JP2002215350A - Information processing apparatus, information processing system, distributed output control method, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] Without a user selecting a distributed printing method,
A distributed output method corresponding to print data is appropriately selected based on the request of the user, and the distributed output can be easily executed. A first printer driver supplies print data to a black-and-white printer and a color printer for distributing and outputting an image related to print data.
And a second printer driver 305 for supplying print data to a monochrome printer 104 and a color printer 105 for dispersively outputting an image related to print data via a print server 106, and which printer driver is used based on output setting information And a distributed print manager 303 for selecting and determining whether to perform distributed output processing.
305 is selected appropriately so that distributed output can be easily performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, a distributed output control method, and a recording medium, and more particularly to a printing system having a plurality of image output apparatuses capable of performing distributed printing and a print server. It is suitable for use in the information processing device of the present invention.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, due to the development of a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), predetermined processing is performed not by one information processing apparatus but by a plurality of information processing apparatuses. So-called distributed processing has been performed.

For example, in a distributed printing method in which print processing is dispersed using a printing system in which a plurality of image output apparatuses such as printers are connected via a network, an information processing apparatus directly sends information to a plurality of image output apparatuses. There has been a first distributed printing method capable of performing distributed printing. There is also a second distributed printing method in which an information processing apparatus can execute distributed printing on an image output device managed by the print server via a print server managing distributed printing.

As an example of the first distributed printing method, an information processing apparatus divides print data over a plurality of pages and allocates the divided print data to a plurality of printing apparatuses, and distributes the allocated print data to the plurality of printing apparatuses. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-01634 discloses a printing system for reducing printing time.
It is described in 4. Also, as an example of the second distributed printing method, in response to a print request accompanied by designation of a print specification from a terminal device, the distributed print management server selects and prints a printing device that conforms to the print specification. As a result, a printing system aiming at improving the usability of the user is disclosed in
07-072993.

[0005]

However, the information processing apparatus of the printing system described above separates the first and second distributed printing methods having different advantages for each print document (document file) to perform distributed printing. When executing, the user of the information processing apparatus has to select any one of the distributed printing methods.
Therefore, when the user of the information processing apparatus selects one of the distributed printing methods, the user has to consider and select the contents of the print document for each print document, which is very troublesome. was there.

In addition, the user of the information processing apparatus can
Since any one of the distributed printing methods is selected in consideration of the content of the print document and the distributed printing is performed, there is a problem that a distributed printing method suitable for the print document cannot always be selected.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and a user who requests output of an image related to print data does not select a distributed output method, but based on the request of the user. It is an object of the present invention to accurately select a distributed output method according to print data, and to easily execute distributed output.

[0008]

An information processing system according to the present invention comprises: an information processing apparatus which requests output of an image relating to print data; and the print data which is formed and supplied to a first image output apparatus group. And a plurality of image outputs different from the plurality of image output devices that form and output a second image output device group according to the print data that are distributed and output. An information processing system in which a device and a print server for supplying the print data to a plurality of image output devices forming the second image output device group are connected via a network; First distributed output processing means for supplying the print data to a plurality of image output devices forming an image output device group, and a plurality of second image output device groups forming the second image output device group via the print server A second distributed output processing unit for supplying the print data to the image output device; and a first distributed output processing unit or a second distributed print processing unit based on the output setting information of the print data. Distributed output control means for determining whether to perform distributed output processing using distributed output processing means.

Another feature of the information processing system of the present invention is that the distributed output control means includes: setting information input means for inputting the output setting information; and the output setting information and the distributed processing means to be used. Storage means for storing the correspondence between the two, and the output setting information input by the setting information input means, and the distributed output processing means used for the distributed output processing based on the correspondence stored in the storage means. And output destination determining means for determining Another feature of the information processing system of the present invention is that the setting input means includes a display means for displaying a print setting screen for inputting the output setting information.

Another feature of the information processing system of the present invention is that the output setting information includes information for setting whether or not to output a large number of copies of the image relating to the print data. When the setting to output a large number of copies is made, the distributed output control means sends the second output to the distributed output processing means used for the distributed output processing.
Is determined.

According to another feature of the information processing system of the present invention, the output setting information includes information for setting whether or not to prioritize an output speed of an image relating to the print data, When the setting of giving priority to the output speed is performed by the information, the distributed output control means determines the first distributed output processing means as the distributed output processing means used for the distributed output processing. .

Another feature of the information processing system of the present invention is that the output setting information includes information for setting whether or not to save the print data, and the print data is saved according to the output setting information. When the setting is performed, the distributed output control means determines the second distributed output processing means as the distributed output processing means used for the distributed output processing. Another feature of the information processing system of the present invention is that the print server includes a storage unit that stores the print data.

Another feature of the information processing system of the present invention is that the first image output device group and the second image
The plurality of image output devices forming the image output device group include a black-and-white image output device that outputs a black-and-white image and a color image output device that outputs a color image.
Wherein the distributed output processing means and the second distributed output processing means cut and output the print data to the monochrome image output device and the color image output device in page units.

