JP2010176635A - Network printer system, information processor and print program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To substantially synchronize the end of printing in each of printers when one print job is executed in a plurality of printers in a distributed manner. <P>SOLUTION: The network printer system calculates the number of sheets to be printed by each printer, so that a plurality of printers used complete printing all the sheets of a document requested in the shortest period of time on the basis of a printing speed individually set and current queueing time of the each printer. Then, the document to be printed is divided according to the number of sheets to be printed by each printer, and a print job for each divided document is issued to each printer to which the number of sheets to be printed is assigned. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a network printer system in which a plurality of printers are connected via a network, an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer that issues a print job to the printer, and a printing program installed in the information processing apparatus.

  A network printer system in which a plurality of printers are connected via a network has already been put into practical use in facilities such as corporations and schools. In this system, a printer can be selected when a user prints a document (a document file, an image file, etc.) created using an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer. The information processing apparatus issues a document print job to the selected printer.

  By the way, for example, when printing a document having a large number of printed sheets of several hundred pages, if a single printer is used for printing, it takes a long time to complete the printing. In addition, there is a problem that one user occupies the printer. Therefore, it is considered that one document is distributed and printed by a plurality of printers connected via a network.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a communication system that automatically assigns one print job to a plurality of printers. This communication system queues print data for each page. Then, the queued print data is sequentially delivered to a plurality of printers having the same device ID.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-327817

  The technique described in Patent Document 1 does not consider the printing waiting time of a plurality of printers to which one print job is divided. For this reason, there is a possibility that the timing of the end of printing between the printers is greatly shifted.

  The present invention has been made based on such circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to substantially match the timing of printing termination in each printer when printing a print job divided into a plurality of printers. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a network printer system capable of efficiently printing a print job requested by a user, an information processing apparatus of the system, and a printing program installed in the information processing apparatus.

  The present invention relates to an individually set printing speed of each printer in a network printer system in which a plurality of printers are connected to an information processing apparatus that issues a print job in response to a document print request via a network. Acquisition means for acquiring the current print waiting time, and acquisition means for assigning the number of prints to be allocated to each printer so that the total number of prints of the requested document can be completed in a short time using a plurality of printers. Calculating means for calculating based on the printing speed and printing waiting time for each printer obtained by the above, and dividing means for dividing the document requested to be printed according to the assigned number of prints calculated for each printer by the calculating means. . The information processing apparatus issues a print job for each document divided by the dividing unit according to the assigned print number to each printer to which the assigned print number is assigned.

  According to the present invention in which such a measure is taken, when one print job is divided into a plurality of printers and printed, it is possible to substantially match the timing of the end of printing in each printer. The print processing can be effectively performed.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a network printer system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of printer information stored in printer information areas of first to third printers in the first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a personal computer according to a first embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the program execution means which a personal computer has in 1st Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart specifically showing a procedure of an allocated page number calculation process in FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a waiting time calculating unit included in the printer in the first embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the allocation page number display screen displayed in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bookmark page printed in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a network printer system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a printer management server according to a second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a waiting time calculation unit included in a printer management server in the second embodiment.

(First embodiment)
A network printer system according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. This system includes a plurality of (three in the figure) printers 10 (first printer 10-1, second printer) installed at various locations in a facility (corporate, public facility, school, etc.) where the system is constructed. 10-2, third printer 10-3,...) Are connected by a network 20 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). In addition, a personal computer 30 which is an aspect of the information processing apparatus is connected to the network 20.

  In the present system, one document (document file, image file, etc.) created by a user using the personal computer 30 can be distributed and printed by a plurality of printers 10.

  Each printer 10 may be a device having only a printing function, or a device having a plurality of functions such as a multifunction peripheral. Each printer 10 has a common basic configuration although functions such as a printing method (for example, monochrome printing, color printing, etc.) and resolution differ for each printer. Therefore, the basic configuration of the first printer 10-1 is shown as a representative in the block diagram of FIG.

