JP2000357147A - Information processing system, print system, information processor, and their control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adequately monitor status information by controlling a process for acquiring status information of a peripheral device such as a printer according to the state of the peripheral device. SOLUTION: In the print system which has the information processor and a printer which performs a printing process according to data from the information processor, the information processor checks the operation state of the printer (steps S601 to S603, S606) and sets a time interval (t) for status acquisition to t0 to t2 according to its operation state (steps S604, S605, and S607). The information processor obtains the status from the printer at the time interval which is thus set. Here, the status acquisition interval (t) in the printing process is set longer than the status acquisition time interval t0 in a standby state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an information processing system, a printing system, an information processing apparatus, and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an information processing apparatus, which is a host computer, obtains status information indicating its state from a peripheral device (hereinafter, also referred to as a peripheral) such as a printing device.

[0003] Methods of knowing the status of a peripheral include (1) polling (the information processing device inquires of the peripheral) and (2) trap (the peripheral transmits spontaneously). (1-
1) Status acquisition by polling with local connection (information processing device writes status request data, peripheral creates response data, and data read by information processing device), (1-2) Status acquisition by polling with network connection (The information processing device sends a data status request packet, the peripheral creates and sends a return packet, and the information processing device receives the packet.) (2-1) Status acquisition by trap in local connection (peripheral sends status data Created and read by information processing device), (2-2) Status acquisition by trap through network connection (peripheral creates and transmits status packet, received by information processing device)
And divided into

The above (1-1), (1-2), (2-
In the case 1), the interval at which the information processing device listens to the status (hereinafter, the status is monitored) is adjusted so as not to cause an increase in traffic on the communication path.

When an error occurs in a peripheral, the information processing device notifies the user of the error,
Monitoring was continued until the user instructed to stop monitoring.

[0006]

However, in the above-described configuration of status acquisition, it is common to realize the transmission of print data and status data by using the same path and switching the write / read direction. For this reason, for example, when the above-described status acquisition configuration is applied to a printing apparatus, the following problem occurs. That is, if the status is frequently monitored during printing, the printer must perform status data creation / transmission processing, and the printing processing is delayed. Further, on the information processing apparatus side, processing to switch to read processing increases. As a result, it is clear that printing is slow. Furthermore, monitoring the status during printing not only delays the end of printing, but also causes congestion in the communication path.

Further, as described above, generally, even when an error occurs in a peripheral, the information processing apparatus continues monitoring. Therefore, when the error that has occurred is an unrecoverable error (such as a serviceman call), the act of asking for the status is useless, and an extra load is imposed on the information processing device, the communication path, and the peripheral (for example, a printing device). Take it. On the other hand, if the monitor is stopped uniformly when an error occurs in the peripheral, if the error is a recoverable error (paper out, paper jam, etc.), the user cannot be notified of the recovery. Would.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to enable a status information acquisition process of a peripheral device to be controlled according to the status of the peripheral device, and to realize appropriate monitoring of the status information. And

Another object of the present invention is to enable an information processing apparatus to obtain the status of a peripheral device without delaying processing in the peripheral device.

It is another object of the present invention to reduce wasteful status acquisition during error occurrence and reduce the processing load on peripheral devices.

Another object of the present invention is to realize each of the above objects particularly in a printing system using a printing device as a peripheral device.

[0012]

An information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object has, for example, the following configuration. In other words, an information processing system having an information processing device and a peripheral device that performs a predetermined process according to data from the information processing device, wherein the information processing device obtains a status from the peripheral device; Control means for controlling an interval of status acquisition by the acquisition means based on a state of the peripheral device.

A printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object has, for example, the following configuration. That is, a printing system including an information processing apparatus and a printing apparatus that performs a printing process according to data from the information processing apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus obtains a status from the printing apparatus, Control means for controlling an interval of status acquisition by the acquisition means based on a state of the apparatus.

Further, an information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object has, for example, the following configuration. That is, an information processing apparatus to which a peripheral device can be connected to the outside, an acquisition unit for acquiring a status from the peripheral device, and a control for controlling an interval of status acquisition by the acquisition unit based on a state of the peripheral device. Means.

