JPH11134140A - Data processor and print controller, data processing method of data processor and of printing controller, and storage medium for computer-readable program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display the status of a printer without holding status display resources in a storage part in advance by displaying the status on the basis of status display resources acquired from the printer and reported status information. SOLUTION: In a data processor 3000 which can communicate with printers through a specific communication medium 21, PRTC8 acquires status display resources from a printer 1000 and stores them in a RAM 2. According to status information reported from the respective printers and the status display resources stored in the RAM 21, the statuses of the respective printers are displayed at a display part 10. A CPU 1 controls those processes. Consequently, the statuses of the printers can be displayed without previously storing the status display resources, and even when a newly developed printer is introduced, the status of the printer can be displayed without newly installing application programs.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention transmits a correspondence table between a status code and message character string data stored in a printing apparatus to a host computer, and the host computer refers to the correspondence table to display a message character string. A data processing device, a print control device, a data processing method of the data processing device, a data processing method of the print control device, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing system in which a host computer and a printing apparatus are connected via a bidirectional interface and the status of the printing apparatus is displayed on a screen of the host computer, number information (status) corresponding to the status is displayed. (Status code) is transmitted from the printing apparatus to the host computer, and an application on the host computer is configured to display a message indicating the status of the printer and a diagram on the display from the status code.

In the above-described conventional printing system, the correspondence information between the status code and the message character string is stored in an application program of a host computer.

[0004]

Since the conventional printing apparatus is configured as described above, in order for the host computer to display a message corresponding to a plurality of types of printing apparatuses, each type must be included in an application program. It is necessary to store correspondence information between status codes of different printing apparatuses and message character strings, and there is a problem that it is not possible to support all printing apparatuses to be developed in the future due to memory resource restrictions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to acquire and store a status display resource held in a printing apparatus, and to store the status display resource. By displaying the status on the display unit based on the status information notified from the print control device, even if the host computer does not hold the status display resource in advance, a status display resource different for each model is obtained, An inexpensive data processing device, a print control device, a data processing method of the data processing device, a data processing method of the print control device, and a computer capable of freely notifying a user of the status of the printing device based on status information transmitted from the printing device. An object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a readable program.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of printing apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium, and acquiring status display resources from the printing apparatuses. Acquiring means, and a storage means for storing the status display resource acquired from the acquiring means,
A control unit for displaying a status of each printing device on a display unit based on status information notified from each printing device and a status display resource stored in the storage unit.

In a second aspect of the present invention, the status display resource includes a notifiable status code and message character string data corresponding to the status code.

In a third aspect, the status code is:
It includes a common status code common to each printing device and a status code unique to each printing device.

In a fourth aspect, the message character string data includes message character string data common to each printing apparatus and message character string data unique to each printing apparatus.

A fifth aspect of the present invention has a designating means for designating a language of message character string data in the status display resource acquired by the acquiring means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control device capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the storage device stores status display resources, and the status transmitted from the data processing device. Transmitting means for transmitting the status display resource to the data processing device based on a display resource acquisition request.

In a seventh aspect, the status display resource includes a reportable status code and message character string data corresponding to the status code.

In an eighth aspect, the status code is:
It includes a common status code common to each printing device and a status code unique to each printing device.

In a ninth aspect, the message character string data includes message character string data common to each printing apparatus and message character string data unique to each printing apparatus.

[0015] A tenth invention is a data processing method of a data processing device capable of communicating with a plurality of printing devices via a predetermined communication medium, the method comprising receiving the status display resource transmitted from the printing device. Receiving the first and the first
A storage step of storing the status display resource received in the receiving step in the storage unit; a second receiving step of receiving status information notified from each printing apparatus;
And a display step of displaying the status of each printing device on the display unit based on the status information received in the receiving step and the status display resources stored in the storage unit.

An eleventh invention is a storage medium storing a computer readable program capable of communicating with a plurality of printing apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the status display resource transmitted from the printing apparatus is stored. Receiving step, a storage step of storing the status display resource received in the first receiving step in a storage unit, and a second receiving step of receiving status information notified from each printing apparatus. And a display step of displaying the status of each printing device on a display unit based on the status information received in the second receiving step and the status display resources stored in the storage unit. The program is stored in a storage medium.