Other features of the information processing system of the present invention include an information processing apparatus that requests output of an image relating to print data, a monochrome image output apparatus that outputs a monochrome image, and a color image output apparatus. An information processing system in which a color image output device that performs printing and a print server that controls output of an image related to print data by the monochrome image output device and the color image output device are connected via a network. And a first distributed output processing means for outputting the print data in page units to the color image output apparatus, and the monochrome image on which print data is output by the first distributed output processing means via the print server. The output data and the color image output device are different from each other in the black-and-white image output device and the color image output device. Second distributed output processing means for outputting in a unit of image, display means for displaying a print setting screen for inputting output setting information for performing various settings in outputting an image related to the print data, and output setting information A storage storing information and a correspondence relationship between which one of the first distributed output processing means and the second distributed output processing means is used to perform distributed output processing on the image relating to the print data. Means, and output destination determination means for determining the distributed output processing means to be used in the distributed output processing by referring to the output setting information and the storage means.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus for requesting an output of an image relating to print data and controlling the distributed output of the print data. The information processing apparatus forms and supplies a first image output apparatus group. A first distributed output processing unit that supplies the print data to a plurality of image output devices that dispersedly output an image related to the print data, and a second image output device group that forms and supplies the print data. A second distributed output processing unit that supplies the print data to a plurality of image output devices different from the plurality of image output devices that output the images in a distributed manner via a print server, based on the output setting information of the print data Distributed output control means for determining which one of the first distributed output processing means and the second distributed print processing means to perform the distributed output processing. It is characterized in.

According to another feature of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the distributed output control means includes: setting information input means for inputting the output setting information; and the output setting information and the distributed processing means to be used. Storage means for storing the correspondence between the two, and the output setting information input by the setting information input means, and the distributed output processing means used for the distributed output processing based on the correspondence stored in the storage means. And output destination determining means for determining
Other features of the information processing apparatus of the present invention include:
The setting input means includes a display means for displaying a print setting screen for inputting the output setting information.

Another feature of the information processing apparatus of the present invention is that the output setting information includes information for setting whether or not to output a large number of copies of the image related to the print data, When the setting to output a large number of copies is made, the distributed output control means determines the second distributed output processing means as the distributed output processing means used for the distributed output processing.

According to another feature of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the output setting information includes information for setting whether to give priority to an output speed of an image related to the print data, When the setting to give priority to the output speed is performed according to the information, the distributed output control means sends the first output to the distributed output processing means used for the distributed output processing.
Is determined.

Another feature of the information processing apparatus of the present invention is that the output setting information includes information for setting whether or not the print data is stored, and the print data is stored based on the output setting information. When the setting is performed, the distributed output control means determines the second distributed output processing means as the distributed output processing means used for the distributed output processing.

Another feature of the information processing apparatus of the present invention is that the plurality of image output devices forming the first image output device group and the second image output device group are configured to output a monochrome image. An image output device, and a color image output device that outputs a color image, wherein the first distributed output processing unit and the second distributed output processing unit include:
The print data is divided into pages and output to the monochrome image output device and the color image output device.

Another feature of the information processing apparatus of the present invention is an information processing apparatus which requests output of an image relating to print data and controls the distributed output of the print data. And outputting the print data to the color image output device in units of pages.
The black-and-white image output device and the color image output device are respectively different from the monochrome image output device and the color image output device to which the print data is output by the first distributed output processing device. A second distributed output processing unit that outputs the print data in units of pages via the printer, and a print setting screen for inputting output setting information for performing various settings in outputting an image related to the print data. Display means, the output setting information, and which one of the first distributed output processing means and the second distributed output processing means is used to perform distributed output processing on the image relating to the print data. Storage means for storing the correspondence relationship between the output setting information and the storage means, and the output destination determining means for determining the distributed output processing means to be used for the distributed output processing. Characterized in that it comprises a means.

A distributed output control method according to the present invention is a distributed output control method for controlling the distributed output of an image relating to print data. The distributed output control method relates to the print data supplied based on the output setting information of the print data. A first image output device group formed by a plurality of image output devices that output images in a distributed manner, and a plurality of image output devices different from the plurality of image output devices that output images related to the print data supplied via a print server in a distributed manner Of the second image output device group formed by the image output devices of the above, which image output device group is to output the image related to the print data in a distributed manner, and supplies the print data to the determined image output device group. It is characterized by the following.

Another feature of the distributed output control method according to the present invention is that the storage device further comprises a storage unit for storing a correspondence between the output setting information and the image output device group for supplying the print data. Based on the output setting information of
When determining the image output device group that supplies the print data, the output setting information is input, and based on the input output setting information and the correspondence stored in the storage unit, the print data is output. The above-mentioned image output device group for supplying the image data is determined. Another feature of the distributed output control method of the present invention is that a print setting screen for inputting the output setting information is displayed.

Another feature of the distributed output control method of the present invention is that the output setting information includes information for setting whether or not to output a large number of copies of the image relating to the print data, When the setting to output a large number of copies is made based on the information, the print data is supplied to the second image output device group.

