JPH06202827A - Print serve method and print server for using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] It is possible to centrally manage various information about the data supply source and printer on the network. A variety of information of a plurality of data supply sources and printer information of a plurality of the printer devices are stored updatable, and output information sent from each data supply source is temporarily stored and stored. By referring to each printer information, a printer candidate that can output the temporarily stored output information is determined, and the availability of the determined printer candidate is inquired to the data supply source via a predetermined network line. The printer next candidate capable of outputting the temporarily stored output information is determined according to the operation state of the determined printer candidate, and the temporarily stored output information is output to the determined printer candidate or the next printer candidate. .

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention receives data from a data supply source such as a host computer connected on a network and sends the data to a printer connected on the network.
The present invention relates to a print server device that sends drawing data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when a document or the like is printed out from a data supply source such as a host computer connected to a LAN (local area network), printer information on the network recorded or held in the host computer or Based on the print server information, the data transmission destination is determined, and the drawing request and the data to be drawn are sent. When sending directly to the former network printer, the printer that outputs to the printer determines which code the printer accepts, how many paper sizes can be printed, and whether colors can be output. Information is stored in advance, and a user operating the host computer selects and outputs it from the printer in which the information is stored.

On the other hand, in the latter case, the host computer stores the function contents similar to the above for the printer server provided in the network and the printer connected to the printer server device in advance, and operates the host computer. The user selects from the printer server devices stored and stored and outputs it. Some printer server devices simply operate as a supra, but this is also the same as in the former case where a network printer is directly connected.

[0004]

Therefore, it is necessary to set up each piece of information regarding the printer as described above for each host computer that is a data supply source on the network that exists in plural numbers. In the case where the number of host computers on each network is increased, it is necessary to update the printer information of all the host computers on each network, which causes a problem in management.

Further, the user operating the host computer checks the functions of the printer, for example, the paper size and whether or not color printing is possible, and also knows where the printable device physically exists. Then, you have to specify the data to be printed,
There were a number of problems such as complicated operation.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and collectively manages printer information on a network and host computer information as a data supply source, so that the printer information management load of the data supply source can be reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printserv method that can significantly reduce the load of the printer operating state confirmation processing and can perform the print processing efficiently, and a print server device that uses this method.

[0007]

A printserv method according to the present invention stores various information of a plurality of data supply sources and each printer information of a plurality of printer devices so that the printer information can be updated and is sent from each data supply source. Output information to be temporarily stored, and by referring to the stored output information and each printer information, a printer candidate that can output the temporarily stored output information is determined, and whether the determined printer candidate is available or not is determined by a predetermined network line. Contact the data source via
The printer next candidate that can output the temporarily stored output information is determined according to the result of this inquiry or the operating state of the determined printer candidate, and the temporarily stored output information is output to the determined printer candidate or the next printer candidate. This is the method configured so that

Further, the print server device according to the present invention outputs output information sent from a plurality of data supply sources connected to a predetermined network line to any one of a plurality of printer devices connected to the predetermined network line. In the print server device to be transferred, a first storage unit that stores various information of the plurality of data supply sources and each printer information of the plurality of printer devices in an updatable manner, and output information sent from each data supply source. The temporarily stored output information can be output by referring to the second storage means for temporary storage, the output information stored in the second storage means, and each printer information stored in the first storage means. Determining means for determining a suitable printer candidate and automatic transfer of the stored output information to the determined printer candidate via a predetermined network line. And it has a transfer means for.

Further, the determining means is configured to sequentially determine the next printer candidate capable of outputting the temporarily stored output information based on the determined printer candidate operating state or the printer candidate change request from the data supply source. Is.

[0010]

In the printserv method according to the present invention, various information of a plurality of data supply sources and printer information of the plurality of printer devices are updatable stored and output information sent from each data supply source is temporarily stored. A printer candidate that can output the temporarily stored output information is determined by referring to the stored output information and each printer information, and the availability of the determined printer candidate is determined by a data supply source via a predetermined network line. The printer next candidate that can output the temporarily stored output information is determined according to the result of this inquiry or the determined operation status of the printer candidate, and the output temporarily stored for the determined printer candidate or the printer next candidate is determined. Since the information is output, the printer information management required for the data supply source is unnecessary.

