JP2004310517A - Printing system and print job management method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable monitoring of a print job and control of a control command to the print job both free of consideration of detailed information about alternative printing even if the print job issued by a client is automatically reissued for alternative printing. <P>SOLUTION: According to a job ID or an alternative job ID for alternative printing notified by a print server A 20 or a print server B 30, a print job issuance part 11, a print output status monitoring part 12 and a print job output result reception part 13 of a client terminal 10 register a change in the state of a print job in job history information 15. According to a management command to the print job analyzed by a command analysis part 17, a command execution part 18 processes the command, and a command processing result output part 19 refers to the job history information storage part 15 to output a command response to an operation/display part 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a print terminal capable of performing a substitute print by issuing a print job to a substitute print server or a substitute printer by a client terminal even when a print server or a printer that manages a printer shared on a network cannot be used. The present invention relates to a system, and particularly to a print job management method when alternative printing occurs.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional technology relating to a print system and a job management method, there is a “data processing device and an image output control device” described in Patent Document 1.
[0003]
According to the invention described in Patent Document 1, output information to which identification information for specifying an alternative output destination is added from a personal computer based on the output priority is transferred to a digital copying machine having a higher priority. If the digital copier that has received the output information cannot output the output information, the output information that cannot be output according to the identification information according to the output priority is automatically transferred to the network printer.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2000-259377.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, if the digital copying machine receiving the transferred output information cannot output the output information and is automatically transferred to an alternative output destination based on the output priority, the automatic transfer is performed. By displaying the previous information on the personal computer, the user can recognize the information of the automatic transfer destination.
[0006]
However, when monitoring the automatically transferred output information or canceling the transfer of the output information, the user must specify the information of the automatically transferred destination during the operation.
[0007]
In addition, if the information of the automatic transfer destination is forgotten, the monitoring of the automatically transferred output information and the cancellation processing become impossible.
[0008]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a print system and a print job management method capable of monitoring and controlling a print job without being conscious of information on an alternative destination.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when an error occurs in printing by a print job issued from a client to a printer, an alternative printer corresponding to the printer held in the alternative printer information management unit is indicated. In a print system that automatically reissues a print job to an alternative printer by referring to the alternative printer information and performs printing corresponding to the print job, the print job first issued to the printer and the print job issued to the alternative printer and accepted Print job management means for storing and managing the correspondence with the received print job, and correspondence between the print job first issued to the printer stored and managed by the print job management means and the print job issued and accepted to the alternative printer. Monitors the processing status of a print job that has been issued to and accepted by an alternate printer based on Printing system characterized by comprising a ring means.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the print job is transferred from the client to the printer via the print server, and the substitute printer information manages the substitute printer for each printer and the substitute printer. It is characterized by including information on an alternative print server.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the print job management unit and the monitoring unit are provided in the client, and first issue the processing state of the print job that has been issued and accepted to the substitute printer to the printer. It is characterized in that monitoring can be performed on the basis of the completed print job.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the alternative printer information management section is provided in the client.
[0013]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the alternative printer information management unit is provided in the print server.
[0014]
Further, according to the invention of claim 6, when an output error occurs in printing by a print job issued from the client to the printer, the printer refers to the substitute printer information indicating the substitute printer corresponding to the printer held in the substitute printer information management unit. In a print job management method in a print system for automatically reissuing a print job to an alternative printer and performing printing corresponding to the print job, the print job first issued to the printer and the The correspondence with the accepted print job is stored and managed by the print job management unit, and the correspondence between the print job first issued to the printer stored and managed by the print job management unit and the print job issued and accepted to the substitute printer Monitors the processing status of print jobs received and issued to alternative printers based on the Characterized in that it monitored by stage.
[0015]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect, the print job is transferred from the client to the printer via the print server, and the substitute printer information manages the substitute printer for each printer and the substitute printer. It is characterized by including information on an alternative print server.
[0016]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the print job management means and the monitoring means are provided in the client, and first issue the processing status of the print job issued and accepted to the substitute printer to the printer. It is characterized in that monitoring can be performed on the basis of the completed print job.
