JP2000289262A - Printer, print system, print method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate a special board for generating image data and reduce costs by reading out for every predetermined unit page image data generated by a host computer and stored in a file system, storing the data in a memory and supplying the data to a print engine to print. SOLUTION: A host computer 2 executes each kind of a program of a word processor, a graphic editor or the like under the control of an operating system, thereby realizing a predetermined function. A printer driver executing on the computer 2 generates image data of a raster form based on document data handed from an application program, writes the data to a file system 3 as a remote file system of a printer 1, and notifies a write position to the printer 1. The printer 1 reads out image data from the file system 3 in accordance with the notification and carries out printing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printer and a printing system connected to a network.

2. Description of the Related Art A page printer such as a laser printer (hereinafter, collectively referred to as "printer") performs print processing by receiving print job data transmitted from a host computer in accordance with a print instruction from a user. That is, the host computer transfers the document data from the application program such as a word processor to the printer driver to convert the print data into print job data, and transmits the print job data to the printer in accordance with a print instruction from the user. The printer interprets the print job data transmitted from the host computer, generates raster-format image data, and temporarily expands the generated image data in an image memory (sometimes called a “frame buffer”). . Thereafter, the printer realizes printing by supplying the developed image data to the print engine.

As described above, the conventional printer receives print job data from the host computer every time a print instruction is issued, generates image data, and performs printing. Therefore, the printer needs to be equipped with a dedicated controller board for generating image data.

Prior to giving a print instruction and causing a printer to execute printing, a user often performs a so-called print preview on a screen of a host computer to check a printing state in advance. However, in such a print preview, since the application on the host computer generates image data for a screen in accordance with information on page settings (page style), the original image data generated by the printer is faithfully represented. Sometimes it wasn't.

Further, in such a print preview, it is very convenient if image data edited directly by a user on a computer screen can be directly sent to a printer.

[0004] Recently, color-compatible printers have also become widespread. This color printer is
After converting RGB document data into CMYK data and generating image data for each of the CMYK colors, the toner images based on the image data for each of the colors are superimposed, transferred to printing paper, and subjected to color printing. It is to realize. That is, even if the printer superimposes the toner images one by one for CMYK,
To obtain image data of any one of MYK,
Since all the information of RGB is required, it is necessary to mount a large-capacity image memory.

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to realize a printer which does not require a dedicated controller board for generating image data, and to provide a low-cost printer.

A second object of the present invention is to enable a print preview screen to faithfully represent an actual print result.

A third object of the present invention is to enable editing of image data sent to a printer.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a printer capable of performing color printing with a small-capacity image memory equivalent to a monochrome compatible printer.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is specified as follows.

That is, according to the present invention, image data generated by a host computer and stored in a file system on a network is read out for each predetermined unit page (or a predetermined bandwidth) and stored in an image memory. The printer performs printing by supplying image data stored in a memory to the print engine.

Further, the present invention provides a storage means for storing image data constituting a predetermined unit page, and reads out image data stored in a storage device of a host computer for each of the predetermined unit pages and stores the read image data in the storage means. A printer comprising: an access unit for writing; and a control unit for reading image data stored in the storage unit and supplying the read image data to a print execution unit for printing on a print recording medium.

Here, it is preferable that the access unit reads the image data constituting the predetermined unit page from a storage device of the host computer in a predetermined file format. It is preferable that the access unit reads the second image data from the storage device of the host computer every time the control unit supplies the first image data to the print execution unit.

The present invention also relates to a color-compatible type for performing color printing by supplying image data for each color component stored in an image memory to a print engine and superimposing images formed for each color component. Wherein image data generated by a host computer and stored in a file system on a network is read out for each of the color components and stored in the image memory.

Further, the present invention is a color-compatible printer which supplies image data for each color component to a print engine and performs color printing by superimposing images formed for each color component, Storage means for storing image data of any one of the color components; access means for reading image data of any one of the color components stored in a storage device of the host computer and writing the image data to the storage means; And control means for supplying the image data of any one of the color components stored in the printer to a print executing means for printing on a print recording medium.

Here, it is preferable that the access unit sequentially reads out image data constituting a predetermined page stored in a storage device of the host computer for each color component, and writes the read image data into the storage unit.

