Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing system

• US 6,246,486 B1
• Filed: 01/13/1997
• Issued: 06/12/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Takahashi, Yoshinori
• Primary Examiner(s): Popovici, Dov
• Application Number:
  US08/782,817
• Time in Patent Office: 1,611 Days
• Field of Search: 395/114, 395/112, 395/113, 395/115, 395/117, 395/101, 395/500, 395/527, 395/385, 395/828, 395/830, 395/831, 395/834, 395/835, 395/836-839, 395/882, 395/883, 395/884, 395/200.33, 395/200.39, 395/200.5, 395/200.51, 395/200.54, 395/200.6, 395/200.67, 400/61-65, 400/76, 400/67, 400/70-71, 358/407, 358/467, 358/468
• US Class Current: 358/1.13
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1206 resulting in increased flexibility in input data format or job format or job type
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1247 by conversion to printer ready format
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1288 in client-server-printer device configuration

Abstract

A system includes an information processing apparatus connected to a network to which are also connected a plurality of printers and a server apparatus provided with a print queue, the server apparatus being one of a print server and a file server. The apparatus makes a first query to a first one of the plurality of printers concerning a printer language supported by the first printer and, when a first response identifying a printer language supported by the first printer in response to the first query is received, transmits to the first printer print data converted to be interpretable by the printer language identified by the first response. On the other hand, when the first response is not received, the apparatus makes a second query to the remaining ones of the plurality of printers other than the first printer concerning what printer languages are supported by the remaining printers, and instruction unit provides an instruction to select one of the remaining printers based on a second response received from at least one of the remaining printers in response to the second query.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus connected to a network to which are also connected a plurality of printers and a server apparatus provided with a print queue, the server apparatus being one of a print server and a file server, said information processing apparatus comprising:

first inquiry means for making a first query to a first one of the plurality of printers concerning a printer language supported by the first printer;

transmission means for, when a first response identifying a printer language supported by the first printer in response to the first query is received by said information processing apparatus, transmitting to the first printer print data converted to be interpretable by the printer language identified by the first response;

second inquiry means for, when the first response is not received, making a second query to the remaining ones of the plurality of printers other than the first printer concerning what printer languages are supported by the remaining printers; and

instruction means for providing an instruction to select one of the remaining printers based on a second response received from at least one of the remaining printers in response to the second query.

2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first inquiry means makes a query to an additional printer when the additional printer is newly connected to the network.

3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing an identification of the printer language received in response to the first query made by said first inquiry means.

4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising distinguishing means for distinguishing when an additional printer is newly connected to the network, wherein said first inquiry means makes a query when the additional printer is newly connected to the network.

5. An information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising storage means for storing an identification of the printer language received in response to the first query made by said first inquiry means.

6. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transmission means transmits via the print queue the print data.

7. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said instruction means provides the instruction by displaying a message.

8. An information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said instruction means provides the instruction by displaying a message indicating that another printer is to be selected.

9. An information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said instruction means provides the instruction by displaying all of the printer languages supported by all of the printers connected to the network.

10. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both the print server and the file server are connected to the network, said first inquiry means makes a query concerning the printer language to one of the plurality of printers selected to perform a printing operation, the print server and the file server.

11. An information processing method in an information processing apparatus connected to a network to which are also connected a plurality of printers and a server apparatus provided with a print queue, the server apparatus being one of a print server and a file server, said method comprising:

a first inquiry step of making a first query to a first one of the plurality of printers concerning a printer language supported by the first printer;

a transmission step of, when a first response identifying a printer language supported by the first printer in response to the first query is received by the information processing apparatus, transmitting to the first printer print data converted to be interpretable by the printer language identified by the first response;

a second inquiry step of, when the first response is not received, making a second query to the remaining ones of the plurality of printers other than the first printer concerning what printer languages are supported by the remaining printers; and

an instruction step of providing an instruction to select one of the remaining printers based on a second response received from at least one of the remaining printers in response to the second query.

12. An information processing method according to claim 11, wherein said first inquiry step makes a query to an additional printer when the additional printer is newly connected to the network.

13. An information processing method according to claim 11, further comprising a storage step of storing an identification of the printer language received in response to the first query made in said first inquiry step.

14. An information processing method according to claim 11, wherein said instruction step provides the instruction by displaying a message.

15. An information processing method according to claim 14, wherein said instruction step provides the instruction by displaying a message indicating that another printer is to be selected.

16. An information processing method according to claim 14, wherein said instruction step provides the instruction by displaying all of the printer languages supported by all of the printers connected to the network.

17. An information processing method according to claim 11, wherein said first inquiry step makes a query, in the network having both the print server and the file server, concerning the printer language to one of the plurality of printers selected to perform a printing operation, the print server and the file server.

