JP2003015855A - Print management system, print management method, and computer program for managing print log - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To manage print logs with high accuracy. A management server (50) includes a client (20).
, One print log is received for each output of one print job, and the M for the plurality of (possibly one) stored print jobs is received from the network printer 40.
The IB data is received every predetermined time (30 seconds). Then, the management server 50 merges the print log obtained from the client 20 and the print result information generated from the MIB data obtained from the network printer 40 to generate a print log file PLF. In particular, when there is an item of the same type as the print log in the print result information, the print result information is preferentially adopted and generated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for managing a print log related to a print job when another computer device prints the print job from one computer device to a printer device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to improve the operating rate of a printer, it is common to connect a plurality of computers (client computers) to the printer through a computer network (hereinafter referred to as a network). With this configuration, for print jobs from client computers on the network, there is a request to aggregate and manage print logs (usage records) such as the number of prints and print job names. The server has been installed, and print logs are aggregated and accumulated on this server.

In a printing system including this management server, a client computer generates a print log relating to a print job, and the management server receives the print log from the client and stores it as a file. Was there.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned conventional technique has a problem that the accuracy of the print log is low. The print log generated by the client computer grasps the content of the print instructed to the printer device from the client computer, and does not accurately reflect the actual print on the printer. There was a problem with the accuracy of the log.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to enable the print log to be managed with high accuracy.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problem and Its Action / Effect] As a means for solving at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, the following constitution is adopted.

The print management system of the present invention is a print management system in which a print log relating to a print job when a print job is printed from one computer device to a printer device is managed by another computer device. The one computer device includes a print log generation unit that generates a print log related to the print job, and a print log transmission unit that transmits the generated print log to the other computer device, and the printer device includes: A print log including status information storage means for storing status information about printing of the print job executed by the printer device, wherein the other computer device receives a print log sent from the one computer device. Status information for acquiring status information from the reception means and the status information storage means of the printer device And resulting unit is characterized in that it comprises a merge means for generating a print log for management by merging the acquired state information by the printing log received the state information acquiring unit by the print log receiving unit.

According to the print management system having the above configuration (hereinafter, this configuration is referred to as a basic configuration), the print log obtained from the one computer device that has output the print job to the printer device, and the printer device. The print information for management is generated by merging with the status information about the printing actually performed in. Therefore, the state of printing actually performed by the printer device can be reflected in the print log, so that the obtained print log is highly accurate. Therefore, the print log can be managed with high accuracy.

In the print management system having the above basic configuration, both the print log and the status information include job identification information for identifying the print job, and the merging means uses the job identification information as a key to perform the printing. A configuration may be provided in which a matching unit that matches the log and the state information is provided.

According to this structure, the print log and the status information can be associated with each other by using the job identification information of the print job as a matching key. This facilitates matching.

Further, in the print management system having the above basic structure, the merge means, when data items of the same type exist in the print log and the status information, the contents of the print log for the data items of the same type. Can be configured to include a data rewriting unit that rewrites based on the state information.

According to this configuration, the status information regarding printing obtained from the printer device can be preferentially adopted rather than the print log obtained from the one computer device that has output the print job. Therefore, the print state actually printed by the printer is surely reflected in the print log. Therefore, the print log can be managed with higher accuracy.

In the print management system provided with this data writing means, the other computer device obtains an error in the acquisition of the status information by the status information acquisition means, and an acquisition error detection means. When the detection unit detects the occurrence of the error, it is configured to include an error processing unit that prohibits execution of the merge unit and determines the print log received by the print log receiving unit as a management log. You can also

According to the above configuration, when the status information regarding printing is not normally acquired from the printer device, the status information is not reflected in the print log. Therefore, the obtained print log is highly accurate.

In the print management system having the above basic structure, the print log transmitting means of the one computer device is
Each time you create one print job for the printer device,
The print log relating to the one print job is transmitted, and the print log receiving means of the other computer device receives the print log at the timing when the print log is transmitted from the print log transmitting means. Therefore, the status information acquisition unit of the other computer device may be configured to sequentially acquire the status information for each predetermined time for each print job.

According to the above configuration, in another computer device that manages the print log, when the information transmission timing is different between the one computer device and the printer device, both information items are transmitted. It becomes possible to take in certainly.