Another feature of the distributed output control method of the present invention is that the output setting information includes information for setting whether or not to prioritize an output speed of an image relating to the print data, The print data is supplied to the first image output device group when the setting for giving priority to the output speed is performed by the setting information.

Another feature of the distributed output control method according to the present invention is that the output setting information includes information for setting whether or not to save the print data, and the print data is stored in accordance with the output setting information. When the setting for saving is made, the print data is supplied to the second image output device group.

Another feature of the distributed output control method of the present invention is that the first image output device group and the second image output device group
The plurality of image output devices forming the image output device group include a black-and-white image output device that outputs a black-and-white image and a color image output device that outputs a color image.
When supplying the print data to the image output device group and the second image output device group, the print data is cut and output in page units to the monochrome image output device and the color image output device. .

A computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention is characterized in that a program for causing a computer to function as each of the above means is recorded. Another feature of the computer-readable recording medium of the present invention is that a program for causing a computer to execute the procedure of the distributed output control method is recorded.

[0029]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a distributed printing system to which the information processing system according to the present embodiment is applied.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a PDL of an output image.
Host computer for outputting data, 102, 104
Is a black and white printer that outputs a black and white image, and 103 and 105 are color printers that output a color image. A print server 106 controls distributed printing by the monochrome printer 104 and the color printer 105, and a LAN 107
(Local Area Network).

The monochrome printer 102 and the color printer 103 are provided with a PDL (Page Description L) supplied from the host computer 101 via the network 107.
The printer is provided with a raster image processor (RIP: Raster Image Processor) for generating raster image data as bitmap data from anguage (page description language) data. Therefore, when an image relating to PDL data supplied from the host computer 101 is output by the monochrome printer 102 and the color printer 103, the PDL data distributed and supplied to each printer is subjected to rasterization processing by the respective printers 102 and 103. Is performed, an image related to the PDL data can be output at high speed.

On the other hand, the monochrome printer 104 and the color printer 105 receive the raster image data generated by the raster image processor (RIP) in the print server 106 and output an image related to the raster image data. Therefore, the image relating to the PDL data supplied from the host computer 101 via the print server 106 is transferred to the monochrome printer 104 and the color printer 1.
In the case of output by the printer 05, the PDL data is rasterized in the print server 106, so that the output speed is lower than in the case of output by the printers 102 and 103.

However, the PDL data supplied from the host computer 101 can be held in the print server 106, and when it is necessary to print a large number of images related to the PDL data or when the PDL data is frequently used. PDL data, and has an advantage when it is necessary to reprint it later.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the host computer 101 and the monochrome printer 102 according to the present embodiment. First, the hardware configuration of the host computer 101 will be described. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU, which is a program ROM 203-2 in the ROM 203 or the external storage device 2;
Based on the document processing program and the like stored in 09, document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets and the like) are mixed is executed. Further, the CPU 201 generally controls each device connected to the system bus 211.

The ROM 203 is a font ROM 2
03-1, a program ROM 203-2 and a data ROM 203-3. The font ROM 203-1 stores font data and the like used in the document processing, and stores the program ROM 203-1.
-2 stores an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as “OS”) which is a control program of the CPU 201 and the like.

The data ROM 203-3 is
Various data used when performing the above-described document processing and the like are stored. The font data, the OS, the data, and the like stored in the font ROM 203-1, the program ROM 203-2, and the data ROM 203-3 may be stored in the external storage device 209.

Reference numeral 202 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 201. Reference numeral 204 denotes a keyboard controller (KBC),
5 and a key input from a pointing device (not shown). 206 is a CRT controller (CRTC)
And controls display on a CRT display device (CRT) 207.

Reference numeral 208 denotes a disk controller (DKC)
And controls access to an external storage device 209 such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD). The external storage device 209 includes a boot program, various applications, font data,
A user file, an edit file, a printer control command generation program (hereinafter, referred to as “printer driver”), and an output printer control manager (hereinafter, “printer driver”) that controls which printer (printer driver) outputs print data (PDL data). , "Distributed print manager").

Reference numeral 210 denotes a printer controller (PRT)
C), and is connected to the monochrome printer 102 via the network 107. The PRTC 210 executes a communication control process with the monochrome printer 102, and transfers the distributed print data (PDL data) to the monochrome printer 102.
Or to supply.

The CPU 201 stores, for example, data obtained by subjecting print data (PDL data) to rasterizing processing such as development of an outline font to the RAM.
The information is written in the display information RAM provided in the memory 202. As a result, WYSIWY can output an image displayed on the CRT 207 as it is from the printer.
G is possible.

The CPU 201 starts an application registered in advance based on a command specified by a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 207, opens various windows, and executes various data processing. Further, when executing printing by the printer, the user of the host computer 101 can open a window relating to print settings, and can set print processing methods for the distributed print manager and the printer driver, including printer settings and print mode selection. .

