JP2000357142A - Device and method for information processing, and computer-readable storage medium stored with program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently transfer and print application data from a connected printer by transferring the print data, converted into an optimum data format by taking into account the data transfer rate of a communication medium interposed with other information processors and data process resources of other information processors, to other information processors. SOLUTION: The data communication speed of a client 9 and capability information on a connected printer are obtained, the time of conversion from a drawing list to image data is measured on the side of the client 9, and the drawing list or the image data generated from the drawing list is determined as the data format of transfer data to be transferred to the printer connected to the client 9 to perform transfer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with another information processing apparatus to which a printing apparatus can be connected via a predetermined communication medium or with another information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method for outputting print information obtained through communication to a connected printing apparatus, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an information processing apparatus performs a printing process in a distributed processing environment, print data sent from a server to a client computer to which a printer is connected is based on the connection method between the server and the client and the functions of the client. Irrespective of this, predetermined print data is sent between the server and the client or the printer.

[0003]

Conventionally, print data transmission processing between a server and a client is configured as described above, that is, the communication means between the server and the client, the function of the client, and the like are not considered. Therefore, there is a problem that the data transfer speed due to the difference in the communication means, the processing speed of the CPU of the client, etc. become a bottleneck because the print data of the fixed format is always sent, and it is not possible to realize the optimum data transfer.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to transfer print information to another information processing apparatus to which a printing apparatus can be connected via a communication medium. Transfer to a printer connected to another information processing device in consideration of the data communication speed with another information processing device, the capability information of the connected printer, and the conversion processing time from the drawing list to the image data. The data format of the transfer data to be transferred is determined as either a page-based drawing list including a plurality of drawing items described in a predetermined intermediate data format based on the application data or image data created from the drawing list. By transferring the data, an optimal data is taken into consideration in consideration of the data transfer speed of the communication medium interposed between the other information processing devices and the data processing resources of the other information processing devices. An information processing apparatus that can transfer a print data converted into a data format to another information processing apparatus, and can freely construct a data processing environment that can efficiently transfer and print application data from a connected printing apparatus; and An information processing method and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program are provided.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication medium (a network I / F shown in FIG. 1).
8. Other information processing apparatus (client 9 shown in FIG. 1) to which the printing apparatus can be connected via PHS unit 7)
Creating means for creating a page-based drawing list including a plurality of drawing items described in a predetermined intermediate data format based on application data (CPU 3 shown in FIG. 1). Executes a control program stored in the hard disk 5 or the like and performs a creation process on the memory 4), and creates image data printable by the printing apparatus based on the drawing list created by the first creating unit. Between the second creating means (the CPU 3 shown in FIG. 1 executes a control program stored in the hard disk 5 or the like and creates the same in the memory 4) and another information processing apparatus via the communication medium. Measuring means for measuring the data transfer speed (the CPU 3 shown in FIG. 1 executes a control program stored in Measurement processing), and a calculation unit (shown in FIG. 1) that obtains a drawing processing time for the measurement drawing list transferred to the other information processing apparatus from the other information processing apparatus and calculates a data processing capability difference. The CPU 3 executes a control program stored in the hard disk 5 or the like to perform calculation processing), and an inquiry unit that inquires the other information processing apparatus to acquire data processing capability information of the printing apparatus (the CPU 3 shown in FIG. 1). Executes a control program stored in the hard disk 5 or the like and performs an inquiry process)
And a prediction unit (CPU 3 shown in FIG. 1) for predicting a processing time required to image a drawing list to be transferred to the another information processing device based on the data processing capability difference calculated by the calculation unit. The control program stored in the hard disk 5 or the like is executed to perform a prediction process), and the drawing list created by the first creation unit is added to the other based on the data transfer speed measured by the measurement unit. Calculating means for calculating a first print processing time required for transferring to the information processing apparatus and performing print processing (the CPU 3 shown in FIG. 1 executes a control program stored in the hard disk 5 or the like to perform the calculation processing). To) the second creation unit based on the data transfer rate measured by the measurement unit and the processing time estimated by the estimation unit. Second calculating means for calculating a second print processing time required for the image data for printing is transferred to the other information processing apparatus is created Ri (Fig. 1
CPU 3 executes a control program stored in the hard disk 5 or the like to perform calculation processing), and one page of data by the printing device based on the data processing capability information of the printing device acquired by the inquiry means. Deriving means for deriving the printing processing time (the CPU 3 shown in FIG. 1 executes a control program stored in the hard disk 5 or the like to perform the deriving processing), and the printing processing time derived by the deriving means and The first print processing time and the second print processing time calculated by the second calculation means are compared with each other, and transfer data to be transferred to the other information processing apparatus is created by the first creation means. Control means (CPU 3 shown in FIG. 1) for determining and transmitting either a drawing list to be created or image data created by the second creating means. Disk transferring control processing by executing a control program stored in such 5) and those having a.

