JP4453369B2 - Printing apparatus and printing method, computer program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for performing distributed printing by distributing a print job to one or more printing apparatuses connected to a network.

  In recent years, printing systems in which a plurality of printers are connected to the same network and a user can use a plurality of printers are becoming popular. When printing a plurality of copies, a technique for completing printing in a short time by distributing a print job to each printer and performing parallel processing, so-called distributed printing has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In distributed printing, a dedicated server for distributed printing provided on a network usually controls the distribution destination and the number of copies of a print job.

JP 2002-215369 A

  However, in the prior art, a large-scale system including a dedicated server is necessary to realize distributed printing.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to realize distributed printing with a simple system.

In order to achieve at least a part of the above object, a first printing apparatus of the present invention is a printing apparatus that performs printing based on a print job transmitted via a network,
Receiving means for the printing apparatus to receive a print job designated as a transmission destination on the network;
When the print job received by the receiving unit is a print job in which the first transmission destination port number for specifying the first software in the printing apparatus is specified, the printing apparatus performs printing based on the print job. Printing means to be executed;
When the print job received by the receiving unit is a print job in which a second transmission destination port number that specifies second software in the printing apparatus different from the first software is specified, Distributing means for distributing the print job to a plurality of printing apparatuses including other connected printing apparatuses ,
The distribution means is means for starting distribution of the print job to the plurality of printing apparatuses prior to completion of reception of the print job by the reception means .

According to the above-described printing apparatus, when distributed printing is controlled by the transmission destination port number, it is not necessary to install special software on a computer or the like in order to execute distributed printing. When the user transmits a print job from the computer or the like to the printing apparatus , the user only has to change the port number designation to a specific port number on the computer or the like, thereby greatly reducing the burden on the user. be able to. Further, since the printing apparatus controls all distributed printing, it is possible to realize distributed printing with a simple system without using a dedicated server.

In the first printing apparatus , the distribution unit is a print job in which the other printing apparatus is designated as a transmission destination on the network, and the first printing apparatus distributes the print job to the other printing apparatus. It is preferable to include a port changing means for changing to a print job in which the destination port number is designated .

With this configuration, even when dispersed print job to another printing apparatus, since the port number specified at that time is the first port number, in the following another printing apparatus, further redispersed , And re-dispersion, there is no such thing as infinite dispersion.

A second printing apparatus of the present invention is a printing apparatus that executes printing based on a print job transmitted via a network,
Receiving means for the printing apparatus to receive a print job designated as a transmission destination on the network;
If the print job received by the receiving means is a print job set according to the first print protocol, the printing means for executing printing based on the print job in the printing apparatus;
When the print job received by the receiving unit is a print job set according to a second print protocol different from the first print protocol, a plurality of prints including other printing devices connected to the network A distribution means for distributing the print job to the apparatus ,
The distribution means is means for starting distribution of the print job to the plurality of printing apparatuses prior to completion of reception of the print job by the reception means .

According to the second printing apparatus, as in the case of the first printing apparatus , it is not necessary to install special software in, for example, a computer or the like in order to execute distributed printing. In this case, when the user transmits a print job from the computer or the like to the printing apparatus , the user only has to change the designation of the print protocol to a specific print protocol on the computer or the like. Can do. Further, since the printing apparatus controls all distributed printing, it is possible to realize distributed printing with a simple system without using a dedicated server.

In the second printing apparatus , the distribution unit is a print job in which the other printing apparatus is designated as a transmission destination on the network, and the first printing apparatus distributes the print job to be distributed to the other printing apparatus. It is preferable to include protocol changing means for changing to a print job set according to the printing protocol .

With this configuration, since even dispersed print job to another printing apparatus, the print protocol to be used at that time is the first printing protocol, and later another printing apparatus further redispersion, There is no such thing as infinite redistribution.

In the first and second printing apparatuses, when the print job received by the receiving means is a print job specifying two or more print copies, the number of print copies assigned to each of the plurality of print devices It is also possible to include a copy number determining means for determining the number of distributed copies.

Thus, by changing the number of print section included in the print job, only the print job distributed to each printing device, it is possible to easily perform distributed printing, the CPU of the printing apparatus, high processing It is not necessary to use a CPU having the capability, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

In the printing apparatus provided with the number of copies determining means, the number of distributed copies may be determined so that the number of printing copies allocated to each of the plurality of printing devices becomes substantially the same value.

This makes it possible to assign the number of copies to each printing device as evenly as possible.

In the printing apparatus provided with the copy number determining means, the printing apparatus further comprises information acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the state of the consumables in the other printing apparatus from the other printing apparatus,
The number determination unit, based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit may be as a means for determining the variance of copies.

This makes it possible to efficiently perform distributed printing according to the state of consumables in other printing apparatuses .

The information acquisition means is means for acquiring information indicating the remaining amount or remaining life of the consumables in the other printing apparatus from the other printing apparatus ,
The number of copies determining means is preferably means for determining the number of copies to be distributed so that the larger the remaining amount or remaining life of the consumables, the larger the number of copies to be allocated .

This can reduce the possibility that after starting distributed printing, printing will stop in other printing devices due to the absence of consumables or the expendable life of the consumables. Other printing apparatuses can be used efficiently.

In the printing apparatus provided with the copy number determining means, the printing apparatus further comprises information acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the performance of the other printing apparatus from the other printing apparatus,
The number determination unit, based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit may be as a means for determining the variance of copies.

This makes it possible to perform distributed printing efficiently according to the performance of other printing apparatuses .

The information acquisition means is means for acquiring information indicating the processing speed of the other printing apparatus from the other printing apparatus ,
Preferably, the number of copies determination means is a means for determining the number of copies to be distributed so that the higher the processing speed is, the more print copies are allocated . As a result, the time required for distributed printing can be reduced as a whole.

In the printing apparatus described above, it is preferable that the distribution unit is a unit that distributes the print job to a plurality of printing apparatuses including the printing apparatus and the other printing apparatuses .

With this configuration, the printing apparatus that distributes the print job itself can be incorporated into the distribution destination candidates, and the selection range of the distribution destination can be expanded.

In the above printing apparatus, the dispersion means, by searching for the printing device and the printing device is a by printing viable printing apparatus of the same model from the network, a determining means for determining said another printing apparatus It is preferable to include .

As a result, it is possible to perform appropriate printing without performing data conversion of the print job.

In the above printing apparatus further comprises a means for storing a specification file for specifying the another printing apparatus, the dispersion means, the printing device and the print executable printing device. The printing apparatus of the same model It is preferable to include a determination unit that determines the other printing apparatus by searching based on the designated file .

Thereby, the candidates for the distribution destination printing apparatus can be narrowed down to a desired printing apparatus in advance.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the aspect of the printing apparatus, but can be realized in the aspect of the printing method . Further, aspects as a computer program for constructing those methods and apparatuses, aspects as a recording medium recording such a computer program, data signals embodied in a carrier wave including the computer program, etc. It can also be realized in various ways.

  When the present invention is configured as a computer program or a recording medium on which the program is recorded, the entire program for controlling the printing apparatus may be configured, or only the portion that performs the functions of the present invention may be configured. Also good. The recording medium includes a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, a ROM cartridge, a punch card, a printed matter on which a code such as a barcode is printed, a computer internal storage device (RAM or Various types of computer-readable media such as a memory such as a ROM and an external storage device can be used.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described by dividing them into the following items based on examples.
A. First embodiment:
A1. System overview:
A2. Printer configuration:
A3. Normal printing process:
A4. Distributed printing processing:
A5. Effects of the embodiment:
B. Second embodiment:
B1. Printer configuration:
B2. Normal printing process:
B3. Distributed printing processing:
B4. Effects of the embodiment:
C. Third embodiment:
C1. Distributed printing processing:
C2. Effects of the embodiment:
D. Fourth embodiment:
D1. Distributed printing processing:
D2. Effects of the embodiment:
E. Variations:

A. First embodiment:
A1. System overview:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a printing system including a printer PRT1 as a first embodiment of the present invention. In this printing system, as shown, a client PC (hereinafter abbreviated as a client) CL and a plurality of printers PRT1 to PRT4 are connected to a local area network (LAN). Since communication between devices is based on the TCP / IP protocol, each device is assigned a fixed IP address in advance. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that addresses “IPc” and “IP1” to “IP4” are set in the client CL and the printers PRT1 to PRT4, respectively. Strictly speaking, these IP addresses are not set in the client CL and the printers PRT1 to PRT4 themselves, but are nodes when viewed from the TCP / IP network (specifically, TCP / IP For example, a network board connected to a network for performing IP communication).