In the print management system having the above basic configuration, a plurality of clients that can be the one computer device, a server that corresponds to the other computer device, and data that mutually connects the client, the server, and the printer device. A communication line may be provided.

According to this structure, it is possible to manage the print log on a network in which a plurality of clients, printers and servers are connected by a data communication line.

A print management apparatus according to the present invention is a print management apparatus for managing a print log relating to a print job generated by one computer apparatus and printed by a printer apparatus, and the print generated by the one computer apparatus. A print log receiving unit that receives a log from the one computer device, and a status information acquisition unit that acquires, from the printer device, status information about printing of the print job executed by the printer device, which is stored in the printer device. And a merge unit that merges the print log received by the print log receiving unit with the state information acquired by the state information acquiring unit to generate a print log for management.

The print management apparatus having the above configuration has the same operation and effect as the print management system of the above invention, and can manage the print log with high accuracy.

A print management method according to the present invention is a print management method for managing a print log relating to a print job when a print job is printed from one computer device to a printer device by another computer device. The processing executed by the one computer device is
(A) A step of generating a print log relating to the print job, and (b) a step of transmitting the generated print log to the other computer device, and the process executed by the printer device is (c). The step of accumulating status information about printing of the print job executed by the printer device is performed, and the process executed by the other computer device is (e) a print log sent from the one computer device. The step of receiving
(F) a step of acquiring the status information accumulated in the step (c) from the printer device; (g) a merge of the print log received in the step (e) and the status information acquired in the step (f). And a step of generating a print log for management.

The print management method having the above configuration has the same operation and effect as the print management system of the present invention, and can manage the print log with high accuracy.

A computer program according to the present invention is a computer program used in a print management apparatus for managing a print log relating to a print job generated by one computer apparatus and printed by a printer apparatus. A function of receiving a print log generated by a computer device from the one computer device; and (b) status information regarding printing of the print job executed by the printer device, which is stored in the printer device, And a function of merging the print log received by the function (a) and the status information acquired by the step (b) to generate a print log for management. The feature is to let.

The recording medium of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium in which a computer program used in a print management apparatus for managing a print log relating to a print job generated by one computer apparatus and printed by a printer apparatus is recorded. And (a) a function of receiving a print log generated by the one computer device from the one computer device, and (b) the print job stored in the printer device and executed by the printer device. A function for acquiring the status information about the printing from the printer device, and (c) the print log received by the function (a) and the status information acquired by the step (b) are merged to create a management print log. A computer program for causing a computer to realize the function to generate is recorded. It is characterized by a door.

The computer program and the recording medium having the above-described configurations also have the same actions and effects as the print management system and the print management method of the present invention, and the print log can be managed with high accuracy in the print management apparatus.

[0026]

Other Embodiments of the Invention The present invention also includes the following other embodiments. The first aspect is an aspect as a data signal embodied in a carrier wave by including the computer program of the present invention. The second aspect is an aspect as a program supply device that supplies a computer program through a communication path. In the second aspect, the computer program is placed on a server or the like on a network, the necessary program is downloaded to a computer via a communication path, and the computer is executed to realize the above-described device or method. it can.

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In order to further clarify the structure and operation of the present invention described above, the embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on Examples.

1. Overall Hardware Configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system 10 to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown, the network system 1 of the first embodiment
0 indicates a plurality of print jobs (2 in the illustrated example).
Client computers 20 and 30, a single network printer 40 that prints a print job, and a single management server 50 that manages a print log, a network constructed by a local area network (LAN). They are mutually connected via 60. The network 60 can be replaced with various networks such as the Internet, an intranet, and a wide area network (WAN) in place of the LAN. Here, a print job is a set of data representing one printed matter, and is composed of image data, control data, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a client computer (hereinafter, simply referred to as a client) 20. The other clients 30 have the same configuration. As shown in FIG.
The RT display 21 and the keyboard 22 are connected. Further, the client 20 is equipped with a hard disk drive (HDD) 23, a CD drive 25 for reading the contents of the CD-ROM 24, and a network control circuit 26. The client 20 includes a CPU 28 as a central processing unit, a ROM 28, a RAM 29 and the like, which are connected to each other by a bus.

