Print processing method for a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to a network

Terminals, printing apparatus, and digital copying machines are connected to one network N. A document managing portion of the printing apparatus stores document data received through the network N to a document data storing portion, and generates managing data of document data so as to be stored in a document managing table. When an error processing portion detects the occurrence of an error with reference to a table during the printing of document data, an error processing portion determines the other printing apparatus for a substitutive printing with reference to various kinds of tables, and transmits document data. A report sheet issuing portion generates a report sheet image showing a name of a substitutive printing apparatus, a current state of the apparatus having an error, measures to remove the error, etc., and a printing portion prints the report sheet image.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a print processing method for printing 
image data such as a document generated by a terminal connected to a 
network such as a LAN by an arbitrary printing apparatus connected to the 
same network. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Recently, a network print system is frequency used. For example, a network 
environment such as an LAN, etc. is structured using a plurality of 
terminals and a plurality of printing apparatus. Then, an image generated 
by various kinds of terminals such as a facsimile apparatus, a computer, 
etc is output by a printing apparatus. 
In such a network print system, image data of a document prepared by a 
terminal for printing is transmitted to a print apparatus designated on 
the network or a print server for storing and managing image data. 
In the various kinds of print apparatus and the print server, received 
image data is temporarily stored in a print queue of an FIFO (First In 
First Out) type having a buffer memory, etc. Then, image data previously 
stored is printed. 
For example, in a facsimile apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent 
Application KOKAI No. 7-66927, if the printer of the facsimile is in an 
error state due to a paper jam, an ink depletion, a paper depletion, etc., 
the printing is executed by an outer printing apparatus for the printer of 
the facsimile. According to this technique, for transmitting print data to 
the outer printing apparatus, resolution and protocol can be converted to 
be suitable for the outer printing apparatus. 
However, in the above prior art, there was no means for informing a user 
that substitutive processing was performed by the outer printing apparatus 
when the error occurs during the printing. Due to this, the user did not 
know by which printing apparatus the printing was executed. Also, it was 
impossible for the user to designate the substitutive printing apparatus. 
As a result, efficiency of the printing process was low. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to provide a print processing system, 
which can improve convenience to a user and efficiency of print processing 
when an error occurs during a printing process and the printing is 
executed by a substitutive printing apparatus. 
According to the present invention, there is provided a print processing 
method for print-processing on a basis of print image data and print 
instruction data related to the print image data transferred from a 
terminal in a system comprising a plurality of printing apparatus 
connected to each other to be communicable with the terminal through a 
communication network, the method comprising: a receiving step of 
receiving the print instruction data and the print image data; a 
print-processing step of executing print-processing of the print image 
data in accordance with the print instruction data received by the 
receiving step; a detecting step of detecting an error at the time of 
executing the print-processing in the print-processing step; a determining 
step of determining a substitutive printing by use of the other printing 
apparatus in the system when the error is detected by the error detection 
step; a notifying step of notifying the substitutive print-processing to 
the other printing apparatus determined by the determining step; and an 
issuing step of issuing a report sheet on which data of the substitutive 
print-processing notified by the notifying step is printed. 
According to the present invention, terminals, printing apparatus, and 
digital copying machines are connected to one network N. Each of the 
printing apparatus comprises mainly a communication portion, a document 
managing portion, a printing portion, an error detecting portion, an error 
processing portion, a report sheet issuing portion, a reading portion, a 
report sheet recognizing portion, and a controlling portion. The document 
controlling portion comprises a a document data storing portion and a 
document managing table. The error detecting portion comprises an error 
detecting table. The error processing portion comprises an error 
processing determining table, a print managing table, and a message 
managing table. The report sheet issuing portion comprises a report sheet 
managing table and a report sheet printing table. 
If a print instruction command and document data (image data) is received 
from any one of the respective terminals, printing apparatus, digital 
copying machines, the printing apparatus (or digital copying machine) 
analyzes the content of the print instruction command. The document 
managing portion stores the received document data to the document data 
storing portion based on the result of the analysis. Then, the document 
managing portion generates managing data of document data so as to be 
stored to the document managing table. 
If the error detecting portion detects an error during the printing of the 
document by the printing portion, the error detecting portion reads an 
error code corresponding to the error, and notifies the error code to the 
error processing portion. The error processing portion judges the error 
processing corresponding to the error code with reference to the error 
processing determining table. For example, if the content of the error 
processing is "substitutive printing", the error processing portion 
determines an apparatus for a substitutive printing. Then, the print 
instruction command, and document data of the document after, which is 
already printed at an error occurrence time, are transmitted to an 
apparatus address of the determined apparatus. Moreover, if it is needed 
that a report sheet be issued, the error processing portion designates a 
report sheet ID and a document ID, and requests the report sheet issuing 
portion to issue the report sheet. Therefore, even if the error occurs, 
data is transferred to the other printable apparatus and the printing can 
be continued. As a result, it is unnecessary to wait for an error release 
by the user. The report sheet issuing portion generates a corresponding 
report sheet image, and the printing portion prints the report sheet 
image. The report sheet includes the substitutive printing, a substitutive 
printing apparatus ID, a user ID, etc. If the substitutive printing 
occurs, the report sheet is issued from the original printing apparatus at 
the time when the error of the original printing apparatus is released. As 
a result, the user can understand that the printing has been executed by 
the substitutive printing apparatus and from which apparatus the printing 
result can be obtained. Moreover, the sheet can be issued with respective 
to each of the documents having various types of errors. As a result, if 
the different errors occur, it is possible for the user to know the 
occurrence of any specific error in any specific document in way to have 
the sheet and document corresponded to each other in a one-to-one 
relation. Thereby, convenience to the user and efficiency of print 
processing can be improved. 
Document data to be printed is managed by the document managing table. It 
is assumed that an error, which is detected during the printing of 
document data, is a depletion of paper having a designated size. If a 
substitutive paper size is designated by the document managing table, the 
printing can be continued by use of paper having the substitutive paper 
size. Therefore, efficiency of the printing process can be improved. 
It is assumed that the error detecting portion detects an error in which 
the printing itself cannot be executed such as "paper jam." The report 
sheet is issued after the error is released. As a result, if the error is 
released, the user can know that the substitutive printing has been 
executed, so that convenience to the user can be improved. 
It is assumed that the error detecting portion detects an error such as a 
depletion of needles of a stapler during the printing of document data. 
The printing is stopped, and the report sheet issuing portion prepares a 
report sheet image including at least a document ID of document data whose 
printing process is stopped and an apparatus ID of the corresponding 
printing apparatus. Then, the printing portion prints the report sheet 
image. The user receives the printed report sheet, and makes a printing 
apparatus (DPPC) having an original document reading function read the 
report sheet. The report sheet recognizing portion of the user's desired 
printing apparatus specifies the apparatus ID of the apparatus, which has 
stopped the printing, and the document ID from data printed at a 
predetermined position on the report sheet. The error processing portion 
reads a corresponding apparatus address with reference to the print 
apparatus managing table. Then, the error processing portion requests the 
apparatus to transmit document data corresponding to the document ID. 
