Cross-network printing control method, electronic device, and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a cross-network printing control method, an electronic device and a storage medium, printing device information is acquired, the printing device information is used for indicating all printing devices connected with the user equipment under the current network segment; the printing device information is sent to the main control device through the device address of the pre-set main control device; a global device list sent by the main control device is received, the global device list is obtained by the main control device based on the printing device information sent by the user equipment under different network segments; the global device list is stored in the local storage space, and the global device list is used for displaying all printing devices supported by each network segment when a printing task is triggered. Without modifying the network configuration or deploying a third-party device, the automatic retrieval and list synchronization of the cross-network printing device can be realized, so that the user can directly acquire and select all printing devices supported by each network segment when the printing task is triggered, and the convenience and efficiency of the cross-network printing are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of printing control, specifically to a cross-network printing control method, electronic device, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, communication between printing devices and user devices mainly relies on LAN broadcast protocols. Due to routing isolation, cross-network segment searches are not possible, and only intra-LAN communication and print job distribution are supported. Existing cross-network segment solutions require modification of router configurations or deployment of third-party intermediate devices such as cloud services. This not only increases equipment deployment and maintenance costs but also poses network security risks and print job response delays, making it difficult to meet the efficient usage needs of sharing printing devices across different LANs within an enterprise. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, this application provides a cross-network printing control method, electronic device and storage medium to help solve the problem of high difficulty in cross-network printing in the prior art.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a cross-network printing control method, including: Obtain printing device information, which is used to indicate all printing devices in the current network segment that have established connections with at least one user equipment; The printing device information is sent to the main control device, wherein the user device sends the printing device information through a pre-set device address of the main control device; The system receives a global device list sent by the main control device. The global device list is obtained by the main control device summarizing the printing device information sent by user equipment under different network segments. The main control device sends the global device list by specifying the device address of the main control device in the user equipment. The global device list is stored in the local storage space of the user device. When a print job is triggered, the global device list displays all printing devices supported by each network segment.

[0005] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: Send a synchronization request message to the main control device; Receive synchronization response information sent by the main control device, wherein the synchronization response information contains the latest global device list summarized by the main control device; Based on the synchronization response information, an update operation is performed on the global device list in the local storage space.

[0006] In one optional embodiment, receiving the synchronization response information sent by the main control device includes: The system receives a first hash value sent by the main control device, the first hash value being calculated based on the latest global device list aggregated by the main control device. A second hash value is generated based on the global device list stored in the user equipment; If the first hash value is different from the second hash value, the master control device is instructed to send the synchronization response information; if the first hash value is the same as the second hash value, the update operation is not performed.

[0007] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: When the user equipment is detected to establish a connection with a new printing device or disconnect from an existing printing device, device update information is sent to the main control device so that the main control device can generate the latest global device list based on the device update information; The latest global device list sent by the main control device is received according to preset rules.

[0008] In one optional embodiment, the preset rules include: The latest global device list is received at a fixed period; or... The main control device receives the latest global device list after each update; or; After the user equipment sends a synchronization request to the main control device, it receives the latest global device list.

[0009] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: If no synchronization response information is received from the main control device within the first time period, the synchronization request information is sent to the backup control device. Receive synchronization response information sent by the backup control device.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: In response to the main control device continuously disconnecting from the network connection for more than a second duration, it receives control replacement information sent by the target backup control device, wherein the target backup control device is the device determined by the physical address election results of all backup control devices under each network segment; Set the target backup control device as the new master control device.

[0011] In one optional embodiment, the printing device and at least one user device are connected via a router and / or a switch; The main control device is at least one of the user equipments, and the main control device is connected to each user equipment via a router and / or a switch.

[0012] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a cross-network printing control method, including: The main control device receives printing device information sent by all user equipment in each network segment. The printing device information is used to indicate all printing devices that have established connections with each user equipment. The main control device receives the printing device information by setting the device address of the main control device in the user equipment. A global device list is generated based on the summarized printing device information; The global device list is sent to each user device so that each user device stores the global device list in its local storage space. The global device list is used to display all printing devices supported by each network segment when the user device performs a printing task.

[0013] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide an electronic device, including a memory for storing computer program instructions and a processor for executing the program instructions, wherein when the computer program instructions are executed by the processor, the electronic device is triggered to execute the method described in either the first or second aspect above.

[0014] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium including a stored program, wherein, when the program is executed, it controls the device where the computer-readable storage medium is located to perform the method described in either the first or second aspect.