[0017]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect, the alternative printer information management unit is provided in the client.
[0018]
According to a tenth aspect, in the seventh aspect, the alternative printer information management unit is provided in the print server.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a system configuration of a print system according to the present invention.
[0021]
1, the print system includes a client terminal 10, a print server A20 (print server B30), an alternative print management server 40, and a plurality of printers (printers A5... Printer D8) connected to a network 9, respectively. You.
[0022]
The print server A20 and the print server B30 share printers in the system or manage a part of them in common, receive a print job issued from the client terminal 10 based on a command input by a user, and print data. The print data is created and output to the printer designated by the client terminal 10.
[0023]
When a failure occurs in either the printer or the print server in the system, the client terminal 10 determines the printer or the print server for performing the alternative printing by inquiring the alternative print management server 40, and Is issued to the alternative print server to perform print processing without delay.
[0024]
The client terminal 10 includes, as main control blocks according to the embodiment of the present invention, a print job issuing unit 11, a print job output status monitoring unit 12, a print job output result receiving unit 13, an alternative printer information inquiry unit 14, a job history information storage. It comprises a unit 15, an operation / display unit 16, a command analysis unit 17, a command execution unit 18, and a command processing result output unit 19.
[0025]
The print job issuing unit 11 creates a print job based on the original data designated by the print request from the user and the designated printer name, and issues the print job to a print server that manages the printer.
[0026]
The print job output status monitoring unit 12 monitors the print job transmitted by the print job issuing unit 11.
[0027]
The print job output result receiving unit 13 receives the print result notified from the print server and determines whether or not the print processing has been successful.
[0028]
If the print job output result receiving unit 13 or the print job output status monitoring unit 12 detects a response timeout, the alternative printer information inquiry unit 14 sends a print job when a print error occurs to the alternative print management server 40. Is transmitted as print job information, and an inquiry about alternative printer information for performing alternative printing is performed.
[0029]
The job history information storage unit 15 is a storage unit that manages the processing status of the print job issued by the print job issuing unit 11 as job history information.
[0030]
The operation / display unit 16 is a device for allowing a user to input various commands for printing instructions, canceling printing, and confirming a printing status to the client terminal 10, and for notifying the user of a processing result. Display device.
[0031]
The command analysis unit 17 analyzes a command input from the operation display unit and extracts arguments and options for each command.
[0032]
The command execution unit 18 performs a process according to the command analyzed by the command analysis unit 17 (issue of a print job, a request to cancel a print job, an inquiry about the processing status of a print job, and the like).
[0033]
The command processing result output unit 19 edits the execution result of each command as display data, and outputs it to the operation / display unit 16.
[0034]
The print server A20 and the print server B30 are provided with common functions and hardware necessary for mutually executing the alternative processing, and include a print job receiving unit 21, a print data generation and output unit 22, a printer It comprises a monitoring unit 23, a print result notification unit 24, a print job processing status providing unit 26, and a job management information storage unit 25.
[0035]
The print job receiving unit 21 receives a print job issued from the client terminal 10 and acquires a printer name and document data to be printed.
[0036]
The print data generation and output unit 22 generates print data based on the printer name acquired by the print job receiving unit 21 and the document data, and outputs the print data to the printer.
[0037]
The printer monitoring unit 23 monitors print processing for print data output to the printer.
[0038]
The print result notifying unit 24 sends the print result to the client terminal 10 that is the source of the print job.
[0039]
The job management information storage unit 25 is a storage unit that stores job management information for storing and managing the processing status of each print job received by the print job receiving unit 21.
[0040]
The print job processing status providing unit 26 refers to the job management information storage unit 25 and notifies the status of the print job to the query source in response to an inquiry about a print job from the client terminal 10 or another print server.
[0041]
The alternative print management server 40 includes a printer management information storage unit 43, a printer management information management unit 41, and an alternative printer information providing unit 42.
[0042]
The printer management information storage unit 43 stores and holds printer management information 60 for specifying an alternative printer and an alternative print server, and terminal operation list information for managing the operation state of each component in the system.
