JPH11161453A - Printer server, method and device for processing data for the same, data processing method for data processor and print system and computer readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To remarkably improve the image quality in a print job in the case of utilizing conventional correction data. SOLUTION: When processing the print job on the side of a client computer 200 by acquiring correction data from a server computer 100 acquired and managed from a printer 300 for correcting the output image characteristics of the printer 300 through a first data control part 101, the corrected print job and the other print job are identified by the correction data and the order of printing processing is controlled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer server for processing print information from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium and transferring the print data to the printing device, a data processing method of the printer server, and a data processing device. The present invention relates to a data processing method of a data processing device, a data processing method of a printing system, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing apparatus, a change in the state of the printing apparatus main body, for example, a change in an output image due to a change in environment such as temperature and humidity, or a drum or toner cartridge if the printing apparatus is an electrophotographic system. In order to correct the state of change or deterioration of the visible image due to the deterioration of consumable parts such as, the received print information is corrected so that an image of the required color and density can be output even if the state change occurs. (Correction adjustment) so that an image satisfying the required density and color can be output.

In such calibration, a controller unit generates correction data in response to a calibration request from an engine unit, and the controller unit corrects image data.

When image data is binarized and transmitted to a printing apparatus, a bidirectional communication function is provided in a client computer for processing data, correction data is obtained from the printing apparatus, and correction is performed based on the correction data. A table is created and the image data is corrected.

Further, in a shared printing system in which one printing apparatus is shared and used by a plurality of client computers, a print job in which image data is corrected in a controller unit and a print job in which image data is corrected in a client computer. A plurality of print jobs, such as jobs, have been transferred to a printing apparatus without any discrimination and print processing has been executed.

[0006]

However, there is a limit to the correction that can be performed in the calibration performed by such a printing apparatus.

Further, in a shared printing system in which one printing apparatus is shared and used by a plurality of client computers, a print job in which image data is corrected in a controller unit and a print job in which image data is corrected in a client computer. When a printing process is performed in the printing apparatus without distinguishing a plurality of printing jobs, such as jobs, a printing job that has been subjected to correction requested by the printing apparatus at that time is not always preferentially printed. There was a limitation on the printing system that there was no.

That is, at a certain point in time, it is assumed that another print job is first processed by the printing apparatus before processing the print job that has performed the correction requested by the printing apparatus. At the time when a print job that has been subjected to the correction requested earlier by the apparatus is processed, the correction requested by the printing apparatus may already be different. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not possible to realize appropriate printing quality of the visible image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has been made in accordance with the present invention by obtaining correction data for correcting output image characteristics of a printing apparatus from a printer server which obtains and manages correction data from the printing apparatus. When the data processing device processes a print job in which print data in a print job is corrected, the print job that has already been corrected by the correction data and the other print jobs are identified and the print processing order is controlled. By this, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a print job from another data processing device is interrupted during creation of a print job using the correction data and affects the correction data,
A printer server, a data processing method and a data processing apparatus and a data processing apparatus for a printer server, which can always output a print job based on the latest correction data and can significantly improve the image quality of a print job when using conventional correction data It is an object of the present invention to provide a data processing method of the present invention, a data processing method of a printing system, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0010]

A first invention according to the present invention is a printer server which processes print jobs from a plurality of data processing apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium and transfers the print data to the printing apparatuses. Requesting means for requesting the printing apparatus at a predetermined timing for correction data for correcting the print data in accordance with the state of the printing apparatus; and Obtaining means for obtaining the correction data, storing means for storing the correction data obtained by the obtaining means, and receiving means for receiving the correction data obtaining request accompanying a print request from any of the data processing devices. Transfer means for transferring the correction data to the requesting data processing device when receiving the correction data acquisition request, and when receiving a print job from each data processing device. An identification unit that identifies whether each print job is a corrected print job or a normal print job corrected based on the correction data, and the print job received by the identification unit is identified as a corrected print job. In this case, there is provided control means for processing the corrected print job with higher priority than the normal print job.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage means for storing identification information of a data processing apparatus using the correction data, wherein when any one of the data processing apparatuses requests transmission of the correction data, Determining means for determining whether any of the data processing devices in which the correction data is being used is stored in the storage means; and different when the determination means determines that the correction data is in use. Notification means for notifying the data processing device that the correction data cannot be used.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing apparatus capable of communicating with a printer server which processes a print job via a predetermined communication medium and transfers print data to a printing apparatus. Requesting means for requesting correction data for correcting image output characteristics acquired from the printing apparatus from the printer device, and using the correction data from notification information notified from the printer server in response to a request from the requesting means Determining means for determining whether the correction data is in a correct state, obtaining means for obtaining the correction data when the determining means determines that the correction data is in a usable state, and obtaining the correction data obtained by the obtaining means. Creating means for creating a correction table for correcting the output image characteristic of the print data in the print job based on the creating means; And those having a correction means for performing correction on the print data based on the correction table.

A fourth invention according to the present invention is a data processing method of a printer server for processing print jobs from a plurality of data processing apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium and transferring print data to the printing apparatuses. Requesting correction data for correcting the print data in accordance with a state of the printing apparatus at a predetermined timing from the printing apparatus; and the correction data transferred from the printing apparatus to the requesting step. Acquisition step of acquiring, the storage step of saving the correction data acquired by the acquisition step in a memory, and a receiving step of receiving the acquisition request of the correction data accompanying a print request from any data processing device, A transfer step of transferring the correction data to the requesting data processing apparatus when receiving the correction data acquisition request; and receiving a print job from each data processing apparatus. An identification step of identifying whether each print job is a corrected print job or a normal print job corrected based on the correction data; and that the print job received by the identification step is an already corrected print job. And determining that the corrected print job is processed prior to the normal print job.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a computer that controls a printer server that processes print jobs from a plurality of data processing apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium and transfers the print data to the printing apparatuses is readable. Requesting correction data for correcting the print data in accordance with the state of the printing apparatus at a predetermined timing from the printing apparatus. An acquisition step of acquiring the correction data transferred from the printing apparatus, a storage step of saving the correction data acquired in the acquisition step in a memory, and the correction data accompanying a print request from any of the data processing apparatuses Receiving the request for obtaining the correction data, and transferring the correction data to the requesting data processing device when the request for obtaining the correction data is received. A transfer step for receiving a print job from each data processing device, an identification step for identifying whether each print job is a corrected print job or a normal print job corrected based on the correction data, and the identification step. If it is determined that the received print job is a corrected print job, a computer-readable program including a processing step of processing the corrected print job with priority over the normal print job is performed. It is stored in a storage medium.

A sixth invention according to the present invention is a data processing method of a data processing device capable of communicating with a printer server which processes a print job via a predetermined communication medium and transfers print data to a printing device. Requesting the printer server for correction data for correcting the image output characteristics acquired from the printing device, and the correction data from the notification information notified from the printer server in response to the requesting step. A determining step of determining whether or not the correction data can be used; an obtaining step of obtaining the correction data when the determining step determines that the correction data is in a usable state; and the correcting step of obtaining the correction data. A creating step of creating a correction table for correcting an output image characteristic of print data in the print job based on data, and the creating step Those having a correction step of performing correction on the print data based on the correction table more created.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a computer that controls a data processing device capable of communicating with a printer server that processes a print job via a predetermined communication medium and transfers print data to a printing device is readable. Requesting the printer server for correction data for correcting an image output characteristic obtained from the printing apparatus, and a request from the printer server according to the requesting step. A judging step of judging whether or not the correction data can be used from notification information to be notified, and an obtaining step of obtaining the correction data when the judging step judges that the correction data is in a usable state Correcting the output image characteristics of the print data in the print job based on the correction data obtained by the obtaining step. A computer-readable program including a creation step of creating the correction table of the above and a correction step of making a correction to the print data based on the correction table created in the creation step. .

