JP2005011240A - Printing system, device and method for transmitting print data, device and method for managing print data, program, and computer readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain efficient printing in printing print data transmitted from a digital camera by a printer. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera 301 adds transmitting source information to print data and checks whether the printer 303 can receive the print data or not. When it is decided that the printer 303 can receive the print data as the result, the digital camera 301 transmits the print data to the printer 303, and when decided that the printer 303 cannot receive the print data, transmits the print data to a PC 302. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing system, a print data transmission apparatus and method, a print data management apparatus and method, a program, and a computer-readable storage medium, and is suitable for printing print data transmitted from a digital camera with a printer. About things.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional printing system includes a printing system in which an imaging device (digital camera or the like) and a printing device are connected wirelessly and a digital image selected by a user is directly transmitted from the imaging device to the printing device ( For example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-191226
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when image print data is directly transmitted from a digital camera to a printer for printing, the printer can communicate with a plurality of digital cameras and personal computers, and therefore, the print order of a plurality of print jobs needs to be controlled. . When the printer is provided with a spool function for such job management, it is necessary to provide the printer with a buffer for that purpose, which increases the cost of the printer.
[0005]
In addition, when a plurality of print jobs are controlled on the digital camera side, there is a problem that the digital camera cannot be operated until the next job is transmitted after the previous job is printed. .
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points. In the case where print data transmitted from a digital camera is printed by a printer, the present invention enables efficient printing. The object is to avoid inconveniences in the camera.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A printing system according to the present invention receives a print data and prints it, receives a print data, print data management device capable of sending a plurality of print data while spooling, and sends the print data A print data transmission apparatus capable of acquiring information on whether or not the print apparatus can accept print data; and the print apparatus includes: Means for transmitting print data to the printing apparatus when the print data can be received, and transmitting the print data to the print data management apparatus when the printing apparatus cannot receive the print data. Has characteristics.
[0008]
The print data transmission apparatus of the present invention receives print data and prints the print data to a print data management apparatus that receives print data and can send a print data while spooling a plurality of print data. A print data transmitting apparatus capable of transmitting, means for obtaining information as to whether or not the printing apparatus can accept print data, and if the printing apparatus can accept print data, the printing apparatus And a means for transmitting the print data to the print data management apparatus when the print apparatus cannot accept the print data.
[0009]
A print data management apparatus according to the present invention is a print data management apparatus capable of receiving print data from a print data transmission apparatus and transmitting a plurality of print data to a printing apparatus while spooling the print data transmission apparatus. Is characterized in that it includes means for transmitting information on whether or not print data can be received.
[0010]
The print data transmission method according to the present invention includes a printing apparatus that receives and prints print data, and a print data management apparatus that can receive print data and transmit a plurality of print data while spooling the print data. A method of transmitting print data for transmission, including a procedure for acquiring information on whether or not the printing apparatus can accept print data, and if the printing apparatus can accept print data, The present invention is characterized in that it has a procedure for transmitting print data and transmitting the print data to the print data management apparatus when the printing apparatus cannot accept the print data.
[0011]
A print data management method according to the present invention is a print data management method for receiving print data from a print data transmitting apparatus and transmitting a plurality of print data to a printing apparatus while spooling the print data. It has a feature in that it has a procedure of transmitting information on whether or not print data can be accepted.
[0012]
The program of the present invention transmits print data to a printing apparatus that receives and prints print data, and a print data management apparatus that can receive print data and transmit a plurality of print data while spooling the print data. Is a program for controlling a print data transmission device capable of receiving print data, and processing for obtaining information on whether or not the print device can accept print data, and printing if the print device can accept print data The present invention is characterized in that print data is transmitted to the apparatus, and if the print apparatus cannot accept the print data, a process of transmitting the print data to the print data management apparatus is executed.
[0013]
Another program of the present invention is a program for controlling a print data management apparatus capable of receiving print data from a print data transmitting apparatus and transmitting a plurality of print data to a printing apparatus while spooling the print data. The present invention is characterized in that a process of transmitting information indicating whether or not print data can be received is executed to the data transmission apparatus.