A twelfth invention is a data processing method of a print control device having a storage unit for storing a status display resource and capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. And transmitting the status display resource to the data processing device based on the status display resource acquisition request transmitted from the server.

A thirteenth invention is a storage medium having a storage unit for storing status display resources and storing a computer-readable program communicable with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, A computer-readable program having a transmission step of transmitting the status display resource to the data processing device based on the status display resource acquisition request transmitted from the data processing device is stored in a storage medium.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before describing the configuration of the present embodiment, the configuration of a laser beam printer (LBP) applicable to a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The printer to which this embodiment is applied is as follows.
It is needless to say that the printer is not limited to the laser beam printer, but may be a printer of another printing method such as an ink jet printer.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a laser beam printer applicable to a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1000 denotes an LBP, which inputs and stores print information (character codes, etc.), form information, microinstructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer, and responds according to the information. A character pattern, a form pattern, and the like are created, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper. 1012
Denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged. A printer control unit 1001 controls the entire LBP 1000 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the host computer.

The printer control unit 1001 mainly converts character information into a video signal having a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1002. The laser driver 1002 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1003, and switches on / off a laser beam 1004 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 in accordance with an input video symbol.

The laser beam 1004 is oscillated in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 1005 to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 1006. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006. This latent image is
Developing unit 10 arranged around electrostatic drum 1006
After being developed by 07, it is transferred to recording paper.

A cut sheet is used as the recording paper. The cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1008 mounted on the LBP 1000, and is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 1009, a transport roller 1010, and a transport roller 1011. Is supplied to the electrostatic drum 1006. The LBP 1000 is provided with at least one or more card slots (not shown) so that an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language system can be connected in addition to the built-in fonts.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a data processing device and a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, a laser beam printer (also simply referred to as a printer) 1000 shown in FIG. 1 will be described as an example. Note that, as long as the functions of the present invention are executed, the present invention is applicable to a single device, a system including a plurality of devices, and a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. It goes without saying that the invention can be applied.

In the figure, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer which executes document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program or the like stored in a program ROM of the ROM 3. C
The CPU 1 has a PU 1 and controls each device connected to the system bus 4 as a whole. The program ROM of the ROM 3 stores a control program of the CPU 1 and the like, and the font ROM of the ROM 3 stores various data used when performing the above document processing and the like.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls a key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). Reference numeral 6 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC), and a CRT display (CR
T) Control the display of 10. Reference numeral 7 denotes a memory controller (MC) which controls access to an external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy disk (FD) for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, and the like.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a printer controller (PRTC)
A predetermined bidirectional interface (interface)
The communication device 21 is connected to the printer 1000 via the printer 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1000. Note that the CPU 1
Executes a rasterization process of an outline font on a display information RAM set on the RAM 2, for example, to enable WYSIWYG on the CRT 10. Further, the CPU 1 opens various registered windows based on commands indicated by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.

In the printer 1000, reference numeral 12 denotes a printer CPU (CPU).
M or controls various types of devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program or the like stored in the external memory 14, and connects via a printing unit interface (printing unit I / F) 16. An image signal as output information is output to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 to be executed.

The program RO of the ROM 13
M is a CPU as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
Twelve control programs and the like are stored. The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information. In the case of a printer without an external memory 14 such as a hard disk, the font ROM is used on the host computer in the data ROM of the ROM 13. Information and the like.

The CPU 12 can communicate with the host computer 3000 via the input unit 18 and can notify the host computer 3000 of information in the printer. 19 is a RAM, which is a CPU 1
It functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an additional port (not shown).

The RAM 19 has an output information development area,
An environment data storage area or the like is secured and may include an NVRAM (non-volatile RAM). Access to the external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) or an IC card is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 20. The external memory 14 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, and the like. Reference numeral 1012 denotes the above-described operation panel, on which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged.

The above-mentioned external memory 14 is not limited to one, and at least one or more is provided. In addition to the built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different languages are connected. It may be configured to be able to do so. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store the printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1012.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the transition of the printer status display screen displayed on the CRT 10 shown in FIG. 2, and is a flow chart shown in FIG. 7 which will be described later and which operates on the host computer shown in this embodiment. It is an example of the screen displayed by the application based on.

In FIG. 3A, reference numeral 301 denotes a printer selection screen.
Is a screen for selecting one of the printers P1 to P3, and is configured to be able to select any one of the printers P1 to P3 using the keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown).

