JP2000168166A - Printing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print files for printing together which are formed by different applications. SOLUTION: A preservation attribute is added by a printer driver or an application to a file for printing which is formed by each application in a host computer 1. Files with this attribute are sent by the printer driver to a printer apparatus 2 and preserved inside. Print data sent together with a printing execution instruction from the host computer 1 and preserved print data are printed together.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and method for analyzing print data and executing printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing apparatus such as a laser beam printer receives print data from each application, for example, word processing software or graphic creation software through a printer driver in a host computer and executes printing in accordance with the print data. I do.

For example, when printing a created document file or drawing file, a corresponding application displays the file and then issues a print instruction from a menu screen. As a result, a print control program called a printer driver is activated, and print data included in the file is printed.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, it is necessary to print the print data of the file as one document by displaying an application corresponding to the file to be printed (generally called open).
For this reason, it was not possible to print document files created by different applications at once.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus and method capable of printing files (print data) created by different applications collectively.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus for receiving print data from a host computer and printing the print data on the print data received from the host computer. On the other hand, an instruction to save print data or an instruction to print print data is added, a determining unit for determining the type of the instruction, a recording unit for storing the print data, and a printing unit for printing the print data. When it is determined by the determination unit that there is an instruction to save the print data, the received data is stored in the storage unit, and the determination unit determines that there is an instruction to print the print data. In this case, the print data stored in the storage means is printed collectively by the printing means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the print data received from the host computer further includes an instruction to print the print data alone. However, when it is determined that there is an instruction for printing alone, the received print data is printed by the printing means without passing through the recording means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, print order designation data indicating a print order is added to the print data. Are printed in accordance with the print order indicated by the print order designation data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, print data received in one job is a plurality of pages.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the printing means can print the print data on both sides.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the printing means includes one of
It is characterized in that print data of two pages or more can be printed on a sheet surface.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the print data can be described in a plurality of types of page description languages.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, when the print data is described in a plurality of page description languages, the print data is printed. It is characterized by not doing.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, when print data is described in a plurality of types of page description languages, the printing apparatus further includes a display unit for notifying the user of the fact. It is characterized by.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the eighth or ninth aspect, when the print data is described in a plurality of types of page description languages, the fact is notified to the host computer. The method further comprises the step of:

According to a eleventh aspect of the present invention, in a printing method for receiving print data from a host computer and printing the data on a printer, an instruction to store the print data or an instruction to print the print data with respect to the print data received from the host computer is provided. An instruction is added, and the printer determines the type of the instruction, and when it is determined that there is an instruction to save the print data, saves the received data, and determines that there is an instruction to print the print data. If it is determined, the stored print data is printed collectively.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the printing method according to the eleventh aspect, the print data received from the host computer is further provided with an instruction to print the print data alone. Is determined, and if it is determined that there is an instruction for printing alone, the received print data is printed as it is without saving.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the printing method according to the eleventh or twelfth aspect, print order designation data indicating a print order is added to the print data, and the printer is stored. The print data is printed in accordance with the print order indicated by the print order designation data.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the printing method according to any one of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects, print data received in one job is a plurality of pages.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the printing method according to any one of the eleventh to fourteenth aspects, the printing means can perform double-sided printing of print data.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the printing method according to any one of the eleventh to fifteenth aspects, the printer can print two or more pages of print data on one sheet surface. It is characterized by the following.

According to a seventeenth aspect, in the printing method according to any one of the eleventh to sixteenth aspects, the print data can be described in a plurality of types of page description languages.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the printing method according to any one of the eleventh to seventeenth aspects, when the print data is described in a plurality of types of page description languages, the print data is printed. It is characterized by not doing.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the printing method according to the eighteenth aspect, when print data is described in a plurality of types of page description languages, the fact is notified.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the printing method according to the eighteenth or nineteenth aspect, if the print data is described in a plurality of types of page description languages, the fact is notified to the host computer. It is characterized by doing.

[0026]

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

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a host computer in which a plurality of applications and a printer driver are installed (implemented), and print data created by the installed printer driver is transmitted to the second printer. In the printer device of 2, the print data is received by the printer controller of 3, and after predetermined data processing, the image is formed by the image printing section (printer engine) of 4.

The present invention relates to the printer controller 3 and will be described below. FIG. 2 shows the printer controller 3, and its operation will be described below.

The printer controller 3 receives the print data sent from the host computer 1. Reference numeral 5 denotes a reception buffer which records (stores) print data transmitted from the host computer 1.

The print mode determining section 6 determines which print mode is added to the received print data, and determines that the print mode is a "single print mode", that is, the received print data is When it is determined that the print mode is the “single print mode” for printing only data, the print data is directly transmitted to the image forming unit 7. When the print mode is a “recording (storage) mode”, that is, a “recording mode” for recording received print data in order to collectively print received print data later, or when the print mode is “record mode” If it is determined that the recording data printing mode is one of the recording data printing modes in which the received print data is printed together with the print data that has been recorded so far, the received print data Is once transmitted to the recording device 8 for storage.