Further, an information processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration.
That is, an information processing apparatus to which a printing apparatus can be connected to the outside, wherein the information processing apparatus obtains a status from the printing apparatus, and an obtaining unit that obtains a status from the printing apparatus. Control means for controlling the interval.

[0016]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments, a printing device will be described as a peripheral device, but the peripheral device is not limited to this.

First, the configuration of a laser beam printer to which this embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of a laser beam printer (hereinafter, referred to as a printer) according to the present embodiment. This printer can register a character pattern and a partner format (form data) from a data source (not shown).

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 100 denotes a printer main body, which inputs and stores print information (character codes and the like), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer, and A corresponding character pattern or form pattern is created according to the information, and an image is formed on a recording paper as a recording medium. Reference numeral 19 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation and an LED display are arranged, and 101 denotes a printer control unit which controls the entire printer 100 and analyzes character information supplied from a host computer. The printer control unit 101 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern, and
Output to 2.

The laser driver 102 is a semiconductor laser 10
3 for driving the laser light 1 emitted from the semiconductor laser 103 in accordance with the input video signal.
04 is turned on / off. The laser beam 104 is swung right and left by a rotary polygon mirror 105 to form an electrostatic drum 1.
06 is exposed by scanning. Thereby, the electrostatic drum 106
An electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed thereon. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 107 provided around the electrostatic drum 106 and then transferred to a recording sheet. The recording sheet is a cut sheet, and the cut sheet recording sheet is a sheet cassette 108 mounted on the printer 100.
And is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 109 and transport rollers 110 and 111, and the electrostatic drum 1
06.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing system according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an information processing device such as a personal computer, a video memory (VRAM) 3, a display unit (CRT) 4, and a keyboard (K).
BD) 5, pointing device (PD) 6, disk controller 7, hard disk drive (HD) 9,
Connection unit 10, CPU 11, RAM 12, and ROM 1
3 are main components, and these components are connected to each other via a system bus 2.

The CPU 11 controls the entire information processing apparatus 1 according to a program represented by a flowchart shown in FIG. The RAM 12 is a CPU 1
1 stores a program as a main memory and a CP
A temporary storage area for various data used as a work data area when control is performed by U11. The disk controller 7 is a hard disk device (HD) 9 or a floppy disk (FD) as an external memory.
8 for controlling access to an external storage device.

A hard disk drive (HD) 9 and a floppy disk (FD) 8 are devices for recording data on a magnetic storage medium on the disk and reading / writing the data. The graphic data and document data are further downloaded to the RAM 12 and executed. Program and CPU for information processing apparatus 1
An operating system (OS), various application programs, a printer control command (print data) generation program (that is, a printer driver), which is a control program of the printer 11, and a printing system program having a page control function are stored. This storage medium is not only a hard disk drive and a floppy disk, but also a magnetic tape, a CD-ROM, an IC memory card,
It may be a DVD or the like.

The ROM 13 is an internal memory, and the hard disk drive (HD) 9 and the floppy disk (F
D) Various data and programs are stored in the same manner as 8).

The display unit 4 displays various graphics such as bitmap data, command images of command menus, operator messages and the like on the screen in the information processing apparatus 1, and is composed of a CRT (cathode ray tube) or liquid crystal. ing. The video memory 3 stores data to be displayed on the display unit 4.

The keyboard 5 and the pointing device 6 are both operated by an operator to input various data and commands, a print mode, and the like.
Further, by selecting a command image or the like of a command menu displayed on the screen of the display unit 3 using the keyboard 5 and the pointing device 6, it is possible to instruct the execution of the command and the print mode.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a connection unit, which is connected to the connection unit 17 of the printer 100 via a predetermined bidirectional interface 14 such as a Centronics interface, a network interface, or an infrared interface, and transmits a printer control command (print data). A communication control process with the printer 100 is performed.

Next, the control configuration of the printer 100 will be described. The printer 100 includes a connection unit 17, a printing unit (printer engine) 18, an operation unit 19, an external memory 20, a CPU 21, a RAM 22, and a ROM 23, which will be described in detail later, as main components.
6 are connected to each other.