A second invention according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus for outputting print information obtained by communicating with another information processing apparatus (server 1) via a predetermined communication medium to a connected printing apparatus. And a first measuring means (FIG. 1) for measuring the processing time of the measurement data received from the other information processing apparatus.
CPU 13 executes a control program stored in memory 14 to perform measurement processing), and a first transmission unit that transmits processing time data measured by the first measurement unit to the other information processing apparatus (The CPU 13 shown in FIG. 1 executes a control program stored in the memory 14 to perform transmission processing) and a plurality of programs described in a predetermined intermediate data format based on application data received from the other information processing apparatus. A second measuring unit (the CPU 13 shown in FIG. 1 stores in the memory 14 the conversion processing time required for converting the drawing list in page units including the drawing items of Executing the control program and performing the measurement process);
A second transmitting unit (CP shown in FIG. 1) for transmitting the conversion processing time measured by the measuring unit to the other information processing apparatus.
U13 executes a control program stored in the memory 14 and performs transmission processing), and a notification unit (not shown in FIG. 1) that notifies processing capability information of the printing apparatus in response to a request from the other information processing apparatus. The CPU 13 executes a control program stored in the memory 14 and obtains processing capability information obtained from a printer (not shown) (for example, notifies the printer of a maximum data amount that can be received by the printer per unit time) and the other information. Generating means for generating image data that can be printed by the printing device based on the drawing list received from the processing device (the CPU 13 shown in FIG. 1 executes a control program stored in the memory 14 to perform generation processing); The type of print information received from the other information processing apparatus is determined, and the image data generated by the generation unit or the Output control means for outputting the image data received from the information processing apparatus to the printing apparatus is one having a (CPU 13 shown in FIG. 1 is output to the processing by executing a control program stored in the memory 14).

The third and fifth inventions according to the present invention provide another information processing apparatus to which a printing apparatus can be connected via a predetermined communication medium (including a network I / F 8 and a PHS unit 7 shown in FIG. 1). An information processing method in an information processing apparatus that can communicate with the apparatus, or a computer that controls an information processing apparatus that can communicate with another information processing apparatus to which a printing apparatus can be connected via a predetermined communication medium is readable A first creation step of creating a page-based drawing list including a plurality of drawing items described in a predetermined intermediate data format based on application data on a storage medium storing a program (step S29 shown in FIG. 8) ))When,
A second creation step (step S30 shown in FIG. 8) in which the printing device creates printable image data based on the drawing list created in the first creation step;
A measuring step of measuring a data transfer rate between the information processing apparatus and the other information processing apparatus via the communication medium (steps S1 to S3 shown in FIG. 6); and a drawing list for measurement transferred to the other information processing apparatus A calculation process (Step S6 in FIG. 6) for obtaining a drawing processing time for the other information processing device from the other information processing device and calculating a data processing capability difference; (Steps S7 to S shown in FIG. 6)
9)) and a prediction step of predicting a processing time required to image a drawing list to be transferred to the other information processing apparatus based on the data processing capability difference calculated in the calculation step (see FIG. 8). S34) and the data transfer rate measured in the measuring step.
A first calculation step (FIG. 8) for calculating a first print processing time required to transfer the drawing list created in the first creation step to the other information processing apparatus and perform print processing.
Based on the data transfer rate measured in the measurement step and the processing time predicted in the prediction step, the image data created in the second creation step is converted to the other The second calculation step (step S3 shown in FIG. 8) of calculating the second print processing time required for transferring to the
2) a deriving step of deriving a print processing time for one page by the printing device based on the data processing capability information of the printing device obtained in the inquiry process (step S36 shown in FIG. 8); The print processing time derived in the derivation step is compared with the first print processing time and the second print processing time calculated in the first and second calculation steps, respectively. A transmission step of determining and transmitting the transfer data to be transferred to either the drawing list created in the first creation step or the image data created in the second creation step (steps S35 to S35 shown in FIG. 8). S38)).