After receiving document data from the apparatus, the printing portion 
prints document data. In this way, the user can continue the printing of 
the residual documents only by inputting the report sheet to the 
substitutive printing apparatus, which the user wishes. As a result, 
security of the documents such as confidential documents can be highly 
maintained without being printed by the substitutive printing apparatus, 
which is located at a remote place. 
Moreover, if the error is predicted at the time when the printing of 
document data is started, the error detecting portion notifies the 
document ID and the caution code to the error processing portion. The 
error processing portion reads the processing content corresponding to the 
caution code with reference to the error processing determining table. If 
the processing content is, for example, "notification to user", the error 
processing portion reads a message character string to be notified to the 
user from the message managing table. The read message character string is 
transmitted to a user address, which is obtained through the document 
managing portion. Thereby, the user can prevent the occurrence of errors, 
and efficiency of the print processing can be improved. 
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the 
description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the 
description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects 
and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of 
the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the 
appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to 
the drawings. 
FIG. 1 shows the entire structure of the network print system of the 
present invention. A plurality of terminals C1 an C2, a plurality of 
printing apparatus P1 and P2, and a digital copying machine (DPPC) are 
connected one another through a communication network. The network print 
system is used by a plurality of users, and the respective users are 
discriminated by individual discrimination data (ID, name, etc.). 
Each of the terminals C1 and C2 prepares a document, etc., by use of 
various kinds of application software. An auxiliary memory may be 
connected to each of the terminals C1 an C2. In the auxiliary memory, 
image data such as a document (thereinafter referred to document data), 
which is prepared to be printed by either the printing apparatus P1 or P2 
is stored. 
Each of the printing apparatus, which are connected to the network N, 
prints document data under a CPU in accordance with a print execution 
processing program. In this case, the document data is generated by the 
terminals C1 and C2 or the other printing apparatus. Also, the print 
execution processing program is stored in the memory of each of the 
printing apparatus. Moreover, the CPU is provided in each of the printing 
apparatus. 
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of each of 
the print apparatus P1, P2 or D-PPC D1, D2 of FIG. 1. Each of the print 
apparatus P1 and P2 comprises mainly a communication portion 401, a 
document managing portion 402, a printing portion 403, an error detecting 
portion 404, an error processing portion 405, a report sheet issuing 
portion 406, a reading portion 407, a report sheet recognizing portion 
408, and a control portion 410. 
The communication portion 401 establishes communication between the 
terminals C1, C2 and the other print apparatus to receive and transmit a 
print designation command, document data, an error notification. The 
document managing portion 402 comprises a document data storing portion 
419 and a document managing table 420. The document managing portion 402 
receives the print designation command and document data through the 
communication portion 401. Then, the portion 402 stores document data in 
the document data storing portion 419 under control of a control portion 
410 so as to manage document data recorded in the document managing table 
420. 
The printing portion 403 prints document data managed by the portion 402 
and a report sheet image prepared by the report sheet issuing portion 406. 
The error detecting portion 404 comprises an error detecting table 421. 
The error detecting portion 404 detects whether or not the respective 
functions necessary for printing is normally operated with reference to 
the error detecting table 421. If an error is detected or the occurrence 
of the error is predicted, the portion 404 sends such information to the 
error processing portion 405. 
The error processing portion 405 comprises an error processing determining 
table 422, a print apparatus managing table 423, and a message managing 
table 424. If the occurrence of the error or the prediction is notified 
from the error detecting portion 404, the error processing portion 405 
executes a fixed processing, which is based on kinds of errors, with 
reference to these tables 422, 423, and 424. Regarding the fixed 
processing, for example, there are a request for a substitutive printing 
by the other print apparatus, the stop of printing, the designation to the 
report sheet issuing portion 406 to issue the report sheet, or 
transmission of the caution message to the user. 
The report sheet issuing portion 406 comprises a report sheet managing 
table 425, and a report sheet printing table 426. If the issue of report 
sheet is designated from the error processing portion 405, the portion 406 
generates a report sheet image with reference to the report sheet managing 
table 425 and the report sheet printing table 426, and transmits the 
report sheet image to the printing portion 403. 
The reading portion 407 optically scans the report sheet image, which is 
input by the user, so as to be read. The report sheet recognizing portion 
408 executes a predetermined image processing and a character recognition 
with respective to the report sheet image read by the reading portion 407. 
The control portion 410 controls each of the above-explained portions so 
that data communication between the respective portions is controlled. 
FIG. 3 schematically shows the overall structure of a digital copying 
machine (D-PPC) D1 or D2, which is used as an image input/output terminal, 
and which is connected to the network print system. The digital copying 
machine comprises an original-document reading portion 140 and an image 
forming portion 160. An automatic original-document supply unit 200 is 
mounted on an upper portion of the digital copying machine. When the 
report sheet is read by D-PPC, a job, which is designated by the D-PPC, is 
executed. Also, the output of the report sheet is designated by the 
terminal, the report sheet is output from the printer portion of the 
D-PPC. In other words, D-PPC can operate as both an image input means and 
an image output means. 
The automatic original-document supply unit 200 has a cover body 21 serving 
as a frame. The cover body 21 has a rear end which is fastened to the rear 
end of the upper portion of the body of the copying machine by a hinge 
unit (not shown). As a result, the cover body 21 can be opened and closed 
as required. Thus, the overall body of the supply unit 200 can be rotated 
and displaced to open the upper portion of an original-document retainer 
2. An original-document supply frame 22 is disposed at a somewhat leftward 
position of the upper surface of the cover body 21. The original-document 
supply frame 22 is capable of collectively holding a plurality of 
original-document sheets. An supply means 23 is disposed at an end of the 
copying machine. The supply means 23 extracts the original-document sheets 
one by one so as to be supplied to an end (the left end of this figure) of 
the original-document retainer 2. 
