JP2000172466A - System and method for information processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the trouble of a user and to prevent a failure in print processing, etc., by comparing set send-out conditions of an output job with properties obtained from a server and changing the processing style of the output job. SOLUTION: A network redirector 203 having received data that the user desires to print from an application program 201 through a printer driver 202 requests information, regarding the current state of a connected printer 103, of the host computer 102 of a server. At this request, the host computer 102 sends information regarding the printer 103. A client computer 101 that the user uses receives the information regarding the printer 103 and compares the previously set send-out conditions with the properties of a print job on the server. Only when the set conditions are met, the data are printed or when some of the set conditions are met, the user is automatically warned.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an information processing system and a method for performing a printing process between, for example, a server computer controlling a printing apparatus and a client computer connected via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a network system in which a client computer and a server computer share a printer via a network, information on a printer connected to the server computer, for example, information such as a default paper size or out of paper. And it was possible for the user to confirm.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional method, when printing, it is necessary for the user to check the status of the printer connected to the server computer by himself / herself. Was hanging.

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the trouble of the user and prevent the failure of processing such as printing beforehand, thereby improving the convenience of the user and improving the operability. It is to provide a system and an information processing method.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided an information processing system for exchanging information between a server device for controlling output means and a client device connected to the server device via a network. Setting means provided in the client device, for setting an output job sending condition to the output means, and obtaining means for obtaining an attribute of the output means relating to the output job from the server device when instructing output of the output job. A comparison unit that compares the set output job sending condition with an attribute of the acquired output job; and a change unit that changes a processing mode of the output job according to the comparison result. Thus, an information processing system is configured.

[0006] The present invention is also an information processing method for exchanging information between a server device for controlling output means and a client device connected to the server device via a network, wherein the client device comprises: A setting step of setting an output job sending condition to the output unit; an obtaining step of obtaining an attribute of the output unit from the server device with respect to the output job when instructing the output job to be sent; An information processing method comprising: a comparing step of comparing output job sending conditions with an attribute of the acquired output job; and a changing step of changing a processing mode of the output job according to the comparison result. I will provide a.

[0007] The present invention also relates to a medium recording a program for controlling the exchange of information between a server device for controlling an output means and a client device connected via a network. The program causes a computer to set output job sending conditions to the output unit, and to send the output job,
The output unit is configured to acquire an attribute related to the output job of the output unit from the server device, and the output condition of the set output job is compared with the attribute related to the acquired output job, and according to the result of the comparison, A medium in which an information processing control program is recorded is provided by changing the processing mode of an output job.

Here, the apparatus further comprises means for inquiring the user how to perform subsequent operations in accordance with the result of the comparison, and changing the processing mode of the output job in accordance with the result of the inquiry. be able to.

The setting means has means for setting a plurality of transmission conditions of the output job and for setting priorities for the respective transmission conditions, performing comparison by the comparing means in accordance with the priorities, and providing a result of the comparison. , The processing mode of the output job can be changed.

The setting means has means for setting a plurality of output job sending conditions, and the comparing means has an evaluation function which weights each of the plurality of output job sending conditions, The comparison can be performed using the value calculated by the evaluation function.

A printing apparatus is used as the output means, and a server computer for controlling the printing apparatus and a client computer connected via a network,
Information relating to print job transmission conditions can be exchanged.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Outline) First, an outline of the present invention will be described.

According to the present invention, in a print processing system including a server computer for controlling a printing apparatus and a client computer connected via a network, the client computer allows a user to execute an application program or the like on the client computer. When sending the print data created by using the print data to the server computer through the network path, setting means for setting the print job sending condition, and comparing and inspecting the set sending condition with the attribute of the print job of the printing apparatus. The system includes an inspection unit and a unit that changes an operation mode of a printing operation according to an inspection result, and exchanges information.

In the above-mentioned print processing system, if any problem is found by the inspection on the client computer, an inquiry is made to the user, and the printing operation is changed according to the answer to the inquiry. is there.

Hereinafter, a specific example will be described.

(First Example) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of a print processing system as an information processing system.

This print processing system comprises a host computer 102 and a group of client computers connected via a network 200.

This print processing system is connected to and controlled by a client computer 101, a host computer 102, a printer 103 connected to and controlled by the host computer 102, another host computer 104, and a host computer 104. A printer 105, a network printer 106 having a network connection function, and a client 1 sharing the network printer 106 with the client computer 101
07, 108 and 109.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the internal configuration of the client and the server.

In the client computer 101, 201 is an arbitrary application program used by the user.

Reference numeral 202 denotes an output of the application program, and a PDL (Page Description Language).
) Is a printer driver that performs conversion and the like.

Reference numeral 203 denotes a redirection driver program (network redirector) for transferring data to another server computer existing on the same network 200.