The CPU 27 executes an application program, a printer driver program, an OS, a print log acquisition program, etc. stored in the HDD 23, and R
The AM 29 is controlled to temporarily store information, files, etc. necessary for executing the program. A print log acquisition program is stored in advance in the CD-ROM 24, and this print log acquisition program is transferred to the HDD 23 via the CD drive 25.

The print log acquisition program is a CD-
Instead of the one stored in the ROM 24, it may be stored in another portable recording medium (portable recording medium) such as a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, or an IC card. Further, this print log acquisition program may be obtained by downloading program data provided via a network from a specific server connected to an external network (for example, the Internet) and transferring it to the HDD 26. You can also

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the management server 50. As shown, the management server 5
0, like the client 20, includes a CRT display 51, a keyboard 52, an HDD 53, and a CD drive 5.
5, a network control circuit 56 is provided, and further, C
A PU 57, a ROM 58, a RAM 59 and the like are provided. C
The PU 57 executes the OS stored in the HDD 53, the print log totaling program, and the like, and temporarily controls the RAM 59 to store information and files necessary for executing the program. A print log tabulation program is stored in advance in the CD-ROM 54 whose contents are read by the CD drive 55. This print log tabulation program is C
It has been transferred to the HDD 53 via the D drive 55.

The print log totaling program is CD-
Instead of the one stored in the ROM 54, it may be stored in another portable recording medium (portable recording medium) such as a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, or an IC card. Further, this print log totaling program should be obtained by downloading program data provided via a network from a specific server connected to an external network (for example, the Internet) and transferring it to the HDD 56. You can also

The network printer 40 is a so-called laser printer in which a photosensitive drum is irradiated with laser light to form a latent image, which is developed with toner and transferred to a sheet. The network printer 40 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM (not shown).
Etc., and has a computer function substantially. In addition, the network printer 40 stores MIB (Management Information) that stores variables that represent the status of the printer.
Base) is managed and maintained. In addition, as the network printer 40, instead of a laser printer,
Various printers such as an inkjet printer and a thermal transfer printer can be applied.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functions realized by the client 20, the network printer 40 and the management server 50. Each functional block shown in the figure is constructed by software. As shown, the client 20 includes an application 20A.
Is stored, and the user inputs data using the application 20A or creates data to be printed under the application by using the resource in the client. The client 20 includes a printer driver 20B that receives data from the application 20A and creates a print job for the printer, a print queue 20C that stores data created by the printer driver 20B in the client until transmission is completed, and a network 60. A communication control unit 20D for sending a print job to the network printer 40 via the network printer 40 is provided.

Further, the client 20 resides in Windows (registered trademark) which is an OS, monitors print commands, and acquires information related to Windows print processing by a print monitoring unit 20E and a print monitoring unit 20E. Printer driver 2
0B, a print log generation unit 20F that generates a print log for a print job, and a print log generation unit 20F
A print log transmission unit 20G that transmits the print log generated in step 1 to the management server 50 via the network 60 is provided.

The print log includes a "document name", information on the application program and OS used, information set by the printer properties at the time of a print command, and the like. The information set by the above printer properties includes "paper size", "copies", and "paper orientation".
And so on. The “document name” indicates the name of the document to be printed that is specified by the print job.
“Paper size” indicates the size of the paper used for printing together with the type of paper, “Copies” indicates the number of copies to be printed, and “Paper orientation” indicates the paper size of the printer used for printing. It shows the direction to be set.

The network printer 40 includes a communication control unit 4 for receiving a print job from the client 20.
0A, a main processing unit 40B that generates output data for printing based on the print job, and an output data transmission unit 40C that transmits the output data from the main processing unit 40B to the print engine 42. Print engine 4
Reference numeral 2 is hardware that receives output data from the outside and realizes printing on recording paper.

Further, the network printer 40 has
A MIB control unit 40D and a MIB 40E are provided.
The MIB control unit 40D detects the state of the network printer 40 from the main processing unit 40B and writes a variable indicating the state in the MIB for each job.

The management server 50 includes a print log receiving unit 5
0A and MIB data acquisition unit 50B are provided. The print log receiving unit 50A receives the print log from the client 20. As described above, the print log includes “document name”, “paper size”, “copies”, “paper orientation”,
It is possible to receive data indicating “information of application program”, “information of OS”, and the like.

