U.S. patent application number 10/754764 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-22 for print data controlling method.
Invention is credited to Okigami, Masafumi.
Application Number | 20040141202 10/754764 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 12286810 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040141202 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Okigami, Masafumi |
July 22, 2004 |
Print data controlling method
Abstract
An object of the present invention is to provide a print data
controlling method for correctly performing, even when a print
request regarding the same or similar print data is repeatedly
issued, a print procedure desired by a user without decrease in
printer operating efficiency and waste of resources such as paper.
As a decision result produced by a print server on the basis of a
comparison of data specifying information contained in print
requesting data with data specifying information attached to each
print data spooled in a print queue, a terminal device receives
decision data which informs that there has already been spooled
print data identical with or similar to print data regarding a
current print request. Then, the terminal device will accept
designation input for designating a print data processing
procedure, thereafter sending to the print server processing data
representative of contents of the designated print data processing
procedure. The print server processes the print data according to
contents of the received processing data.
Inventors: |
Okigami, Masafumi; (Kyoto,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David G. Conlin
EDWARDS & ANGELL, LLP
P.O. Box 55874
Boston
MA
02205
US
|
Family ID: |
12286810 |
Appl. No.: |
10/754764 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10754764 |
Jan 9, 2004 |
|
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09499941 |
Feb 8, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.15 ;
358/1.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/121 20130101;
G06F 3/1218 20130101; G06F 3/1259 20130101; G06F 3/1288 20130101;
G06F 3/1207 20130101; G06F 3/126 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/001.15 ;
358/001.13 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 8, 1999 |
JP |
P11-029825 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A print data controlling method in which print data regarding a
print request which has been issued from a terminal device is
temporarily spooled in a print queue and supplied from the print
queue to a printer, comprising the steps of: comparing print data
regarding a current print request with print data which is
previously spooled in the print queue; transmitting a result of the
comparison to the terminal device which has issued the current
print request; and generating a warning message in the terminal
device when the result of the comparison indicates that print data
identical with or similar to the print data regarding the current
print request is previously spooled in the print queue.
2. The print data controlling method of claim 1, wherein when the
comparison result indicates that print data identical with or
similar to the print data regarding the current print request is
previously spooled in the print queue, an input operation for
designating a print data processing procedure of how to process the
print data regarding the current print request and the previously
spooled print data is accepted by the terminal device to which the
comparison result was transmitted and the print data is processed
according to the designated print data processing procedure.
3. The print data controlling method of claim 1, wherein the step
of comparing the print data regarding the current print request
with the print data previously spooled in the print queue is
carried out with respect to contents of print data.
4. The print data controlling method of claim 1, wherein the step
of comparing the print data regarding the current print request
with the print data previously spooled in the print queue is
carried out based on data representative of characteristics of
print data.
5. The print data controlling method of claim 1, wherein the step
of comparing the print data regarding the current print request
with the print data previously spooled in the print queue is
carried out based on contents of print requesting data which is
outputted earlier than print data.
6. The print data controlling method of claim 1, wherein the step
of comparing the print data regarding the current print request
with the print data previously spooled in the print queue is
carried out with respect to only print data regarding a print
request previously issued from a same terminal device or user as
that from which the print request is currently issued.
7. The print data controlling method of claim 2, wherein a print
data processing procedure of how to process the print data
regarding the current print request and the previously spooled
print data can be designated from among a plurality of
previously-set print data processing procedures.
8. The print data controlling method of claim 7, wherein the
plurality of print data processing procedures includes a print data
processing procedure contents of which indicate an operation of
canceling at least one of printing of the print data regarding the
current print request and printing of the print data which is
previously spooled in the print queue and is identical with or
similar to the print data regarding the current print request.
9. The print data controlling method of claim 7, wherein the
plurality of print data processing procedures includes a print data
processing procedure contents of which indicate an operation of
making a change in print condition of print data which is
previously spooled in the print queue and is identical with or
similar to the print data regarding the current print request.