[0043]
The printer management information management unit 41 manages the information in the printer management information storage unit 43 so as to always keep the latest information according to a change in the system configuration.
[0044]
The alternative printer information providing unit 42 creates alternative printer information as information necessary for alternative printing in response to an inquiry from the client terminal 10 and transmits the information to the client terminal 10.
[0045]
FIG. 2 is a table layout diagram showing an example of the printer management information 60 stored in the alternative print management server 40.
[0046]
2, the printer management information 60 stores and manages the printers in the system as printer IDs 61. The management items for each printer ID 61 include a management server 1 (62), a management server 2 (63), a printer function A64,. . . , A printer function C66 is provided.
[0047]
The management server 1 (62) is set with identification information of a print server that is normally used, and the management server 2 (63) is configured as a substitute print server that can be replaced when the management server 1 (62) fails. Identification information is set.
[0048]
Function A64,..., Function C66 are items for managing what printing functions each printer has, and are used to determine whether or not the printing conditions of the print job are satisfied in the alternative printing. It is the information that becomes.
[0049]
The management items for each printer are items that can be added and changed according to the number of installed print servers that manage printers, the scope of print server management, the number of print servers that are configured, the system configuration, and the type of printer that is used. It is.
[0050]
Further, the printer management method can be managed based on a print server in the system, or can be managed in a predetermined group.
[0051]
Further, the printer management information 60 has a configuration on the assumption that it is dynamically determined according to the operation status of the system at the time of inquiring about an alternative printer. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which alternative printers are statically managed by managing the correspondence between printers (print servers) in a static list.
[0052]
Next, the flow of a printing process in the printing system shown in FIG. 1 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of print command processing of the print system shown in FIG.
[0053]
FIG. 4 is a display image diagram showing an example of a print command input from the operation / display unit of the client terminal and an example of a response message when the print command is executed.
[0054]
In FIG. 3, the command analysis unit 17 of the client terminal 10 analyzes a print command input by the user through the operation / display unit 16 and its arguments, and extracts information on a printer name and document data to be printed (step S101).
[0055]
The command execution unit 18 determines a print server that issues a print job based on the command analysis result, and instructs the print job issuing unit 11 to issue a print job.
[0056]
The print job issuing unit 11 generates a print job including the document data and the printer name and issues the print job to the print server (step S102).
[0057]
In the print server, the print job receiving unit 21 receives the print job issued from the client terminal 10 (step S103), acquires the job ID, registers the job ID in the job management information storage unit 25, and sends the job ID to the client terminal 10. Then, the job ID is notified (step S104).
[0058]
The print job output result receiving unit 13 of the client terminal 10 registers in the print job history information of the job history information storage unit 15 that a print request with the job ID notified from the print server has been made (step S105).
[0059]
On the other hand, in the printer server, the print data generation / output unit 22 acquires the document data and the printer name from the print job, and outputs the print data to the printer (Step S106).
[0060]
The printer monitoring unit 23 monitors the printing status of the output print data by the printer. When the printing process is completed normally (NO in step S107), the print result notifying unit 24 sends the print job to the client terminal 10 that has issued the print job. Then, a print completion notification is output to the printer (step S108).
[0061]
Upon receiving the print completion notification from the print server, the print job output result receiving unit 13 of the client terminal 10 registers the print completion with the notified job ID in the job history information of the job history information storage unit 15 ( Step S109).
[0062]
The command execution unit 18 notifies the command processing result output unit 19 that the printing process has been completed, and the command processing result output unit 19 creates a completion message (for example, (normal command response) in FIG. 4). Output to the operation / display unit 16 (step S110).
[0063]
On the other hand, in the print server, when the printer monitoring unit 23 detects a printing error (YES in step S107), the printing result notifying unit 24 notifies the client terminal 10 of the printing error (step S111).
[0064]
The print job output result receiving unit 13 of the client terminal 10 receives the print error notification from the print server, and registers a print error with the notified job ID in the job history information storage unit 15 (Step S112).