Further, according to the present invention, in a printing system including a host computer having a file system and a printer, the host computer generates image data based on document data; A file management unit that performs predetermined processing based on the request, wherein the printer stores image data, an access unit that requests the file management unit for a file access, and a storage unit that stores the image data. Control means for supplying the output image data to print execution means for performing printing on a print recording medium, wherein the file management means converts the image data stored in the storage device of the host computer into a predetermined unit page. Read each time and store A printing system which is characterized by being configured to write the stage.

Here, it is preferable that the host computer further includes sending means for sending a print request to the printer. Further, it is preferable that the transmission unit is configured to transmit a print request to the printer when the image data is written to the file system.

Further, the sending means sends, to the printer, information on a place where the image data is written together with the print request, and an access means based on the information about the place where the image data is written. It is preferable to make a file access request to the file management means.

Note that the invention of the above-mentioned object is established as an invention of a method, and the invention of the method is established as an invention of an object. That is, according to the present invention, image data generated by a host computer and stored in a file system on a network is read out for each predetermined unit data, stored in an image memory, and the image data stored in the image memory is printed. This is a printing method characterized by performing printing by supplying to an engine.

In a printing method for a printing system including a host computer having a file system and a printer, the host computer generates image data based on document data, and stores the image data in a predetermined storage location of the file system. Writing image data, sending a print request to the printer, and reading the image data from a predetermined storage location in the file system according to the print request, and performing printing based on the image data. This is a printing method of a printing system which is a feature of the present invention.

Further, the present invention can be realized by a program, and is realized as a recording medium on which the program is recorded. That is, the present invention is a recording medium on which a program for causing a host computer to realize a predetermined function is recorded, wherein the program generates image data for printing by a printer based on document data. File management means for writing image data generated by the generation means to a predetermined storage location in a file system of the computer or reading from a predetermined storage location in a file system of the computer; and reading the image data by the file management means And a sending unit for sending the image data to the printer.

Here, the program further includes a print request unit that sends a print request including information on the predetermined storage location to the printer in order to cause the printer to perform printing. The image data may be read from the predetermined storage location based on a file access request sent from the printer in response to the print request.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a print system according to the present embodiment. In the figure, a printer 1 is connected to a host computer 2 via a network N (only one is shown in the figure). The host computer 2 executes various application programs such as a word processor and a graphic editor, various drivers such as a printer driver, and other programs under the control of an operating system (hereinafter, referred to as “OS”) to realize predetermined functions. . The host computer 2 has a file system 3 as an auxiliary storage device, and stores document data handled by an application program and the like as a predetermined file structure. This file system 3
Functions as a local file system (local disk) of the host computer 2 and a remote file system (remote disk) of the printer 1.
It is configured to function also as.

In this embodiment, a printer driver executed on a host computer 2 generates raster-format image data based on document data delivered from an application program, and generates this data in a local file system (that is, a printer 1). To the remote file system 3),
The writing location is notified to the printer 1, and the printer 1 reads out image data from the file system 3 and executes printing according to the notification. That is, the present embodiment is for the host computer 2 to generate raster image data, and is referred to as a software RIP (Raster Image Processor).

That is, when a printing instruction is given from a user or the like, the host computer 2 executing the application program delivers the document data handled by the application program to the printer driver to generate image data (FIG. (Middle), and store it as a file in a predetermined directory of the file system 3 (in the figure). Host computer 2
Sends a print request to the printer 1 together with the storage location of the file (in the figure). Upon receiving the print request, the printer 1 reads a file from the file system 3 in accordance with the storage location of the file, and expands the file in the image memory (in the figure). Then, the printer 1 supplies the image data developed in the image memory to the print engine in accordance with the operation state of the print engine, thereby realizing printing (in the figure). When the host computer 2 receives the print preview instruction instead of the print instruction, the host computer 2 executes the graphic editor when the image data is generated (more preferably, when the image data is written to the file system 3). By executing an application such as this, the image data may be displayed and edited.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the host computer 2 according to the present embodiment. The host computer 2 is connected to be able to communicate with the network N. The host computer 2 has a file system 3 as an auxiliary storage device realized by, for example, a hard disk device or a DVD-RAM. The host computer 2 executes various programs under the control of the OS to realize predetermined functions.