10. The print data controlling method of claim 7, wherein the
plurality of print data processing procedures includes a print data
processing procedure contents of which indicate an operation of
extracting a difference between the print data regarding the
current print request and the print data previously spooled in the
print queue so as to perform only the printing of the extracted
difference.
11. The print data controlling method of claim 1, wherein after a
predetermined period of time has elapsed without designating of any
particular print data processing procedure for the print data
regarding the current print request and the already-spooled print
data, the print data is processed according to a default print data
processing procedure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a print data controlling
method in an information processing system for temporarily spooling
print data outputted from a terminal device in a print queue of a
print server for forwarding to a printer.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In an information processing system, such as a local area
network (LAN), when print requests are issued to a printer from
individual terminal devices such as computers on the client end,
print data regarding these print requests are temporarily spooled
in a print queue of a print server. Thereafter, these print data is
delivered to the printer from which they are printed out one after
another.
[0005] In an information processing system of the type described
above, however, it is difficult to know an association between the
print queue and the printer. Moreover, there may be a case in
which, although the print data in point has already been spooled in
the print queue, a print request regarding the same print data is
reissued from the terminal device. Not only does such repetition of
issuing a print request regarding the same print data result in the
drop in printer operating efficiency, but it also results in the
waste of resources such as paper.
[0006] The following techniques to cope with the problem have been
disclosed. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 7-210345
(1995) discloses a method which enables a user to confirm and set
the relation between a printer connected to a network and a print
queue on a graphical user interface (GUI) screen.
[0007] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 3-233666 (1991)
discloses a method in which when print data retransmission is
carried out because of a failure during an initial transmission,
pages print data of which is overlapped between the initial
transmission and the retransmission are deleted in printing.
[0008] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 8-221227 (1996)
discloses a method in which print data which was already subjected
to print processing is stored in a history queue for a
predetermined period of time, and in the event of printing of the
same print data as the data which was already subjected to print
processing, the print data in the history queue is utilized without
transmitting the print data to be reprinted.
[0009] These prior art techniques, however, have a common problem.
That is, when, after a print request regarding particular print
data is issued from a terminal device without the occurrence of a
failure, another print request regarding the same print data is
repeatedly issued because of, for example, the user's erroneous
operation, this will produce some problems. One problem is that
there occurs the drop in printer operating efficiency. Another
problem is that it is impossible to ensure that the waste of
resources such as paper is prevented.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a print
data controlling method capable of carrying out print processing
desired by a user without decreasing printer operating efficiency
and without wasting resources such as paper. More specifically,
when a print request regarding the same or similar print data is
repeatedly issued from a terminal device by the user, the user is
allowed, after the fact that the print data regarding the current
print request totally or partially overlaps with the print data
regarding the previously-issued print request is confirmed, to
designate a print data processing procedure so that the print data
is processed according to the designated print data processing
procedure.
[0011] The invention provides a print data controlling method in
which print data regarding a print request which has been issued
from a terminal device is temporarily spooled in a print queue and
supplied from the print queue to a printer, comprising the steps
of:
[0012] comparing print data regarding a current print request with
print data which is previously spooled in the print queue;
[0013] transmitting a result of the comparison to the terminal
device which has issued the current print request; and
[0014] generating a warning message in the terminal device when the
result of the comparison indicates that print data identical with
or similar to the print data regarding the current print request is
previously spooled in the print queue.
[0015] According to the print data controlling method of the
invention, when a terminal device issues a print request, the print
data regarding the current print request is compared with the print
data previously spooled in the print queue and a result of the
comparison is transmitted to the terminal device. When print data
identical with or similar to the print data regarding the current
print request is previously spooled in the print queue, a warning
message indicative of such spooling is generated in the terminal
device. This ensures that the user who issued the current print
request becomes, by the warning message, aware of the fact that
there has previously been spooled the print data identical with or
similar to the print data regarding the current print request in
the print queue. With the arrangement, it becomes possible to
prompt the user to input a processing instruction with respect to
the print data regarding the current print request or the print
data previously spooled in the print queue.