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of data processing apparatuses and a printer server which processes a print job and transfers print data to the printing apparatus can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium. A data processing method for a printing system, comprising: a correction data state flag confirmation determining step of determining whether correction data is being used in response to a correction data acquisition request from the data processing apparatus; Thereby, when it is determined that the correction data is available, a correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition step of acquiring identification data for identifying the acquisition source data processing device of the correction data and another data processing device, Determining whether or not acquisition source identification data for identifying the data processing apparatus from which the compensation data is to be acquired has been acquired. When the data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step and the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step determine that the identification data for identifying the acquisition source of the identification data has been acquired, the correction data is output to the printer server. A server management correction data existence determining step of determining whether the correction data is present in the storage device; and the correction data acquisition source identification data previously obtained when the server management correction data existence determination step determines that the correction data exists. And a server management correction data obtaining step of obtaining correction data existing in the printer server, and determining whether the correction data is in use. A correction data state flag in use setting step of setting a correction data state flag in use to determine whether Correction data usable notification step for notifying the data processing apparatus that has requested the correction data that the correction data can be used together with the correction data itself, and the correction data cannot be used in the correction data state flag confirmation determination step. When it is determined that the identification data could not be obtained in the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step, it was determined that no correction data was present in the server management correction data existence determination step At this time, a correction data unavailable notification step of notifying the data processing apparatus which has previously requested the correction data that the correction data cannot be used, and whether or not the correction data from the printer server can be used. Analyze the contents of the response to determine whether the correction data can be used. Correct data use situation determination step, and in the correction data use situation determination step, when it is determined that the correction data can be used, a correction data acquisition step of acquiring the correction data sent together with the response content, Attempting to create a correction table for creating a correction table for performing calibration from the correction data, and performing a correction table creation determining step of determining whether a correction table has been created; and A calibration execution determination flag ON setting step of setting a calibration execution determination flag to ON when a table can be created; and determining whether the calibration execution determination flag is ON, which means that calibration is performed, Indicates that calibration should not be performed. In the calibration execution determination flag determination step, and in the calibration execution determination flag determination step, when it is determined that the calibration is to be performed, the print data using the previously created correction table is used. A calibration execution step of executing calibration for the
In the correction table creation determining step, when a correction table cannot be created, a correction table creation failure notification step of notifying the printer server that the correction table could not be created, and the correction data state flag can be used. A correction data status flag use enable setting step, a correction data acquisition source identification data erasing step of erasing the previously stored correction data acquisition source identification data, and a step of determining whether there is a print waiting job for the printing apparatus. A print waiting job existence determining step; a print waiting job release processing step of releasing the waiting state when it is determined in the print waiting job existence determining step that there is a print waiting job; and the calibration execution determination Calibration execution determination flag OF for setting flag to OFF A setting step, a print data source identification data acquisition determining step of determining whether identification data for identifying the transmission data source apparatus of the print data has been obtained, and the print data source identification data acquisition In the determining step, when it is determined that the identification data for identifying the print data transmission source data processing device has been acquired, it is determined whether the correction data acquisition source identification data in the storage device of the printer server has been acquired. In the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step, and in the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step, when it is determined that the acquisition source data of the correction data could be obtained, the correction data acquisition source identification data and the The same as the print data source identification data acquired in the print data source identification data acquisition determination step In the correction data acquisition source identification data and print data transmission source identification data comparison determination step, and in the correction data acquisition source identification data and print data transmission source identification data comparison determination step, the correction data acquisition source identification data and the print data are compared. In a print job print handling step in which the print data is determined as a job to be printed with the highest priority when the source identification data is determined to be the same, the print data source data is determined in the print data source identification data acquisition determination step. When it is determined that the identification data for identifying the processing device cannot be acquired, and when it is determined in the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determining step that the correction data acquisition source identification data cannot be acquired, the correction data acquisition is performed. In the source identification data and print data transmission source identification data comparison determination process When it is determined that the correction data acquisition source and the print data transmission source are not the same, it is determined whether the correction data for the printing apparatus is being used, and if the correction data is being used, the print data is treated as a print waiting job. A print job to be processed, and a calibration print job processed determination step of determining whether the print job subjected to the calibration has been processed.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of data processing apparatuses and a printer server that processes a print job and transfers print data to the printing apparatus can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium. A storage medium storing a computer readable program for controlling a printing system, wherein a correction data state flag confirmation determination step of determining whether correction data is in use in response to a correction data acquisition request from the data processing apparatus And acquiring identification data for identifying the data processing apparatus from which the correction data is obtained and another data processing apparatus when it is determined in the correction data state flag confirmation determination step that the correction data is usable. Correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition step, and an acquisition source identification for identifying a data processing device from which the correction data is to be acquired. The identification data for identifying the acquisition source of the identification data is obtained by the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step of determining whether the data has been obtained, and the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step. When it is determined that the correction data can be obtained, it is determined that the correction data exists by the server management correction data existence determination step of determining whether the correction data is in the storage device of the printer server, and the server management correction data existence determination step. A correction data acquisition source identification data storing step of storing the correction data acquisition source identification data previously acquired in the storage device of the printer server, and a server management for acquiring the correction data existing in the printer server Using a correction data acquisition step and a correction data state flag for determining whether the correction data is in use A correction data status flag in use setting step, and a correction data availability notification step of notifying the data processing device that previously requested the correction data that the correction data can be used, together with the correction data itself, When it is determined in the correction data state flag confirmation determination step that the correction data is unusable, and when it is determined that the identification data cannot be obtained in the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step, the server management correction is performed. A correction data unavailable notification step for notifying the data processing apparatus which previously requested the correction data that the correction data cannot be used, when the correction data is determined not to exist in the data presence determination step, Analyze the response to whether the correction data from the server can be used, and In the correction data use status determining step for determining whether the correct data can be used, and in the correction data use status determination step, when it is determined that the correction data can be used, the correction data A correction data obtaining step of obtaining the correction data obtained, and a correction table for determining whether a correction table has been successfully prepared by attempting to create a correction table for performing calibration based on the correction data. A determination step; a calibration execution determination flag ON setting step of setting a calibration execution determination flag to ON when a correction table can be created in the correction table creation determination step; Means performing a calibration In the calibration execution determination flag determining step, which determines whether the calibration is to be performed or not, which means that the calibration is not performed, and when it is determined that the calibration is to be performed, A calibration execution step of executing calibration on print data using the correction table created in
In the correction table creation determining step, when a correction table cannot be created, a correction table creation failure notification step of notifying the printer server that the correction table could not be created, and the correction data state flag can be used. A correction data status flag use enable setting step, a correction data acquisition source identification data erasing step of erasing the previously stored correction data acquisition source identification data, and a step of determining whether there is a print waiting job for the printing apparatus. A print waiting job existence determining step; a print waiting job release processing step of releasing the waiting state when it is determined in the print waiting job existence determining step that there is a print waiting job; and the calibration execution determination Calibration execution determination flag OF for setting flag to OFF A setting step, a print data source identification data acquisition determining step of determining whether identification data for identifying the transmission data source apparatus of the print data has been obtained, and the print data source identification data acquisition In the determining step, when it is determined that the identification data for identifying the print data transmission source data processing device has been acquired, it is determined whether the correction data acquisition source identification data in the storage device of the printer server has been acquired. In the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step, and in the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step, when it is determined that the acquisition source data of the correction data could be obtained, the correction data acquisition source identification data and the The same as the print data source identification data acquired in the print data source identification data acquisition determination step In the correction data acquisition source identification data and print data transmission source identification data comparison determination step, and in the correction data acquisition source identification data and print data transmission source identification data comparison determination step, the correction data acquisition source identification data and the print data are compared. In a print job print handling step in which the print data is determined as a job to be printed with the highest priority when the source identification data is determined to be the same, the print data source data is determined in the print data source identification data acquisition determination step. When it is determined that the identification data for identifying the processing device cannot be acquired, and when it is determined in the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determining step that the correction data acquisition source identification data cannot be acquired, the correction data acquisition is performed. In the source identification data and print data transmission source identification data comparison determination process When it is determined that the correction data acquisition source and the print data transmission source are not the same, it is determined whether the correction data for the printing apparatus is being used, and if the correction data is being used, the print data is treated as a print waiting job. A computer-readable program including a print job print waiting process to be performed and a calibration print job process completion determination process of determining whether the calibrated print job has been processed is stored in a storage medium. is there.

