US A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/ A1 Kikuchi et al.

Transcription

1 US A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/ A1 Kikuchi et al. (43) Pub. Date: Jun. 30, 2005 (54) (75) (73) (21) (22) REDIRECT-ON-ERROR PRINT SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, AND CONTROL PROGRAM Inventors: Koji Kikuchi, Yokohama (JP); Noriyoshi Kurotsu, Yokohama (JP); Masamichi Ohshima, Tokyo (JP); Hidekazu Morooka, Kawasaki (JP); Takashi Yagita, Yokohama (JP); Koichiro Wanda, Yokohama (JP); Kei Kitagata, Yokohama (JP); Hiroyuki Kayama, Kawasaki (JP); Kenichi Shirai, Yokohama (JP) Correspondence Address: FITZPATRICK CELLA HARPER & SCINTO 30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA NEW YORK, NY (US) Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI Tokyo (JP) KAISHA, (30) Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 3, 2003 (JP) Publication Classi?cation (51) rm.c G06F 15/00 (52) Us s/1.14;35s/1.15 (57) ABSTRACT In a redirect-on-error print system of this invention, When an error noti?cation is acquired, only printer drivers having the same function as that of the printer driver Which has output the data to the printer With the print error are listed up from registered printer drivers, and the user is caused to select a redirect-on-error print destination from them so that any inappropriate print output can reliably be avoided. In the redirect-on-error print system, a print job is transmitted to one of a plurality of printers connected to a network. When a print error has occurred in the printer, processing is executed to cause another printer to execute redirect-on error printing of the print job. In the redirect-on-error print system, the error in the printer Which is processing the print job is detected, and the user is noti?ed of it. Of the plurality of printers connected to the network, the printer driver of a redirect-on-error enable printer Which can process the print App1_ NO_; 10/999,989 job in behalf of the printer With the error is detected. The user is noti?ed of the detected printer driver as a redirect Filed: Dec. 1, 2004 on-error destination candidate. 701 XXXX YYYY ZZZZ, 702 l 7?3\ 7g>4 RESPOOLABLE RESPOOLABLE UNHESPOOLABLE PRINTER DRIVER PRINTER DRIVER PRINTER DRIVER 707 PDL JOB ( RESPOOLABLE ) PDL JOB ( RESPOOLABLE ) PDL JOB ( UNRESPOOLABLE )

2 Patent Application Publication Jun. 30, 2005 Sheet 1 0f 16 US 2005/ A Fl G. 112

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7 ' Patent Application Publication Jun. 30, 2005 Sheet 6 0f 16 US 2005/ A1 (START) II ACQUIRE LIST OF ALL PRINTER DRIVERS (N) II EXCLUDE ERROR FIG. 6 N S601 DRIVER FROM LIST 8602 II INITIALIZE CANDIDATE LIST M8603 II INITIALIZE LOOP VARIABLE L = ' NO LS (N-1)? S606 L-th DRIVER HAS SAME ENGINE? v [8609 DISPLAY CANDIDATE LIST AS REDIRECT-ON-ERROR PRINT DESTINATION SELECTION ITEMS II 'END REGISTER L-th DRIVER IN CANDIDATE LIST N 8607 >II L = L + 1 N S608

8 Patent Application Publication Jun. 30, 2005 Sheet 7 0f 16 US 2005/ A1 701 XXXX YYYY ZZZZ 7%)2 l 7S03\ 7;)4 RESPOOLABLE RESPOOLABLE UNRESPOOLABLE _ PRINTER DRIVER PRINTER DRIVER PRINTER DRIVER 707 PDLJOB ( RESPOOLABLE ) PDL JOB ( UNRESPOOLABLE )

9 Patent Application Publication Jun. 30, 2005 Sheet 8 0f 16 US 2005/ A1 S801 IS ISSUED JOB RESPOOLABLE? ' /S81 1 EXECUTE PROCESSING IN 8401 TO 8409 (FIG. 4) ACQUIRE LIST OF ALL ' N" ' > PRINTER DRIVERS (N) S802 II END II EXCLUDE ERROR DRIVER FROM LIST 8803 II INITIALIZE CANDIDATE LIST N S804 'NO II INITIALIZE LOOP VARIABLE L = I IS L-th DRIVER ' RESPOOLABLE.7 S806 N S805 v [8810 QLDISPLAY CANDIDATE LIST AS REDIRECTTON-ERROR PRINT DESTINATION SELECTION ITEMS II END REGISTER L-Ih DRIVER I N IN CANDIDATE LIST 8808 i, L = L + 1 E» S809

