JP5751016B2 - Printing apparatus and printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing system for storing print data in a printing apparatus and printing the print data on the condition that a print instruction from a user is received.

  Conventionally, print data is transmitted from a terminal device such as a PC or a mobile phone to the printing device, the printing device stores the printing data and waits, and then the user instructs the printing device to print the printing data. There is remote printing technology that starts printing when it is done. In recent years, with the widespread use of public wireless LAN services, the above-mentioned remote printing technology has been widely used. For example, by sending print data to a printing device in a public facility such as a station or an airport in advance, the user can Can get prints locally.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses the above-described remote printing technology. Patent Document 1 discloses that a secure job is registered in a printer, and printing of a secure job is started when authentication is performed by the registered printer.

JP 2009-255405 A

  However, the conventional technique described above has the following problems. That is, after the print data is registered in the printing device, the location of the printing device may be changed by replacement or the like. In this case, there is a possibility that another printing apparatus may exist in a place that is more preferable as a place where the user obtains the printed matter than the place of the moving destination, so there is room for improvement.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art. That is, the problem is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing system in which a user can expect to obtain printed matter at a more preferable place.

  A printing apparatus for solving this problem includes a storage unit that stores print data, a reception unit that receives a print instruction for the print data, and a condition that the reception unit receives a print instruction for the print data. A print unit for printing the print data; an acquisition unit for acquiring a print execution area for the print data; and the print data in the print execution area for the print data acquired by the acquisition unit. A priority determination unit that determines whether or not there is another printing apparatus that is in a high priority place as a printing place and is capable of printing the print data; And a registration unit that registers the print data in a storage unit of the other printing apparatus when it is determined that the print data exists.

  The printing apparatus of the present invention stores print data and starts printing by receiving a print instruction for the print data. Also, the printing apparatus of the present invention acquires a print execution area that is a place where printing of print data is permitted. Furthermore, the printing apparatus of the present invention has a print priority area in which the print data is printed, and the print data can be printed in the print execution area of the print data. If there is another printing apparatus, the print data is registered in the storage unit of the other printing apparatus. Here, “registration” corresponds to data writing to the storage unit of the printing apparatus. The level of priority can be determined based on, for example, the distance from a certain point set by the user or the number of priorities for each place set by the user.

  That is, the printing apparatus according to the present invention has a certain print data in a print execution area that has a higher priority as a place to print the print data than the self apparatus, and can print the print data. If another printing apparatus exists, the print data is registered in the storage unit of the other printing apparatus. Thus, even when the relative positional relationship with another printing apparatus changes, the print data is stored in a printing apparatus arranged at a more preferable place as a printing place in accordance with the change.

  Further, the printing apparatus of the present invention is not capable of printing the print data by itself, and is in another print execution area of the print data acquired by the acquisition unit and capable of printing the print data. An alternative determination unit that determines whether or not a device exists, and the registration unit also stores the print data in the other printing device even when the alternative determination unit determines that another printing device exists. It may be registered in the storage unit.

  In other words, if printing of certain print data cannot be performed by the own apparatus, a printed matter for the print data cannot be obtained from the own apparatus. For this reason, the printing apparatus of the present invention cannot print the print data by itself, and there is another printing apparatus that is in the print execution area of the print data and can print the print data. Registers the print data in the storage unit of the other printing apparatus. This increases the possibility that the print data is stored in a printing apparatus capable of printing the print data, thereby reducing the risk that the print data cannot be printed. It should be noted that the state where printing cannot be performed corresponds to the state where the printing apparatus is not printing due to a failure or the like, and the installation location of the printing apparatus is outside the print execution area for the print data.

  In addition, the printing apparatus of the present invention erases the print data from the other printing apparatus when the printing apparatus returns to the printable state after the registration of the print data by the registration unit. A return control unit may be provided. That is, when returning to the original state, it is preferable to return to the original state.