  Among these printers, a custom network board CNB is attached to the printer PRT1. The custom network board CNB has a distributed printing control function for distributing received print jobs to other printers and executing distributed printing, and corresponds to the distributed printing control device in the claims. On the other hand, a standard network board (not shown) is attached to each of the other printers.

  As an example, the case where the communication data DT0 including the print job is transmitted from the client CL to the printer PRT1 is illustrated in the drawing.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the structure of communication data including such a print job. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication data is roughly divided into a header and print job data.

  Among these, in the header, the IP address (source IP address) of the device that is the source of the communication data, and the port number (source port number) that identifies the software that is the source in the device, In addition, it includes an IP address (transmission destination IP address) of the device that is the transmission destination of the communication data, and a port number (transmission destination port number) that identifies the software that is the transmission destination in the device. Communication data transmitted from the software of the transmission source device is transmitted to the device having the IP address according to the transmission destination IP address. Further, in the received device, the port of that number is transmitted according to the transmission destination port number. Passed to the waiting software.

  On the other hand, the print job data is divided into a job control language portion and a print command. Among these, the job control language portion describes a QT value representing the number of copies as print copy number information.

  In the case of TCP / IP, communication data is normally communicated in a bucket. Therefore, in practice, a series of print job data is time-divided and transmitted with the header added in front of each time-division data.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the communication data DT0 describes “IP1” as the destination IP address, “19100” as the destination port number, and “100 copies” as the QT value (that is, the number of copies). ing.

  In this embodiment, a non-procedural protocol is used as a printing protocol. In the non-procedural protocol, “9100” is normally assigned as the boat number. However, as a feature of the present invention, in this embodiment, when a print job is transmitted from the client CL to the printer PRT1 having the distributed print control function, Instead of the usual “9100”, “19100” is used as the boat number.

  When receiving the communication data DT0, the custom network board CNB of the printer PRT1 passes the print job data to the software waiting at the port number “19100”. In this embodiment, the distributed printing software for realizing the distributed printing control function is waiting for the port number “19100”. As a result, each functional unit realized by the CPU according to the distributed printing software determines its own printer PRT1 in addition to the printers PRT2 to PRT4 as distribution destination printers, and sets the QT value included in the print job data to “25”. The transmission destination port number is changed to “9100” instead of “19100”, and the communication data DT1 to DT4 including the print job are respectively transmitted to the distribution destination printers.

  Therefore, for example, in the communication data DT2, “IP2” is described as the transmission destination IP address, “9100” as the transmission destination port number, and “25 copies” as the QT value.

  When the standard network board of the printer PRT2 receives the communication data DT2, it passes the print job data to the software waiting at the port number “9100”. As described above, since the port number “9100” is a port number that is normally assigned to the non-procedural protocol that is the printing protocol, the print job data is transferred to the print control software in the printer PRT2, Printing according to the print job is executed.

  Of course, the other printers PRT3 and PRT4 also execute printing according to the transmitted print job in the PRT1 having the distributed printing control function.

  As a result, in each of the printers PRT1 to PRT4, each “25 copies” is printed, and a total of “100 copies” is distributed in the entire system.

A2. Printer configuration:
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram mainly showing the configuration of the printer PRT1 in FIG. The printer PRT1 includes a printer main body PRB and the custom network board CNB described above. Among these, the printer main body PRB mainly includes a printer engine 41 and a printer controller 42. The printer engine 41 is a mechanism portion that actually performs printing. The printer controller 42 receives print job data from the custom network board CNB, controls the printer engine 41 according to the print job, and executes printing.

  On the other hand, the custom network board CNB which is a characteristic part of the present invention mainly includes a CPU 20 and a memory 30. In addition, a communication interface for actually performing network communication is also provided, but this is omitted for convenience of explanation.

  The CPU 20 functions as the illustrated functional blocks by reading out and executing a program such as the above-described distributed printing software from the memory 30. Each functional block may be constructed in hardware.

  Among these functional blocks, the TCP / IP interpreter 21 interprets the TCP / IP protocol and communicates with the outside via the network. Specifically, a destination IP address and a destination port number included in the received communication data are detected, or a destination IP address and a destination port number are assigned to the communication data to be transmitted. The non-procedural protocol interpretation units 22A and 22B interpret a non-procedural protocol that is a printing protocol. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, when the communication data is transmitted with the normal “9100” as the transmission destination port number, the non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 22B functions and is transmitted with a specific “19100”. In such a case, it is assumed that the non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 22A functions.

  Further, when performing distributed printing, the distribution destination determination unit 23 searches for a printer to be a distribution destination from the LAN and determines it as a distribution destination printer. The copy number determination unit 24 determines the number of distribution copies to be assigned to each distribution destination printer from the designated total number of print copies. The distributed processing unit 25 rewrites the QT value indicating the number of copies included in the print job data, and then distributes the print job data to each distributed printer.

  On the other hand, the memory 30 includes a buffer unit 31 and a distribution destination designation file storage unit 32 for storing various data in addition to storing the above-described program. Among these, the buffer unit 31 is a storage unit for temporarily storing the transmitted print job data, but cannot store all of the transmitted print job data because the storage capacity is small. The distribution destination designation file storage unit 32 stores the distribution destination designation file. This distribution destination designation file is used when a printer to be used as a distribution destination in distributed printing among a plurality of printers connected to the LAN is designated and limited in advance. Accordingly, when such designation is unnecessary, nothing is stored in the distribution destination designation file storage unit 32.

  In FIG. 3, the client CL includes a non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 12 and a TCP / IP interpretation unit 11 as functional blocks in addition to the application 13. In addition to the printer engine 54 and the printer controller 53, the printer PRT2 includes a non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 52 and a TCP / IP interpretation unit 51 as functional blocks. Among these, the non-procedural protocol interpreting unit 12 and the non-procedural protocol interpreting unit 52 have the same functions as the non-procedural protocol interpreting unit 22B that handles communication data transmitted with the normal “9100” as the transmission destination port number in the printer PRT1. Have. Also, the TCP / IP interpreting units 11 and 51, the TCP / IP interpreting unit 21 in the printer PRT1, the printer engine 54 and the printer controller 53, and the printer engine 41 and the printer controller 42 in the printer PRT1, respectively, have the same functions and configurations. have.

  The printers PRT3 and 4 shown in FIG. 1 have the same configuration as the printer PRT2 in FIG.

A3. Normal printing process:
Before describing the distributed printing process, which is a feature of the present invention, a normal printing process will be briefly described. An example in which a print job is transmitted from the client CL to the printer PRT1 and printing is executed only by the printer PRT1 will be described. In this case, the print job is transferred along a path indicated by a dotted line in FIG. In the printer driver (not shown) in the client CL, it is assumed that the print protocol is set to a non-procedural protocol.

  When the user issues a print command to the client CL, in the client CL, the application 13 transmits a print job to the printer PRT1 via the non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 12 and the TCP / IP interpretation unit 11. At this time, the non-procedural protocol interpreting unit 12 transmits communication data including a print job according to the non-procedural protocol that is a printing protocol, and the TCP / IP interpreting unit 11 uses the communication data as a transmission destination IP address. In addition to specifying “IP1” of the printer PRT1, “9100”, which is normally assigned to the nonprocedural protocol, is specified as the destination port number.

  In the printer PRT1, the TCP / IP interpreter 21 receives the communication data according to the destination IP address “IP1” included in the communication data, and the destination port number included in the communication data is “9100”. Therefore, the data is transferred to the non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 22B that handles the communication data transmitted with “9100”. The non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 22B receives communication data including a print job according to the non-procedural protocol, and passes the print job to the printer controller 42. The printer controller 42 reads the number of copies from the QT value included in the print job data, and causes the printer engine 41 to execute printing for the designated number of copies.

A4. Distributed printing processing:
Next, the distributed printing process which is a characteristic part of the present invention will be described in detail. First, as a premise, when the power of the printer PRT1 is turned on by the user, the printer main body PRB and the custom network board CNB are activated, and the distribution destination determining unit 23 receives the model name of its own printer PRT1 from the printer controller 42. To get. Specifically, the distribution destination determination unit 23 designates the IP address “IP1” of its own printer PRT1 as the transmission destination IP address, and inquires about the model name by SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). The model name is requested to the printer controller 42 via the bus, and the response is received to obtain the model name.

  Based on the above assumptions, a case where a print job is transmitted from the client CL to the printer PRT1 and distributed printing is executed by the printers PRT2 to PRT4 in addition to the printer PRT1 will be described as an example.