[0015] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product comprising executable instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method described in either the first or second aspect.

[0016] The solution provided in this application obtains printing device information, which indicates all printing devices connected to the user device in the current network segment. The printing device information is sent to the main control device via a pre-set device address. A global device list is received from the main control device, which is compiled from printing device information sent by user devices in different network segments. The global device list is stored in local storage and is used to display all printing devices supported by each network segment when a print job is triggered. This solution achieves automatic retrieval and list synchronization of printing devices across network segments without modifying network configuration or deploying third-party devices. Users can directly obtain and select all printing devices supported by each network segment when a print job is triggered, improving the convenience and efficiency of cross-network segment printing. Furthermore, cross-network segment communication is completed through PC collaboration, reducing dependence on network infrastructure. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a cross-network printing control method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a cross-network printing control method provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This application provides an example schematic diagram of another cross-network printing control method. Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating another cross-network printing control method provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating another cross-network printing control method provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating another cross-network printing control method provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating another cross-network printing control method provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To better understand the technical solution of this application, the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] It should be understood that the described embodiments are merely some, not all, of the embodiments in this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments in this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0021] The terminology used in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this application. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in the embodiments of this application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0022] It should be understood that the term "and / or" used in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0023] The network architecture in this application embodiment can be referred to... Figure 1 In the given example, different network segments (local area networks) are connected through a router, and personal computers (PCs) and printing devices within each network segment are connected through a switch. Figure 1 It mainly includes 3 different network segments, network segment A (192.168.1). / 24) contains PC1 and printer A, which are connected via switch A; network segment B (192.168.2). / 24) includes PC2 and printer B, which are connected via switch B; network segment C (192.168.3). In section / 24), PC3 is connected to switch C. Switches A, B, and C are each connected to a router, which enables information transmission between different network segments.

[0024] The global network includes all PCs, which can be categorized into primary control devices, backup control devices, and ordinary user devices. When each PC connects to the global network, the user can manually configure the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the primary control device in its driver. For example, when PC2 connects to the network, the user can set the "Primary control device IP: PC1's IP address" field. All PCs scan and confirm the printing devices connected to them. Backup control devices and user devices send printing device information to the primary control device. The primary control device aggregates the received printing device information and combines it with its own scanned information to generate a global device list. The primary control device can then send this global device list to all other PCs, allowing each PC to use all printing devices on the global network to perform job tasks based on the global device list. The backup control device acts as a backup for the primary control device, storing the same information. When the primary control device fails, the backup control device can temporarily serve as the new control device.

[0025] The following is combined Figure 1 and Figure 2 This document describes the flow of the cross-network printing control method according to embodiments of this application, using ordinary user equipment as the execution subject. (Refer to...) Figure 2 The method may include: Step 201: Obtain printing device information.

[0026] Printer device information indicates all printing devices connected to the user device on the current network segment. This information may include the printing device's name, function, and network segment it resides in. Printers and at least one user device are connected via a router and / or switch. Figure 1 For example, PC2 has established a connection with printer B and can obtain the corresponding printer information to indicate the name, function, and network segment of printer B.

[0027] Step 202: Send the printing device information to the main control device.

[0028] In this system, user equipment sends printing device information via a pre-configured device address (i.e., IP address) of the main control device. The main control device is at least one of the user equipment units, and it is connected to each user equipment unit via a router and / or switch. Figure 1 For example, PC2 has the device address (IP address) of PC1 set inside, which can send the printing device information corresponding to printing device B to PC1 so that the main control device can collect the information of each device and synchronize the information in a timely manner.

[0029] Step 203: Receive the global device list sent by the main control device.

[0030] The global device list is compiled by the main control device based on the printing device information sent by user equipment in different network segments. The main control device sends the global device list by specifying the device address of the main control device in the user equipment. Figure 1 For example, PC1 can generate a global device list by summarizing the print devices A connected to it and B sent by PC2, and then send it to user devices in each network segment, such as PC2 and PC3, to keep the information synchronized.

[0031] Step 204: Store the global device list to local storage.

[0032] After receiving the global device list, each user equipment stores it in its local storage. Optionally, the global device list is used to display all printing devices supported by each network segment when a print job is triggered. (See reference...) Figure 3 Arrow 301 indicates the location of other network segment printing devices that PC2 can use, indicating that PC2 can use printing device A to perform printing tasks. Arrow 302 indicates the location that PC3 can use printing device A and printing device B to perform printing tasks.