[0065]
The substitute printer information inquiry unit 14 creates print job information including a printer name, a print server name, print conditions, and error information that have caused a print error, transmits the print job information to the alternative print management server 40, and makes an inquiry about the substitute printer ( Step S113).
[0066]
In the alternative print management server 40, the alternative printer information providing unit 42 determines an alternative printer and an alternative print server by referring to the printer management information 60 based on the received print job information, and determines the determined alternative printer name and alternative print. The alternative printer information including the server name is created and transmitted to the client terminal 10 (step S114).
[0067]
Here, the data format of the print job information is, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, information for identifying the printer that has requested printing (printer name in FIG. 5), and identification information for the print server that issued the print job. (Print server name in FIG. 5), print conditions (print conditions in FIG. 5) for notifying the functions of the printer necessary for printing the document data included in the print job, and the cause when a print error occurs Is configured to include error information (in FIG. 5, error information in FIG. 5).
[0068]
The data format of the alternative printer information notified from the alternative print management server 40 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, information for identifying a print server to which an alternative print job is issued (in FIG. 5, An alternative print server name) and identification information for identifying the alternative printer (the alternative printer name in FIG. 5).
[0069]
Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 3 again, the print job issuing process will be described continuously.
[0070]
In the client terminal 10, the substitute printer information inquiry unit 14 analyzes the substitute printer information received from the substitute print management server 40 (step S115), and determines whether or not there is a substitute destination (substitute printer, substitute print server) (step S116). ).
[0071]
If there is an alternative destination (YES in step S116), the print job issuing unit 11 issues a print job to the alternative print server (step S117).
[0072]
The flow from the reception of the print job to the print data output processing to the printer in the alternative print server is the same as the processing procedure in the print server described in the above (Steps S103 to S106), and the description is omitted.
[0073]
When the print server is substituted, the job ID in (Step S104) is replaced with the substitute job ID, and the print request in (Step S105) is processed in place of the substitute print request. , (Step S106), the process is performed by replacing the printer with an alternative printer.
[0074]
In step S110, the response message at the time of performing the alternative printing output to the operation / display unit 16 is, for example, the (command response at the time of printing by the alternative printer) in FIG. 4 is displayed.
[0075]
On the other hand, in the client terminal 10, when the alternative printer information inquiry unit 14 analyzes the alternative printer information received from the alternative print management server 40 and determines that there is no alternative destination (NO in step S116), the printing is performed in step S112. With respect to the job ID registered in the job history information, the fact that there is no alternative destination is registered in the print job history information (step S118).
[0076]
The command executing unit 18 receives the notification of the absence of the substitute destination from the substitute printer information inquiry unit 14 and determines that there is a print processing error, and the command processing result output unit 19 sends an error message indicating a print error (no substitute print destination). It is created and output to the operation / display unit 16 (step S119).
[0077]
Next, an example of a table layout of job history information stored and managed in the job history information storage unit 15 and an example of registration data when there is no alternative printing and when there is an alternative printing will be described.
[0078]
FIG. 6 is a table layout showing an example of registration data of job history information when there is no alternative printing.
[0079]
The job history information includes job history data in which a job ID, a print server ID, a printer ID, an alternative job ID, an alternative print server ID, an alternative printer ID, a process type, and a date and time are set. Is a table that is registered and managed sequentially.
[0080]
The job ID is information for uniquely identifying the print job received from the client terminal 10 by the print server, and is a number for managing the print job by sequentially numbering the print job based on a predetermined rule.
[0081]
As for the job ID, after the client terminal 10 issues a print job to the print server, the ID assigned by the print server is notified to the client terminal in a print job acceptance response.
[0082]
The print server ID, the printer ID, the substitute print server ID, and the substitute printer ID are identification information for uniquely identifying and managing each device in the print system.
[0083]
The substitute job ID is a job ID assigned to a print job issued to another print server when performing substitute printing.
[0084]
The process type is an item for managing the status of a print process corresponding to a print job.