  When performing distributed printing, the user confirms that the print protocol setting is set to the non-procedural protocol in the printer driver in the client CL, and then sets the port number to the normal “9100”. To a specific “19100”. That is, in this embodiment, by switching the setting of the port number, normal printing is selected for the normal “9100” and distributed printing is selected for the specific “19100”.

  Therefore, when the user issues a print command to the client CL with the number of copies “100”, the application 13 in the client CL interprets a print job with a QT value indicating the number of copies “100” as a non-procedural protocol interpretation. The data is transmitted to the printer PRT 1 via the unit 12 and the TCP / IP interpretation unit 11. At this time, the non-procedural protocol interpreting unit 12 transmits communication data including a print job according to the non-procedural protocol that is a printing protocol, and the TCP / IP interpreting unit 11 uses the communication data as a transmission destination IP address. “IP1” of the printer PRT1 is designated, and “19100” is designated as the transmission destination port number instead of the usual “9100”.

  As a result, communication data DT0 as shown in FIG. 1 is transmitted from the client CL to the printer PRT1. That is, the communication data DT0 describes “IP1” as the destination IP address, “19100” as the destination port number, and “100 copies” as the QT value (that is, the number of copies to be printed).

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of main functional blocks in the printer PRT1. Specifically, the processing is executed by the distributed processing unit 25, the distribution destination determining unit 23, and the copy number determining unit 24.

  In the printer PRT1, the TCP / IP interpreter 21 receives the communication data according to the destination IP address “IP1” included in the communication data DT0, and the destination port number included in the communication data is “19100”. Therefore, this time, not the non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 22B but the non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 22A that handles the communication data transmitted by “19100”.

  On the other hand, the distributed processing unit 25 stands by until a print job arrives at the port number “19100” (step S102). When the non-procedural protocol interpreting unit 22A receives communication data including a print job according to the non-procedural protocol, the non-procedural protocol interpreting unit 22A passes the print job data to the distributed processing unit 25 waiting at the port number “19100”.

  The distribution processing unit 25 sequentially receives the received print job data from the top and stores it in the buffer unit 31 (step S104).

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the print job data opened by an editor as an example. As shown in FIG. 5, the front side of the print job data is a job control language part, and the rear side is a print command. In the job control language portion, a QT value indicating the number of copies is described as the number of copies information. In the illustrated example, “QT = 2”, indicating that the QT value (number of copies to be printed) is “2 copies”.

  The distributed processing unit 25 continues to store the received print job data in the buffer unit 31 until a QT value is found in the stored print job data (step S106). Thereafter, when the QT value is found, the distribution processing unit 25 stops storing the print job data in the buffer unit 31 and acquires the total number of print copies from the found QT value (step S108). In this case, as described above, “100 copies” is described as the QT value (number of copies) (“QT = 100”), so that “100 copies” is acquired as the total number of copies to be distributed. become.

  Next, the distribution destination determination unit 23 searches for a printer to be a distribution destination from a plurality of printers connected to the LAN, and determines the printer as a distribution destination printer (step S110).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the distribution destination printer search / determination processing routine. When this processing routine is started, the distribution destination determination unit 23 first detects whether or not a distribution destination designation file is stored in the distribution destination designation file storage unit 32 (step S202). If the distribution destination designation file is stored, the printer candidates that are to be used as the distribution destination are designated in advance.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the distribution destination designation file. As shown in FIG. 7, the distribution destination designation file lists and describes the IP addresses of printers that are to be used as the distribution destination. Such a distribution destination designation file is stored in the distribution destination designation file by, for example, connecting and installing a setting computer to the printer PRT1 when the service person installs the printer PRT1 and performs initial setting. It can be stored in the unit 32. Further, it may be installed via a LAN. When such a distribution destination designation file is used, if it is desired to use its own printer PRT1 as the distribution destination, the IP address “IP1” of the self printer PRT1 must also be described in the distribution destination designation file. .

  When the distribution destination designation file is stored in the distribution destination designation file storage unit 32, the distribution destination determination unit 23 reads the distribution destination designation file and lists the IP address of the printer described therein. (Step S204).

  On the other hand, if the distribution destination designation file is not stored, the distribution destination determination unit 23 uses SNMP or the like to inquire the IP address of each device connected to the LAN by broadcast, The responded IP addresses are listed (step S206).

  Next, the distribution destination determination unit 23 uses SNMP to inquire about the model name of each listed IP address, and selects a printer of the same model as its own printer PRT1 based on the responded model name. (Step S208). As described above, the printer of the same model as its own printer PRT1 is selected as a candidate for the distribution destination printer. When performing distributed printing, each distribution destination printer does not perform data conversion of the print job. This is to allow proper printing. As a result, it is possible to unify the quality of printed matter, for example, the resolution and font, at each distribution destination printer. Color printing and double-sided printing are also specified and executed.

  As described above, since the distribution destination determination unit 23 has already acquired the model name of the printer PRT1 when the printer PRT1 is powered on, the distribution destination determination unit 23 selects a printer of the same model as its own printer PRT1. .

  Also, the reason for inquiring the model name for the device having the IP address specified in the distribution destination specification file is as follows. In other words, after creating the distribution destination specification file, the IP address described in the distribution destination specification file is allocated to a printer of a different model from the printer PRT1 or to a device other than the printer by replacing the device. This is to check whether the printer is the same model as the printer PRT1 of its own. Furthermore, it is simultaneously confirmed that the device having the IP address specified in the distribution destination specification file is actually turned on and the network path is reachable.

  Further, the distribution destination determination unit 23 uses SNMP or the like to inquire of the selected printer whether it is online or offline, and selects a printer that is online based on the response result ( Step S210). As a result, printers that cause errors such as out of paper, out of toner (or out of ink), or paper jam and cannot be printed immediately can be excluded from the candidates for the distribution destination printer.

  Next, when one printer has not yet been selected as a destination printer candidate (step S212), the destination determination unit 23 selects its own printer PRT1 as a candidate (step S214).

  In this way, the distribution destination determination unit 23 determines the printer selected by the above processing as the distribution destination printer (step S216). As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 1, a total of four printers, that is, the own printer PRT1 and the other printers PRT2 to PRT4, are determined as the distribution destination printers. Thereafter, the CPU 20 ends the processing routine shown in FIG. 6 and returns to the processing in FIG.

  In step S112 in FIG. 4, the copy number determination unit 24 determines the number of distribution copies to be allocated to each distribution destination printer based on the number of distribution destination printers determined in advance and the total number of print copies acquired in step S108. In this embodiment, the number of distribution copies is determined so that the distribution destination printers are allocated as evenly as possible. At this time, it is determined so that the total sum of these distributed copies is equal to the value of the total number of printed copies.

  Therefore, as described above, in the example shown in FIG. 1, since the number of distribution destination printers is four and the total number of copies is “100”, the number of distribution copies to be assigned to each distribution destination printer is set as follows. “25 copies” is determined.

  However, depending on the number of distribution destination printers and the value of the total number of print copies, naturally, the distribution copy number may not be equal in each distribution destination printer. Therefore, based on this fact, specifically, the number of copies is determined as follows.

That is, if the number of distribution destination printers is m, the total number of copies is n, and the distribution number to be allocated to the xth printer among the m distribution destination printers is a _x , the distribution number a _x is expressed by Determine according to (1).

  In equation (1), “(... ≦ ...)? 1: 0” in the two items on the right-hand side satisfies the inequality in parentheses, the value of the term is 1, and the inequality is If not satisfied, the value of the term is set to zero.

  Therefore, for example, when the number m of distribution destination printers is 4 (m = 4) and the total number of printed copies n is 102 (n = 102), Equation (1) is as shown in Equation (2).

Therefore, the dispersion copies a _x to four destination printers, respectively, the following.
First printer: a ₁ = 25 + 1 = 26 copies Second printer: a ₂ = 25 + 1 = 26 copies Third printer: a ₃ = 25 + 0 = 25 copies Fourth printer: a ₄ = 25 + 0 = 25 copies

Next, the distribution processing unit 25 changes only the QT value of the print job data stored in the buffer unit 31 to the value of the number of distributed copies a _x assigned to the distribution destination printer for each distribution destination printer. Then, the print job data is transmitted to each distribution destination printer (step S114). Therefore, for example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, since the number of distribution copies allocated to each distribution destination printer is “25 copies”, “QT = 100” described in the print job data is changed to “QT = 25”. The print job data is transmitted to four distribution destination printers. Further, the distribution processing unit 25 resumes storing the received print job data in the buffer unit 31, and the print job data received after that and stored once in the buffer unit 31 is also sequentially transmitted to each distribution destination printer. Transmit (step S115).