18. An information processing system including an information processing apparatus connected to a network to which are also connected a plurality of printers and a server apparatus provided with a print queue, the server apparatus being one of a print server and a file server, said information processing apparatus comprising:

first inquiry means for making a first query to a first one of the plurality of printers concerning a printer language supported by the first printer;

transmission means for, when a first response identifying a printer language supported by the first printer in response to the first query is received by said information processing apparatus, transmitting to the first printer print data converted to be interpretable by the printer language identified by the first response;

second inquiry means for, when the first response is not received, making a second query to the remaining ones of the plurality of printers other than the first printer concerning what printer languages are supported by the remaining printers; and

instruction means for providing an instruction to select one of the remaining printers based on a second response received from at least one of the remaining printers in response to the second query.

19. An information processing system according to claim 18, wherein said first inquiry means makes a query to an additional printer when the additional printer is newly connected to the network.

20. An information processing system according to claim 18, said information processing apparatus further comprising storage means for storing an identification of the printer language received in response to the first query made by said first inquiry means.

21. An information processing system according to claim 18, said information processing apparatus further comprising distinguishing means for distinguishing when an additional printer is newly connected to the network, wherein said first inquiry means makes a query when the additional printer is newly connected to the network.

22. An information processing system according to claim 21, said information processing apparatus further comprising storage means for storing an identification of the printer language received in response to the first query made by said first inquiry means.

23. An information processing system according to claim 18, wherein said transmission means transmits via the print queue the print data.

24. An information processing system according to claim 18, wherein said instruction means provides the instruction by displaying a message.

25. An information processing system according to claim 24, wherein said instruction means provides the instruction by displaying a message indicating that another printer is to be selected.

26. An information processing system according to claim 24, wherein said instruction means provides the instruction by displaying all of the printer languages supported by all of the printers connected to the network.

27. A storage medium for storing a program readable by a computer, said program executing an information processing method in an information processing apparatus connected to a network to which are also connected a plurality of printers and a server apparatus provided with a print queue, the server apparatus being one of a print server and a file server, said method comprising:

a first inquiry step of making a first query to a first one of the plurality of printers concerning a printer language supported by the first printer;

a transmission step of, when a first response identifying a printer language supported by the first printer in response to the first query is received by the information processing apparatus, transmitting to the first printer print data converted to be interpretable by the printer language identified by the first response;

a second inquiry step of, when the first response is not received, making a second query to the remaining ones of the plurality of printers other than the first printer concerning what printer languages are supported by the remaining printers; and

an instruction step of providing an instruction to select one of the remaining printers based on a second response received from at least one of the remaining printers in response to the second query.

28. A storage medium according to claim 27, wherein said first inquiry step makes a query to an additional printer when the additional printer is newly connected to the network.

29. A storage medium according to claim 27, said method further comprising a storage step of storing an identification of the printer language received in response to the first query made in said first inquiry step.

30. A storage medium according to claim 27, wherein said instruction step provides the instruction by displaying a message.

31. A storage medium according to claim 30, wherein said instruction step provides the instruction by displaying a message indicating that another printer is to be selected.

32. A storage medium according to claim 30, wherein said instruction step provides the instruction by displaying all of the printer languages supported by all of the printers connected to the network.

33. A storage medium according to claim 27, wherein said first inquiry step makes a query, in the network having both the print server and the file server, concerning the printer language to one of the plurality of printers selected to perform a printing operation, the print server and the file server.

34. An information processing apparatus connected to a plurality of printers, comprising:

inquiry means for making a first query to a first printer concerning a printer language supported by the first printer; and

control means for controlling said information processing apparatus to selectively perform one of plural operations in response to a result of the first query, a first one of the operations being to convert print data so as to be interpreted by the printer language supported by the first printer and to output such converted data to the first printer, and a second one of the operations being to cause said inquiry means to make a second query to a second printer on a network concerning a printer language supported by the second printer, wherein the second printer does not receive the first query.

35. An apparatus according to claim 34, further comprising output means for converting the print data so as to be interpreted by the printer language supported by the second printer and for outputting such converted print data to the second printer.

36. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said inquiry means makes a query when a printer is newly connected to said information processing apparatus.

37. An apparatus according to claim 34, further comprising storage means for storing information of the supported printer language in response to each inquiry by said inquiry means.

38. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said information processing apparatus is connected to a plurality of second printers.

39. An apparatus according to claim 38, further comprising instruction means for providing an instruction to select one printer from the plurality of second printers on the basis of a result of the second query.

40. An apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said instruction means provides an instruction to select a printer except the first printer by displaying a message.

41. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said instruction means provides an instruction to select another printer by displaying a message to select another printer.

42. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said instruction means provides an instruction to select another printer by displaying all printer languages which are supported by all printers connected to the network.

43. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said control means causes said inquiry means to make the second query to the second printer in an absence of any response to the first query being received from the first printer.

44. An information processing method operative in an information processing apparatus connected to a plurality of printers, comprising:

an inquiry step of making a first query to a first printer concerning a printer language supported by the first printer; and

a control step of controlling the information processing apparatus to selectively perform one of plural operations in response to a result of the first query, a first one of the operations being to convert print data so as to be interpreted by the printer language supported by the first printer and to output such converted data to the first printer, and a second one of the operations being to cause said inquiry step to make a second query to a second printer on a network concerning a printer language supported by the second printer, wherein the second printer does not receive the first query.

45. A method according to claim 44, further comprising an output step of converting the print data so as to be interpreted by the printer language supported by the second printer and outputting such converted print data to the second printer.

46. A method according to claim 44, wherein said inquiry step makes a query when a printer is newly connected to the information processing apparatus.

47. A method according to claim 44, further comprising a storage step of storing information of the supported printer language in response to each inquiry by said inquiry step.

48. A method according to claim 44, wherein the information processing apparatus is connected to a plurality of second printers.

49. A method according to claim 48, further comprising an instruction step of providing an instruction to select one printer from the plurality of second printers on the basis of a result of the second query.

50. A method according to claim 49, wherein said instruction step provides an instruction to select a printer except the first printer by displaying a message.

51. A method according to claim 50, wherein said instruction step provides an instruction to select another printer by displaying a message to select another printer.

52. A method according to claim 50, wherein said instruction step provides an instruction to select another printer by displaying all printer languages which are supported by all printers connected to the network.

53. A method according to claim 50, wherein said control step causes said inquiry step to make the second query to the second printer in an absence of any response to the first query being received from the first printer.

54. A computer readable storage medium storing a program for executing an information processing method operative in an information processing apparatus connected to a plurality of printers, said method comprising:

an inquiry step of making a first query to a first printer concerning a printer language supported by the first printer; and

a control step of controlling the information processing apparatus to selectively perform one of plural operations in response to a result of the first query, a first one of the operations being to convert the print data so as to be interpreted by the printer language supported by the first printer and to output such converted data to the first printer, and a second one of the operations being to cause said inquiry step to make a second query to a second printer on a network concerning a printer language supported by the second printer, wherein the second printer does not receive the first query.

55. A medium according to claim 54, said method further comprising an output step of converting the print data so as to be interpreted by the printer language supported by the second printer and outputting such converted print data to the second printer.

56. A medium according to claim 54, wherein said inquiry step makes a query when a printer is newly connected to the information processing apparatus.

57. A medium according to claim 54, said method further comprising a storage step of storing information of the supported printer language in response to each inquiry by said inquiry step.

58. A medium according to claim 54, wherein the information processing apparatus is connected to a plurality of such second printers.

59. A medium according to claim 58, said method further comprising an instruction step of providing an instruction to select one printer from the plurality of second printers on the basis of a result of the second query.

60. A medium according to claim 59, wherein said instruction step provides an instruction to select a printer except the first printer by displaying a message.

61. A medium according to claim 60, wherein said instruction step provides an instruction to select another printer by displaying a message to select another printer.

62. A medium according to claim 60, wherein said instruction step provides an instruction to select another printer by displaying all printer languages which are supported by all printers connected to the network.

63. A medium according to claim 60, wherein said control step causes said inquiry step to make the second query to the second printer in an absence of any response to the first query being received from the first printer.

64. An information processing apparatus connected to a network to which are also connected a plurality of printers and a server apparatus provided with a print queue, the server apparatus being one of a print server and a file server, said information processing apparatus comprising:

a first inquiry circuit arranged to make a first query to a first one of the plurality of printers concerning a printer language supported by the first printer;

a transmitter arranged to, when a first response identifying a printer language supported by the first printer in response to the first query is received by said information processing apparatus, transmit to the first printer print data converted to be interpretable by the printer language identified by the first response;

a second inquiry circuit arranged to, when the first response is not received, make a second query to the remaining ones of the plurality of printers other than the first printer concerning what printer languages are supported by the remaining printers; and

a control circuit arranged to provide an instruction to select one of the remaining printers based on a second response received from at least one of the remaining printers in response to the second query.

65. An information processing apparatus according to claim 64, wherein said first inquiry circuit makes a query to an additional printer when the additional printer is newly connected to the network.

66. An information processing apparatus according to claim 64, further comprising a memory arranged to store an identification of the printer language received in response to the first query made by said first inquiry circuit.