The original-document reading portion 140 comprises an exposure lamp 6 
serving as a light source, a first carriage 7 having a mirror 15, a second 
carriage 9 having mirrors 8a and 8b for warping an optical path, a lens 
10, a photoelectric conversion portion 11 for receiving reflected light, a 
drive system (not shown) for changing the positions of the foregoing 
elements, and an A/D conversion portion (not shown) for converting an 
output from the photoelectric conversion portion 11, that is, image data 
from analog data to digital data. The first and second carriages 7 and 9 
are connected to each other by a timing belt (not shown). The second 
carriage 9 is structured to be moved in the same direction as that of the 
movement of the first carriage 7 at a speed which is the half of that of 
the first carriage 7. As a result, scanning can be performed such that the 
length of the optical path to the lens 10 is made to be constant. The lens 
10 is structured to have a fixed focal length, and to be moved in the 
direction of the optical axis when the magnification is changed. The 
photoelectric conversion portion 11 photoelectrically converts light 
reflected by the original document. The photoelectric conversion portion 
11 mainly comprises, for example, a CCD line image sensor. In this case, 
one pixel of the original document corresponds to one element of the CCD 
censor. An output from the photoelectric conversion portion 11 is 
transmitted to the A/D conversion portion. The movement of each of the 
first and second carriages 7 and 9 and the mirrors 12a and 12b is 
performed by a stepping motor (not shown). The first and second carriages 
7 and 9 are moved in accordance with the operation of a timing belt (not 
shown), which is arranged between a drive pulley (not shown) connected to 
a rotational shaft of the stepping motor and an idle pulley (not shown). 
The lens 10 is structured to be moved in the direction of the optical axis 
due to spiral operation of a spiral shaft (not shown) rotated by a 
corresponding stepping motor (not shown). 
The image forming portion 160 is formed by combining, for example, a laser 
optical system 60 having a laser generator and a polygon mirror, and an 
electrophotographic portion, which is capable of forming an image on 
transfer paper. That is, the image forming portion 100 has a 
photosensitive drum 50 serving as an image center rotatively journalled at 
substantially the central portion of the copying machine. Then, an 
exposure unit 52, a development unit 54, a transference charger 55, a 
separation charger 56, a cleaning charger 57, a destaticizing charger 58, 
and a charger 59 are disposed in this sequential order around the 
photosensitive drum 50. The photosensitive drum 50 is uniformly charged by 
the charger 59. Also, a laser beam emitted from the laser optical system 
60 causes the image of the original document to be formed on the 
photosensitive drum 50 so that an electrostatic latent image is formed. 
The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 50 is 
developed by the development unit 54. The developed image is transferred 
to copying paper P by the transference charger 55. In this case, the 
copying paper P is supplied from a sheet supply cassette 30 serving as a 
paper supply means to be described later through a resist controllers 20. 
The copying paper having the image transferred by the transference charger 
55 is separated by the separation charger 56 due to AC corona discharge, 
and then conveyed to a fixing unit 72 by the conveyance belt. The image 
developed by the fixing unit 72 is melted and fixed. 
Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, control circuits for a digital copying machine 
will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the 
structure of the image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine 
control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 
5 shows a CPU, and FIG. 6 shows a printer portion. 
As shown in FIG. 4, the digital copying machine control system is formed of 
two blocks consisting of a basic portion 301 and a page memory portion 
302. In the basic portion 301, an image processing portion 314 is 
connected between a scanner 313 and a printer 315 so that the digital 
copying machine is formed. The page memory portion 302 realizes memory 
copy by receiving and storing image data from the basic portion 301 and by 
again transferring the stored image data items to the basic portion 301. 
The basic portion 301 and the page memory portion 302 are connected to 
each other by a basic portion system interface 316 for communicating 
control data and a basic portion image interface 317 for communicating 
image data. 
The basic portion 301 comprises the scanner 313, the printer 315, the image 
processing means 314, and a basic control portion 311 for controlling the 
scanner 313, the printer 315, and the image processing means 314. 
As shown in FIG. 5, a ROM 102, a RAM 104, an image memory 106, a timer 
memory 108, a password code memory 110, a timer 112, an interface 122, and 
an external interface 124 are connected to a main CPU 100 of the basic 
control portion 311. An operation panel 114 is connected to the internal 
interface 122. The operation panel 114 has an LCD display unit 116, a 
ten-key pad 118, a job password mode button 120, a copy key 121, and the 
like. 
Referring to FIG. 6, the detailed structure of the scanner 313 will be 
described. First, "report sheet" is recognized by the scanner 313 so as to 
be read. The scanner CPU 160 of the scanner 313 is connected to a lamp 
control portion 164 for controlling an irradiation lamp 6, a motor driver 
168 for controlling a scanning motor 166, an original-document size 
detecting sensor 169 and an operation portion 172 for operating and 
controlling variable sensors, switches and solenoids 170 so as to control 
the connected elements. The scanner CPU 160 is also connected to an A/D 
conversion circuit 176 for processing image information supplied from the 
photoelectric conversion element 11, a resolution conversion circuit 178, 
a shading correction circuit 176, an image quality improving circuit 180 
and a binary-coding circuit 182 so as to control the connected elements. 
Referring to FIG. 7, the printer 315 will be described in detail. In the 
printer 315, a printer CPU 190 is connected to a main motor driver 194 for 
rotating a main motor 192, a sheet-size detection sensor 195, an operation 
portion 198 for controlling sensors, switches and solenoids 196, a 
fixing-lamp control portion 202 for controlling a fixing lamp 200, a 
high-voltage output control portion 212 for controlling a charger 204, a 
transference charger 206, a separation charger 208 and a PCC charger 210, 
a destaticizing lamp control portion 216 for controlling a destaticizing 
lamp 214, a sheet supply control portion 224 for controlling a sheet 
supply motor 222 for rotating sheet supply rollers 218 and pickup rollers 
220 and a modulation circuit 232 for controlling a laser operation circuit 
230 for the electrooptic conversion portion (laser diode) 60 and a 
polygonal-mirror motor 228. 
The page memory portion 302 will now be described in detail with reference 
to FIG. 4. The structure of a bus line 310 connected to a system bus 318 
of the basic portion 301 is converted into a bus line 329 by a bus 
conversion portion 330. A page memory 323 temporarily stores image data, 
while an address control portion 306 generates address for the page memory 
323. An image bus 320 is a bus line for transferring data between 
apparatus in the page memory portion 302. A data control portion 307 
controls data transference when data is transferred between the page 
memory 323 and the other apparatus through the image bus 320. 
An image data I/F 308 interfaces image data when image data is transferred 
to and from the basic portion 301 through the basic-portion image 
interface 317. The image data I/F308 is connected to the network N. The 
image data I/F308 transmits data input through the scanner portion of 
D-PPC to the other equipment through the network N. Or, the image data 
I/F308 received data transmitted from the other equipment through the 
network N. Then, the image data I/F308 sends such data to the printer 
portion. A resolution conversion/binary rotation portion 325 converts the 
resolution of image data to the resolution of another unit when image data 
is transmitted to the unit having the different resolution. Also, the 
resolution conversion/binary rotation portion 325 converts image data 
received from a unit having a different resolution to the resolution of 
the printer 315 of the basic portion 301, and rotates binary-coded image 
data by an angular degree of 90 degrees. 
A compression/expansion portion 324 compresses supplied image data for the 
apparatus for performing facsimile transmission or optical disc storage 
which compresses and transmits image data. Also, the compression/expansion 
portion 324 expands image data in the compressed form to be visualized 
through the printer 315. A multi-value rotation memory 309 is connected to 
the image data I/F 308, and operated to rotate image data by angular 
degree of 90 degrees or -90 degrees so as to transmit the rotated image 
data when the image data is transmitted to the printer 315. 
