JP2002366331A - Storage type printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] To provide a storage-type printing apparatus capable of efficiently performing print control on a queued document. SOLUTION: A printing apparatus 1 which is connected to terminals 2a, 2b, 2c via a communication network to form a system.
Reference numerals a and 1b enable printing and reprinting by accepting printing of a document in a format at the time of creation as a print request, and accumulate documents queued in the printing apparatus in a database. For example, an electronic document is printed in response to a print request input by a user. This print request is sent from the terminal 2. The document is on terminal 2
Are stored in the document database of the printing apparatus 1 and then printed. With this configuration, it is possible to efficiently perform print control on a queued document, to distribute the load of print processing when a plurality of printing apparatuses are available, and to improve the reliability of print processing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a storage type printing apparatus, and more particularly, to a storage type printing apparatus which receives a print of a document in a format at the time of creation as a print request, and performs printing and reprinting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a storage-type printing apparatus generally stores documents queued in the printing apparatus in a database.
When performing print control operations such as suspending or canceling printing, a method for specifying the document to be operated using a database query processing unit, and a load distribution and failure recovery for print processing using a database duplication processing unit Is applied and configured.

[0003] A conventional printing device such as a printer receives a document in a rasterized form from a terminal such as a personal computer and prints it. Alternatively, a document is received in a format according to a specific page description language such as PostScript, the printing device rasterizes the document, and then performs printing. In either case, the rasterized document is stored in the memory of the printing apparatus or in a spool on the hard disk, and is queued until the printer is ready for printing. If a failure such as a power failure occurs when there are queued documents,
Reads the document stored on the hard disk and re-enters the queue. At this time, for documents that were in the process of being printed, in order to avoid reprinting already printed pages,
The printed pages are recorded on the hard disk in advance, and after the failure recovery, pages other than the printed pages are printed.

[0004] Example 1 of the prior application similar to the present invention in the technical field
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-311074 discloses a “document printing method”. In the invention 1 of the prior application, in a conventional printer or printing system, when a document is stored by the printer,
Since the data is stored in the dot image format developed inside the printer, the reprinting performance is high, but the degree of freedom in editing is low, and the image quality deteriorates during editing.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-33505 of Invention Example 2 of the prior application
No. 9 “print system and printing apparatus”
It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing system and a printing apparatus that can easily realize a database and can easily reuse printed print data.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, since the content of the print request, the printing status, and the document to be printed are recorded in a simple manner in the memory or the hard disk of the printing apparatus, a temporary stop or the like is required. When performing a print control operation such as canceling, a document to be operated cannot be efficiently found.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the list of queued documents is composed of items such as the name of the user who issued the print request, the name of the document, the size of the document, and the printing status.
However, when there are many queued documents, when the printing device is shared by many users, especially when the printing request is issued by a user other than the user who issued the print request (such as the administrator of the printing device),
It is difficult to specify a document to be subjected to a print control operation only by a list of queued documents.

Further, in the prior art, a document queued in a printing device is transferred to another printing device,
No consideration is given to balancing the load of the printing process. Therefore, it is necessary for the user to manually use a plurality of printings.

In the prior art, no consideration is given to recovering a failure by transferring a document queued in a printing apparatus to another printing apparatus when the printing apparatus fails. Therefore, it is necessary for the user to manually issue the print request again.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-31 of the above-mentioned prior invention example 1
In the document printing method disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 1074, a document to be printed is not written in a listerized format (dot image format), but in a page description language (PDL).
By saving as a (document), we are trying to improve the degree of freedom of editing and solve the problem that the image quality deteriorates during editing. However, in this method, since the document is stored as a PDL document, it is very difficult to determine from the contents of the queued document whether the document is a target to be temporarily stopped or canceled.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. -335059 discloses a print system and a printing apparatus that print a document to be printed in a format in which the document was created.
(Print data), which is characterized in that the print system and the printing apparatus receive the input as input. However, although it is described that the print data is temporarily stored in the data buffer, the means for efficiently specifying the queued documents proposed in the present invention is not mentioned.

According to the present invention, firstly, the printing apparatus can efficiently control the printing of queued documents, and secondly, when a plurality of printing apparatuses are available, the load of the printing process is distributed. Thirdly, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage-type printing apparatus capable of improving the reliability of a printing process.