The print server device according to the present invention is
When the output information is received from the data supply source, the output information is temporarily stored in the second storage means, and the output information and each printer information stored in the first storage means are referred to, Since the deciding means decides a printer candidate capable of outputting the temporarily stored output information, and the transferring means automatically transfers the stored output information to the printer candidate decided by the deciding means via a predetermined network line. The source side can determine the optimum printer candidate by simply outputting the output information to the print server device.

Further, the determining means sequentially determines the next printer candidate that can output the temporarily stored output information based on the determined operation status of the printer candidate or the printer candidate change request from the data supply source. It is possible to reduce the burden on the printer next candidate determination process on the side.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a connection state between a print server device and a host computer showing an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, H1 to H4 are host computers, which are communicably connected via a communication path NET such as Ethernet, and are printers P of various print formats.
1 to P3 are connected. The PS receives and processes the print data sent as the only print data sending destination (target) when viewed from the print server apparatus main body (main body) and the host computers H1 to H4. The TAB is a table memory, which stores data of a host computer, which will be described later, and information about the printer.

FIG. 2 shows the table memory TA shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in B.

In the figure, (a) shows a host information table 201, in which various kinds of information about a host computer as a data supply source are stored. (B) shows a printer information table 202, in which information about each printer on the communication path NET is stored.

As shown in this figure, regarding the name and IP address of the host computer on the network,
Since it is formed so that only one is determined, various information stored in the table preceding the host name can be searched. That is, the host computer H shown in FIG.
1 to H4 are used as parameters for setting the installation place and the attributes are determined numerically. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient if the position of the physical host computer can be processed and judged. .

Further, the printer information stored in the printer information table 202 and various types of information regarding the host stored in the host information table 201 are registered in a hard disk described later by the administrator so that the administrator can access the network. Host computers and printers can be managed collectively.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the print server apparatus main body PS shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a network interface unit for realizing communication with a network, and 30
Reference numeral 2 denotes a control unit (CP that enables control of the entire apparatus, determination according to a flow described later, optimization, determination of an actual printer, etc.
U) and 303 are main memory devices used as a work area in the case of a series of control, and are constituted by DRAM in this embodiment. 304 is the print server device main body P
ROM composed of a non-volatile memory in which the S control algorithm is stored, 305 is a buffer prepared to absorb the difference in data rate from the hard disk described later, and 306 is a mass memory for realizing the spooler function. The hard disk is also used as a non-volatile memory for storing the various tables shown in FIG. An interface 307 connects the hard disk (HD) 306 and the buffer 305, and a SCSI interface is used in this embodiment.

In the print server device thus constructed, the data supply source (host computers H1 to H1
When the output information is received from H4), the output information is temporarily stored in the second storage unit (hard disk 305), and the output information and each printer stored in the first storage unit (hard disk 305) are stored. See information and
The determining unit (CPU 302) determines a printer candidate that can output the output information temporarily stored, and the transferring unit (CPU 30
Since the output information stored in 2) is automatically transferred to the printer candidate determined by the determining means via a predetermined network line, the data source side can output the output information to the print server device, which is optimal. It is possible to determine a suitable printer candidate.

Further, the determining means sequentially determines the next printer candidate that can output the temporarily stored output information based on the determined operation status of the printer candidate or the printer candidate change request from the data supply source. It is possible to reduce the burden on the printer next candidate determination process on the side.

The print server device, host computer, and data processing according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the print sequence between the host computer and the print server device shown in FIG. It should be noted that (1) to (5) indicate each step.

First, the user creates a document on the host computer (1). Next, the user starts printing and sends the print data to the printer server in various printer languages (2). In this case, the printer language is such that the printer driver on the host computer converts the data of the processing system on the host computer into the printer language and sends it.

Next, the status from the printer server to which the data is sent is waited as a background job on the host computer (3). As a result, it is confirmed that there is no problem with printing, and the status of the printer server is confirmed. Receives information about which real printer on the network to output, and notifies the user. At this time, the user receives a notification such as "Printed on the printer in the center of the second-floor laboratory. OK?", And after obtaining the user's approval (4), the process ends.

On the other hand, if the judgment in step (4) is NO,
For example, if the printer located closest to the print is not powered on, if the printer is out of paper, or if the output to the real printer determined by the printer server does not meet the user's wishes, The print server device is instructed to select another real printer, and the process returns to step (3).

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the print serve method according to the embodiment of the present invention. In addition,
(1) to (10) show each step.

First, the print data from the host computer is transferred to the network interface unit 30 shown in FIG.
(1), and the control unit 302 receives the data.
It is spooled on the hard disk 306 via the buffer 305 and the SCSI interface 307 (2).