[0014]
The computer-readable storage medium of the present invention is characterized in that the program of the present invention is stored.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, typical ones among those in which standardization of various wireless communication systems described in this embodiment is promoted will be described. An example of standardization of a method for transmitting and receiving packetized data wirelessly using electromagnetic waves is given by the IEEE (American Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standard committee under the name IEEE std 802.11. Layer and media access control layer (hereinafter abbreviated as MAC layer) are standardized, and higher speed physical layer and MAC layer are standardized under the names IEEE std 802.11b and IEEE std 802.11a.
[0016]
Here, IEEE std 802.11 includes not only electromagnetic waves but also infrared rays. In contrast, IEEE std 802.11b and IEEE std 802.11a are currently only electromagnetic waves. The frequency band of electromagnetic waves used in IEEE std 802.11 and IEEE std 802.11b is a 2.4 GHz (gigahertz) band that does not require a user to obtain a license. In IEEE std 802.11, the communication speed is 1 Mbit / second (megabit per second) to 2 Mbit / second, but in IEEE std 802.11b, communication speeds of 5.5 Mbit / second and 11 Mbit / second are added to the above. IEEE std 802.11a defines a communication speed of 6 Mbit / second to 54 Mbit / second, although the frequency band of the electromagnetic wave used is different. The communication distance of products conforming to IEEE std 802.11b is about 30 m at 11 Mbps, and longer distance communication is possible by lowering the communication speed.
[0017]
As a wireless communication method using electromagnetic waves, IEEE std 802.11 employs both a direct spreading method (DS) method and a frequency hopping method (FH method). IEEE std 802.11b adopts the DS method. IEEE std 802.11a employs a method called OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing).
[0018]
Another Bluetooth (R) recently attracting attention as a wireless communication system using the 2.4 GHz band. According to the current standard, Bluetooth (R) has a communication speed of 1 Mbps and a communication distance of about 10 m, which is lower than IEEE std 802.11b and has a short communication distance. It is standardized assuming near applications such as communication between a mobile phone and a headset or between a portable PC and a mobile phone. Bluetooth (R) employs the FH system as compared to the DS system employed by IEEE std 802.11b.
[0019]
In Bluetooth (R), in addition to the physical layer and link layer standards, specifications called profiles that define the implementation method of the protocol stack for each application are defined assuming each application. Various specifications such as a headset profile, a dial-up networking profile, a file transfer profile, and a printing profile are being defined for these profiles, including those currently under development. These are defined for each application, such as an application for outputting audio data to the headset, an application for dial-up, an application for file transfer, an application for printing, etc. The device must conform to the profile appropriate for the application. For example, in order to print output from a portable terminal device or the like to a printer using Bluetooth (R), both the portable terminal device and the printer have a physical layer or an upper layer in accordance with the Bluetooth (R) standard. As well as the above printing profile.
[0020]
Hereinafter, a printing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 shows the overall configuration of the wireless printing system in the present embodiment. The printing system includes a printer (printing apparatus) 303, a personal computer (PC) 302 corresponding to the print data management apparatus referred to in the present invention, and a digital camera 301 corresponding to the print data transmission apparatus referred to in the present invention. . The printer 303, digital camera 301, and PC 302 can communicate with each other wirelessly.
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printer 1 (corresponding to the printer 303 in FIG. 3) in the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a central control unit (CPU) that controls each unit such as the print engine unit 105 and the MAC layer control unit 108 of the printer 1. It also has a function of performing data processing such as converting print data received from outside into data in a format that the print engine unit 105 can print out on a medium.
[0022]
Reference numeral 102 denotes a ROM (Read Only Memory) unit, which is a storage medium in which program instruction codes read by the central control unit 101 are stored, and 103 indicates that the central control unit 101 writes and reads data as necessary. A random access memory (RAM) unit 104 is a timer for starting time measurement under the control of the central control apparatus 101 and notifying the central control apparatus 101 of the elapse of a set time.