[0033] The above process ensures that each PC can use printing devices across different network segments to perform printing tasks, improving the convenience and availability of cross-network segment printing. It eliminates the need to modify router configurations or deploy other devices, reducing development and maintenance costs as well as deployment costs. The device lists are synchronized across network segments, and when a PC detects a change in printer connection status, it updates the device list in real time and synchronizes the updated list to all devices. Furthermore, cross-network segment communication is achieved through PC collaboration, reducing reliance on network infrastructure.

[0034] In one optional embodiment, considering that printing devices may be added or removed in different network segments, user equipment can proactively send a synchronization request to the main control device. Upon receiving this request, the main control device will send the latest aggregated global device list to the corresponding requesting user equipment via a synchronization response message. After receiving the response, the user equipment can update the global device list in its local storage based on the synchronization response message.

[0035] To further consider data transmission overhead, before sending the synchronization response information, the master control device can first send the first hash value corresponding to the global device list to the user device. The first hash value is calculated from the latest aggregated global device list. After receiving the first hash value, the user device can calculate a second hash value based on its own stored global device list and compare it with the first hash value. If the first hash value and the second hash value are different, it indicates that the global device list has changed, and the user device sends corresponding control information to the master control device, instructing the master control device to send the synchronization response information. If the first hash value and the second hash value are the same, it indicates that the global device list is the same as the locally stored one, and the user device does not need to perform an update operation. The hash value mentioned above is calculated by the master control device using a hash algorithm, which is a function that compresses a message of arbitrary length into a message digest of a fixed length.

[0036] The user equipment sending synchronization request information can occur in scenarios where the user triggers a print job, as shown in the following example. Figure 4 Flowcharts mainly include: Step 401: In response to the printing device retrieval request, display the global device list.

[0037] When a user initiates a print job, the system needs to retrieve and display the currently available printing devices so that the user can select the target printing device. The user device can obtain a locally stored global device list to display the available printing devices for each network segment.

[0038] Step 402: Is the current device a user device?

[0039] If the current device is a primary or backup control device, the currently displayed global device list contains the latest printing device information. If the current device is a regular user device, an update operation for the global device list is required.

[0040] Step 403: Obtain the first hash value from the main control device.

[0041] Step 404: Compare the second hash value with the first hash value. If they match, return to step 401. If they do not match, proceed to step 405.

[0042] Step 405: Obtain the latest global device list from the main control device.

[0043] Step 406: Dynamically update the global device list.

[0044] Receive the latest global device list and perform an update operation, then display the updated global device list to the user.

[0045] In this embodiment, by actively synchronizing the user equipment's request and comparing the hash value to optimize data transmission overhead, the global device list can be dynamically updated after changes in the printing device. This ensures that when a user triggers a printing task, they can obtain the latest available cross-network segment printing devices, further improving the convenience, timeliness, and transmission efficiency of cross-network segment printing.

[0046] In one optional embodiment, when a user device detects that it has established a connection with a new printing device or disconnected from an existing printing device, the user device can send device update information to the main control device. The main control device will generate an updated global device list based on the device update information and send the updated global device list to user devices in each network segment based on preset rules.

[0047] Optionally, the preset rules for user equipment to receive this latest global device list may include: (1) Receive the latest global device list based on a fixed period: This method does not require active operation by the user and can realize automatic synchronization of the list, ensuring that the device information stored locally will not become outdated due to long-term lack of updates, reducing user maintenance costs, and is suitable for regular printing scenarios with moderate real-time requirements.

[0048] (2) After each update of the main control device, the latest global device list is received: It has strong real-time performance. After the printing device is added / disconnected, the user device can obtain the updated global device list as soon as possible, avoiding printing failure or invalid operation due to information lag, and improving the reliability of cross-network segment printing.

[0049] (3) After the user device sends a synchronization request to the main control device, it receives the latest global device list: realizes "on-demand synchronization", and only triggers data transmission when the user has actual printing needs. Combined with the hash value comparison mechanism, it can minimize unnecessary network communication overhead, save bandwidth resources, and adapt to scenarios with limited network resources or low printing frequency.

[0050] The above process can be referred to Figure 5 The flowchart shown mainly includes: Step 501: Store the global device list.

[0051] By interacting with the main control device, a global device list is received and stored.