Data desired to be printed by the user is transmitted from the application program 201 to the printer driver 20.
When the print data is received, the redirection driver program 203 receives the print data from the host computer 102 (server computer) of the redirection destination server.
An instruction to transmit information on the current state of the printer 103 connected to the printer 02 is issued.

In accordance with the instruction, the host computer 102 of the server transmits information on the printer 103 connected to the host computer 102 (whether there is an abnormality, a list of stored paper sizes, the printer 103 on the host computer 102 of the server). Queue usage, etc.).

The client computer 101 used by the user receives the information on the printer 103 transmitted from the host computer 102 of the server and analyzes the information.

Here, when the setting condition predetermined by the user is satisfied or not satisfied, the client computer 101 prints to the user using the client computer 101. For example, a report is made as to whether or not a condition for performing printing (reporting that printing is executable / not possible is performed to the user and a confirmation of whether or not to continue the processing is performed at the same time) is satisfied.

The conditions (evaluation function) to be analyzed for the information on the printer 103 include whether or not the output destination printer is turned on, whether or not the paper is out of paper, the print on the host computer 102 of the server. When the number of queues is equal to or more than a certain number (for example,
If the number is more than one, the output to the printer is temporarily suspended.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the printing process.

Here, the host computer 1 of the server
When there are three or more print waiting jobs on the print spool 02, a warning is issued to the user and the print job is output to the print spool as it is, or is held or output to another spool. The setting condition of the information analysis in which the user is asked the following question is given as an example.

In FIG. 1, the process starts in step S301. In step S302, the user issues a print command using the application program 201 running on the client computer.

In step S303, the print data sent from the application program 201 to the printer driver 202 is sent to a network redirector (module) 203 for controlling the sending direction of the print data.

In step S304, the network redirector 203 requests the host computer 102 of the server, which is the network redirect destination, for information on the status of the host computer 102 (such as queue information of a job waiting to be printed).

In step S305, the host computer 102 of the server sends the print spool information of the host computer 102 to the client computer 101.

In step S306, the print spool information sent from the host computer 102 of the server is analyzed by the client computer 101.

Here, the client computer 101
The setting conditions set in advance in the following are: "If the number of jobs waiting to be printed on the print spool is five or more, it is determined that the spool is congested,
Display a warning to the user. "

In step S307, the above-mentioned setting conditions and
The status of the print spool received from the host computer 102 of the server is compared.

If the comparison indicates that a predetermined number or more of print jobs are waiting in the print spool existing on the host computer 102 of the server, the process proceeds to step S308.

In step S308, the display means for the user who is using the client computer 101 is used to display a failure in the print job created by the user. Since a large number of jobs are waiting in the spool, it is notified that even if printing is performed as it is, it will take some time before the printing of the job specified by the user is actually performed.

In step S309, three options are presented, and input from the user is waited for. The three options AC are:
It looks like this:

A. Processing for sending the print job to the spool of the host computer 102 of the server as it is.

B. Processing for interrupting the execution of the print job.

C. A process of converting the print job into a job for a printer compatible with the previously selected printer.

The number of options is not limited to three, but is merely an example.

Here, a compatible printer is one that satisfies conditions such as, for example, identical models, use of the same printer control language, and use of the same format of print data. Therefore, when the setting for enabling the network printer 106 is performed, these pieces of information are obtained at the same time, and each client computer on the network performs a process of retaining the information.

If the option C of "output to another compatible printer" is selected in step S309, the flow advances to step S312.

In step S312, an output destination list of the job to be changed is created and presented to the user.

In step S313, the user selects a job output destination list and sends the job to the selected server.

When creating the output destination list of the job, it is determined whether or not the printer satisfies the transmission conditions, as in the case of selecting the first printer. It is not presented to the user without registering in the destination list.

It is also possible to allow the user to select in advance whether or not to register in the list, and to execute registration in the list according to the selection.

At this time, however, the list to be created and presented always has "Cancel" and "Send to the first selected printer" as options, and prevents the list from becoming empty. At this point, the user can confirm the result of the compatibility list and cancel the job or specify the print without changing the printer.

On the other hand, if option A is selected in step S309, the process moves to step S310.

In step S310, the client computer 101 sends the server host computer 102
The print data is sent to the printer.

If option B is selected in step S309, the process moves to step S311.

In step S311, the print data existing on the client computer 101 is canceled, and the procedure ends (step S314).

On the other hand, in the comparison in step S307, if the number of print jobs waiting on the spool existing on the host computer 102 of the server is smaller than the predetermined number, the process proceeds to step S310.

In step S310, the print job created on the client computer is sent to the host computer 102 of the server.

When the transmission of the print job is completed, the processing of the print job on the client computer 101 side is completed.

