JP2000089928A - Output device and its output controlling method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an output device and its output controlling method capable of effectively utilizing a device handling function and improving operator's working efficiency. SOLUTION: Whether data received from a host computer exist or not is discriminated (step S1), and when there are received data, whether specification of plural headings is added to the received data or not is discriminated (step S2). When the specification of plural headings is added, whether a current mode is an enhance print mode or not is discriminated (step S3). The enhance print mode means a printing mode for a case specifying an output medium in each heading and whether the enhance print mode exists or not can be discriminated in accordance with whether output medium instructing information is added to the received data or not. When the enhance print mode is judged in the step S3, enhance printing processing is executed in a step S4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an output apparatus having a plurality of paper feed ports and a plurality of paper discharge ports and having a paper handling function, and an output control method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an output device having a plurality of paper feed ports and a plurality of paper discharge ports and having a paper handling function performs a print output by designating the output of a plurality of copies for a certain job. In addition, designation of an output medium, designation of an output tray, and the like can be designated for each job.

[0003]

However, in recent output devices, the number of output devices having a plurality of paper feed ports and paper discharge ports and having a function of printing and outputting on a plurality of types of output media has increased, and the number of output devices has been increased from a job unit. Demands for output management in smaller units, for example, in sets, are increasing. However,
The conventional output device has a problem that it is not possible to individually designate an output medium, an output tray, and the like for each unit to be printed out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an output device and an output control method capable of effectively utilizing the handling function of the device and improving the work efficiency of an operator. With the goal.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output device, comprising: an input unit for inputting data supplied from a host device; An instruction to print out a plurality of copies of the input data in an output device having data processing means for generating image data by developing the data into a simple format and output means for printing out the generated image data Instruction information determining means for determining whether or not information has been added; and output information which is set for each unit for printing and outputting the input data when it is determined that the instruction information has been added. Output information determining means for determining whether or not is added, and when the output information set for each unit is added, for each unit,
Control means for controlling the output means so as to print out the generated image data based on the added output information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the output device according to the first aspect, the output information includes information on an output medium, and the control means outputs the generated information to an output medium set for each of the units. The output unit is controlled to print out the image data.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the output device according to the first aspect, the output information includes information on a print mode, and the control means generates the print mode according to a print mode set for each copy. The output unit is controlled to print out the image data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the output device according to the first aspect, the output information includes information relating to a paper discharge port for discharging a print-output output medium, and the control means includes: The output unit is controlled so as to discharge the output medium that has been printed out to the discharge port set in (1).

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the output device of the first aspect, the output information includes information relating to a range to be printed out, and the control means transmits the image data in a range set for each of the sets. The output unit is controlled so as to print out.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output control method for an output device, wherein image data is generated by analyzing data input from a host device and developing the data into a printable format, and printing the generated image data. In an output control method of an output device for outputting, it is determined whether or not instruction information for printing and outputting a plurality of copies is added to the input data,
When it is determined that the instruction information has been added, it is determined whether or not output information that is set for each of the print output units has been added to the input data, and the input data is set for each of the units. When the output information is added, the operation of the output device is controlled so as to print out the generated image data based on the added output information for each of the units. I do.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the output control method according to the sixth aspect, the output information includes information on an output medium, and the output information is generated on an output medium set for each unit. The operation of the output device is controlled so as to print out the image data.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the output control method according to the sixth aspect, the output information includes information relating to a print mode, and the output information is generated according to a print mode set for each of the sets. The operation of the output device is controlled so as to print out the image data.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the output control method according to the sixth aspect, the output information includes information relating to a discharge port for discharging a print-output output medium, and The operation of the output device is controlled so as to discharge the output medium that has been printed and output to the discharge port set in (1).

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output control method for an output device,
7. The output control method according to claim 6, wherein the output information includes information on a range to be printed out, and the output device is controlled so as to print out image data in a range set for each copy. I do.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as "LBP") which is an output device according to the present embodiment.
It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows schematic structure of. Note that the output device to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the LBP, and it goes without saying that another type of printer such as an ink jet printer may be used.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1500 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores print information (character codes and the like), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer; A corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created according to the information, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper.