[0052] Step 502: Monitor the local printing device in real time.

[0053] Step 503: Has the local printing device changed?

[0054] Monitor whether the local printing device is malfunctioning, or whether a new local printing device is receiving the current network segment.

[0055] Step 504: Send update information to the main control device.

[0056] The main control device can update the global device list based on the updated information and provide feedback to user devices in each network segment, while also backing up the data in a timely manner at the backup control device.

[0057] Step 505: Obtain the latest global device list from the main control device.

[0058] In one optional embodiment, if the user equipment does not receive a synchronization response from the primary control device within a first time period after sending a synchronization request, it can forward the synchronization request to the backup control device. The backup control device stores all the information of the primary control device and can act as a temporary control device to send synchronization response information when the primary control device fails.

[0059] If the primary control device remains disconnected from the network for more than a second period of time, the backup control devices in each network segment can initiate a primary control device election. Based on the election results, one backup control device will be set as the new primary control device. After the election is completed, the winning backup control device can send control change information to the user equipment in each network segment. The change information includes its IP address. After receiving the change information, the user equipment sets the target backup control device as the new primary control device by changing its IP address.

[0060] The process for initiating an election for backup control equipment can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 6 The flowchart shown mainly includes: Step 601: Initiate the election of the main control device.

[0061] The backup control device timed out of accessing the primary control device and initiated an election.

[0062] Step 602: Send election requests to the known backup control devices in sequence.

[0063] Step 603: If the Media Access Control Address (MAC) is smaller, proceed to step 605; otherwise, proceed to step 604.

[0064] Select the device with the smallest MAC address from among the multiple backup control devices as the new master control device.

[0065] Step 604: The recipient wins and becomes the initiator of the election.

[0066] If the MAC address of the backup control device on the other side is smaller, the current election for backup control device ends, and the other side initiates a new election process.

[0067] Step 605: Does it win among all known devices?

[0068] Step 606: The current device is changed to the master control device, and control change information is sent.

[0069] If all comparisons are successful (smaller MAC address), the current backup control device sends control change information to user equipment in each network segment and other backup control devices.

[0070] In this embodiment, when the main control device fails, the backup control device elects a new main control device based on the MAC address and automatically notifies all user devices to switch over. This enables seamless switching at the control layer, ensures uninterrupted synchronization of the global device list across network segments, significantly improves the stability, reliability, and continuous availability of cross-network segment printing, reduces the impact of single-point failures, and enhances the stability of decentralized network management.

[0071] The following uses a specific scenario from Company A to illustrate the above cross-network printing control method: Company A comprises three departments, each belonging to a different network segment, which are connected via routers. The printing equipment and user devices in each department are shown below: Sales Department (192.168.1.0 / 24): 5 employee computers, 1 "black and white laser printer", IP: 192.168.1.50.

[0072] Design Department (192.168.2.0 / 24): 3 employee computers, 1 "A3 color printer" supporting poster printing, IP: 192.168.2.60; 1 "photo printer", IP: 192.168.2.61.

[0073] Administration Department (192.168.3.0 / 24): 2 employee computers, 1 "multifunction printer" supporting printing and copying, IP: 192.168.3.70.

[0074] The main control equipment, backup control equipment, and user equipment are divided as follows: Main control equipment: Sales Department computer A (IP: 192.168.1.10, MAC: 00:11:22:33:44:55); Backup control equipment: Design Department computer B (IP: 192.168.2.15, MAC: 00:11:22:33:44:66), Administration Department computer D (IP: 192.168.3.25, MAC: 00:11:22:33:44:77). User equipment: Several other employee computers (such as Sales Department computer C, Design Department computer E, Administration Department computer F, etc.).

[0075] All computers have the "Cross-Network Print Management Driver" installed. Computer A is set as the "Primary Control Device" in the software; no other IP address needs to be entered. Computers B and D are set as "Backup Control Devices" in the software, and the primary control device IP address (192.168.1.10, computer A's IP address) is manually entered. Other employee computers are set as "User Devices" in the software, and the primary control device IP address (192.168.1.10) is entered. A backup control device IP address (such as 192.168.2.15 for computer B) can also be entered.