  The first printer 10-1 has a communication unit 12, a storage unit 13, and a control unit 14 for controlling them, in addition to the printer engine unit 11 that drives the printing mechanism. The first printer 10-1 is connected to the network 20 via the communication unit 12. The communication unit 12 transmits / receives data to / from a personal computer 30 or the like connected via the network 20.

  The storage unit 13 includes a job information area 131 for storing information about a print job and a printer information area 132 for storing information about a printer. Information about the print job includes a job identification name, the number of pages, print data, and the like. The information regarding the printer includes information regarding individual attributes such as a printing speed, a resolution (dpi), a printing method, and a paper type in addition to a printer identification name and location information indicating the installation location of the printer. The printing speed is indicated by the number of prints (sheets / minute) that can be printed in one minute. The storage unit 13 is composed of, for example, a hard disk device.

  Note that the printer information stored in one printer is not limited to one type. For example, the print speed, resolution, and the like vary depending on the print settings. Therefore, a single printer may store a plurality of printer information corresponding to valid settings.

  The control unit 14 is configured mainly by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control unit 14 stores print job information input from the outside via the communication unit 12 in the job information area 131 in the order of input, and the job information area 131 stores the print job information. The print job information is called in the order of input, and the printer engine unit 11 is driven according to the job information. In addition, the control unit 14 has a function as the print waiting time calculating unit 141. The print waiting time calculating unit 141 will be described later.

  An example of printer information stored in the printer information area 132 of each of the first printer 10-1, the second printer 10-2, and the third printer 10-3 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, data D1 is printer information of the first printer 10-1, data D2 is printer information of the second printer 10-2, and data D3 is printer information of the third printer 10-3.

The basic configuration of the personal computer 30 is shown in the block diagram of FIG. The personal computer 30 functions as an information processing apparatus that issues a print job in response to a document print request.
As shown in FIG. 4, the personal computer 30 includes an input unit 31, a display unit 32, a communication unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a control unit 35 that controls them. A keyboard, a pointing device, and the like function as the input unit 31. A liquid crystal display or the like functions as the display unit 32. The personal computer 30 is connected to the network 20 via the communication unit 33. The communication unit 33 transmits / receives data to / from each printer 10 connected via the network 20.

  The storage unit 34 is a hard disk device, for example, and stores a print program 341. The control unit 35 is configured mainly with a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and has a function as a program execution unit 351 that executes the print program 341.

  When a document print request is instructed via the input unit 31, the control unit 35 activates the print program 341 by the program execution unit 351. When the print program 341 is activated, the control unit 35 controls each unit according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the control unit 35 transmits a printer information request command to each printer 10 connected via the network 20 as ST (step) 1. Upon receiving this command, the control unit 14 of the printer 10 calls the printer information stored in the printer information area 132 and transmits it to the personal computer 30 that is the command transmission source via the network 20. The control unit 35 stores the printer information received from each printer 10 in the storage unit 34 for each printer.

  The control unit 35 determines whether or not the printer information has been acquired in ST2. Among the printers connected to the network 20, there may be printers that are not turned on. Even if a request command is transmitted to a printer whose main power is not turned on, the printer does not respond with printer information. For this reason, even if the printer unit 35 cannot acquire printer information from all printers, the control unit 35 considers that acquisition has been completed when a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the request command. When the acquisition completion is confirmed (YES in ST2), the control unit 35 causes the display unit 32 to display the printer information acquired from each printer 10 in ST3 (display unit). If an error such as a paper jam, out of paper, or toner has occurred in the printer, this error information may be displayed as part of the printer information.

  Through the processes of ST1 to ST3, the printer information of the printer 10 that can perform the printing operation among the printers 10 connected to the network 20 is displayed on the display unit 32 of the personal computer 30. Therefore, the user of the personal computer 30 can confirm information regarding attributes such as the installation location of the printer capable of printing, the printing speed, the resolution, the printing format, and the type of usable paper from the display content. Therefore, the user operates the input unit 31 to select a printer suitable for document printing. At this time, the user can select a plurality of printers simultaneously.