10 Patent Application Publication Jun. 30, 2005 Sheet 9 0f 16 US 2005/ A1 ( START ) v EXECUTE PROCESSING IN S801 TO 8811 (FIG. 8) r ACQUIRE LIST OF PRINTER DRIVERS AS REDIRECT-ON-ERROR DESTINATION CANDIDATES (M) S901 S902 > v v ACQUIRE OUTPUT SETTING OF PRINT JOB N S903 I v INITIALIZE CANDIDATE LIST ~ $904 II INITIALIZE LOOP VARIABLE L = 1 N S905 'v 8906.NO L-th PRINTING APPARATUS SATISFIES OUTPUT SETTING? I V /S91 0 ' T DISPLAY CANDIDATE LIST AS REDIRECT-ION-ERROR PRINT DESTINATION SELECTION ITEMS ' II END REGISTER L-Ih DRIVER IN CANDIDATE LIST ~S908 ~S909

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12 Patent Application Publication Jun. 30, 2005 Sheet 11 0f 16 US 2005/ F "'G- 1.1; [ ACQUIRE LIST OF ALL N PRINTER DRIVERS (N) I EXCLUDE ERROR DRIVER FROM LIST S1 102 I INITIALIZE CANDIDATE LIST N I - INITIALIZE LOOP VARIABLE L = 1 N SIMPLE COMPATIBLE PRINTER DRIVER CANDIDATE LIST GENERATION METHOD? S PERFECT COMPATIBLE L-th DRIVER HAS SAME ENGINE OR SATISFIES OUTPUT SETTING.7 HAS SAME ENGINE AND. SATISFIES OUTPUT SETTING? YES/S1112 S1108\ ' REGISTER L-th DRIVER REGISTER L-th DRIVER IN CANDIDATE LIST - IN CANDIDATE LIST ;_ - I II REGISTER DRIVERS EXCEPT - N ERROR DRIVER IN CANDIDATE LIST v ' DISPLAY CANDIDATE LIST AS REDIRECT-ON-ERROR PRINT "\JSI I I5 DESTINATION SELECTION ITEMS II END

13 Patent Application Publication Jun. 30, 2005 Sheet 12 0f 16 US 2005/ A1 FIG. 12. IIIEEI SELECTION OF REDIRECT-DN-ERROR DESTINATION "5?: ERROR HAS OCCURRED IN ir '% PLEASE SELECT JOB AND DESIGNATE PROCESSING. I _ TEII '_>Z]II PRINTER IN WHICH REDIRECT-ON-ERROR CONDITION HAS OCCURRED (B) ; ILBP'Z810 I 'I ' JOB IN OUEUE (I) 1 ' - ' DOCUMENT NAME TYPE RECEPTION TIME PRINTER FUNCTION NECESSARY OF PRINTING / ///// ///// /// /// // /// // // / /// / Ii/ TEST PAGE // DIRECT 13:23:02 03/3/20 A4/COLOR///////// // / / / / // / / / / UPDATEJOB NFOFIMATION(L_J) I CONTINUEINI II STOPPRINTINGII) I LIST OF PRINTERS SELECTABLE AS REDIRECT-oN-ERROR DESTINATION (A) ; PRINTER NAME I STATUS INUMBER OFJOBS I PRINTER FUNCTION LBP WARNING As/A4, DOUBLE-SIDE, COLOR PERFECT SIMPLE CHANGE REDIRECT-ON-ERROR REDIRECT-ON-ERROR REDIRECT-ON-ERROR DESTINATION I_F) DESTINATION (I) -' DESTINATION (v_v) "I REDIRECT-ONERROR PRINT (I3) I HELP( ;I) CLOSE (QII A > Y LIST OF PRINTERS SELECTABLE AS REDIRECT-ON-ERROR DESTINATION (A) I PRINTER NAME STATUS I INUMBEROFJOBS I ILASER_SHOT_LBP-1810#1/SLEEP I 0@ LASEH_SHO_T_LBP-181O PRINTABLE % IR_C3200#1 PRINTABLE 7%" _ 3 SLEEP / // /////A u CONSIDER TYPE OF PRINTER (F) UPDATE (U)