An application program (hereinafter, referred to as "application") A is an execution module such as a word processor that handles document data including text data and graphic data, and the application B is an execution module such as a graphic editor. It is preferable that the application B can display and edit bitmap image data.

When the printer driver 21 receives, for example, document data and various parameters necessary for printing from the application A to which a print instruction is given, the printer driver 21 generates image data based on the document data. The image data is data expressing an image such as a text or a figure to be printed on a printing paper by pixels (dots). When the printer driver 21 generates image data for a unit page (for example, for one page), it issues a file write request to the file management unit 23 to store the image data in a predetermined directory of the file system 3. The printer driver 22 waits for a response from the file management unit 23 that the writing of the file is completed, and sends a print request to the printer 1 via the communication unit 22 together with information on the storage location of the file.

The communication unit 22 includes a network N such as a LAN.
To communicate with the printer 1 and other host computers. The communication unit 22 includes various hardware, a LAN driver, and the like.

The file management unit 23 performs the processing in response to a request for file access (file operation) such as reading or writing to the file system 3 and obtains a processing result (for example, “success” or “failure” for a writing request). , Etc., and a read request (status information and read data). Further, the file management unit 23 stores the file system 3
Is received from a client having a relationship with a remote file system (the printer 1 corresponds in the present embodiment). In other words, the file management unit 23 uses the network file system (NFS;
Network File System) and other file sharing functions are provided to achieve file sharing. Here, NFS refers to a system that provides a wide range of functions for remotely accessing a file system on a network, and is synonymous with a distributed file system (DFS). Thereby, the file management unit 23
When a file access request to the file system 3 is received from a client (not shown) via the application A or B or the network N, the client performs a process corresponding to the request and returns a processing result to the request source.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the printer 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a communication unit 31, a print request receiving unit 32, an image data management unit 33, an image memory 34, an engine control unit 35, and a print engine 36.

The communication unit 31 includes a network N such as a LAN.
And for communication with the host computer 2. The communication unit 31 includes various hardware, a LAN driver, and the like. Communication unit 31
Interprets the communication data sent from the host computer 2 and, if interpreted as a print request, transfers it to the print request accepting unit 32, and if interpreted as image data, transfers it to the image data management unit 33. .

Upon receiving a print request from the host computer 2 via the communication unit 31, the print request receiving unit 32 extracts information on the storage location of the file included in the print request and notifies the image data management unit 33 of the information. .

The image data management unit 33 performs processing for reading out image data from the file system 3 based on the information on the storage location of the file.
That is, the image data management unit 35 requests the file management unit 23 on the host computer 2 to read out a file (image data) indicated by the information on the storage location of the file. The transmitted image data in a file format is developed in the image memory 34.

The image memory 34 stores raster image data for one page of printing paper. The image memory 34 is realized by, for example, a DRAM or an SRAM.

The engine control unit 35 includes the image memory 3
4, the image data is rasterized in the image memory 34 while the print engine 36 is controlled. When the image data is received from the image data controller 33, the raster image data is sequentially read out and printed. Supply to the engine 36.

The print engine 36 prints on printing paper. The print engine 38 includes, for example, a laser irradiation mechanism, a photosensitive drum, a heat fixing mechanism, a paper feeding mechanism, and the like in the case of a laser printer.

Next, the processing of the printing system according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. That is, FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the image generation processing in the host computer 2, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining file access processing in the host computer 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining processing in the printer 1.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, when receiving a print instruction from a user or the like, the host computer 2 delivers the document data to the printer driver 21. The printer driver 21 generates image data based on the document data (STEP 40).
1). When the generated image data is completed for one page (STEP 402), the host computer 2 writes the image data constituting the page into a predetermined directory of the file system 3 (STEP 403). The host computer 2 determines whether image data of all pages in the print range has been generated (STEP 40).
4) The above process is repeated until the generation is completed. When the generation of the image data of all pages is completed, the host computer 2 sends a print request to the printer 1 together with information on the storage location of the file (STEP 40).
5) Waiting for a file access request.