Next, the control unit 302 searches the information table (stored in the table memory TAB) for the host computer, which is also registered in advance in the hard disk 306, for information about the source of spooled data (3). ). Then, in the same manner as referring to the information table regarding the host computer, the control unit 3
Reference numeral 02 is a buffer 305 for storing printer information on the network registered in advance in the hard disk 306.
Search via the SCSI interface 307 (4).
In this case, the search key for the printer information is first to search the physical positional relationship, to search for the digitized physical installation location close to that of the host computer, and then to prepare for the printer. Check the function (for example, printable paper size, color output, etc.) when printing received and spooled data, and determine the actual output printer on the network (5). . The algorithm for determining the output destination printer with reference to these various information tables does not matter here.

Regarding the determined printer, the user on the host computer side is asked whether or not it is acceptable, together with the printer installation location, functions, information contained as notes in the table shown in FIG. Make an inquiry (6). In response to this inquiry, the user of the host computer accepts the determined printer (OK)
(7) If YES, other printer is currently in use by the determined printer,
Check if the printer is out of paper, or if it is out of ink or toner, and contact the printer that determined whether printing is possible (8). Next, it is confirmed whether or not printing is possible (9). If NO, the contents are notified to the user, and the next candidate is searched.
Return to (4).

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step (9) is YES, the main body PS sends the drawing data spooled to the hard disk 306 to the determined printer on the network (10) to perform the printing process. finish.

As described above, in the print serve method according to the present invention, various information of a plurality of data supply sources and printer information of the plurality of printer devices are stored updatable, and outputs sent from the data supply sources. Information is temporarily stored, the stored output information and each printer information are referred to, the printer candidate that can output the temporarily stored output information is determined, and the availability of the determined printer candidate is determined via a predetermined network line. The data source is queried, and the next printer candidate that can output the temporarily stored output information is determined according to the result of this inquiry or the operating state of the determined printer candidate, and the determined printer candidate or the next printer candidate is temporarily Since the stored output information is output, the printer information management required for the data supply source is unnecessary.

In the above embodiment, the case where the user automatically determines the printer connected to the network based on the printer information stored in advance has been described. However, as described later, the user connects to the network. You can configure the specified printer to be specified.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a print serve method according to another embodiment of the present invention. In addition,
(1) to (11) show each step.

First, the print data from the host computer is transferred to the network interface unit 30 shown in FIG.
(1), and the control unit 302 receives the data.
It is spooled on the hard disk 306 via the buffer 305 and the SCSI interface 307 (2). Then
After data spooling, it is judged whether or not the output destination of the spooled data is designated (3). If YES, the process proceeds to step (11), and the output destination of the spooled data is determined based on the presence / absence of user designation. By doing so, it becomes possible to construct a printer server system with high flexibility.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (3) is NO, the control unit 302 stores information about the source of spooled data in the information table (table) that is also registered in advance in the hard disk 306 for the host computer. (Stored in memory TAB) (4). Next, in the same manner as referring to the information table regarding the host computer, the control unit 302 searches for printer information on the network registered in advance in the hard disk 306 via the buffer 305 and the SCSI interface 307 (5). The search key for the printer information at this time is to first search for the physical positional relationship, and then search for the physical installation location that is close to that of the host computer among the digitized physical installation locations.
Next, check whether the functions of the printer (for example, printable paper size, color output, etc.) are correct when printing the received and spooled data, and check the output printer on the actual network. To decide
(6). The algorithm for determining the output destination printer with reference to these various information tables does not matter here.

As for the decided printer, whether or not it is acceptable is confirmed to the user on the host computer side together with the printer installation location, the function, the information stored as a notebook in the table shown in FIG. Make an inquiry (7). In response to this inquiry, the user of the host computer accepts the determined printer (OK)
(8) If YES, other users are currently using the determined printer,
Check if the printer is out of paper, or if it is out of ink or toner, and contact the printer that determined whether printing is possible (9). Next, it is confirmed whether or not printing is possible (10), and if NO, the contents are notified to the user, and the next candidate is searched.
Return to (5).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (10) is YES, the main body PS sends the drawing data spooled to the hard disk 306 to the determined printer on the network (11) to perform the printing process. finish.