14 ' Patent Application Publication Jun. 30, 2005 Sheet 13 0f 16 US 2005/ A1 FIG. 13 PRECEDING DESIGNATION.?_ YES [S1302 ", /s1303 DETERMINE PRECEDINGLY v DETERMINE THAT NO DESIGNATED PRINTING APPARATUS AS REDIRECT-ON-ERROR REDIRECT-ON-ERROR PRINT DESTINATION PRINT DESTINATION - > IS PRESENT v /S1304 " /S1306 DISPLAY REDIRECT-ON-ERROR PRINTING APPARATUS I DISPLAY DEFAULT REDIRECTONERROR PRINT DESTINATION S YES REDIRECT-ON-ERROR PRINT DESTINATION CHANGE INSTRUCTION? ' v I [81307 EXECUTE REDIRECT-ON-ERROR PRINT PROCESSING v /S1308 STORE, IN LOG, PRINTING APPARATUS OF REDIRECT-ON-ERROR PRINT DESTINATION USED THIS TIME v END

15 Patent Application Publication Jun. 30, 2005 Sheet 14 0f 16 US 2005/ A1 FIG. 14 PRECEDING DESIGNATION? YES DETERMINE PRINTING APPARATUS'WITH HIGHEST DESIGNATION FREQUENCY AS REDIREOT-ON-ERROR PRINT DESTINATION /S14O1 v /S1303 DETERMINE THAT NO REDIREOT-ON-ERROR PRINT DESTINATION T : IS PRESENT v [S1304 " [S1306 DISPLAY REDIRECT-ON-ERFIOR.. ' DISPLAY DEFAULT PRINTING APPARATUS S1305 RED RECT_ON_ERROR PRINT DESTINATION YES REDIREOT-ON-ERROR PRINT DESTINATION CHANGE I INSTRUCTION? - v [81307 EXECUTE REDIRECT-ON-ERROR PRINT PROCESSING v [81308 STORE, IN LOG, PRINTING APPARATUS OF REDIRECT-ON-ERROR PRINT DESTINATION USED THIS TIME II END

16 ' I Patent Application Publication Jun. 30, 2005 Sheet 15 0f 16 US 2005/ A1 PRECEDING DESIGNATION? S1301 'VYES/S15O1 UPDATE REDIRECT-ON-ERROR PRINTING APPARATUS CANDIDATES _ S1502 NO CANDIDATES? *' NO ' S - /s1505 YES/$1503 " [$1303 EXCLUDE DETERMINE REDIRECT-ON-ERROR DETERMINE THAT NO PRINTING PRINTING APPARATUS BY USING. REDIRECT-ON-ERROR ~ APPARATUS DETERMINATION RULE IN CANDIDATES PRINT DESTINATION 'FROM IS PRESENT CANDIDATES ' ' ' M NO > USABLE? V >"YES /s\1304 /S1306 DISPLAY REDIRECT-ON-ERROR PRINTING APPARATUS S1305 DISPLAY DEFAULT REDIRECT-ON-ERROR PRINT DESTINATION YES, = " LREDIRECT-ON-ERROR. " TPRINTDESTINATION CHANGE INSTRUCTION? v /s1307 EXECUTE REDIRECT-ON-ERROR PRINT PROCESSING V /S1308 STORE, IN LOG, PRINTING APPARATUS OF REDIRECT-ON-ERROR PRINT DESTINATION USED THIS TIME II END

