JP2000089925A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute form overlaying processing by providing both of a printer driver and a printer with means for synthesizing a form and printing data and selecting either one of these synthesizing means. SOLUTION: The synthesis of printing data and a form registered in the printer 7 is sent from the printer driver 4 to the printer 7 while attaching a form registration command to a form based on a printing instruction and registered in a form storing part 9. A form overlay execution command for synthesizing a registration form is attached to each page of printing data. A command processing part 8 stores the form in the form storing part 9 based on the form registration command, extracts the form from the form storing part 9 based on a form overlay execution command and generates a form image in an image development part 10. The printing data also are synthesized with the form in the development part 10. At the time of synthesizing the form and the printing data in the driver 4, the form is attached to each page of the printing data, the synthesized data are sent to the printer 7, normal printing data processing is executed to synthesize each page on the form. One of these efficient synthesis means is selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing system comprising a host computer, a printer driver, a printer, and the like, and performing a form overlay process for synthesizing and printing print data and a form.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional printing system for performing this type of form overlay processing has three options: normal printing, composite printing, and form data creation. By selecting the composite printing of this option, it is possible to perform composite printing of the print data created by the application program and the form registered in the printer as form data in advance. Further, in the case of a form in which form data is not registered in the printer, a form created as form data in the same manner as print data by an arbitrary application program is used according to an option of creating form data. The data of this form is LIPS (Laser Beam Printer Image Processin
g System) Register this in the printer as form data in the command format. As described above, the form overlay processing is realized by outputting, to the printer, an instruction for composite printing of the print data created by the application program and the form.

Further, according to the print processing method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-168680, data created and output by a general-purpose application program is registered in a printer as form data in the same manner as described above to form a form. The function of overlay processing with print data created and output by a general-purpose application program can be easily extended by user settings.

Further, according to the overlay printing method and the printing system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-39329, even data of a form including a control code that cannot be registered in the printer can be distinguished from those that can be registered. Those that can be registered can be registered in the printer first, and those that cannot be registered can be output to the printer for each page of print data later to perform overlay printing.

Further, in the printer system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-24635, each image created by a different application program can be made an image suitable for the printer by selecting the setting of the printer driver. Is stored in the printer, and can be synthesized by performing an overlay process with the other image.

As described above, an apparatus has been devised in which data to be synthesized is registered in a printer and overlay processing for synthesizing the data with print data is performed.

[0007]

However, in such a conventional overlay processing, a form is registered in a printer and synthesized with print data for printing.
The size of the form that can be combined depends on the capacity of the storage unit provided in the printer, and there is a problem that registration may not be possible depending on the capacity.

The present invention is directed to solving the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. In addition to the means for synthesizing a form and print data on the printer side, the means for synthesizing the form as described above on the printer driver side. It is another object of the present invention to provide a printing system which performs a form overlay process by selecting these means.

[0009]

In order to achieve this object, a printing system according to the present invention is provided on a host computer and a storage medium which operates on an operation system of the host computer and is readable by the host computer. Printer driver, and a printer that prints out print data created by the application program. The printer driver registers form data to be combined with the print data, and outputs the print data when the print data is output. It is characterized in that it has means for synthesizing a form registered together with each page for each page and sending it to the printer.

The printer has means for registering form data to be combined with print data in a storage unit and combining the form with the print data when printing out the print data. Has a selection means for selecting whether the means for synthesizing the print data and the form is performed by a printer driver or a printer, and the user selects the means for synthesizing the print data and the form of either the printer driver or the printer It is characterized by doing.

[0011] The printer driver and the printer have communication means for exchanging data bidirectionally.
The printer has a response unit that outputs status information and responds to the input confirmation request, and the printer driver requests a confirmation of a status of a storage unit provided in the printer, and outputs the responded status information. In accordance with the status information obtained by the confirmation obtaining unit, the selection unit automatically selects whether to use a printer driver or a printer for synthesizing the print data and the form according to the status information obtained by the obtaining unit. It was done.