[0023]
Reference numeral 105 denotes a print engine unit, which differs depending on the type of printer. For example, if the printer 1 is an inkjet printer, the print engine unit 105 includes a paper feed mechanism, a print head, an ink cartridge, a paper discharge mechanism, and the like. Further, various means for detecting an error or expendable material such as a paper absence detecting means, a paper jam detecting means, and a detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of remaining ink are provided.
[0024]
Reference numeral 106 denotes a switch unit such as a power switch. When the switch is pressed, information about the pressing of the switch is notified to the central control device 101, or the central control device 101 periodically monitors the state of the switch. It is configured as follows. Reference numeral 107 denotes a display unit such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) for performing display under the control of the central controller 101, a liquid crystal touch panel display including various operation functions of an LCD, a liquid crystal panel, and a printer.
[0025]
A MAC layer (media access control layer) control unit 108 operates in accordance with IEEE std 802.11b. Assembling / disassembling of frames transmitted / received wirelessly, generation of control frames, acquisition control of wireless communication channels, control of communication speed, etc. It is the part that governs. A baseband processing unit 109 performs modulation / demodulation, encoding / decoding, analog / digital conversion, and the like of the frame.
[0026]
Reference numeral 110 denotes an I / Q (Inphase / Quadrature) modem unit of IF (Intermediate Frequency), which is a part that performs filtering of a transmission IF signal and reception IF, four-phase modulation / demodulation, and the like. Reference numeral 111 denotes an RF / IF converter, which receives an IF signal output from the IF I / Q modem unit 110, converts the IF signal into an RF (Radio Frequency) signal, outputs the signal to the RF transmitter / receiver 112, and outputs the RF transmitter / receiver 112. When the RF signal received by the antenna 113 is input via the RF transmission / reception unit 112, it is converted into an IF signal and output to the IF I / Q modem unit 110. It is a part to do.
[0027]
Reference numeral 112 denotes an RF transmission / reception unit, which is a part that performs RF signal amplification, transmission / reception switching, etc. in accordance with an instruction from the MAC layer control unit 108. Reference numeral 113 denotes an antenna that outputs an output signal of the RF transceiver 112 as an electromagnetic wave, or converts the received electromagnetic wave into an electrical signal that is an RF signal. The baseband processing unit 109 to the antenna 113 are for forming a physical layer conforming to IEEE std 802.11b. When the antenna 113 operates as a communication processing unit from the MAC layer control unit 108 described so far, print data and data including various commands are transmitted / received to / from the outside.
[0028]
Reference numeral 114 denotes a power supply control unit that operates under the control of the central control device 101 and controls the output of the power supply unit 115. Reference numeral 115 denotes a power supply unit. For example, in the case of Japan, an AC100V input is converted into a desired DC voltage and supplied to each unit. The output is controlled by the power supply control unit 114 described above.
[0029]
Reference numeral 116 denotes a DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller), which is used to disassemble received frames from a memory (not shown) in the MAC layer control unit 108 and transfer the stored print data to the RAM unit 103. Yes, it functions as a data processing unit and a communication processing unit.
[0030]
Reference numeral 117 denotes an internal bus, which includes a central control device 101, a ROM unit 102, a RAM unit 103, a timer 104, a print engine unit 105, a switch unit 106, a display unit 107, a MAC layer control unit 108, a power control unit 114, and a DMAC 116. Each part is connected.
[0031]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the PC 2 (corresponding to the PC 302 in FIG. 3) in the present embodiment. In the figure, 201 is a notebook personal computer main body, 202 is a wireless LAN card as wireless communication means, and is compliant with, for example, IEEE std 802.11b.
[0032]
A PCMCIA interface unit 203 is an interface for connecting the personal computer main body 201 and the wireless LAN card 202. Reference numeral 204 denotes a MAC layer control unit that operates according to IEEE std 802.11b, and is a part that controls frame assembly / disassembly, control frame generation, radio communication channel acquisition control, communication speed control, and the like.