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18 US 2005/ A1 Jun. 30, 2005 REDIRECT-ON-ERROR PRINT SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, AND CONTROL PROGRAM FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a print processing technique using a plurality of printers and, more particularly, to a method of displaying, on a personal computer, error information in redirect-on-error printing When a print error has occurred in a printing apparatus Which has received a print instruction from a data supply source such as a personal computer connected to a network. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Recently, connecting printing apparatuses to a net Work is a commonly used technique. Accordingly, many printing apparatuses can be connected to a network and used. Under these circumstances, even if a print error has occurred in a printing apparatus to Which a print instruction is input, the print user can quickly use print information by temporarily outputting unprinted print job information to another printing apparatus instead of immediately avoiding the print error. That is, a redirect-on-error print function is implemented. [0003] For example, there is a method in Which it is determined Whether automatic redirect-on-error printing is set. If it is determined that automatic redirect-on-error printing is set, automatic redirect-on-error printing is executed. If it is determined that the setting is not done, manual redirect-on-error printing is executed. In this Way, automatic redirect-on-error printing and manual redirect-on error printing are switched. [0004] In this redirect-on-error print function, however, When a print error has occurred in a print-instructed printing apparatus, and manual redirect-on-error printing is executed to designate a redirect-on-error print destination, all the currently registered printer drivers are displayed as candi dates to select a printer driver as the redirect-on-error print destination. In fact, of all the displayed printer drivers, drivers usable as the redirect-on-error print destination are limited by the print job. [0005] In addition, there is no level setting between per fect compatible print output to an output apparatus such as a sorter or stapler and simple compatible output Which allows only output. For this reason, the redirect-on-error print destination cannot ef?ciently be selected in accordance With a user s request on a case-by-case bases. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems and provides a redirect-on-error print system in Which When a print error has occurred in a redirect-on-error destination printing apparatus, and a per sonal computer acquires an error noti?cation, only printer drivers having the same function as that of the printer driver Which has output the data to the printing apparatus With the print error are listed up from registered printer drivers, and the user is caused to select a redirect-on-error print desti nation from them so that any inappropriate print output can reliably be avoided. [0007] The present invention also provides a redirect-on error print system in Which When a print error has occurred in a redirect-on-error destination printing apparatus, and a personal computer acquires an error noti?cation, the type of the job (Whether the job is respoolable or not) is determined, and if the job is respoolable, all printer drivers Which generate a respoolable job are listed up from registered printer drivers, and the user is caused to select a redirect on-error print destination from them so that any inappropri ate print output can reliably be avoided, and?exibility according to the job type can be ensured. [0008] The present invention also provides a redirect-on error print system in Which When a print error has occurred in a redirect-on-error destination printing apparatus, and a personal computer acquires an error noti?cation, only printer drivers having the same function as that of the printer driver Which has output the data to the printing apparatus With the print error are listed up from registered printer drivers, only printer drivers capable of implementing perfect compatible print output Which also satis?es the output setting of the issued job such as stapling or sorting are further listed up, and the user is caused to select a redirect on-error print destination from them so that the output method set in the job can also completely be implemented even in redirect-on-error printing. [0009] The present invention also provides a redirect-on error print system in Which When a print error has occurred in a redirect-on-error destination printing apparatus, the user can select, on a personal computer, the compatible level (e.g., output setting perfect compatible or output result compatible) of output in redirect-on-error printing described in the?rst to third aspects so that a candidate list of printer drivers as appropriate redirect-on-error destinations corre sponding to the level can be provided. [0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, preferably, a redirect-on-error print system Which transmits a print job to one of a plurality of printers connected to a network, and When a print error has occurred in the printer, executes processing to cause another printer to execute redirect-on-error printing of the print job, comprises [0011] error detection means for detecting the error in the printer Which is processing the print job; [0012] error noti?cation means for notifying a user of the error; [0013] redirect-on-error printer detection means for detecting, of the plurality of printers connected to the network, a printer driver of a redirect-on-error enable printer Which can process the print job in behalf of the printer With the error; and [0014] redirect-on-error destination candidate noti? cation means for notifying the user, as a redirect-on error destination candidate, of the printer driver detected by the redirect-on-error printer detection means. [0015] According to another aspect of the present inven tion, preferably, an information processing apparatus in a redirect-on-error print system Which transmits a print job to one of a plurality of printers connected to a network, and When a print error has occurred in the printer, executes processing to cause another printer to execute redirect-on error printing of the print job, comprises