  The control unit 35 waits for the printer 10 to be selected in ST4 (selection accepting unit). If the printer 10 is selected via the input unit 31 (YES in ST4), the control unit 35 determines whether the selected number is one or a plurality of units as ST5. If the selected number is one (NO in ST5), the control unit 35 issues a print job for the document requested to be printed to the selected printer 10 in ST6. The control unit 35 ends the current process.

  When a plurality of printers are selected as printers for printing a document (YES in ST5), the control unit 35 transmits a print waiting time request command to each selected printer 10 in ST7. Receiving this command, the control unit 14 of each printer 10 activates the waiting time calculating means 141.

  The control unit 14 of the printer 10 activated by the waiting time calculation unit 141 executes the process of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, the printing speed set as the printer information is acquired from the printer information area 132 in ST41. In ST42, the remaining number of printed sheets is acquired from the print job information stored in the job information area 131. Note that the number of printed sheets may be acquired first, and the printing speed may be acquired later.

  When acquiring the number of prints and the print speed, the control unit 14 calculates a print waiting time by multiplying the number of prints by the print speed in ST43. This print waiting time is the time required for the printing of the print job information already stored in the job information area 131 to be completed. If the printing wait time is calculated, the control unit 14 transmits information on the printing waiting time to the personal computer 30 that is the transmission source of the request command via the network 20 in ST44. The control unit 14 ends the current process.

  Each time the control unit 35 receives the print waiting time information from each printer 10, the control unit 35 stores the print waiting time information for each printer in the storage unit 34. The controller 35 determines whether or not the print waiting time information has been acquired in ST8. If the print waiting time information of all the printers 10 that are the transmission destinations of the request command is stored, the control unit 35 regards the acquisition as being completed.

  Here, the control unit 35 constitutes an acquisition unit that acquires the individually set printing speed and the current print waiting time of each printer 10 through the processes of ST1 to ST8. The obtaining unit obtains individually set printing speeds and current printing waiting times of the plurality of printers 10 selected by the selection receiving unit (ST4).

  When acquisition of the print waiting time information is completed (YES in ST8), the control unit 35 executes an allocated page number calculation process as ST9. This process is a process of calculating the assigned print number to be assigned to each printer 10 so that the total number of prints of the document requested to be printed is completed in the shortest time using a plurality of selected printers 10.

  Specifically, the time difference between the print waiting times of the printer having the shortest print waiting time and the second shortest printer among the plurality of selected printers 10 is obtained, and the print waiting time is between these time differences. Calculate the number of sheets that can be printed by the shortest printer. Next, the time difference of the print waiting time between the printer with the second shortest print waiting time and the printer with the third shortest print time is obtained, and the printer with the shortest print waiting time and the printer with the second shortest print time are respectively determined during this time difference. Calculate the number of printable sheets. Thereafter, until the total number of prints assigned to each printer reaches the total number of prints of the document, the printers are selected in the order of short print waiting time, and the same processing is performed. Each printer from the printer with the shortest print waiting time to the printer with the longest printer next to the printer with the longest print waiting time can be printed between the printers with the longest print waiting time and the printer with the longest print waiting time. If the total number of prints assigned to each printer does not reach the total number of prints of the document even if the number of sheets is calculated, the remaining number of prints is distributed to each printer in proportion to the print speed. Further, if there is a remaining item, the printers are assigned one by one in order from the printer with the higher printing speed.

  According to the above procedure, the assigned number of prints is calculated for each printer so that the total number of prints of the document requested to be printed is completed in the shortest time using the selected plurality of printers. Such an assigned print number calculation process is shown by the flowchart of FIG.

