JP2000218904A - Apparatus and method for managing output and memory medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an OHP output matched to a favorite by judging whether media designated to be output is an OHP or not, and designating outputting of the media different from the OHP recording the same data as data after outputting the OHP recording the data in the case of the OHP. SOLUTION: An output driver of a host system 3000 which converts data transmitted from an application into a data format capable of being interpreted by an output unit (printer) 2000 and generates the data forms data for one page based on input information from the application and output setting, and judges a media type designated to be output. The driver comprises a means for designating, in the case of the OHP, media different from the OHP or a sheet supply port different from a sheet supply port through which the OHP is introduced, again forming the same output data for one page, and inserting a form except the OHP outputting the same data after the OHP. Accordingly, the driver can deal with a diversifying user's favorite.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to output management for a printer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an output driver existing in a host device, even when OHP (indicating transparency) is output, normal output (the same output designation as output to normal print paper) or each page is output. Followed by an output specification method such as simply inserting a blank sheet.

[0003]

However, in the above-described normal output, there is a problem that the output OHPs are physically attached to each other and are difficult to separate. Also, recently, it is desired to insert a sheet on which the same data is output after OHP, or to overwrite data of all pages.
Since the user's preferences are diversified, such as inserting the paper that has output the view, after the OHP output,
There is a problem that user friendliness is lacking simply by inserting blank paper.

The present invention has been made in such a situation, and has been developed to meet the needs of diversified users.
An object is to provide an output management device, an output management method, and a storage medium that can obtain an output.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an output management device is provided by the following (1), (2),
(6) and (7), the output management method is configured as in (3) and (4) below, and the storage medium is configured as in (5) below.

(1) The medium whose output is specified is OHP
Determining whether the medium is an OHP, outputting an OHP on which the data is recorded, and then outputting the same data as the OHP. And an instruction means for instructing to output different media.

(2) The medium whose output is specified is OHP
And if the medium is an OHP and the OHP is not the last page, the OHP on which the data is recorded is output, and no data is recorded thereafter. , Output a medium different from the OHP, and output an OHP on which data is recorded when the OHP is the last page, and thereafter output a medium different from the OHP on which data of all pages are recorded. Output management device comprising: an instruction unit for instructing the output management.

(3) The medium whose output is specified is OHP
And if the medium is determined to be an OHP in this step, an OHP on which data is recorded is output, and thereafter the same data as the data is recorded. Instructing to output the media.

(4) The medium whose output is specified is OHP
And if the medium is determined to be an OHP in this step, and if the OHP is not the last page, an OHP on which data is recorded is output, and no data is recorded thereafter. When the OHP is the last page, it outputs the OHP on which the data is recorded, and then outputs on the media different from the OHP on which the data of all pages are recorded. And an output management method.

(5) A storage medium storing a program for implementing the output management method according to (3) or (4).

(6) In an output management device existing in a higher-level device having a function of converting data transmitted from an application into data that can be processed by an output device and transmitting the converted data, the input management device uses input information from the application and output settings. Means for creating one page of data, means for determining the media type for which output is specified based on input information from the application,
In the case of, the same output data is created for one page again by specifying a medium different from the OHP or a paper feeding port different from the paper feeding port containing the OHP, and the same output data is recorded after the OHP. An output management device comprising: means for inserting a medium different from OHP; and means for executing this data creation method until input information from an application is completed.

(7) In an output management device existing in a higher-level device having a function of converting data transmitted from an application into data that can be processed by an output device and transmitting the data, the output management device uses input information from the application and output settings. Means for creating one page of data, means for determining a media type for which output has been specified, means for determining whether or not input of input information from an application has been completed, and a medium for which output has been specified. If the type is OHP and the process has not been completed, blank page data is created by specifying a media different from the OHP or a paper source different from the one containing the OHP, and the blank page is created after the OHP. A means for inserting a medium different from the OHP of the page, and an OHP when the media type is OHP and the media type is completed. Media, or a paper feed port different from the paper feed port containing the OHP, to create data reduced so that all data fits on one page, and record the data after the OHP, Output management device comprising means for inserting a medium different from the above.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to embodiments of a printing system. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the form of an object, but may be a method such as an output management method, or a CD storing a program for implementing the method.
-It can be similarly implemented in the form of a storage medium such as a ROM.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a "printing system" according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, a laser beam printer (hereinafter, referred to as LBP) which is a printing device will be described as an example of the output device.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3000 denotes a higher-level device for processing a document 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 a ROM 3. Run 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.
The font ROM stores font data and the like used in the document processing, and the data ROM of the ROM 3 stores various data used in the document processing and the like. Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 1. 5 is a keyboard controller (KB
In C), key input from the keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown) is controlled. Reference numeral 6 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC), and a CRT display (CRT) 10
Control the display of. 7 is a memory controller (MC)
Controls access to an external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy disk (FD) for storing a boot program, various output driver programs, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, and the like. Reference numeral 8 denotes a printer controller (PRTC) which is connected to the LBP 2000 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21 and executes communication control processing with the LBP 2000. The CPU 1 executes, for example, a process of developing (rasterizing) the outline font in the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, and executes WYSIW on the CRT 10.
YG is possible. Further, the CPU 1 has a CRT 10
Various registered windows are opened based on a command instructed by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) to execute various data processing.