[0016] In the invention it is preferable that when the comparison
result indicates that print data identical with or similar to the
print data regarding the current print request is previously
spooled in the print queue, an input operation for designating a
print data processing procedure of how to process the print data
regarding the current print request and the previously spooled
print data is accepted by the terminal device to which the
comparison result was transmitted and the print data is processed
according to the designated print data processing procedure.
[0017] According to the print data controlling method of the
invention, when a print request is issued from a terminal device, a
result of comparing the print data regarding the issued print
request with print data previously spooled in the print queue is
transmitted to the terminal device. The print data is processed
according a print data processing procedure designated in the
terminal device which is in receipt of the comparison result. In
other words, such a comparison result is used as a base of
determining whether the current print request is proper or improper
in the terminal device and the print data is processed by a print
data processing procedure according to the determination operation
result. As a result of such arrangement, even when a print request
for the printing of print data identical with or similar to the
print data previously spooled is erroneously issued, it is possible
to execute a printing process desired by the user without waste,
thereby ensuring that the drop in printer operating efficiency and
the waste of resources such as paper are prevented.
[0018] In the invention it is preferable that the step of comparing
the print data regarding the current print request with the print
data previously spooled in the print queue is carried out with
respect to contents of print data.
[0019] According to the print data controlling method of the
invention, the contents of the print data regarding the current
print request and the contents of the print data regarding the
previously-issued print request (which has already been spooled in
the print queue) are compared with each other, which therefore
makes it possible to correctly compare the print data regarding the
current print request and the print data regarding the
previously-issued print request. As a result, it is possible to
correctly determine whether the current print request is proper or
improper.
[0020] In the invention it is preferable that the step of comparing
the print data regarding the current print request with the print
data previously spooled in the print queue is carried out based on
data representative of characteristics of print data.
[0021] According to the print data controlling method of the
invention, the data representative of the characteristics of the
print data regarding the current print request and the data
representative of the characteristics of the print data regarding
the previously-issued print request (which has already been spooled
in the print queue) are compared with each other. Therefore, the
amount of comparison data is reduced, and processing time is
shortened.
[0022] In the invention it is preferable that the step of comparing
the print data regarding the current print request with the print
data previously spooled in the print queue is carried out based on
contents of print requesting data which is outputted earlier than
print data.
[0023] According to the print data controlling method of the
invention, the contents of the print requesting data which was
outputted earlier than the print data regarding the current print
request is compared with the contents of the print requesting data
about the print data regarding the previously-issued print request
previously spooled in the print queue. Therefore, it is possible to
determine whether the current print request is proper or improper
before the print data regarding the current print request is
outputted. This makes it possible to prevent print data which will
not be printed in a later process from being outputted from the
terminal device. Because of such arrangement, the
receiving/transmitting of data in the terminal device is
smoothed.
[0024] Moreover, in the invention it is preferable that the step of
comparing the print data regarding the current print request with
the print data previously spooled in the print queue is carried out
with respect to only print data regarding a print request
previously issued from a same terminal device or user as that from
which the print request is currently issued.
[0025] According to the print data controlling method of the
invention, the print data comparison step is carried out on only
the print data outputted before the print data regarding the
current print request, from the terminal device/user which issued
the current print request. Accordingly, such arrangement not only
reduces the frequency at which a comparison process is executed but
also prevents a comparison result for print data outputted from a
different terminal device/user from being transmitted to the
terminal device which issued the current print request, thereby
ensuring that processing confusion/complication is prevented from
occurring.
[0026] In the invention it is preferable that a print data
processing procedure of how to process the print data regarding the
current print request and the previously spooled print data can be
designated from among a plurality of previously-set print data
processing procedures.
[0027] According to the print data controlling method of the
invention, any one of the previously-set print data processing
procedures is selectively designated as a way of processing the
print data. This therefore provides a simplified operation for
designating a print data processing procedure.
[0028] In the invention it is preferable that the plurality of
print data processing procedures includes a print data processing
procedure contents of which indicate an operation of canceling at
least one of printing of the print data regarding the current print
request and printing of the print data which is previously spooled
in the print queue and is identical with or similar to the print
data regarding the current print request.