The MIB data acquisition section 50B communicates with the network printer 40 and acquires desired MIB data from the MIB stored in the network printer 40.
The acquired MIB data is stored in the RAM 59 as print result information. The acquired MIB data is data representing materials and the like actually spent for printing in the network printer 40, and specifically,
The data includes "actual print number", "actual paper size", "print start / end time", "toner consumption", and the like. The print result information acquisition unit 50B acquires data indicating these contents as print result information for each print job. The MIB data acquisition unit 50B is configured to acquire only the contents updated after the previous acquisition of the MIB data.

Further, the management server 50 includes a print log registration unit 50C for registering the print log received by the print log reception unit 50A in the print log file PLF and print result information obtained by the MIB data acquisition unit 50B. Based on this, a print log complement unit 50D that complements the contents of the print log registered in the print log file PLF is provided.

Print monitoring unit 20 in client 20
E, print log generation unit 20F and print log transmission unit 20G
Is constructed by software by the print log acquisition program executed by the CPU 27 of the client 20. Each part 50A in the management server 50
.About.50D are constructed by software by the print log totaling program executed by the CPU 57 of the management server 50. Hereinafter, the print log acquisition program and the print log totaling program will be described in detail. Since the programs forming the MIB control unit 40D in the network printer 40 are well known, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

The print log generation unit 20F is the print log generation unit of the present invention, the print log transmission unit 20G is the print log transmission unit of the present invention, the MIB control unit 40D is the state information acquisition unit of the present invention, and the MIB 40E is the main unit. The status information accumulating unit of the invention, the print log receiving unit 50A is the print log receiving unit of the present invention, the MIB data acquiring unit 50B is the status information acquiring unit of the present invention, and the print log complementing unit 50D is the merging unit of the present invention. Each has been realized.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a print log generation routine described by the print log generation program executed by the CPU 27 of the client 20. This print log generation routine is executed by Windows which is the OS.
The print command is constantly monitored for issuance, and is read when the print command is issued. By issuing the print command, it is determined that a new print job has been output. When the process of the print log generation routine is started, the CPU 27 of the client 20 first sets the window.
Acquires various information related to the print processing of S (step S
110). Subsequently, the CPU 27 selects a predetermined item from all the print information acquired in step S110, and generates the print log PL for the print job output from the printer driver 20B (step S120).

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the print log PL obtained as a result of step S120. As shown in the figure, the print log PL includes, in addition to the data d0 of the “print job ID” for identifying the print job, the above-mentioned “document name”,
"Paper size", "Copies", "Paper orientation", "Application program information (for example, program name)",
Data d1, d2 of "OS information (for example, OS name)"
d3, d4, d5, d6, etc. are provided.

Returning to FIG. 5, after the execution of step S120,
The CPU 27 causes the print log P generated in step S120.
Processing for transmitting L to the management server 50 via the network 60 is performed (step S130). Then C
The PU 27 advances the process to “return” and once ends the process of this control routine.

Next, the print log totaling program executed by the CPU 57 of the management server 50 will be described. This program is actually divided into a print log totaling main routine and a subroutine. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the subroutine. This subroutine is repeatedly executed every predetermined time (for example, 1 second). It should be noted that this predetermined time is set to be approximately the same time as the print log generation routine executed by the client 20.

As shown in the figure, the CP of the management server 50
When the U57 starts the process, first, the client 2
The process of receiving the print log PL sent from 0 through the network 60 is performed (step S210). Next, the CPU 57 registers the received print log PL in the print log file PLF (step S220).
The print log file PLF has a data structure including a plurality of records with the data of the print log PL as one record, and is prepared on the HDD 53. Client 2
From 0, every time a new print job is output in the printer driver 20B, the print log PL for that print job is sent, so step S210.
By the processing of S220 and S220, the print log PL for the new print job is additionally registered in the print log file PLF. After that, the CPU 57 exits to "return" and once ends the processing of this subroutine.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the main routine of print log totalization. This main routine is repeatedly executed every predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds). The predetermined time is set to be longer than that in the above subroutine.