FIG. 8 shows a specific example of report sheet issued when an error is 
detected at the time of printing document data by the print portion 403 in 
the above-structured printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, 
this is the report sheet, which is issued when the error detection portion 
404 detects an error of "paper depletion" and the user requests the other 
printable printing apparatus for the substitutive printing. On the report 
sheet, there are printed a character string showing the content of the 
error, "paper has been depleted", a character string showing the main 
content of the error processing, "the residual documents have been printed 
by the next apparatus", and a character string showing the specific 
content of the error processing, "receiving date and time, destination to 
be transferred, setting location, name of user (who asked to print)." 
Thereby, it is possible for the user to easily understand what error 
occurred during the print processing. Also, the user can easily understand 
when and who the print processing was designated, and what error 
processing was performed. 
FIG. 9 shows a specific example of report sheet issued when the other error 
is detected at the time of printing document data by the print portion 403 
in the above-structured printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, 
this is the report sheet, which is issued when the error detection portion 
404 detects an error of "paper jam" and the user requests the other 
printable printing apparatus for the substitutive printing, and the error 
is corrected. On the report sheet, there are printed a character string 
showing the content of the error, "paper has been jammed", a character 
string showing the main content of the error processing, "the residual 
documents have been printed by the next apparatus", and a character string 
showing the specific content of the error processing, "receiving date and 
time, destination to be transferred, setting location, name of user." 
Thereby, it is possible for the user to easily understand what error 
occurred during the print processing. Also, the user can easily understand 
when and who the print processing was designated, and what error 
processing was performed. 
FIG. 10 shows a specific example of report sheet issued when the other 
error is further detected at the time of printing document data by the 
print portion 403 in the above-structured printing apparatus shown in FIG. 
2. Specifically, this is the report sheet, which is issued such that the 
user can select a desired printing apparatus and continue to print when 
the error detection portion 404 detects an error of "the staple is empty 
of needles". On the report sheet, there are printed a character string 
showing the content of the error, "stapler has emptied", a character 
string showing the present printing state of the document, "the print of 
this document is stopped now", and a character string prompting the user 
what processing to be performed, "if the needles for stapler are supplied, 
the printing is restarted by this apparatus. Also, if the report sheet is 
inserted to the scanner of any of the following apparatus, residual data 
is printed", and a character string showing data of document having the 
error occurred, "receiving date and time, name of user." Moreover, an 
identifier, which specifies the apparatus having an error and the document 
having an error, is printed on the upper right portion of the report sheet 
in a bar code form. The bar code includes an apparatus ID of the print 
apparatus having an error and a document ID having an error. A user's 
desired print apparatus reads the bar code, inputs residual document data 
from the print apparatus having the error so as to be printed. Thereby, 
the user can easily understand what error occurred during the print 
processing. And, it is possible for the user to easily understand what the 
present state is. Also, the user can easily understand when and who the 
print processing was designated. Moreover, the user can easily understand 
what the user should do and how the printing is restarted. 
FIG. 11 shows a specific example of report sheet on which an caution 
message is printed. The caution message is prepared when occurrence of an 
error is predicted by the error detection portion 404 in accordance with 
the user's designation for printing. The message is transmitted to the 
user's terminal, or printed on the report sheet. The message includes a 
character string showing the start of printing, "the print of the document 
you asked is started", a character string cautioning the content of the 
occurrence of the error will be predicted, "However, paper is lacking 
during the printing", a character string prompting the user what 
processing to be performed, "supply paper as soon as possible", and a 
character string showing which document was predicted to generate an error 
"receiving date and time, name of user." By transmitting or displaying 
these data items, it is easily understand what error can be predicted to 
be generated. Also, the user can easily understand which document the 
error occurs and what processing should be performed not to generate such 
an error. 
FIG. 12 shows an example of the memory of the document managing table 420. 
The document managing table 420 comprises a plurality of items including a 
document ID, a pointer to document data, receiving date and time, a user 
address, the number of copies, the number of pages, a print copy number, a 
print page number, an execution state, a release code, a transfer device 
ID, a paper size, and a substitutive paper size. 
In the document ID, there are stored the document IDs, which are designated 
to be printed by the plurality of the terminals connected to the network N 
or the printer. Each document is specified by the document ID. In the item 
for the pointer to document data, there are stored pointers (e.g., sector 
number of a hard disk) designating the memory area of the document data 
storing portion 419 where the respective document data items are actually 
stored. At a document data reading time, the pointer is first read so as 
to read desired document data from the document data storing portion 419. 
In the date and time item, there is stored date and time when the print 
designation of each document was received. In the user address item, there 
are stored user addresses for notifying the message to the user, who 
designated the printing. In the item for the number of copies, there are 
stored the number of copies designated by the user. In the page number 
item, the page number of each of the documents is stored. In the item for 
the print copy number, an initial value of the copy number to be printed. 
In the item for the print page number, an initial value of the print page 
to be printed. In the execution state item, there are stored execution 
states, for example, the document is being printed, the document is 
waiting for the execution of printing, or waiting for the error release. 
In the release code item, there are stored the release codes for 
specifying as to which release each document is waiting for if each 
document is waiting for the error release. In the transfer device ID item, 
there are stored device IDs for specifying which printer performed the 
substitutive printing when each document was printed by the other printer. 
In the paper size item, there are stored sizes of paper for printing data. 
In the substitutive paper size item, there are stored substitutive sizes 
of paper if there is no specific size of paper. 
Among the managing items of the document managing table shown in FIG. 12, 
for example, the user address, the number of copies, the number of pages, 
the print copy number, the print page number, the paper size, and the 
substitutive paper size are data, which is recognized when each print 
apparatus analyzes the content of the print designation command received 
through the communication portion 401. 
By the above-explained document managing table 420, each document is 
specified by the document ID. Regarding each document, it is possible to 
retrieve the following items from the document ID. 
Specifically, what document data is, when the printing was designated; who 
designated the printing; how many copies of the documents should be 
printed; what page should be printed; what release the document is waiting 
for when the error occurs; and by which printing apparatus the document 
was printed in requesting for the substitutive printing. 
FIG. 13 shows an example of the memory of the error detecting table 421. 
The error detecting table 420 comprises a plurality of items including 
checking items, a performing state, an caution value, an error value, an 
caution code, an error code, and a release code. 
The checking items to be detected during the printing include "the number 
of papers", "paper jam", "the number of needles for stapler", and "a toner 
capacity." In the performing state item, there are stored numerical values 
showing the performing state of each error checking item. For example, 
there are stored "100" showing the number of residual paper, "50" showing 
the number of the needles for the stapler, "20" showing the toner 
capacity, and "1" showing no paper jam or "0" showing the occurrence of 
paper jam. 