[0085]
The date and time is an item for setting a time stamp when registering the job history data.
[0086]
In normal print processing, all items other than the alternative print server ID, the alternative printer ID, and the alternative job ID are registered as essential items.
[0087]
Each job history data relating to the job ID “001” indicates that the print job to the printer A issued to the print server A20 sequentially transitions among three states of “print request output”, “print start”, and “print completed”. It indicates that you are doing.
[0088]
Further, among the three job history data having the job ID “001”, the processing type having the latest date and time is registered as “print completed”, and the print processing corresponding to the job ID “001” is performed. Indicates that it is currently completed.
[0089]
Similarly, the job ID “002” is currently printing because the processing type is “print start”, and the job ID “003” is currently waiting for printing because the processing type is “print request output”. It is shown that.
[0090]
FIG. 7 is a table layout diagram illustrating an example of registration data of job history information when there is an alternative print.
[0091]
A registration example from the printing error to the completion of printing by the alternative printer will be described with reference to each job history data corresponding to the job ID “004”.
[0092]
In the print processing of the job ID “004”, a print request is first made to the printer A via the print server A20, and a print error has occurred in the print server A in the next job history data. "Error" is recorded.
[0093]
In the next job history data transfer, the setting of the substitute job ID, the substitute print server ID, and the substitute printer ID indicates that the process has been transferred to the substitute printing. On the other hand, it indicates that a print job for alternative printing to the printer B has been reissued.
[0094]
Thereafter, the processing type is recorded as “alternative printing start” and “alternative printing completed”, which indicates that the alternative printing has now been completed normally.
[0095]
Next, a process in which a user checks the status of a print job issued from the client terminal 10 to the print server will be described.
[0096]
FIG. 8 is an image diagram illustrating an example of a job status acquisition command input by the user on the operation / display unit 16 of the client terminal 10 and a response message thereof.
[0097]
The arguments of the job status acquisition command include two command options, “printer specification” that specifies the printer name of the print destination, and “job ID specification” that specifies the job ID notified from the printer server when a print job is issued. There is.
[0098]
In addition, command responses to command options for printer designation and job ID designation have two types of display formats, respectively, with and without alternative printing.
[0099]
If the command option is printer designation, a list of job IDs and print job states for each print job issued to the designated printer is displayed.
[0100]
In a print job issued to another print server by the alternative printing, an alternative job ID assigned by the alternative print server and an alternative printer name are added to the response message, and the status of the print job in the alternative printer is changed. Is displayed.
[0101]
On the other hand, if the command option is job ID designation, the current status of the designated job ID is displayed.
[0102]
When the print job is reissued to another print server by the alternative printing, the alternative job ID, the location name of the alternative print server, the alternative printer name, and the status of the print job in the alternative printer are further added to the response message. Is displayed.
[0103]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the job processing status inquiry process.
[0104]
9, the command analysis unit 17 of the client terminal 10 analyzes the type of the command argument input from the operation / display unit 16 by the user (step S201).
[0105]
If the command argument is a job ID (job ID in step S201), the command execution unit 18 searches the job history information for job history data corresponding to the job ID (step S202).
[0106]
If there is job history data corresponding to the job ID as a result of the search (YES in step S203), the latest information is acquired from the searched job history data (step S208).
[0107]
On the other hand, if the job history data corresponding to the job ID is not registered in the job history information (NO in step S203), the job ID is replaced with the substitute job ID, and the job history information is searched again (step S204).
[0108]
If there is job history data corresponding to the substitute job ID as a result of the search (YES in step S205), the latest information is obtained from the searched job history data (step S206).
[0109]
If the job history data corresponding to the substitute job ID is not registered in the job history information (NO in step S205), it is determined that there is no job history data corresponding to the job ID specified by the command (step S209). ).
[0110]
Returning to step S201, when the type of the command argument is the printer name (printer in step S201), the job history data corresponding to the printer name is searched from the job history information (step S210).
[0111]
As a result of the search, if the job history data corresponding to the printer name exists in the job history information (YES in step S211), the searched job history data is grouped by job ID, and the latest job history data in each group is obtained. Is acquired (step S212).