In FIG. 3B, reference numeral 302 denotes a status display screen, which is displayed after one of the printers is selected on the printer selection screen 301, and which displays the operation status of the selected printer. It is. An operation instruction box 303 is a simulation screen on the operation panel 1012 of the printer. A character string display field 304 displays the status of the printer in characters.

A state diagram display box 305 is a box for displaying a state diagram, which is a drawing showing the operation status and the like of the printer 1000. For example, when an error occurs, the color of the portion where the error has occurred is changed. Displaying a picture that allows the user to be notified of the status of the printer by causing the user to display the operation status as a moving image or the like.

It should be noted that the application according to the present embodiment is executed periodically (T seconds) by a command.
When the status of the printer 1000 is monitored and the status change of the printer 1000 is detected, the display character string in the character display field 304 and the status diagram of the status diagram display box 305 are changed to notify the user.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a correspondence table between the printer status and the status code transferred from the printer 1000 to the host computer 3000 shown in FIG.
It is stored in M13.

In the figure, (a) is a first status table which stores a printer status common to each model of the printing apparatus and a corresponding status code. (B) is a second status table, which is a printer status which is a status specific to each model of the printing apparatus (for example, an out-of-toner error for an LBP, an out-of-ink error for an inkjet printer), and a corresponding status code Is stored.

The status code is a number corresponding to the printer status on a one-to-one basis.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of data transferred from the printer 1000 shown in FIG. 2 to the host computer 3000.
The correspondence between the status code stored in the OM 13 and the message character string is shown as a table.

In the figure, (a) is a first code message correspondence table which stores a status code common to each model of the printing apparatus and a corresponding message character string. (B) is a second code message correspondence table in which status codes unique to each model of the printing apparatus and message character strings corresponding thereto are stored.

As described above, the correspondence table is divided into the first code message correspondence table (model common part) and the second code message correspondence table (model dependent part). The host computer can independently obtain the desired staples by issuing a status request command to the printer, and display the status of the printer, independently of the message correspondence tables.

Therefore, the printer 1000 transmits the first and second code message correspondence tables shown in FIG.
00 can obtain a message character string corresponding to the status by referring to the transmitted correspondence table.

Hereinafter, the characteristic structure of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

An acquisition unit (PRTC8) configured as described above, which is capable of communicating with a plurality of printing apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium, and acquires status display resources from the printing apparatuses. Storage means (RAM for storing the status display resources acquired from the acquisition means)
2) and control means (CPU1) for displaying the status of each printing device on the display unit based on status information notified from each printing device and status display resources stored in the storage means. The status of the printing device can be displayed even if the display resources are not held in the storage unit in advance. Even if a newly developed printing device is installed, the status of the printing device is displayed without installing a new application. can do.

Further, since the status display resource includes a reportable status code and message character string data corresponding to the status code (correspondence table shown in FIG. 5), the status is transmitted from the printing apparatus to the data processing apparatus. Since the message and the character string data corresponding to the status code are obtained, different status display environments can be freely and inexpensively provided for each model.

Further, the status codes include a common status code common to each printing device and a status code unique to each printing device (correspondence table shown in FIG. 5). In addition, different statuses can be displayed with a simple configuration.

Further, the message character string data is:
It includes message character string data common to each printing device and message character string data unique to each printing device (FIG. 5).
, The message character string data common to each printing device and the message character string data unique to each printing device can be acquired, and the message character string common to the printing devices and the message character data unique to each printing device can be obtained. The status different for each printing device can be reliably displayed by the message character string.

Further, since there is a designating means (keyboard 9) for designating a language of a character string in the status display resource acquired by the acquiring means, a message can be displayed in a language desired by the user.

A printing control device capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, comprising a storage means (ROM 13) for storing status display resources, and a status display transmitted from the data processing device. There is a transmission means (input unit 18) for transmitting the status display resource to the data processing device based on a resource acquisition request, so that not only display resources common to each model but also different statuses for each model can be displayed. By providing the status to the data processing device, a status display environment can be freely constructed.

Further, since the status display resource includes a status code that can be notified and message character string data corresponding to the status code (correspondence table shown in FIG. 5), the status code corresponds to the status code and the status code. The message character string data can be transmitted to the data processing device.