19 US 2005/ A1 Jun. 30, 2005 [0016] error recognition means for recognizing the error in the printer Which is processing the print job; [0017] condition input means for inputting a condi tion to detect, of the plurality of printers connected to the network, a printer driver of a redirect-on-error enable printer Which should process the print job in behalf of the printer With the error; [0018] redirect-on-error printer detection means for selectively detecting the printer driver of the redi rect-on-error enable printer in accordance With the condition input by the condition input means; [0019] redirect-on-error destination candidate noti? cation means for notifying a user, as a redirect-on error destination candidate, of the printer driver detected by the redirect-on-error printer detection means; and [0020] selection means for selecting one redirect-on error destination from the noti?ed redirect-on-error destination candidates. [0021] According to another and further aspect of the present invention, preferably, a control method of a redirect on-error print system Which transmits a print job to one of a plurality of printers connected to a network, and When a print error has occurred in the printer, executes processing to cause another printer to execute redirect-on-error printing of the print job, comprises [0022] an error detection step of detecting the error in the printer Which is processing the print job; [0023] an error noti?cation step of notifying a user of the error; [0024] a redirect-on-error printer detection step of detecting, of the plurality of printers connected to the network, a printer driver of a redirect-on-error enable printer Which can process the print job in behalf of the printer With the error; and [0025] a redirect-on-error destination candidate noti?cation step of notifying the user, as a redirect-on error destination candidate, of the printer driver detected in the redirect-on-error printer detection step. [0026] According to another and further aspect of the present invention, preferably, a control program to control an information processing apparatus in a redirect-on-error print system Which transmits a print job to one of a plurality of printers connected to a network, and When a print error has occurred in the printer, executes processing to cause another printer to execute redirect-on-error printing of the print job, comprises [0027] a code for executing an error recognition step of recognizing the error in the printer Which is processing the print job; [0028] a code for executing a condition input step of inputting a condition to detect, of the plurality of printers connected to the network, a printer driver of a redirect-on-error enable printer Which should pro cess the print job in behalf of the printer With the error; [0029] a code for executing a redirect-on-error printer detection step of selectively detecting the printer driver of the redirect-on-error enable printer in accordance With the condition input in the condi tion input step; [0030] a code for executing a redirect-on-error des tination candidate noti?cation step of notifying a user, as a redirect-on-error destination candidate, of the printer driver detected in the redirect-on-error printer detection step; and [0031] a code for executing a selection step of select ing one redirect-on-error destination from the noti?ed redirect-on-error destination candidates. [0032] Other features and advantages of the present inven tion Will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction With the accompanying drawings, in Which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the?gures thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0033] The accompanying drawings, Which are incorpo rated in and constitute a part of the speci?cation, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together With the descriptions, serve to explain the principle of the invention. [0034] FIG. 1 is a view showing an arrangement example of a network system to Which the present invention is applied; [0035] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an arrangement example of a personal computer (PC) to Which the present invention is applied; [0036] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a print job control system to Which the present invention is applied; [0037] FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the processing How of a print job in the print job control system to Which the present invention is applied; [0038] FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a printer driver selection WindoW in manual redirect-on-error pro cessing according to the present invention; [0039] FIG. 6 is a?owchart for explaining an operation of notifying a user of redirect-on-error destination candidates in the?rst embodiment; [0040] FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of respooling according to the present invention; [0041] FIG. 8 is a?owchart for explaining an operation of notifying a user of redirect-on-error destination candidates in the second embodiment; [0042] FIG. 9 is a?owchart for explaining an operation of notifying a user of redirect-on-error destination candidates in the third embodiment; [0043] FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a display WindoW used in the fourth embodiment of the present invention; [0044] FIG. 11 is a?owchart for explaining an operation of notifying a user of redirect-on-error destination candi dates in the fourth embodiment;