Next, the hardware configuration of the monochrome printer 102 will be described. Reference numeral 221 denotes a printer CPU, which is a printing unit (printer engine) connected to the system bus 230 via a printing unit interface 224 based on a control program or the like stored in the program ROM 223-2 in the ROM 223 or the external memory 227. An image signal 225 is output as output information. The CPU 221 includes an input unit 228, a network 10
Communication processing with the host computer 101 is possible via the printer 7 and information and the like in the printer can be notified to the host computer 101.

The ROM 223 is a font ROM 2
23-1, a program ROM 223-2 and a data ROM 223-3. The font ROM 223-1 stores font data used when generating the output information, and stores the program ROM.
223-2 stores a control program of the CPU 221 and the like. The data ROM 223-3 stores information used on the host computer 101 in the case of a printer having no external memory 227 such as a hard disk.

Reference numeral 222 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 221, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM or the like connected to an additional port (not shown). The RAM 222 is used for an output information development area, an environment data storage area, and the like.

Reference numeral 226 denotes a memory controller (MC) which controls access to an external memory 227 such as a hard disk (HD) or an IC card. The external memory 22
Reference numeral 7 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like.

The number of the external memory 227 is not limited to one, and at least one external memory 227 is provided. In addition to the built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different languages are connected. It may be configured to be able to do so.

The input unit 228 is connected to the monochrome printer 102 via the network 107, and print data (PDL) supplied from the host computer 101.
Data). The operation panel 229 includes switches for operation, an LED display, and the like.

The black-and-white printer 104 has the same configuration, and the color printers 103 and 105 have the same configuration as the black-and-white printer 102 except that they process color images according to the supplied print data. Also,
The input unit 105 of the black-and-white printer 104 and the color printer 105 receives raster image data generated by the rasterizing process in the printer server 106 as print data.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printing process in the host computer 101 in the distributed printing system shown in FIG. 3, an application 301, a graphic engine 302, a distributed print manager 303, a first printer driver 304, a second printer driver 305, a first system spooler 30
6 and the second system spooler 307 are program modules that exist as files stored in the external storage device 209 and, when executed, are loaded into the RAM 202 and executed by the OS or a module using the module.

An application 301 for executing document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets and the like) are mixed is stored in the external storage device 209, and is stored in the RA.
M202 is loaded and executed. When the print document created by the application 301 is output to the printers 102 to 105, the application 301
Supplies the print data of the print document and the output setting information of the print data to the distributed print manager 303 via the graphic engine 302.

The distributed print manager 303 to which the print data is supplied controls the distributed printing method based on the output setting information, and transmits the print data to any one of the first and second printer drivers 304 and 305. Determine whether to output to That is, the print document related to the print data is transferred to the monochrome printer 102.
And output using the color printer 103 or the black and white printer 104 and the color printer 105 via the print server 106.

When the print document relating to the print data is output using the monochrome printer 102 and the color printer 103, the print data is output to the first printer driver 304 by the distributed print manager 303. Further, the print data is converted into a print control command corresponding to the monochrome printer 102 and the color printer 103 by the first printer driver 304, and then transmitted to the monochrome printer 102 and the color printer 103 via the first system spooler 306. Supplied. Thereby, the monochrome printer 10
2 and the color printer 103 output a print document.

When a print document relating to the print data is output using the monochrome printer 104 and the color printer 105 via the print server 106, the print data is transmitted to the second printer driver 305 by the distributed print manager 303. Is output to Further, the print data is converted by the second printer driver 305 into print control commands corresponding to the print server 106 to which the monochrome printer 104 and the color printer 105 are connected, and then printed via the second system spooler 307. The data is supplied to the server 106.

The print control command supplied to the print server 106 is subjected to predetermined processing such as rasterizing processing by the print server 106,
And supplied to the color printer 105. Thus, a print document is output from the monochrome printer 104 and the color printer 105.

Note that the application 301, the distributed print manager 303, and the first and second printer drivers 304 and 305 are stored in the FD of the external storage device 209.
Or a CD-ROM (not shown) or the network 10
7 can be added to the HD of the external storage device 209.

Here, the distributed print manager 303
Is stored in the external storage device 2 by the graphic engine 302.
09 and loaded into the RAM 202, and further provided with the first and second printer drivers 30 prepared for each printer.
4 and 305 are loaded from the external storage device 209 to the RAM 202 by the distributed print manager 303 and executed. Also, the first and second system spoolers 3
06 and 307 are loaded into the RAM 202 and executed by the OS.

FIG. 4 shows the distributed print manager 3 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the third embodiment. The distributed print manager 303 is stored in the external storage device 209 of the host computer 101 and supplies a print job from an application via the graphic engine 302 to the first and second printer drivers 304 and 305.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 401 denotes a user interface display unit, which displays a user interface (display screen) as shown in FIG. 5 for the user to make various settings relating to the output of a print document. The settings relating to the output of the print document include a copy number priority, a print speed priority, a setting as to whether the document is to be reprinted later, and the like.