Further, since the status code includes a common status code common to each printing device and a status code unique to each printing device (correspondence table shown in FIG. 5), a common status code for each printing device is provided. The status and the status unique to each printing device can be transmitted to the data processing device.

Further, the message character string data is:
It includes message character string data common to each printing device and message character string data unique to each printing device (FIG. 5).
(Correspondence table shown in (1)), the message character string data common to each printing device and the message character string data unique to each printing device can be transmitted to the data processing device.

A data processing procedure in the printing apparatus and the host computer according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a first data processing procedure in the printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to the overall processing procedure of the printing apparatus. Note that (1) to (13) indicate each step.

First, it is determined whether or not data has been input from the host computer 3000 (1). If it is determined that no data has been input, input wait is continued. If it is determined that data has been input, data input processing is performed. (2), and perform data analysis processing (3).

Next, it is determined whether the result of the analysis of the input data is a printer status acquisition command (4). If it is determined that the input data is a printer status acquisition command, the status of the printer 1000 is uniquely indicated. The status code is transmitted to the host computer 3000 (5), and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that the command is not a printer status acquisition command, it is determined whether or not the result of analyzing the input data is a model information acquisition command (6). If it is determined that the printer model is the same, model information that uniquely indicates the model of the printer 1000 is transmitted to the host computer 3000 (7), and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (6) that the command is not a model information acquisition command, it is determined whether or not the result of the analysis of the input data is a command requesting the correspondence between the message character string and the status code. (8) If it is determined that the command is an information request command for correspondence between a message character string and a status code, the correspondence table between the status code and the message character string shown in FIG. (9),
Return to step (1). In step (9), the printing apparatus transmits both pieces of information at once, and the host computer 3000 acquires them.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (8) that the command is not a request for the correspondence information between the message character string and the status code, the result of the analysis of the input data is
It is determined whether or not the command is a discharge command (10). If it is determined that the command is a discharge command, the content of the frame buffer storing the print image is converted into a video signal, and printing is performed by the printing unit 17 (11). The sheet is discharged (12), and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (10) that the command is not a paper ejection command, drawing processing is performed according to a command that is a result of analyzing input data (1).
3) Return to step (1) and wait for input.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a second data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to a procedure by an application running on the host computer 3000. In addition,
(1) to (13) show each step.

First, when the application is started on the host computer 3000, the printer connected to the network is checked, and the printer selection screen 301 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed (1). It is determined whether or not the target printer has been input (2).
If the user continues to wait for an input and determines that the input has been made, the target printer is determined (3).

Next, a model information request command is transmitted to the target printer, model information is acquired (4), and a language designation command is transmitted to determine the language (5). It is assumed that the language type is determined in advance on the application side. Next, a command for requesting the correspondence table between the status code and the message character string is transmitted (6), and the correspondence table transmitted from the printer 1000 is received, and the application receives the status code and the message shown in FIG. The character string correspondence table is received and stored in the RAM 2 (7).

The host computer applicable to the printing system of the present embodiment can request and acquire information on the model common part and the model dependent part of the correspondence table shown in FIG. 5 independently of each other. Then, it is assumed that both information are requested and obtained. The status code is a number that uniquely indicates the status of the printer, and is determined by the correspondence table between the printer status and the status code shown in FIG.

Next, a printer status request command is transmitted to the target printer, and a status code as a response is received (8). In accordance with the status code, the status display screen 302 shown in FIG. 3 corresponding to the printer input in step (2) is displayed, and step (7) is performed.
Is converted from the status code to a message character string by the correspondence table of the status code and the message character string obtained in the above, and the message is displayed in the character string display field 304 shown in FIG. 3 (9).

Next, in order to monitor the state of the printer at intervals of T seconds, it waits until T seconds have elapsed (10). When T seconds have elapsed, the printer sends a printer status request command to obtain a status code (11), and compares the status code obtained in step (11) with the status code obtained last time to determine whether the status has changed. (1
2) If it is determined that the status code has not changed, the process returns to step (10). If it is determined that the status code has changed, the status display screen 3 is determined based on the acquired status code.
02 is updated (13), and the process returns to step (10).