[0013]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage-type printing apparatus which receives a print of a document in a format at the time of creation as a print request.
Printing and reprinting are enabled, and the documents queued in the printing apparatus are stored in a database.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the storage-type printing apparatus uses a query processing means for a database to determine the name of the user who issued the print request, the name of the document, the print processing status, and the content of the document. The present invention is characterized in that it is possible to designate conditions and perform printing control of a queued document.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage-type printing apparatus which uses an index definition unit of a database to create an index for the contents of a document received as a print request, for example, a full-text index for a document queued. It is characterized in that information can be obtained at high speed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage type printing apparatus, wherein specific information relating to a queued document can be obtained by using a database inquiry processing means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the storage type printing apparatus, a part or the whole of the database storing the queued documents is transferred to another printing apparatus by using a database copy processing means, and the printing processing is performed. It is characterized in that the load can be distributed.

According to the storage type printing apparatus of the present invention, by using the database query processing means, it is possible to instruct in the above-mentioned duplication processing to specify a part of the database to be transferred when distributing the load. It is characterized by having.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the storage type printing apparatus, when the print processing means fails, part or all of the queued document is transferred to another printing apparatus by using the database copy processing means. Thus, the printing process can be continued.

In the storage type printing apparatus according to the present invention, by using the database inquiry processing means, in the above-mentioned duplication processing, it is possible to specify a part of the database to be transferred when the print processing means fails. It is characterized by the following.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of a storage type printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 to 3, there is shown one embodiment of a storage type printing apparatus according to the present invention.

The (storage type) printing apparatuses 1a and 1b of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are connected to terminals 2a, 2b and 2c via a communication network to form a system. The (storage type) printing device 1 shown in FIG. 2 includes an operation panel, a database device, a print processing device, a receiving device, a transmitting device, and a network interface card.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the terminal (apparatus) 2. In FIG. 3, the terminal 2 includes a keyboard, a pointing device, a display,
It has a PU, a memory, a hard disk, and a network interface card.

In the (storage type) printing apparatus 1 having the above configuration, the print request input means receives a print request. The print request data is data representing the content of the print request. The print result output means outputs a print result. The print result data is data representing a print result. The print processing means includes:
Print the document on paper in response to a print request. The reception processing means receives the print request. The transmission processing unit transmits the print request. The document file is a file representing a document created by a user using a word processor, spreadsheet software, or the like. The document database is a database for storing the setting of the printing method and the printing status together with the document file.

The database processing means inputs and outputs data to and from the document database. This means is realized by using a relational database management system.

The database query processing means is a component of the database processing means, and has a query language (for example,
SQL request is interpreted, and data control, data definition, and data operation for the document database are executed according to the contents of the request.

The database index definition means is a component of the database processing means, and defines an index for a specific column of the document database in response to a request from the database query processing means.

The database duplication processing means is a component of the database processing means, and transfers a part or all of the document database to another printing apparatus 1 in response to a request from the database inquiry processing means.

The hardware of the present invention is disclosed below (FIG. 1). FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a (storage type) printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the printing apparatus 1. The electronic document is printed according to the print request input by the user. The print request is sent from the terminal 2. The document is printed after the file stored in the terminal 2 is transferred and stored in the document database of the printing apparatus 1. After printing, the document is deleted from the document database according to the content of the print request.

The correspondence between the printing apparatus 1 and the configuration of the present invention is as follows. A print processing unit is mounted on the print processing device of the printing device 1. The reception processing unit is mounted on the reception device of the printing device 1. Transmission processing means is mounted on the communication device of the printing device 1. The database processing unit is mounted on the database device of the printing apparatus 1.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the terminal 2. This is a computer used by a user of the system to input a print request and check the printing status. In general, the terminal 2 is provided with a keyboard and a pointing device (for example, a mouse) for inputting a print request. Further, the terminal 2 is provided with a display for displaying a printing status. The terminal 2 has a CPU
, A memory, and a hard disk, and can execute a software program.

The correspondence between the terminal 2 and the configuration of the present invention is as follows. As software executed by the terminal 2, a print request input unit and a print result output unit are realized. A document file specified by the print request is stored in the hard disk of the terminal 2.