FIG. 5 shows the user interface display unit 4.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface 500 displayed by 01. In FIG. 5, a check box 501 is set (checked) when the print speed is prioritized, and a check box 502 is set (checked) when printing a large number of copies. Also, 503 is used after printing and after reprinting.
This is a check box for setting (checking) when saving printer data. Reference numeral 504 denotes an “OK” button. After setting (checking) a check box corresponding to an item to be set, the item set by the user pressing the “OK” button outputs output setting information (priority / setting Value).

Referring back to FIG. 4, reference numeral 402 denotes a user interface displayed by the user interface display unit 401, and output setting information (priority / set value) set by the user and a distributed printing method to be executed (output destination printer driver). Is a table as shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a table describing correspondence information between output setting information (priority / set value) set by the user and a distributed printing method to be executed (output destination printer driver). . As shown in FIG. 6, the table 402 includes the setting items 60 in the user interface.
1 is a data table storing a correspondence relationship between a prefix indicating output setting information and a distributed printing method (output destination printer driver) 602 to be executed according to a setting item set by a user. The table 402 is a matrix-like data table of setting items 601 and a distributed printing method (output destination printer driver) 602 to be executed. The setting item 601 indicates a distributed printing method (first and second output destinations). The printer driver 304, 305) 602 can be uniquely acquired.

Returning to FIG. 4, reference numeral 403 refers to the above-described table 402 shown in FIG. 6, and controls the output method of distributed printing. One of the first and second printer drivers 304 and 305 is used as an output destination printer driver. Is an output control unit that selects and determines

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of the user interface 700 displayed by the first printer driver 304. The user can use the user interface 700 to change the monochrome printer 102 according to the configuration of one print document created by the application.
, And the color printer 103 can be used to print the print document by separating it into pages.

More specifically, when printing a print document in which black-and-white pages and color pages are mixed, the user sets the page number of the color page in the color page number setting field 701, and further sets a check box 702. 703 is used to set the output destination printer.
When the user presses an “OK” button 704 after setting predetermined items, the monochrome page of the print document is printed by the monochrome printer 102, and the color page is printed by the color printer 103.

Therefore, by printing the black and white page and the color page of the print document using the black and white printer 102 and the color printer 103, respectively,
The user prints (prints) with the color printer 103
The number of sheets can be reduced, and cost can be reduced.

As described above, the monochrome printer 102
And a color printer 103 that generates raster image data from PDL data.
(IP) are provided in the printers, and the rasterization process is performed separately for each printer, so that printing using the first printer driver 304 can be executed at high speed.

FIG. 8 shows the print server 10 shown in FIG.
6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of FIG. In FIG. 8, 80
Reference numeral 1 denotes a network interface unit, which is an interface with the network 107 to which the host computer 101 is connected. The network interface unit 801 receives a print job transmitted from the host computer 101 via the network 107.

An input job management unit 802 manages a print job transmitted from the host computer 101 and received by the network interface unit 801. Reference numeral 803 denotes a raster image processor (RI
P) unit, which generates raster image data from PDL data supplied from the host computer 101 via the network 107 and the network interface unit 801.

A print job conversion unit 804 determines the output destination of the print job from the monochrome printer 104 and the color printer 105, and converts the print job format according to the determined output destination. Reference numeral 805 denotes an output job management unit.
4 manages the print job output to the monochrome printer 104 and the color printer 105 after being converted.

An output device interface 806 controls the interface between the monochrome printer 104 and the color printer 105. For example, the output device interface unit 806 transmits the print job output from the output job management unit 805 to the monochrome printer 1.
04 and the color printer 105. 8
A print job storage unit 07 stores PDL data supplied from the host computer 101, a print job, and the like.

As described above, the host computer 10
When the print data supplied from the application 301 is printed by the monochrome printer 104 and the color printer 105 via the print server 106, the print data is output using a raster image processor (RIP) 803 in the print server 106. (PDL
), The printing speed is inferior.

However, the host computer 10 is stored in the print job storage unit 807 in the print server 106.
1 can be stored. Therefore, there is an advantage when it is necessary to print a large number of images related to the print data or when the print data is frequently used print data and needs to be reprinted later.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a distributed printing control operation by the distributed printing system of the present embodiment. First, in step S901, the distributed print manager 303
5 displays the user interface 500 shown in FIG. 5 on the CRT 207.
The user of the host computer 101 requesting the printing of the print document sets output setting information (priority / setting value) related to printing using the user interface 500 displayed on the CRT 207.

Next, in step S 902, the distributed print manager 303 determines whether or not the print speed has been prioritized based on the output setting information set in step S 901. If the result of the above determination is that print speed has been prioritized, processing proceeds to step S906.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S902,
If the setting for giving priority to the print speed has not been made, it is determined in step S903 whether or not the setting for printing a large number of copies has been made based on the set output setting information. If the result of the determination is that a setting has been made to print a large number of copies, step S905
Then, based on the output setting information which has been set, it is determined whether or not the setting for storing the print data has been made.