[0029] According to the print data controlling method of the
invention, in accordance with the selectively-designated print data
processing procedure, at least one of the printing of the print
data regarding the current print request and the printing of the
print data which is previously spooled in the print queue and is
identical with or similar to the print data regarding the current
print request is canceled. Accordingly, even when a print request
is issued for the printing of print data identical with the print
data whose print request has already been issued or for
post-modification print data similar thereto, only the printing of
print data desired by the user is carried out without waste.
[0030] In the invention it is preferable that the plurality of
print data processing procedures includes a print data processing
procedure contents of which indicate an operation of making a
change in print condition of print data which is previously spooled
in the print queue and is identical with or similar to the print
data regarding the current print request.
[0031] According to the print data controlling method of the
invention, in accordance with the selectively-designated print data
processing procedure, the print data, which is previously spooled
in the print queue and is identical with or similar to the print
data regarding the current print request, is printed with a change
in print condition. Accordingly, even when a print request is
issued for the printing of print data identical with the print data
whose print request has already been issued or for the printing of
post-modification print data similar thereto, only the printing of
print data based on the print condition desired by the user is
carried out without waste.
[0032] In the invention it is preferable that the plurality of
print data processing procedures includes a print data processing
procedure contents of which indicate an operation of extracting a
difference between the print data regarding the current print
request and the print data previously spooled in the print queue so
as to perform only the printing of the extracted difference.
[0033] According to the print data controlling method of the
invention, in accordance with the selectively-designated print data
processing procedure, only the difference between the print data
regarding the current print request and the previously spooled
print data is subjected to printing. Accordingly, even when a print
request is issued for the printing of print data similar to the
print data whose print request has already been issued, only the
printing of print data based on the print condition desired by the
user is carried out without waste.
[0034] In the invention it is preferable that after a predetermined
period of time has elapsed without designating of any particular
print data processing procedure for the print data regarding the
current print request and the already-spooled print data, the print
data is processed according to a default print data processing
procedure.
[0035] According to the print data controlling method of the
invention, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed without
the designation of any particular print data processing procedure
in the terminal device, print data processing is performed
according to the default print data processing procedure. This
prevents the absence of designation of a certain print data
processing procedure in the terminal device which is the origin of
the current print request, thereby preventing the processing of the
print data from being interrupted for a long period of time. This
prevents a decrease in processing efficiency.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] Other and further objects, features, and advantages of the
invention will be more explicit from the following detailed
description taken with reference to the drawings wherein:
[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an
information processing system to which a print data controlling
method according to an embodiment of the invention is applied;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a flowchart diagram illustrating a processing
procedure of a terminal device included in the information
processing system;
[0039] FIG. 3 is a flowchart diagram illustrating an example of
processing procedure of a print server included in the information
processing system;
[0040] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating protocols used for a
process of exchanging data between the terminal device and the
print server;
[0041] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating contents of print
requesting data which is transmitted from the terminal device to
the print server;
[0042] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating contents of decision data
which is transmitted from the print server to the terminal
device;
[0043] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating contents of processing data
which is transmitted from the terminal device to the print
server;
[0044] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating contents of reception-ready
data which is transmitted from the print server to the terminal
device;
[0045] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating contents of print data
which is transmitted from the terminal device to the print
server;
[0046] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating contents of
reception-completion data which is transmitted from the print
server to the terminal device; and
[0047] FIGS. 11A and 11B each illustrate display contents of a
print data processing procedure selecting screen in a terminal
device display.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0048] Now referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the
invention are described below.
[0049] Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a configuration of
an information processing system to which a print data controlling
method according to an embodiment of the invention is applied. In
an information processing system 1 according to the present
embodiment, a terminal device 2 located on the client end such as a
user computer is connected, via a print server 3, to a printer 4.