If the print job is completed on the host computer 102 of the server or if any trouble occurs during printing, the host computer 102 of the server sends the print job to the client computer 101 that sent the print job. And notify that effect.

However, at this time, if a serious error (paper cut, jam, etc.) occurs with respect to the printer,
The occurrence of an error is notified to all client computers that use the host computer 102 of the server.

(Second Example) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the first
The description of the same parts as in the example is omitted, and the same reference numerals are given.

In the first example, the user can select only one setting. However, in an actual situation, it is necessary to set a plurality of situations, for example, that the number of jobs waiting in a queue is three or less and that the paper sizes match. Is also conceivable.

In the following description, an example in which there are a plurality of such situation settings will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in this example.

When considering a plurality of setting conditions, it is conceivable to take a logical product of all the conditions, a logical sum, or to combine them. In the description here, all logical products are taken. And an example in which information is presented to the user when the result is true will be described.

In step S 402, the user issues a print command using the application program 201 running on the client computer 101. The print data created by the application program 201 is converted by the printer driver 202 into PDL and the like.

In step S403, the print data created by the printer driver 202 is sent to a network redirector (module) 203 that controls the sending direction of the print data.

In step S404, the network redirector 203 makes a request for the status of the server (queue information of a job waiting to be printed) to the host computer 102 of the server to which the redirection is directed.

In step S405, the host computer 102 of the server
2 to the client computer 10
Send to 1.

In step S406, the client computer 101 analyzes the data of the host computer 102 based on the preset setting conditions.

Here, the preset setting conditions are as follows: “the number of jobs waiting to be printed on the print spool is five or more, and the total number of jobs is 50”. If the number exceeds one page, the spool is determined to be congested and a warning is displayed to the user. "

In step S407, the above setting conditions and
The status of the print spool received from the host computer 102 of the server is compared.

In this comparison, first, the first comparison condition “the number of jobs waiting for printing on the print spool is 5 or more” is extracted from the condition list (evaluation function), and the condition and the host of the server are retrieved. A comparison with the state acquired from the computer 102 is performed.

If the result of the comparison is true, that is, if the number of jobs waiting to be printed on the host computer 102 of the server is five or more, the flow advances to the next step S408.
If the comparison result is false, that is, if there are less than five waiting jobs, the process moves to step S415.

If the control has proceeded to step S408, the second comparison condition "the total number of pages of all jobs exceeds 50 pages" is a condition list (evaluation function).
Then, the setting conditions are compared with the state acquired from the host computer 102 of the server.

If the result of the comparison is true, it means that the set conditions have been satisfied, and the routine goes to step S409.

In step S409, information is presented to the user, and the flow advances to step S410.

In step S410, the presented information is selected and determined.

Here, the options presented to the user include:
Options D include “send the print job to the specified printer as it is”, option E “cancel the print job”, and option F “send the print job to another compatible printer”. .

When the user selects the option D of “Send the print job to the designated printer as it is”,
It moves to step S411.

In step S 411, the client computer 101 sends the server host computer 102
Send the print job.

If the user has selected the option E of "cancel print job" in step S410, the flow advances to step S412 to cancel the print job.

If the user's selection is "send a print job to another compatible printer", then step S4
Proceed to 13.

In step S413, an output destination list of the print job to be changed is created and presented to the user.

In step S414, a new output destination is selected from the output destination list of the presented print job, and the print job is transmitted.

In creating an output destination list for a print job, it is determined whether or not the printer satisfies the transmission conditions, as in the case of selecting the first printer. It is not presented to the user without registering in the destination list. Here, it is also possible to allow the user to select in advance whether or not to register in the list, and to execute registration in the list according to the selection.

However, the list to be created / presented always has "cancel" and "send to the first selected printer" to prevent the list from becoming empty, and at this time, After confirming the result of the compatibility list, the user can cancel the print job or specify the print without changing the printer.

In the present example, the condition is determined by the logical product of the results under the two conditions. However, the number of conditions to be set may be three or more, or the condition (the combination of logical product and logical sum) For example, it is also possible to make a determination based on whether there is no paper or more than six spool waits).

If the result of the determination in either the step S407 or the step S408 is false, it means that the initial setting conditions have not been satisfied, and it is not possible to display a warning to the user. Not
Proceed to step S415.

In step S415, the print job is sent to the print spool existing on the host computer 102 of the server.

The print processing after transmission is all under the control of the host computer 102 of the server, and the control by the client computer 101 ends.

When the print job has been completed on the host computer 102 of the server or when some trouble has occurred during printing, the host computer 102 of the server sends the print request to the client computer 101 that sent the print job. , To that effect.

However, at this time, if a serious error (paper cut, jam, etc.) occurs with respect to the printer,
The occurrence of the error is notified to all the client computers using the server computer.