First, let P be the set of printers 10 selected by the user, and let e be the number of elements in the set P (number of printers). Further, any element of the set P a (printer) represents a _{p h,} the printing speed of the element (printer) _{p h} represents an _{S h.} For each element (printer) _{p h,} the initial value is assigned to the variable _{C h} is "0". Variable _{C h} indicates the number of printed sheets that are assigned to the element (printer) _{p h.} Variable _{C h} is an integer part C _.alpha.h, when the fractional part and C _Betah, represented by _C αh + C βh. Further, in the printer 10 selected by the user, a set of printers with the i-th shortest print waiting time is denoted by P _i, and an arbitrary element (printer) of the set P _i is denoted by p _hi . Further, the print wait time element _{(printer) P hj} represents a _{t ij,} representing the printing speed and _{S ij.} In addition, the number of printers 10 which print waiting time is included in the up to i-th from the first and m _i, a mapping S _i → S is f, the total number of printed sheets had documents of the print request and X _total .

First, the controller 35 assigns “0” to the variable X _sum as ST21. Further, the control unit 35 assigns “1” to the variable i in ST22. Variable _{X sum} is the sum of the number of prints assigned to the element (printer) _{p h.} The variable i indicates the order.

Next, the control unit 35 checks whether there is a print waiting time t _{i + 1} that satisfies [t _{i + 1} > t _i ] in ST23. That is, it is determined whether or not the process is for the printer having the longest print waiting time. If it exists, that is, if it is not processing for the printer with the longest print waiting time, the control unit 35 calculates the following equation (1) as ST24 and obtains the solution A. This solution A is the number of sheets that can be printed by a printer with a short print waiting time between the time differences between the print waiting times of a printer with a short print waiting time and the next shortest printer.

Next, the control unit 35 determines whether or not the solution A is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting the variable X _sum from the _total number of printed sheets _Xtotal , that is, the remaining number of printed sheets, as ST25. If smaller, the control unit 35 assigns “1” to the variable L in ST26.

Next, the control unit 35 determines whether or not the variable L has reached the number of elements e of the set P in ST27. If not, the control unit 35 substitutes [(t _{i + 1} −t _i ) f (S _iL ) + C _L ] for the variable C _L in ST28.

Thereafter, the control unit 35 adds “1” to the variable L as ST29. Then, returning to ST27, it is determined whether or not the variable L has reached the element number e. Through the processing steps of ST26 to ST29, the control unit 35 repeats the process of substituting [(t _{i + 1} −t _i ) f (S _iL ) + C _L ] into the variable C _L until the variable _L reaches the number of elements e. . Variable C _L, the print wait time is assigned the number of printed sheets current for short printers L th.

If the variable L reaches the number of elements e (YES in ST27), the control unit 35 adds the variable i by “1” as ST30. Further, the variable _{X sum} as ST31, substitutes the sum of variables _C 1 -C _e.

The control unit 35 returns to ST23 and checks again whether or not there is a print waiting time t _{i + 1} that satisfies [t _{i + 1} > t _i ]. When it exists, the control part 35 performs the process of ST24-ST31 again.

When there is no printing waiting time t _{i + 1} that satisfies [t _{i + 1} > t _i ] (NO in ST23), or when the solution A is equal to or greater than the value obtained by subtracting the variable X _sum from the _total number of printed sheets Xtotal (in ST25) NO), the control unit 35 assigns “1” to the variable L as ST32.

  Next, the control unit 35 determines whether or not the variable L has reached the number of elements e of the set P in ST33. If not, the control unit 35 calculates the following equation (2) as ST34 to obtain a solution B. Solution B is the ratio of the printing speed of the printer with the L-th printing waiting time to the sum of the printing speeds of all the selected printers.

Control unit 35, as ST35, this solution B, we multiply the number of total number of printed sheets _{X total} several minus the variable _{X sum} (remaining number of prints), is added to the current variable _{C L.}

Thereafter, the control unit 35 adds “1” to the variable L as ST36. Then, returning to ST33, it is determined whether or not the variable L has reached the element number e. The processing steps of this ST32～ST36, the control unit 35 until the variable L reaches the number of elements e, the process is repeated to be assigned to a variable _{C L B} to _{(X total -X sum) + C} L.