As shown in FIG. 6, the printer 1 receives a print request from the host computer 2 (STEP 6).
01), interprets the print request, extracts information on the storage location of the file, and sends a file access request to the host computer 2 according to the information on the storage location of the file (STEP 602). As shown in FIG. 5, upon receiving a file read request from the printer 1 (STEP 501), the host computer 2 reads the specified file from the file system 3 in accordance with the request (STEP 502), and sends the file to the printer 1 as a processing result. (STEP 405). Printer 1
Expands the image data sent from the host computer 2 in response to the file access request in the internal image memory 34 (STEP 603). The printer 1 supplies the image data developed in the image memory 34 to the print engine 36 (STEP 1).
604). The printer 1 determines whether reading of the image data of all pages in the print range is completed (S1).
(Step 605) If not completed, STEP 60
The process proceeds to 2 and the above processing is repeated.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the print system according to the present embodiment. Upon receiving a print instruction from a user or the like, the host computer 2 generates image data based on the document data (in the figure). When generating one page of image data, the host computer 2 converts the image data constituting the page into a file. Write to a predetermined directory of the system 3 (in the figure).
The host computer 2 generates image data of all pages in the print range, and when the writing is completed, sends a print request to the printer 1 together with information on the storage location of the file (in the figure). Upon receiving the print request from the host computer 2, the printer 1 interprets the print request, extracts information on the storage location of the file (in the figure), and requests reading of the image data of the first page (in the figure). . Upon receiving the file read request, the host computer 2 reads out image data from the file system 3 (shown in the figure) and sends it to the requesting printer (shown in the figure). The printer 1 loads the image data read from the file system 3 into the image memory 34 (shown in the figure) and supplies the image data to the print engine 36 (shown in the figure). The printer 1 similarly sends a read request to expand the image data for the next page into a free area on the image memory 34 generated by supplying the image data to the print engine 38.
The printer 1 repeats the above operation until all pages have been completed. When the host computer 2 receives the print preview instead of the print instruction, the graphic editor is started when the image data is stored in the file system 3, and the image data is read into the graphic editor. You may comprise so that display and edit are possible. In this case, when a print instruction is given from the graphic editor, the image data is sent to the printer 1 as it is, and
May be developed in the image memory 34 and supplied to the print engine 38.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the image data generated by the host computer is stored in the local disk of the host computer to which the printer 1 can access files. This eliminates the need for the printer to be equipped with a dedicated controller for image generation.

Further, the user can read out the image data stored in the file system by using an application program such as a graphic editor to read the image data.
It can be displayed as a print preview screen and can be edited. [Second Embodiment] Next, a case of a color-compatible printer will be described. That is, in this embodiment, the host computer generates image data for each of the CMYK components, temporarily stores the image data in a local file accessible from the printer 1, and the printer converts the image data for each of the CMYK components from the remote file. It is characterized by sequentially reading and printing.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the host computer 2 according to the present embodiment. In the figure, the same reference numerals are given to the same function realizing means as in the above embodiment.

In the figure, the printer driver 21
It has an image data generator 211 and a color converter 212. Based on the document data passed from the application A, the image data generation unit 211
Generate GB image data. The RGB image data is data indicating a gradation level of an RGB component of each pixel forming an image. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that RGB image data is represented by 8 bits (that is, 256 gradations) per one pixel component.

The color converter 212 converts the RGB image data into CMYK image data. The CMYK image data is data indicating a gradation level of a CMYK component. In the present embodiment, the CMYK image data is 1
It is assumed that one pixel component is represented by 8 bits (that is, 256 gradations). That is, based on the RGB image data expressed by 24 bits per pixel, the color conversion unit 212 outputs CMY expressed by 8 bits per pixel.
K is converted into single-color image data for each component. FIG.
(A) is a diagram showing a relationship between a page and image data for each of CMYK components constituting the page. That is, the color conversion unit 212 receives the RGB image data from the image data generation unit 211 each time to generate the image data of all the CMYK components forming one page. The color conversion unit 212 converts the converted C
Halftone processing unit 2 converts the image data of each of the MYK components
13.