  In addition, the return control unit may delete the print data from the other printing device on the condition that the print data to be erased by the other printing device is not stored in the storage unit of the own device. In addition, the print data may be stored in the storage unit of the own apparatus. When the print data is not stored in the storage unit of the own apparatus, the print data can be prevented from being lost by storing the print data in the storage unit of the own apparatus. In other words, when the print data is stored in the storage unit of the own device, it is not necessary to store the print data in the own device.

  In addition, when the print data cannot be printed by the own device and the alternative determination unit determines that there is no other printing device, it notifies that the print data cannot be printed in the print execution area. It is good to provide the information part to perform. In situations where printing at a desired location is not possible, the user's confusion can be reduced by notifying the user of that fact.

  The print execution area is information specifying an arbitrary point, and the priority determination unit determines that the other printing device is closer to the printing device when the distance from the point is closer to the printing device. It may be determined that the priority of the device as a printing place is higher than that of the device itself. The arbitrary point may be, for example, a point designated by the user or the center position of the print execution area. When there is a printing apparatus closer to the printing position desired by the user than the own apparatus, it is more convenient for the user to obtain a printed material from the printing apparatus.

  The print execution area may be a place designated by the user. For example, the installation location of the printing device may be automatically registered in the print execution area (for example, the user designates the printer name and automatically registers the vicinity of the designated printer installation location in the print execution area) The user's intention can be reflected more because the user can specify the print execution area.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, a setting unit for setting whether to permit registration of the print data in another printing apparatus, and registration of the print data in the other printing apparatus by the setting unit. In the case where the registration is not permitted, the registration unit may include a prohibition unit that prohibits registration of the print data in another printing apparatus. By registering print data in another printing apparatus, the security of the print data may be reduced. For this reason, it is preferable that registration of print data in another printing apparatus can be prohibited as necessary.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention may further include an erasure unit that erases the print data from the storage unit when the registration unit registers the print data in another printing apparatus. When print data is stored in a plurality of printing apparatuses, the risk of information leakage increases and there is a concern that the safety may be reduced. Therefore, it is preferable to delete the print data stored in the other printing apparatus from the own apparatus.

  Further, the present invention prints the print data on condition that the storage unit stores print data, a reception unit that receives a print instruction for the print data, and the reception unit receives a print instruction for the print data. A print unit, an acquisition unit that acquires a print execution area of the print data, and the print data cannot be printed by the own device, and is within the print execution area of the print data acquired by the acquisition unit, An alternative determination unit that determines whether or not there is another printing device capable of printing the print data; and the alternative determination unit determines that the other printing device is present, And a registration unit that registers in the storage unit of the printing apparatus.

  In addition, the present invention is a printing system comprising a plurality of printing apparatuses that store print data and print the print data on the condition that a print instruction for the print data is received and a server that manages each printing apparatus. The server includes an acquisition unit that acquires a print execution area of the print data, and the printing device that stores the print data in the print execution area of the print data acquired by the acquisition unit rather than the printing device. A priority determination unit that determines whether or not there is another printing apparatus that has a high priority as a data printing location and can print the print data, and the priority determination unit performs other printing. And a registration unit that registers the print data in a storage unit of the other printing apparatus when it is determined that the apparatus exists.

  In addition, the present invention is a printing system comprising a plurality of printing apparatuses that store print data and print the print data on the condition that a print instruction for the print data is received and a server that manages each printing apparatus. The server includes an acquisition unit that acquires a print execution area of the print data, and the print data cannot be printed by a printing apparatus that stores the print data, and the print data acquired by the acquisition unit An alternative determination unit that determines whether or not there is another printing device that can print the print data in the print execution area, and the alternative determination unit determines that another printing device exists And a registration unit for registering the print data in a storage unit of the other printing apparatus.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the printing apparatus and printing system which can expect a user to obtain printed matter in a more preferable place are implement | achieved.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the operation | movement outline | summary of the printing system of a 1st form. It is a figure which shows the structure of the database which memorize | stores the own printer information which a printer has. It is a figure which shows the structure of the database which memorize | stores the other printer information which a printer has. It is a figure which shows the structure of the print data sent from PC. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a self-printer installation process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of another printer installation process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a printer impossible process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of printer return processing. It is a block diagram which shows the operation | movement outline | summary of the printing system of a 2nd form.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a printing apparatus according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a printer connected to a wide area network.

