JPH08258379A - Printer system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Object] The present invention relates to a printer system which is connected to a network for transmitting data and delivers received print data to an arbitrary recording device and records and outputs the same. By recording and outputting by the recording means selected according to the conditions, it is possible to realize rapid recording and output without load on the network and to improve efficiency. [Composition] Data communication unit connected to hosts H _{1 to} H _n
15, a data branching unit 16 that disconnects the connection between the printer devices P _{2 to} P _m and branches the delivery path of the received data, and prints the received print data on paper to output the printer device P ₁
A plotter 20 constituting the above, a data analysis unit 25 which investigates the driving states of the printer devices P _{1 to} P _m , selects a printer device P with less waiting, and switches the connection by the data branching unit 16 to deliver the received data, Is equipped with.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer system connected to a network for transmitting predetermined data,
More specifically, the present invention relates to a printer system that delivers received print data to an arbitrary recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a printer system having a plurality of printer devices has been connected to a network constructed by these workstations so that print data can be sent from each of the plurality of workstations and recorded and output. By constructing such a network, print data can be recorded and output by a printer device less than a workstation.

In this kind of printer system, a work station (hereinafter, also simply referred to as WS) is determined as a usable printer device, and one printer device is commonly used by a plurality of WSs and another WS is used. If the data is being output, the print data of the user is recorded and output after the output is completed. In addition, for urgent print data, survey and check the available printer devices.
It is possible to record and output by making a judgment and inputting a predetermined identification number of the printer device and sending it together with the print data. As the WS, for example,
The present invention can be applied to a personal computer that creates and edits documents, a device that draws data, and the like that records and outputs data.

As such a printer system, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-36415.
By specifying the logical (or physical) printer number and the logical format information, the printer device connected to the system can record and output, and the print data is sent regardless of the printer device model. I am able to do so.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional printer system, since a usable printer device is uniquely determined even if there is a vacant printer device, it is special. If the printer is not operated, the printer cannot be used, and the printer is in a waiting state, which is inefficient. If the print data cannot be sent out, the use of WS itself will be in a waiting state. Further, there is a problem in that the operator himself has to go and make a judgment even when investigating the vacant printer device, which is complicated.

In the printer system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-36415, the WS and the print data can be recorded and output from the WS by interposing a logical number (or a physical number). Since the printer devices are connected to each other in a one-to-one manner, there is a problem that a relatively large control device is required to perform the process of associating the WS and the printer device, and the cost is increased.

Furthermore, information including a logical number for associating must be exchanged (transmitted) with the WS, and print data from other WS cannot be received during that time. Further, in a network for exchanging information between WSs, there is a problem that the exchange of information becomes a load. Therefore, the present invention realizes the print output of the print data by the optimum print means having no load on the network by making it possible to select the print means by simply transmitting the print data from the network side. The purpose is to eliminate.

In particular, the invention according to claim 1 aims to realize quick recording and output of print data to improve efficiency, and the invention according to claim 2 is a recording means suitable for a sender. It is an object of the present invention to realize a recorded output by a recording means without malfunction and to improve reliability. To do.

Further, it is an object of the invention according to claim 4 to improve convenience by eliminating the trouble of searching for a recording means that records and outputs print data. It is an object of the invention of claim 5 to improve the convenience by allowing the sender to recognize the recording means that records and outputs the print data.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a printer system which is connected to a network for transmitting predetermined data and records received print data on a sheet for output. A plurality of recording means for recording and outputting the print data on a sheet, a communication means for receiving the print data, and a delivery means for examining the driving states of the plurality of recording means and delivering the print data to the recording means with less waiting. And are provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer system which is connected to a network for transmitting predetermined data and records received print data on a sheet and outputs the print data. A plurality of recording means for recording and outputting the printed print data on paper,
The terminal setting means for presetting the recording means corresponding to the sender of the print data and the recording means set in the terminal setting means corresponding to the sender for identifying the sender information transmitted together with the print data. And a delivery means for delivering print data.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer system which is connected to a network for transmitting predetermined data and records received print data on a sheet and outputs the print data. A plurality of recording means for recording and outputting the printed print data on paper,
Delivery for delivering the print data to the recording means set in the type setting means for identifying the type information transmitted with the print data and the type setting means for presetting the type information of the print data. Means and are provided.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that a notifying means for identifying the sender information transmitted together with the print data and notifying the sender information and the delivery destination information is provided. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reply means for identifying the sender information transmitted together with the print data and returning the delivery destination information to which the print data is delivered to the sender. .