[0033]
Reference numeral 205 denotes a baseband processing unit which performs frame modulation / demodulation, encoding / decoding, analog / digital conversion, and the like. Reference numeral 206 denotes an IF (Intermediate Frequency) signal transmission / reception unit that performs filtering of the transmission IF signal and reception IF, four-phase modulation / demodulation, and the like.
[0034]
Reference numeral 207 denotes an RF / IF converter, which receives the IF signal output from the IF transmitter / receiver 206, converts the IF signal into an RF (Radio Frequency) signal, outputs the signal to the RF transmitter / receiver 208, and the antenna 209 via the RF transmitter / receiver 208. This is a portion for converting the RF signal received by the antenna 209 into the IF signal when the RF signal received by the antenna 209 is input via the RF transmission / reception unit 208 and outputting the IF signal to the baseband control unit 205. .
[0035]
Reference numeral 208 denotes an RF transmission / reception unit, which is a portion that performs amplification of an RF signal, switching between transmission / reception and the like according to an instruction from the MAC layer control unit 204. Reference numeral 209 denotes an antenna for outputting an output signal of the RF transmitting / receiving unit as an electromagnetic wave or converting the received electromagnetic wave into an electrical signal which is an RF signal.
[0036]
Although omitted in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the CPU includes a central processing unit (CPU) provided in a general computer, a non-volatile or volatile storage unit, and an input / output unit. Further, instead of the PCMCIA interface unit 203, a Compact Flash (R) interface unit may be provided.
[0037]
The PC 2 configured as described above includes a spooler that stores print data (spool function), and has a mechanism for controlling the print order of a plurality of print jobs.
[0038]
Also, the configuration example of the digital camera 301 in the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 2 except that 201 is a digital camera body instead of the personal computer body. However, if it is a digital camera, it does not have a spooler.
[0039]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hierarchical structure of data processing applied to the printing apparatus. Here, as an example, a hierarchical structure of Bluetooth (R) will be described. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 601 denotes an application layer that varies depending on devices and functions, and 602 denotes an API (Application Interface), which is a part that bridges the application layer 601 and the RFCOMM 604 and the like. Different protocol stacks are implemented depending on the profile. For example, serial port emulation is used for serial port profiles, headset control is used for headset profiles, and dialing is used for dial-up connection profiles and facsimile profiles. • A protocol stack called AND Control is required for this part.
[0040]
A protocol 603 is called SDP (Service Discovery Protocol), and is a protocol used by the application layer 601 to know service information of a communication partner apparatus. 604 is called RFCOMM and is a layer used to logically connect the application layers of two devices.
[0041]
A protocol 605 is called LMP (Link Management Protocol), and is a protocol for controlling and managing a communication link defined by the baseband 607. 606 is called L2CAP (Logical Link Control & Adaptation Protocol), and is a protocol for performing functions such as logical channel setting, packet segmentation and reconfiguration, and data distribution and multiplexing according to protocol type. It is.
[0042]
Reference numeral 607 denotes a baseband layer, which is a communication link of a communication system called SCO (Synchronous Connection Oriented) that communicates audio in synchronization with a clock of a fixed period, or a communication system called ACL (Asynchronous Connectionless) that communicates non-voice data asynchronously. This is a part that provides SCO, assembles and disassembles SCO packets and ACL packets, and performs error correction. Reference numeral 608 denotes an RF unit, which transmits and receives radio waves using a frequency hopping type spread spectrum system using a 2.4 GHz band frequency.
[0043]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation when print data is transmitted from the digital camera 301 which is a print data transmission apparatus of the wireless printing system. Each step process is realized by a central controller (not shown) in the digital camera 301 or PC 302 executing a process according to a program code stored in a nonvolatile storage means (not shown).
[0044]
First, in step 501, the information of the transmission source, that is, the information of the digital camera 301 itself is added to the print data (print data). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, a camera model name, a camera owner name, a camera serial number, and the like are stored as print transmission source information behind the print data body.
[0045]
In step 502, it is checked whether the printer 303 can receive print data wirelessly.
[0046]
As a result, if it is determined that the printer 303 is waiting for a print job or the print job can be buffered and print data can be received (step S503), the print data is transmitted to the printer 303 at step 506.
