JP2006062178A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system capable of starting printing by using at least an alternative printer even when a targeting printer is running, and of maintaining a power saving effect. <P>SOLUTION: When a desired targeting printer is not in a printable condition instantly, the printing is allocated to a printer which is recognized that the printer is not occupied, by an allocation function. In the case where the distributed printer is in a condition of a power saving mode (sleep condition), the printer is controlled to be restored to the power saving mode after completion of the printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system including a printer having a function of distributing printing to a printer that is in a vacant state that can be recognized when a desired printing destination printer is not ready for immediate printing.

When printing is performed on a desired printer, the printer may be in a state in which printing performed by another host PC is being executed, and is not necessarily in a state where a printing result can be obtained immediately. Absent. Conventionally, as a prior example, there is a technique for distributing a job to another available alternative printer if the printer is in operation. Among the available printers, there are printers in a normal print waiting state and printers in a power saving mode (sleep) state. Regarding the proxy printing, there are Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and the like as the prior art referring to the mode state of the printer, but nothing has been described regarding the mode setting after printing.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-312144 JP 2000-305736 A

  Here, when a printer in the power saving mode (sleep) state is printed as an alternative printer, the printer is released from the power saving state and enters a normal state, and after printing, the printer is left in a normal state. In this case, the power saving mode at the corner becomes insignificant and is extremely uneconomical.

  It is an object of the present invention to be able to start printing using at least another alternative printer even when a printing destination printer is in operation, and to maintain a power saving effect.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a desired print destination printer is not ready for printing, the print destination distributed by a function that distributes printing to a recognizable empty printer. When the printer is a printer in a power saving mode (sleep) state, the printer is controlled to shift again to the power saving mode (sleep) state after printing is completed.

  In the printing system according to the first aspect of the present invention, when a desired printing destination printer is not in an immediately printable state, the printing system is distributed by a function that distributes printing to a recognizable empty printer. When the printer to be printed is a printer in the power saving mode (sleep), printing is completed by setting specific information in the print job information and recognizing the specific information in the received print job information on the printer side. Thereafter, the control is performed so as to shift again to the power saving mode (sleep) state.

  In the printing system according to the first aspect of the present invention, when a desired printing destination printer is not in an immediately printable state, the printing system is distributed by a function that distributes printing to a recognizable empty printer. If the destination printer is a printer in the power saving mode (sleep) state, the host issues a command for shifting to the power saving mode (sleep) state after printing is completed, and the printer is again set in the power saving mode. Control is made to shift to the (sleep) state.

  According to the present invention, even when the printing destination printer is in operation, printing can be started using at least another alternative printer, and the power saving effect can be maintained.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a host PC (PC) as a printing system configured to perform printing on a printer 2 connected via a network 3 or a local port (not shown). The printer 2 has a normal state or a power saving mode (sleep) state as a mode state, and the mode state can be acquired by the host PC (PC) 1 via the network 3. It has become. When printing is performed from the host PC (PC) 1 to the printing destination printer, if the printing destination printer is printing, it is determined that printing cannot be executed immediately, and another suitable alternative printing destination A printer is searched and determined, and printing is performed on the alternative printing destination printer. The method of searching for and determining an alternative printing destination printer is to remove a printer (Printer) 2 connected to the host PC (PC) 1 regardless of whether it is connected to the network 3 or a local port, while the printer is operating during printing. The printer in the normal state and the power-saving mode state are searched for the printer in the normal state preferentially and determined as an alternative printing destination printer. The PC (PC) 1 grasps and determines the status of the alternative printing destination printer. If the printer is in the normal state, printing is performed as usual, and if the printer is in the power saving mode (sleep) mode, the printing is performed prior to printing. The alternative printing destination printer is shifted to the normal state, and after the printing is completed, it is shifted again to the power saving mode.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of the printing system illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, regarding a host PC (PC) 1, reference numeral 103 denotes a read-only memory (ROM), which is a control procedure of the central processing unit (CPU) 101 for controlling the entire system of the host PC (PC) 1. Hold. Here, a processing procedure or the like is held. Reference numeral 104 denotes a memory (MEMORY (RAM / HD)) that holds information necessary for processing of the present system. Here, processing information, a work area, and the like of the host PC (PC) 1 are held. Reference numeral 105 denotes a keyboard (KEYBOARD) that gives instructions and displays to the host PC (PC) 1. Reference numeral 106 denotes a display (DISPLAY) that performs display. Reference numeral 107 denotes a network interface controller (NETWORK INTERFACE CONTROLLER) serving as a network port connection interface for connecting a host PC (PC) 1 and a printer (Printer) 2 as a printing destination via a network line 3. Each information of the host PC (PC) 1 goes back and forth via the system bus (SYSBUS) 102.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining an area arrangement in the MEMORY (RAM / HD) 104 of the host PC (PC) 1 used in the present embodiment.

  In the figure, reference numeral 1041 denotes a printing destination printer name / connection destination information (PNAMEPORT) that holds information on a preset printing destination printer name and connection destination, and 1042 denotes printer mode state information that holds state information of the printing destination printer. (PSTATUS), 1043 holds information on whether or not there is an alternative printing destination printer. Alternative printing destination printer information (APFLG), 1044 holds information on the name of the alternative printing destination printer and the connection destination that have been determined to be searched. Alternative printing destination printer name / connection destination information (APNAMEPORT), 1045 is alternative printing destination printer status information (APSTSTUS) that holds status information of the alternative printing destination printer, and 1046 is a power saving mode operation for the printer when printing is performed. This is power saving mode operation information (PSFLG) that holds information on whether or not to perform.