[0019]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system to which a printer server according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. A server computer (printer server) having a bidirectional function, a client computer, and a printing apparatus This corresponds to the case composed of

In FIG. 1, the printing system includes a server computer 100 and a client computer 20.
0, the printing apparatus 300, and the communication line 4 connecting them.
00.

The server computer 100 has a first
A data control unit 101, a first calibration control unit 102, a first storage unit 103, a first storage medium reading unit 104, a first input / output data control unit 105, a first interface control unit 106, a server Computer 10
It has a first central processing unit 107 for controlling the operation of the entire system and a system bus 108 for connecting them.
Here, the first data control unit 102 is bidirectionally connected to a printing apparatus to acquire correction data, has a so-called language monitor or equivalent function, and has a so-called print server function to control a plurality of print jobs. Things. In the present embodiment, the control unit has a control function of transmitting print data from the client computer 200 to the printing apparatus 300 and stores the print data on a medium read by the first storage unit 103 or the first storage medium reading unit 104. I have.

The first storage medium reading unit 104 and a second storage medium reading unit 204, which will be described later, include a language monitor and a printer stored in a storage medium such as an FD (floppy disk), CD-ROM, ROM, or magnetic tape. A program such as a driver and image data can be read.

Next, the client computer 200
Is a second data control unit 201, a second calibration control unit (second data control unit) 202, and a second storage unit 2.
03, a second storage medium reading unit 204, a second input / output data control unit 205, and a second interface control unit 20.
6, a display unit 207, an input unit 208, a second central processing unit 209 for controlling the operation of the entire client computer 200, and a system bus 21 for connecting these.
0.

Here, the second data control unit 202 is a so-called printer driver.
This is a raster driver that generates image data of values.
The printer driver is the client computer 20
In addition to processing print data generated by an application or the like between the operating system resident on Windows 0 and the printing apparatus 300 according to the printer,
This is a program for controlling the printing apparatus 300, and is stored on a medium read by the second storage unit 203 or the second storage medium reading unit 204.

The printing apparatus 300 includes a controller unit 301, a third storage unit 302 controlled by the controller unit 301, and an engine unit 303.

Here, the communication line 400 is a normal LAN.
Alternatively, it is a bidirectional serial interface such as IEEE1394 or USB.

The display unit 207 is a display device such as a CRT display and a liquid crystal display. The input unit 208 is a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse.

The engine unit 303 has a function of notifying the controller unit of a calibration request in a timely manner in addition to the normal engine processing. The controller unit 301 has a function of controlling the third storage unit 302 that can acquire and store the correction data as needed, particularly when a calibration request is received from the engine unit, in addition to the normal controller processing. Have.

The engine unit 303 issues a calibration request to the controller unit 301 when various status parameters indicating the status have reached predetermined values. As the state parameter, for example, in the case of an electrophotographic engine, the number of times the photosensitive drum has been used since the photosensitive drum has been replaced, the temperature and humidity in the printing apparatus 300, the temperature of the fixing unit for melting the toner, and the like. .

In the case of an ink jet system in which the ink is heated by a heater to cause film boiling and then ejected as an ink liquid at the pressure, the temperature of the ink, the temperature of the heater for heating the ink, and the like are the state parameters.

The engine unit 303 monitors these parameters using various sensors and counters. Further, a temperature sensor for directly detecting the toner density on the drum can be used, and the image density can be directly detected and used for calibration.

Hereinafter, a characteristic configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

A printer server that processes print jobs from a plurality of data processing devices (client computer 200 and a computer (not shown)) via the predetermined communication medium configured as described above and transfers the print data to the printing device ( A requesting means (first data control unit 101) for requesting the printing apparatus at a predetermined timing for correction data for correcting the print information according to a state of the printing apparatus; Acquisition means for acquiring the correction data transferred from the printing apparatus in response to a request from a request means (first data control unit 101)
A storage unit (first storage unit 103) for storing the correction data obtained by the obtaining unit; and a receiving unit (first storage unit) for receiving the correction data obtaining request accompanying a print request from any of the data processing devices. 1 central processing unit 107)
Transfer means for transferring the correction data to the requesting data processing device when the correction data acquisition request is received (first
A central processing unit 107) and an identification unit (second unit) for identifying whether each print job is a corrected print job or a normal print job corrected based on the correction data when a print job is received from each data processing device. 1 central processing unit 1
07 executes a control program stored in a ROM or other memory resources (not shown) to perform identification processing), and when the identification unit determines that the received print job is an already corrected print job, A control unit (first central processing unit 107) for processing the corrected print job prior to the normal print job, so that the correction data is acquired and the print corrected by the data processing device side. By identifying a job and a print job that has not been corrected, priority can be given to a print job based on the correction data, and an intended image output result can be obtained without being affected by the current image output state of the printing apparatus. .

A storage means (a storage medium such as a RAM (not shown)) for storing identification information of the data processing device using the correction data, and a transfer request of the correction data from one of the data processing devices. Determining means for determining whether any one of the data processing devices in which the correction data is being used is stored in the storage means (the first central processing unit 107 stores the data in a ROM (not shown) or another memory resource or the like) And executing the determined control program to perform the determination process). If the determination unit determines that the correction data is being used, the correction data cannot be used for a different data processing device. (The first central processing unit 107 executes a control program stored in a ROM (not shown) or another memory resource or the like). Until the print job of the data processing apparatus using the correction data is completed, the print job from another data processing apparatus is executed, and the correction data of the printing apparatus is displaced. Can be avoided.

A data processing device (client computer 200) capable of communicating with a printer server that processes a print job via a predetermined communication medium and transfers print data to a printing device, wherein the printer server (server computer) 100) requesting means (second data control unit 202) for requesting correction data for correcting the image output characteristics acquired from the printing apparatus, and notified by the printer server in response to the request of the requesting means. Determining means (second data control unit 202) for determining whether or not the correction data can be used from the notification information, and determining the correction data when the determination means determines that the correction data is available. An acquisition unit (second data control unit 202) for acquiring data; and a correction unit based on the correction data acquired by the acquisition unit. Creating means (second data control unit 202) for creating a correction table for correcting output image characteristics of print data in the print job, and the print data based on the correction table created by the creating means. (A second data control unit 20)
2), the print data can be corrected in accordance with the correction data corresponding to the current image output state of the printing apparatus, and appropriate print quality can be maintained.

FIGS. 2 to 5 are flowcharts showing an example of a data processing procedure in a printing system to which the printer server and the client computer according to the present invention can be applied. Note that (1), (2), (11) to (1)
5), (21), (31) to (33) show each step.

FIG. 2 corresponds to the data processing on the server computer 100 side shown in FIG. 1, and includes a correction data acquisition time determination step (1) and a calibration processing step (2) on the server side.

FIG. 3 corresponds to the data processing on the client computer 200 shown in FIG. 1, and includes an input operation step (11) and a first operation performed by the client computer.
Calibration processing step (12), normal first image processing step (13), second calibration processing step (14) by the client computer side, and normal second image processing step (15)
Consists of

FIG. 4 is a second calibration processing step (21) on the server side in the server computer 100 called in the step (12) shown in FIG.
Consists of

FIG. 5 shows a third calibration processing step (31) on the server side performed by the server computer 100 after the print processing in the client computer 200 is completed, and a normal print job processing step (32) in the server computer 100 shown in FIG. And a fourth calibration processing step (33) on the server side.

FIGS. 6 to 10 correspond to detailed procedures of each calibration process of FIGS. (41)
To (44), (51) to (63), (71) to (8)
0), (81) to (89), and (91) to (95) indicate each step.