[0047]
On the other hand, if it is determined that the printer 303 cannot accept print data (step S503), the print data is transmitted to the PC 302 in step 504. In this case, in step S505, the PC 302 adds its own information to the print data as the route information (see FIG. 6).
[0048]
After that, in step S507, information is received from the printer 303 or the PC 302 regarding how many prints are waiting and what number of print data the currently sent print is to be started. A display as shown in FIG. 7A is displayed on the display unit on the digital camera 301. At the time of notification of the print waiting status, the printer 303 or the PC 302 that is the notification source transmits the above-described transit device information added to the print data to the digital camera 301 together. Based on the information, the digital camera 301 can display the route through which the print data has reached the printer 303.
[0049]
In step S509, the process waits for notification from the printer 303 or PC 302 that printing has been completed. When printing completion is detected, a display informing the user of printing completion is displayed in step S509 as shown in FIG. 7B. The image is displayed on the display unit on the digital camera 301.
[0050]
As explained above, in the usage environment of printers, PCs, and digital cameras that are generally assumed in the home, the user can unify the prints from the digital camera by wireless communication, no matter how the printer operates. It is possible to print efficiently without making the user aware of it by performing a typical operation. In addition, even if the printer does not have a print data spool function, even if the printer does not have a spool function, the PC allows the alternate spool to function, so the digital camera user can wait a long time without printing the print data. Can be shortened.
[0051]
Furthermore, when the printer is shared with another device such as a PC, even if other data is being printed, if the printer has the ability to accept print data, the data is transmitted to the printer. In addition, it is possible to easily realize priority printing from a digital camera.
[0052]
Furthermore, even when data from a digital camera is printed by the same printer, whether it is sent directly to the printer or printed via a PC or the like can be displayed on the printer or digital camera. It becomes possible, and it becomes possible to make it easy for the user to understand the print status.
[0053]
In addition, if another print job is waiting to be executed and cannot be printed immediately when a print request is issued from the digital camera, the situation can be grasped by the digital camera even when waiting for the print order. Can inform the user.
[0054]
(Other embodiments)
Software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment for an apparatus or a computer in the system connected to the various devices so as to operate the various devices to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. What was implemented by supplying the code and operating the various devices in accordance with a program stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0055]
In this case, the program code of the software itself realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself constitutes the present invention. As a transmission medium for the program code, a communication medium (wired line or wireless line such as an optical fiber) in a computer network (LAN, WAN such as the Internet, wireless communication network, etc.) system for propagating and supplying program information as a carrier wave Etc.) can be used.
[0056]
Further, means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, a recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a recording medium for storing the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0057]
Further, by executing the program code supplied by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or other application software in which the program code is running on the computer. Needless to say, the program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention even when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with the above.
[0058]
Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit based on the instruction of the program code Needless to say, the present invention also includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.