When a print request is issued to the printer 4 from the terminal
device 2, print data regarding the print request is temporarily
spooled in a print queue 31 of the print server 3. Thereafter, the
print data thus spooled is supplied from the print server 3 to the
printer 4, so that printing takes place in sequence in the printer
4. Further, the terminal device 2 and the printer 4 are each
connected, either singly or plurally, to the information processing
system 1.
[0050] Usually, the print server 3 spools print data outputted from
the terminal device 2 in the print queue 31 in the order in which
they were received, and these print data is read out in the order
in which they were spooled in the print queue 31, thereafter being
transmitted to the printer 4. For example, with five files (i.e.,
files 1 to 5) previously spooled in the print queue 31 of the print
server 3, when a print request regarding a file A as print data is
outputted from the terminal device 2, contents of the file A are
spooled in the print queue 31 as a sixth file 6. After the printing
of each of the files 1-5 has been completed, the contents of the
file A are supplied to the printer 4.
[0051] In the information processing system 1, the printer 4, when
a print request is outputted from any one of the terminal devices
2, does not always start the printing of print data regarding the
print request immediately after the print request was outputted.
The time from when a print request is outputted to when the
printing of print data regarding to the print request is completed
varies depending upon the print data spool state of the print queue
31 of the print server 3. Because of such variation, when many
pieces of print data is spooled in the print queue 31, the user,
who carried out an operation to issue a print request, may make a
misunderstanding that a failure has occurred during the
transmission of the print request. This is likely to cause the user
to reissue a print request regarding the same print data as
previously requested to be printed. Moreover, when a lengthy period
of time is elapsed from when a print request is outputted to when
the printing of print data regarding to the print request is
executed, this may result in making a modification in contents of
the print data regarding the print request or a change in the
printing condition of the print data regarding the print request
such as the number of copies to be printed.
[0052] In the print data controlling method according to the
embodiment of the invention, it is therefore designed such that,
whenever a terminal device 2 outputs a print request, print data
regarding the print request is compared with each print data that
has already been spooled in the print queue 31 of the print server
3. When there already exists print data in the print queue 31 which
is identical with or similar to the print data regarding the
current print request, then a warning message is generated to the
terminal device 2 which outputted the current print request.
[0053] FIG. 2 is a flowchart diagram showing a processing procedure
of the terminal device included in the information processing
system. FIG. 3 is a flowchart diagram showing an example of a
processing procedure of the print server included in the
information processing system. Moreover, FIG. 4 is a diagram
showing protocols for the process of exchanging data between the
terminal device 2 and the print server 3. FIGS. 5-10 show
structures of data of different types which are exchanged between
the terminal device 2 and the print server 3. The description will
be made by reference to FIGS. 2-10.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, when the user carries out an operation
which instructs specific file data to be printed, the terminal
device 2 transmits print requesting data, i.e., "Inquiry Data Req"
as shown in FIG. 4, to the print server 3 (s1). The print
requesting data comprises, as shown in FIG. 5, data specifying
information about the file data (i.e., the print data) such as a
filename, creation date and time, file size, application name, user
name, transmission time, and terminal device identifier.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, upon receipt of the print requesting
data (s21), the print server 3 interrupts the transmitting of print
data spooled in the print queue 31 to the printer 4 (s22). Then,
the print server 3 makes a comparison between the data specifying
information contained in the received print requesting data and
data specifying information attached to each print data spooled in
the print queue 31 so as to determine whether the print queue 31
has already spooled print data having the same or similar data
specifying information (s23). The print server 3 stores a result of
the comparison (s24). Thereafter, the print server 3 transmits to
the terminal device 2 decision data (i.e., "Inquiry Data Res" as
shown in FIG. 4) according to whether there exists the same print
data, whether there exists the similar print data, or whether there
does not exist the same or similar print data (s25-s28). Then, the
print server 3 cancels the interruption of the transmitting of the
print data other than the print data regarding the current print
request, from the print queue 31 to the printer 4 (s29). The
decision data comprises data representative of a result of the
comparison as shown in FIG. 6 and the data specifying information
of the print requesting data of FIG. 5.