The image forming section 7 converts the received print data into bitmap image data. The job control unit 9 controls the transmission destination of the print data determined by the print mode determination unit 6 and controls the print data to be transmitted from the recording device 8 to the image forming unit 7.

Next, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer controller 3, and the operation will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, step 101 (“S101” in the figure)
Displayed with. In the printer controller 3, the receiving buffer 5 receives the print data from the host computer 1. Next, at step 102, the print mode discriminating section 6 judges the type of print mode in the received data. If it is determined that the print mode is the “single print mode”, the printing process of the received print data is immediately executed in step 111. If it is determined that the printing mode is another mode, the printing mode determination unit 6 determines whether the printing mode is the “recording data printing mode” in the next step 103, and the printing is executed. Step 104
Then, the order of the print data already recorded in the recording device 8 and the order of the received print data is finally sorted by the job control unit 9. When the order of printing is determined, printing is performed until the recorded print data is finally exhausted (steps 105 to 108).

If it is determined in step 103 that the printing mode is the "recording mode", then in step 109, "printing order designation data" (application or printer of the host computer 1) added to the received print data. The setting is recorded manually or automatically during the execution of the driver, and the number of the job to be printed in the final printing is recorded in the recording device 8 in the form of print order designation data. Next, in step 110, the print data received is recorded in the recording device 8 itself.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the data structure in the print data.

When the present embodiment is carried out, it is necessary for the printer to prepare parameters relating to the "print mode" in advance. For this purpose, the printer driver of the host computer 1 reads the PPD file describing the specifications of the printer body, taking PostScript as an example, thereby recognizing the parameter settings (print mode) on the printer driver. can do.

The print data recorded in the recording device 8 can be recorded provisionally or permanently.
In this case, another parameter may be prepared, and whether to delete the print data at the time of printing may be changed according to the set value. Further, the job to be recorded may span a plurality of page description languages.

As another form, the print mode can be set (instructed) on a setting screen of a printer driver or a print instruction menu of an application.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows the configuration of a printer controller 3 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
In the printer controller 3, the reception buffer 1
5 receives the print data transmitted from the host computer 1 and records the transmitted print data. The print mode determining unit 16 determines the type of the print mode in the received print data. When it is determined that the print mode is the “single print mode”, that is, the “single print mode” in which only the received print data is printed, the print data is directly transmitted to the image forming unit 17. When the print mode is a “recording mode” in which the received print data is recorded so as to be collectively printed later, or when the print mode is used, the received print data and the recorded print data are printed together. If it is determined that the print mode is one of the “record data print mode”, the received print data is once transmitted to the recording device 18 and recorded.

The image forming section 17 converts the received print data into bitmap image data. Page control unit 19
Performs control of the transmission destination of the print data determined by the print mode determination unit 16 and control for transmitting the print data from the recording device 18 to the image forming unit 7.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer controller 3, and the operation will be described below.

First, in step 201, the printer controller 3 receives print data from the host computer 1 in the reception buffer 15. Next, in step 202, the type of “print mode data” in the received data is determined by the print mode determining unit 16. If the print mode is determined to be “single print mode”, step 211
Immediately executes the printing process of the received print data. If it is determined that the print mode is another mode, the print mode determination unit 16 determines whether or not the print mode is the “record data print mode” in the next step 203. The print mode is "record data print mode",
If printing is to be executed, the page control unit 19 finally sorts the page configuration of the print data already recorded in the recording device 8 and the received print data in step 204. When the page to be printed is determined, printing is performed until the recorded print data is finally exhausted (steps 205 to 208).

If the print mode is determined to be the "recording mode" in step 203, "print page designation data" in the received print data is first recorded in step 209, The recording device 8 records whether to print as an eye job. Next, the received print data is recorded in the recording device 8 itself.

When the present embodiment is carried out, it is necessary for the printer to prepare parameters relating to the “print mode” in advance.
Taking pt as an example, a PPD that describes the specifications of the printer
By reading the file, the settings of the parameters can be recognized on the printer driver.

The print data recorded in the recording device 8 can be recorded either temporarily or permanently.
In this case, another parameter may be prepared, and whether to delete the print data at the time of printing may be changed according to the set value. Further, the pages to be recorded may span a plurality of page description languages.

(Third Embodiment) The third embodiment is the same as the second embodiment.
This embodiment is an example in which a control command relating to printing is attached to the final print data, and this control command is reflected also on a page that has already been recorded, as compared with the embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a recording example of the recording device 8 according to the third embodiment, which will be described below.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 100 denotes print data recorded in the recording device 8. Reference numerals 101 to 104 represent designated pages recorded in each job. 10
Reference numeral 5 denotes print data including the last print mode, in which designation of double-sided printing and 2-Up (a function of printing two or more pages on one sheet of paper. Command) is also included.