[Printer configuration]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 100 (an example of a printing apparatus) according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 30 including a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, and an NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM) 34. In addition, the control unit 30 includes an image forming unit 10 that prints an image on a sheet, an operation panel 40 that displays an operation status and accepts an input operation by a user, a network interface 37, a USB interface 38, and a wireless communication interface. 39 is electrically connected.

  The ROM 32 stores firmware, which is a control program for controlling the printer 100, various settings, initial values, and the like. The RAM 33 (an example of a storage unit) is used as a work area from which various control programs are read or as a storage area for temporarily storing image data.

  The CPU 31 (an example of an acquisition unit, a priority determination unit, a registration unit, an alternative determination unit, a return control unit, a notification unit, a prohibition unit, and an erasure unit) performs processing according to a control program read from the ROM 32 and signals sent from various sensors. Each component of the printer 100 is controlled while the result is stored in the RAM 33 or the NVRAM 34.

  The network interface 37, the USB interface 38, and the wireless communication interface 39 are interfaces that enable communication with other devices. The printer 100 receives print data transmitted from other devices via these interfaces.

  The image forming unit 10 (an example of a printing unit) only needs to be able to print an image on paper, and the image forming method may be an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. Also, color printing may be possible, or monochrome printing may be dedicated.

  The operation panel 40 (an example of a receiving unit) includes various buttons that receive user input and a liquid crystal screen that displays character information. Examples of the various buttons include a button for instructing execution of printing and a cancel button for instructing cancellation of the printing operation.

[First embodiment]
[Configuration of printing system]
Next, the configuration and operation of the printing system 900 including the printer 100 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that printers other than the printer 100 constituting the printing system 900 may be printers having the same specifications as the printer 100 or printers having different specifications from the printer 100.

  In the printing system 900, a plurality of areas are defined as areas where printers are installed. This area is an area having a certain range. For example, when facility names and their ranges are linked and stored, facility names such as XX airport, XX station, XX government office, and XX library You may memorize. Each area may be the same size or a different size. The areas may be adjacent to each other, separated from each other, or partially overlapped. In this embodiment, it is assumed that four areas (area 1, area 2, area 3, area 4) are defined.

  As shown in FIG. 3, printers constituting the printing system 900 (hereinafter described as the printer 100) are area information that is information about the installation location of the printer, and specification information as property information of the printer. The resolution and color information are stored in a database 341 (hereinafter referred to as “own printer DB 341”). The own printer DB 341 is stored in the NVRAM 34.

  Specifically, the area information includes attribute information indicating which area the printer 100 belongs to among the areas defined by the printing system 900, and coordinate information when the center position of the area is (0, 0). Is memorized. The printer 100 may register this area information by user input or automatically by a position measurement function such as GPS (Global Positioning System).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the printer 100 has a printer name for each printer as information on other printers other than its own printer (for example, the printers 101 to 104 in FIG. 2) constituting the printing system 900. The printer information that associates the identification information of the printer that stores the address and the address and the property information of the printer (information having the same configuration as the property information of the own printer) is referred to as database 342 (hereinafter referred to as “other printer DB 342”). ) The other printer DB 342 is also stored in the NVRAM 34.

  In the printing system 900, print data is input from the PC 200 to the printer 100. When the printer 100 receives the print data, the printer 100 stores the print data in the RAM 33 or the NVRAM 34. Thereafter, the printer 100 waits for an input of a print instruction for the print data. That is, the printer 100 does not start printing the print data when it is received.

  After inputting print data to the printer 100, the user moves to a place where the printer 100 is installed. Then, the operation panel 40 of the printer 100 is operated to input a print data print instruction. The printer 100 starts printing the print data corresponding to the print instruction in response to the input of the print instruction.