Reference numeral 1501 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged.
Reference numeral 00 denotes a printer control unit that controls the entire LBP body 1500 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the host computer. This printer control unit 1000
Mainly converts character information into video information of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video information to a laser driver 1502. The laser driver 1502 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1503, and switches on / off a laser beam 1504 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1503 according to an input video signal. The laser beam 1504 is the rotating polygon mirror 1
Scanning exposure is performed on the electrostatic drum 1506 by being swung right and left by 505. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1506. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1507 provided around the electrostatic drum 1506, and then transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used as the recording paper. The cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1508 mounted on the LBP 1500, is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 1509 and a transport roller 1511, and is It is supplied to the drum 1506. Also, the LBP body 150
0 has at least one or more extension interfaces (not shown). The LBP includes an optional font ROM, a control R for different languages, in addition to the built-in fonts.
It is configured such that a large-capacity nonvolatile storage element such as OM (emulation or the like) can be connected.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an output system to which an output device is connected. Here, an output system configured by connecting the LBP shown in FIG. 1 will be described. As long as the functions of the present invention are executed, a single device may be applied as a printer, or a printer system including a plurality of devices may be applied.
It goes without saying that the present invention is also applicable to a printer system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN.

In the figure, the output system is configured by connecting a host computer 3000 and an LBP 1500 via a bidirectional interface 21.

The host computer 3000 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter, referred to as a “CPU”) 1 that controls each device connected to the system bus 4, and a random access function that functions as a main memory and a work area of the CPU 1. A memory (hereinafter, referred to as "RAM") 2, a read-only memory (hereinafter, referred to as "ROM") 3 including a font ROM, a program ROM, and a data ROM, and a key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). Keyboard controller (KBC) 5
And a CRT display (hereinafter referred to as “CRT”) 1
CRT controller (CRTC) 6 for controlling display of 0
And a hard disk (HD) for storing boot programs, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, etc., and a floppy disk (F).
D) and a disk controller (DKC) 7 for controlling access to the external memory 11, and an LBP 150 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21.
0 and a control unit 2000 having a printer controller (PRTC) 8 for executing communication control processing with the printer 1500.

The program ROM of the ROM 3 has a CPU
1 is stored in the font ROM of the ROM 3, and the font data used in the above document processing is stored in the font ROM.
The data ROM of the ROM 3 stores various data used when performing the document processing and the like.

The CPU 1 has a program RO in the ROM 3.
M based on the document processing program stored in M
Executes document processing in which images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed. The CPU 1 is, for example, a RAM 2
The outline font is developed (rasterized) in the display information RAM set above, and WYSIWYG on the CRT 10 is enabled. CPU1
Opens various registered windows based on a command specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.

An LBP 1500 is a printer CPU that controls each device connected to the system bus 15 as a whole.
12, font ROM, program ROM, data R
A control unit including a ROM 13 composed of an OM, a RAM 19 functioning as a main memory and a work area of the CPU 12, and a disk controller (DKC) 20 controlling access to an external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) or an IC card. It has 1,000.

The printer CPU 12 comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program or the like stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13 or a control program or the like stored in the external memory 14. Control and print interface (I /
F) Output an image signal as output information to a printing unit 17 connected via 16. The program ROM of the ROM 13 stores a control program of the printer CPU 12 and the like, the font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information, and the ROM 13 has a data ROM. In the case of a printer having no external memory 14 such as a hard disk, information used on the host computer 3000 is stored.

The printer CPU 12 has an input unit 18.
The communication processing with the host computer 3000 can be performed via the host computer 3000, and information and the like in the LBP 1500 can be notified to the host computer 3000.

The RAM 19 is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an additional port (not shown). The RAM 19
Are the output information development area, environment data storage area, NVRA
Used for M etc.

The external memory 14 is connected as an option, and includes font data, an emulation program,
Stores form data and the like. The operation unit 18 includes switches for operation, an LED display, and the like.
The number of external memories 14 is not limited to one, and at least one external memory is provided. In addition to built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different language systems can be connected. It may be. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store the printer mode setting information from the operation unit 1012.

In the output system configured as described above, when the CPU 12 is in the process of data processing or waiting for data from the host computer 3000, an event such as initializing the printing environment in that state, for example, the operation unit 1012 is executed. When the initialization instruction via
Since the CPU 12 notifies the host computer 3000 of the current environment via the input unit 18, the operator can easily return to the original printing environment even if the initialization processing is an unexpected event. it can.

FIG. 3 shows an output device (LB) according to this embodiment.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a printing process (main process) procedure in P).

First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not there is data received from the host computer 3000. Here, if there is no received data, the procedure of step S1 is repeated until data is received.