The CPU 21 is a printer CPU for controlling the entire printer 100. The CPU 21
An image signal is generated from a printer control command (print data) received by the connection unit 17 based on a control program stored in the ROM 23 or the external memory 20 described later, and transmitted to the printing unit 18.

The RAM 22 has, as a main memory of the CPU 21, a temporary storage area for various data used as a work data area when the CPU 21 executes control. The external memory 20 is optionally connected,
It stores font data, emulation programs, form data, and the like. The ROM 23 is an internal memory of the printer, and stores various data, a printer control program for controlling the printer, and the like, like the external memory.

The printing unit 18 is a printer engine,
The CPU 21 is controlled by the CPU 21 and receives an image signal output from the control program stored in the ROM 23 or the external memory 20 via the system bus, and performs actual printing. In the present embodiment, a laser beam printer is used as described with reference to FIG. 10, but the recording method is not limited to this, and any recording method such as an ink jet method or a thermal method may be used.

The operation unit 19 includes an input unit such as an operation panel and operation switches, and a display unit such as an LED and a liquid crystal panel. The operation unit 19 receives an operation of an operator and displays a result. The operator can instruct and confirm the settings of the printer 100 via the operation unit 19.

The connection unit 17 is connected to the connection unit 16 of the information processing apparatus 1 via the above-described bidirectional interface 14 to receive a printer control command (print data) and notify the internal state of the printer. Has become possible.

The operation of the printing system according to the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described below. In addition,
For simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that the information processing apparatus and the printer are directly connected via a cable. Then, by changing the data transfer direction in the forward and reverse directions, it is assumed that the device functions in both directions. The data transfer direction is basically the forward direction from the information processing apparatus to the printer, and is the reverse direction only when an instruction (status request) is issued from the information processing apparatus. It is also assumed that the information is returned in the forward direction according to an instruction from the information processing apparatus.

In this embodiment, 10000 is a normal status, 15000 is a warning that does not hinder printing such as toner low, and 30000 is a status code that cannot be printed due to a transmission error or a tray failure and cannot be corrected by the user. An error of 40000 is an error that cannot be printed, such as a paper jam, but can be easily removed by the user.

In the description, t0, t1,
t2 and t3 are predetermined values in the ROM 13 or R
It is assumed that it is stored in AM12. Note that t0 to t
The relationship between the lengths of 3 is t0 <t1 t2 <t1 t0 <t3. Here, the length relationship between t3 and t1 and the length relationship between t3 and t2 are not particularly defined, and may be equal or one of them may be longer.

FIGS. 2 to 5 are flowcharts for explaining a status acquisition procedure of the printing system according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the basic operation in status acquisition will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the basic operation of the status acquisition process for acquiring the status by the information processing device issuing a status request. The example of FIG. 2 illustrates a form in which the status is acquired by the information processing apparatus making an inquiry. In the status acquisition process in this case, the information processing apparatus acquires a status by transmitting a status request to the printer. It is assumed that the interface 14 is initially in the forward direction.

In step S201, the C of the information processing apparatus 1
The PU 11 sends the status request command shown in FIG.
The transmission data is created in a transmission data buffer provided in the AM 12, and the transmission data is transmitted to the printer 100 via the system bus 2, the connection unit 10, and the interface 14. FIG.
Is an example of a command by which the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment inquires of the printer about the status. The command description starts with "<ESC>%-12345X" and "<ESC>%-12345X"
end with. It is also possible to put a plurality of commands in this. "@PJL" means the start of a command, "<CL>
<LF>] means the end of the command. In this example, two commands "CJLMODE" and "INFO STATUS" are described. In each case, it means that the operation mode is "CJLMODE" to the printer, and this means a status request.

In the printer 100, under the control of the CPU 21, a status request command is received via the connection unit 17, and the request command is stored in a reception buffer provided in the RAM 22. Then, the CPU 21 analyzes the received status request command, creates status data shown in FIG. 9, and stores this in a transmission buffer provided in the RAM 22.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the status returned by the printer of the present embodiment to the information processing apparatus. Begins with "<FF>" and ends with "<FF>". This contains the status parameters and values. In this example, the status code is 10
000, the character string displayed on the printer panel is “00 INSAKANO A4”, and it is indicated that the printer is online.