In the caution value item, there are stored threshold values for 
predicating the occurrence of the error based on the values stored in the 
performing state item. The error detecting portion 404 predicts occurrence 
of an error when the value of the performing state item is the value of 
the caution value item or less. For example, the toner capacity is "10" or 
less, the error detection portion 404 predicts the occurrence of the toner 
depletion error. In the caution value time, not only a constant but also a 
variable, which is varied every document, is set. For example, a head 
character is defined by a mark, a . In this case, if the number of papers 
is smaller than "the number of pages" of the document to be printed, the 
error detecting portion 404 predicts the occurrence of the paper depletion 
error. Regarding the error such as a paper jam, etc., which cannot be 
predicted are not predicted, the caution value and the caution code are 
not set. 
In the error value item, there are stored threshold values, which are 
regarded as occurrence of error with respect to each value of the 
performing state item. The error detecting portion 404 regards that an 
error occurs when the value of the performing state item is the value of 
the error value item or less. For example, the error detecting portion 404 
regards that an error occurs when the number of paper is "1" or less, the 
paper jam state is "0", the number of needles of the stapler is "O", and 
the toner capacity is "5" or less, respectively. 
In the caution code item, there are stored caution codes for specifying 
which error was predicted when the error was predicted. In the error code 
item, there are stored error codes for specifying which error was 
generated when the error was generated. In the release code item, there 
are stored release codes for specifying which error was released when the 
error was released. 
By use of the error detecting table 421, regarding each of the checking 
items, the current performing state can be detected. It is possible to 
predict the error of the document to be printed. Or, the occurrence of the 
error can be detected. Moreover, by detecting the change from (current 
performing state).ltoreq.(error value) to (current performing 
state)&gt;(error value), it is possible to detect that the error has been 
released. In this way, the prediction of error, the occurrence of error, 
and the release of error can be specified, respectively. 
FIG. 14 shows an example of the memory of the error processing determining 
table 422. The error processing determining table 422 comprises a code 
item, a processing content item, a report sheet issue item, a report sheet 
ID item, and a message ID item. 
In the code item, there are stored codes for specifying the prediction of 
error, the occurrence of error, and the release of error, respectively. 
These codes correspond to the error codes, the caution codes, and the 
release codes of FIG. 13. In the processing content item, there are stored 
the processing contents, e.g., "substitutive printing", "stop printing", 
"document deletion", etc., which are executed when the respective codes 
are notified. In the report sheet issue item, there are stored 
instructions showing whether or not the report sheet is issued or not when 
each code is notified. In the report sheet ID item, there are stored 
report sheet IDs for specifying the report sheet to be issued based on 
each code. For example, in the case of the code in which no report sheet 
is issued, for example, report sheet ID "0" is stored. In the message ID 
item, there are stored message IDs for specifying the message to be 
transmitted based on each code. For example, in the case of the code in 
which no message is transmitted, for example, message ID "0" is stored. 
By each of the notified codes shown in the error processing determining 
table 422, it is determined what processing is executed when a certain 
error code is notified to the error processing portion 405 from the error 
detecting portion 404. Also, it is determined which report sheet is issued 
in the case of issuing the report sheet. Moreover, it is determined which 
message is transmitted in the case of transmitting the message. 
FIG. 15 shows an example of the memory of the print apparatus managing 
table 423. The print apparatus managing table 423 stores data showing the 
state of each of the other print apparatus connected through the network 
N. The print apparatus managing table 423 comprises a device ID item, an 
item for a name of an apparatus, an apparatus address item, a setting 
location item, and a performing state item. 
In the apparatus ID item, there are stored IDs for specifying the other 
print apparatus connected through the communication portion 401 and the 
network N. Each of the apparatus IDs corresponds to each of the transfer 
device IDs. In the item for a name of an apparatus, there are stored names 
of the respective apparatus. In the apparatus address item, there are 
stored destination addresses to be transmitted which are used to send a 
request for printing to each apparatus. 
In the setting location item, there are stored locations where the 
respective apparatus are set. In the performing state item, there are 
stored the current states of the respective apparatus such as "print 
executing", "waiting", and "error occurrence." The print apparatus 
managing table 423 manages the other apparatus to which the present 
printing apparatus is connected through the communication portion 401. It 
is possible to retrieve the name of the apparatus, the address for 
transmitting instruction of the substitutive printing, the setting 
location of each apparatus, and the performing state of each apparatus 
from the apparatus ID. 
FIG. 16 shows an example of the memory of the message managing table 424. 
The message managing table 424 stores each message to be printed on the 
report sheet. The message managing table 424 comprises a message ID item, 
and a message data item. 
In the message ID item, there are stored message IDs for specifying the 
respective messages. In the message data item, there are stored character 
strings showing the content of each messages. In this case, the fixing 
character string is divided by double quotation marks (") and ("), and 
.Yen. n shows a paragraph. Also, regarding a variable, which is varied 
every document, a head character is defined by, for example, a mark, 
.alpha.. 
Thereby, a message, which corresponds to each document, can be prepared by 
designating only the message ID and the document ID. For example, in 
message ID "1", if the receiving date and time of each document and the 
user address are substituted for the portions, "a receiving date and time" 
and "a user address", the message, which is suitable for each document, 
can be prepared. 
FIG. 17 shows an example of the memory of the report sheet managing table 
425. The report sheet managing table 425 comprises a report sheet ID item, 
an item for a pointer to report sheet printing table, and a document ID 
printing item. 
In the ID report sheet item, there are report sheet IDs for specifying the 
respective report sheets. Each of these report sheet IDs corresponds to 
each of the report sheet IDs of the error processing determining table 422 
shown in FIG. 14. In the item for a pointer to report sheet printing 
table, there are pointers for reading one of a plurality of report sheet 
printing tables to be describes later. 
In the document ID printing item, there are stored instructions whether or 
not the document ID, which specifies the document, is printed at a 
predetermined position on the report sheet together with the apparatus ID 
allocated to each apparatus. 
In the above-mentioned report sheet managing table 425, only by designating 
the report sheet ID, the report sheet printing table for forming each 
report sheet image can be read so as to form the report sheet image. 
Moreover, it is possible to determine whether or not the ID code for 
specifying the apparatus and the document is formed on the report sheet 
image. 
FIG. 18 shows an example of the temporary memory of a plurality of report 
sheet printing tables 426 each corresponding to the report sheet ID. Each 
of the report sheet printing tables 426 comprises a part ID item, an item 
for a kind of parts, a part data item, and a printing position item. 
In the part ID item, there are stored IDs for specifying the respective 
parts. In this case, each of "parts" indicates each character string (or 
image) whose printing position on the report sheet is designated. In the 
item for a kind of parts, there are stored kinds of parts such as a 
"character string", an "image", etc. 