[0014]

According to the first aspect of the invention, when the print data is received by the communication means, the drive states of the plurality of recording means are investigated by the delivery means, and the print data is delivered to the recording means with less waiting. Therefore, the print data can be promptly recorded and output by the recording means with less waiting even if the recording means is not designated.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the print data is received by the communication means, the transmission source information transmitted together is identified by the delivery means, and the print data corresponds to the transmission source and the terminal setting means. It is delivered to the recording means set to. Therefore, the print data is recorded and output by a suitable recording unit according to the sender even if the recording unit is not designated.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the print data is received by the communication means, the type information of the data transmitted together is identified by the delivery means, and the print data is set by the type corresponding to the type information. It is delivered to the recording means set in the means. Therefore, even if the recording means is not designated, the print data is recorded and output by the recording means according to the type without malfunction.

In the invention according to claim 4, when the print data is received by the communication means, the transmission source information transmitted together is identified by the notification means, and the delivery destination of the print data delivered by the delivery means. Along with the information
For example, the information is displayed on the display unit or recorded and output on a sheet to notify the user. Therefore, there is no need to search for a recording unit that records and outputs print data.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, when the print data is received by the communication means, the sender information transmitted together is identified by the reply means, and the delivery destination information of the print data delivered by the delivery means is obtained. It will be returned to the sender. Therefore, the delivery destination of the print data can be recognized by displaying the delivery destination information on the display unit at the transmission source.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are views showing an embodiment of a printer system according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a connection diagram showing a connection to a network and a plurality of recording means, and FIG. 2 is a block showing an overall configuration of a main part. It is a figure.

First, the configuration of an embodiment of the printer system according to the present invention will be described. In both figures, 10 is a printer device, and the printer device 10 is, for example, a personal computer for creating and editing a document, or a host (WS) host H _{1 to} H that is a workstation (WS) for drawing.
_n are connected to each other on a network capable of exchanging information with each other, and general-purpose printer devices P _{2 to} P _m are connected to the network by a predetermined printer cable. The printer device 10 includes recording means (described later) for recording and outputting the received print data on a sheet and operates (drives) as the printer device P _1.
The printers P _{2 to} P _m constitute a plurality of recording means. This printer device P
_{1 to} P _m is less than the hosts H _{1 to} H _n (m
<Although n) number is installed, are commonly used by the host H ₁ to H _n, the received print data (hereinafter, simply referred to as received data) is recorded output. It should be noted that the printer device 10 does not include a recording unit, and the printer device P
Only so-called delivering the received data ₂ to P _m, it may be configured of a server device. In the following description, when referring to any of the printer devices P _{1 to} P _m (not necessarily one), simply refer to either the printer device P or the hosts H _{1 to} H _n (not necessarily one). When referring to it, it is simply referred to as host H.

This printer device 10 has a basic program
Therefore, each unit is controlled and various processing programs of the present invention are performed.
CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that executes RAM
And its basic programs and various processing programs
ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 that works
RAM (Random Access Mem) that stores necessary drive data
mory) 13 and various predetermined information are displayed and
Operation display unit for inputting settings and commands
14 and print data and the information accompanying this,
In addition, a communication unit (communication means) 15 for transmitting predetermined information,
Input device P₂ ~ P _m To one of the printer cables
Data branching unit 16 that disconnects and branches the delivery route of received data
And a printer device P including the delivery destination of the received data
₁ ~ P_m Select from one of the
The data queue control unit 17 that delivers received data and the received data
Data memory 18 for storing data and parameter information
Parameters that are backed up by the accumulated battery 19a
Data memory 19, paper loading, paper feeding and jam occurrence
It is equipped with paper sensor group 20a to detect
A plotter that records on paper and outputs documents, images, etc.
20) and each of letters, numbers, kana, symbols, kanji, etc.
Character generator that stores character font data
The data 21 and the data 21 are connected via a bus. In addition, this
Printer device P₁~ P_m Is the host H₁ ~ H_n Due to
Data is compressed and encoded, and the received data is decoded and restored.
The original encoding / decoding unit is provided, and this encoding / decoding
The section may also compress and encode the data.