The above communication network includes the printing device 1,
This is a transmission path for connecting the terminal 2 and the server. It is generally realized by a cable, and the communication protocol is TCP /
IP is used. However, if the communication protocol between the terminal 2 and the server is not limited to the cable, the wireless LAN
Or a network using broadcast waves. In addition, this includes the case where the user connects to the Internet via a provider using a telephone line.

In the system having the above configuration, the user:
A print request is issued using the terminal 2. This print request
The print request is received by the print request processing unit of the terminal 2 and transmitted to the printing apparatus 1. The user checks the print result using the terminal 2. The print result is received from the printing device 1 and output by the print result output means of the terminal 2.
The print request is expressed by print request data, transmitted from the terminal 2, and received by the printing device 1. The print result is represented by print result data, transmitted from the printing device 1,
Received at.

There are the following six types of print request data. A) Print document input specifies a document to be printed and a printing method, and instructs the printing apparatus 1 to perform printing. As a typical example, it is conceivable to issue a print request for a document edited by a word processor by designating a printing method such as double-sided or reduced from a print dialog of the word processor. B) The print document acquisition acquires a document file corresponding to a specific document stored in the document database of the printing apparatus 1.

C) The print status display shows the print status of a specific document stored in the document database of the printing apparatus 1. The display contents include the identifier of the document, the name, the name of the user who made the print request, and the print processing status (waiting for printing, pausing, canceling, printing, printing completed, printing failure, etc.).
, The number of printed pages, and the contents of the document. D) The print status change changes the print status of a specific document stored in the document database of the printing device 1. Here, the change means any of a change in the print processing state and a change in the printing method.

E) The print document index definition creates or deletes an index in the document database of the printing apparatus 1. F) Copying a print document creates a copy of data and a document file relating to a specific document stored in the document database of the printing apparatus 1 to another printing apparatus 1. Further, after the copy, an instruction is made as to whether data and a document file relating to the copied document are deleted in the copy source document database.

For inputting a print document of print request data, displaying a print status, changing a print status, and specifying a document in print document duplication, a search condition such as a user or a document identifier and a name is given. 1 is realized by searching the document database. The selection of the display content in the print status display of the print request data is performed according to the display specification.
Is obtained by acquiring data necessary for display from a document database.

There are the following six types of print result data according to each of the print request data issued in advance. A) The print document input result indicates whether the document to be printed has been printed by the specified printing method. B) The print document acquisition result is the success or failure of the acquisition request and the acquired document file. C) The print status display result indicates whether the display request was successful or not and a print status list. D)
The print status change result indicates whether or not the change request is successful. E) The print document index definition is the success or failure of index creation or deletion.
F) The print document copy result indicates the success or failure of the copy request.

The print request data contains the name and identifier of the user who issued the print request. If the print request data is a print document input result, when printing is successful,
Includes failure response methods. Here, the response method is
It indicates whether or not there is a notification to the terminal 2 and whether or not to cancel the print request data from the document database.

Upon receiving the print request data from the receiving device, the print processing means of the printing device 1 transmits the data to the database processing means of the database device. The database processing unit of the printing apparatus 1 converts the print request data into
Convert to a query against the database and execute the result. At this time, the following conversion and processing are performed according to each of the six types of print request data described above.

A) Print document input → converted into an INSERT statement, and by execution, print request data is registered in the document database. This registration includes registration of a document file and recording of the registration time. B) Print Document Acquisition → Converted into a SELECT statement, and by execution, a document file that satisfies the search conditions specified in the print request data is searched from the document database.

C) Print status display → Converted into a SELECT sentence, and by execution, a print status list relating to a document that satisfies the search conditions specified by the print request data is retrieved from the document database. D) Print status change → UPDATE statement or DELETE
The print request data is converted into a sentence, and the execution thereof updates or deletes the print request data registered in the document database.

E) Print document index definition → CREATE I
It is converted into an NDEX or DROP INDEX statement, and its execution creates or deletes an index to the document database. F) Printed document copy → Converted into a SELECT statement for the copy source document database and an INSERT statement for the copy destination document database, and by execution, a search is made for the copy source document database, and the search result is Inserted into the document database. Further, after completion of the insertion into the copy destination document database, conversion to a DELETE statement for deletion to the copy source document database and its execution are performed in accordance with the contents of the print request data.