The fourth and sixth inventions according to the present invention provide another information processing apparatus (shown in FIG. 1) via a predetermined communication medium (including the network I / F 8 and the PHS unit 7 shown in FIG. 1). An information processing method in an information processing apparatus for outputting print information obtained by communicating with a server 1) to a connected printing apparatus, or another information processing apparatus to which the printing apparatus can be connected via a predetermined communication medium A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the first information processing apparatus, wherein a first measurement step of measuring a processing time of measurement data received from the other information processing apparatus (FIG. 7 and a first transmission step of transmitting the processing time data measured in the first measurement step to the other information processing apparatus (step S13 in FIG. 7). And converting a page-based drawing list including a plurality of drawing items described in a predetermined intermediate data format into image data printable by the printing device based on application data received from the other information processing device. Measurement step of measuring the conversion processing time required for (steps S14 to S16 shown in FIG. 7)
A second transmission step (step S17 shown in FIG. 7) of transmitting the conversion processing time measured by the second measurement step to the other information processing apparatus; Accordingly, a notification step of notifying the processing capability information of the printing apparatus (step S18 shown in FIG. 7), and image data printable by the printing apparatus based on the drawing list received from the other information processing apparatus. The generation step (Step S41 shown in FIG. 9) for generating the print information and the type of the print information received from the other information processing apparatus are determined, and the image data generated in the generation step or received from the other information processing apparatus Output step of outputting the converted image data to the printing apparatus (step S42 shown in FIG. 9)
And

[0009]

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an information processing system to which an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied. Corresponds to a case where the client computer and the server can communicate via a predetermined communication medium (for example, a PHS communication network).

In the figure, 1 is a server, 2 is a system bus (SYSTEM BUS), and 3 is a CPU, which controls the entire information processing apparatus.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a memory, which mainly functions as a work memory of the CPU 3. Reference numeral 5 denotes an external storage unit (Hard Disk) in which programs and data are stored. Reference numeral 6 denotes a display unit (Display) for displaying information necessary for data processing.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a PHS unit (PHS Unit).
To connect to the client 9 via the PHS. Reference numeral 8 denotes a network interface (Network I / F), which is connected to the client 9 via, for example, Ethernet.

In the client 9, reference numeral 10 denotes a system bus (SYSTEM BUS), and reference numeral 11 denotes a PHS unit (PHS Unit), which is used when connecting to the server 1 via a PHS (not shown). Reference numeral 12 denotes a network interface (Network I / F), which is connected when connecting to the server 1 via Ethernet.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a CPU, and 14 denotes a memory (Memory).
y) mainly functions as a work memory of the CPU 13. A display unit (Display) 15 displays information necessary for data processing. A printer unit (Printer Unit) 16 having an ink head prints data transferred from the server 1.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing examples of connection between the server 1 and the client 9 shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
Server 1 and client 9 are PHS units 7 and 11
3 corresponds to a configuration example in which the server 1 and the client 9 are connected via the network interfaces 8 and 12.
In the present embodiment, the wireless connection is performed by the PHS unit, but any interface may be used as long as the interface enables wireless data communication.

FIG. 4 shows a display list (Di) created by the application on the server 1 side shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display list (spray list), in which intermediate data for drawing as text, graphics, and images are defined. In addition, Display List
Describes items to be printed in a page as shown in FIG. 4 according to a certain rule, and generally includes tags such as text, graphics, images, and the like, and attribute information including position information and the like. . In the present invention, the details of the description are not specified, but the printer driver uses this Display List.
, Rendering processing, color processing, halftone processing, and the like are performed to create an actual print image.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a print image created by the server 1 shown in FIG. 1 from a display list, and corresponds to a case where the server 1 is created in print units, for example, in head units.