If the variable L has reached the number of elements e (YES in ST33), the control unit 35 calculates the sum of the variables C _.beta.1 -C _.beta.e a fractional part of the variable _C 1 -C _e as ST37, the sum , print speed in any element P _h of the set P is assigned the fastest printer one by one in order.

By the above processing, the integer part C _ah of the selected printer matrix elements P _h each assigned variable C _h, is calculated by adding the number assigned in the process of ST37, the allocation number of printed elements P _h Calculated (calculation means).

  After calculating the number of prints assigned to each printer in this way, the control unit 35 divides the document requested for printing in ST10 according to the number of prints assigned to each printer. At this time, the document printed by each printer is divided so that the pages are always continuous (dividing means).

  The control unit 35 causes the display unit 32 to display the number of prints assigned to each printer in ST11. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the number of prints assigned to each printer may be displayed as the number of pages of a document printed by the printer. The control unit 35 waits for confirmation input in ST12. When it is detected that a confirmation input has been made via the input unit 31 (YES in ST13), the control unit 35 assigns a print job for each document divided according to the assigned print number as ST13, with the assigned print number assigned. It is issued to each printer 10 received.

  Thereafter, for each printer 10 that prints the document divided as ST14, the control unit 35 at least provides a sheet ("bookmark page") on which the identification name of the document to be printed by the printer 10 and the number of printed pages are written. ) Print job (editing means). Then, the control unit 35 issues a “bookmark page” print job edited for each printer in ST 15 to the corresponding printer 10. The control unit 35 ends the current process.

  Assume that the user of the personal computer 30 prints a document [form 1] having a total print number of 500 sheets with the first to third printers 10-1 to 10-3. The printing waiting time of the first printer 10-1 is 0 [minutes], the printing speed is 10 [sheets / minute], the printing waiting time of the second printer 10-2 is 0.5 [minutes], and the printing speed is 50 [sheets / minute], the printing waiting time of the third printer 10-3 is 1 [minutes], and the printing speed is 100 [sheets / minute].

In this case, in the allocated page number calculation process shown in FIG. 6, when i = 1, it is determined “YES” in ST23, so that solution A = 5 is calculated as ST24. Since the solution A = 5 is smaller than [X _total −X _sum ] = 500, “5” is substituted as the assigned print number C1 for the first printer 10-1 with the shortest print waiting time by the processing of ST26 to ST29. Is done. At this time, the variable X _sum is “5”.

Next, when i = 2, it is determined as “YES” in ST23, and therefore the solution A = 30 is calculated as ST24. Since this solution A = 30 is smaller than [X _total −X _sum ] = 495, “5” is assigned as the assigned print number C ₁ for the first printer 10-1 with the shortest print waiting time by the processing of ST26 to ST29. It is added, "25" is assigned as the assigned number of prints C ₂ print wait time for the second short second printer 10-2. At this time, the variable X _sum is “35”.

Then, when i = 3, since it is determined that the "NO" in ST23, the processing of ST32～ST36, is assigned the number of printed sheets _{C 1} print wait time for the shortest first printer 10-1, the following (3 ) Is calculated as “39.0625”, and the allocated print number C ₂ for the second printer 10-2 having the second shortest print waiting time is calculated as “170.3125” according to the following equation (4), and the print waiting time is the longest. assignment printed sheets _{C 3} for long third printer 10-3 is calculated as "290.625" by the following equation (5).

C ₁ = [{10 / (10 + 50 + 100)} × 465] +10 (3)
C ₂ = [{50 / (10 + 50 + 100)} × 465] +25 (4)
C ₃ = [{100 / (10 + 50 + 100)} × 465] +0 (5)
Further, in the process of ST37, [0.0625 + 0.3125 + 0.625] = 1 is assigned to the third printer 10-3 having the fastest printing speed. Thus, the total number of printed sheets 500 is 39 for the first printer 10-1, 170 for the second printer 10-2, and 291 for the third printer 10-2. Is assigned.