  In this way, the distributed processing unit 25 changes the received print job only to the QT value and transmits it to each distribution destination printer via the non-procedural protocol interpreting unit 22B and the TCP / IP interpreting unit 21, respectively. At this time, the non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 22B transmits communication data including the print job in accordance with the non-procedural protocol that is a printing protocol. The TCP / IP interpreter 21 designates the IP address of each distribution destination printer as the destination IP address of the communication data, and the destination port number is the port number “19100” when received. Instead, the boat number “9100” normally assigned by the non-procedural protocol is designated.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, since the printers PRT1 to PRT4 are determined as the distribution destination printers, in the communication data DT1 to DT4 transmitted to each distribution destination printer, the transmission destination IP address and the transmission destination port. The number and QT value are specified as follows.

Communication data DT1 to the printer PRT1 → “IP1”, “9100”, “25 copies”
Communication data DT2 to the printer PRT2 → “IP2”, “9100”, “25 copies”
Communication data DT3 to printer PRT3 → “IP3”, “9100”, “25 copies”
Communication data DT4 to the printer PRT2 → “IP4”, “9100”, “25 copies”

  In the printer PRT2, which is one of the distribution destination printers, as shown in FIG. 3, the TCP / IP interpreter 51 receives the communication data DT2 according to the destination IP address “IP2” included in the communication data DT2, Further, since the transmission destination port number included in the communication data DT2 is “9100”, it is passed to the non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 22B. The non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 52 receives communication data including a print job according to the non-procedural protocol, and passes the print job to the printer controller 53. The printer controller 53 reads “25 copies” as the number of copies from the QT value included in the print job data, and causes the printer engine 54 to execute printing according to the designated number of copies.

  Similarly, the printers PRT3 and PRT4, which are other distribution destination printers, execute printing according to the print job for the designated number of prints “25”.

  In the self printer PRT1 that is the distribution destination printer, the TCP / IP interpreter 21 receives the transmitted communication data DT1 based on the destination IP address “IP1” included in the communication data DT1. Further, since the transmission destination port number included in the communication data DT1 is “9100”, the TCP / IP interpretation unit 21 performs the non-procedure handling the communication data transmitted with “9100” as in the case of normal printing. It is passed to the protocol interpretation unit 22B. The non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 22B receives communication data including a print job according to the non-procedural protocol, and passes the print job to the printer controller 42. The printer controller 42 reads “25 copies” as the number of copies from the QT value included in the print job data, and causes the printer engine 41 to execute printing according to the specified number of copies.

  As described above, each of the printers PRT1 to PRT4, which are the distribution destination printers, performs printing of “25 copies”, and the total system performs distributed printing of “100 copies”. It will be.

  On the other hand, returning to FIG. 4, if the QT value is not found in the print job data stored in the buffer unit 31 in step S106 described above, the distribution processing unit 25 stores the print job data. It is determined whether a job control language part has been found in the print job data that is being printed, and the end of the job control language part has not been found (step S116).

  As a result, if the job control language part is not found in the stored print job data, it can be determined that there is no job control language part in the print job data, and the job control language part is found, If the end is already found without finding the QT value, it can be determined that there is no QT value in the job control language part. Therefore, in these cases, since there is no possibility of finding the QT value in the received print job data, the distribution processing unit 25 moves to the next step S118, and only the own printer PRT1 is distributed. The printer is determined (step S118). In other words, since there is no QT value and the total number of copies is unknown, it is impossible to perform distributed printing. Therefore, the printer switches to normal printing using only its own printer PRT1. Then, the distribution processing unit 25 transmits the print job data stored in the buffer unit 31 as it is to its own printer PRT1 determined as the distribution destination printer (step S120). Thereafter, the distribution processing unit 25 transmits the print job data received thereafter to its own printer PRT1, which is the distribution destination printer (step S122).

  Thus, the distributed processing unit 25 transmits the received print job to its own printer PRT1 via the non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 22B and the TCP / IP interpretation unit 21. At this time, the non-procedural protocol interpreting unit 22B transmits communication data including the print job according to the non-procedural protocol which is a printing protocol, and the TCP / IP interpreting unit 21 uses the destination IP address of the communication data as a transmission destination IP address. In addition to designating “IP1” of its own printer, the port number “9100” normally assigned by the non-procedural protocol is designated as the destination port number, not the port number “19100” at the time of reception.

  In its own printer PRT1, the TCP / IP interpreter 21 receives the transmitted communication data based on the transmission destination IP address “IP2” included in the communication data DT1, and further includes the transmission destination included in the communication data. Since the port number is “9100”, it is passed to the non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 22B that handles the communication data transmitted with “9100”. The non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 22B receives communication data including a print job according to the non-procedural protocol, and passes the print job to the printer controller 42. Since there is no QT value to be included in the print job data, the printer controller 42 causes the printer engine 41 to execute printing according to the print job for only one copy. As a result, in the printer PRT1, only one copy is printed.

A5. Effects of the embodiment:
As described above, in this embodiment, since the printer PRT1 having the distributed printing control function controls all distributed printing, distributed printing can be realized with a simple system without using a dedicated server. Is possible.

  Further, in order to execute distributed printing, the client CL simply sets the port number in the printer driver without installing special software, and the normal port number “9100” normally assigned by the non-procedural protocol. ”To a specific port number“ 19100 ”, distributed printing can be realized, so that the burden on the user can be greatly reduced.

  In the distribution destination printer, since the communication data to be transmitted is the port number “9100” normally assigned in the non-procedural protocol, it is not necessary to know whether it is distributed printing or not. Printing can be executed as it is.

  In the printer PRT1 having the distributed printing control function, the transmission destination port number “19100” indicated by the communication data that triggers the execution of the distributed printing control and the transmission destination port number “9100” indicated by the communication data to be transmitted to the distribution destination printer. Therefore, even when the distribution destination printer includes its own printer PRT1 and communication data including a print job is transmitted to itself, the port number indicated by the communication data is “9100”. Therefore, it cannot be a trigger for distributed printing control, and therefore, a print job distributed to itself cannot be distributed indefinitely such as redistribution or re-distribution. Similarly, when there are two or more custom network boards having a distributed print control function in the same network, a print job to be distributed between them is not ping-pong.

  Further, the printer PRT1 having the distributed printing control function can easily perform distributed printing by changing only the QT value which is the number-of-printing information of the received print job and transmitting it to each distribution destination printer. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a CPU having a high processing capacity as the CPU 20 of the custom network board CNB, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Further, in the printer PRT1 having the distributed print control function, when the QT value is found in the print job received and stored in the buffer unit 31, the QT value is changed, and the print job is immediately sent to each distribution destination printer. Compared to the case where transmission of all print jobs transmitted from the client CL is received and then transmission of the print job to each distribution destination printer is started since transmission has started. The start of printing can be greatly accelerated.

B. Second embodiment:
In the first embodiment described above, when a print job is transmitted from the client CL to the printer PRT1 having the distributed print control function and when a print job is transmitted from the printer PRT1 to the distribution destination printer, the print protocol is used as the print protocol. Although the same protocol (that is, non-procedural protocol) is used, but different port numbers (that is, “9100” and “19100”) are used as port numbers, distributed printing has been realized. When a print job is transmitted from the client CL to the printer PRT1 having the distributed print control function and when a print job is transmitted from the printer PRT1 to the distribution destination printer, a different protocol is used as a print protocol. Realize printing

B1. Printer configuration:
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram mainly showing the configuration of a printer PRT1 as a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the configuration shown in FIG. 8 is different from the configuration shown in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment in that an LPR interpreter 26 is used instead of the non-procedural protocol interpreter 22A (however, The non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 22B remains as it is), and the client CL is provided with the LPR interpretation unit 14 accordingly. The other configuration is the same as the configuration shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 8, LPR interpretation units 26 and 14 interpret LPR (Line PRinter daemon protocol), which is a printing protocol.

B2. Normal printing process:
Before describing the distributed printing process, a normal printing process will be briefly described. An example in which a print job is transmitted from the client CL to the printer PRT1 and printing is executed only by the printer PRT1 will be described. In this case, the print job is transferred along a path indicated by a dotted line in FIG. In the printer driver (not shown) in the client CL, it is assumed that the print protocol is set to a non-procedural protocol.

  When the user issues a print command to the client CL, in the client CL, the application 13 transmits a print job to the printer PRT1 via the non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 12 and the TCP / IP interpretation unit 11. At this time, the non-procedural protocol interpreting unit 12 transmits communication data including a print job according to the non-procedural protocol that is a printing protocol, and the TCP / IP interpreting unit 11 uses the communication data as a transmission destination IP address. Designate “IP1” of printer PRT1.