Both the server 1 and the client 9 shown in FIG. 1 have the ability to create a print image from the display list (rasterize processing). The rasterizing process may be executed by dedicated hardware or may be executed by software. Further, the size of the print image is also stored.

Hereinafter, the transfer processing operation of the print data between the server 1 and the client 9 will be described in detail with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to a processing procedure performed by the server 1 on the client 9 before printing is started. In addition, S1 to S9 indicate each step.

First, in step S 1, transfer rate measurement data is sent to the client 9. This data is sent to the client 9 in order to calculate the transfer rate of the current connection to the client 9, and the client 9 measures the time required for data reception. Things.

Next, after transmitting the data, the process proceeds to step S2, and waits for the reception of the response result from the client 9 regarding the transfer time. When the response result is reported from the client 9, the process proceeds to step S3, where the amount of transferred data is transferred. Then, the current transfer speed is calculated from the communication time returned in step S2, and the value of the transfer speed (transfer rate) is stored in the memory 4.

In step S4, a display list for processing speed measurement is sent to the client 9 in order to compare the CPU processing capabilities of the client 9 and the server 1.

Here, the Display Lis sent is sent.
t is sent to measure how long the client 9 takes to convert to an image,
The difference in the approximate processing capacity is calculated from the ratio with the conversion time in the server 1.

Next, in step S5, reception of a response result from the client 9 regarding the conversion time is waited, and after receiving the response result, the process proceeds to step S6, where the client 9
The difference between the processing time of the client 9 and the server 1 is calculated from the conversion time of the server 1 and the ratio of the conversion time of the server 1 measured in advance, and the difference is stored in the memory 4.

Then, in step S7, the client 9 is inquired about the performance of the printer for estimating the print time from the print data.

The items to be queried include the paper supply / discharge time, head scanning time, line feed time, number of dots of the head, resolution, and data processing capability of the printer (the maximum amount of data that the printer can receive per unit time). And so on.

Next, in step S8, the process waits for receiving a result response from the client 9, stores the received information indicating the performance of the printer (the processing capability of the printer engine) in the memory 4, and terminates the process. I do.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure performed by the client 9 shown in FIG. 1 before starting printing. In addition, S10 to S18 indicate each step.

First, in step S10, it is determined whether data for transfer rate measurement has been transmitted from the server 1, and if it is determined that data has been transmitted, the process proceeds to step S11.
To start the measurement timer to measure the transfer time, proceed to step S12, receive the measurement data,
If all of them have been received, the process proceeds to step S13, and the timer value at the end of reception is transmitted to the server 1.

Next, in step S14, the process waits for the display list for processing speed measurement to be received.
Upon receiving the display List, step S15
Then, the timer for measuring the processing time is started, and step S
Proceed to 16, render to DisplayList,
A print image is created by performing color and halftone processing, and it is determined whether or not all conversion processing has been completed. If it is determined that all conversion processing has been completed, step S
At 17, the current timer value is transmitted to the server 1.

Next, at step S18, the paper supply / discharge time requested from the server 1, the head scanning time, the line feed time, the number of dots of the head, the resolution, the data processing capability of the printer (the printer receives data per unit time). Then, the process is terminated.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure performed by the server 1 shown in FIG. 1 regarding data transmission during printing. S29 to S38 indicate each step.

First, in step S29, the application program displays the Display Li as shown in FIG.
The st is created and stored in the memory 4 together with the size of the display list.

The Dspear List describes items to be printed in a page according to a certain rule, and generally includes tags such as text, graphics, images, and the like, and attribute information including position information and the like. In the present invention, the details of the description are not particularly specified.

Next, in step S30, the created Di
The rendering, color, and halftone processes are performed on the spray list to create an actual bitmap print image, and the time required for the creation and the created file are stored in the memory 4.