The halftone processing unit 213 performs halftone processing by the screen method on the image data for each of the CMYK components, and binarizes the image data for each of the CMYK components (hereinafter referred to as “halftone image data”). .). The screen method is a method of expressing shading by growing halftone dots in a predetermined pattern as the density (gradation) increases. That is, the halftone image data is the C to be attached for each pixel.
It indicates the size of the toner of each color of MYK. In addition,
In the present embodiment, the screen method is used as the halftone process, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an error diffusion method, a dither method, a pattern dither method, or the like may be used. The halftone processing unit 213 sends the generated halftone image data to the file management unit 23.

The file management section 23 stores the image data of each of the CMYK components sent from the color conversion section 212 in the file system 3 in a predetermined file format. FIG.
(B) shows a relationship between image data (halftone image data) for each color component of each page and a file on the file system 3. As described above, the image data for each color component of each page is stored in the file system 3 in a predetermined file format.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the printer according to this embodiment. Upon receiving the information about the file writing location from the print request receiving unit 32, the image data management unit 35 sequentially reads the halftone image data for each of the CMYK components according to the information about the file writing location, and expands the halftone image data in the image memory 34. . The engine control unit 35 performs pulse width modulation on the laser pulse based on the halftone image data sent for each of the CMYK components from the halftone processing unit 101, and supplies the laser pulse to the print engine 36.
Accordingly, the print engine 36 forms a toner image for each of the CMYK colors with the pulse width modulated laser pulse beam, superimposes the toner images for each of these colors, transfers the color image to a print recording medium as a color image, and performs color printing. To achieve.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the image data generated by the host computer is stored in the local disk of the host computer to which the printer 1 can access files. This eliminates the need for the printer to be equipped with a dedicated controller for image generation. In particular, in the present embodiment, the image data for each of the CMYK components is stored in the remote file system, and when the image data is supplied to the printer engine, the CMYK components are sequentially read out and developed in the image memory. Can use a small image memory. As a result, it is possible to realize a printer capable of performing color printing with a small-capacity image memory equivalent to a monochrome compatible printer.

Further, the user reads out the image data stored in the file system in an application program such as a graphic editor,
It can be displayed as a print preview screen and can be edited. [Third Embodiment] In this embodiment, image data generated by a first host computer based on document data is stored not in its file system but in a file system of a second host computer specified in advance. The printer reads image data from the file system of the second host computer according to the information on the file writing location.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a print system according to this embodiment.

That is, when a print instruction is given from a user or the like, the host computer 2a executing the application program delivers document data handled by the application program to the printer driver to generate image data (FIG. During),
This is stored as a file in a predetermined directory of the file system 3 of the host computer 2b designated in advance (in the figure). The host computer 2a sends a print request to the printer 1 together with information on the storage location of the file (in the figure). Upon receiving the print request, the printer 1 reads the file from the file system 3 of the host computer 2b according to the information on the storage location of the file, and expands the file in the image memory (in the figure). Then, the printer 1 supplies the image data developed in the image memory to the print engine in accordance with the operation state of the print engine, thereby realizing printing (in the figure). When the host computer 2 receives the print preview instruction instead of the print instruction, the host computer 2 generates a graphic editor or the like when the image data is generated (more preferably, when the image data is written to the file system 3). Display this image data by running the application
This may be made editable. [Other Embodiments] Each of the above embodiments is an example for explaining the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention to only these embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the operation of the function realizing means has been described sequentially, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this. Therefore, as long as no inconsistency occurs in the operation, the order of processing may be changed or the operation may be performed in parallel.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the printer 1 accesses the remote file system by the network file system (NFS).
You may make it access by FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

According to the present invention, image data generated by a host computer is stored in a local disk of the host computer to which the printer can access files, and the image data is read from the printer when printing. Become. This eliminates the need for the printer to be equipped with a dedicated controller for image generation.