According to the above arrangement, there is provided a means for registering a form to be synthesized in the printer driver, synthesizing the print data and the form for each page, and sending the synthesized data to the printer. Since the combining process can be performed in the printer driver, the combined printing can be realized even with a printer having no form registration / combining function.

If the form data to be combined is not large and the form can be registered in the printer, the total transfer data amount and printing time are clearly more efficient than when the print data and the form are combined and sent by the printer driver. Therefore, the user can make a selection according to the condition.

Further, by utilizing a bidirectional information exchange function between the printer driver and the printer, it is possible for the user to select an optimal synthesizing means for the conditions at that time without being conscious of it.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
1, 1 is a host computer, 2 is an application program (hereinafter, referred to as an application), 3
Is a GDI (Graphics Device Interface), 4 is a printer driver, 5 is a form data storage unit, 6 is a printer spooler, 7 is a printer, 8 is a command processing unit, 9 is a form storage unit, 10 is an image development unit, and 11 is printing. (Engine).

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the GD in the host computer 1
The I3 and the printer spooler 6 are part of an operation system (hereinafter referred to as an OS). The GDI 3 performs image processing related to display and printing, and provides an interface for the image processing to the application 2. The printer driver 4 receives a drawing instruction relating to printing from the GDI 3, converts it into a printer language, and passes the print data to the printer spooler 6. The printer spooler 6 receives the print data from the printer driver 4 and sends the print data to a target printer port while accumulating and managing the print data according to the transfer rate and the data amount.

The printer 7 receiving the transmitted print data
The command processing unit 8 analyzes the print data and instructs the image developing unit 10 to develop the image according to the print data. The image developing unit 10 develops an image at a position and coordinates according to an instruction in page units, and sends a frame image created by a page output trigger to the printing unit 11 as a video signal. Normal printing, which does not combine print data and a form, roughly follows this path.

Next, when the form data to be combined with the print data is registered in the printer 7 and combined printing with the print data is performed using the form, the printer driver 4 starts printing the print data from the application 2. When the instruction is transmitted, first, the form data held in the host computer 1 is converted and sent to the printer 7 in a print data format and a format with a form registration command (see FIG. 2A). As a result, the form data is registered in the form storage unit 9 of the printer 7. Note that the form data itself may be in the print data format from the beginning. Then, a command (form overlay execution command) for selecting a registered form and executing synthesis is attached to each page of the print data created by the application 2 and sent to the printer 7 (FIG. 2B).
reference).

When the command processing unit 8 understands the form registration command having the form data shown in FIG. 2A, the printer 7 stores the form data in the form storage unit 9. After that, when the command processing unit 8 recognizes the form overlay execution command, the form of the corresponding form number is taken out of the form storage unit 9 and sequentially processed in the same manner as a normal command, so that the image of the form is stored in the image developing unit 10. Is generated. After that, the print data created by the application 2 and converted via the printer driver 4 and the like is analyzed by the command processing unit 8, and is developed by the image developing unit 10 in a form to be synthesized with the generated form.

When form data and print data are combined by the printer driver 4 and sent to the printer 7, each page of the print data created by the application 2 is stored in the form data storage unit 5. A print data format is attached to the form and sent to the printer 7 (see FIG. 3). The printer 7 does not need to know whether or not the received data is a form and processes the normal print data. As a result, each page is synthesized on the form, and the print data created by the Similarly, it is developed and composite printed.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a setting screen relating to the form synthesizing process for the printer driver. FIG.
When the check box of the “synthesis process” is off as shown in FIG. In this example, "Synthesis processing"
In the selection, two functions of “execute composite printing” and “form file creation” are provided.

When "Synthetic printing execution" is selected, an image of the form indicated by the form file designated in the "Form file designation" frame and the print data created by the application are combined and printed.