As shown in the figure, the CP of the management server 50
When the process is started, the U 57 first performs a process of acquiring the MIB data representing the material etc. actually spent for printing in the network printer 40 from the MIB 40E (step 240). Specifically, the MIB data corresponds to data indicating “actual print number”, “actual paper size”, “print start / end time”, “toner consumption amount”, and the like. The MIB data also includes data such as a "print job ID" that identifies the print job and a "print status" that indicates whether the print job is currently in print standby, printing, or completed. . In step 240,
The MIB data of the network printer 40 is sequentially transmitted to each of the MIB data for each print job via the network 60.
Get from E. Specifically, by activating a program of a known MIB module, the network printer 4
Data communication with 0 is performed to read out desired MIB data for one print job.

Then, the CPU 57 proceeds to step S240.
The set of MIB data acquired in step S20 is processed to determine whether or not the printing is for a print job that has already been printed (step S250). This determination is made based on the above-mentioned "printing state" data. If it is determined that the MIB data is for the print job for which printing has been completed, the one set of MIB data is additionally written as a print result information PR in a predetermined area in the RAM 59 (step S260). Then, step S2
The process proceeds to 70. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S250 that printing has not been completed, that is, it is a print jab that is waiting for printing or is in printing, the process proceeds directly to step S270 without performing the process of step S260.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the print result information PR obtained as a result of step S260. As shown in the figure, the print result information PR includes, in addition to the data d10 indicating the print job ID for specifying the print job, the above-mentioned “print status”, “actual print number”, “actual paper size”,
Data "print start / end time" and "toner consumption"
11, d12, d13, d14, d15, etc. are provided. In step 260 described above, the network printer 40
By writing the MIB data acquired from the file in the format shown in FIG. 8 for each print job, the print result information PR is written. In addition,
One record stored in this file corresponds to one print result information PR.

Returning to FIG. 8, in step S270, CP
The U57 determines whether the MIB data obtained in step S240 is the last data obtained from the network printer 40. Since the MIB data obtained from the network printer 40 is the content updated since the previous acquisition of the MIB data, step S270 determines whether all the MIB data updated from the previous time have been received. This means determining whether or not. In step S270, a negative determination is made, that is, the last M
If it is determined that the data is not IB data, the CPU 57 returns the process to step S240, receives the MIB data for one subsequent print job, and repeatedly executes the processes of steps S250 to S270.

On the other hand, if the affirmative determination is made in step S270, that is, if it is the last MIB data, it is determined that acquisition of all the MIB data is completed, and the process proceeds to step S280. In step S280,
First, one print result information PR is read from the predetermined area in the RAM written in step S260.

After execution of step S280, the CPU 57
Performs a process of searching the print log PL corresponding to the print result information PR read in step S280 from the print log file PLF (step S290). Specifically, the data d10 of the "print job ID" which is the first data item of the print result information PR is used as a matching key, and all the print logs PL stored in the print log file PLF match this matching key. The data having the “print job ID” data d0 is searched for.
Next, the print log PL for which it is determined that the matching keys match in step S290 is set to the print result information PR.
It is supplemented with the contents (read in step S280) (step S300).

FIG. 10 shows the print result information PR and the print log P.
It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that L is complemented. As shown in the figure, the print result information PR and the print log PL are merged by transferring the content included in the print result information PR to the print log PL side. When there is a data item of the same kind of content on the print log PL side as in d2, the content is the corresponding data item,
That is, the data d12 of the "actual paper size" is rewritten. When there is no data item of the same type on the print log PL side, the data d11, d1 on the print result information PR side
3, d14 are added as they are as data items d7, d8, d9.

In this embodiment, only the "paper size" data d2 is shown as the data item of the same kind of content, but other than this, among the data items not shown in the data item shown in FIG. Therefore, for example, data such as color / monochrome printing, double-sided / single-sided printing, and the like are also printed result information P.
A configuration in which the contents of R are rewritten can be adopted.

Returning to FIG. 8, after the execution of step S300,
The CPU 57 determines whether the print result information PR read in step S280 is the last print result information stored in the predetermined area in the RAM (step S310). Here, if a negative determination is made, that is, it is determined that it is not the final print result information PR, the CPU 57
Returns the process to step S280 to read the subsequent print result information PR, and then to steps S290 to S290.
The process of 310 is repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, if the affirmative determination is made in step S310, that is, the final print result information PR is determined,
In step S260, the predetermined area in which the MIB data is stored is cleared (step S320), and then the process returns to "return" to end this processing routine.