[0059]
It should be noted that the shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above embodiments are merely examples of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and these limit the technical scope of the present invention. It should not be interpreted. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit or the main features thereof.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when print data transmitted from a print data transmission device such as a digital camera is printed by the printing device, the print data is transmitted to the printing device, or a plurality of print data is transmitted. Print data can be sent to a print data management device that can be sent while spooling, enabling efficient printing, including a buffer for giving the spool function to the printing device, The inconvenience that the operability on the digital camera side is inferior can be avoided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a print data management apparatus (or print data transmission apparatus) in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a wireless printing system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a hierarchical structure of data processing applied to the printing apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation in the print data transmission apparatus of the wireless printing system.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the structure of print data.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a display unit on the print data transmission apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 Central control unit
102 ROM part
103 RAM section
104 timer
105 Print Engine Department
106 Switch part
107 Display section
108, 204 MAC layer controller
109, 205 Baseband processing unit
110, 206 IF I / Q MODEM
111, 207 RF / IF converter
112, 208 RF transceiver
113, 209 Antenna
114 Power control unit
115 Power supply
116 DMAC
117 Internal bus
201 Personal computer
202 wireless communication unit
203 PCMCIA interface section
301 Digital camera
302 Personal computer
303 Printer

Claims (22)

A printing device that receives and prints the print data; and
A print data management device capable of receiving print data and transmitting a plurality of print data while spooling;
A printing system comprising a print data transmitting device capable of transmitting print data,
The print data transmitting device includes means for acquiring information indicating whether the print device can accept print data, and if the print device can accept print data, print data is sent to the print device. A printing system comprising: means for transmitting and transmitting the print data to the print data management apparatus when the printing apparatus cannot accept the print data. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein communication among any or all of the printing apparatus, the print data management apparatus, and the print data transmission apparatus is performed wirelessly. The printing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the print data transmitting device includes means for adding own information to the print data. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the print data management device includes means for adding its own information to the print data received from the print data transmission device. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus and / or the print data management apparatus includes a unit that notifies the print data transmission apparatus of the number of standby print jobs. 6. The printing system according to claim 5, wherein the print data transmitting device includes means for displaying the notified number of standby print jobs. The print data management device comprises means for adding its own information to the print data received from the print data transmission device, and means for notifying the print data transmission device of the number of standby print jobs. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein information of the print data management apparatus itself is notified together when the notification is made. 8. The printing system according to claim 7, wherein the print data transmission device includes means for displaying the notified number of standby print jobs and information of the print data management device itself. 9. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the print data management device is a personal computer, and the print data transmission device is a digital camera. Printing apparatus that receives and prints print data, and print data transmission apparatus that can receive print data and send the print data to a print data management apparatus that can send a print data while spooling the print data Because
Means for acquiring information as to whether or not the printing apparatus can accept print data;
Means for transmitting print data to the printing apparatus when the printing apparatus is capable of receiving print data; and means for transmitting print data to the print data management apparatus when the printing apparatus is not capable of receiving print data. A print data transmission device characterized by the above. 11. The print data transmission apparatus according to claim 10, wherein communication between the print data management apparatus and / or the printing apparatus is performed wirelessly. 12. The print data transmitting apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising means for adding own information to the print data. It is a digital camera, The print data transmission apparatus of any one of Claims 10-12 characterized by the above-mentioned. A print data management apparatus capable of receiving print data from a print data transmission apparatus and transmitting a plurality of print data to a printing apparatus while spooling the print data,
A print data management apparatus comprising means for transmitting information indicating whether or not print data can be received to the print data transmission apparatus. The print data management apparatus according to claim 14, wherein communication between the print data transmission apparatus and / or the printing apparatus is performed wirelessly. 16. The print data management apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising means for adding own information to the print data received from the print data transmission apparatus. The print data management apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the print data management apparatus is a personal computer. A printing apparatus that receives and prints print data, and a print data transmission method for sending print data to a print data management apparatus that can receive print data and send a plurality of print data while spooling There,
A procedure for acquiring information on whether or not the printing apparatus can accept print data;
A procedure for transmitting print data to the printing apparatus when the printing apparatus is capable of receiving print data, and transmitting print data to the print data management apparatus when the printing apparatus is not capable of receiving print data. A print data transmission method characterized by the above. A print data management method for receiving print data from a print data transmitting apparatus and transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus while spooling a plurality of print data,
A print data management method comprising a step of transmitting information indicating whether or not print data can be received to the print data transmitting apparatus. Printing apparatus that receives and prints print data, and print data transmission apparatus that can receive print data and send the print data to a print data management apparatus that can send a print data while spooling the print data A program for controlling
Processing for acquiring information on whether or not the printing apparatus can accept print data;
If the printing apparatus can accept the print data, the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus, and if the printing apparatus cannot accept the print data, the print data management apparatus is caused to execute the process of transmitting the print data. A program characterized by that. A program for controlling a print data management apparatus capable of receiving print data from a print data transmission apparatus and transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus while spooling a plurality of print data,
A program for causing the print data transmitting apparatus to execute processing for transmitting information indicating whether or not print data can be received. A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 20 or 21.

Images