The database query processing means of the printing apparatus 1 includes a SELECT statement, an INSERT statement, a DELETE statement,
And UPDATE statements. The database index definition means of the printing apparatus 1 includes a CREATE INDEX statement, a D
Process the ROP INDEX statement.

The database duplicating means of the printing apparatus 1 issues a processing request for an INSERT statement to the database inquiry processing means of the duplicating printing apparatus 1. Printing device 1
The database processing unit transmits the processing result as print result data to the terminal 2 that has issued the print request data or the print processing unit of the printing device 1 via the transmission unit of the printing device 1. The print processing unit of the printing apparatus 1 prints a document by repeating the following procedure.

Via the database processing means, a search is made of print request data registered in the document database for data whose print processing state is "waiting for printing" and whose registration time is the oldest. The print request data indicating the print status change is sent to the database processing unit so that the print processing state of the print request data according to the search result becomes “printing”.

The document file described in the print request data is rasterized, and the result is printed on paper. At this time, in order to record the pages that have been printed, the print request data indicating the print status change is sent to the database processing means so as to change the number of printed pages according to the print request data. When the printing on the paper is completed, the print request data indicating the change of the print status is sent to the database processing means so that the print processing state of the print request data becomes “printed”.

When all of the steps (1) to (4) are successful, the processing according to the coping method at the time of success described in the print request data is performed. If any one of the procedures (1) to (4) fails, processing corresponding to the failure handling method described in the print request data is performed. Further, the print processing unit of the printing apparatus 1 discards the print request data by repeating the following procedure.

Via the database processing means, a search is made of print request data registered in the document database for data whose print processing state is "cancel" or whose print time limit has passed the current time. Performs processing according to the failure handling method described in the print request data. If it is specified that the print request data is to be discarded, the print request data is discarded via the database processing means. Further, the print processing unit of the printing apparatus 1 temporarily stops the print processing by repeating the following procedure.

Through the database processing means, a search is made for print request data registered in the document database whose print processing status is "temporarily stopped". If a document corresponding to the retrieved print request data is currently being printed, the printing is stopped.

The database processing means of the printing apparatus 1 accesses the document database after confirming the validity of the user who issued the print request data. For example, if the print request data registered in the document database and the user who issued the print request data for making an access request to the document database do not match, the access is rejected. However, if the user who has made the access request is the administrator of the printing apparatus 1, such a check is omitted.

When the printing apparatus 1 is restarted after a failure such as a power failure, the database processing means of the printing apparatus 1 recovers the failure of the document database using the transaction function of the database management system in the database processing means. .

[0054]

As is apparent from the above description, the storage type printing apparatus of the present invention enables printing and reprinting by accepting printing of a document in a format at the time of creation as a print request, Documents queued in the printing device are stored in a database. As a result, print control for the queued document can be efficiently performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the printing apparatus 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a terminal (apparatus) 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 (storage type) printing device 2 terminal (device)

Claims (8)

[Claims] The present invention is characterized in that printing and reprinting can be performed by accepting printing of a document in a format at the time of creation as a print request, and documents queued in a printing apparatus are stored in a database. Storage type printing device. 2. Using a query processing means of a database, a user requesting a print request, a document name, a print processing status, and a condition of a document content with respect to the issued print request are designated and queued. A storage-type printing apparatus characterized in that printing of a document can be controlled. 3. By using an index definition means of a database, it is possible to quickly obtain information on a queued document by creating an index for the content of a document received as a print request, for example, a full-text index. A storage type printing apparatus characterized by the following. 4. A storage-type printing apparatus characterized in that it is possible to obtain specific information on queued documents by using a query processing means of a database. 5. Using a database duplication processing means, a part or all of a database storing queued documents can be transferred to another printing apparatus, and the load of print processing can be distributed. Characteristic storage type printing device. 6. A storage-type printing apparatus characterized in that it is possible to specify a part of a database to be transferred at the time of load distribution in the above-mentioned duplication processing by using a database query processing means. 7. When the print processing unit fails, the copy processing unit of the database transfers a part or all of the queued document to another printing apparatus, thereby enabling the continuation of the print processing. A storage type printing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 8. A storage-type printing apparatus characterized in that, in the above-mentioned duplication processing, it is possible to specify a part of a database to be transferred when a failure occurs in a print processing means by using a database query processing means. .