When an image is created, an image is created in print units of the printer head as shown in FIG. 5 using the printer information stored in step S9, and the data size of each print unit is set. Are also stored on the memory 4. This data is used to predict the printing time.

Next, in step S31, the transfer rate in the current connection method measured in step S3 described above and the Display List created in step S29.
From server 1 to client 9
The time required for transferring the ay List is calculated and stored in the memory 4.

It should be noted that whether or not to compress the transfer file is not particularly specified for the transfer of the display list.

Next, in step S32, it is necessary to transfer the bitmap from the server 1 to the client 9 based on the transfer speed in the current connection method and the size of the bitmap created in step S30 measured in step S3. The time is calculated and stored in the memory 4. Regarding the transfer of the bitmap, whether to compress the transfer file is not particularly defined.

Then, in step S33, step S3
2, the time required for the server 1 to create a bitmap from the display list and the step S
The time required when the client 9 performs the display list bitmap conversion is predicted from the difference between the processing capabilities of the server 1 and the client 9 stored in the memory 4 in step 6, and is stored in the memory 4.

Next, in step S34, the paper feeding and discharging time, the head scanning time,
The printing time of one page in the fastest case is calculated from the line feed time, the number of dots of the head, and the resolution. Further, the delay from the print time calculated from the data size per print unit created in step S30, the data processing capability of the printer (the maximum amount of data that the printer can receive per unit time), the scanning time, and the line feed time is calculated. Ask.

Generally, the operation of receiving data by the printer and the operation of scanning the head to start a new line are performed in parallel. That is, if the data reception for the next printing has been completed between the scanning time and the line feed time, the printing ends without the waiting time with the calculated printing time. However, if the amount of data in the printing unit is large and does not end between the scanning time and the line feed time, the printing operation will wait until the data reception is completed.

In step S34, it is determined whether or not there is a delay in each printing unit, and the sum of the delay times is set as the printing time of one page.

In the steps up to this point, the time required for processing when the server 1 transmits the bitmap to the client 9 and prints it is stored in step S32, and when the display list is transmitted and printed. Is the sum of the times stored in steps S31 and S33. The printing time was estimated in step S34. Therefore, it is determined which file is actually transmitted from the next step.

Therefore, in step S35, the printing time is compared with the processing time at the time of transmitting the bitmap and the DisplayList, and it is determined whether the printing time is longer than either processing time.
If the final bottleneck is the printer regardless of which method is used to transfer the data, the process proceeds to step S38, where the Display List is transmitted, and the process ends.

When the printing time becomes a bottleneck as described above, it is better to give priority to the communication time between the server 1 and the client 9, and the size of the display list is smaller than the bit map. is there.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S35 that the printing time is not longer than either processing time, that is, the printing bottleneck is not the printing processing but the data transfer and the processing time. If it is determined that this is the case, the process proceeds to step S36, where the processing time at the time of transmission of the bitmap and the Display List is compared, and the process proceeds to the step of the transfer using the short processing time,
If it is determined that the bitmap process is shorter, the process proceeds to step S37, where the bitmap print image stored in step S30 is transmitted to the client 9, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S36 that the bitmap processing is longer, the process proceeds to step S38, and the display stored in step S29 is displayed.
The print image of List is transmitted to the client 9, and the process ends.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the data receiving processing procedure at the time of printing on the client 9 shown in FIG. In addition, S39 to S42 indicate each step.

After the client 9 issues the print request, the server 1 determines all of the optimum data transfer methods, so that the processing may be performed in accordance with the data sent from the server 1.

Therefore, first, in step S39, a print request is issued to the server 1, and the process proceeds to step S40, where the data transmitted as a result of the request is displayed on the display list.
t or bitmap, and display
If it is determined to be List, the process proceeds to step S41, and if it is determined to be a bitmap, the process proceeds to step S42.

In step S41, Displa
The client 9 converts yList into a bitmap, and in step S42, transfers the bitmap image to the printer to perform a printing process. When the printing process ends, the process ends.

[Second Embodiment] Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The hardware configuration is the same as in FIGS.