  As a result, the documents [Form 1] up to 1 to 500 pages requested to be printed are 39 documents from 1 to 39 pages printed by the first printer 10-1 and the second printer 10-2. It is divided into 170 documents of 40 to 209 pages to be printed and 291 documents of 210 to 500 pages to be printed by the third printer 10-3. Then, the screen 50 shown in FIG.

  From the content of the screen 50, the user prints pages 1 to 39 of the document [form 1] with the printer pr1 of the 301 meeting room, pages 40 to 209 with the printer pr2 of the 302 meeting room, and the 303 meeting. It can be confirmed that up to 210 to 500 pages are printed by the printer pr3 in the room.

  After confirmation, the user operates the input unit 31 and inputs a confirmation button 51 on the screen. Then, the first printer 10-1 prints the first to 39th pages of the document [form 1] at a printing speed of 10 [sheets / minute] without waiting time, and the second printer 10-2 The 40th to 209th pages of the document [Form 1] are printed at a printing speed of 50 [sheets / minute] after a waiting time of 0.5 minutes, and the third printer 10-3 uses the document [Form 1]. ] Pages 210 to 500 are printed at a printing speed of 100 [sheets / minute] after a waiting time of 1 minute has elapsed.

  As a result, the printing of the first printer 10-1 and the second printer 10-2 is completed in 3.9 minutes, and the printing of the third printer 10-2 is completed in 3.91 minutes. That is, printing of a document [form 1] having a total number of printed pages of 500 pages is simultaneously completed by three printers after approximately 3.9 minutes.

  In this way, when one print job is distributed to a plurality of printers for printing, the printer occupation time can be minimized and the print end timings can be substantially matched. Therefore, even if the print job requested by the user is a large number of documents, it can be efficiently printed in a short time.

  Further, document pages printed from one printer are continuous. For this reason, the user can collect the printed matter printed from each printer in order, and the pages are aligned, so there is no need to realign the pages.

  After the printing of the document, the bookmark page 61 as shown in FIG. 9A is printed on the first printer 10-1, and the bookmark as shown in FIG. 9B is printed on the second printer 10-2. The page 62 is printed, and the third printer 10-3 prints the bookmark page 63 as shown in FIG. 9C (notification means). Therefore, the user can easily confirm how many pages of the document have been printed only by looking at the bookmark pages 61, 62, and 63.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 10 shows a network printer system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component which is common in FIG. 1, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the second embodiment, the printer management server 70 is connected to the network 20. The printer management server 70 is a computer that manages and manages each printer 10, and its basic configuration is shown in the block diagram of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the printer management server 70 includes a communication unit 71, a storage unit 72, and a control unit 73 that controls them. The printer management server 70 is connected to the network 20 via the communication unit 71. The communication unit 71 transmits and receives data to and from the personal computer 30 and each printer 10 connected via the network 20.

  The storage unit 72 is a printer-specific information file 721, 722, 723,... That stores print job information and printer information stored in the storage unit 13 by each printer 10 in the first embodiment. Have

  The control unit 731 has a function of writing print job information for each printer input from the outside via the communication unit 71 into the printer-specific information files 721, 722, 723,. Have the function of calling the print job information stored in 721, 722, 723,... In the order of input and transferring them to the corresponding printer 10. The control unit 731 has a function as a print waiting time calculation unit 731 described later.

  In the second embodiment having such a configuration, the control unit 35 of the personal computer 30 executes a processing procedure substantially similar to the flowchart of FIG. 5 described in the first embodiment by the program execution unit 351.

  However, in ST1, the printer information is requested from each printer 10 in the first embodiment, but the printer information of each printer 10 is requested from the printer management server 70 in the second embodiment. In ST7, the print waiting time is requested from the selected plurality of printers 10 in the first embodiment, but the plurality of printers selected by the printer management server 70 in the second embodiment. The print waiting time is requested together with the identification information. Further, in ST13 and ST15, in the first embodiment, the printing section information is issued to the selected plurality of printers 10, but in the second embodiment, the selection is made via the printer management server 70. Print job information is issued to the plurality of printers.