[0112]
On the other hand, if the job history data corresponding to the printer name does not exist in the job history information, it is determined that there is no corresponding job history data (step S213).
[0113]
As the command execution result output, display data is created based on the processing results in steps S209, S206, S208, S212, and S213, and output to the operation / display unit 16 (step S207).
[0114]
Next, a process in which a user cancels a print job issued from the client terminal 10 to the print server will be described.
[0115]
FIG. 10 is an image diagram showing an example of a job cancel command input by the user at the operation / display unit of the client terminal and a response message thereof.
[0116]
The job cancel command has a command option for designating a job ID notified from the print server when a print job is issued by using an argument.
[0117]
There are two types of display formats for the command response, that is, when there is alternative printing and when there is no alternative printing.
[0118]
If a normal job ID without alternative printing is specified, a list of job IDs and the status of the print jobs issued to the specified printer for each print job is displayed.
[0119]
When the alternative printing is performed, the alternative job ID assigned by the alternative print server corresponding to the job ID is added to the response message and displayed.
[0120]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing for canceling a print job.
[0121]
In FIG. 11, the command analysis unit 17 of the client terminal 10 analyzes a job cancel command input from the operation / display unit 16 and extracts a job ID as a command argument (step S301).
[0122]
The command execution unit 18 searches the job history information searched by the job ID (step S302).
[0123]
If there is job history data corresponding to the job ID (YES in step S303), the print server ID recorded in the job history data is obtained, and a request to cancel the print job is output to the print server (step S309).
[0124]
On the other hand, if there is no job history data corresponding to the job ID (NO in step S303), the job ID is replaced with the substitute job ID, and the job history information is searched again (step S304).
[0125]
As a result of the search, if the job history data does not exist as a result of the search using the alternative job ID (NO in step S305), the command execution unit 18 determines that there is no corresponding print job (step S308).
[0126]
On the other hand, if there is job history data as a result of the search using the alternative job ID (YES in step S305), a request to cancel the print job is output to the alternative print server (step S306).
[0127]
The command processing result output unit 19 creates display data indicating the command processing result based on the processing results processed in steps S306, S308, and S309, and outputs the display data to the operation / display unit 16 (step S307).
[0128]
In the process of transmitting a print job cancel request in steps S307 and S309, an error occurs in the job cancel process (if the print server has already executed the print job, if the cancel request results in a transmission error, When a print job cancellation error occurs (including a case where a print job cancellation error occurs), an error message indicating that fact is output to the operation / display unit 16.
[0129]
The above is an example of an embodiment relating to a print system and a print job management method according to the present invention. Modifiable configurations other than those described above will be further described.
[0130]
In the configuration of FIG. 1, the printer management information 60 is centrally managed and shared by the alternative print management server 40. For example, the same control means and printer management information 60 as the alternative print management server 40 10, a print server A20, or a print server B30.
[0131]
At this time, the management method of the printer management information 60 held at a plurality of locations includes a method of synchronizing with each other by automatic copying when any of the contents is changed, and a method of manually copying at a predetermined timing asynchronously. Thus, a method for managing consistency can be realized.
[0132]
In addition, with the configuration in which the management unit of the alternative print management server 40 including the printer management information 60 and the print job control unit of the print server are additionally provided in the client terminal 10, the client terminal 10 does not pass through the print server. It is possible to issue a print job directly to the printer.
[0133]
In this case, the job ID and the substitute job ID are issued and managed by the client terminal 10 and can be implemented by registering the job history information when the print job is issued.
[0134]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a user can monitor a print job by a normal operation without changing a command argument without paying attention to an alternative printer name and information of an alternative destination in an alternative print server, and can perform job control. Commands can be used.
[0135]
As a result, it is possible to provide a print system capable of alternative printing without increasing the workload of the administrator.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a system configuration of a print system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a table layout diagram showing an example of printer management information stored in an alternative print management server shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a printing process in the printing system illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a display image diagram showing an example of a print command and a command response in the print system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a format diagram showing the contents of print job information and alternative printer information when the client terminal shown in FIG. 1 inquires an alternative print management server about an alternative printer.