67. An information processing apparatus according to claim 64, further comprising a distinguishing circuit arranged to distinguish when an additional printer is newly connected to the network, wherein said first inquiry circuit makes a query when the additional printer is newly connected to the network.

68. An information processing apparatus according to claim 67, further comprising a memory arranged to store an identification of the printer language received in response to the first query made by said first inquiry circuit.

69. An information processing apparatus according to claim 64, wherein said transmitter transmits via the print queue the print data.

70. An information processing apparatus according to claim 64, wherein said control circuit provides the instruction by displaying a message.

71. An information processing apparatus according to claim 70, wherein said control circuit provides the instruction by displaying a message indicating that another printer is to be selected.

72. An information processing apparatus according to claim 70, wherein said control circuit provides the instruction by displaying all of the printer languages supported by all of the printers connected to the network.

73. An information processing apparatus according to claim 64, wherein

both the print server and the file server are connected to the network, and

said first inquiry circuit makes a query concerning the printer language to one of the printer selected to perform a printing operation, the print server, and the file server.

74. An information processing system including an information processing apparatus connected to a network to which are also connected a plurality of printers and a server apparatus provided with a print queue, the server apparatus being one of a print server and a file server, said information processing apparatus comprising:

a first inquiry circuit arranged to make a first query to a first one of the plurality of printers concerning a printer language supported by the first printer;

a transmitter arranged to, when a first response identifying a printer language supported by the first printer in response to the first query is received by said information processing apparatus, transmit to the first printer print data converted to be interpretable by the printer language identified by the first response;

a second inquiry circuit arranged to, when the first response is not received, make a second query to the remaining ones of the plurality of printers other than the first printer concerning what printer languages are supported by the remaining printers; and

a control circuit arranged to provide an instruction to select one of the remaining printers based on a second response received from at least one of the remaining printers in response to the second query.

75. An information processing system according to claim 74, wherein said first inquiry circuit makes a query to an additional printer when the additional printer is newly connected to the network.

76. An information processing system according to claim 74, the information processing apparatus further comprising a memory arranged to store an identification of the printer language received in response to the first query made by said first inquiry circuit.

77. An information processing system according to claim 74,

wherein the information processing apparatus further comprises a distinguishing circuit arranged to distinguish when an additional printer is newly connected to the network, and

wherein said first inquiry circuit makes a query when the additional printer is newly connected to the network.

78. An information processing system according to claim 77, wherein the information processing apparatus further comprises a memory arranged to store an identification of the printer language received in response to the first query made by said first inquiry circuit.

79. An information processing system according to claim 74, wherein said transmitter transmits via the print queue the print data.

80. An information processing system according to claim 74, wherein said control circuit provides the instruction by displaying a message.

81. An information processing system according to claim 80, wherein said control circuit provides the instruction by displaying a message indicating that another printer is to be selected.

82. An information processing system according to claim 80, wherein said control circuit provides the instruction by displaying all of the printer languages supported by all of the printers connected to the network.

83. An information processing apparatus connected to a plurality of printers, comprising:

an inquiry circuit arranged to make a first query to a first printer concerning a printer language supported by the first printer; and

a controller arranged to control said information processing apparatus to selectively perform one of plural operations in response to a result of the first query, a first one of the operations being to convert print data so as to be interpreted by the printer language supported by the first printer and to output such converted data to the first printer, and a second one of the operations being to cause said inquiry circuit to make a second query to a second printer on a network concerning a printer language supported by the second printer, wherein the second printer does not receive the first query.

84. An apparatus according to claim 83, further comprising an output circuit arranged to convert the print data so as to be interpreted by the printer language supported by the second printer and to output such converted print data to the second printer.

85. An apparatus according to claim 83, wherein said inquiry circuit makes a query when a printer is newly connected to said information processing apparatus.

86. An apparatus according to claim 83, further comprising a memory arranged to store information of the supported printer language in response to each inquiry by said inquiry circuit.

87. An apparatus according to claim 83, wherein said information processing apparatus is connected to a plurality of second printers, and the second printer is one of the plurality of second printers.

88. An apparatus according to claim 87, further comprising a control circuit arranged to provide an instruction to select the second printer from the plurality of second printers based on a result of the second query.

89. An apparatus according to claim 88, wherein said control circuit provides an instruction to select a printer except the first printer by displaying a message.

90. An apparatus according to claim 89, wherein said control circuit provides an instruction to select another printer by displaying a message to select another printer.

91. An apparatus according to claim 89, wherein said control circuit provides an instruction to select another printer by displaying all printer languages which are supported by all printers connected to the network.

92. An apparatus according to claim 89, wherein said controller causes said inquiry circuit to make the second query to the second printer in an absence of any response to the first query being received from the first printer.