In the part data item, there are stored characters to be printed at each 
part and image data. In FIG. 18, the fixing character string is divided by 
double quotation marks (") and ("). Also, regarding a variable, which is 
varied every document, a head character is defined by, for example, a 
mark, .alpha.. 
In the printing position item, there are stored the position where the 
printing of each part is started and the size, which are shown by 
coordinate values when the upper left portion of the report sheet is set 
as an origin. 
Regarding each part to be printed on the report sheet, the kind of parts, 
printing data, and the printing position can be retrieved from the part ID 
by the report sheet printing table 426. For example, in the case of the 
part ID "1", the following points can be understood. 
Specifically, part data "paper depletion occurs" using the "character 
string" is printed at the position of (100, 100) to have a width of 800 
and a height of 100 in the case where the upper left portion of the report 
sheet is set as an origin. In the case of the part ID "4", the following 
points can be understood. 
Specifically, date and time when the designated document was received using 
the "character string" is printed at the position of (100, 100) to have a 
width of 200 and a height of 100 in the case where the upper left portion 
of the report sheet is set as an origin. 
The following will explain a print processing operation of the network 
print system to which the above-structured printing apparatus is 
connected. 
FIG. 19 is a flow chart explaining the processing operation in which a 
printing apparatus, e.g., P1 receives a user's designation for printing 
from a certain terminal through the network from the terminal C1 or C2 so 
as to prepare the document managing table 420 as shown in FIG. 12. 
If the communication portion 401 of the printing apparatus P1 receives a 
print designation command from the user, the control portion 410 analyzes 
the content of the received command, and receives document data so as to 
be stored in the document data storing portion 419 (step S1). The document 
managing portion 402 issues the document ID which can specify document 
data (step S2). The document managing portion 402 writes managing data of 
this document to the document managing table 420 based on the result of 
the analysis of the print designation command by the control portion 410 
(step S3). In other words, the document managing portion 402 writes the 
following data to the document managing table 420. 
Specifically, there are the issued document ID, the pointer to the received 
document data, receiving date and time, the address of the user who 
designated the printing, the number of copies designated by the user, an 
the number of pages. 
Moreover, the document managing portion 402 writes an initial value "1" to 
the print copy number and the print page number, an initial value "waiting 
for execution" to the execution state, an initial value "0000" to the 
error code, an initial value "0" to the transfer ID, respectively. If the 
paper size is designated by the user, the document managing portion 402 
writes the substitutive paper size. 
FIG. 20 is a flow chart explaining the processing when the error is 
detected during the printing of document data and the substitutive 
printing is executed by the other printing apparatus. 
First, the document managing portion 402 takes up the document ID whose 
execution state item is "waiting for execution" from the document managing 
table 420 (step S10). Then, the value of the print copy number item of the 
document managing table 420 is set to parameter n for printing (step S11). 
The value of the print page number item of the document managing table 420 
is set to parameter p for printing (step S12). The printing for n copy and 
page is started. 
If the printing is started, the error detection portion 404 checks whether 
or not an error occurs with reference to the error detecting table 421 
(step S13). Specifically, the error detection portion 404 compares the 
performing state with the error value in each check item. If the 
performing state is the error value or less, the error detection portion 
404 judges that the error occurs, and notifies the corresponding error 
code to the error processing portion 405. For example, if the performing 
state of the check item "number of paper" is the error value "1" or less, 
the error detection portion 404 notifies error code "E001" to the error 
processing portion 405 together with the document ID. 
If the error detection portion 404 detects the occurrence of the depletion 
of paper having the size designated by the user, the following operation 
may be performed. 
Specifically, the error detection portion 404 notifies the depletion of 
paper to the document managing portion 402 before notifying the error code 
to the error processing portion 405. Then, the error detection portion 404 
checks whether or not the substitutive paper size is designated with 
reference to the document managing table 420. If the substitutive paper 
size is designated, the printing using the paper size is continued. If the 
substitutive paper size is not designated (e.g., "NULL" is stored in the 
substitutive paper size item of the document managing table of FIG. 12), 
the error code may be notified to the error processing portion 405. 
The error processing portion 405 determines a substitutive printing 
apparatus based on the received error code from the error processing 
determining table 422 if the error processing content item is 
"substitutive printing" (step S14). At this time, the error processing 
portion 405 judges that the apparatus is printable from the print 
apparatus managing table 423 when the performing state item of each 
apparatus is "waiting" or "executing." Thereby, the apparatus is set as 
the substitutive printing apparatus. 
Thereafter, a print instruction command and document data of the designated 
document ID (after n copy and p page) are transmitted to the apparatus 
address of the determined apparatus (step S15). Then, the error processing 
portion 405 takes up the report sheet ID from the report sheet ID item 
with reference to the table 422 when the report sheet issuing item, which 
corresponds to the received error code, is set to "existence" (step S16). 
Thereby, the report sheet ID and the document ID are designated so as to 
be sent to the report sheet issuing portion 406. 
The report sheet issuing portion 406 receives the report sheet ID and the 
document ID from the error processing portion 405. Then, the report sheet 
issuing portion 406 reads out one report sheet printing table 426 
corresponding to the report sheet ID with reference to the report sheet 
managing table 425 so as to read data corresponding to the respective part 
IDs (step S17). Then, a report sheet image is generated (step S18). For 
example, in the part ID "1", a character string image, that is, "paper has 
been depleted" is generated in the range from the position (100, 100) to 
the position (800, 100) when the upper left portion of the report sheet is 
set as an origin. The part ID "4" retrieves the document managing table 
420 through the document managing portion 402, and shows the receiving 
date and time of the received document ID. Then, there is shown the 
character string image, which is printed in the range from the position 
(500, 600) to the position (200 100) when the upper left portion of the 
report sheet is set as an origin. In this way, the report sheet image of 
each of all parts of a certain report sheet ID is generated (step ST18). 
Thereafter, the report sheet issuing portion 406 instructs the printing 
portion 403 to print the report sheet image, and the report sheet portion 
403 executes the printing of the report sheet (step S19). If the printing 
of the report sheet is finished, the operation goes to step 23. 
If no error is detected in step S13, document data of n copy and p page is 
read, and printed by the printing portion 403 (step S20). Thereafter, n or 
p is incremented or initialized in accordance with the printing 
instruction (step S21). Then, the whole copies of the documents and the 
whole pages are printed (step S13, steps S20 to S22). After finishing the 
printing (step S22), the operation goes to step 23. 
If the issue of the report sheet or the printing of the document is 
finished in step S23, the document managing portion 402 deletes the above 
document managing data from the document managing table 420. Thereby, a 
series of processing of one document data is finished. This processing is 
repeated with respect to each document data. If document managing data, 
which is waiting for execution, is still in the document managing table, 
the document ID is obtained and the printing processing of the document is 
started in the same manner as the above (steps S11 to S23). 