Further, the host computer can handle image data generated by the printer in the same manner as other files.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a printer capable of performing color printing with a small-capacity image memory equivalent to that of a monochrome compatible printer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a print system according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a host computer 2 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of the printer 1 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view for explaining the operation of image processing in the host computer according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary view for explaining the operation of file access processing in the host computer according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the printer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining an operation example of the print system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a host computer 2 according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining color image data constituting a page.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer 1 according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a print system according to a third embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer 2 ... Host computer 3 ... File system 21 ... Printer driver 22 ... Host computer side communication part 23 ... File management part 31 ... Printer side communication part 32 ... Print request reception part 33 ... Image data management part 34 ... Image memory 35 … Engine control unit 36… Print engine

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C087 AA15 AB05 BA03 BC05 BD01 BD07 BD33 BD35 BD46 CA05 5B021 AA01 BB02 DD07 DD15 EE01 LL05 9A001 BB02 BB03 BB04 CC03 CC08 DD09 DD13 EE06 HH26 HH31 JJ12 JJ35 KK42

Claims (14)

[Claims] An image data generated by a host computer and stored in a file system on a network is read out for each predetermined unit data and stored in an image memory, and the image data stored in the image memory is stored in the print engine. A printer that performs printing by supplying it to a printer. A print execution unit for printing on a print recording medium; a storage unit for storing image data constituting a predetermined unit page; and reading out the image data stored in a storage device of a host computer. A printer comprising: an access unit that writes to a storage unit; and a control unit that reads out image data stored in the storage unit and supplies the read image data to the print execution unit. 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein said access means reads out, from a storage device of said host computer, a predetermined file format for each image data constituting said predetermined unit page. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the access unit reads the second image data from the storage device of the host computer every time the control unit supplies the first image data to the print execution unit. The printer according to claim 2. 5. A color-compatible printer that supplies image data for each color component stored in an image memory to a print engine, and performs color printing by superimposing images formed for each color component. A printer which reads out image data generated by a host computer and stored in a file system on a network for each of the color components, and stores the read out color data in the image memory. 6. A color-compatible printer that supplies image data for each color component to a print engine and performs color printing by superimposing images formed for each color component. Storage means for storing image data of a color component; access means for reading image data of any one of the color components stored in a storage device of the host computer and writing the image data to the storage means; And a control unit for supplying image data of any one of the color components to a print execution unit for printing on a print recording medium. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the access unit sequentially reads out image data constituting a predetermined unit page stored in a storage device of the host computer for each color component and writes the image data in the storage unit. 9. The printer according to item 9. 8. A print system comprising a host computer having a file system and a printer, wherein the host computer performs a predetermined process based on a file access request to the file system, and a file management unit based on document data. Generating means for generating image data and requesting file access to the file management means, the printer comprising: storage means for storing image data; and a file access request to the file management means. And a control unit that supplies the image data stored in the storage unit to a print execution unit that prints on a print recording medium, wherein the file management unit is generated by the generation unit. Image data Position written into the storage means for each data, the print system characterized by being configured to image data stored in the storage device of the host computer to write to the storage means is read for each predetermined unit page. 9. The host computer further comprises sending means for sending a print request to the printer, wherein the sending means sends the print request to the printer when the image data is written to the file system. The print system according to claim 8, wherein the print system is configured to send a print request. 10. The sending means sends to the printer information on the location where the image data is written together with the print request, and the access means based on the information about the location where the image data is written. 10. The print system according to claim 9, wherein a request for file access is made to said file management means. 11. Generated by a host computer,
Image data stored in a file system on a network is read out for each predetermined unit data, stored in an image memory, and printing is performed by supplying the image data stored in the image memory to the print engine. And printing method. 12. A printing method for a printing system including a host computer having a file system and a printer, wherein the host computer generates image data based on document data, and stores the image data in a predetermined storage location of the file system. Writing image data, sending a print request to the printer, reading the image data from a predetermined storage location of the file system in accordance with the print request, and performing printing based on the image data. The printing method of the printing system that is the feature. 13. A recording medium on which a program for causing a host computer to realize a predetermined function is recorded, said program comprising: generating means for generating image data for printing by a printer based on document data; A file management unit for writing the image data generated by the generation unit to a predetermined storage location in a file system of the computer or reading the image data from a predetermined storage location in the file system of the computer; And a sending means for sending the image data to the printer. 14. The program, further comprising: a print request unit that sends a print request including information on the predetermined storage location to the printer so as to cause the printer to perform printing. 14. The recording medium according to claim 13, wherein the image data is read from the predetermined storage location based on a file access request sent from the printer in response to a print request.