  The print data described above stores accompanying information such as printing conditions in addition to images. FIG. 5 shows accompanying information (hereinafter referred to as “header information”) stored in the header area 60 of the print data. The header information includes at least a print execution area, other printer data registration settings, printing conditions such as resolution and color printing, and owner information.

  In the header information, “print execution area” stores an area where the user desires to execute printing. The print data is stored in one of the printers existing in the area designated as the print execution area. Specifically, in the “print execution area”, information for identifying any one of the areas 1 to 4 is stored by a user input.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of areas can be set as the print execution area. Furthermore, when a plurality of areas are set, each area is prioritized. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, area 1 is set for priority 1 with high priority, and area 3 is set for priority 2 with low priority. For this reason, the print data shown in FIG. 5 is preferentially input to the printer existing in area 1. If there is no printer capable of printing the print data in area 1, the printer enters the printer in area 3.

  Of the header information, “other printer data registration” (an example of a setting unit) is a setting as to whether or not automatic registration of print data to another printer is permitted. If the predetermined condition is satisfied, the printer 100 can register the print data stored in its own printer with another printer. When “non-permission” is set in “other printer data registration”, registration of this print data to other printers is prohibited. Note that the registration to the other printer here corresponds to the data writing to the memory of the other printer.

  The conditions for executing registration of print data to other printers include, for example, a place in the print execution area of the print data that has a higher priority as a place to print the print data than the own printer, and This corresponds to the presence of other printers capable of printing print data. Cases that satisfy this condition include, for example, a case where the installation location of the printer is changed or a case where a new printer is installed in the printing system 900. Note that the print data cannot be printed corresponds to, for example, a case where the specification set in the print condition is not satisfied.

  Other conditions for registering print data with other printers include, for example, that the printer cannot print the print data, and the print data can be printed in the print execution area of the print data. This corresponds to the presence of other printers. For example, the printer can not print the print data. For example, the printer itself cannot print due to out of toner, out of paper, or failure, or the printer is installed outside the print execution area of the print data. Applicable.

[Registering print data to other printers]
[Own printer installation process]
Subsequently, the registration control of the print data described above to the other printer will be described. First, an example of own printer installation processing (acquisition unit, priority determination unit, registration unit, substitution determination unit, prohibition unit, deletion unit) that is processing when the installation location of the own printer (printer 100 in this embodiment) is changed ) Will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The change in the installation location of the printer 100 includes a case where an existing printer in the printing system 900 is moved and a case where a new printer is inserted in the printing system 900.

  The own printer installation process is executed by the CPU 31 when the user presses a predetermined button on the operation panel 40 of the printer 100 after the printer 100 is installed. When the printer 100 has a position measurement function such as GPS, it may be automatically detected that the installation location has been changed, and the printer installation process may be executed at the detection timing.

  In the own printer installation process, first, property information of the own printer is read from the own printer DB 341, and the property information is broadcasted and transmitted to the printing system 900 together with a printer addition request (S101). The printer addition request is used in other printer installation processing described later. Next, the other printer DB 342 is referred to read out the property information of the other printer (S102).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the own printer has print data waiting for a print instruction (S103). If there is print data (S103: YES), one of them is extracted, and the header information of the extracted print data is read (S104, an example of an acquisition unit).

  Then, based on whether or not other printer data can be registered included in the header information, it is determined whether or not registration of the print data in another printer is permitted (S105). If registration to another printer is not permitted (S105: NO), the process returns to S103 (an example of a prohibition unit), and it is determined whether there is other print data.

  On the other hand, if registration to another printer is permitted (S105: YES), it is determined whether or not the own printer is within the print execution area set in the print data (S106).

  If the own printer is in the print execution area (S106: YES), the priority of the area where the own printer is installed is compared with the priority of the area where the other printer is installed. It is determined whether there is another printer that is in an area having a higher priority than the installed area and that can print the print data (S107, an example of a priority determination unit). Whether the priority is high can be determined based on an index (priority 1, priority 2, etc.) indicating the priority of the print execution area set in the print data. Whether printing is possible can be determined by comparing the specifications of other printers with the required specifications of the print data. Alternatively, another printer may be accessed to determine that the other printer is operating.