  Next, processing in the printing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the printing process of the host PC (PC) 1 of the printing system. S1 to S3 indicate steps.

  First, a print initial process S1 is performed, a print destination printer setting process S2 for setting a print destination printer is performed, and a main print process S3 is performed for the set print destination printer. The print destination printer setting process S2 and the main print process S3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the print destination printer setting process S2 shown in FIG. S4 to S11 indicate steps.

  First, a destination printer status information acquisition process S4 is performed for a preset destination printer, the acquired destination printer status information is set in the destination printer status information (PSTATUS) 1042, and the destination printer status is set. Based on the information (PSTATUS) 1042, the destination printer determines whether or not immediate printing is possible, and if it is possible, the process is terminated. If not, the process proceeds to S6. In S6, an alternative print destination printer search process is performed, information indicating whether an alternative print destination printer has been searched and determined is set in the alternative print destination printer information (APFLG) 1043, and the alternative print destination printer is based on the APFLG 1043. If the search is determined, the alternative print destination printer name and the connection destination information searched in S6 are set in the alternative print destination printer name / connection destination information (APNAMEPORT) 1044. Then, the status information of the alternative printing destination printer acquired in the processing is set in the alternative printing destination printer status information (APSTATUS) 1045. Further, based on the APSTATUS 1045, it is determined whether or not the alternative printing destination printer is in the power saving mode, and if not, the process proceeds to S11. In order to perform the power saving mode operation, the power saving mode operation information (PSFLG) 1046 is set to ON S10, and finally, the alternative printing destination printer name / connection destination information is used to reset the printing destination printer information. (APNEMPORT) 1044 is set in the print destination printer name / connection destination information (PNAMEPORT) 1041 and alternative print destination printer status information (APSTATUS) 1045 is set in the print destination printer status information (PSTATUS) 1042, and the processing is terminated.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the print process S3 illustrated in FIG. S12 to S16 indicate steps.

  First, prior to printing, it is determined whether or not the power saving mode operation information (PSFLG) 1046 is ON. If it is OFF, S13 is skipped and the process proceeds to S14. Output S13 is performed and the process proceeds to S14. In S14, the conventional print data output process is performed, and it is determined again whether or not the power saving mode operation information (PSFLG) 1046 is ON. If it is OFF, S16 is skipped, and if it is ON, the power saving mode is set. The transfer command is output to the printer S16, and the process is terminated. In this embodiment, the printer (Printer) 2 is configured to shift the state mode based on the command in response to the mode change command output from the host PC (PC) 1.

  In the above embodiment, when the printer of the printing destination is a printer in the power saving mode (sleep), a command for shifting to the normal mode is issued to the printer in advance before printing, and the printing is completed. After that, a command to shift to the power saving mode (sleep) state is issued to the printer. However, this is not the case, and specific information for instructing the change of the printer mode state is set in the print job information. On the side, by recognizing the specific information in the received print job information, it may be configured to shift again to the power saving mode (sleep) state after the printing is completed. In short, if the printer at the printing destination is a printer in the power saving mode (sleep) state, the printer may be configured to shift to the power saving mode (sleep) state again after printing is completed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of the printing system illustrated in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining an area arrangement in the MEMORY (RAM / HD) 104 of the host PC (PC) 1 used in the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the printing process of the host PC (PC) 1 of the printing system. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the print destination printer setting process S2 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the print process S3 illustrated in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Host PC (PC)
101 Central processing unit for control (CPU)
102 System bus (SYSBUS)
103 Read-only memory (ROM)
104 Memory (MEMORY (RAM / HD))
105 Keyboard (KEYBOARD)
106 Display (DISPLAY)
107 Network Interface Controller (NETWORK INTERFACE CONTROLLER)
2 Printer (Printer)
3 network

Claims (6)

  When a desired print destination printer is not ready for immediate printing, a printer having a function for distributing prints to a recognizable empty printer, the print destination printer distributed by the function is in a power saving mode ( In the case of a printer in a sleep state, the printing system includes control means for controlling the printer to shift again to a power saving mode (sleep) state after printing is completed.   The control means according to claim 1 sets the specific information in the print job information, and recognizes the specific information in the received print job information on the printer side. A printing system comprising control means for controlling to shift to a (sleep) state.   The control unit according to claim 1 issues a command to the printer to shift to the power saving mode (sleep) state after printing is completed on the host side, and shifts the printer to the power saving mode (sleep) state again. A printing system comprising control means for controlling the printing system.   When a desired print destination printer is not ready for immediate printing, a printer having a function for distributing prints to a recognizable empty printer, the print destination printer distributed by the function is in a power saving mode ( In the case of a printer in a sleep state, the printing system includes a control process for controlling the printer to shift again to a power saving mode (sleep) state after printing is completed.   The control processing according to claim 1 sets the specific information in the print job information, and recognizes the specific information in the received print job information on the printer side, so that the power saving mode ( A printing system comprising a control process for controlling to shift to a (sleep) state.   In the control process according to claim 1, the host side issues a command for shifting to the power saving mode (sleep) state after the printing is completed, and causes the printer to shift again to the power saving mode (sleep) state. A printing system comprising a control process for controlling the printing process.

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