  On the other hand, the control unit 73 of the printer management server 70 that has received the print waiting time request command activates the waiting time calculating means 731. The control unit 73 of the printer management server 70 activated by the waiting time calculation unit 731 executes the process of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the control unit 73 substitutes the variable N for the number of printers selected in the command transmission source personal computer 30 in ST51. Further, the control unit 73 assigns “0” to the variable n as ST52.

  Next, the control unit 73 adds “1” to the variable n in ST53. Then, in ST54, it is determined whether or not the variable n exceeds the variable N. If the variable n does not exceed the variable N (NO in ST54), the control unit 73 searches the printer-specific information files 721, 722, 723,... Of the printer specified by the variable nth printer identification information in ST55. . In ST56, the printing speed is acquired from the printer information stored in the printer-specific information files 721, 722, 723,. Further, in ST57, the remaining number of prints is acquired from the print job information stored in the printer-specific information files 721, 722, 723,. Note that the number of printed sheets may be acquired first, and the printing speed may be acquired later.

  When acquiring the number of prints and the print speed, the control unit 35 calculates the print waiting time by multiplying the print number by the print speed in ST58. The control unit 35 stores the calculated print waiting time in the storage unit 72 in association with the variable n-th printer identification information.

  The control unit 35 returns to ST53 and adds “1” to the variable n. Thereafter, the control unit 35 repeatedly executes the processes of ST55 to ST58 until the variable n exceeds the variable N. If the variable n exceeds the variable N, the control unit 35 sends the request command transmission source via the network 20 to the N printer identification information and the information of the print waiting time stored in association with each in ST59. Is sent to the personal computer 30. The control unit 35 ends the current process.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the personal computer 30 acquires the individually set printing speed and the current printing waiting time of each printer 10 from the printer management server 70. For this reason, in the first embodiment, each printer 10 has the waiting time calculating means 141 mounted thereon. However, in the second embodiment, only the printer management server 70 has to install the waiting time calculating means 731. . Therefore, the processing load on each printer 10 can be reduced. In addition, maintenance of the waiting time calculation unit 731 is facilitated.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage.

  In the above embodiment, the printer print waiting time is calculated from the printing speed and the remaining number of printed sheets. However, the method for calculating the waiting time is not limited to this. For example, some printers store finishing information such as stapling and hole punching and finishing processing time as printer information. Accordingly, the finishing time may be calculated from the finishing information and the finishing processing time, and this time may be added to the printing waiting time calculated from the printing speed and the remaining number of printed sheets.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the “bookmark page” is printed as the notification unit has been described. However, the notification unit is not limited to this. For example, information printed on the “bookmark page” may be displayed on a display unit included in the printer to notify the user.

  In the above embodiment, the user selects the printer to which the document is printed. However, it is not always necessary for the user to select the printer. That is, the present invention can be similarly applied to a system in which a single document is divided and printed by all the printers 10 always connected to the network 20.

  In the above-described embodiment, the acquisition unit, the allocation calculation unit, and the division unit are described as being included in the personal computer 30 that is the information processing apparatus. However, in the case of the second embodiment, for example, the acquisition unit and the allocation calculation The printer management server 70 has the means, and the personal computer 30 divides the document by the dividing means in accordance with the assigned print number notified from the printer management server, and prints the divided print jobs for each divided document. It may be issued to each printer to which the number of sheets is assigned. Further, the dividing unit is also provided in the printer management server 70, and the personal computer 30 may simply issue the print job for each document divided by the dividing unit to each printer to which the assigned print number is assigned. .

  In the above embodiment, the case where the print program 341 is recorded in advance in the personal computer 30 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the print program 341 may be downloaded from the network to the personal computer 30 or printed. What stored the program 341 in a recording medium may be installed in the personal computer 30. The recording medium may be in any form as long as it can store a program such as a CD-ROM and can be read by the personal computer 30. In addition, the function obtained by installing or downloading in advance may be realized in cooperation with an OS (operating system) in the personal computer 30 or the like.