The LBP 2000 inputs and stores print information and the like supplied from the outside, creates a corresponding character pattern and the like in accordance with the information, and forms an image on a recording medium such as recording paper. Reference numeral 22 denotes an operation unit in which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged. Reference numeral 2001 denotes a printer control unit that controls the entire LBP main body and analyzes character information supplied from an external device. The printer control unit 2001 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and sends the video signal to the printing unit 17. Further, reference numeral 12 denotes a printer CPU.
Based on a control program or the like stored in a program ROM of the ROM 13 or a control program or the like stored in the external memory 14, access to various devices connected to the system bus 15 is comprehensively controlled. An image signal as output information is output to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via the. The program ROM of the ROM 13 has C
Various control programs executed by the PU 12 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 having no external memory 14 such as a hard disk, the data ROM 3 stores information and the like used on the host device 3000. The CPU 12 is capable of performing communication processing with the host device 3000 via the input unit 18, and transmits information and the like in the LBP 2000 to the host device 300.
0 can be notified. Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown).
The RAM 19 is used for an output information development area, an environment data storage area, an NVRAM, and the like. The access to the external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) and an IC card is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 20. The external memory 14 is optionally connected,
Stores font data, emulation programs, form data, etc. Paper feed deck and staple
r29 is controlled by an OC (optional controller) 28, which is a dedicated controller that performs overall paper processing management.

In the above configuration, this embodiment is
An output driver existing in the host device 3000 having a function of converting data transmitted from the application into a data format that can be interpreted by the output device (printer) 2000 and outputting the data based on input information from the application and output settings. Means for creating one page of data, and a media type designated for output, and if it is an OHP, a medium different from the OHP,
Alternatively, by specifying a paper feed port different from the paper feed port containing the OHP, the same output data is created again for one page, and
After the HP, there is provided a means for inserting a sheet (for example, a normal sheet) other than the OHP to which the same output data is output.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 shows the processing procedure of the output driver on the host device 3000 side. S1 to S5 indicate each step. First, in step 1, after the user instructs output on the output menu of the application, depending on whether or not there is input information from the application, if NO, wait for the input information, and if YES, proceed to step 2. . In step 2, data for one page is created based on the output settings. Next, in step 3, it is determined whether or not the output medium is OHP. In the case of NO, the process proceeds to step 5, and in the case of YES, the process proceeds to step 4. In step 4, the same output data as that created in step 2 is created for one page by specifying a medium different from the OHP or a sheet feeding port different from the sheet feeding port containing the OHP, and then proceeding to step 5. move on. In step 5, depending on whether or not the input information from the application has been completed, the process returns to step 2 in the case of NO, and ends this process in the case of YES.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the media type whose output is specified is OHP, the output driver existing in the host device 3000 creates one page of data for OHP. After performing the above, the same data is created again by specifying a medium different from the OHP or a paper supply port different from the paper supply port in which the OHP is inserted, thereby making it possible to cope with diversifying user preferences. , User friendliness can be greatly improved.