In each of the above examples, the printer engine in the printer may be a laser beam printer engine or an ink jet printer engine. Differences in the printing method do not hinder application to the present invention.

If the printer has a function that can be directly connected to a network, the printer is connected to the network using the above function, or is connected using an adapter unit that connects the printer to the network. This does not constitute an obstacle to application to the present invention.

The present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.).
The present invention may be applied to an apparatus including two devices (for example, a copying machine and a facsimile machine).

Further, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. Then, a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or M) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
PU) can read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium, so that the effects of the present invention can be enjoyed.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

The storage medium for supplying the program code includes, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-RO
M, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card,
ROM (mask ROM, flash EEPROM, etc.)
Etc. can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a function expansion port inserted into the computer or a memory provided in a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0103]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The sending conditions of the print job are set in advance on the client computer side, and when the printing instruction is actually given, the sending conditions and the attributes of the print job of the server at that time (the server computer and the server computer and the connected Printer status) and automatically compare them, and print only when the set conditions are met, or automatically warn the user when any of the set conditions is met. Because it was
It is possible to reduce the trouble of the user and prevent the failure of the printing process beforehand, thereby improving the user's convenience and the operability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a client and a server.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print processing system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 client computer 102 host computer 103 printer 104 host computer 105 printer 106 network printer 107-109 client

Claims (14)

[Claims] An information processing system for exchanging information between a server device that controls an output unit and a client device connected to the server device via a network, provided in the client device, Setting means for setting an output job sending condition to the output means; acquiring means for acquiring the output job attribute of the output means from the server device when sending the output job instruction; and the set output job An information processing system comprising: a comparing unit that compares the output condition of the output job with an attribute of the acquired output job; and a changing unit that changes a processing mode of the output job according to the comparison result. . 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit for inquiring a user how to perform a subsequent operation according to the comparison result, and changing a processing mode of the output job according to a result of the inquiry. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The setting means has a plurality of sending conditions of the output job, and has a means for setting a priority order for each sending condition. The comparing means performs a comparison according to the priority order,
2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein a processing mode of the output job is changed according to a result of the comparison. 4. The setting means has means for setting a plurality of output job sending conditions, and the comparing means has an evaluation function weighted for each of the plurality of output job sending conditions. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the comparison is performed using a value calculated by the evaluation function. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is a printing apparatus, and exchanges information relating to a print job sending condition between a server computer controlling the printing apparatus and a client computer connected via a network. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: 6. An information processing method for exchanging information between a server device controlling an output unit and a client device connected to the server device via a network, wherein the client device includes the output device. A setting step of setting an output job sending condition to a unit; an obtaining step of obtaining, from the server device, an attribute of the output unit with respect to the output job when sending the output job instruction; and sending the set output job. An information processing method, comprising: a comparing step of comparing a condition with an attribute of the acquired output job; and a changing step of changing a processing mode of the output job according to a result of the comparison. 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: inquiring of a user how to perform a subsequent operation according to the comparison result, and changing a processing mode of the output job according to a result of the inquiry. 7. The information processing method according to claim 6, wherein: 8. The setting step sets a plurality of transmission conditions of the output job, sets a priority for each transmission condition, and performs a comparison in the comparing step according to the priority.
7. The information processing method according to claim 6, wherein a processing mode of the output job is changed according to a result of the comparison. 9. The setting step sets a plurality of output job sending conditions, and the comparing step includes an evaluation function weighting each sending condition of the plurality of settable output jobs. 7. The information processing method according to claim 6, wherein the comparison is performed using a value calculated by the function. 10. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is a printing apparatus, and exchanges information relating to print job sending conditions between a server computer controlling the printing apparatus and a client computer connected via a network. The information processing method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein: 11. A medium recording a program for controlling the exchange of information between a server device controlling output means and a client device connected via a network, wherein the control program is stored in a computer. Setting an output job sending condition to the output unit, and instructing the output unit to send an attribute relating to the output job of the output unit when instructing the output job to be sent; A medium storing an information processing control program, wherein the information processing control program is configured to compare the acquired attribute with the output job, and to change a processing mode of the output job according to a result of the comparison. 12. A method according to claim 1, further comprising: inquiring of a user how to perform a subsequent operation in accordance with a result of the comparison, and changing a processing mode of the output job in accordance with the inquired result. A medium on which the information processing control program according to claim 11 is recorded. 13. A plurality of output job sending conditions are set, priority is set for each sending condition, a comparison is made in accordance with the priority, and a processing mode of the output job is set according to a result of the comparison. 12. A medium storing the information processing control program according to claim 11, wherein the program is changed. 14. A plurality of output conditions of the output job are set, and comparison is performed using a value calculated by an evaluation function weighted for each of the output conditions of the set output job. A medium on which the information processing control program according to claim 11 is recorded.