Hereinafter, the characteristic structure of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

A data processing method of a data processing device configured as described above and capable of communicating with a plurality of printing devices via a predetermined communication medium, or a plurality of printing devices via a predetermined communication medium A first receiving step (step (7) in FIG. 7) of receiving a status display resource transmitted from the printing apparatus, the storage medium storing a computer readable program communicable with the computer; A storage step (step (7) in FIG. 7) for storing the status display resource received in the first reception step in the storage unit (RAM2), and a second reception for receiving status information notified from each printing apparatus. A display unit based on a process (step (8) in FIG. 7) and the status information received in the second receiving process and a status display resource stored in the storage unit; Since there is a display step (step (9) in FIG. 7) for displaying the status of each printing device, the status of the printing device can be displayed even if the status display resources are not held in the storage unit in advance, and the status of the printing device can be newly displayed. It is possible to display the status of a printing device without introducing a new application even if the printing device developed in the above is introduced.

A data processing method of a print control device having a storage unit (ROM 13) for storing status display resources and capable of communicating with the data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. Is a storage medium having a storage unit (ROM 13) for storing a program readable by a computer capable of communicating with the data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the program is transmitted from the data processing device. Since there is a transmission step (step (9) in FIG. 6) for transmitting the status display resource to the data processing device based on a status display resource acquisition request, not only a display resource common to each model,
By providing different statuses for each model to the data processing device, a status display environment can be freely constructed.

The printer status acquisition command transmitted from the host computer 3000 to the printer 1000 is not limited to the same logical channel as the print data, but the present invention can be applied even if another channel is used in an interface having a plurality of logical channels. Needless to say.

The input unit 18 of the printer 1000 is not limited to the interface built in the printer 1000, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to an interface board that can be attached to and detached from the printer 1000.

Further, the information of the model common part in the correspondence table between the status code and the message character string shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the application program in advance, and the host computer 3000 stores the message character string and the status code of the model dependent part in the application program. Printer 1 only for corresponding information
Needless to say, the present invention can be applied even when receiving from the 000 side.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by the data processing apparatus and the print control apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by the data processing apparatus and the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, etc. are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is stored in the storage medium. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. And in that case, CD-ROM, flash memory, FD
The present invention is applicable even when a group of information including a program is supplied to an output device from a storage medium such as the above or from an external storage medium via a network.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0086]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, a data processing device capable of communicating with a plurality of printing devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the obtaining device obtains status display resources from the printing device, and the status obtained from the obtaining device Since there are storage means for storing display resources, and control means for displaying the status of each printing apparatus on the display unit based on status information notified from each printing apparatus and status display resources stored in the storage means. The status of the printing device can be displayed even if the status display resources are not held in the storage unit in advance, and even if a newly developed printing device is introduced, the status of the printing device can be displayed without introducing a new application. Can be displayed.

According to the second aspect, the status display resource includes a status code that can be notified and message character string data corresponding to the status code, so that a different status display environment can be freely set for each model. It can be inexpensively maintained.

According to the third invention, the status code includes a common status code common to each printing device,
Since a status code unique to each printing apparatus is included, not only a status common to each model but also a status different for each model can be displayed with a simple configuration.

According to the fourth aspect, the message character string data includes message character string data common to each printing device and message character string data unique to each printing device. Message character string data and message character string data unique to each printing device, and a status different for each printing device can be obtained by a message character string common to the printing devices and a message character string unique to each printing device. Can be displayed reliably.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the designation means for designating the language of the message character string data in the status display resource acquired by the acquisition means is provided, the message can be displayed in the language desired by the user. it can.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is a print control device capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the storage device stores status display resources, and the status transmitted from the data processing device. Transmitting means for transmitting the status display resource to the data processing device based on a display resource acquisition request, so that the data processing device can display not only a display resource common to each model but also a status different for each model. The status display environment can be freely constructed.

According to the seventh aspect, since the status display resource includes the status code that can be notified and the message character string data corresponding to the status code, the status code and the message character string corresponding to the status code are included. The code can be sent to a data processing device.

According to the eighth aspect, the status code includes a common status code common to each printing apparatus,
Since a status code unique to each printing device is included, a status common to each printing device and a status unique to each printing device can be transmitted to the data processing device.

According to the ninth aspect, the message character string data includes message character string data common to each printing device and message character string data unique to each printing device. The message character string data to be transmitted and the message character string data unique to each printing apparatus can be transmitted to the data processing apparatus.