  In the printer PRT1, the TCP / IP interpreter 21 receives the communication data according to the destination IP address “IP1” included in the communication data. The non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 22B receives communication data including a print job according to the non-procedural protocol, and passes the print job to the printer controller 42. The printer controller 42 reads the number of copies from the QT value included in the print job data, and causes the printer engine 41 to execute printing for the designated number of copies.

B3. Distributed printing processing:
Next, distributed printing processing will be described. When performing distributed printing, the user changes the print protocol setting from the non-procedural protocol to the LPR in the printer driver in the client CL. That is, in this embodiment, by switching the setting of the printing protocol here, normal printing is selected for the non-procedural protocol and distributed printing is selected for the LPR.

  Therefore, when the user issues a print command to the client CL with the number of copies “100”, the application 13 in the client CL sends a print job with a QT value indicating the number of copies to “100” as an LPR interpreter 14. , Sent to the printer PRT1 via the TCP / IP interpreter 11. At this time, the LPR interpreting unit 14 transmits communication data including a print job according to the printing protocol LPR, and the TCP / IP interpreting unit 11 uses the “PR” of the printer PRT1 as the destination IP address of the communication data. Specify "IP1".

  In the printer PRT1, the TCP / IP interpreter 21 receives the communication data according to the destination IP address “IP1” included in the communication data. The LPR interpretation unit 26 receives communication data including a print job according to the LPR, and passes the print job data to the distributed processing unit 25.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the processing from when the print job data is transferred to the distribution processing section 25 until the distribution destination printer and the number of distribution copies are determined is the same as in the first embodiment. The description about them is omitted. Here, for example, it is assumed that the printers PRT1 to PRT4 are determined as distribution destination printers, and “25 copies” are determined as the number of distribution copies to each.

  Thereafter, the distributed processing unit 25 changes only the QT value of the received print job, and the print job is transmitted via the non-procedural protocol interpreting unit 22B instead of the LPR interpreting unit 26 and further to the TCP / IP interpreting unit. 21 to the respective distribution destination printers. At this time, the non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 22B transmits communication data including the print job in accordance with the non-procedural protocol that is a printing protocol. Further, the TCP / IP interpreter 21 designates the IP address of each distribution destination printer as the destination IP address of the communication data.

  In the printer PRT2, which is one of the distribution destination printers, as shown in FIG. 8, the TCP / IP interpreter 51 receives the communication data DT2 in accordance with the destination IP address “IP2” included in the communication data DT2, It is passed to the non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 22B. The non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 52 receives communication data including a print job according to the non-procedural protocol, and passes the print job to the printer controller 53. The printer controller 53 reads “25 copies” as the number of copies from the QT value included in the print job data, and causes the printer engine 54 to execute printing according to the designated number of copies.

  Similarly, the printers PRT3 and PRT4, which are other distribution destination printers, execute printing according to the print job for the designated number of prints “25”.

  In the self printer PRT1 which is the distribution destination printer, the TCP / IP interpreter 21 receives the communication data transmitted to the self based on the transmission destination IP address “IP1” included in the communication data. The non-procedural protocol interpretation unit 22B receives communication data including a print job according to the non-procedural protocol, and passes the print job to the printer controller 42. The printer controller 42 reads “25 copies” as the number of copies from the QT value included in the print job data, and causes the printer engine 41 to execute printing according to the specified number of copies.

  As described above, each of the printers PRT1 to PRT4, which are the distribution destination printers, performs printing of “25 copies”, and the total system performs distributed printing of “100 copies”. It will be.

B4. Effects of the embodiment:
As described above, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, since the printer PRT1 having the distributed printing control function controls all the distributed printing, a simple server can be used without using a dedicated server. Distributed printing can be realized by the system.

  In addition, the client CL can realize distributed printing by simply changing the print protocol setting to LPR in the printer driver without installing special software in order to execute distributed printing. Therefore, the burden on the user can be greatly reduced.

  In the printer PRT1 having the distributed print control function, the print protocol (that is, LPR) that triggers the execution of the distributed print control and the print protocol (that is, the non-procedural protocol) for transmission to the distribution destination printer are classified into the types. Therefore, even if the distribution destination printer includes its own printer PRT1 and a print job is transmitted to itself, the printing protocol at that time is a non-procedural protocol, and the distributed printing control trigger Therefore, a print job distributed to itself cannot be distributed indefinitely such as redistribution and redistribution.

C. Third embodiment:
In the first and second embodiments described above, the copy number determination unit 24 determines the number of distribution copies so that the distribution destination printers are allocated as evenly as possible, but in this embodiment, The number-of-copies determination unit 24 inquires of each distribution destination printer about the remaining amount of toner and determines the number of distribution copies to be allocated to each distribution destination printer according to the response.

  In this embodiment, the configuration of the printer and the normal printing process are almost the same as those in the first or second embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

C1. Distributed printing processing:
Now, distributed printing processing in this embodiment will be described. In this distributed printing process, most of the processes are the same as those in the first or second embodiment. Therefore, the processes of parts different from those embodiments will be described in detail below.

  For example, in the first embodiment, in the processing procedure shown in FIG. 4, in step S110, the distribution destination determination unit 23 searches for a printer to be a distribution destination from a plurality of printers connected to the LAN. After determining as the distribution destination printer, in step S112, as described above, the copy number determination unit 24 allocates the distribution destination printers as evenly as possible based on the number of distribution destination printers and the total number of print copies. The number of copies was determined. On the other hand, in this embodiment, instead of the process of step S112, the copy number determination unit 24 executes the distributed copy number determination process shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a distributed copy number determination processing routine in the printer PRT1 as the third embodiment of the present invention. When this processing routine is started, the copy number determination unit 24 first detects whether or not a distribution destination designation file is stored in the distribution destination designation file storage unit 32 (step S302). If the distribution destination designation file is stored, the copy number determination unit 24 reads the distribution destination designation file from the distribution destination designation file storage unit 32, and the distribution destination ratio is described in the distribution destination designation file. It is detected whether or not there is (step S304). As described above, the distribution destination designation file designates in advance a printer to be used as a distribution destination among a plurality of printers connected to the LAN. In addition, in this embodiment, the ratio of the number of distribution copies to be assigned to each printer that is desired to be used as the distribution destination can be designated in advance using the distribution destination designation file.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the distribution destination designation file. As shown in FIG. 10, in the distribution destination specification file, the IP address of the printer that is desired to be used as the distribution destination and the ratio of the number of distribution copies that are desired to be assigned to the printer are listed and listed. In other words, in this distribution destination specification file, the printer having the IP address “163.141.1.223” and the printer having the IP address “163.141.1.222” are specified as the printers to be used as the distribution destination, and further assigned to the former printer. A ratio of 2: 1 is designated as the ratio between the number of distribution copies desired and the number of distribution copies desired to be assigned to the latter printer.

  Note that the method for storing such a distribution destination designation file in the distribution destination designation file storage unit 32 is the same as the distribution destination designation file shown in FIG. When such a distribution destination designation file is used, if the own printer PRT1 is used as the distribution destination and the ratio of the number of copies is to be designated, the IP address “IP1” of the own printer PRT1 and the own printer PRT1 are assigned. The ratio of the number of distributed copies to be allocated must be described in the distribution destination specification file.

  When the ratio of the number of copies is described in the distribution destination designation file, the copy number determination unit 24 determines the total number of distribution copies acquired in step S108 in FIG. 4 and the number of distribution copies described for each distribution destination printer. The number of distribution copies to be allocated to each distribution destination printer is determined on the basis of the ratio (step S306). At this time, it is determined so that the total sum of these distributed copies is equal to the value of the total number of printed copies.

  Therefore, for example, when the two printers designated in the distribution destination designation file shown in FIG. 10 are determined as distribution destination printers in step S110 in FIG. 4, the total number of copies acquired in step S108 is “90 copies”. ”, As described above, the ratio between the number of copies to be assigned to the printer with the IP address“ 163.141.1.223 ”and the number of copies to be assigned to the printer with the IP address“ 163.141.1.222 ”is 2: 1. The number of copies determining unit 24 determines the number of distributed copies to be assigned to the former printer as “60 copies” and the number of distributed copies to be assigned to the latter printer as “30 copies”.

  Depending on the value of the total number of printed copies and the ratio of the number of distributed copies, there may be a remainder that is not divisible by the ratio. In such a case, the remainder is assigned to an appropriate destination printer, and the number of copies is determined so that the total number of copies for each destination printer is equal to the total number of copies.