In the printer device 10, the CPU 11 and the print queue control unit 17 constitute a data analysis unit (delivery means) 25. The data analysis unit 25 is a CPU.
Hosts H _{1 to} H 11 received via the data communication unit 15
_While analyzing the received data from _n (source) and the information sent together with this received data, any _one of the printer devices P _{1 to} P _m (D) as a delivery destination to which the print queue control unit 17 delivers the received data ( After selecting the printer device P), the CPU 11 connects the data branching unit 16 to the printer cable of the printer device P and sends out the received data. At this time, when the print queue control unit 17 cannot send out the received data and enters the waiting state, the information indicating the received data is held at the end of the printer queue corresponding to the selected printer device P and the CP
Data memory for the received data that is coded and compressed by U11
Accumulate in 18 temporarily. After that, when the print queue control unit 17 monitors the printer device P and becomes ready for delivery, the CPU 11 reads out the first reception data of the queue information of the printer device P from the data memory 18, and sends it out.
The print queue controller 17 deletes the queue information. That is, the printer device 10
The print data that is simply sent (transmitted) without being transmitted to the hosts H _{1 to} H _n, which is the load on the network, is received, and the received data is received by the printer devices P _{1 to} P _n.
Select one of _m and send it.

Next, the invention according to any one of claims 1, 4 and 5
A first embodiment of the printer system according to the invention will be described.
It In both figures, the data analysis unit 25 is the host H₁ ~ H
_n When print data is received from one of
The queue control unit 17 is the printer device P.₁ ~ P_m Drive status
Can be driven by investigating (for example, during output or failure)
Select the printer device P that is not driven in
U11 is connected to the printer device P by the data branching unit 16.
To send (deliver) the received data. At this time, the printer
Device P₁ ~ P _m When both are outputting or malfunctioning
Indicates that the print queue controller 17 is the printer device P.₁ ~ P_m 
If the printer device P with the least queue is selected from
Both hold queue information at the end,
The CPU 11 temporarily stores the received data in the data memory 18.
After that, the print queue control unit 17 sets the printer device.
When it is confirmed that the recording output of the device P is possible, the CPU
11 is the received data at the head of the queue of the printer P.
Is read out from the data memory 18 and sent out,
The print queue control unit 17 holds the queue information
Delete the information. At this time, the print queue control unit 17
Receives a queue of received data from the printer device P ₁ ~ P_m Minutes
Printer device P₁ ~
P_m When any of the
The input device P may be selected as the delivery destination.

When the CPU 11 identifies the identifier of the sender information from the information sent together with the received data, the CPU 11 delivers the received data set in the parameter memory 19 as parameter information to the delivery destination of the printer device P. Information (for example, number or installation place) is searched and displayed (notified) on the operation display unit 14 in correspondence with transmission source information (for example, name), or recorded and output (notified) on paper by the plotter 20. . Further, when the reply mode in which the delivery destination information of the print data is returned to the host H is selected on the operation display unit 14, the CPU 11 further delivers the delivery destination information based on, for example, an address on the network of the transmission source information. Is returned to the source host H via the data communication unit 15. That is, the CPU 11 constitutes a notification means and a reply means. The notification by the operation display unit 14 or the plotter 20 may be performed for each reception data or a plurality of reception data, or may be performed by an operator's input operation from the operation display unit 14. further,
Only one of the notification and the reply of the delivery destination information may be performed, and in the case of only the reply, the reply mode may be executed without selecting and inputting the reply mode.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the print data is received, the driving states of the printer devices P _{1 to} P _m are investigated by the data analysis unit 25, and the received data is delivered to the printer device P with less waiting. Therefore, print data can be promptly printed out without designating the printer device P to be printed out by the host H. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of recording output by the inexpensive printer device 10 which does not control the transmission with the host H, and it is possible to effectively use the printer devices P _{1 to} P _m .