The first calibration processing step (2) performed by the server computer 100 shown in FIG. 2 includes a printing apparatus correction data requesting step (4) as shown in FIG.
1) and printing device correction data existence determination step (42)
A printing device management correction data acquisition step (43);
It comprises a server management correction data storage step (44).

The client computer 2 shown in FIG.
00 first calibration processing step (12)
Is a correction data acquisition request step (5) as shown in FIG.
1), response content analysis processing step (52), correction data use state determination step (53), correction data acquisition processing step (54), correction table creation processing step (55), and correction table creation determination step (56)
, A calibration execution flag ON setting step (57), a correction table creation failure information notification step (62), and a calibration execution flag OFF setting step (63).

As shown in FIG. 7, the second calibration processing step (14) on the client computer 200 side shown in FIG. 3 includes a calibration execution determination flag determination step (59) and a calibration execution step (60). ).

Further, the second calibration processing step (2) on the server computer 100 side shown in FIG.
1) As described above, this step is performed before the first calibration processing step (12) on the client computer 200 side, that is, the correction data acquisition request processing step (51) shown in FIG. The processing is performed between the processing step (52) and the correction data state flag confirmation processing step (71), the correction data use state determination processing step (72), and the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition processing as shown in FIG. Step (73) and correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination processing step (74)
Correction data existence determination processing step (75), correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination processing step (76)
, A correction data acquisition processing step (77), a correction data state flag in use setting processing step (78), a correction enabled notification processing step (79), and a correction disabled notification processing step (80).

The third calibration processing step (31) on the server computer 100 side shown in FIG. 5 includes a print data transmission source identification data acquisition processing step (81) as shown in FIG. Acquisition determination step (82), correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition step (83), correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step (84), correction data acquisition source identification data and print data transmission source identification data comparison processing Step (8
5), correction data acquisition source identification data and print data transmission source identification data comparison / determination processing step (86), print job print handling step (87), print job print wait handling steps (88) and (89). Consists of

The fourth calibration processing step (33) on the server computer 100 side shown in FIG. 5 includes a calibration printing apparatus job processing completion determination step (91) as shown in FIG. It comprises a setting step (92) and a correction data acquisition source identification data erasing step (93).

Note that step (92) and step (9)
3) is a first calibration processing step (12) shown in FIG. 3 on the client computer 200 side, that is, a correction table creation failure information notification step (62) shown in detail in FIG. 7, and a calibration execution flag OFF. This step also functions between the setting step (63).

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the use status of the correction data stored in the first storage unit 103 of the server computer 100 shown in FIG. 1, and will be described later in detail.

FIG. 12 shows the third storage unit 302 shown in FIG.
Is a diagram showing an example of the correction data stored in the storage unit, where the vertical axis indicates the output density and the horizontal axis indicates the input density.

As described above, the engine unit 303 of the printing apparatus 300 issues a calibration request when the state parameter reaches a preset threshold value. The solid line in FIG. 12 shows an example of the relationship between the input density and the actually recorded output density when the toner fixing temperature T, which is one of the state parameters, has reached a threshold value T1 for issuing a calibration request. Is shown. Ideally, it is desirable that the input density coincides with the actually recorded output density as indicated by the dotted line.

However, when the fixing temperature T = T1, the ideal temperature is deviated from the ideal as shown in FIG. In this case, for example, output densities O1 to O5 corresponding to predetermined input densities I1 to I5 are stored in the third storage unit 3 as correction data.
02 is stored. The relationship between the input density and the output density is
The change in the fixing temperature is obtained in advance from an experiment or the like. Therefore, the correction data is obtained as a function of the temperature T. As described above, the correspondence between the input density and the output density with respect to the state parameter is stored as correction data in the third storage unit 302.
Is stored.

The correction data is similarly given to the state parameters other than the fixing temperature for each value indicated by the parameter.

Here, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, in FIG.
At 00, the first calibration control unit 102 of the first data control unit 101 determines whether it is time to acquire correction data (1), and exits with “YES”. Thereby, the server computer 1
The procedure shown in FIG. 6 is started here as the first calibration process (2) on the 00 side.

The determination as to whether or not it is time to acquire the correction data can be made to operate asynchronously with the second calibration control unit 202 of the second data control unit 201 of the client computer 200. It is of course possible to operate synchronously.

For example, in the case of operating asynchronously, there is a method of using a certain elapsed time using a system clock or the like as an acquisition timing. Also, if they work synchronously,
There is a method of setting acquisition timing when print data is transmitted from the client computer 200.

In FIG. 6, the first calibration control unit 102 of the first data control unit 101
A request processing of the correction data for performing the calibration is performed to the controller 301 of the server computer 100 (41).
It is determined whether or not the correction data exists in the third storage unit 302 by comparing the additional information of each of the two correction data (42). The correction data in the third storage unit 302 is stored in the controller unit 30 by the engine unit 303 of the printing apparatus 300.
1 is the data stored in the third storage unit 302 by issuing a calibration request to the first storage unit 302.

If it is determined in step (42) that the correction data exists, the controller 301 and the first
First calibration control unit 1 of data control unit 101
In response to the exchange with No. 02, a process of acquiring correction data from the third storage unit 302 is performed (43). Next, a process of storing the acquired correction data in the first storage unit 103 of the server computer 100 is performed (44).

Next, asynchronously with the processing in the server computer 100, the client computer 20
At 0, that is, when the operator performs an input operation for printing from the input unit 208 and the display unit 207 on the application or the like in step (11) of FIG. 3, the procedure shown in FIG. 7 is started. .

This procedure can be performed when the power of the printing apparatus 300 is turned on. For example, for a change that progresses slowly such as a change with time of the drum or the toner, it is sufficient to deal with the change every time the power is turned on.

First, a request for obtaining correction data is issued from the client computer 200 to the server computer 100 (51). It is assumed that the data stream of the acquisition request includes identification information such as an address on the network for identifying the client computer 200.

In response to this, control is temporarily transferred to server computer 100 as shown in FIG.

Then, the server computer 100 accesses the correction data state management area of the first storage unit 103 as shown in FIG. 11 and checks the state flag for the correction data (whether the correction data can be used or not). ) The processing is performed (71), and it is determined whether the correction data acquired from the printing device as the output destination can be used (72), and the process exits with "No" meaning that this can be used.

In the example of FIG. 11, printing device information (printing device name managed by the server computer 100) and correction data status (correction data) are used as parameters for determining whether or not correction data can be used. (A status flag indicating whether data is in use) and correction data request source identification information (such as the address of a client computer that identifies which client computer is using the correction data). For example, a printing device (Print
er01) indicates that the correction data is (in use) by the client computer (@ Client-1).

Next, an attempt is made to acquire identification data for identifying the client computer from which the correction data is acquired from the data stream of the acquisition request (7).
3) It is determined whether the identification data has been obtained (74), and the process exits with "Yes". Then, a predetermined area in the first storage unit 103 where the correction data is stored is accessed, and it is determined whether there is correction data for performing calibration (75), and the process exits with "Yes".

Next, in the previous step (72),
The acquired correction data acquisition source identification data is stored in the first storage unit 10.
3 is stored at a predetermined position in the third column (correction data requesting client computer identification information) in FIG.
6).

Subsequently, the correction data is read from the storage area of the first storage section 103 (77). Further, a correction data information flag indicating that the correction data is being used is set to "in use" at a predetermined position of the second column (correction data information) in FIG. 11 (78).

The client computer 200 is notified that the correction data can be used together with the correction data obtained in the previous step (77) (79).

On the other hand, when it is determined in the previous step (72) that the correction data is being used by another client computer 200, or in step (74), the correction data acquisition source identification data may be obtained. If not, or step (75)
If the correction data does not exist in the first storage unit 103, the client computer 200 is notified that the correction data cannot be used (80), and the process ends.