  On the other hand, when the distribution destination designation file is not stored in the distribution destination designation file storage unit 32 or when the distribution ratio is not described in the distribution destination designation file even though it is stored, the copy number determination unit 24 Using SNMP or the like, the distribution destination printer determined in step S110 in FIG. 4 is inquired about the remaining amount of toner, which is a consumable, via the LAN, and a response is acquired (step S308). Generally, since the printer has a function of monitoring the remaining amount of toner and the like, the distribution destination printer can immediately respond to its own remaining amount of toner in response to an inquiry from the copy number determination unit 24.

  Next, the copy number determination unit 24 determines the number of distribution copies to be assigned to each distribution destination printer based on the total distribution number acquired in step S108 in FIG. 4 and the remaining toner amount acquired from each distribution destination printer ( Step S310). At this time, it is determined so that the total sum of these distributed copies is equal to the value of the total number of printed copies.

  For example, in step S110, the printers PRT2 and PRT3 shown in FIG. 1 are respectively determined as the distribution destination printers. After that, in step S308, the copy number determination unit 24 inquires of the distribution destination printers about the remaining amount of toner. It is assumed that the remaining amount of toner in the printer PRT2 is “30%” and the remaining amount of toner in the printer PRT3 is “60%” that is twice that of the printer PRT2.

  Therefore, assuming that the total number of copies acquired in step S108 is “120 copies”, the number of copies determination unit 24 determines that the number of copies to be assigned to the printer PRT2 is “40 copies” and sets the number of copies to be assigned to the printer PRT3. “80 copies” is determined. That is, the copy number determination unit 24 determines the remaining toner amount of each destination printer so that the number of distributed copies is reduced for printers with a small amount of toner and the number of copies is increased for printers with a large amount of toner. Accordingly, the number of distribution copies to be allocated to each distribution destination printer is determined.

When this is generalized, it becomes as follows. That, m stand the number of distribution destination printers, n unit total number of copies, the x-th remaining amount of toner of the printer t _x of the number m of the destination printer, the dispersion copies to be assigned to the x-th printer a If the _x, number determination unit 24 determines the dispersion copies a _x according to equation (3).

  Depending on the value of the total number of copies to be printed and the remaining amount of toner, a remainder may be generated without being divisible in the calculation of Expression (3). In such a case, as in the case of the ratio of the number of distributed copies described above, the remainder is allocated to an appropriate distribution destination printer, and the number of distribution copies is set so that the total number of distribution copies for each distribution destination printer is equal to the total number of copies n. Make a decision.

  When the number of distribution copies to be allocated to each distribution destination printer is determined by the copy number determination unit 24 as described above, the print job data stored in the buffer unit 31 by the distribution processing unit 25 in step S114 in FIG. Of these, only the QT value is changed for each distribution destination printer to the value of the number of copies assigned to the distribution destination printer, and the print job data is transmitted to each distribution destination printer.

  Since the other processes are the same as those in the first or second embodiment as described above, description thereof will be omitted.

C2. Effects of the embodiment:
As described above, in this embodiment, the number of distributed copies is reduced for a printer with a small amount of toner, and the number of distributed copies is increased for a printer with a large amount of toner. Since the number of distribution copies to be allocated to each destination printer is determined according to the remaining amount of toner, after the start of distributed printing, there is less possibility that the destination printer will stop printing due to running out of toner. The destination printer can be used efficiently.

D. Fourth embodiment:
In the third embodiment described above, the copy number determination unit 24 inquires of each distribution destination printer about the remaining amount of toner and determines the number of distribution copies according to the response. In the present embodiment, The number-of-copies determination unit 24 inquires each distribution destination printer not of the remaining amount of toner but the presence or absence of paper in the paper storage tray, and determines the number of distribution copies to be allocated to each distribution destination printer according to the response. ing.

  Also in this embodiment, the configuration of the printer and the normal printing process are almost the same as those in the first or second embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

D1. Distributed printing processing:
Now, distributed printing processing in this embodiment will be described. In this distributed printing process, most of the processes are the same as those in the first or second embodiment. Therefore, the processes of parts different from those embodiments will be described in detail below.

  In this embodiment, after the distribution destination determination unit 23 searches for a printer to be a distribution destination from a plurality of printers connected to the LAN and determines the distribution destination printer in step S110 in FIG. Instead of the process of step S112, the copy number determination unit 24 executes the distribution number determination process shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a distributed copy number determination processing routine in the printer PRT1 as the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this processing routine, the processes in steps S402, S404, and S406 are the same as the processes in steps S202, S204, and S206 in FIG. 9, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  Therefore, when the distribution destination designation file is not stored in the distribution destination designation file storage unit 32 in step S402, or when the distribution ratio is not described in the distribution destination designation file in step S404, the copy number determination unit 24 First, the printing paper size set by the user is acquired from the print job data stored in the buffer unit 31 in step S104 in FIG. 4 (step S408). Similar to the QT value, such a paper size is described in the job control language portion of the print job data.

  Next, the number-of-copies determination unit 24 uses SNMP or the like to inquire the number of paper storage trays of the distribution destination printers determined in step S110 in FIG. In response to the response, an inquiry is made as to the size of the paper stored in the paper storage tray and whether or not the paper is currently stored in the paper storage tray, and the response is acquired (step) S410). In general, since the printer has a function of monitoring the size of the paper stored in the storage tray and the presence / absence of the paper, in response to the inquiry from the copy number determination unit 24, the distribution destination printer stores its own paper. It is possible to immediately respond to the paper size of the tray and the presence or absence of paper.

  For example, in step S110 in FIG. 4, the printers PRT2 and PRT3 shown in FIG. 1 are respectively determined as the distribution destination printers, and the storage state of the paper in the paper storage tray in these printers is as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a paper storage tray provided in the distribution destination printer. As shown in FIG. 12, since the printer PRT2 includes paper storage trays 2a, 2b, and 2c, and the printer PRT3 includes paper storage trays 3a and 3b, an initial inquiry by the distribution destination determination unit 23 (paper storage) The printer PRT2 responds “3” and PRT2 “2”. In the printer PRT2, the sizes of the paper stored in the paper storage trays are “A3” for the paper storage tray 2a and “A4” for the paper storage trays 2b and 2c. In the printer PRT3, the paper storage tray 3a is "A3" and the paper storage tray 3b is "A4". Since both of these paper storage trays currently store paper, In response to the next inquiry (paper size of the paper storage tray and presence / absence of paper) by the distribution destination determination unit 23, the printers PRT2 and PRT3 respectively respond to the status.

  Next, the copy number determination unit 24 calculates, for each distribution destination printer, the maximum number of usable sheets that are assumed to be prepared in the distribution destination printer (step S412). Specifically, for example, the paper size acquired in step S408 (that is, the paper size set by the user) is “A4”, and the storage state of the paper in the paper storage trays of the distribution destination printers PRT2 and PRT3 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the copy number determination unit 24 identifies a paper storage tray that currently stores paper among the paper storage trays having a paper size “A4” based on the response results from the printers PRT2 and PRT3. Then, by adding up the number of sheets that can be stored in the sheet storage tray, the maximum number of sheets that can be used for the printer is calculated. That is, for the printer PRT2, the paper storage trays with the paper size “A4” are the paper storage trays 2b and 2c, both of which currently store paper. Since the number of sheets that can be stored in each of the sheet storage trays 2b and 2c is “500 sheets”, the maximum number of sheets that can be assumed to be prepared in the printer PRT2 is “ 1000 sheets ". On the other hand, for the printer PRT3, the only paper storage tray with the paper size “A4” is the paper storage tray 3b, and currently the paper is stored there. Since the number of sheets that can be stored in the sheet storage tray 3b is "500 sheets", the maximum number of sheets that can be used that is assumed to be prepared in the printer PRT3 is "500 sheets".

  In the present embodiment, the information acquired from each distribution destination printer by the copy number determination unit 24 is not the number of sheets actually stored in each sheet storage tray, but whether or not sheets are currently stored in each sheet storage tray. Therefore, even if the copy number determination unit 24 receives information that the paper is currently stored in the paper storage tray, the paper storage tray stores the maximum number of sheets that can be stored. Whether or not only one is stored is unknown to the copy number determination unit 24. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the number of distribution copies is determined on the assumption that each sheet storage tray stores sheets as many as possible. Therefore, the maximum number of sheets that can be used that are assumed to be prepared in a certain destination printer refers to the sheet storage tray that stores sheets of the sheet size set by the user in the printer. This is the total number of stored sheets when it is assumed that the sheets are stored to the full capacity.