  If there is no other printer that satisfies the condition of S107 (S107: NO), the print data is kept stored in its own printer, the process returns to S103, and it is determined whether there is any other print data. On the other hand, if there is another printer that satisfies the condition of S107 (S107: YES), the process proceeds to S108 in order to register print data in the other printer. If there are a plurality of other printers satisfying the condition of S107, one of them is extracted.

  If the printer is outside the print execution area for the print data (S106: NO), the printer cannot print the print data. Therefore, it is determined whether there is another printer capable of printing the print data (S121, an example of an alternative determination unit).

  If there is no other printer satisfying the condition of S121 (S121: NO), the print data owner is notified that the print data is not ready for printing (S122). That is, since the user is in a situation where printing cannot be performed at a desired location, the fact is notified to the user and the user is made aware of the situation. In S122, for example, an e-mail is transmitted to the PC 200 that has transmitted the print data. In addition, a command for outputting a message to a printer driver incorporated in the PC 200 may be output to the PC 200. After S122, the print data is kept stored in the printer, and the process returns to S103 to determine whether there is other print data.

  On the other hand, if there is another printer satisfying the condition of S121 (S121: YES), the process proceeds to S108 in order to register print data in the other printer. If there are a plurality of other printers satisfying the condition of S121, one of them is extracted.

  If it is determined in S107 or S121 that there is another printer, the print data is converted according to the specifications of the other printer as necessary (S108). Then, the print data is transmitted to the other printer (S109, an example of a registration unit). That is, the print data is registered in the memory of the other printer. Thereafter, the print data is erased from the memory of the printer (S110, an example of an erasure unit). As a result, the print data moves from its own printer to another printer.

  Thereafter, the owner of the moved print data is notified that the print data has been moved (S111). That is, since the registration destination of the print data has been changed without the user, the fact is notified to the user and the user is made aware of the change of the registration destination. Thereafter, the process returns to S103 to determine whether there is other print data.

  In the own printer installation process, the processes after S104 are performed on all print data waiting for a print instruction stored in the own printer. If there is no print data that has not been subjected to the processes after S104 (S103: NO), the printer installation process is terminated.

  As described above, in the self-printer installation process, there is another printer in an area having a higher priority for the print data stored in the self-printer based on the updated area information of the self-printer. If the print data can be printed, the print data of the printer is registered in the other printer. If the printer is in an area where printing is not possible for the print data, the print data is registered in another printer in the printable area where the print data can be printed. As a result, the storage destination of each print data in the own printer is reviewed in accordance with the change in the arrangement of the own printer. Therefore, the print data can be stored in a more appropriate area.

  In the self printer installation process, the priority of each area is determined based on an index indicating the priority of the area where printing is performed on the print data. This determination method is effective when the printer is relocated beyond the area, but the priority is not changed in the case of relocation within the area, and the print data storage destination is not reviewed. I will not. Thus, based on the coordinate information included in the area information, a printer with a shorter distance from the center position may have a higher priority. In this case, even if there are a plurality of printers in the same area, the print data is registered in the printer closest to the center position.

  In addition to this, for example, when a desired point that the user desires to print in the designated area is stored in the print data, the priority may be higher as the distance from the desired point is closer. In this case, the print data is registered in the printer closest to the desired point where the user wishes to print.

[Other printer installation process]
Subsequently, another printer installation process (an example of an acquisition unit, a priority determination unit, a registration unit, a prohibition unit, and an erasure unit) that is a process when the installation location of another printer (a printer other than the printer 100 in this embodiment) is changed. Will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The other printer installation process is executed by the CPU 31 when a printer addition request (see S101 of the own printer installation process) output from the other printer is received. Note that the same processes as the printer installation process are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the other printer installation process, first, the property information of the other printer that has output the printer addition request is acquired (S201). The property information of other printers is attached to the printer addition request. If the property information is not attached to the printer addition request, the property information is inquired and acquired from the other printer that has output the printer addition request. The acquired property information is registered in the other printer DB 342. Specifically, when a new printer is added, a new record is added to the other printer DB 342. When an existing printer moves, the printer property information registered in the other printer DB 342 is updated.