Further, the sender information of the received data is identified by the data analysis section 25, the delivery destination information (number and installation location) of the printer P and the host information (name) are displayed on the operation display section 14, Alternatively, since the plotter 20 prints out on paper, the operator of the host H who sent the print data can recognize the printed printer P only by coming to the installation place of the printer 10 serving as a key station. It is possible to go to the place where the printer P is installed and obtain the output paper without searching.
Further, the operator simply returns the delivery destination information of the printer P by setting the reply mode. For example, the delivery destination of print data can be recognized only by displaying it on the display unit. The printed sheet can be obtained by directly going to the place where the printer P is installed. As a result, convenience can be improved.

Further, the printer device 10 is a printer device P.
Since it also doubles as _1, it centrally manages print data,
The printing system can have a high added value.
As another aspect of the present embodiment, in addition to the delivery destination information sent back to the host H that sent the print data, error occurrence information and the like can be sent back so that quick response can be made.

This embodiment is an example suitable for constructing a printer system including printer devices P _{1 to} P _m capable of recording and outputting print data from any of the hosts H _{1 to} H _n . Next, a second embodiment of the printer system according to the present invention will be described. Since the present embodiment is constructed in substantially the same manner as the above-mentioned embodiments, the characteristic part will be described.

In both figures, when the host H wants to specify some of the printer devices P for which print data is to be recorded and output, the parameter memory 19 is made to correspond in advance to the source information of each host H, for example, in advance. The printer device P can be specified by an OMR (Op (Op
It is configured so that it can be easily set by reading the sheet. That is, the parameter memory 19 constitutes terminal setting means.

The CPU 11 receives the data analysis unit 25.
From the information sent with the communication data
It identifies a child and its sender information is stored in the parameter memory 19.
Is set to, for example, the printer device P
₂ , P₃ , P_Four Set in order of priority (set in order of priority)
If the print queue control unit 17 has
The driving status of the
Select the printer device P that does not exist, and the CPU 11
Send (deliver). At this time, the printer device P ₂ , P
₃ , P_Four If any of the
As in the above-described embodiment, the print queue control unit 17
Device P₂ , P₃ , P_Four Least queued printer
Select device P and queue information at the end
It is designed to hold. The printer device P₂ ,
P₃ , P_Four Even if it becomes possible to record and output other than
Maintain state.

As described above, in this embodiment, the operation of the above-mentioned embodiment is performed.
In addition to the effect, the parameter corresponding to the identified sender information
Printer device P preset in the data memory 19
₂ , P ₃ , P_Four Received data is delivered to the host
In H, especially when sending print data
Without receiving the transmission control that specifies P,
Printer suitable for host H, for example a printer near the installation location
Device P, printer device capable of recording and outputting print data
P or a printer device capable of forming highly accurate images and characters
Recording and outputting with a device P (for example, page printer)
Can be. Therefore, it is cheaper and more convenient.
Can be made.

In the present embodiment, the hosts H _{1 to} H _n and the printer devices P _{1 to} P _m are installed in separate positions, and the types of print data sent from the hosts H _{1 to} H _n are different. The devices P _{1 to} P _m are also an example suitable for constructing a printer system of a model corresponding thereto. Next, a third embodiment of the printer system according to the third aspect of the invention will be described. Since the present embodiment is constructed in substantially the same manner as the above-mentioned embodiments, the characteristic part will be described.

In both figures, the parameter memory 19 corresponds to the address (not limited to one) of the printer device P capable of recording and outputting the type of print data sent from the hosts H _{1 to} H _{n for} each type information. The printer device P can also be set in advance by setting the O
It is configured so that it can be set using an MR sheet. That is, the parameter memory 19 constitutes terminal setting means.

Then, the data analysis unit 25 identifies the type information, for example, the print data language identifier, from the information sent by the CPU 11 together with the received data, and searches whether the type information is set in the parameter memory 19. hand,
The print queue control unit 17 examines the drive state of the printer device P corresponding to the type information, selects the printer device P that is not driven in a drivable state, and the CPU 11 sends (delivers) the received data. At this time, when the printer device P is outputting (when a plurality of printer devices are set) or in failure, the print queue control unit 17 outputs the queue information of the printer device P to the end as in the above-described embodiment. It is designed to be held on the tail. That is, the parameter memory 19 constitutes the type setting means. Note that print data that cannot be recorded and output by any of the printer devices P _{1 to} P _m cannot be accurately recorded and output.
C may cause a runaway (malfunction) such as printing meaningless characters, ejecting paper indefinitely, etc.
The PU 11 deletes the received data of the type information which is not set in the parameter memory 19, and the transmission source information may be recorded and output to the plotter 20 to notify the operator.