[0056] Reference is made again to FIG. 2. Upon receipt of the
decision data from the print server 3 (s2), the terminal device 2
checks, with respect to contents of the decision data, the print
queue 31 for the presence or absence of print data identical with
or similar to the print data regarding the current print request
(s3). In the presence of the same or similar print data in the
print queue 31, the terminal device 2 accepts an input for
designating one of print data processing procedures (s4). Upon
completion of the print data processing procedure designating
input, or after an elapse of a predetermined period of time (s5,
s6), the terminal device 2 transmits processing data representative
of contents of the designated print data processing procedure,
i.e., "Set Mode Req" as shown in FIG. 4, to the print server 3
(s7). The processing data comprises data representative of a
designated print data processing procedure as shown in FIG. 7 and
data specifying information about print data to be processed by the
designated print data processing procedure.
[0057] Reference is made again to FIG. 3. Upon receipt of the
processing data from the terminal device 2 (s30), the print server
3 stores the processing data in a memory device (not shown) (s31)
and executes, according to contents of the processing data, any one
of the following four different procedures, namely, procedure A,
procedure B, procedure C, and procedure D.
[0058] Procedure A
[0059] When the contents of the processing data transmitted from
the terminal 2 indicate such a processing procedure of stopping
printing of both the print data regarding the current print request
and the print data which is previously spooled in the print queue
31 and identical with or similar to the print data regarding the
current print request, the print server 3 then sends to the
terminal device 2 transmission stop request data requesting that
the transmission of the print data regarding the current print
request be stopped. At the same time, the print server deletes
print data of all the print data previously spooled in the print
queue 31 corresponding to the data specifying information of the
processing data (s32-s34).
[0060] Procedure B
[0061] When the contents of the processing data transmitted from
the terminal device 2 indicate a processing procedure of carrying
out printing of only the print data regarding the current print
request, the print server 3 then sends to the terminal device 2,
reception-ready data requesting for the transmission of the print
data, i.e., "Set Mode Res" as shown in FIG. 4. At the same time,
the print server 3 deletes print data of all the print data
previously spooled in the print queue 31 corresponding to the data
specifying information of the processing data (s35-s37). The
reception-ready data comprises data representative of a
reception-ready status as shown in FIG. 8 and the data specifying
information of FIG. 5.
[0062] Procedure C
[0063] When the contents of the processing data transmitted from
the terminal device 2 is related to such a processing procedure in
which only the printing of the print data which is previously
spooled in the print queue 31 and regarding the previously-issued
print request is printed, the print server 3 then sends to the
terminal device 2 transmission stop requesting data requesting that
the transmission of the print data regarding the current print
request be stopped (s43, s44). Moreover, when the processing data
indicates that a change in the number of copies to be printed is to
be made, the print server 3 changes the number of copies to be
printed of the print data corresponding to the data specifying
information of the processing data spooled in the print queue 31
(s45, s46). Thereafter, the print server 3 cancels the interruption
of the transmitting of the print data identical with or similar to
the print data regarding the current print request, from the print
queue 31 to the printer 4 (s47).
[0064] Procedure D
[0065] When the contents of the processing data transmitted from
the terminal device 2 is related to such a processing procedure in
which printing of both the print data regarding the current print
request and the print data which is previously spooled in the print
queue 31 and identical with or similar to the print data regarding
the current print request is executed, the print server 3 then
cancels the interruption of the transmitting of the print data
identical with or similar to the print data regarding the current
print request, from the print queue 31 to the printer 4. The print
server 3 sends to the terminal device 2 the reception-ready data of
FIG. 8 requesting for the transmission of the print data
(s48-s50).
[0066] Reference is made again to FIG. 2. After having transmitted
the processing data to the print server 3 at the step S7, the
terminal device 2 is put on standby for the transmission of data
from the print server 3 (s8, s9). The terminal device 2 will
execute either one of the following two different procedures
(procedure a and procedure .beta.), depending upon which of the
transmission stop requesting data and the reception-ready data the
terminal device 2 receives.
[0067] Procedure .alpha.