  Next, the property information of the own printer is read from the own printer DB 341 (S202). After that, as with the own printer installation process, there is another printer that can print the print data in the area of higher priority for each print data stored in the own printer. If so, the print data is registered in the other printer.

  In the other printer installation process, the installation location of the own printer does not move. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, whether the own printer as in S106 of the own printer installation process is within the print execution area. The determination of whether or not may be omitted. In other words, all the print data stored in the own printer may be regarded as satisfying the conditions for the print execution area.

  As described above, in the other printer installation process, if there is another printer in an area with higher priority based on the updated area information of the other printer, the print data of the own printer is registered in the other printer. Yes. As a result, even if an arrangement change occurs in another printer, the storage destination of the print data in the own printer is reviewed in accordance with the arrangement conversion. Therefore, the print data can be stored in a more appropriate area.

[Printer disabled]
Subsequently, an example of printer disabling processing (an example of an acquisition unit, a registration unit, an alternative determination unit, a notification unit, a prohibition unit, and an erasing unit) is processing when it is detected that the printer has become unprintable due to out of toner or failure ) Will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The printer disabled process is executed by the CPU 31 when the printer cannot detect the printing failure. Note that the same processes as those of the own printer installation process and the other printer installation process are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the printer disabling process, first, property information of another printer is read from the other printer DB 342 (S102). Also, the property information of the own printer is read from the own printer DB 341 (S202).

  Thereafter, when there is print data in the printer (S103: YES), the header information of the print data is read (S104, an example of an acquisition unit). If registration of the print data to another printer is permitted (S105: YES), whether there is another printer within the print execution area of the print data and capable of printing the print data. (S306, an example of an alternative determination unit).

  If there is another printer that can print the print data (S306: YES), before the print data is moved, the own printer uses the identification information of the print data to be moved and the identification information of the other printer to be moved as movement information. (S307). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S108, and the print data is moved to another printer.

  If there is no other printer capable of printing the print data (S306: NO), the print data owner is notified that the print data cannot be printed (S122, an example of a notification unit). ). After S122, the process returns to S103.

  In other words, in the printer disable process, if there is another printer capable of printing the print data in the own printer based on the current area information of each printer when the printer becomes incapable of printing, the print data is sent to the other printer. Move. As a result, when the printer becomes unprintable, the storage destination of the print data in the printer is reviewed. Therefore, the possibility that the print data cannot be printed can be reduced.

[Printer recovery processing]
Next, a printer return process (an example of a return control unit) that is a process performed when the printer returns to a printable state from an unprintable state will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The printer restoration process is executed by the CPU 31 when the printer 100 has returned from being unable to print to being ready for printing.

  In the printer restoration process, it is first determined whether or not there is movement information (see S307 in the printer impossible process) stored when printing becomes impossible (S401). If there is no movement information (S401: NO), it is assumed that there is no print data to be restored, and the printer restoration process is terminated.

  If there is movement information (S401: YES), print data described in the movement information is acquired from another printer stored in the movement information (S402, an example of a return control unit). Thereafter, the print data erasure request is output to the other printer (S403, an example of the return control unit). As a result, the print data is moved from the other printer to the own printer. That is, the print data originally in the printer is restored to the printer.

  Thereafter, the owner of the moved print data is notified that the print data has been moved, that is, the print data has been restored to the original storage state (S405). After S405, the printer restoration process is terminated.

  That is, in the printer disabled process, print data is forcibly moved to another printer due to the inability to print. In this case, the print data to be moved may move to another printer in an area with a low priority. For this reason, when returning to the initial state, it is preferable to return to the original state by the printer return process.