FIGS. 21 and 22 are flow charts explaining the processing in a case where 
the other error is detected during the printing of document data. 
The flow charts of FIGS. 21 and 22 show the operation of the case in which 
data of requesting the substitutive printing cannot be printed on the 
report sheet as in the case when the error such as paper jam is detected 
by the error detection portion 404. In the case where data cannot be 
immediately printed on the report sheet, data is printed on a 
predetermined report sheet when the error is corrected after requesting 
the substitutive printing by the other printable apparatus. 
First, in step S30 of FIG. 21, the document managing portion 402 takes up 
the document ID whose execution state item is "waiting for execution" from 
the document managing table 420 (step S10). Then, the value of the print 
copy number item is set to parameter n for printing (step S31). The value 
of the print page number item is set to parameter p for printing (step 
S32). The printing for n copy and p page is started. 
If the printing is started, the error detection portion 404 checks whether 
or not an error occurs with reference to the error detecting table 421 
(step S33). Specifically, the error detection portion 404 compares the 
performing state with the error value in each check item of FIG. 13. If 
the performing state is the error value or less, the error detection 
portion 404 judges that the error occurs, and notifies the error 
processing portion 405 of the corresponding error code. For example, if 
the performing state of the check item "paper jam" is the error value "0", 
the error detection portion 404 notifies error code "E002" to the error 
processing portion 405 together with the document ID. 
The error processing portion 405 judges the substitutive printing based on 
the received error code from the error processing determining table 422 if 
the corresponding error processing content item is "substitutive 
printing." For example, "NULL" is set to the report sheet issuing item of 
the table 422 when the error processing portion 405 receives the error 
code "E002." Therefore, the error processing portion 405 judges that the 
report sheet is not issued. Then, the error processing portion 405 judges 
that the apparatus whose performing state item is "waiting" or "executing" 
is printable with reference to table 423. Such the apparatus is determined 
as an apparatus, which performs the substitutive printing (step S34). In 
the printing apparatus managing table 423 of FIG. 15, for example, it can 
be understood that apparatus ID "2" is printable. 
Thereafter, a print instruction command and document data of the designated 
document ID (after n copy and p page) are transmitted to the apparatus 
address of the determined apparatus (step S35). For example, if the 
apparatus, which performs the substitutive printing, is the apparatus ID 
"2", the print instruction command and document data are transmitted to 
the apparatus address "222.222.222.22", and the document managing portion 
402 renews the document managing table 420 (step S36). In other words, for 
example, "occurrence of error" is stored in the execution state item of 
the document managing table 420. 
If no error is detected by the error detection portion 404 in step S33, 
document data for n copy and p page is read, and printed by the printing 
portion 403 (step S37). Thereafter, n or p is incremented or initialized 
in accordance with the printing instruction (step S38). Then, the whole 
copies of the documents and the whole pages are printed (step S33, steps 
S37 to S39). After finishing the printing (step S39), the document 
managing portion 402 deletes the above document managing data from the 
document managing table 420 (step S40). If document managing data, which 
is waiting for execution, is still in the document managing table, the 
document ID is obtained and the printing processing of the document is 
performed in the same manner as the above (steps S30 to S40). 
FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the processing after a predetermined 
treatment against the error is provided by the user. For example, if the 
treatment against the paper jam is provided by the user and the error is 
error is released (step S50), the error detection portion 404 detects the 
release of the error, and notifies the release code to the error 
processing portion 405 (step S51). In this case, when the error state is 
changed from (current performing state).ltoreq.(error value) to (current 
performing state)&gt;(error value), the error detection portion 404 judges 
that the error is released, and notifies the corresponding release code to 
the error notifying portion 5. For example, when the performing state, "0" 
showing "paper jam" is changed to "1", the error detection portion 404 
judges that the error of "paper jam" is released, and notifies release 
code "R002" to the error processing portion 405. 
The error processing portion 405 receives the release code, and obtains a 
document ID (having an error being generated) through the document 
managing portion 402 with reference to the table 420 (step S52). In this 
case, the document ID is waiting for an error release corresponding to the 
received release code. For issuing the report sheet, the error processing 
portion 405 obtains the report sheet ID (step S53), and designates the 
document ID and the report sheet ID. Then, the error processing portion 
405 notifies the report sheet issuing portion 406 to issue the report 
sheet. For example, if the error processing portion 405 receives release 
code "R002" from the error detection portion 404, the error processing 
portion 405 obtains the document ID "2", which is waiting for error 
release of release code "R002, with reference to table 420. Then, since 
the report sheet issuing item of code "R002" is set to "existence", the 
error processing portion 405 obtains the corresponding report sheet ID "3" 
and designates the document ID"2" and the report sheet ID "3". Then, the 
error processing portion 405 notifies the report sheet issuing portion 406 
to issue the report sheet. 
The report sheet issuing portion 406 receives the report sheet ID and the 
document ID from the error processing portion 405, and reads the 
corresponding report sheet printing data with reference to the report 
sheet managing table 425 (step S54), thereby forming a report sheet image 
(step S55). Then, the report sheet issuing portion 406 instructs the 
printing portion 403 to print the report sheet image, and the printing 
portion 403 executes the printing of the report sheet (step S56). 
After finishing the issue of the report sheet, the error processing portion 
405 deletes document managing data from the document managing table 420 
through the document managing portion 402 if the processing content of 
table 422 is "deletion of document" (step S57). 
FIGS. 23 to 25 are flow charts each explaining the other operation when the 
error is detected during the printing of document data. The following will 
explain the case in which the user selects a desired printing apparatus to 
execute the continuation of the printing when the error is detected during 
the printing of document data. 
First, in step S60 of FIG. 23, the document managing portion 402 takes up 
the document ID whose execution state item is "waiting for execution" from 
the document managing table 420. Then, the value of the print copy number 
item is set to parameter n for printing (step S61). The value of the print 
page number item is set to parameter p for printing (step S62). The 
printing for n copy and p page is started. 
If the printing is started, the error detection portion 404 checks whether 
or not an error occurs with reference to the error detecting table 421 
(step S63). Then, if an error occurs, the error detection portion 404 
notifies the corresponding error code to the error processing portion 405 
together with the document ID. For example, if the number of needles of 
the stapler is below "0", the error detection portion 404 notifies error 
code "E003" to the error processing portion 405. 
The error processing portion 405 receives the error code, and stops the 
printing based on the error code when the error processing content item of 
table 422 is "stop printing" (step 64). Then, if the report sheet issuing 
item, which corresponds to the received error code, is "existence", the 
error processing portion 405 takes up the report sheet ID from the report 
sheet ID item (step S65), designates the report sheet ID and the document 
ID. Then, the error processing portion 405 requests the report sheet 
issuing portion 406 to issue the report sheet. For example, if the error 
processing portion 405 receives the document ID"3" and the error code 
"E003", the error processing portion 405 stops the printing since the 
processing content is "stop printing". Then, the error processing portion 
405 reads the corresponding report sheet ID "2", designates the document 
ID"3" and the report sheet ID"2", and requests the report sheet issuing 
portion 406 to issue the report sheet. 