Then, the control again shifts to the processing on the client computer 200 side shown in FIG. 7, and the analysis of the reply content from the server computer 100 is performed in step (79) or step (80) shown in FIG. (52), it is determined whether or not the correction data can be used (53), and this is exited with "Yes" meaning that the correction data can be used. Then, a process of acquiring correction data is performed from the data stream of the response content notified from the server computer 100 (54). Then, a correction table is created (55). Here, in the example of FIG. 12, the correction table is a table for correcting the relationship between the input and output densities before correction shown by the solid line to a usable relationship shown by the dotted line.

In this step (55), the density conversion is performed to return to the relationship between the input and output densities indicated by the solid lines in FIG.
A conversion table is created such that the correction table is applied at the time of the conversion process from (bit) to CMYK (8 bit). In the case of a color image, if the balance between the densities of the respective colors changes, the color tone and the purity of the colors are corrected.

Next, it is determined in step (56) whether or not a correction table has been created.
Exit with. It is determined whether or not to execute the calibration in a process described later, and a calibration execution determination flag to be used is set to ON (57).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (56) that the correction table has not been created, this is notified to the server computer 100 (62), whereby the control shifts to the server computer 100 again, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the correction data state flag indicating the correction data state in FIG. 11 is set to "usable" (92),
Next, the information of the predetermined position of the correction data requesting client computer identification information of FIG. 11 is deleted (93),
It is determined whether there is a waiting print job (94), and if not, the process proceeds to step (63). If there is, the waiting print job is changed to a normal print job (95).
The control returns to the client computer 200 again, and the calibration execution determination flag is turned off (63).

Next, normal image processing is performed on the print data. Note that the normal image processing is divided into steps (13) and (15) in the second data control unit 201.

In the first image processing in step (13), if the print data control unit 201 processes, for example, print data as color data, conversion from RGB (8 bits) data to CMYK (8 bits) data is performed. Perform processing. Further, the second image processing in step (15) mainly means binarization processing and output processing for CMYK (8-bit) data.

Next, as the second calibration processing (14) on the client side, it is determined whether the value of the calibration execution determination flag shown in FIG. 7 is ON or OFF (5).
9), exit with "YES". Then, calibration is executed using the correction table created in the previous step (54) (60).

Then, as described above, in step (15) shown in FIG. 3, normal image processing is performed on the print data.

The correction as shown in FIG. 12 is performed as a single correction step in the above procedure.
In this case, the number of processes increases by one and the number of processes increases. Therefore, RGB (8 bits) in step (13)
As a table used for the data to CMYK (8-bit) data conversion processing, a table incorporating a correction table may be used, and the conversion processing and the correction may be performed simultaneously. For this reason, in step (54) shown in FIG.
Based on the correction data, a table for CMYK (8-bit) data conversion from RGB (8-bit) data is created.

Normally, RGB (8 bits) data is converted to CMY
K (8-bit) data conversion is performed by matrix operation.
Since density correction can also be performed by matrix operation, it is easy to create a conversion table that combines these. Also, a configuration may be employed in which a corresponding conversion table is obtained using correction data as a key, instead of being created by synthesis.

Next, the server computer 100 receives the print data from the client computer 200 after step (15). It is assumed that the data stream of the acquisition request includes identification information such as an address on the network for identifying the client computer 200.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the identification data for identifying the client computer 200 of the print data is tried to be obtained from the data stream of the print data (81), and the print data transmission source identification data is obtained. It is determined whether or not the processing has been performed (82), and the processing is exited with "Yes".

Then, an attempt is made to obtain identification data for identifying the client computer that has obtained the correction data such as ($ Client-1) shown in FIG. 11 from the first storage unit 103 (83), and the correction data source It is determined whether the identification data could be obtained (84),
Exit this with "yes".

Then, the print data transmission source identification data previously obtained in step (81) and the correction data acquisition source identification data obtained in step (83) are compared (85).
It is determined whether the client computers are the same (8)
6), exit with "Yes". As a result, this print data is handled as the highest priority print job (87).

Here, handling as a print job with the highest priority means that print processing is given to the printing apparatus in preference to other print jobs, that is, processing is given to the printing apparatus. The method of processing a certain print job with the highest priority is known to the parties.

On the other hand, in the previous step (82), when the print data transmission source identification data could not be obtained, or when the correction data acquisition source identification data could not be obtained in step (84), or in step (8).
If it is determined in 6) that the print data transmission source identification data and the correction data acquisition source identification data are not the same (the client computer is different), the data is stored in the correction data state management area of the first storage unit 103 as shown in FIG. Access is made to check the status flag for the correction data (whether the correction data is in use) (88), and exit with "Yes".

In this case, the print data is treated as a print waiting job (89), and the process is terminated.

The print waiting job here is a print job that is not processed by the printing apparatus until the corrected print data is processed by the printing apparatus.

On the other hand, in step (88), if the determination is "No" and the process is skipped, the normal print job (highest priority,
The job is treated as a job without restrictions such as waiting, and the process ends.

On the other hand, as a management function for the print job, as shown in FIG. 10, it is monitored whether or not the properly corrected print job has been processed (whether or not the print job has been transmitted to the printing apparatus) (91). Exit with.

Next, the correction data state flag of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 11 is set to a usable state (92). Subsequently, the correction data requesting client computer identification information shown in FIG. 11 is deleted (93).

Next, it is determined in step (89) shown in FIG. 9 whether or not there is a print job waiting to be printed (94), and the process exits with "No".

On the other hand, in step (94), if the determination is "Yes" and the process is skipped, the print job which has been treated for printing is changed to the normal print job described above (9).
5), end the processing.

By transmitting an appropriate print job (a print job that has been subjected to an appropriate correction process corresponding to a calibration request) to the printing apparatus according to the above-described procedure, a high-quality output image can be formed and output. can do.

Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

A data processing method of a printer server for processing print jobs from a plurality of data processing apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium configured as described above and transferring print data to the printing apparatuses. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program that controls a printer server that processes print jobs from a plurality of data processing apparatuses and transfers print data to the printing apparatus via a communication medium, wherein the printing apparatus A requesting step (step (41) in FIG. 6) for requesting the printing apparatus at a predetermined timing for correction data for correcting the print information in accordance with the state of (1). An acquisition step (step (43) in FIG. 6) for acquiring the correction data to be performed, and writing the correction data acquired in the acquisition step in a memo. A receiving step (step (44) in FIG. 6), a receiving step (step (51) in FIG. 7) of receiving the correction data acquisition request accompanying a print request from any of the data processing apparatuses, A transfer step of transferring the correction data to the requesting data processing device when the correction data acquisition request is received (step (79) in FIG. 8).
And a step of identifying whether each print job is a corrected print job or a normal print job corrected based on the correction data when a print job is received from each data processing device (step (82) in FIG. 9). (86)), and a process of processing the corrected print job with priority over the normal print job when the identification unit determines that the received print job is a corrected print job. (Step (87) in FIG. 9), the correction data is acquired, the print job that has already been corrected on the data processing device side and the print job that has not been corrected are identified, and printing based on the correction data is performed. Jobs can be processed preferentially, and an intended image output result can be obtained without being affected by the current image output state of the printing apparatus.

A data processing method of a data processing device (client computer 200) capable of communicating with a printer server (server computer 100) that processes a print job via a predetermined communication medium and transfers print data to a printing device. Or a storage medium storing a computer readable program for controlling a data processing device capable of communicating with a printer server which processes a print job via a predetermined communication medium and transfers the print data to a printing device. Requesting the printer server for correction data for correcting the image output characteristics acquired from the printing device (step (51) in FIG. 7);
A determining step (step (53) in FIG. 7) of determining whether or not the correction data can be used based on notification information notified from the printer server in response to the requesting step;
When the correction data is determined to be usable in the determination step, an acquisition step of acquiring the correction data (step (54) in FIG. 7) and a step of acquiring the correction data are performed based on the correction data acquired by the acquisition step. A creation step (step (55) in FIG. 7) for creating a correction table for correcting an output image characteristic of print data in the print job; and the print data based on the correction table created in the creation step. (Step (60) in FIG. 7), the print data can be corrected in accordance with the correction data corresponding to the current image output state of the printing apparatus, and appropriate print quality can be maintained. .