[Second form]
[Configuration of printing system]
Next, the configuration and operation of the printing system 901 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The printing system 901 of this embodiment includes a server 300 that manages the printers that make up the printing system 901, and print data is transmitted to each printer via the server 300. This is different from the first embodiment in which the server 300 is not provided.

  In the printing system 901 of the second form, an area in which the printer is installed is defined as in the first form. The server 300 has a database (hereinafter referred to as “printer management DB”) that stores property information of each printer constituting the printing system 901, and can grasp in which area each printer is installed. The server 300 also has a database (hereinafter referred to as “print data management DB”) for managing print data stored in each printer.

  When the server 300 receives the print data, the server 300 stores at least the header information of the print data in the print data management DB. In the header information, at least information on the print execution area and the print conditions is stored as in the first embodiment. Thereafter, the server 300 transmits the print data to the designated printer. That is, the printer stores the entire print data (data including an image to be printed in addition to the header information), and the server 300 stores at least header information of the print data in the print data management DB.

  On the other hand, each printer constituting the printing system 901 (hereinafter described as the printer 100) has property information of its own printer, but does not have property information of other printers. Therefore, the printer 100 inquires of the server 300 when property information of other printers is necessary.

  When the printer 100 receives print data from the server 300, the printer 100 stores the print data in the RAM 33 or NVRAM 34. Thereafter, the printer 100 waits for an input of a print instruction for the print data. That is, the printer 100 does not start printing the print data when it is received.

  In this embodiment, the print data registered in the printer 100 is moved as follows. First, when the installation location of the printer 100 is changed (or when the printer 100 is newly installed), the printer 100 transmits the changed area information to the server 300. When the server 300 receives the area information, the server 300 updates the property information of the printer 100 stored in the printer management DB.

  Further, the server 300 refers to the printer management DB and the print data management DB, performs the same process as the self-printer installation process of the first embodiment, and reviews the storage destination of the print data stored in the printer 100. . That is, referring to the header information of each print data stored in the printer 100, if there is another printer in an area having a higher priority than the area where the printer 100 exists, the print data stored in the printer 100 is stored. Is moved to the other printer.

  Further, when the server 300 receives the area information from the printer 100, the server 300 refers to the printer management DB and the print data management DB for the print data stored in another printer that is a printer other than the printer 100. The same processing as other printer installation processing is performed, and the storage destination of the print data stored in each other printer is reviewed. That is, referring to the header information of print data stored in another printer, and the printer 100 is installed in an area having a higher priority than the area where the other printer exists, the print data is sent to the printer 100. Move.

  When the printer 100 becomes unprintable, the printer 100 transmits an unprintable error to the server 300. When the server 300 receives the unprintable error, the server 300 refers to the printer management DB and the print data management DB, performs the same process as the unprintable process of the first embodiment, and prints the print data stored in the printer 100. , Move the print data to another printer capable of printing. That is, referring to the header information of the print data stored in the printer 100, if another printer exists in the print execution area of the print data, the print data is moved to the other printer. Further, when the printer 100 returns to the printable state from the unprintable state, the server 300 performs a process similar to the printer return process of the first embodiment.

  That is, in the second embodiment, the server 300 performs control to review the storage location of the print data. As a result, it is not necessary to perform control for revising the storage location of the print data for each printer, and the load on each printer is reduced as compared with the first embodiment. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the server 300 is not required because control is performed to review the storage location of print data for each printer.

  As described in detail above, the printer 100 or the server 300 according to the present embodiment has a priority as a place for printing the print data in a print execution area of the print data rather than a printer that stores the print data. When there is another printer at a high place and capable of printing the print data, the print data is registered in the other printer. Thus, even when the relative positional relationship between the printers changes, the print data is stored in a printer arranged at a more preferable location as a printing location in accordance with the change. Therefore, the user can expect to obtain the printed material at a more preferable place.

  Note that this embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the printer is not limited as long as it has a printing function, and can be applied even to a multifunction machine or a copying machine.