[0068] When the print server 3 sends the transmission stop
requesting data in procedure A or procedure C, the terminal device
2 cancels the transmitting of the print data regarding the current
print request (s8.fwdarw.s10).
[0069] Procedure .beta.
[0070] When the print server 3 sends the reception-ready data in
procedure B or procedure D, the terminal device 2 then sends to the
print server 3 the print data regarding the current print request,
i.e., "Send Data" as shown in FIG. 4, (s9.fwdarw.s11). The terminal
device 2 waits for the print server 3 to transmit the reception
completion data (s12). As shown in FIG. 9, data identifying
information equivalent to the data specifying information is
attached to the print data.
[0071] Again, reference is made to FIG. 2. When the print server 3
sends the reception-ready data in procedure B or D, the print
server 3 receives the print data transmitted in procedure .beta.
from the terminal device 2. Upon completion of the receiving of the
print data, the print server 3 sends to the terminal device 2 the
reception completion data ("Get Status" as shown in FIG. 4) (s38,
s39). The reception completion data comprises data representative
of a print data reception completion status as shown in FIG. 10 and
data identifying information.
[0072] After having transmitted the reception completion data, the
print server 3 determines whether the processing data transmitted
from the terminal device 2 contains therein the designation of a
differential print procedure (s40). When the differential print
procedure is designated, differences between print data of all the
print data previously spooled in the print queue 31 that is similar
to a currently-received print data and the currently-received print
data is extracted and the entire of the similar print data is
replaced with the different portions extracted from the similar
print data (s41). Thereafter, changes in contents of the
transmitting process of the print data from the print queue 31 to
the printer 4 are fixed (s42). When the differential print
procedure is not designated, then the contents of the transmitting
process of the print data from the print queue 31 to the printer 4
are fixed without performing a difference extraction process or a
replacement process (s40.fwdarw.s42).
[0073] According to the foregoing processes, in the information
processing system 1, when the user instructs the terminal device 2
to print contents of file data, the terminal device 2 sends,
according to the communication protocols as shown in FIG. 4, print
requesting data comprising data specifying information for
specifying the contents of the print data, to the print server 3.
Based on contents of the print requesting data, in the print server
3 it is determined whether there exists print data identical with
or similar to the print data regarding the current print request in
the print queue 31 and the result is transmitted to the terminal
device 2. The user of the terminal device 2 designates, based on
the result transmitted from the print server 3, contents of a
processing procedure to be performed later. The result of the
designation is transmitted to the print server 3.
[0074] This ensures that the user becomes aware of the fact that
the print data regarding the current print request is the print
data which identical with or similar to the print data regarding
the previously-issued print request, whereby the user is able to
obtain correct, desired printout by designating a processing
procedure with respect to the print data which totally or partially
overlap with each other. Moreover, it is ensured that repetition of
the printing of the same or similar print data caused by an
erroneous operation by the user can be prevented. This prevents the
drop in the operating efficiency of the printer 4 and the waste of
resources from happening.
[0075] Of the communication protocols as shown in FIG. 4, the
exchange of the reception-ready data (Set Mode Res), the print data
(Send Data), and the reception completion data (Get Status) between
the print server 3 and the terminal device 2 is selectively carried
out.
[0076] Additionally, in the forgoing embodiment, the data
specifying information, which forms the print requesting data, is
used as a base of determining whether there has already been
spooled print data identical with or similar to the print data
regarding the current print request. However, it is possible to
make such determination with respect to the contents of the print
data or based on the data representative of the characteristic of
the print data.
[0077] By using the contents of the print data as a base of
determining whether there has already been spooled print data
identical with or similar to the print data regarding the current
print request, the identity of print data with another can be
distinguished correctly. In this case, the print server 3 performs
a distinction process after the receiving of the print data from
the terminal device 2 has been completed. Moreover, by using the
data representative of the characteristic of the print data as a
base of determining whether there has already been spooled print
data identical with or similar to the print data regarding the
current print request, the amount of data for comparison in the
distinction process is reduced and the distinction process is
therefore simplified. In this case, for example, either a check sum
which is an integrated value of block data added for every fixed
block for the detection of an error during data transmission, or a
character kind statistics which is an integrated value of character
counts per character kind in each page may be used as the data
representative of the characteristic of the print data.