In the information processing apparatus 1, in step S202, the CPU 11 issues a command to change the data transfer direction of the interface 14. The printer 100 knows that the direction of the interface 14 has been reversed by the connection unit 17, extracts the status data from the transmission buffer secured in the RAM 22, and passes the status data via the system bus 16, the connection unit 17, and the interface 14. To the information processing apparatus 1. The information processing device 1 receives this status data and stores it in the reception buffer of the RAM 12. After that, the CPU 14 sends the interface 14
Issue an instruction to return to the forward direction.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining status data generation and transmission processing in the printer. In step S301, it is determined whether a status request has been received from the information processing device 1. When the status request is received, the process proceeds to step S302, where status data as described in FIG. 9 is created, and the created status data is stored in the transmission buffer secured in the RAM 22. Then, in step S303, if the direction of the interface 14 is switched in the opposite direction as described above, the status data in the transmission buffer is transmitted to the information processing device 1.

A case where the printer voluntarily notifies the status to the information processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the basic operation of the printer in the status acquisition processing using the printer that automatically reports the status. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the basic operation of the status acquisition process on the information processing apparatus side when a printer that voluntarily reports the status is used.

First, on the printer side, in step S401 in FIG. 4, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the status has changed. If it is determined that the status has changed, the process proceeds to step S402. If it is determined that the status does not change, step S401 is repeated. next,
In step S402, status data is created. Here, the CPU 21 creates status data in a predetermined format shown in FIG. 9 and stores the status data in a transmission buffer secured in the RAM 22.

On the other hand, the information processing apparatus performs a read process in step S501 of FIG. In this case, C
The PU 11 issues an instruction to change the data transfer direction of the interface 14. The printer 100 knows that the direction of the interface 14 has been reversed by the connection unit 17, extracts data from the transmission buffer secured in the RAM 22, and outputs the data from the system bus 16 to the connection unit 17.
The status data is transmitted to the information processing device 1 via the interface 14. The information processing device 1 receives this status data and stores it in the reception buffer secured in the RAM 12. Thereafter, a command to return the interface 14 in the forward direction is issued from the CPU 11.

Next, in step S502, the CPU
11 checks the contents of the reception buffer secured in the RAM 14. That is, since the data received in step S501 is not always status data, the data in the reception buffer is checked in this step, and it is determined whether the data is status data. If the status data is not valid, the data is discarded in step S503.

In the printing system according to the present embodiment, in the print standby state, status acquisition is performed at time intervals of t0, and the status of the printer is monitored. During the printing process, status acquisition is performed at time intervals of t1 (t1> t0), and the status of the printer is monitored. If the transmission of the print data fails, the status of the printer is obtained at the time interval t2.
Further, when the status obtained from the printer indicates an error state, the status is obtained at a time interval t3 (t3> t0) in a process of monitoring the error state. Hereinafter, a status acquisition process performed by the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the status acquisition interval setting process of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In step S601, the CPU 11 determines whether the print data has been completed. If it is determined that the print data has been completed, the process advances to step S606 to determine whether the print has been completed (this determination can be made with reference to the status data). If the printing has been completed, it means that the printer has returned to the standby state again, so the process proceeds to step S607, and the time interval of status acquisition is set to t0. Then, the process returns to step S601.
On the other hand, if the printing has not been completed in step S606,
Since the printing process is being performed, the process proceeds to step S604, and the time interval t for status acquisition is set to t1.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S601 that the print data is not completed, the process proceeds to step S60.
The process proceeds to step S2, where the print data is transmitted to the printer 100 via the connection unit 10 and the interface 14 according to a predetermined procedure. Next, in step S603, the CPU 11
It is determined whether the transmission of the print data has been successful. If it is determined that the transmission of the print data has been successful, it is assumed that the printer is operating normally, and in step S604, R
The timer value t (time interval t for status acquisition) stored in the AM 12 is set to t1, and the process returns to step S601.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S603 that the printer is not operating normally, the process proceeds to step S6.
At 05, the timer value t stored in the RAM 12 is set to t.
2 is set, and the process returns to step S601. As described above, the time interval of status acquisition is set according to the state of the printer 100.