  In this embodiment, printing of print data stored in the printer is started by a panel operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, printing may be triggered by a print command from a mobile terminal device or authentication of a card reader or the like.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the own printer installation process and the other printer installation process are executed at the timing when the location of the printer is changed, but the execution timing is not limited. For example, the self printer installation process and the other printer installation process may be executed periodically. Alternatively, it may be executed when a user (printer or server maintenance person) inputs an execution instruction.

  In this embodiment, after the print data of the own printer is transmitted to another printer, the print data is erased from the memory of the own printer, that is, the print data is moved. It is not necessary to erase from the memory. If the data is not erased, print data is stored in a plurality of printers, and there is a concern about a decrease in confidentiality. Therefore, in order to maintain confidentiality, it is preferable to delete the print data stored in another printer from the memory of the own printer as in the present embodiment.

  In this embodiment, a mode for allowing data registration to other printers and a mode for not permitting data selection can be selected. In addition, a mode for inquiring the user to determine whether data registration is possible can be selected. Also good.

  In this embodiment, the print execution area is directly stored in the header information of the print data. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if a print execution area is allocated for each owner, the printer or server has information that associates the owner with the print execution area, and the owner information is included in the header information of the print data. And the print execution area may not be stored. That is, the print data may store information that can indirectly grasp the print execution area.

10 Image forming unit 30 Control unit 100 Printer 200 PC
300 server 900 printing system

Claims (10)

A storage unit for storing print data;
A reception unit for receiving a print instruction for the print data;
A printing unit for printing the print data on the condition that the reception unit has received a print instruction for the print data;
An acquisition unit for acquiring a print execution area of the print data;
There is another printing apparatus in the print execution area of the print data acquired by the acquisition unit that has a higher priority as a place for printing the print data than the own apparatus and can print the print data. A priority determination unit for determining whether or not it exists,
A registration unit that registers the print data in a storage unit of the other printing device when the priority determination unit determines that another printing device exists;
A printing apparatus comprising: The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
Judgment is made whether there is another printing apparatus in which the print data cannot be printed by the own apparatus, is within the print execution area of the print data acquired by the acquisition unit, and can print the print data. An alternative judgment unit that
The printing apparatus, wherein the registration unit registers the print data in a storage unit of the other printing apparatus even when the substitution determining unit determines that another printing apparatus exists. The printing apparatus according to claim 2,
And a return control unit for deleting the print data from the other printing device when the device returns to the printable state after the registration of the print data by the registration unit. Printing device to do. The printing apparatus according to claim 3,
The return control unit, before erasing the print data from the other printing device, on condition that the print data to be erased by the other printing device is not stored in the storage unit of the own device, A printing apparatus that stores the print data in a storage unit of the self apparatus. In the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
A notification for notifying that the print data cannot be printed in the print execution area when the print data cannot be printed by the own device and the alternative determination unit determines that there is no other printing device. A printing apparatus. In the printing apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5,
The print execution area is information specifying an arbitrary point,
The priority determination unit determines that the other printing apparatus has a higher priority as a printing place than the own apparatus when the distance from the point is closer to the other printing apparatus than the own apparatus. A printing apparatus characterized by the above. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The printing apparatus, wherein the print execution area is a place designated by a user. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A setting unit for setting whether to permit registration of the print data in another printing device;
A prohibition unit that prohibits registration of the print data to another printing device by the registration unit when registration of the print data to the other printing device is not permitted by the setting unit;
A printing apparatus comprising: The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A printing apparatus comprising: an erasing unit that erases the print data from the storage unit when the registration unit registers the print data in another printing apparatus. A plurality of printing devices for storing the print data and printing the print data on condition that a print instruction for the print data is received;
A server that manages each printing device;
In a printing system comprising:
The server
An acquisition unit for acquiring a print execution area of the print data;
In the print execution area of the print data acquired by the acquisition unit, the print data is in a place having a higher priority as a place to print the print data than the printing device that stores the print data, and the print data can be printed , A priority determination unit for determining whether there is another printing device,
A registration unit that registers the print data in a storage unit of the other printing device when the priority determination unit determines that another printing device exists;
A printing system comprising:

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