The report sheet issuing portion 406 receives the report sheet ID and the 
document ID from the error processing portion 405. Then, the report sheet 
issuing portion 406 reads each part data from the report sheet printing 
table 426, which is designated by the pointer of the report sheet managing 
table 425 (step S66), thereby forming a report sheet image (step S67). 
Then, if the document ID printing item of table 425 is "existence", an 
image of identification data is formed at a predetermined position on the 
report sheet image by use of a predetermined format, e.g., a bar code, an 
OCR character string, etc. (step S68). The image of identification data is 
formed of the received document ID and the apparatus ID allocated to the 
printing apparatus. Moreover, the report sheet issuing portion 406 
requests the printing portion 403 to print the formed image. Then, the 
printing portion 403 executes the printing (step S69). 
If the printing of the report sheet is finished, the error processing 
portion 405 renews the document managing table 420 to reflect the current 
printing state on the document managing table 420 through the document 
managing portion 402 (step S70). In this case, the error processing 
portion 405 requests the document managing portion 402 such that the print 
copy number item, the print page number item, the execution state, the 
release code item are set to the current n, the current p", "waiting for 
error release", and received release code, respectively. Then, the 
document managing portion 402 renews the document managing table. 
If no error is detected by the error detection portion 404 in step S63, 
document data for n copy and p page is read, and printed by the printing 
portion 403 (step S71). Thereafter, n or p is incremented or initialized 
in accordance with the printing instruction (step S72). Then, the whole 
copies of the documents and the whole pages are printed (steps S71 to 
S73). After finishing the printing (step S73), the above document is 
deleted from the document managing table (step S74). If document managing 
data, which is waiting for execution, is still in the document managing 
table, the document ID is obtained and the printing processing of the 
document is performed in the same manner as the above (steps S60 to S74). 
After receiving the report sheet printed in step S69 of FIG. 23, the 
printing of residual document data is executed by a user's desired 
printing apparatus. FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing an operation of the 
desired printing apparatus or an operation of DPPC. 
In step S80, the reading portion 407 reads image data of the inserted 
report sheet. The report sheet recognizing portion 408 recognizes a data 
identifier, which is printed at a predetermined position on the report 
sheet based on image data read by the reading portion 407. Then, the 
report sheet recognizing portion 408 specifies the apparatus ID and the 
document ID (step S81). Data identifier (e.g., bar code) is printed by a 
predetermined format, and the report sheet recognizing portion 408 has a 
recognizing function in accordance with the format. Then, the report sheet 
recognizing portion 408 notifies the error processing portion 405 of the 
specified apparatus ID and document ID. 
The error processing portion 405 receives the apparatus ID and the document 
ID, and obtains the corresponding apparatus address from the printing 
apparatus managing table 423. Then, the error processing portion 405 
requests the apparatus to transmit data of the received document ID so as 
to receive document data (step S82). For example, if the error processing 
portion 405 receives the apparatus ID "1" and the document ID "2", the 
error processing portion 405 obtains the apparatus address 
"111.111.111.11", and transmits a command to the apparatus "1" to send 
document data of the document ID "2." Thereby, the error processing 
portion 405 receives document data of the document ID "2" from the 
apparatus "1." Thereafter, the printing is executed by the printing 
portion 403 (step S83). FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing an operation of an 
printing apparatus for maintaining document data. Specifically, if the 
communication portion 401 receives a document data request command 
transmitted from the other printing apparatus (step S90), the 
communication portion 401 notifies the document ID instructed by the 
document data request command to the document managing portion 402. 
The document managing portion 402 reads document data when the execution 
state item of table 420 of the received document ID is "error is 
generating" (step S91). The document managing portion 402 transmits 
document data to the printing apparatus, which originally requests 
document data, through the communication portion 401 (step S92). Then, 
document managing data is deleted from the document managing table (step 
S93). 
FIG. 26 is a flow chart explaining an operation of a case in which the 
occurrence of the error is predicted and an caution is notified in 
printing document data. 
In FIG. 26, the document managing portion 402 takes up the document ID 
whose execution state item is "waiting for execution" from the document 
managing table 420 (step S100). 
The error detection portion 404 predicts whether or not an error occurs 
(step S101). Specifically, the error detection portion 404 checks whether 
or not the performing state of each check item is below an caution value 
with reference to the error detecting table 421. If the performing state 
is below the caution value, the error detection portion 404 predicts that 
the error occurs, and notifies the error processing portion 405 of an 
caution code together with the document ID. For example, if the error 
detection portion 404 receives the document ID "4" from the document 
managing portion 402 and the performing state of the check item "number of 
papers" is less than the number of pages of the document ID "4", the 
following operation is performed. 
Specifically, the error detection portion 404 notifies the caution code 
"W001" to the error processing portion 405 together with the document ID 
"4." The error processing portion 405 receives the document ID and the 
caution code, and obtains the processing content, which corresponds to the 
caution code, with reference to table 422. If the processing content is 
"notification to user", the error processing portion 405 obtains the 
message ID from the message ID item. Then, the error processing portion 
405 obtains a message characteristic string to be notified the user from 
the message managing table 424 (step S102). For example, if the error 
processing portion 405 receives the document ID 141 and the caution code 
"W001", the processing content is "notification to user" from table 422. 
Therefore, the error processing portion 405 obtains message ID "1" from 
the message ID item. Then, from the message managing table 424, the error 
processing portion 405 obtains message data corresponding to the message 
ID "1." 
The error processing portion 405 obtains the receiving date and time 
"95.08.08 17:00" of the document ID "4" from the document managing table 
420. Then, the error processing portion 405 substitutes the obtained 
receiving date and time for the variable of message data, for example, 
".alpha. receiving date and time." Next, the error processing portion 405 
obtains the user address, which corresponds to the received document ID, 
with reference to the document managing table 420 (step S103), and 
transmits the message character string to the address (step S104). For 
example, if the error processing portion 405 receives the document ID "4", 
the error processing portion 405 obtains the user address "2" of the 
document ID "4" with reference to the document managing table, and 
transmits message data to the address. Then, the printing of each document 
is started (step S105). If there is no error to be predicted in step S101, 
the printing of each document is immediately started. 
As explained above, according to the present invention, there can be 
provided a print processing method, which can improve convenience to a 
user and efficiency of print processing when an error occurs during a 
print processing and the printing is executed by a substitutive printing 
apparatus, and its print processing apparatus. 
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled 
in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited 
to the specific details, and illustrated examples shown and described 
herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing 
from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by 
the appended claims and their equivalents.