6 is a table layout diagram showing an example of management items of job history information managed in a job history information storage unit of the client terminal shown in FIG. 1 and registered data when there is no alternative printing.
FIG. 7 is a table layout diagram showing an example of management items of job history information managed in a job history information storage unit of the client terminal shown in FIG. 1 and registered data when there is an alternative print.
8 is a display image diagram showing an example of a job status acquisition command and a command response of a print job in the print system shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a job status acquisition command of a print job in the print system illustrated in FIG. 1;
10 is a display image diagram showing an example of a print job cancel command and a command response in the print system shown in FIG. 1;
11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a print job cancel command in the print system illustrated in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
5 Printer A
6 Printer B
7 Printer C
8 Printer D
9 Network
10 Client terminal
11 Print job issuing unit
12 Print job output status monitor
13 Print job output result receiving unit
14 Alternative printer information inquiry section
15 Job history information storage
16 Operation / display section
17 Command analyzer
18 Command execution unit
19 Command processing result output section
20 Print Server A
21 Print job receiving unit
22 Print data generation and output unit
23 Printer monitoring unit
24 Print result notification section
25 Job management information storage
26 Print job processing status providing unit
30 Print Server B
40 Alternative print management server
41 Printer management information management unit
42 Alternative printer information providing unit
43 Printer management information storage unit
60 Printer management information
61 Printer ID
62 Management Server 1
63 Management Server 2
64 Function A
65 Function B
66 Function C

Claims (10)

If an output error occurs in a print job issued from the client to the printer, the print job is executed for the substitute printer by referring to the substitute printer information indicating the substitute printer corresponding to the printer held in the substitute printer information management unit. In a print system for automatically reissuing a job and performing printing corresponding to the print job,
Print job management means for storing and managing the correspondence between the print job first issued to the printer and the print job issued and accepted to the alternative printer;
The print job issued and received by the alternative printer based on the correspondence between the print job first issued to the printer stored and managed by the print job management means and the print job issued and received by the alternative printer. A printing system comprising: a monitoring unit that monitors a processing state. The print job is
Transferred from the client to the printer via the print server,
The alternative printer information includes:
2. The print system according to claim 1, further comprising information on an alternative printer for each printer and an alternative print server that manages the alternative printer. The print job management means and the monitoring means,
Provided in the client,
2. The print system according to claim 1, wherein the processing status of the print job issued to and accepted by the substitute printer can be monitored based on the print job first issued to the printer. The alternative printer information management unit,
The print system according to claim 1, wherein the print system is provided in the client. The alternative printer information management unit,
The print system according to claim 2, wherein the print system is provided in the print server. If an output error occurs in a print job issued from the client to the printer, the print job is executed for the substitute printer by referring to the substitute printer information indicating the substitute printer corresponding to the printer held in the substitute printer information management unit. In a print job management method in a print system for automatically reissuing a job and performing printing corresponding to the print job,
The correspondence between the print job first issued to the printer and the print job issued and accepted to the alternative printer is stored and managed by a print job management unit,
The print job issued to and received by the alternative printer based on the correspondence between the print job first issued to the printer stored and managed by the print job management means and the print job issued to and received by the alternative printer. A print job management method, wherein a processing state is monitored by a monitoring unit. The print job is
Transferred from the client to the printer via the print server,
The alternative printer information includes:
7. The print job management method according to claim 6, further comprising information on a substitute printer for each printer and a substitute print server that manages the substitute printer. The print job management means and the monitoring means,
Provided in the client,
7. The print job management method according to claim 6, wherein the processing status of the print job issued and accepted to the substitute printer can be monitored based on the print job first issued to the printer. The alternative printer information management unit,
7. The print job management method according to claim 6, wherein the print job management method is provided in the client. The alternative printer information management unit,
The print job management method according to claim 7, wherein the print job management method is provided in the print server.

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