[0076] Computer A (Sales Department): Automatically finds "Black and White Laser Printer (192.168.1.50)" and saves it locally. Computer B (Design Department): Automatically finds "A3 Color Printer (192.168.2.60)" and "Photo Printer (192.168.2.61)" and saves them locally. Computer F (Administration Department): Automatically finds "Multifunction Printer (192.168.3.70)" and saves it locally. All non-master control devices, including Computers B and F, automatically send their local printer list to Computer A within one minute (or another reasonable time) after initialization.

[0077] After receiving the data, computer A compiles and generates a global device list, as shown in Table 1.

[0078] Table 1 Computer A sends the global device list to all employee computers (each computer caches a copy locally), and also sends it to computers B and D for backup.

[0079] Scenario 1: A sales department employee wants to print an A3 poster using computer C. The employee opens "Select Printer," and the driver software automatically pops up Table 1. The employee directly selects "Design Department A3 Color Printer (192.168.2.60)," clicks "Connect," and the driver software verifies the printer's status with computer A (confirming it's online). Once the connection is successful, the print job is sent directly. The design department's A3 color printer receives the job and begins printing. Scenario 2: The administration department purchases a new "Label Printer" (IP: 192.168.3.80), connecting it to the administration department's network segment. Administration department computer F automatically detects this printer and reports it to computer A. Computer A updates its global device list (adding the label printer), synchronizes it to all employee computers, and backs it up on computers B and D.

[0080] Scenario 3: The A3 color printer in the design department jams and stops printing, changing its status to "offline." Computer B in the design department detects the status change and reports it to computer A. Computer A updates the global device list (marking the A3 color printer as "offline") and synchronizes it to all devices. Afterwards, when sales staff use computer C to search, they will see the A3 color printer grayed out as "offline," preventing invalid printing operations.

[0081] Scenario 4: Sales department computer A suddenly crashes with a blue screen (main control device failure). Computer F (user equipment) requests a synchronization request from computer A, but fails to respond after 30 seconds. Computer F automatically sends a synchronization request to computer B (192.168.2.15), and computer B immediately returns a synchronization response to ensure computer F continues to operate normally.

[0082] Scenario 5: Computer B (MAC: 00:11:22:33:44:66) and Computer D (MAC: 00:11:22:33:44:77) detect a primary device failure and automatically trigger an election. Computer B first sends an election request to Computer D, including its own MAC address. Computer D compares the MAC addresses: 66 > 77 (according to the rule of "lower MAC address is better"), and replies "Election failed." Computer B confirms that all backup control devices have replied with "Election failed," then considers the election successful and immediately sends control change information to all other computers: "New primary control device IP: 192.168.2.15." All computers automatically update the primary device IP, and subsequent printing device information is reported to Computer B without interruption (employee printing is unaffected).

[0083] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the execution flow of the above method on the main control device side, as shown below. Figure 7 As shown, the method may include: Step 701: Receive printing device information sent by all user equipment under each network segment. The printing device information is used to indicate all printing devices that have established connections with each user equipment.

[0084] Step 702: Generate a global device list based on the summarized printing device information.

[0085] Step 703: Send the global device list to each user device so that each user device can store the global device list in its local storage space. The global device list is used to display all printing devices supported by each network segment when the user device performs a printing task.

[0086] Corresponding to the above embodiments, this application also provides an electronic device. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application. The electronic device 800 may include a processor 801, a memory 802, and a communication unit 803. These components communicate through one or more buses. Those skilled in the art will understand that the structure of the electronic device shown in the figure does not constitute a limitation on the embodiment of this application. It may be a bus-shaped structure or a star-shaped structure, and may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0087] The communication unit 803 is used to establish a communication channel, enabling the electronic device to communicate with other devices. It receives user data sent by other devices or sends user data to other devices.

[0088] The processor 801 serves as the control center of the electronic device, connecting various parts of the device via various interfaces and lines. It executes software programs, instructions, and / or modules stored in the memory 802, and calls data stored in the memory to perform various functions and / or process data. The processor can be composed of integrated circuits (ICs), such as a single packaged IC or multiple packaged ICs with the same or different functions connected together. For example, the processor 801 may consist only of a central processing unit (CPU). In this embodiment, the CPU may have a single processing core or include multiple processing cores.

[0089] The memory 802 is used to store the execution instructions of the processor 801. The memory 802 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic storage, flash memory, magnetic disk or optical disk.

[0090] When the execution instructions in memory 802 are executed by processor 801, the electronic device 800 is able to perform some or all of the steps in the above embodiments.