Hereinafter, the print data transfer processing operation between the server 1 as the information processing apparatus having the above configuration and the client 9 will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a fifth data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. The processing procedure performed by the server 1 shown in FIG. Corresponding. Note that S43
S45 indicate each step.

First, in step S43, transfer rate measurement data is sent to the client 9. This data is sent to the client 9 in order to calculate the transfer rate of the current connection to the client 9, and the client 9 measures the time required for data reception. Things. After transmitting the data, the process proceeds to step S44, and waits for a response from the client 9 regarding the transfer time. When the result is reported from the client 9, the process proceeds to step S45.

Then, the amount of transferred data and step S4
The current transfer speed is calculated from the communication time returned in step 4, stored in the memory 4, and the process ends.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the sixth data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure performed by the client 9 shown in FIG. 1 before starting printing. Note that S46 to S49 indicate each step.

First, in step S46, it is determined whether data for transfer rate measurement has been transmitted from the server 1, and if it is determined that data has been transmitted, the process proceeds to step S47.
Then, a measurement timer (an internal timer not shown) is started to measure the transfer time, and the flow proceeds to step S48.

Then, in step S48, the reception of the measurement data is started, and the reception of all the measurement data is waited. When the reception of all the measurement data is completed, the process proceeds to step S49, and the timer value at the end of the reception is transmitted to the server 1. Then, the process ends.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the seventh data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure performed by the server 1 regarding data transmission during printing. Note that S50 to S54 indicate each step.

First, in step S50, a display Li such as shown in FIG.
The st is created and stored in the memory 4 together with the size of the display list. In addition, Display
List describes items to be printed on a page according to a certain rule. Generally, text,
It is composed of tags such as graphics and images, and attribute information including position information. In the present embodiment, the details of the description are not particularly defined.

Next, in step S51, step S45
It is determined whether or not the transfer rate between the server 1 and the client 9 stored in the step 1 is equal to or more than a predetermined value determined by the server 1.

Normally, when a bitmap is created from a display list, the size of the bitmap becomes huge. Therefore, if it is determined in step S51 that the transfer speed is equal to or lower than the predetermined value, the transmission time is considered to be a bottleneck in the printing time when the bitmap is sent. The process proceeds to step S54 without transmitting the display image of the display list to the client 9, and ends the process.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S51 that the value is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the flow advances to step S52 to render the created Display List.
An actual bitmap print image is created by performing color and halftone processing and stored in the memory 4.

Next, in step S53, the print image of the created bitmap is transmitted to the client 9, and the process is terminated. The processing performed by the client 9 regarding data reception during printing is the same as the procedure according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

According to the above embodiment, when transmitting print data from the server to the client, the CP of the terminal
Considering the performance and communication speed of U and printers, print-related processing is shared between the server and client in an optimal manner, eliminating bottlenecks in print data flow, reducing printing time and reducing communication costs. Can be reduced.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by an information processing system to which the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by an information processing system to which the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

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

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. Also, a program for installing various programs on a computer, and a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed, may be stored in some cases.

The functions shown in FIGS. 6 to 12 in this embodiment are executed by a program installed from the outside.
It may be performed by a host computer. And in that case, CD-ROM, flash memory, FD
The present invention is applicable even when a group of information including a program is supplied to an output device from a storage medium such as the above or from an external storage medium via a network.

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

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

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

The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the readout program codes, and the OS (Operating System) running on the computer is executed based on the instructions of the program codes. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

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

[0079]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the sixth aspect, when transferring the print information to another connectable information processing apparatus via the communication medium, the data communication speed with the other information processing apparatus and the connection are established. The data format of the transfer data to be transferred to the printer connected to another information processing apparatus is determined based on the application data in consideration of the capability information of the printer and the conversion processing time from the drawing list to the image data. Is determined and transferred to either a page-based drawing list including a plurality of drawing items described in the above or image data created from the drawing list. Data transfer speed,
The print data converted into an optimal data format in consideration of the data processing resources of the other information processing apparatus is transferred to the other information processing apparatus, and the application data can be efficiently transferred from the connected printing apparatus and printed. There is an effect that a data processing environment can be freely constructed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system to which an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connection form between a server and a client illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connection form between a server and a client illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a display list (Display L) created by the server-side application shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of (ist).