If it is determined in step S1 that there is received data, the process proceeds to step S2, where it is determined whether or not a plurality of copies are specified for the received data. In step S3, En
It is determined whether the mode is the hance Print Mode.

Here, the Enhance Print Mode is a print mode in which an output medium instruction is given in units of copies, and the Enhance Print Mode depends on whether output medium instruction information is added to the received data. It can be determined whether or not there is. In step S3, Enhance
If the mode is the Print Mode, Enhance Prin of step S4
t processing is executed.

If it is determined in step S2 that the number of copies has not been specified, or in step S3, the
If it is determined that the mode is not the print mode, step S5
The normal printing process is executed. En of step S4
When the hance print process or the normal print process in step S5 ends, the process in step S1 is performed again.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the Enhance Print processing performed in step S4 of FIG.

First, in step S11, output medium instruction information is searched. The output medium designation information has a format shown in FIG. 5, for example. This output medium designation information can designate one output medium for each copy number. In the example of FIG. 5, the first copy is OHP, the second copy is cardboard,
It is instructed to print out the third copy on plain paper and the Nth copy on plain paper.

Next, in step S12, it is determined whether the designated output medium is an output medium that can be supported by LBP1500. By this determination, LBP
In the case of an output medium that can be supported by the 1500, analysis processing of the received data is performed in step S13, expansion processing into, for example, a bit map or the like for printing the analysis data is performed in step S14, and In S15, output processing to the designated output medium is executed based on the output medium instruction information. When the output processing in step S15 ends, this procedure ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the specified output medium is not an output medium that can be supported by LBP 1500, the output medium instruction information is changed in step S16. In step S16, for example, the default value stored in the ROM 13 is changed. The change of the output medium instruction information is performed in step S17.
, The host computer 3000 is notified.
Then, the processes of steps S13 to S15 are executed using the output medium instruction information after the change.

The normal printing process executed in step S5 in FIG. 3 is the same as that in step S5 shown in FIG.
Since the processing is the same as the processing of 13 to S15, the description is omitted here.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when executing a job specifying output of a plurality of copies,
A detailed output instruction can be made for each unit, and many functions that the output device originally has can be effectively used in one job. Therefore, the user can obtain various types of print results at a time. For example, when considering creating a presentation material using OHP, in addition to the output result for OHP, the printing of the material to be distributed to the participants on plain paper is also executed by one job. It becomes possible. That is, information that could not be instructed in the past in units of jobs can be instructed for each copy, and as a result, there is an effect that the work efficiency of the user can be improved.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the first embodiment described above, the information for instructing the output medium has been described as an example of the instruction information for each unit. However, when the present invention is applied to an output system,
It is also possible to realize more complicated processing. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which a print mode, a print target page, and the like, in addition to an output medium, are designated for each copy. Note that the present embodiment can be realized by the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the above-described first embodiment, and therefore, will be described with reference to these drawings. Further, a print output device (main process) executed by the output device (LBP) according to the present embodiment is the same as the procedure shown in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 6 shows an output device (LB) according to this embodiment.
It is a flowchart which shows the Enhance Print processing procedure in P).

First, in step S21, output instruction information is searched. The output designation information has, for example, a format shown in FIG. This output designation information can designate an output medium, a print mode, an output target page, and a paper discharge port for each copy number.

For example, in FIG. 7, for the first copy, the OHP is instructed to print out all pages in the one-sided printing mode and to output the output result to the paper output port TRY1. Have been. For the second copy,
It is instructed that printout is to be performed on all pages in the two-page print mode on the thick paper, and that the output result is to be discharged to the discharge port TRY2. In addition, for the third copy, it is instructed to perform print output on plain paper in the 4-page print mode for M pages and thereafter, and output the output result to the paper discharge port TRY3. Further, for the N-th copy, print output is performed on plain paper in up to M pages in the double-sided print mode, and the output result is output to the discharge port TRY5.
Is instructed to discharge the paper. As described above, in the present embodiment, more output instructions can be performed as compared with the first embodiment.

Next, in step S22, it is determined whether or not the LBP 1500 can support all of the specified information. If it is determined that the data can be supported by the LBP 1500, the received data is analyzed in step S23, and the analyzed data is expanded into, for example, a bitmap for printing in step S24. Step S2
In step 5, based on the output instruction information, an output process of data in a specified print mode and in a specified range is executed on a specified output medium, and the output result is output to a specified output port. Paper. When the output processing in step S25 ends, this procedure ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that not all of the specified information can be supported by LBP 1500, the output instruction information is changed in step S26. In step S26, only the information that cannot be supported or the entire output instruction information is changed to, for example, a default value stored in the ROM 13 in advance. The change of the output instruction information is notified to the host computer 3000 in step S27. Then, using the output instruction information after the change, steps S23 to S23 are performed.
The process of S25 is performed.

