data in the print information storage means, and the printer can print the first or second print data stored in the print information storage means based on the status information stored in the storage means. A state determination step of determining whether or not the first or second print data read from the print information storage unit is output to the printer based on a determination result of the state determination step; And deleting the first or second print data printed by the printer information from the print information storage unit. When the second print data is output in the output step, the completion of the printing of the second print data is notified to another data processing apparatus serving as a print request source using the predetermined protocol. Item 14-
18. The data processing method according to any one of 17. 25. The method according to claim 22, wherein the output step outputs the first or second print data read from the print information storage unit to the printer via a printer driver. The data processing method described in 1. 26. The system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined protocol is a simple network management protocol.
24. The data processing method according to any one of 4 to 17, 22 to 24. 27. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a data processing device capable of communicating with another data processing device via a predetermined communication medium with a predetermined protocol, comprising: An acquisition step of acquiring status information of the printer via an interface for transmission and reception; a storage step of storing the status information acquired by the acquisition step in a storage unit; and the other data processing device based on the predetermined protocol A communication step of transmitting and receiving data to and from the other data processing apparatus in the communication step, and a determination step of determining whether the request is related to the printer; and the determination step. When it is determined that the request is related to the printer, response information corresponding to the request is stored in the storage unit. An extracting step of extracting, wherein the communication step transmits the response information extracted in the extracting step as a response to a request of the another data processing device, and a computer-readable program. The storage medium in which it was stored. 28. A storage medium storing a computer readable program for controlling a data processing apparatus capable of communicating with another data processing apparatus by a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: An acquisition step of periodically monitoring the state of the printer via an interface for transmission and reception to acquire changing state information; and storing the state information acquired in the acquisition step while sequentially updating the state information in a storage unit. And a communication step of transmitting and receiving data to and from the other data processing device based on the predetermined protocol; and a determining step of determining whether state information stored by the storage unit has changed. The communication step, when the state information is determined to have changed in the determination step, the change read from the storage unit; Storage medium from which a computer stores readable program characterized by interrupt sends a broadcast to the other data processing apparatus. 29. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a data processing device capable of communicating with another data processing device by a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: An acquisition step of periodically monitoring the status information of the printer or the status of the printer via an interface for transmission and reception to acquire changing status information; and storing the status information acquired in the acquisition step in a storage unit. A communication process of transmitting and receiving data to and from the other data processing device based on the predetermined protocol, and monitoring a request from the other data processing device to its own device by the communication process. A first determining step of determining whether the request is for the printer; and An extraction step of extracting response information corresponding to the request from the storage means when it is determined that the information is a request, and a second determination step of determining whether state information stored by the storage means has changed. The communication step includes transmitting the response information extracted in the extraction step as a response corresponding to a request from the other data processing device, or changing the state information by the second determination step. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program, wherein the change information read from the storage means is transmitted to the other data processing apparatus in an interrupted manner when the determination is made. 30. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a data processing apparatus capable of communicating with another data processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium with a predetermined protocol, comprising: An acquisition step of acquiring status information of the printer via an interface for transmission and reception; a storage step of storing the status information acquired by the acquisition step in a storage unit; and the other data processing device based on the predetermined protocol And a communication step of transmitting and receiving data to and from the other data processing apparatus through the communication step to monitor a request to the own device, and the request is related to the printer or to the own device. A determining step of determining whether the printer is related to the printer in the determining step; An extracting step of extracting first response information corresponding to the request from the storage means, wherein the communication step is the first response information extracted by the extracting step or a second response relating to the own device. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for transmitting information as a response to a request from the other data processing device. 31. The communication step includes transmitting the response information extracted in the extraction step using the same network address as a response corresponding to a request from the other data processing device, or performing the second determination step. 30. The computer-readable program according to claim 29, wherein when it is determined that the status information has changed, the change information read from the storage means is transmitted to the another data processing device by interruption. Storage medium storing. 32. The communication step, wherein the first response information extracted in the extraction step or the second response information relating to the own device is requested by the other data processing device using the same network address. 31. The storage medium storing a computer-readable program according to claim 30, wherein the program is transmitted as a response to the program. 33. The computer-readable medium according to claim 27, wherein said obtaining step obtains the status information of said printer via a printer driver for controlling said printer or said interface. A storage medium that stores possible programs. 34. The computer according to claim 27, wherein in the obtaining step, the status information of the printer can be obtained through a printer driver that controls the printer and the interface. A storage medium storing a program which can be read by the user. 35. A generating step of generating print data to be output to the printer, and a first print data generated by the generating step or a second step of receiving the communication data from the other data processing device. An output step of outputting the print data of the second print data to the printer, wherein the communication step includes, when the second print data is output by the output step, notifying the end of printing of the second print data. 28. A notification to another data processing apparatus which is a print request source by using the protocol described in claim 27.
30. A storage medium storing the computer-readable program according to any one of 30. 36. A generating step for generating print data to be output to the printer, and a second print data generated by the generating step or a second print data received by the communication step from the other data processing device. Spooling the print data in the print information storage means; and a first or second read out from the print information storage means.
An output step of outputting the print data of the second print data to the printer, wherein the communication step includes, when the second print data is output by the output step, notifying the end of printing of the second print data. 28. A notification to another data processing apparatus which is a print request source by using the protocol described in claim 27.
30. A storage medium storing the computer-readable program according to any one of 30. 37. A generating step of generating print data to be output to the printer, and a first print data generated by the generating step or a second print data received by the communication unit from the other data processing device. A spooling step of spooling the print data in the print information storage means, and the printer can print the first or second print data stored in the print information storage means based on the status information stored in the storage means. A state determination step of determining whether or not the first or second print data read from the print information storage unit is output to the printer based on a determination result of the state determination step; And deleting the first or second print data printed by the printer information from the print information storage unit. When the second print data is output in the output step, the completion of the printing of the second print data is notified to another data processing apparatus serving as a print request source using the predetermined protocol. Item 27-
30. A storage medium storing the computer-readable program according to any one of 30. 38. The method according to claim 35, wherein in the output step, first or second print data read from the print information storage unit is output to the printer via a printer driver. A storage medium storing the computer-readable program according to Claim 1. 39. The method according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined protocol is a simple network management protocol.
A storage medium storing a computer-readable program according to any one of 7 to 30, 35 to 37.