5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print image created by a server illustrated in FIG. 1 from a display list.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

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

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fifth data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a sixth data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a seventh data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by an information processing system to which the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 server 2 server system bus 3 CPU 4 memory 5 external storage unit 6 display unit 7 server PHS unit 8 server network interface 9 client 10 client system bus 11 client PHS unit 12 client network interface 13 client CPU 14 Client memory 15 Client display unit 16 Client printer unit 17 Ethernet

Claims (6)

[Claims] An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with another information processing apparatus to which a printing apparatus can be connected via a predetermined communication medium, the information processing apparatus including a plurality of information processing apparatuses described in a predetermined intermediate data format based on application data First creation means for creating a page-based drawing list including a drawing item; and second creation for creating image data printable by the printing apparatus based on the drawing list created by the first creation means. Means, a measuring means for measuring a data transfer rate between another information processing apparatus via the communication medium, and a drawing processing time for a measurement drawing list transferred to the other information processing apparatus, Calculating means for calculating a data processing capacity difference by obtaining from the information processing apparatus; obtaining data processing capacity information of the printing apparatus by inquiring of the other information processing apparatus; Querying means, based on a difference in data processing capacity calculated by the calculating means, predicting means for predicting a processing time required to image a drawing list to be transferred to the other information processing apparatus, and the measurement A first print processing time required for transferring the drawing list created by the first creating means to the other information processing apparatus and performing a print process based on the data transfer speed measured by the means. First calculating means for calculating, and the image data created by the second creating means based on the data transfer speed measured by the measuring means and the processing time estimated by the predicting means. A second calculating unit for calculating a second print processing time required for transferring to the other information processing apparatus and performing a printing process; A deriving unit for deriving a printing processing time for one page by the printing device based on the data processing capability information of the printing device; and a printing processing time derived by the deriving unit and the first and second calculating units. The calculated first print processing time and the second print processing time are compared with each other, and transfer data to be transferred to the other information processing apparatus is drawn by the drawing list created by the first creating means or the drawing list. Control means for determining and transmitting any of the image data created by the second creation means. 2. An information processing apparatus for outputting print information obtained by communicating with another information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium to a connected printing apparatus, and receiving the print information from the other information processing apparatus. First measuring means for measuring the processing time of the measurement data; first transmitting means for transmitting the processing time data measured by the first measuring means to the other information processing apparatus; and the other information Conversion processing time required to convert a page-based drawing list including a plurality of drawing items described in a predetermined intermediate data format based on application data received from the processing device into printable image data by the printing device A second measuring unit for measuring the conversion processing time, a second transmitting unit for transmitting the conversion processing time measured by the second measuring unit to the another information processing apparatus, and a second information processing unit. Notifying means for notifying processing capability information of the printing apparatus in response to a request from the apparatus; and generating generating image data printable by the printing apparatus based on the drawing list received from the other information processing apparatus. Means for determining the type of print information received from the other information processing apparatus, and outputting image data generated by the generating means or image data received from the other information processing apparatus to the printing apparatus An information processing apparatus comprising: a control unit. 3. An information processing method in an information processing device capable of communicating with another information processing device to which a printing device can be connected via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the information processing method is described in a predetermined intermediate data format based on application data. A first creation step of creating a drawing list in page units including a plurality of drawing items to be created, and creating image data printable by the printing apparatus based on the drawing list created by the first creation step. A second creation step; a measurement step of measuring a data transfer rate between the information processing apparatus and the other information processing apparatus via the communication medium; and a drawing processing time for a measurement drawing list transferred to the other information processing apparatus. Calculating the data processing capability difference by acquiring the data processing capability difference from the other information processing device; An inquiry step of acquiring processing capacity information; and a prediction for predicting a processing time required to image a drawing list to be transferred to the another information processing apparatus based on a data processing capacity difference calculated in the calculation step. And a first step required for transferring the drawing list created in the first creation step to the other information processing apparatus and performing a printing process based on the data transfer rate measured in the measurement step. A first calculating step of calculating the printing