As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment, the received data is delivered to the printer device P preset in the parameter memory 19 corresponding to the identified type information. In the host H, the print data can be recorded and output by the printer device P without a malfunction without performing the transmission control for designating the printer device P when sending the print data. Therefore, convenience can be improved at low cost.

Note that this embodiment is an example suitable for constructing a printer system in which the types of print data sent from the hosts H _{1 to} H _n are different and the printer devices P _{1 to} P _m are also compatible models. Is. In the above-described embodiment, the case where the invention is applied to a network in which transmission is controlled between transmission sources is described, but it goes without saying that it is also applicable to a network only for printing without transmission control. Absent.

[0037]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the received print data is delivered to the recording means with less waiting even if the recording means for recording and outputting is not designated, so that the print data can be quickly sent without load on the network. In addition, the recording means can be effectively used for recording and output, and the efficiency is improved. In addition, since it is not necessary to control the transmission with the network side, the cost is reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the received print data is delivered to the recording means set corresponding to the sender even if the recording means for recording and outputting is not designated, so that there is no load on the network. The print data can be recorded and output by the recording means suitable for the sender, which improves convenience. In addition, since it is not necessary to control the transmission with the network side, the cost is reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the received print data is delivered to the recording means capable of recording and outputting even if the recording means for recording and outputting is not designated, so that there is no load on the network and no malfunction of the print data. It can be recorded and output, improving reliability. In addition, since it is not necessary to control the transmission with the network side, the cost is reduced. According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the transmission source information and the delivery destination information of the print data are displayed on the display unit or recorded and output on a sheet of paper, for example, so that the recording means for recording and outputting the print data is searched for. There is no hassle and convenience is improved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the delivery destination information of the print data is returned to the transmission source. Therefore, by displaying the delivery destination information at the transmission source, for example, on the display unit,
It is possible to recognize the recording unit that recorded and output the print data, and obtain the paper directly from the recording unit that records and outputs the print data, which improves convenience.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a printer system according to the present invention, and is a connection diagram showing connections of the network and a plurality of recording means.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a main part thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 CPU (informing means, replying means) 12 ROM 13 RAM 14 operation display section 15 data communication section (communication means) 16 data branching section 17 data queue control section 18 data memory 19 parameter memory (terminal setting means, type setting means) 20 Plotter (recording means) 25 Data analysis section (delivery means)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A printer system, which is connected to a network for transmitting predetermined data, records received print data on paper, and outputs the print data, comprising: communication means for receiving print data; and received print data on paper. A printer system comprising: a plurality of recording means for recording and outputting; and a delivery means for investigating the driving states of the plurality of recording means and delivering print data to the recording means with less waiting. 2. A printer system, which is connected to a network for transmitting predetermined data, records received print data on paper, and outputs the print data, comprising: communication means for receiving print data and the received print data on paper. A plurality of recording means for recording and outputting, a terminal setting means for presetting a recording means corresponding to a transmission source of print data, a transmission source information transmitted together with the print data, and terminal setting corresponding to the transmission source. A printer system, comprising: a delivery unit that delivers print data to a recording unit that is set in the unit. 3. A printer system, which is connected to a network for transmitting predetermined data, records received print data on a sheet and outputs the same, comprising: communication means for receiving the print data and the received print data on the sheet. A plurality of recording means for recording and outputting, a type setting means for presetting type information of print data,
A printer system, comprising: delivery means for identifying the type information transmitted together with the print data and delivering the print data to a recording means set in the type setting means corresponding to the type information. 4. The notification means for identifying the transmission source information transmitted together with the print data and notifying the transmission source information and the delivery destination information, according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Printer system. 5. A return means for identifying transmission source information transmitted together with the print data and for returning the delivery information of the delivery destination to which the print data is delivered to the transmission source. The printer system according to any one of 1.