(Embodiment 2) In this embodiment, the first embodiment will be described.
In the same hardware configuration as described above, the medium is OHP and the input information is not completed by the means for determining the type of the media whose output is specified and the means for determining whether or not the input information from the application has been completed. In this case, a blank page data is created by specifying a medium different from the OHP or a paper feed port different from the paper feed port containing the OHP, and the blank page data is inserted after the OHP. In this case, overview data is created on a medium different from the OHP so that the data of all pages is reduced to fit into one page, and inserted after the OHP.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 3 shows a processing procedure of the output driver on the host device 3000 side. S11-S
17 shows each step. First, in step 11, after the user instructs output on the output menu of the application, depending on whether or not there is input information from the application, if NO, wait for the input information, and if YES, proceed to step 12. . In step 12, data for one page is created based on the output settings. Next, in step 13, it is determined whether or not the output medium is OHP. If NO, the process proceeds to step 15, and YES
If, go to step 14. In step 15, depending on whether or not the input information from the application has been completed, in the case of NO, the process returns to step 12, and in the case of YES, the present process is ended. On the other hand, if the process has proceeded to step 14, whether the input information from the application has been completed or not is determined. If no, in step 17, a media different from the OHP or a paper feed port containing the OHP is determined. By specifying a different paper feed port, blank page data is created, and the process returns to step 12. If YES, at step 16, all page data is converted into one page for a medium different from OHP. Ove shrunk to fit
The rview data is created, and the process ends.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the output driver existing in the host device creates one page of data for the OHP when the media type whose output is specified is OHP. After that, as a data to be output on a sheet to be inserted after the OHP, a medium different from the OHP or a paper feed port different from the paper feed port containing the OHP is designated. Create a page, and for the last page, the data of all pages is 1
By creating Overview data reduced to fit on a page, it is possible to respond to diversifying user preferences, and to greatly improve user friendliness as compared with the related art.

In each of the embodiments described above, the LBP is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be implemented by using another printing apparatus (ink jet, dot matrix, etc.). In each of the embodiments, an example has been described in which output management is performed in a higher-level device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be implemented in a form in which output management is performed in a printing device.

The present invention can be implemented in a stand-alone environment or a network environment. It can also be implemented in the form of an output management method. Further, the present invention can be implemented by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus via a storage medium.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to cope with diversifying user preferences and greatly improve user friendliness as compared with the related art.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the working collar 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 3 ROM 17 Printing part 2000 Output device (LBP) 2001 Output device (LBP) control unit 3000 Host device

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A determining means for determining whether or not a medium designated to be output is an OHP, and when the determining means determines that the medium is an OHP, an OHP on which data is recorded is output. And an instructing means for instructing to output a medium different from the OHP on which the same data as the data is recorded. 2. A judgment means for judging whether or not a medium designated to be output is an OHP. When the judgment means judges that the medium is an OHP, if the OHP is not the last page, the data is outputted. Outputs the recorded OHP, does not record the data thereafter, and instructs to output a medium different from the OHP. When the OHP is the last page, outputs the OHP on which the data is recorded, and thereafter outputs the data of all pages. And an instructing means for instructing to output a medium different from the OHP on which is recorded. 3. A step of judging whether or not the medium designated to be output is an OHP. If it is judged in this step that the medium is an OHP, an OHP on which data is recorded is output. Instructing to output a medium different from the OHP on which the same data as the data is recorded. 4. A step of judging whether or not the medium designated to be output is an OHP, and if it is judged in this step that the medium is an OHP, data is recorded if the OHP is not the last page. Outputs OHP, then does not record data. Instructs to output a media different from OHP. If OHP is the last page, outputs OHP with data recorded, and then records data of all pages. And instructing to output a medium different from the OHP. 5. A storage medium storing a program for realizing the output management method according to claim 3. 6. An output management device in a higher-level device having a function of converting data transmitted from an application into data that can be processed by an output device and transmitting the data, based on input information from the application and output settings. 1
Means for creating data for a page, means for determining a media type designated for output based on input information from an application, and when the media type is OHP, a medium different from OHP or OHP is included Means for designating a paper feed port different from the paper feed port, creating the same output data for one page again, and inserting a medium different from the OHP in which the same output data is recorded after the OHP; Means for executing a creation method until input information from the application is completed. 7. An output management device in a higher-level device having a function of converting data transmitted from an application into data that can be processed by an output device and transmitting the data, based on input information from the application and output settings. 1
Means for creating data for a page, means for determining a media type for which output is specified, means for determining whether or not input of input information from an application has been completed, and a medium for which output is specified. If the OHP has not been completed yet, a blank page data is created by specifying a medium different from the OHP or a paper feed port different from the paper feed port containing the OHP, and the OHP is followed by the blank page data. , Means for inserting a medium different from the OHP, and if the media type is OHP and has been completed, specify a medium different from the OHP or a paper inlet different from the paper inlet containing the OHP. , Create data that is reduced to fit all data on one page,
Means for inserting a medium different from the OHP in which the data is recorded after the OHP.