  Next, the copy number determination unit 24 determines the number of distribution copies to be allocated to each distribution destination printer based on the total number of distribution copies acquired in step S108 in FIG. 4 and the maximum number of sheets calculated for each distribution destination printer. (Step S414). At this time, it is determined so that the total sum of these distributed copies is equal to the value of the total number of printed copies.

  For example, if the total number of copies acquired in step S108 is “180 copies”, in the above example, the maximum number of sheets in the printer PRT2 is “1000”, and the maximum number of sheets in the printer PRT3 is the printer. Since it is “500 sheets” that is 1/2 of PRT2, the number of copies determination unit 24 determines the number of distribution copies to be assigned to the printer PRT2 as “120 copies” and the number of distribution copies to be assigned to the printer PRT3 as “60 copies”. To do. In other words, the distribution destination determination unit 23 reduces the number of copies for a printer with a small maximum number of sheets, and increases the number of copies for a printer with a large maximum number of sheets. The number of distribution copies to be allocated to each distribution destination printer is determined according to the maximum number of sheets.

When this is generalized, it becomes as follows. That, m stand the number of distribution destination printers, n unit total number of copies, the maximum number of sheets in the x-th printer p _x of the number m of the destination printer, the dispersion copies to be assigned to the x-th printer When a _x is set, the number of copies determination unit 24 determines the number of copies a _{x according} to the equation (4).

  Depending on the total number of copies to be printed and the maximum number of sheets, a remainder may be generated without being divisible in the calculation of equation (4). In such a case, as in the case of the remaining toner amount described above, the remainder is assigned to an appropriate destination printer, and the number of copies is determined so that the total number of copies for each destination printer is equal to the total number of copies. To do.

  When the number of distribution copies to be allocated to each distribution destination printer is determined by the copy number determination unit 24 as described above, the print job data stored in the buffer unit 31 by the distribution processing unit 25 in step S114 in FIG. Of these, only the QT value is changed for each distribution destination printer to the value of the number of copies assigned to the distribution destination printer, and the print job data is transmitted to each distribution destination printer.

  Since the other processes are the same as those in the first or second embodiment as described above, description thereof will be omitted.

D2. Effects of the embodiment:
As described above, in this embodiment, the number of distributed copies is reduced for a printer with a small maximum number of sheets that is assumed to be prepared, and the number of distributed copies for a printer with a large maximum number of sheets. Since the number of distribution copies to be assigned to each distribution destination printer is determined according to the maximum number of sheets in each distribution destination printer, the distribution destination printer prints out of paper after starting distributed printing. Is less likely to stop, and each distribution destination printer can be used efficiently.

E. Variations:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention.

  In the first embodiment described above, a non-procedural protocol is used as a printing protocol. However, if the port number can be changed, LPR, IPP (Internet Printing Protocol), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), SMB (Server Message). Other printing protocols such as Block) and AppleTalk may be used.

  In the second embodiment described above, the printing protocol is a combination of LPR and a non-procedural protocol. However, if they are different from each other, they may be used in a combination of different printing protocols.

  In the fourth embodiment described above, the copy number determination unit 24 determines for each distribution destination printer the size of the paper stored in each paper storage tray and whether or not the current paper is stored in these paper storage trays. The number of distribution copies to be allocated to each distribution destination printer is determined according to the inquiry and the response result. However, when each distribution destination printer has a function of detecting the number of sheets currently stored in each sheet storage tray, for example, the copy number determination unit 24 sets each distribution destination printer to each distribution destination printer. The current number of sheets in the sheet storage tray may be inquired, and the number of distribution copies to be allocated to each distribution destination printer may be determined according to the response result. In that case, because the number of sheets of paper that are actually prepared can be ascertained in advance for each destination printer, it is possible for any destination printer to run out of paper when distributed printing is performed. In order not to occur, the number of distribution copies can be assigned to each distribution destination printer.

  In the third or fourth embodiment described above, the copy number determination unit 24 inquires each of the distribution destination printers about the remaining amount of toner, the presence / absence of paper in the paper storage tray, and the like. Although the number of distribution copies to be allocated to the distribution destination printer is determined, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as consumables for printers, there are rotating drums in addition to toner and paper, so each remaining printer is inquired about the remaining life of the rotating drum, and distributed to each destination printer according to the response result. The number of copies may be determined. If the destination printer is not a laser printer but an inkjet printer, a sublimation printer, a dot impact printer, a thermal transfer printer, etc., inquires about the remaining amount of ink and the remaining amount of ink ribbon instead of the remaining amount of toner. The number of distributed copies may be determined according to the response result. Further, instead of the remaining amount or remaining life of these consumables, the usage amount, usage frequency, or usage time of the consumables may be inquired, and the number of copies may be determined according to the response result.

  Alternatively, the number of distribution copies for each distribution destination printer may be determined according to the performance of the printer, not related to the consumables of these printers. For example, each distribution destination printer is inquired about its processing speed, and according to the response result, the number of distribution copies is reduced for a printer with a low processing speed, and the number of distribution copies for a printer with a high processing speed. In order to increase the number, the number of distribution copies to be allocated to each distribution destination printer may be determined. When such a determination is made, the time required for distributed printing can be greatly reduced as a whole system.

  Also, in the case of printer performance, they are known in advance and will not change thereafter, so the printer PRT1 has information about the performance of the distribution destination printer in advance, and if necessary, , The number of distribution copies for each distribution destination printer may be determined. In this case, the printer PRT1 does not need to make an inquiry to each distribution destination printer.

  Also, distribute a certain number of copies or more, consider the physical distance of the printer based on pre-registered information, consider the network topology distance of the printer, The specified order may be taken into consideration, or the distribution ratio of the number of copies may be specified in the distribution destination specification file to take into account it.

  In the above-described embodiment, each device connected to the LAN is assigned a fixed IP address. However, an IP address may be dynamically assigned by a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server or the like. . However, as in the first embodiment, when the printer is specified by the IP address using the port number “19100” and the port number “9100” separately, the IP address of the distribution source printer (printer PRT1) is fixed in advance. It is better to allocate it at When using the distribution destination specification file, it is preferable that the IP address of the distribution destination printer is assigned in advance. When the distribution destination designation file is not used, the distribution destination printer may not assign an IP address in advance, but may assign an IP address by DHCP.

As described above, in the case of a protocol for specifying a printer by an IP address, it is preferable that the IP address is allocated with the distribution source address fixed in advance, but the printer is identified by a logical printer name such as SMB or AppleTalk. This does not apply to specific cases.
In the case of SMB or AppleTalk, use logical IP names for both the distribution source and distribution destination, and use the IP address by specifying those printer names in the distribution destination specification file. The same effect can be exhibited.

  In the above-described embodiment, the distributed printing control apparatus is configured as the custom network board CNB built in the printer PRT1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the distributed printing control apparatus is connected to the printer PRT1. Separately, a wired connection such as a USB connection, an IEEE 1394 bus connection, a parallel connection, and a serial connection, or a wireless connection such as a Bluetooth connection, a wireless LAN connection, and an infrared connection may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the IP address of the printer that is desired to be used as the distribution destination is specified in the distribution destination specification file. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the search for the distribution destination printer is performed. You may make it designate the range of the IP address which wants to perform.

  In the above-described embodiment, the IP address is used in the designation of the transmission destination, the search for the distribution destination printer, the designation of the distribution destination printer in the distribution destination designation file, etc., but instead, the MAC address, An ID that can uniquely identify a device may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, when determining the distribution destination printer, if one printer is not selected as a distribution destination printer candidate in step S211 of FIG. 6, the printer PRT1 is immediately selected in step S214. Was selected as. However, even if there is a printer of the same model as its own printer PRT1 on the LAN, it may be offline due to running out of paper or it may be in a power-off state. Since one printer may not be selected as a candidate for the destination printer, when the distribution destination determination unit 23 determines in step S211 that no printer is selected, it waits for a certain period of time. Thereafter, the processing may return to step 202 and the subsequent processing may be performed again. In this case, while waiting for a certain time, the printer is replenished with paper and is in an online state, turned on, turned on, and ready to execute printing. Distributed printing can be executed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the model name of the self-printer PRT1 is acquired by the custom network board CNB when the printer PRT1 is turned on. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least the distribution destination printer is selected. When making the determination, it may be performed before the processing of step S205 in FIG. 6 (selection of a printer of the same model as the self-printer PRT1). Therefore, for example, the process of acquiring the model name of the self-printer PRT1 may be performed immediately before step S205.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a printing system as a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the structure of the communication data containing a print job. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram mainly showing a configuration of a printer PRT1 in FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of main functional blocks in the printer PRT1. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing print job data opened by an editor. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a distribution destination printer search / determination processing routine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the content of the distribution destination designation | designated file. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram mainly showing a configuration of a printer PRT1 in a printing system as a second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a distributed copy number determination processing routine in the printer PRT1 as a third embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the content of the distribution destination designation | designated file. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the dispersion | distribution copy number determination processing routine in printer PRT1 as a 4th Example of this invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a paper storage tray provided in a distribution destination printer.