Further, there is provided a data processing method for a printing system in which a plurality of data processing apparatuses and a printer server which processes a print job and transfers print data to the printing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium can communicate with each other. Or a computer that controls a printing system in which a plurality of data processing apparatuses and a printer server that processes a print job and transfers print data to the printing apparatus can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium. A correction data state flag confirmation determination step (step (72) in FIG. 8) for determining whether correction data is being used in response to a correction data acquisition request from the data processing apparatus. When it is determined in the correction data state flag confirmation determination step that the correction data is usable, the correction data is taken out. Source data processing device and the other to obtain the identification data for identifying the data processing device the correction data acquisition source identification data acquiring step (step in FIG. 8 (7
3)) and a correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determining step (step (74 in FIG. 8) of determining whether or not acquisition source identification data for identifying the data processing apparatus from which the correction data is to be acquired has been acquired. )) And when it is determined in the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step that the identification data for identifying the acquisition source of the identification data has been obtained, whether the correction data is in the storage device of the printer server. The server management correction data existence determination step (step (75) in FIG. 8) for determining whether or not the correction data acquisition source previously acquired when the server management correction data existence determination step determines that the correction data exists. Correction data acquisition source identification data storage step of storing identification data in the storage device of the printer server (step (76) in FIG. 8) A server management correction data obtaining step (step (77) in FIG. 8) for obtaining correction data existing in the storage device of the printer server; and a correction data state for determining whether the correction data is in use. The correction data state flag in use setting step (step (78) in FIG. 8) for setting the flag in use, and the correction data itself indicating that the correction data can be used to the data processing apparatus which has previously requested the correction data. A correction data available notification step (step (79) in FIG. 8) for notifying
When it is determined that the correction data is unusable in the previous correction data state flag confirmation determination step, when it is determined that the identification data could not be obtained in the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step, When it is determined that no correction data exists in the server management correction data existence determination step, a correction data unavailable notification step for notifying the data processing apparatus that previously requested the correction data that the correction data cannot be used. (Step (80) in FIG. 8) and a response to the correction data from the printer server as to whether or not the correction data can be used to determine whether or not the correction data can be used. In the process (steps (52) and (53) in FIG. 7) and the correction data use status determination process, When it is determined that the data can be used, a correction data obtaining step (step (54) in FIG. 7) for obtaining the correction data sent together with the response content, and for performing calibration based on the correction data Correction table creation determination step (steps (55) and (56) in FIG. 7) for determining whether a correction table has been created by attempting to create a correction table for creating the correction table. In the process, a calibration execution determination flag ON setting process of setting a calibration execution determination flag to ON when a correction table can be created (FIG. 7)
(57)) and a calibration execution determination flag determining step of determining whether the calibration execution determination flag is ON indicating that the calibration is to be performed or OFF indicating that the calibration is not to be performed. (Step (59) in FIG. 7) and when it is determined in the calibration execution determination flag determination step that calibration is to be performed, calibration is performed on the print data using the previously created correction table. In the calibration execution step to be executed (step (60) in FIG. 7) and the correction table creation step, when the correction table cannot be created, the printer server is notified that the correction table could not be created. Compensation table creation failure notification step (step in FIG. 7) Step (60)), a correction data state flag enable setting step for setting the correction data state flag to be usable (step (92) in FIG. 10), and erasing the previously stored correction data acquisition source identification data. Correction data acquisition source identification data erasing step (step (93) in FIG. 10), and a print waiting job existence determining step (step (94) in FIG. 10) for determining whether there is a print waiting job for the printing apparatus. A print waiting job release processing step (step (95) in FIG. 10) for releasing the waiting state when it is determined in the print waiting job existence determining step that a print waiting job exists;
A calibration execution determination flag OFF setting step (step (63) in FIG. 7) for setting the calibration execution determination flag to OFF, and acquiring identification data for identifying a transmission source data processing apparatus of the print data. A print data transmission source identification data acquisition determination step (step (81) in FIG. 9) for determining whether or not printing has been completed;
When it is determined in the print data transmission source identification data acquisition determining step (step (82) in FIG. 9) that the identification data for identifying the print data transmission source data processing device has been obtained, the print data in the storage device of the printer server is stored. The correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step (step (84) in FIG. 9) for determining whether the correction data acquisition source identification data has been acquired and the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step When it is determined that the data acquisition source data could be acquired, it is determined whether the correction data acquisition source identification data and the print data transmission source identification data acquired in the print data transmission source identification data acquisition determination step are the same. Step of comparing and judging the correction data acquisition source identification data and the print data transmission source identification data (step (FIG. 9) 5)), in the correction data acquisition source identification data and the print data transmission source identification data comparison determination step, when the print data transmission source identification data and the correction data acquisition source identification data is determined to be identical,
In a print job print handling step (step (87) in FIG. 9) for handling print data as a job to be printed with the highest priority, and in the print data sender identification data acquisition determining step, identification for identifying the print data sender data processing apparatus is performed. When it is determined that the data could not be obtained, when it was determined in the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step that the correction data acquisition source identification data could not be obtained, the correction data acquisition source identification data and the print data In the source identification data comparison determination step, when it is determined that the correction data acquisition source and the print data transmission source are not the same, it is determined whether the correction data for the printing apparatus is in use, and if it is in use, A print job print waiting process (step (89) in FIG. 9) in which print data is handled as a print wait job Calibration print job processed determination step of determining whether the print job having been subjected to calibration have been processed (step of FIG. 9 (8
7), the correction data is acquired, the print job already corrected on the data processing device side and the print job not corrected are identified, and the correction data Print jobs based on the print data according to the correction data that matches the current image output state of the printing apparatus, while obtaining the intended image output result without being affected by the current image output state of the printing apparatus. Can be corrected, and appropriate print quality can be maintained.

In the above-described embodiment, a printing system in which the printing apparatus 300 is directly connected to the network shown in FIG. 1 and the server computer 100 functions as a computer that controls a print job to the printing apparatus 300 is taken as an example. However, the printing apparatus 300 is not directly connected to the network, but is connected locally to a certain client computer (essentially, this client computer plays the role of a server computer). Printing device 300
Are not directly connected to the network, but are connected locally to a certain server computer.
It can be applied to a wide range of computer systems.

Further, each of the steps shown in FIGS.
(A floppy disk), a CD-ROM, a ROM, a magnetic tape, or the like, and can be stored in the storage medium reading units of the server computer 100 and the client computer 200.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention is also applicable to a case where the present invention is implemented by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

In this case, the storage medium storing the program according to the present invention constitutes the present invention. Then, by reading the program from the storage medium into a system or apparatus, the system or apparatus operates in a predetermined manner.

Also, the first calibration control unit 102 of the server computer 100 can create the correction table (step (555) shown in FIG. 7) described in the present embodiment.

In this case, the client computer 20
The data obtained at 0 (step (54)) is not a correction data but a correction table.

Further, regarding the creation of the correction table described in the present embodiment (step (5) shown in FIG. 7),
It can be created by the controller unit 301 of the printing apparatus 300 and stored in the third storage unit 302.

In this case, the first calibration control unit 102 of the server computer 100
, The acquisition and management of the correction table instead of the correction data are performed.
The data acquired at 0 (step (53)) is not a correction data but a correction table.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by a printing system to which the printer server according to the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by a printing system to which the printer server according to the present invention can be applied.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, such as version information and creator, is also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, such as a program, is stored. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIGS. 2 to 10 in this embodiment are executed by a program installed from the outside.
It may be performed by a host computer. And in that case, CD-ROM, flash memory, FD
The present invention is applicable even when a group of information including a program is supplied to an output device from a storage medium such as the above or from an external storage medium via a network.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, and C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0118]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention of the above, it is possible to obtain the correction data, identify the print job that has already been corrected on the data processing device side and the print job that has not been corrected, and prioritize the print job based on the correction data. An intended image output result can be obtained without being affected by the image output state of the printing apparatus.