processing time of the first step; and a second calculating step based on the data transfer speed measured by the measuring step and the processing time predicted by the predicting step. A second calculation step of calculating a second print processing time required to transfer the image data to the other information processing apparatus and perform a print process; Deriving a print processing time for one page by the printing device based on the data processing capability information of the printing device obtained by the printing device; The first print processing time and the second print processing time calculated in the second calculation step are compared with each other, and the transfer data to be transferred to the other information processing apparatus is created in the first creation step. And a transmitting step of determining and transmitting any one of the drawing list and the image data created in the second creating step. 4. An information processing method in an information processing apparatus for outputting print information obtained by communicating with another information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium to a connected printing apparatus,
A first measuring step of measuring the processing time of the measurement data received from the other information processing apparatus; and a first transmitting the processing time data measured in the first measuring step to the other information processing apparatus. Image data capable of printing by the printing apparatus a page-based drawing list including a plurality of drawing items described in a predetermined intermediate data format based on application data received from the other information processing apparatus A second measurement step of measuring a conversion processing time required to convert the data into a second processing step; a second transmission step of transmitting the conversion processing time measured by the second measurement step to the other information processing apparatus; A notification step of notifying processing capability information of the printing apparatus in response to a request from another information processing apparatus, and based on the drawing list received from the other information processing apparatus. A generating step of generating image data that can be printed by the printing apparatus; and determining a type of print information received from the other information processing apparatus, and the image data generated by the generating step or the other information processing apparatus. Outputting an image data received from the printer to the printing apparatus. 5. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with another information processing apparatus connectable to a printing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: Creating a page-based drawing list including a plurality of drawing items described in a predetermined intermediate data format based on the first and second steps; and performing the printing based on the drawing list created in the first creating step. A second creation step in which the apparatus creates printable image data; a measurement step of measuring a data transfer rate between the information processing apparatus and the other information processing apparatus via the communication medium; A calculating step of obtaining a drawing processing time for the drawing list for measurement from the other information processing device and calculating a data processing capability difference; An inquiry step of inquiring an information processing apparatus to obtain data processing capability information of the printing apparatus; and a drawing list to be transferred to the other information processing apparatus based on the data processing capacity difference calculated in the calculation step. A prediction step of estimating a processing time required for conversion, and the drawing list created by the first creation step is sent to the other information processing device based on the data transfer speed measured by the measurement step. A first calculation step of calculating a first print processing time required for transfer and print processing, based on the data transfer speed measured by the measurement step and the processing time predicted by the prediction step A second print processing required to transfer the image data created in the second creation step to the other information processing apparatus and perform print processing. A second calculation step of calculating time; a derivation step of deriving a print processing time for one page by the printing apparatus based on the data processing capability information of the printing apparatus acquired in the inquiry step; The print processing time derived in the step is compared with the first print processing time and the second print processing time calculated in the first and second calculation steps, respectively, and transferred to the other information processing apparatus. And transmitting the transfer data to be determined to be either a drawing list created in the first creation step or image data created in the second creation step. A storage medium that stores a computer-readable program. 6. A storage device storing a computer-readable program for controlling an information processing device that outputs print information obtained by communicating with another information processing device via a predetermined communication medium to a connected printing device. A first measuring step of measuring a processing time of measurement data received from the other information processing apparatus; and a processing time data measured in the first measuring step, the processing time data being measured by the other information processing apparatus. A first transmission step of transmitting the drawing data in a page unit including a plurality of drawing items described in a predetermined intermediate data format based on application data received from the other information processing apparatus. A second measurement step of measuring a conversion processing time required to convert the image data into printable image data; and a conversion processing time measured by the second measurement step. A second transmitting step of transmitting the printing information to the other information processing apparatus; a notifying step of notifying processing capability information of the printing apparatus in response to a request from the other information processing apparatus; Generating a printable image data based on the drawing list received from the printer, and determining a type of print information received from the other information processing apparatus, and generating the print data by the generation step. An output step of outputting image data or image data received from the other information processing apparatus to the printing apparatus, wherein the storage medium stores a computer-readable program.