The print log file PLF on the HDD 53, which is updated by this print log totaling routine.
Is configured so that it can be printed or tabulated and graphed according to the application by another processing routine. Therefore, the worker can reduce the print cost by grasping the print status of each printer or each department. Also, by optimally arranging the printers according to the operating conditions and using them efficiently,
It is possible to reduce unnecessary expenses.

In this embodiment constructed as described above,
A print log P obtained from one client 20 that has output a print job to the network printer 40.
The L and the print result information PR generated from the MIB data obtained from the network printer 40 are merged to generate a print log for management. For this reason, this print log reflects the state of printing actually performed by the network printer 40, in addition to the information set by the user using the printer driver. Therefore, since the print log is highly accurate, the print log can be managed with high accuracy.

In particular, in this embodiment, the client 20
Print log PL and network printer 40 obtained from
When the same type of data item is present in the print result information PR obtained from the above, the content of the print result information PR is preferentially adopted for that data item, so that the network printer 40 actually performed it. The print status is accurately reflected in the print log. Therefore,
The print log can be managed with higher accuracy.

In this embodiment, the management server 50 receives from the client 20 one print log for each output of one print job, while the network printer 40 stores a plurality of (one) print logs. MIB data for a print job of (for example) is received every predetermined time (30 seconds). Then, the management server 50 merges the print logs based on the print result information generated from the MIB data at the timing after receiving the MIB data.

Therefore, in the management server 50,
When the information transmission timing is different between the client 20 and the network printer 40, both information can be surely taken in.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the content of the main routine of the print log totaling executed in the management server 50, and the other software configurations and hardware configurations are the same. Is. FIG. 11 shows
9 is a flowchart showing a main routine of print log totalization in the second embodiment. This main routine is
Similar to the first embodiment, it is repeatedly executed every predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds).

Steps S240 and S25 in FIG.
0, S260, S270, S280, S290, S30
Since 0 and S310 are the same processes as in the first embodiment, the same numbers are assigned. The main difference of the print log totaling main routine of the second embodiment from the first embodiment is that first, step S242 is provided between step S240 and step S250. In step S242, a process of determining whether the MIB data acquisition process performed in step S240 is normal or error is performed. If it is determined to be normal, the process proceeds to step S250.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S242 that there is an error, the process proceeds to step S244 to additionally write a code indicating that there is an error in the predetermined area of the RAM 29 as the print result information PR. This predetermined area is an area in which the print result information is added in the first embodiment, and as a result of step S244, one print result information PR indicates that there is an error. After execution of step S244, control proceeds to step S270.

Further, the difference from the first embodiment is that between step S280 and step S290, step S
282 is provided. This step S282
Then, the print result information PR read in step S280
Is executed to determine whether or not is an error. If it is determined that there is no error, the process proceeds to step S290.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S282 that there is an error, steps S290 and S290 are executed.
The process proceeds to step S310 without executing the process of 300. As a result, if the print result information PR read in step S280 is an error, the print log PL read in the print log tabulation subroutine is directly set as the print log for management.

In the second embodiment constructed as described above,
Similar to the first embodiment, there is an effect that the print log can be managed with high accuracy. In particular, in the second embodiment, when the MIB data for printing is not successfully acquired from the network printer 40, the MIB data is not reflected in the print log. Therefore, the obtained print log has higher accuracy.

Another embodiment of the present invention will be described next. Although the network printer 40 is used as the printer device of the present invention in the above embodiment, a printer locally connected to another computer may be used instead. Also, instead of the printer,
It can also be applied to other printable devices such as copiers and facsimile machines.

In the above embodiment, the management server 50 is
M of the network printer 40 using the IB module
Although it is configured to read the MIB data from the IB 40E, the management server 50 may be configured to acquire the MIB data by the following procedure instead. That is, the management server 50 first transmits an MIB data acquisition request to the network printer 40. Network printer 4 that received the acquisition request
In the configuration of 0, the MIB data indicated by the acquisition request is read from the MIB and the MIB data is transmitted to the management server 50 that is the transmission source of the acquisition request. The management server 50 acquires the MIB data by receiving the transmitted MIB data.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment and can be carried out in various modes without departing from the scope of the present invention. Of course, you can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system 10 to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a client 20.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a management server 50.