If the result of determination in step S905 is that print data saving settings have been made,
Proceed to step S907. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S905 is that setting for saving print data has not been made, processing proceeds to step S908.

Also, as a result of the determination in step S903,
If the setting for printing a large number of copies has not been made in the output setting information, it is determined in step S904 whether or not the setting for saving the print data has been made based on the further set output setting information. .

If the result of determination in step S904 is that print data saving settings have been made,
Proceed to step S907. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S904, if the setting to save the print data has not been made, the process proceeds to step S906.

Step S906 proceeds if the output setting information has been set to give priority to print speed, or if none of print speed priority, printing of a large number of copies, and storage of print data have been set.
The printer driver of the output destination is determined with reference to the table 402 shown in FIG. This step S906 is
Since this is a step to proceed when neither the print speed is prioritized nor the output setting information is set,
The output control unit 403 in the distributed print manager 303
Printer driver 304 is selected and determined. And
The distributed print manager 303 supplies print data to the determined first printer driver 304.

Next, in step S 909, the first printer driver 304 sends the first system spooler 306
The print control command converted from the print data is transmitted to the monochrome printer 102 and the color printer 103 via the
To execute the distributed printing, and terminate the processing.

Step S9 to proceed when at least print data is set to be stored in the output setting information
At 07, the output control unit 403 executes the processing in step S90 described above.
6, the second printer driver 3 as an output destination printer driver with reference to the table 402 shown in FIG.
05 is selected and determined. And the distributed print manager 3
03 supplies print data to the determined second printer driver 305, and instructs to save the supplied print data.

Next, in step S 910, the second printer driver 305 sends the second system spooler 307
, The print control command obtained by converting the print data is supplied to the print server 106. Further, the printer server 106 stores the supplied print data in the print job storage unit 807 and supplies the print data to the monochrome printer 104 and the color printer 105 to execute distributed printing and terminate the processing.

In step S908, the process proceeds when the setting for printing a large number of copies is made in the output setting information and the setting for saving the print data is not made, the output control unit 403 performs the same processing as in step S906 described above. To
The second printer driver 305 is selected and determined as the output destination printer driver with reference to the table 402 shown in FIG. Then, the distributed print manager 303 supplies print data to the determined second printer driver 305. At this time, the distributed print manager 303 does not instruct to save the print data because the setting to save the print data has not been made.

Next, in step S 910, the second printer driver 305 causes the second system spooler 307
, The print control command obtained by converting the print data is supplied to the print server 106. Further, the printer server 106 executes the distributed printing by supplying the supplied print data to the monochrome printer 104 and the color printer 105, and ends the processing.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the first printer driver 304 that supplies print data to the monochrome printer 102 and the color printer 103 that distributes and outputs an image related to print data, and the print server 106 And a second printer driver 305 for supplying print data to the monochrome printer 104 and the color printer 105 for dispersively outputting an image relating to the print data via the printer driver 305 and the output setting information set by using the user interface 500. A distributed print manager 303 is provided, which selects and determines which of the first printer driver 304 and the second printer driver 305 is to be used to perform distributed output processing of print data by the printers 102 to 105. Print de Without the user requesting the output of the image according to the data to select whether the distributed printing using any of the printer driver 304, the printer driver 304 for distributing output based on the output setting information,
305 can be automatically selected.

Thus, the printer drivers 304 and 305 and the printers 102 to 1 corresponding to the print data are provided.
05 can be properly selected to easily execute distributed output.

A table 40 storing a user interface 500 for inputting output setting information and a correspondence between the output setting information and the distributed printing method to be executed.
2 and the output setting information input using the user interface 500 and the table 402,
Since the output control unit 403 for selecting and determining the printer drivers 304 and 305 for distributed output is provided, the printer drivers 304 and 305 according to the print data can be selected more accurately.

A monochrome printer 102 and a color printer 103 are provided, and a color page number setting field and a user interface 70 for selecting a printer are provided.
Since 0 is used, it is necessary to print out a print document by separating the black-and-white printer 102 and the color printer 103 into page units according to the configuration content of a print document in which black-and-white pages and color pages created by an application are mixed. Can be.

(Other Embodiments of the Present Invention) In order to operate various devices to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, an apparatus connected to the various devices or a computer in a system is connected to the above-described embodiment. Supply the software program code to realize the functions of
The present invention also includes those implemented by operating the various devices according to a program stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus.

In this case, the program code of the software implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to a computer are provided.
For example, a recording medium storing such a program code constitutes the present invention. As a recording medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM,
CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M or the like can be used.

The computer executes the supplied program code, not only to realize the functions of the above-described embodiment, but also to execute the program code on an operating system (OS) or another operating system running on the computer. Needless to say, even when the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized in cooperation with application software and the like, such program codes are included in the embodiments of the present invention.