Explanation of symbols

11 ... TCP / IP interpreter 12 ... Non-procedural protocol interpreter 13 ... Application 14 ... LPR interpreter 20 ... CPU
21 ... TCP / IP interpreting unit 22A, 22B ... Non-procedural protocol interpreting unit 23 ... Distributed destination determining unit 24 ... Copy number determining unit 25 ... Distributed processing unit 26 ... LPR interpreting unit 30 ... Memory 31 ... Buffer part 32 ... Distribution destination designation file storage part 41 ... Printer engine 42 ... Printer controller 51 ... TCP / IP interpretation part 52 ... Non-procedural protocol interpretation part 53 ... Printer controller 54 ... Printer engine CL ... Client CNB ... Custom network board PRB ... Printer body PRT1 to PRT4 ... Printer

Claims (26)

A printing apparatus that executes printing based on a print job transmitted via a network,
Receiving means for the printing apparatus to receive a print job designated as a transmission destination on the network;
When the print job received by the receiving unit is a print job in which the first transmission destination port number for specifying the first software in the printing apparatus is specified, printing based on the print job is performed in the printing apparatus. Printing means to be executed;
When the print job received by the receiving unit is a print job in which a second transmission destination port number that specifies second software in the printing apparatus different from the first software is specified, Distributing means for distributing the print job to a plurality of printing apparatuses including other connected printing apparatuses ,
The distribution device is a printing device , which is a device for starting distribution of the print job to the plurality of printing devices prior to completion of reception of the print job by the receiving device.   The distribution unit is a print job in which the other printing apparatus is designated as a transmission destination on the network, and the first transmission destination port number is designated. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising port changing means for changing to a print job. A printing apparatus that executes printing based on a print job transmitted via a network,
Receiving means for the printing apparatus to receive a print job designated as a transmission destination on the network;
If the print job received by the receiving means is a print job set according to a first print protocol, the printing means for executing printing based on the print job in the printing apparatus;
When the print job received by the receiving unit is a print job set according to a second print protocol different from the first print protocol, a plurality of prints including other printing devices connected to the network A distribution means for distributing the print job to the apparatus ,
The distribution device is a printing device , which is a device for starting distribution of the print job to the plurality of printing devices prior to completion of reception of the print job by the receiving device.   The distribution unit is a print job in which the other printing apparatus is designated as a transmission destination on the network, and a print job set according to the first printing protocol is distributed to the other printing apparatus. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising protocol changing means for changing to a job.   When the print job received by the receiving unit is a print job specifying two or more print copies, the distribution unit determines the number of copies to be distributed to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:   The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the number of copies determination unit is a unit that determines the number of copies to be distributed so that the number of copies to be assigned to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses has substantially the same value. The printing apparatus according to claim 5,
Furthermore, the information acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the state of consumables in the other printing apparatus from the other printing apparatus,
The printing apparatus, wherein the number of copies determination unit is a unit that determines the number of distributed copies based on information acquired by the information acquisition unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
The information acquisition means is means for acquiring information indicating the remaining amount or remaining life of consumables in the other printing apparatus from the other printing apparatus,
The printing apparatus is a printing apparatus that determines the number of distributed copies so that the larger the remaining amount or remaining life of the consumables, the larger the number of copies to be allocated. The printing apparatus according to claim 5,
Furthermore, an information acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the performance of the other printing apparatus from the other printing apparatus,
The printing apparatus, wherein the number of copies determination unit is a unit that determines the number of distributed copies based on information acquired by the information acquisition unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
The information acquisition means is means for acquiring information indicating a processing speed of the other printing apparatus from the other printing apparatus;
The printing apparatus is a printing apparatus, wherein the number of copies determination unit is a unit that determines the number of copies to be distributed so that the higher the processing speed is, the larger the number of copies to be allocated is. Said dispersion means, plurality of the printing apparatus is a means for distributing the print job, the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 including the printing device and the other printing apparatus. The distribution unit includes a determination unit that determines the other printing device by searching the network for a printing device of the same model as the printing device and capable of performing printing. Item 12. The printing apparatus according to any one of Items 11 to 11 . A printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11 ,
And a means for storing a designation file for designating the other printing apparatus.
The distribution unit includes a determining unit that determines the other printing device by searching for a printing device of the same model as the printing device and capable of performing printing based on the specified file. . A printing method for executing printing based on a print job transmitted via a network,
In the printing apparatus connected to the network, the printing apparatus receives a print job designated as a transmission destination on the network;
When the print job received in the receiving step is a print job in which a first transmission destination port number that specifies first software in the printing apparatus is specified, printing based on the print job is executed in the printing apparatus And
If the print job received in the receiving step is a print job in which a second transmission destination port number that specifies second software in the printing apparatus different from the first software is specified, the connection to the network been dispersed the print job into a plurality of printing devices including other printing devices, it starts prior to dispersion of the print job to the completion of reception of the print job, the printing method. The print job distributed to the other printing apparatus is changed to a print job in which the other printing apparatus is designated as a transmission destination on the network and the first transmission destination port number is designated. The printing method according to claim 14 . A printing method for executing printing based on a print job transmitted via a network,
In the printing apparatus connected to the network, the printing apparatus receives a print job designated as a transmission destination on the network;
When the print job received in the receiving step is a print job set according to a first print protocol, the printing apparatus executes printing based on the print job,
If the print job received in the receiving step is a print job set according to a second print protocol different from the first print protocol, the print device connected to the network and other print devices A printing method in which a print job is distributed and distribution of the print job is started prior to completion of reception of the print job . The print job to be distributed to the other printing apparatus is changed to a print job that is designated by the other printing apparatus as a transmission destination on the network and set according to the first printing protocol. Item 17. The printing method according to Item 16 . Wherein when the print job is a print job that specifies more than one print copies, according to any one of claims 14 to 17 to determine the distributed copy printing a number of copies to be allocated to each of the plurality of printing devices Printing method. The printing method according to claim 18 , wherein information indicating a state of consumables in the other printing apparatus is acquired from the other printing apparatus, and the number of copies is determined based on the information. The printing method according to claim 18 , wherein information indicating the performance of the other printing apparatus is acquired from the other printing apparatus, and the number of distributed copies is determined based on the information. A computer program for causing a computer of a printing apparatus connected to the network to perform a function of executing printing based on a print job transmitted via a network,
A receiving function for the print device to receive a print job designated as a destination on the network;
When the print job received by the reception function is a print job in which a first transmission destination port number that specifies first software in the printing apparatus is specified, printing based on the print job is performed in the printing apparatus. The print function to perform,
When the print job received by the reception function is a print job in which a second destination port number that specifies second software in the printing apparatus different from the first software is specified, A function of distributing the print job to a plurality of printing apparatuses including other connected printing apparatuses, the distribution function starting distribution of the print job prior to completion of reception of the print job . Computer program. A computer program for causing a computer of a printing apparatus connected to the network to perform a function of executing printing based on a print job transmitted via a network,
A receiving function for the print device to receive a print job designated as a destination on the network;
When the print job received by the reception function is a print job set according to a first print protocol, a print function for executing printing based on the print job in the printing apparatus;
When the print job received by the reception function is a print job set according to a second print protocol different from the first print protocol, a plurality of prints including other print devices connected to the network A computer program for realizing a distribution function for distributing the print job to an apparatus, the distribution function starting distribution of the print job prior to completion of reception of the print job . When the print job received by the reception function is a print job designating two or more print copies, the distribution function determines the number of copies to be distributed to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses. The computer program according to claim 21 or claim 22 , comprising: A computer program according to claim 23 ,
Furthermore, an information acquisition function for acquiring information indicating the state of consumables in the other printing apparatus from the other printing apparatus is provided,
The computer program, wherein the copy number determination function is means for determining the distributed copy number based on information acquired by the information acquisition function. A computer program according to claim 23 ,
Furthermore, an information acquisition function for acquiring information indicating the performance of the other printing device from the other printing device is provided.
The computer program, wherein the copy number determination function is means for determining the distributed copy number based on information acquired by the information acquisition function. A computer-readable recording medium in which the computer program according to any one of claims 21 to 25 is recorded.

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