FIG. 4 is a client 20 and a network printer 40.
3 is a block diagram showing functions realized by the management server 50 and the management server 50, respectively. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a print log generation routine executed by the CPU 27 of the client 20.

FIG. 6 is a print log PL obtained as a result of step S120.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the content of.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a print log totaling subroutine executed by the CPU 57 of the management server 50.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the print log tabulation.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the content of print result information PR obtained as a result of step S260.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing how print result information PR complements print log PL.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a main routine of print log totalization in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Network system 20 ... Client 20A ... application 20B ... printer driver 20C ... Print queue 20D ... communication control unit 20E ... Print monitoring unit 20F ... Print log generation unit 20G ... Print log transmission unit 22 ... Keyboard 26 ... Network control circuit 27 ... CPU 28 ... ROM 29 ... RAM 30 ... Client 40 ... Network printer 40A ... communication control unit 40B ... Main processing unit 40C ... Output data transmitter 42 ... Print engine 50 ... Management server 50A ... Print log receiving unit 50B ... Print result information acquisition unit 50C ... Print log registration unit 50D ... Print log complementing unit 52 ... Keyboard 56 ... Network control circuit 57 ... CPU 58 ... ROM 59 ... RAM 60 ... Network PL ... Print log PLF ... print log file PR ... Print result information

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Akira Mochida             2-27 Chuo 2-chome, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture             Within iSoft Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Katsumi Mochizuki             2-27 Chuo 2-chome, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture             Within iSoft Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 HP00 HP08 HQ12 HQ17                 5B021 AA01 EE00 NN19                 5B089 GA11 GB02 JA36 JB15 KA13                       MC03