  In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, the constituent elements over different embodiments may be combined.

  10 (10-1, 10-2, 10-3,...) ... printer, 20 ... Net-Lark, 30 ... PC (information processing apparatus), 70 ... printer management server, 141 ... waiting time calculating means, 341 ... printing program 351: Program execution means.

Claims (8)

In a network printer system in which a plurality of printers are connected via a network to an information processing apparatus that issues a print job in response to a document print request.
An acquisition means for acquiring an individually set printing speed and a current printing waiting time for each printer;
The assigned print number to be assigned to each printer so that the total print number of the document requested to be printed is completed in the shortest time using a plurality of printers, the print speed and the print waiting time for each printer acquired by the acquisition unit Computing means for calculating based on
Dividing means for dividing the document requested to be printed in accordance with the allocated number of prints calculated for each printer by the computing means,
The network processing system, wherein the information processing apparatus issues a print job for each document divided by the dividing unit in accordance with an assigned print sheet number to each printer to which the assigned print sheet number is assigned. The information processing apparatus includes a display unit that displays at least information about an installation location and individual attributes of each printer, and a printer that displays at least information about the installation location and individual attributes by the display unit. Selection accepting means for accepting selection inputs of a plurality of printers to be used from
2. The network printer system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the individually set printing speed and the current print waiting time of the plurality of printers selected by the selection receiving unit. A printer management server connected to the network and managing individually set printing speeds and current printing waiting times of the printers;
3. The network printer system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires, from the printer management server, an individually set printing speed and a current print waiting time of each printer. In the printer that prints the document divided by the dividing means, at least informing means for informing the identification name of the document to be printed by the printer and the number of printed pages;
The network printer system according to claim 1, further comprising:. In an information processing apparatus that connects a plurality of printers via a network and issues a print job in response to a document print request.
An acquisition means for acquiring an individually set printing speed and a current printing waiting time for each printer;
The assigned print number to be assigned to each printer so that the total print number of the document requested to be printed is completed in the shortest time using a plurality of printers, the print speed and the print waiting time for each printer acquired by the acquisition unit Computing means for calculating based on
Dividing means for dividing the document requested to be printed in accordance with the allocated number of prints calculated for each printer by the computing means,
An information processing apparatus that issues a print job for each document divided by the dividing unit in accordance with an assigned print sheet number to each printer to which the assigned print sheet number is assigned. Display means for displaying at least information about the installation location and individual attributes of each printer;
Selection receiving means for receiving selection inputs of a plurality of printers to be used from among the printers on which at least the installation location and information on individual attributes are displayed by the display means;
6. The information processing according to claim 5, wherein the acquisition unit acquires individually set printing speeds and current print waiting times of the plurality of printers that have received selection input by the selection reception unit. apparatus. For each printer that prints a document divided by the dividing means, further comprising an editing means for editing a print job of a sheet in which at least the identification name of the document to be printed by the printer and the number of printed pages are written;
The print job for each document divided by the dividing unit according to the assigned print number is issued to each printer to which the assigned print number is assigned, and then the print job edited for each printer by the editing unit is applicable. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information processing apparatus is issued to a printer. A computer that connects multiple printers via a network and issues a print job in response to a document print request.
An acquisition means for acquiring an individually set printing speed and a current printing waiting time for each printer;
The assigned print number to be assigned to each printer so that the total print number of the document requested to be printed is completed in the shortest time using a plurality of printers, the print speed and the print waiting time for each printer acquired by the acquisition unit Computing means for calculating based on
A dividing unit that divides the document requested to be printed in accordance with the assigned number of prints calculated for each printer by the calculating unit;
Means for issuing a print job for each document divided by the dividing means in accordance with the assigned print number to each printer assigned with the assigned print number;
Print program to function as

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