In the present embodiment, these (double-sided printing,
The function (-Up) is also to be reflected in the already recorded print data.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the third embodiment, when print data spanning a plurality of page description languages is recorded, the print data shown in FIG. The page described in a different page description language is printed on the side. In such a case, 1) pages described in a plurality of types of page description languages are not printed on the same page, or 2) the last print data is displayed on the display panel of the printer after analyzing the print data. (Or, the communication means (not shown) of the printer body notifies the host computer that there is print data described in a plurality of types of page description languages.) 3) Further, the print data is converted into bitmap data for each type of printer language. Function to convert the image into the image forming unit,
Or 4) A countermeasure for such a situation is already determined in the printer main body (for example, synonymous with the PostScript Policies parameter), or it may be handled by any one of these or a combination thereof. In this case, the print mode determining unit 6 determines the type of the page description language based on the above conditions,
The instruction after the judgment is performed.

As described above, by including the parameter of the “print mode” in the print data and recording the print data in the recording device in the printer main body, the print data created from the plurality of applications and the Print data created in the printer description language can be printed as if it were the same document, and editing between pages can be performed without using an application on a special host.

[0052]

According to the first to twentieth aspects of the present invention, attention is paid to the fact that data to be printed created by different applications is processed by the printer driver into print data for the printer, and the print data is newly stored. A print mode for printing at a time later is provided. This allows the host computer to store files created by various applications on a printing device (printer) for a document or drawing file created by a different application, and finally issue a print instruction by issuing a print instruction. It is also possible to print files created by different applications.

Further, according to the second and twelfth aspects of the present invention, in addition to the above-described batch printing processing, it is possible to print a single file as in the related art.

According to the inventions of claims 3, 4, 13, and 14, 1
Even if one document is divided and the subsequent pages are stored in the printing device first, they can be printed in the page order based on the print order designation data.

According to the fifth, sixth, fifteenth and sixteenth aspects of the present invention, the function of double-sided printing and the function of printing a plurality of pages on one side can be added to the first aspect of the present invention.

In the invention of claims 7 to 10 and 17 to 20,
By defining measures for print data described in different page description languages, printing troubles can be avoided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating details of a printer controller 3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating control processing contents of a printer controller.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of print data.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating details of a printer controller 3 according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control processing contents of a printer controller 3 according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a printing process according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a printing process according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host computer 2 Printer main body 3 Printer controller 4 Image printing part 5, 15 Reception buffer 6, 16 Print mode discriminating part 7, 17 Image forming part 8, 18 Recording device 9 Job control part 19 Page control part 100 Recorded data 101 First recorded data 102 Second recorded data 103 Third recorded data 104 Fourth recorded data 105 Fifth received data (print execution data)

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A printing device that receives print data from a host computer and prints the print data, the print data received from the host computer being added with an instruction to store print data or an instruction to print print data. A determination unit for determining the type of the instruction, a recording unit for storing the print data, and a printing unit for printing the print data, wherein the determination unit determines that there is an instruction to save the print data. Storing the received data in the storage means, and when the determination means determines that there is an instruction to print the print data, collectively stores the print data stored in the storage means in the printing means. A printing device, characterized in that the printing is performed by a printer. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data received from the host computer further includes an instruction to print the print data alone, and the discriminating unit outputs the print data. When it is determined that there is an instruction to print, the printing device prints the received print data without using the recording device. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data includes print order designation data indicating a print order, and the printing unit is stored in the recording unit. A printing apparatus for printing print data in accordance with a print order indicated by the print order designation data. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data received in one job is a plurality of pages. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said printing means is capable of printing print data on both sides. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said printing means is capable of printing two or more pages of print data on one sheet of paper. Printing device. 7. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said print data can be described in a plurality of types of page description languages. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the print data is described in a plurality of types of page description languages, the print data is not printed. Printing device. 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising display means for notifying, when the print data is described in a plurality of kinds of page description languages, that fact. apparatus. 10. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means for notifying the host computer of the fact that the print data is described in a plurality of types of page description languages. A printing device, characterized in that: 11. A printing method in which print data is received from a host computer and printed by a printer, the print data received from the host computer being added with an instruction to store the print data or an instruction to print the print data. The printer determines the type of the instruction, and if it is determined that there is an instruction to save print data, the printer saves the received data, and if it is determined that there is an instruction to print the print data, Is a method for printing stored print data collectively. 12. The printing method according to claim 11, wherein the print data received from the host computer is further provided with an instruction to print the print data alone, and it is determined whether or not the print data is present. If it is determined that there is a print instruction in step (1), the received print data is printed without being saved. 13. The printing method according to claim 11, wherein the print data is added with print order designation data indicating a print order, and the printer prints the stored print data on the print data. A printing method, wherein printing is performed in accordance with the printing order indicated by the order designation data. 14. The printing method according to claim 11, wherein print data received in one job is a plurality of pages. 15. A printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said printing means is capable of printing both sides of print data. 16. The printing method according to claim 11, wherein the printer can print two or more pages of print data on one sheet of paper. Printing method. 17. The printing method according to claim 11, wherein said print data can be described in a plurality of types of page description languages. 18. The printing method according to claim 11, wherein when the print data is described in a plurality of types of page description languages, the print data is not printed. The printing method you want. 19. The printing method according to claim 18, wherein, when the print data is described in a plurality of types of page description languages, the fact is notified. 20. The printing method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein when print data is described in a plurality of types of page description languages, the fact is notified to the host computer. The printing method you want.