According to the tenth and eleventh aspects, there is provided a data processing method for a data processing device capable of communicating with a plurality of printing apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium, or a method for processing a plurality of printing apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium. A storage medium storing a program readable by a computer capable of communicating with the printing apparatus, wherein a first receiving step of receiving the status display resource transmitted from the printing apparatus; and A storage step of storing the received status display resource in a storage unit, a second reception step of receiving status information notified from each printing apparatus, and the status information and the storage received in the second reception step And a display step of displaying the status of each printing device on the display unit based on the status display resources stored in the unit. The status of the printing device can be displayed even if it is not stored in the storage unit, and even if a newly developed printing device is installed, the status of the printing device can be displayed without installing a new application. it can.

According to the twelfth and thirteenth inventions, there is provided a data processing method of a print control device having a storage unit for storing a status display resource and capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. Or a storage medium having a storage unit for storing a status display resource and storing a computer-readable program capable of communicating with the data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, the program being transmitted from the data processing device. A transmission process of transmitting the status display resource to the data processing device based on the obtained status display resource acquisition request, so that not only a common display resource for each model but also a status different for each model can be processed. The status display environment can be freely configured by providing it to the device side.

Therefore, even if the host computer does not hold the status display resources in advance, different status display resources are obtained for each model, and the status of the printing apparatus can be freely changed based on the status information transmitted from the printing apparatus. It is possible to provide an inexpensive data processing device, a print control device, a data processing method of the data processing device, a data processing method of the print control device, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program that can be notified to the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a laser beam printer applicable to a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a data processing apparatus and a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a transition of a status display screen displayed on the CRT shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence table between a printer status and a status code transferred from the printer shown in FIG. 2 to a host computer.

5 is a diagram illustrating an example of data transferred from the printer illustrated in FIG. 2 to a host computer.

FIG. 6 illustrates a first example of the printing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart for explaining the data processing procedure of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a second data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the printing system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 10 CRT 12 CPU 13 ROM 17 Printing unit 19 RAM 1000 Printing device 3000 Host computer

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A data processing device capable of communicating with a plurality of printing devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the obtaining device obtains a status display resource from the printing device, and the status display obtained from the obtaining device. Storage means for storing resources; and control means for displaying the status of each printing apparatus on a display unit based on status information notified from each printing apparatus and status display resources stored in the storage means. A data processing device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the status display resource includes a reportable status code and message character string data corresponding to the status code. 3. The data processing device according to claim 2, wherein the status code includes a common status code common to each printing device and a status code unique to each printing device. 4. The data processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the message character string data includes message character string data common to each printing device and message character string data unique to each printing device. . 5. The data processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a designation unit that designates a language of the message character string data in the status display resource acquired by the acquisition unit. 6. A print control device capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: storage means for storing a status display resource; and obtaining the status display resource transmitted from the data processing device. A transmission unit for transmitting the status display resource to the data processing device based on the request. 7. The print control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the status display resource includes a reportable status code and message character string data corresponding to the status code. 8. The printing control device according to claim 7, wherein the status code includes a common status code common to each printing device and a status code unique to each printing device. 9. The printing control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the message character string data includes message character string data common to each printing device and message character string data unique to each printing device. . 10. A data processing method for a data processing device capable of communicating with a plurality of printing devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the first receiving step receives the status display resource transmitted from the printing device. A storage step of storing the status display resource received in the first receiving step in a storage unit; a second receiving step of receiving status information notified from each printing apparatus; and a second receiving step Displaying a status of each printing device on a display unit based on the status information received by the control unit and the status display resources stored in the storage unit. . 11. A storage medium storing a program readable by a computer capable of communicating with a plurality of printing apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the storage medium receives the status display resource transmitted from the printing apparatus. 1, a storage step of storing the status display resource received in the first receiving step in a storage unit, a second receiving step of receiving status information notified from each printing device, A display step of displaying the status of each printing device on a display unit based on the status information received in the receiving step of 2 and the status display resources stored in the storage unit. A storage medium that stores possible programs. 12. A data processing method for a print control device, comprising a storage unit for storing status display resources, and capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the data is transmitted from the data processing device. A data processing method for a print control device, comprising a transmission step of transmitting the status display resource to the data processing device based on the status display resource acquisition request. 13. A storage medium having a storage unit for storing status display resources and storing a computer-readable program communicable with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the data processing device And transmitting a status display resource to the data processing apparatus based on the status display resource acquisition request transmitted from the storage medium.