20 US 2005/ A1 Jun. 30, 2005 [0045] FIG. 12 is a view showing another example of the display window used in the fourth embodiment of the present invention; [0046] FIG. 13 is a?owchart showing the operation of the?rst detailed example used in the description of the fourth embodiment; [0047] FIG. 14 is a?owchart showing the operation of the second detailed example used in the description of the fourth embodiment; [0048] FIG. 15 is a?owchart showing the operation of the third detailed example used in the description of the fourth embodiment; and [0049] FIG. 16 is a view showing an example of the display window on which a default redirect-on-error desti nation is displayed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0050] The best mode for carrying out the present inven tion will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The overall system arrangement will be described?rst, and the embodiments will be described. The embodiments are merely examples and should not be used to construe to limit the present invention. [0051] FIG. 1 is a view showing the arrangement of a redirect-on-error print system according to the present invention, which includes printers and personal computers. [0052] Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a local area network Personal computers 102 and 103 and printers 111, 112, and 113 are connected to the LAN. [0053] The personal computers (PCs) 102 and 103 are arranged as output control apparatuses of this embodiment. The?rst, second, and third network printers 111, 112, and 113 are arranged as printing apparatuses. These apparatuses are connected through a network line 101. [0054] FIG. 1 illustrates only two PCs 102 and 103. However, the means for executing the procedures of this embodiment may be executed by a plurality of personal computers (PCs) divisionally or in cooperation with each other. [0055] In this embodiment, the network printers 111, 112, and 113 are used. However, the output destination change method is not limited to that described in this embodiment and can be applied independently of the method of connect ing the printing apparatuses (network printers) and host computer. [0056] FIG. 2 shows the schematic arrangement of each of the PCs 102 and 103 shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, a video RAM (VRAM) 201 bitmaps and stores characters and images to be displayed on the screen of a CRT display device 202. A bit move unit (BMU) 203 controls data transfer between memories or between a memory and a device. A keyboard 204 comprises various kinds of keys related to input. Apointing device (PD) 205 is used to, e.g., point an icon on the window. A CPU 206 controls the respective units of the apparatus on the basis of a control program stored in a ROM 208 (the ROM 208 also stores programs to implement the present invention (to be described later), including a program according to the present invention and an error processing program). A RAM 209 is used as a work area when the CPU 206 executes the above-described programs or as a temporary save area in error processing. Reference numeral 210 denotes a hard disk drive (HDD); and 211, a?oppy disk drive (FDD). The disks are used to store application programs (to be described later), data, and libraries. Anetwork interface (NET-I/F) 212 executes data control and diagnosis on the network to transmit/receive data to/from another device. An I/O bus (including an address bus, data bus, and control bus) 207 which connects the above-described units. [0057] In the above-described arrangement, when the apparatus is powered on, the CPU 206 initializes the appa ratus in accordance with the boot program in the ROM 208, loads the OS from the HDD 210, and causes various kinds of applications to run then. [0058] Since the apparatus of this embodiment is based on a general-purpose information processing apparatus (per sonal computer), the programs are stored in the hard disk. However, they may be stored in a ROM. The present invention is not limited by the storage medium. [0059] (Processing of Print Job) [0060] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing processing of a print job issued by an application. FIG. 3 illustrates how to cause the print job control system to process a print job issued by a general application such as MicroSoftWord (registered trademark) in the client/server model of this system. [0061] Referring to FIG. 3, a server 300 (corresponding to the server 101) is a machine in which the modules of the print job control system operate. [0062] Normally, a print instruction is input, an applica tion program 301 causes the graphic function of the OS to generate a series of rendering instructions. The rendering instructions are transferred to a Windows (registered trade mark) spooler 303 through a printer driver. The Windows (registered trademark) spooler 303 executes procedures of transferring print job data to a port monitor selected by the user and causing the port monitor to transmit the print job data to a printer device. [0063] In this embodiment, the user designates in advance a port monitor (to be referred to as a job control port monitor hereinafter) 304 for the print job control system and instructs printing. The application program 301 generates a rendering instruction through a series of OSs. [0064] Upon receiving the rendering instruction, a PDL printer driver 302 generates print data and transmits the print job data not to a port monitor which transmits it to a printer device but to the job control port monitor 304. Instead of transmitting the print job data to a printer device 307, the job control port monitor 304 transmits it to a print service (to be referred to as a job control print service hereinafter) 305 for the print job control system. The job control print service 305 (the error detection means of the information processing apparatus) has a function of managing the states of the job and device. [0065] When devices and client PCs operate mutually in a peer-to-peer environment, the job control print service 305 also has a function of managing information such as a device state or job state noti?ed by a device or outputting a

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