Additionally, the frequency of appearance per character code may be
used.
[0078] Conversely, in the foregoing embodiment, the data specifying
information, which forms the print requesting data, is used as a
base of determining whether there has already been spooled print
data identical with or similar to the print data regarding the
current print request, which makes it possible to obtain a
distinction result prior to performing the transmitting/receiving
of the print data. Because of such arrangement, when the same or
similar print data has already been spooled, it is possible to omit
the receiving/transmitting of the print data regarding the current
print request according to a processing procedure designated by the
user. Accordingly, it is possible to smooth the
receiving/transmitting of data in the information processing system
1.
[0079] Further, prior to performing a distinction process for
determining whether there has already been spooled print data
identical with or similar to the print data regarding the current
print request, an arrangement may be made, wherein (a) the user
name/terminal device identifier of the print data regarding the
current print request is compared with the user name/terminal
device identifier of each print data already spooled and (b)
identity or similarity distinction process is performed, only on
the print data having the same user name/terminal device
identifier. As a result of such arrangement, it becomes possible to
reduce the frequency at which the distinction process is executed,
thereby to reduce the frequency at which print processing currently
under execution is interrupted. Moreover, it is possible to prevent
a distinction result indicative of the fact that the same or
similar print data has already been spooled, from being transmitted
to a wrong terminal device 2 or to a wrong user.
[0080] Furthermore, it is possibly considered that in the print
procedure designating step in the terminal device 2 (s4), a list of
print data processing procedures which can be designated by a user
is displayed on the terminal device 2 so as to accept a selecting
operation of selecting a print data processing procedure from the
user. For example, the list of print data processing procedures
designatable by the user includes (1) a first print data processing
procedure in which both the printing of the print data regarding
the current print request and the printing of the print data
previously spooled are performed, (2) a second print data
processing procedure in which only the printing of the print data
previously spooled is performed, (3) a third print data processing
procedure in which the printing of the print data previously
spooled is performed, with a change in the print condition such as
the number of copies to be printed, (4) a fourth print data
processing procedure in which only the printing of the print data
regarding the current print request is performed, (5) a fifth print
data processing procedure in which the printing of the print data
previously spooled and the printing of a difference between the
print data regarding the current-issued print request and the
already-spooled print data is performed, and (6) a sixth print data
processing procedure in which both the printing of the print data
regarding the current-issued print request and the printing of the
print data previously spooled are stopped.
[0081] When there has already been spooled the same print data as
the print data regarding the current print request, this will
display a selection screen, as shown in FIG. 11A, on the display
monitor of the terminal device 2. On the other hand, when the print
data similar to the print data regarding the current print request
has already been spooled, this will display a selection screen, as
shown in FIG. 11B on the display monitor of the terminal device 2.
This provides a simplified operation of designating a desired print
data processing procedure to the user.
[0082] In this case, when a predetermined period of time has
elapsed with no particular print data processing procedure
designated by the user, a predetermined default print data
processing procedure is automatically chosen. This provides the
advantage that, even when the operation of designating a print data
processing procedure has been deferred for a long period of time
because the user is away from his or her terminal device 2, the
transmitting of the print data from the print queue 31 to the
printer 4 is not prevented from being interrupted for a long period
of time (s22).
[0083] As described above, in the print data controlling method of
the invention, when reception of new print data identical with or
similar to the print data spooled in the print queue is detected,
it is possible to allow the user to designate a print data
processing procedure, regardless of whether there occurs a failure
when data concerned with printing is received or transmitted.
Accordingly, in comparison with conventional print data controlling
methods, even when, immediately after certain data is transmitted,
a modification of that data is sent off, it is possible for the
user to select between "CONTINUE PRINTING" and "STOP PRINTING" with
respect to the previously-transmitted data. This improves
operability.
[0084] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in
all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the
invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the
foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning
and the range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended
to be embraced therein.
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