When "form file creation" is selected, form data is created by the application in the same manner as print data, and is written in the form file designated in the "form file designation" frame.

When "Synthesis print execution" is selected, the on / off designation of the "Register with printer and combine" check box is enabled. When this check box is checked, form data is registered in the printer. Then, printing in which a form and print data are combined is applied on the printer side, and when the check box is unchecked, combining and sending to the printer by the printer driver is applied.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a concept regarding transmission and reception of state information for selecting synthesis of print data and a form according to Embodiment 2. Here, components having substantially the same functions and corresponding to the components described in FIG. 1 showing the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 5, 1 is a host computer, 4 is a printer driver, 7 is a printer, and 12, 1
2 'is a communication interface, 13 is status acquisition means, 14
Is a selection means and 15 is a response means.

The printer driver 4 of the host computer 1 inquires the status of the storage unit of the printer 7 and obtains the empty information. The status obtaining means 13 combines the print data and form with the printer driver 4 and the printer 7. The printer 7 is provided with a selecting means 14 for selecting whether to use any of the means provided, and the printer 7 is provided with a responding means for responding to an inquiry about the status information in the storage section.

The printer driver 4 includes a status acquisition unit 13
Command to inquire about the free space in the storage unit provided in the printer 7 by the communication interface 1
Send out via 2, 12 '. The printer 7 is a response unit 1
5 responds to the inquiry. Further, the printer driver 4 can acquire the free space information (state information) of the storage unit by understanding the information code of the returned free space response command 17 by the state obtaining means 13. In this example, the free space is 2048 KB. From the obtained information and the capacity information of the form to be combined, the selection means in the printer driver 4 selects the optimum means for combining the print data and the form. Thus, reliable and more efficient synthetic printing can be performed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a printing process in the printer driver related to the combining process according to the second embodiment. In a case where the print data and the form are combined by the printer driver with respect to the print processing that is usually performed, the form is attached to each page of the print data and transmitted, and the processing is performed. In addition, when combining is performed by a printer, first, data of a form to be executed at the beginning of a printing process is output by a form registration command, and registered and stored in a form storage unit of the printer. The form overlay execution command that specifies the completed form is output. As a result, in the printer, the form is called for each page when the image is developed, and the composition is executed.

A flowchart of a specific printing process will be described with reference to an example of a setting screen of the combining process shown in FIG. First,
At the time of performing normal printing, when a print output instruction is given to the print data created by the application, it is confirmed on the setting screen whether "synthesis processing" of the print data and the form is selected (S1). In the process S1, when the "synthesis process" is not selected (No), the normal print process is performed on the print data (S1 ').

Further, when registering the data of the form, in step S1, "composite processing" is selected (Yes), the process proceeds to the next processing, and it is confirmed whether "composite print execution" is selected (step S1). S2) When “Perform composite printing” is not selected (No) (“Create form file”)
Is selected), and the data of the form created by the application is written and stored in the form file specified in the “form file specification” frame (S2 ′).

When performing form overlay printing, when a print output instruction is given to the print data created by the application, a "Synthesis process" of process S1 and a "Synthesis print" of process S2 are displayed on the setting screen. If is selected (Yes), the process proceeds to the next process, and it is confirmed whether "Register with printer and combine" is selected (S3).
In this process S3, when "register and register with printer" is selected (Yes), that is, when the print data and the form are synthesized by the printer, the form specified in the "form file specification" frame With a form registration command (see FIG. 2A) and send it to the printer (S
4). Further, a form overlay execution command (see FIG. 2B) for instructing print data and form synthesis is issued (S5). Subsequently, the print data is converted into a printer language in response to a drawing instruction for printing and output (S
6). The end of one page of the processing S6 is confirmed (S7),
If the page has been completed (Yes), the end of the print data job is confirmed in the next process (S8). If the job is not completed in the process S8 (No), the process returns to the process S5, and the above process is performed. If the job is completed (Yes), the process is completed.