Further, after the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided in a function expansion board of a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or the function expansion unit is specified based on the instruction of the program code. It is needless to say that the present invention also includes a case where the CPU or the like provided in the first embodiment performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0093]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A first image output device group that distributes and outputs an image related to the supplied print data based on output setting information of the print data, and a distributed output of the image related to the print data supplied via a print server It is determined which image output device group of the second image output device group outputs the image related to the print data in a distributed manner, and the print data is supplied to a plurality of image output devices forming the determined image output device group. I do.

Thus, the user who requests the output of the image related to the print data can be selected without selecting the distributed output method.
The distributed output method can be automatically selected based on the output setting information, and the distributed output method can be appropriately selected according to the print data to easily execute the distributed output.

Further, a storage means for storing the correspondence between the output setting information and the image output apparatus group for supplying the print data is provided, the output setting information is input, and the input output setting information and the storage means are stored in the storage means. In the case where the image output device group that supplies the print data is determined based on the stored correspondence, the distributed output method according to the print data is more accurately selected, and the distributed output is performed. Can be easily implemented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a distributed printing system to which an information processing system according to an embodiment is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a host computer 101 and a monochrome printer 102 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of print processing in a host computer 101 in the distributed printing system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a distributed print manager 303 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface 500 displayed by a user interface display unit 401.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table describing correspondence information between output setting information and a distributed printing method to be executed;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a user interface 700 displayed by a first printer driver 304.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print server 106 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a distributed printing control operation performed by the distributed printing system according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Host Computer 102, 104 Monochrome Printer 103, 105 Color Printer 106 Print Server 107 Network 301 Application 302 Graphic Engine 303 Distributed Print Manager 304 First Printer Driver 305 Second Printer Driver 306 First System Spooler 307 Second System spooler

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AR01 AS02 HH03 HH13 HK03 HK14 HQ03 HQ17 HR07 HR08 2C087 AA11 AA15 AB05 AB08 BA01 BA02 BA03 BA05 BA11 BA14 BD11 CA05 CB13 2C187 AE11 5B021 AA04 BB01 BB01