Next, the status acquisition control according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating status acquisition control according to the present embodiment.

First, in step S701, it is determined whether the time t has elapsed since the previous status acquisition processing. As described above, the time t holds a value (t0 to t2) corresponding to the state of the printer. Step S7
When it is determined that the time t has elapsed at 01, the process proceeds to step S702. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the time t has elapsed, step S701 is repeated (that is, wait for the time t to elapse).

When the time t has elapsed, a status acquisition process is performed in step S702. The status process is as described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Then, in step S703, the CP
U11 analyzes the status obtained in step S702 and determines whether an error has occurred. If the status (status code) acquired in step S702 is “10000 (normal)” or “15000 (toner low)”, it is determined that no error has occurred since printing can be continued. Then, the process returns to step S701. On the other hand, if the status code is "300
00 (transmission error, tray failure, etc.) ”or“ 40000
In the case of "(paper jam)", printing cannot be continued as it is, and it is determined that an error has occurred and step S704 is performed.
Proceed to.

In step S704, it is determined whether the error is a recoverable error. In this example, when the status code is "40000 (paper jam)", it can be dealt with at the user level, so it is determined that the error is recoverable, and the process proceeds to step S705. In step S705, the status acquisition interval time t3 for error monitoring is set to t, and the process returns to step S701. Thereafter, in the error monitoring process of FIG. 7, status acquisition is performed at time intervals t = t3.

On the other hand, if the status code is "30000"
In the case of, it is determined that the error cannot be recovered at the user level, and the process proceeds to step S706. In step S706,
Since an unrecoverable error has occurred, any further monitors will only put a load on the information processing apparatus, communication path, and printer, so the monitoring is stopped.

In the above embodiment, the time t
Although 0, t1, t2, and t3 have been described as being determined in advance, according to printing, traffic, and other situations, and for purposes such as reducing traffic so that printing is completed quickly. May be changed as appropriate.
For example, addition / subtraction or multiplication / division may be used to increase the monitor interval when the same status continues, or to narrow the monitor interval when there is sufficient communication path.

As described above, according to the above embodiment, the time interval of the status acquisition process between the information processing device and the printer is changed according to the operation status of the printer. For example, since the time interval for acquiring the status during printing is set longer than usual, the information processing apparatus can acquire the status of the printer without delaying the printing process in the printer.

Further, according to the above embodiment, when an error occurs, the time interval for acquiring the status is set longer than usual, so that useless acquisition of the status is reduced and the processing load on the printer is reduced. . In particular,
When an error that cannot be recovered has occurred, the status acquisition is stopped, and unnecessary processing for status acquisition is not required. As a result, it is possible to notify the user of the recovery of the error and to reduce the traffic.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile, etc.) comprising one device Device).

An object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, 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, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention, the process of acquiring the status information of the peripheral device can be controlled in accordance with the status of the peripheral device, and an appropriate monitoring of the status information can be realized. Further, according to the present invention, the information processing apparatus can obtain the status of the peripheral device without delaying the processing in the peripheral device. . Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce unnecessary status acquisition during error occurrence, and to reduce the processing load on peripheral devices.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a status acquisition process in which an information processing device acquires a status by issuing a status request.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of generating and transmitting status data in a printer.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a basic operation on the printer side of a status acquisition process using a printer that voluntarily transmits a status.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a basic operation of a status acquisition process on the information processing apparatus side when a printer that voluntarily reports a status is used.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a status acquisition process of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating details of an error monitoring process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an example of a command used by the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment to inquire the printer of the status.

FIG. 9 is an example of a status returned by the printer of the embodiment to the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the laser beam printer according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 information processing device 2 system bus 11 CPU 12 RAM 13 ROM 14 interface 16 system bus 21 CPU 22 RAM 23 ROM 100 printer