In the above embodiment, the printer server device having the sprinking function for temporarily storing the print data is taken as an example, and the case where the sprinkled print data is transferred to the printer after the printer destination is determined has been described. Responds to the printer destination request from the host computer, only the real printer determination algorithm is provided to the host computer on the network, and the determined real printer and its installation location and function are fed back to the host computer side. The side can also construct a flexible printing environment even with a control configuration that directly executes printing on the actual printer based on the fed back information.

Further, in the above embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that the data matching the printer language system is generated by the software driver on the host computer side and sent to the print server. The function is loaded into the main body PS and the data is supplied to the printer server device in a common data format, and the printer language system that matches the printer determined by the printer determination means in the printer server device ( For example, if it is converted to CaPSL, LIPSIII, quick draw type (product name), postscript (product name)), it will provide a printing environment for printers with any printer language system on the network. It is possible to provide an environment in which printer drivers can be managed collectively. Bring results.

Further, in the above embodiment, the hard disk is assumed as a means for realizing the spooler function of the print server device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the mass memory for realizing the spool function is not limited to this. If it can be constructed by the storage means, it may be constituted by another non-volatile memory, for example, a magneto-optical disk, and the interface is not limited to the SCSI interface.

[0043]

As described above, the present invention stores various information of a plurality of data supply sources and each printer information of the plurality of printer devices so as to be updatable, and outputs information sent from each data supply source. Is temporarily stored, the stored output information and each printer information are referred to, the printer candidate that can output the temporarily stored output information is determined, and the availability of the determined printer candidate is determined by data via a predetermined network line. Inquires about the supply source, determines the next printer candidate that can output the temporarily stored output information according to the result of this inquiry or the operating status of the determined printer candidate, and temporarily stores the determined printer candidate or the next printer candidate. Since the output information is configured to be output, the printer information management required for the data supply source can be eliminated.

The print server device according to the present invention is
When the output information is received from the data supply source, the output information is temporarily stored in the second storage means, and the output information and each printer information stored in the first storage means are referred to, The determining means determines a printer candidate capable of outputting the temporarily stored output information, and the transferring means automatically transfers the stored output information to the printer candidate determined by the determining means via a predetermined network line. Therefore, the data supply source side can determine the optimum printer candidate simply by outputting the output information to the print server device.

Further, the determining means is configured to sequentially determine the next printer candidate that can output the temporarily stored output information based on the operation state of the determined printer candidate or the printer candidate change request from the data supply source. It is possible to reduce the printer next candidate determination processing load on the data supply source side.

Therefore, even if the number of host computers or printers on the network is increased or decreased, it is only necessary to update the information on the number of host computers or printers on the print server. The management of the host computer or printer device can be greatly reduced, and the system can be immediately changed and expanded. Further, the printer information file storage area on the host computer can be released for other information processing, and the memory resources on the host computer can be effectively utilized, which is an excellent effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a connection state between a print server device and a host computer showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a table memory shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print server device body shown in FIG.

4 is a flowchart showing an example of a print sequence between a host computer and a print server device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a print serve method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a print serve method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 301 Network Interface Section 302 CPU 303 DRAM 304 ROM 305 Buffer 306 Hard Disk 307 SCSI Interface

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A printserv method for transferring output information sent from a plurality of data sources connected to a predetermined network line to any one of a plurality of printer devices connected to a predetermined network line. The various information of the data supply source and each printer information of the plurality of printer devices are stored updatable, and the output information sent from each data supply source is temporarily stored, and the stored output information and each printer information are stored. By referring to this, the printer candidate that can output the temporarily stored output information is determined, and the availability of the determined printer candidate is inquired to the data supply source through a predetermined network line. The result of this inquiry or the determined printer candidate is determined. The next printer candidate that can output the temporarily stored output information is determined according to the operating state, and the determined printer candidate or Is a print serve method characterized in that the output information temporarily stored is output to the next printer candidate. 2. A print server device for transferring output information sent from a plurality of data supply sources connected to a predetermined network line to any one of a plurality of printer devices connected to a predetermined network line. First storage means for storing various information of the data supply source and each printer information of the plurality of printer devices in an updatable manner, and second storage means for temporarily storing output information sent from each data supply source. Determining means for determining a printer candidate that can output the temporarily stored output information, with reference to the output information stored in the second storage means and each printer information stored in the first storage means. A transfer means for automatically transferring the stored output information to the determined printer candidate via a predetermined network line. Print server device. 3. The determining means sequentially determines the next printer candidate that can output the temporarily stored output information based on the determined operation status of the printer candidate or the printer candidate change request from the data supply source. The print server device according to claim 1.