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus that requests output of an image related to print data, and a plurality of image output apparatuses that form a first image output apparatus group and distribute and output the image related to the print data supplied And a plurality of image output devices different from the plurality of image output devices that form and supply a second image output device group and distribute and output images related to the print data, and the second image output device group. An information processing system in which a print server for supplying the print data to a plurality of image output devices to be formed is connected via a network, and the plurality of image output devices forming the first image output device group A first distributed output processing unit that supplies the print data to the plurality of image output devices forming the second image output device group via the print server. Based on the output setting information of the print data, using any one of the first distributed output processing means and the second distributed print processing means to perform the distributed output processing. An information processing system comprising: a distributed output control unit that determines whether to perform the processing. 2. The distributed output control means includes: setting information input means for inputting the output setting information; storage means for storing a correspondence relationship between the output setting information and the distributed processing means to be used; Output destination determining means for determining distributed output processing means to be used for the distributed output processing based on output setting information input by the input means and the correspondence stored in the storage means. The information processing system according to claim 1. 3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein said setting input means includes a display means for displaying a print setting screen for inputting said output setting information. 4. The output setting information includes information for setting whether or not to output a large number of copies of the image relating to the print data. When the setting for outputting a large number of copies is performed by the output setting information, The distributed output control means determines the second distributed output processing means as the distributed output processing means used for the distributed output processing.
An information processing system according to item 1. 5. The output setting information includes information for setting whether to give priority to an output speed of an image relating to the print data, and the output setting information is set to give priority to the output speed. Sometimes, the distributed output control means includes:
4. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the first distributed output processing means is determined as the distributed output processing means used for the distributed output processing. 6. The output setting information includes information for setting whether or not to save the print data. When the setting for saving print data is made by the output setting information, the distributed output control is performed. 4. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the means determines the second distributed output processing means as the distributed output processing means used for the distributed output processing. 7. The print server according to claim 6, wherein the print server includes a storage unit configured to store the print data.
An information processing system according to item 1. 8. A plurality of image output devices forming the first image output device group and the second image output device group are a black and white image output device for outputting a black and white image, and a color image output for outputting a color image. Wherein the first distributed output processing means and the second distributed output processing means cut and output the print data to the monochrome image output apparatus and the color image output apparatus in page units. The information processing system according to claim 1. 9. An information processing apparatus that requests output of an image related to print data, a monochrome image output apparatus that outputs a monochrome image, a color image output apparatus that outputs a color image,
An information processing system in which a print server that controls output of an image related to print data by a monochrome image output device and a color image output device is connected via a network, wherein the monochrome image output device and the color image output device include First distributed output processing means for outputting print data in units of pages, and the black-and-white image output apparatus and the color image output apparatus for outputting print data by the first distributed output processing means via the print server A second distributed output processing means for separately outputting the print data in page units to the black-and-white image output device and the color image output device which are different from each other; and output settings for performing various settings in outputting an image related to the print data. Display means for displaying a print setting screen for inputting information, the output setting information, and the first distributed output A storage unit that stores a correspondence relationship between which one of the distributed processing unit and the second distributed output processing unit is used to perform distributed output processing on the image related to the print data; and An information processing system comprising: an output destination determining unit that determines a distributed output processing unit to be used for the distributed output process by referring to the storage unit. 10. An information processing apparatus for requesting output of an image relating to print data and controlling distributed output of the print data, the information processing apparatus comprising: a first image output device group; First distributed output processing means for supplying the print data to a plurality of image output devices for distributed output of images, and a second image output device group for forming and outputting a distributed image of the supplied print data. Second distributed output processing means for supplying the print data to a plurality of image output devices different from the plurality of image output devices via a print server; and the first distributed output processing unit based on the output setting information of the print data. An output processing unit, and a distributed output control unit that determines which of the distributed output processing units of the second distributed printing processing unit is to be used to perform the distributed output processing. Information processing device. 11. The distributed output control means includes: setting information input means for inputting the output setting information; storage means for storing the correspondence between the output setting information and the distributed processing means to be used; Output destination determining means for determining distributed output processing means to be used for the distributed output processing based on output setting information input by the input means and the correspondence stored in the storage means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said setting input means includes a display means for displaying a print setting screen for inputting said output setting information. 13. The output setting information includes information for setting whether or not to output a large number of copies of the image related to the print data, and when the setting for outputting a large number of copies is performed by the output setting information, The distributed output control means includes a second distributed output processing means for use in the distributed output processing.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the distributed output processing means is determined. 14. The output setting information includes information for setting whether or not to prioritize an output speed of an image related to the print data, and a setting for giving priority to an output speed is performed by the output setting information. 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the distributed output control means determines the first distributed output processing means as the distributed output processing means used for the distributed output processing. 15. The output setting information includes information for setting whether or not to save the print data. When the setting for saving print data is made by the output setting information, the distributed output control is performed. 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the means determines the second distributed output processing means as the distributed output processing means used for the distributed output processing. 16. The first image output device group and the second image output device group
The plurality of image output devices forming the image output device group include a black-and-white image output device that outputs a black-and-white image, and a color image output device that outputs a color image, respectively. The information according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the second distributed output processing means outputs the print data to the monochrome image output device and the color image output device by separating the print data in page units. Processing equipment. 17. An information processing apparatus for requesting output of an image related to print data and controlling distributed output of the print data, wherein the print data is sent to the monochrome image output apparatus and the color image output apparatus in page units. First distributed output processing means for separately outputting the monochrome image output apparatus and color image output apparatus, wherein the monochrome image output apparatus and the color image output apparatus to which the print data is output by the first distributed output processing means are respectively different Second distributed output processing means for outputting the print data in page units to the image output device via the print server, and inputting output setting information for performing various settings in outputting an image related to the print data. Display means for displaying a print setting screen; output setting information; and information on the first distributed output processing means and the second distributed output processing means. Storage means for storing the correspondence of whether the image relating to the print data is to be subjected to the distributed output processing using the distributed output processing means, and the output setting information and the storage means are referred to and used for the distributed output processing. An information processing apparatus comprising: an output destination determining unit that determines a distributed output processing unit. 18. A distributed output control method for controlling distributed output of an image related to print data, the method comprising: distributing and outputting an image related to the supplied print data based on output setting information of the print data. A first image output device group formed by an image output device and a plurality of image output devices different from the plurality of image output devices for dispersively outputting an image related to the print data supplied via a print server. Determining which image output device group of the second image output device group outputs the image related to the print data in a distributed manner, and supplying the print data to the determined image output device group. Control method. 19. A storage unit for storing a correspondence between the output setting information and the image output device group that supplies the print data, and supplies the print data based on the output setting information of the print data. When determining the image output device group, input the output setting information, based on the input output setting information and the correspondence stored in the storage means,
19. The distributed output control method according to claim 18, wherein the image output device group that supplies the print data is determined. 20. The distributed output control method according to claim 19, wherein a print setting screen for inputting the output setting information is displayed. 21. The output setting information includes information for setting whether or not to output a large number of copies of the image related to the print data, and when the setting for outputting a large number of copies is performed by the output setting information, 21. The print data is supplied to the second image output device group.
3. The distributed output control method according to 1. 22. The output setting information includes information for setting whether or not to prioritize the output speed of the image related to the print data, and the setting for giving priority to the output speed is performed by the output setting information. 21. The distributed output control method according to claim 20, wherein the print data is supplied to the first image output device group. 23. The output setting information includes information for setting whether or not to save the print data, and when the setting for saving print data is made by the output setting information, the second 21. The distributed output control method according to claim 20, wherein the print data is supplied to a group of image output devices. 24. The first image output device group and the second image output device group.
The plurality of image output devices forming the image output device group include a black-and-white image output device that outputs a black-and-white image, and a color image output device that outputs a color image, respectively. 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein when the print data is supplied to a second image output device group, the print data is divided into pages and output to the monochrome image output device and the color image output device.
24. The distributed output control method according to any one of 23. 25. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means according to claim 1. Description: 26. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the processing procedure of the distributed output control method according to claim 18 is recorded.