[0091] In a specific implementation, this application also provides a computer storage medium, wherein the computer storage medium may store a program, which, when executed, may include some or all of the steps of the various embodiments of the cross-network printing control method provided in this application. The storage medium may be a magnetic disk, optical disk, read-only memory (ROM), or random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0092] In a specific implementation, this application also provides a computer program product, wherein the computer program product includes executable instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform some or all of the steps in various embodiments of the cross-network printing control method provided in this application.

[0093] This application also provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores computer instructions, which cause the computer to execute the cross-network printing control method provided in this application.

[0094] The aforementioned non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be any combination of one or more computer-readable media. A computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium may be, for example,—but not limited to—an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination thereof. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media (a non-exhaustive list) include: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or flash memory, optical fiber, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage device, magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof. In this document, a computer-readable storage medium may be any tangible medium containing or storing a program that may be used by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0095] Computer-readable signal media may include data signals propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, carrying computer-readable program code. Such propagated data signals may take various forms, including—but not limited to—electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination thereof. Computer-readable signal media may also be any computer-readable medium other than computer-readable storage media, capable of sending, propagating, or transmitting programs for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0096] The program code contained on a computer-readable medium may be transmitted using any suitable medium, including—but not limited to—wireless, wire, optical fiber, RF, etc., or any suitable combination thereof.

[0097] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that the techniques in the embodiments of this application can be implemented using software plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, or the parts that contribute to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product can be stored in a storage medium, such as ROM / RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc., and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this application or some parts of the embodiments.

[0098] The same or similar parts between the various embodiments in this specification can be referred to mutually. In particular, the device embodiments and terminal embodiments are basically similar to the method embodiments, so the description is relatively simple, and the relevant parts can be referred to the description in the method embodiments.

Claims

1. A cross-network printing control method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a user equipment and includes: Obtain printing device information, which is used to indicate all printing devices in the current network segment that have established connections with at least one user equipment; The printing device information is sent to the main control device, wherein the user device sends the printing device information through a pre-set device address of the main control device; The system receives a global device list sent by the main control device. The global device list is obtained by the main control device summarizing the printing device information sent by user equipment under different network segments. The main control device sends the global device list by specifying the device address of the main control device in the user equipment. The global device list is stored in the local storage space of the user device. When a print job is triggered, the global device list displays all printing devices supported by each network segment.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a synchronization request message to the main control device; Receive synchronization response information sent by the main control device, wherein the synchronization response information contains the latest global device list summarized by the main control device; Based on the synchronization response information, an update operation is performed on the global device list in the local storage space.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The receipt of synchronization response information sent by the main control device includes: The system receives a first hash value sent by the main control device, the first hash value being calculated based on the latest global device list aggregated by the main control device. A second hash value is generated based on the global device list stored in the user equipment; If the first hash value is different from the second hash value, the master control device is instructed to send the synchronization response information; if the first hash value is the same as the second hash value, the update operation is not performed.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the user equipment is detected to establish a connection with a new printing device or disconnect from an existing printing device, device update information is sent to the main control device so that the main control device can generate the latest global device list based on the device update information; The latest global device list sent by the main control device is received according to preset rules.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The preset rules include: The latest global device list is received at a fixed period; or... The main control device receives the latest global device list after each update; or; After the user equipment sends a synchronization request to the main control device, it receives the latest global device list.

6. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: If no synchronization response information is received from the main control device within the first time period, the synchronization request information is sent to the backup control device. Receive synchronization response information sent by the backup control device.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: In response to the main control device continuously disconnecting from the network connection for more than a second duration, it receives control replacement information sent by the target backup control device, wherein the target backup control device is the device determined by the physical address election results of all backup control devices under each network segment; Set the target backup control device as the new master control device.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The main control device is at least one of the user equipments, and the main control device is connected to each user equipment via a router and / or a switch.

9. A cross-network printing control method, characterized in that, The method is applied to the main control device and includes: The main control device receives printing device information sent by all user equipment in each network segment. The printing device information is used to indicate all printing devices that have established connections with each user equipment. The main control device receives the printing device information by setting the device address of the main control device in the user equipment. A global device list is generated based on the summarized printing device information; The global device list is sent to each user device so that each user device stores the global device list in its local storage space. The global device list is used to display all printing devices supported by each network segment when the user device performs a printing task.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that, The device includes a memory for storing computer program instructions and a processor for executing the program instructions, wherein when the computer program instructions are executed by the processor, the electronic device performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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