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A print management system that manages a print log related to a print job when a print job is printed from one computer device to a printer device by the other computer device. Includes a print log generation unit that generates a print log related to the print job, and a print log transmission unit that transmits the generated print log to the other computer device, and the printer device is executed by the printer device. A status information storage unit that stores status information about printing of the print job; the other computer apparatus includes a print log receiving unit that receives a print log sent from the one computer apparatus; Status information acquisition means for acquiring status information from status information storage means of the device; A print management system comprising: a merge unit that merges the print log received by the receiving unit with the state information acquired by the state information acquiring unit to generate a print log for management. 2. The print management system according to claim 1, wherein the print log and the status information both include job identification information that identifies the print job, and the merge unit includes the job identification information. A print management system including a matching unit that uses the information as a key to associate the print log with the status information. 3. The print management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the same type of data item exists in the print log and the status information, the merging unit relates to the same type of data item. Is a print management system including data rewriting means for rewriting the contents of the print log based on the status information. 4. The print management system according to claim 1, wherein the other computer device detects that an error has occurred in the acquisition of the status information by the status information acquisition unit. Error detection means, and error processing that, when the acquisition error detection means detects the occurrence of the error, prohibits execution of the merge means and determines the print log received by the print log reception means as a management log. A print management system including a means. 5. The print management system according to claim 1, wherein the print log transmitting unit of the one computer apparatus creates each print job for the printer apparatus,
The print log relating to the one print job is transmitted, and the print log receiving unit of the other computer device receives the print log at a timing when the print log is transmitted from the print log transmitting unit. The print management system is configured such that the status information acquisition unit of the other computer device sequentially acquires the status information for each predetermined time for each print job. 6. The print management system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of clients that can be the one computer device, a server corresponding to the other computer device, and the client are provided. A print management system including a data communication line interconnecting a server and a printer device. 7. A print management apparatus for managing a print log relating to a print job generated by one computer device and printed by a printer device, wherein the print log generated by the one computer device is used by the one computer. A print log receiving unit for receiving from the apparatus, a status information acquiring unit for acquiring, from the printer apparatus, status information regarding printing of the print job executed by the printer apparatus, the status information obtaining section accumulated by the printer apparatus; A print managing apparatus comprising: a merge unit that merges the print log received by the unit with the status information acquired by the status information acquiring unit to generate a print log for management. 8. The print management apparatus according to claim 7, wherein both the print log and the status information include job identification information that identifies the print job, and the merge unit includes the job identification information. A print management apparatus comprising a matching unit that uses the information as a key to associate the print log with the status information. 9. The print management apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the print log and the status information have the same type of data item, the merge unit is configured to perform the same type of data item. Is a print management apparatus including a data rewriting unit that rewrites the contents of the print log based on the status information. 10. The print management apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: an acquisition error detection unit that detects that an error has occurred in the acquisition of the status information by the status information acquisition unit; A print management apparatus including an error processing unit that prohibits execution of the merge unit and determines the print log received by the print log receiving unit as a management log when the error detecting unit detects the occurrence of the error. . 11. A print management method for managing, in another computer device, a print log relating to a print job when a print job is printed from the one computer device to the printer device. The processing executed by
(A) a step of generating a print log related to the print job; and (b) a step of transmitting the generated print log to the other computer device. The process executed by the printer device is (c). A process of accumulating status information about the printing of the print job executed by the printer device, and the process executed by the other computer device,
(E) a step of receiving the print log sent from the one computer device, and (f) the step (c).
And (g) merge the print log received in step (e) and the status information obtained in step (f) to obtain a management print log. A print management method comprising: a generating step. 12. The print management method according to claim 11, wherein both the print log and the status information include job identification information for identifying the print job, and the step (g) includes g1) A print management method including a step of associating the print log with the status information using the job identification information as a key. 13. The printing management method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said step (g) includes the step (g2) when the same type of data item exists in said print log and status information. A print management method comprising the step of rewriting the content of the print log based on the status information for a type of data item. 14. The print management method according to claim 13, wherein the process executed by the other computer device is: (h) an error occurs in the acquisition of the state information in step (f). And (i) prohibiting the execution of step (g) and detecting the print log received in step (e) when the occurrence of the error is detected in step (h). A print management method comprising a log and a defining step. 15. The print management method according to claim 11, wherein in the step (b), each time one print job for the printer device is created,
The step (e) is a configuration for transmitting a print log related to the one print job, and the step (f) is a configuration for receiving the print log at the timing when the print log is transmitted from the step (b). ) Is a print management method in which the status information is sequentially acquired for each predetermined time for each print job. 16. A print management method for managing a print log relating to a print job generated by one computer device and printed by a printer device, comprising: (a) applying the print log generated by the one computer device to the print log; Receiving from a computer device, (b) obtaining from the printer device status information about printing of the print job executed by the printer device, the status information being stored by the printer device; (c) Step (a)
A print management method, comprising: merging the print log received by the above with the status information acquired in the step (b) to generate a print log for management. 17. The print management method according to claim 16, wherein both the print log and the status information include job identification information for identifying the print job, and the step (c) includes c1) A print management method including a step of associating the print log with the status information using the job identification information as a key. 18. The print management method according to claim 16, wherein in step (c), when the same type of data item exists in (c2) the print log and the status information, the same process is performed. A print management method comprising the step of rewriting the contents of the print log based on the status information for a type of data item. 19. The print management method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of (d) detecting that an error has occurred in the acquisition of the status information in step (b), and the step (c). Is a print management method including a step of inhibiting the execution of the process of step (c2) when the occurrence of the error is detected in step (d). 20. A computer program used in a print management device for managing a print log relating to a print job generated by one computer device and printed by a printer device, comprising: (a) being generated by the one computer device. A function of receiving the print log from the one computer device, and (b) a function of acquiring from the printer device the status information about the printing of the print job executed by the printer device, which is stored in the printer device. , (C) A computer program for causing a computer to realize a function of merging the print log received by the function (a) and the status information acquired by the step (b) to generate a print log for management. . 21. The computer program according to claim 20, which causes a computer to realize a function corresponding to each step of each part of the print management method according to claim 17. 22. A computer-readable recording medium recording a computer program used in a print management apparatus for managing a print log relating to a print job generated by one computer apparatus and printed by a printer apparatus, comprising: ) A function of receiving a print log generated by the one computer device from the one computer device, and (b) a state of printing of the print job executed by the printer device, which is accumulated by the printer device. A function of acquiring information from the printer device and a function of (c) merging the print log received by the function (a) and the status information acquired by the step (b) to generate a print log for management. , Computer-readable recording computer program for realizing the computer Possible recording medium.