According to the second aspect, until the print job of the data processing apparatus using the correction data is completed,
It is possible to avoid a situation in which a print job from another data processing device is executed and the correction data of the printing device is displaced.

According to the third aspect, the print data can be corrected in accordance with the correction data corresponding to the current image output state of the printing apparatus, and appropriate print quality can be maintained.

According to the fourth and fifth aspects, the correction data is acquired, the print job already corrected on the data processing device side and the print job not corrected are identified, and printing based on the correction data is performed. Jobs can be processed preferentially, and an intended image output result can be obtained without being affected by the current image output state of the printing apparatus.

According to the sixth and seventh aspects, the print data can be corrected in accordance with the correction data corresponding to the current image output state of the printing apparatus, and appropriate print quality can be maintained.

According to the eighth and ninth aspects, the correction data is acquired, the print job corrected by the data processing device and the print job not corrected are identified, and the printing based on the correction data is performed. Jobs can be processed preferentially, and the intended image output result can be obtained without being affected by the current image output state of the printing device, and the print data is corrected according to the correction data that matches the current image output state of the printing device. And appropriate print quality can be maintained.

Accordingly, the print data is corrected based on the latest correction data for correcting the output image characteristics acquired from the printing apparatus so that the print data in the print job can be output with appropriate image quality, and the correction is performed. Until the output print data is output, the use of correction data from other data processing devices is also restricted, so that a print job from another data processing device A print job can always be output based on the latest correction data, preventing a situation in which the correction data is affected by an interruption, and the image quality of the print job when using the conventional correction data is remarkably improved. In addition, the present invention has an advantage that a print system processing environment that can be improved can be freely prepared.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which a printer server according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in a printing system to which the printer server according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in a printing system to which the printer server according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in a printing system to which the printer server according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in a printing system to which the printer server according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in a printing system to which the printer server according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in a printing system to which the printer server according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in a printing system to which the printer server according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in a printing system to which the printer server according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in a printing system to which the printer server according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a use state of correction data stored in a first storage unit of the server computer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of correction data stored in a third storage unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the printer server according to the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 server computer 101 first data control unit 102 first calibration control unit 103 first storage unit 107 first central processing unit 200 client computer 201 second data control unit 202 second calibration control unit 300 printing device 301 controller unit 302 Third storage unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (54) [Title of the Invention] Printer server, data processing method of printer server, data processing apparatus, data processing method of data processing apparatus, data processing method of printing system, and computer readable program Storage medium storing