Further, when performing the composite printing, the processing S3
When "register with printer and combine" is not selected (No), when the print driver combines the form with the print data, the form stored in S2 'is read (S9). . Subsequently, the print data is converted into a printer language in response to a drawing instruction for printing and output (S10). The end of this process S10 for one page is confirmed (S11). If (No) in step S11, the process returns to step S10 (Yes), and the process proceeds to the next step.
Further, the job completion of all print data is confirmed (S1).
2). If it is (No) in the processing S12, the processing returns to the processing S9 (Yes), and the processing is ended. At this time, a print data with a form attached for each page as shown in FIG. 3 is sent to the printer.

As described above, in the process of the printer driver, the control of the synthesizing process based on the information set on the setting screen is performed. However, in the process S3 in the flowchart shown in FIG. In the selection, there is provided a setting for automatically selecting a means for synthesizing a printer or a printer driver. As a result, the status acquisition unit 13, the selection unit 14, and the response unit 15 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG.
It is possible to judge the status information acquired by the free space inquiry command 16 and the free space response command 17 to be transmitted and received, and to select a unit for automatically synthesizing.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the form is synthesized for each page as print data from the printer driver and sent, even if the printer does not have the function of form registration and form synthesis printing,
Further, even if the form is held by the application and there is no function of combining the print data and the form by the processing of the application and outputting as an image, the combined printing can be performed. When registering a form in a printer, there is no possibility that the form cannot be registered due to insufficient storage capacity of the storage unit, and there is no restriction on the complexity and size of form data.

Also, since a form is synthesized for each page from the printer driver and sent, the amount of transfer data is large and printing time is long. If the form can be registered in the printer, the print data and the form are synthesized by the printer. When a form cannot be registered due to a lack of space in the storage unit of the printer, the user can reliably perform composite printing with a more efficient function by selecting a combining unit.

Further, by using the information exchange function between the printer driver and the printer, it is possible to automatically select the means for synthesizing according to the situation and to perform synthetic printing, thereby providing an effect that reliable synthetic printing can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 (a) is a data format of a form with a form registration command from the printer driver to the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 (b) is print data with a form overlay execution command (per page) Diagram showing the data format of

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data format in which a form is added to each page of print data from a printer driver to a printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen relating to a form combining process for a printer driver according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a concept relating to transmission and reception of state information for selecting synthesis of print data and a form according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a printing process in a printer driver related to a combining process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host computer 2 Application program 3 GDI 4 Printer driver 5 Form data storage part 6 Printer spooler 7 Printer 8 Command processing part 9 Form storage part 10 Image development part 11 Printing part (engine) 12, 12 'Communication interface 13 State acquisition means 14 Selection means 15 Response means 16 Free space inquiry command 17 Free space response command

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A host computer, a printer driver that runs on an operation system of the host computer, and is stored in a storage medium readable by the host computer, and prints out print data created by an application program. A printer, the printer driver registers data of a form to be combined with the print data, and when outputting the print data, the form registered together with each page of the print data for each page. A printing system comprising means for combining and sending to the printer. 2. The printer has means for registering form data to be combined with print data in a storage unit and combining the form with the print data when printing the print data. The printer driver includes:
A selection means for selecting whether the means for synthesizing the print data and the form is performed by a printer driver or a printer, and a user selecting a means for synthesizing the print data and the form of either the printer driver or the printer The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing is performed. 3. A communication means for exchanging data bidirectionally between the printer driver and the printer, wherein the printer has a response means for outputting status information and responding to an input confirmation request. The printer driver has a confirmation acquisition unit for requesting confirmation of a state of a storage unit provided in the printer and acquiring response state information, and according to the state information obtained by the confirmation acquisition unit. 3. A printing system according to claim 2, wherein the selecting means automatically selects either a printer driver or a means for synthesizing the form with the print data of the printer.