As described above, according to this embodiment, for example, when considering the creation of presentation materials using OHP, in addition to the output results for OHP, the materials to be distributed to the participants are printed on plain paper. It is possible to instruct a single job to perform a complicated process, such as printing out to a user, extracting only necessary data from the distribution material, and printing out. As a result, it is possible to further improve the work efficiency of the user.

[0050]

As described above, according to the output device of the first aspect or the output control method of the sixth aspect, it is determined whether or not the instruction information for printing and outputting a plurality of copies is added to the input data. And if it is determined that the instruction information is added, it is determined whether or not output information set for each of the parts to be printed out is added to the input data, When the output information set for each unit is added, the operation of the output device is controlled so as to print out the generated image data based on the added output information for each of the units. As a result, the output information settings, which had been performed on a job-by-job basis, can now be set for each unit, and as a result, the equipment's handling function is effectively used and the operator's work efficiency is improved. Effect that can be.

According to the output device of any one of claims 2 to 5, or the output control method of any one of claims 7 to 10, the output information is to output the output medium, the print mode, and the printed output medium. Since the information on the discharge port or the print output range is included, complicated processing instructions can be issued for each copy in one job, thereby further improving the work efficiency of the operator. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a laser beam printer (hereinafter, referred to as “LBP”) which is an output device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows schematic structure of.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an output system to which the output device shown in FIG. 1 is connected.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print processing (main processing) procedure in the output device (LBP) according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an enhancement performed in step S4 of FIG. 3;
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print processing procedure.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a format of output medium designation information in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows an output device (LB) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
It is a flowchart which shows the Enhance Print processing procedure in P).

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a format of output medium designation information in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 CPU (instruction information discriminating means, output information discriminating means, control means) 17 printing unit (output means) 18 input unit (input means) 1500 printer (output device) 3000 host computer (host device)

Claims (10)

[Claims] An input unit for inputting data from a host device; a data processing unit for generating image data by analyzing the input data and expanding the data into a printable format; An output device having an output unit for printing out data; an instruction information determining unit for determining whether or not instruction information for printing and outputting a plurality of copies is added to the input data; Output information determining means for determining whether or not output information set for each unit to be printed out is added to the input data when it is determined that the input data has been set; and Output information such that the generated image data is printed out based on the added output information for each of the units when the output information is added. An output device comprising: a control unit that controls the unit. 2. The output information includes information on an output medium, and the control unit controls the output unit to print out the generated image data on an output medium set for each unit. The output device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The output information includes information on a print mode, and the control means controls the output means so as to print out the generated image data in a print mode set for each copy. The output device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The output information includes information relating to a paper discharge port for discharging a print-output output medium, and the control unit outputs the print medium output to a paper discharge port set for each unit. 2. The output device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is controlled to discharge the paper. 5. The output information includes information on a range to be printed out, and the control unit controls the output unit so as to print out image data in a range set for each unit. The output device according to claim 1, wherein 6. An output control method of an output device for analyzing image data input from a higher-level device, generating image data by expanding the data into a printable format, and printing out the generated image data. It is determined whether or not instruction information for printing out a plurality of copies is added to the input data. If it is determined that the instruction information is added, the print output is performed on the input data. It is determined whether or not output information set for each unit is added, and if the output information set for each unit is added, the generated image data is An output control method, wherein the operation of the output device is controlled so as to print out based on the added output information. 7. The output information includes information on an output medium, and controls an operation of the output device so as to print out the generated image data on an output medium set for each unit. The output control method for an output device according to claim 6. 8. The output information includes information on a print mode, and controls an operation of the output device so as to print out the generated image data in a print mode set for each copy. The output control method for an output device according to claim 6. 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the output information includes information relating to a paper discharge port for discharging a print-output output medium, and discharges the print-output output medium to a paper discharge port set for each unit. 7. The output control method for an output device according to claim 6, wherein the operation of the output device is controlled. 10. The output device according to claim 6, wherein the output information includes information on a range to be printed out, and the output device is controlled so as to print out image data in a range set for each copy. Output control method of the output device.