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A printer server for processing print jobs from a plurality of data processing devices via a predetermined communication medium and transferring the print data to a printing device, wherein the print data is transmitted in accordance with a state of the printing device. Requesting means for requesting, at a predetermined timing, the printing apparatus for correction data for correcting the error, obtaining means for obtaining the correction data transferred from the printing apparatus in response to a request from the requesting means, and obtaining means Storing means for storing the acquired correction data, receiving means for receiving the correction data acquisition request accompanying a print request from any of the data processing devices, and when the correction data acquisition request is received, the correction data Transfer means for transferring the print job to the requesting data processing device, and when receiving the print job from each data processing device, each print job is based on the correction data. An identification unit for identifying whether the corrected print job is a corrected print job or a normal print job, and if the identification unit identifies that the received print job is a corrected print job, the corrected print job Control means for processing the job with priority over the normal print job. 2. A storage unit for storing identification information of a data processing device using the correction data, and when the transfer of the correction data is requested from one of the data processing devices, the storage unit stores the correction data in the storage unit. Determining means for determining whether any of the data processing devices in use is stored; and determining, by the determining means, that the correction data is in use, performing the correction for a different data processing device. 2. The printer server according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification unit configured to notify that data cannot be used. 3. A data processing device capable of communicating with a printer server that processes a print job and transfers print data to a printing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the data processing device is obtained from the printing device by the printer server. Requesting means for requesting correction data for correcting an image output characteristic, and determining whether or not the correction data can be used from notification information notified from the printer server in response to a request from the requesting means. Means for acquiring the correction data when the determination means determines that the correction data is in a usable state; and printing during the print job based on the correction data acquired by the acquisition means. Creating means for creating a correction table for correcting an output image characteristic of data; and a correction table based on the correction table created by the creating means. The data processing apparatus characterized by having a correction means for performing correction on the print data are. 4. A data processing method of a printer server for processing print jobs from a plurality of data processing devices via a predetermined communication medium and transferring print data to the printing device, wherein the method is based on a status of the printing device. Requesting correction data for correcting the print data to the printing apparatus at a predetermined timing, and obtaining the correction data transferred from the printing apparatus in response to the requesting step; A storing step of storing the correction data obtained in the obtaining step in a memory, a receiving step of receiving the correction data obtaining request accompanying a print request from any of the data processing apparatuses, and a receiving step of receiving the correction data obtaining request. Transferring the correction data to the requesting data processing device; and receiving each print job from each data processing device. An identification step of identifying whether the corrected print job or the normal print job has been corrected based on the correction data, and, if the identification step determines that the received print job is an already corrected print job, Processing the corrected print job with priority over the normal print job. 5. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a printer server which processes print jobs from a plurality of data processing apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium and transfers the print data to the printing apparatus. A requesting step of requesting the printing apparatus at a predetermined timing for correction data for correcting the printing data according to a state of the printing apparatus; and An acquisition step of acquiring correction data; a storage step of saving the correction data acquired in the acquisition step in a memory; and a receiving step of receiving the correction data acquisition request accompanying a print request from any of the data processing devices. A transfer step of transferring the correction data to a requesting data processing device upon receiving the correction data acquisition request; An identification step for identifying whether each print job is a corrected print job corrected based on the correction data or a normal print job when a print job is received from the data processing device; A processing step of processing the corrected print job with higher priority than the normal print job when it is determined that the corrected print job is a corrected print job. The storage medium in which it was stored. 6. A data processing method for a data processing device capable of communicating with a printer server that processes a print job via a predetermined communication medium and transfers print data to a printing device, wherein the printing device is provided with the printing device. Requesting correction data for correcting the image output characteristics obtained from the printer, and determining whether the correction data can be used from notification information notified from the printer server in response to the requesting step A determining step of performing, when the determining step determines that the correction data is in a usable state, an obtaining step of obtaining the correction data; and during the printing job based on the correction data obtained by the obtaining step. A creating step for creating a correction table for correcting the output image characteristics of the print data, and the supplementary table created in the creating step. Data processing method for data processing apparatus characterized by having a correction step of performing correction on the print data based on the table. 7. A storage medium storing a computer readable program for controlling a data processing device capable of communicating with a printer server that processes a print job via a predetermined communication medium and transfers print data to a printing device. A requesting step of requesting the printer server for correction data for correcting an image output characteristic acquired from the printing apparatus; and the correction from notification information notified from the printer server in response to the requesting step. A determining step of determining whether the data is in a usable state, and an obtaining step of obtaining the correction data when the determining step determines that the correction data is in a usable state; and Creating a correction table for correcting output image characteristics of print data in the print job based on the correction data That creation process and performs correction on the print data based on the correction table created by said creating step correction process and the storage medium from which a computer stores readable program characterized by having. 8. A data processing method of a printing system in which a plurality of data processing apparatuses and a printer server that processes a print job and transfers print data to a printing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium can communicate with each other. The correction data state flag confirmation determination step of determining whether the correction data is in use in response to the correction data acquisition request from the data processing device, and the correction data state flag confirmation determination step makes it possible to use the correction data. When it is determined that there is a correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition step of acquiring identification data for identifying the acquisition source data processing device of the correction data and another data processing device, and trying to acquire the correction data Of the correction data acquisition source identification data to determine whether the acquisition source identification data identifying the data processing device Acquisition determination step, by the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step,
A server management correction data existence determining step of determining whether the correction data is present in the storage device of the printer server when it is determined that the identification data for identifying the source of the identification data has been obtained; A correction data acquisition source identification data storing step of storing the previously acquired correction data acquisition source identification data in a storage device of the printer server when the correction data existence determination step determines that the correction data exists; A server management correction data obtaining step of obtaining correction data present in the server; and a correction data status flag in use setting for setting a correction data status flag for determining whether the correction data is in use. The process and the data processing device that previously requested the correction data indicate that the correction data can be used. A correction data availability notification step for notifying the correction data with the data itself, and when the correction data is determined to be unusable in the correction data state flag confirmation determination step, the identification data is obtained in the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step. When it was determined that the correction data could not be obtained, and when it was determined in the server management correction data existence determination step that the correction data did not exist, the correction data was sent to the data processing device that previously requested the correction data. Correction data notifying process for notifying that the correction data cannot be used, and a correction for analyzing whether or not the correction data from the printer server can be used and determining whether the correction data can be used. The correction data is used in the data use status determination step and the correction data use status determination step. When it is determined that the correction data can be obtained, a correction data acquisition step of obtaining the correction data sent together with the response content, and attempt to create a correction table for creating a correction table for performing calibration from the correction data, A correction table creation determining step for determining whether a correction table can be created; and a calibration for setting a calibration execution determination flag to ON when the correction table can be created in the correction table creation determining step. A calibration execution determination flag ON setting step; and a calibration execution determination flag determination step of determining whether the calibration execution determination flag is ON indicating that calibration is to be performed or OFF indicating that calibration is not to be performed. And the carib A calibration execution step of executing calibration on print data using the previously created correction table when it is determined in the calibration execution determination flag determination step that calibration is to be executed; A correction table creation failure notification step of notifying the printer server that the correction table could not be created when the correction table could not be created, and correction data for setting the correction data state flag to be usable. A status flag usable setting step; a correction data acquisition source identification data erasing step for erasing the previously stored correction data acquisition source identification data; and a print waiting job for determining whether there is a print waiting job for the printing apparatus. Presence determination step; and the print waiting job presence determination A print waiting job release processing step of releasing the waiting state when it is determined that there is a print waiting job in the setting step; a calibration execution determination flag OFF setting step of setting the calibration execution determination flag to OFF; A print data transmission source identification data acquisition determination step of determining whether identification data for identifying the transmission data processing apparatus of the print data has been obtained; and a print data transmission source identification data acquisition determination step. When it is determined that the identification data for identifying the print data transmission source data processing device has been acquired, it is determined whether the correction data acquisition source identification data in the storage device of the print server has been acquired. Source identification data acquisition determining step, and the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition In the determination step, when it is determined that the acquisition source data of the correction data could be obtained, the correction data acquisition source identification data and the print data transmission source identification data acquired in the print data transmission source identification data acquisition determination step In the correction data acquisition source identification data and print data transmission source identification data comparison determination step of determining whether or not the correction data acquisition source identification data and the print data transmission source identification data comparison And print data transmission source identification data when it is determined that they are the same. Unable to obtain identification data for identifying the source data processing device When it is determined that,
In the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step, when it is determined that the correction data acquisition source identification data could not be obtained, in the correction data acquisition source identification data and print data transmission source identification data comparison determination step, the correction data acquisition source identification data When it is determined that the print data transmission sources are not the same, it is determined whether correction data for the printing apparatus is in use, and if so, the print data is treated as a print waiting job. And a calibration print job processing completion determination step of determining whether the print job subjected to the calibration has been processed. 9. A computer which controls a printing system capable of communicating with a plurality of data processing apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium and a printer server which processes a print job and transfers print data to the printing apparatus. A storage medium storing a possible program, wherein a correction data status flag check determination step of determining whether correction data is in use in response to a correction data acquisition request from the data processing device; When it is determined in the determining step that the correction data is usable, correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition for acquiring identification data for identifying a data processing device from which the correction data is acquired and another data processing device And obtaining the source identification data for identifying the data processing device from which the correction data is to be obtained. A correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step of determining whether or not the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step
A server management correction data existence determining step of determining whether the correction data is present in the storage device of the printer server when it is determined that the identification data for identifying the source of the identification data has been obtained; A correction data acquisition source identification data storing step of storing the previously acquired correction data acquisition source identification data in a storage device of the printer server when the correction data existence determination step determines that the correction data exists; A server management correction data obtaining step of obtaining correction data present in the server; and a correction data status flag in use setting for setting a correction data status flag for determining whether the correction data is in use. The process and the data processing device that previously requested the correction data indicate that the correction data can be used. A correction data availability notification step for notifying the correction data with the data itself, and when the correction data is determined to be unusable in the correction data state flag confirmation determination step, the identification data is obtained in the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step. When it was determined that the correction data could not be obtained, and when it was determined in the server management correction data existence determination step that the correction data did not exist, the correction data was sent to the data processing device that previously requested the correction data. Correction data notifying process for notifying that the correction data cannot be used, and a correction for analyzing whether or not the correction data from the printer server can be used and determining whether the correction data can be used. The correction data is used in the data use status determination step and the correction data use status determination step. When it is determined that the correction data can be obtained, a correction data acquisition step of obtaining the correction data sent together with the response content, and attempt to create a correction table for creating a correction table for performing calibration from the correction data, A correction table creation determining step for determining whether a correction table can be created; and a calibration for setting a calibration execution determination flag to ON when the correction table can be created in the correction table creation determining step. Setting a calibration execution determination flag ON, and determining whether the calibration execution determination flag is ON indicating that the calibration is to be performed or OFF not indicating that the calibration is not to be performed. Process and the carrier A calibration execution step of executing calibration on print data using the previously created correction table when it is determined in the calibration execution determination flag determination step that calibration is to be executed; A correction table creation failure notification step of notifying the printer server that the correction table could not be created when the correction table could not be created, and correction data for setting the correction data state flag to be usable. A status flag usable setting step; a correction data acquisition source identification data erasing step for erasing the previously stored correction data acquisition source identification data; and a print waiting job for determining whether there is a print waiting job for the printing apparatus. Presence determination step; presence of the print waiting job In the determination step, when it is determined that there is a print waiting job, a print waiting job release processing step of releasing the waiting state; a calibration execution determination flag OFF setting step of setting the calibration execution determination flag to OFF; A print data transmission source identification data acquisition determination step of determining whether identification data for identifying the transmission data processing apparatus of the print data has been obtained; and a print data transmission source identification data acquisition determination step. When it is determined that the identification data for identifying the print data transmission source data processing device has been acquired, it is determined whether the correction data acquisition source identification data in the storage device of the print server has been acquired. Source identification data acquisition determining step; and obtaining the correction data acquisition source identification data. In the acquisition determination step, when it is determined that the acquisition source data of the correction data can be acquired, the correction data acquisition source identification data and the print data transmission source identification data acquired in the print data transmission source identification data acquisition determination step In the correction data acquisition source identification data and print data transmission source identification data comparison determination step of determining whether or not the correction data acquisition source identification data and the print data transmission source identification data comparison When it is determined that the data and the print data transmission source identification data are the same, a print job print processing step of processing the print data as a job to be printed with the highest priority; and Whether identification data that identifies the data transmission source data processing device cannot be obtained When it is determined that,
In the correction data acquisition source identification data acquisition determination step, when it is determined that the correction data acquisition source identification data could not be obtained, in the correction data acquisition source identification data and print data transmission source identification data comparison determination step, the correction data acquisition source identification data When it is determined that the print data transmission sources are not the same, it is determined whether correction data for the printing apparatus is in use, and if so, the print data is treated as a print waiting job. A storage medium storing a computer readable program, comprising: a process; and a calibration print job processing completed determining step of determining whether the calibrated print job has been processed.