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. An information processing system comprising: an information processing device; and a peripheral device that performs predetermined processing according to data from the information processing device, wherein the information processing device acquires a status from the peripheral device. An information processing system comprising: a control unit that controls an interval of status acquisition by the acquisition unit based on a state of the peripheral device. 2. A printing system, comprising: an information processing device; and a printing device that performs a printing process in accordance with data from the information processing device, wherein the information processing device obtains a status from the printing device. And a control unit for controlling an interval of status acquisition by the acquisition unit based on a state of the printing apparatus. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the printing apparatus is performing a printing process, the control unit sets a status acquisition interval by the acquisition unit to be longer than a printing standby time. system. 4. The control unit, when the status acquired by the acquisition unit indicates the occurrence of an error that can be recovered by the user, sets the interval between status acquisitions by the acquisition unit to be longer than that during standby for printing. 3. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein: 5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit prohibits execution of the acquisition unit when the status acquired by the acquisition unit indicates occurrence of an error that is difficult for a user to recover. Printing system. 6. A method for controlling an information processing system, comprising: an information processing device; and a peripheral device that performs a predetermined process according to data from the information processing device, wherein the information processing device transmits a status from the peripheral device. A control method for an information processing system, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring; and a control step of controlling an interval of status acquisition in the acquisition step based on a state of the peripheral device. 7. A control method for a printing system, comprising: an information processing device; and a printing device that performs a printing process in accordance with data from the information processing device, wherein the information processing device acquires a status from the printing device. A control method for a printing system, comprising: an acquisition step; and a control step of controlling an interval of status acquisition in the acquisition step based on a state of the printing apparatus. 8. The printing method according to claim 7, wherein in the control step, when the printing apparatus is performing a printing process, a status acquisition interval in the acquisition step is set to be longer than a printing standby time. How to control the system. 9. The control step, when the status obtained in the obtaining step indicates occurrence of an error that can be recovered by a user, sets a status obtaining interval in the obtaining step to be longer than in a printing standby state. The control method for a printing system according to claim 7, wherein: 10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the control step prohibits execution of the acquisition step when the status acquired in the acquisition step indicates occurrence of an error that is difficult for the user to recover. Control method of printing system. 11. An information processing apparatus to which a peripheral device can be connected to an external device, comprising: an acquiring unit for acquiring a status from the peripheral device; and an interval for acquiring the status by the acquiring unit based on a state of the peripheral device. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a control unit for controlling. 12. An information processing apparatus to which a printing apparatus can be connected externally, wherein the information processing apparatus obtains a status from the printing apparatus, and the obtaining section obtains a status from the printing apparatus. An information processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls a status acquisition interval. 13. The information according to claim 12, wherein when the printing apparatus is performing a printing process, the control unit sets a status acquisition interval of the acquisition unit to be longer than that during standby for printing. Processing equipment. 14. The control unit, when the status obtained by the obtaining unit indicates occurrence of an error that can be recovered by the user, sets the status obtaining interval by the obtaining unit to be longer than that during standby for printing. 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein 15. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the control unit prohibits execution of the acquisition unit when the status acquired by the acquisition unit indicates occurrence of an error that is difficult for the user to recover. Information processing device. 16. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus to which a peripheral device can be connected externally, comprising: an acquiring step of acquiring a status from the peripheral device; and a status acquiring by the acquiring step based on a state of the peripheral device. And a control step of controlling an interval of the information processing apparatus. 17. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus to which a printing apparatus can be externally connected, the method comprising: obtaining an status from the printing apparatus by the control method of the information processing apparatus; A control step of controlling an interval of status acquisition by the acquisition step. 18. The information according to claim 17, wherein in the control step, when the printing apparatus is performing a printing process, the status acquisition interval in the acquisition step is set to be longer than in a printing standby state. A method for controlling a processing device. 19. The control step, when the status obtained in the obtaining step indicates occurrence of an error that can be recovered by a user, sets a status obtaining interval in the obtaining step to be longer than in a printing standby state. The control method for an information processing device according to claim 17, wherein: 20. The control method according to claim 17, wherein the control step prohibits execution of the acquisition step when the status acquired in the acquisition step indicates occurrence of an error that is difficult for the user to recover. A method for controlling an information processing device. 21. A storage medium for storing a control program for causing a computer to monitor the status of an externally connected peripheral device, the control program comprising: an acquisition step for acquiring a status from the peripheral device. A storage medium comprising: a code; and a code of a control step of controlling an interval of status acquisition in the acquisition step based on the status acquired in the acquisition step.