JP2001027941A - Information processor and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly carry out calculating and display of a print time by a printer driver and according to a selection instruction of a user by making the printer driver calculate the print time of print data to be transferred to a printer in response to an inquiry result and perform the control to decide whether or not the calculated print time should be shown at a display part. SOLUTION: A print system consists of three types of blocks, i.e. a host computer PC, a printer PR and a panel display PL. The computer PC has an operating system OP and a system program of a printer drive PD etc. The drive PD outputs a printer code, a bit map, a control code, etc., to the printer PR and then inquires about the designation to decide whether a mode should be validated for calculating a print time. Thus, the driver PD calculates the print time of the print data to be transferred to the printer PR according to the result of the above inquiry and performs the control to decide whether or not the calculated print time should be shown at a display part.

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 and an information processing method capable of starting a printer driver for converting print data into a code corresponding to a printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, once printing is started and the position of the head actually printed is generally estimated to estimate the printing time. In order to change the printing mode and print again, it is necessary to perform printing again. , There was no way to do it again except forcibly.

[0003] Conventionally, since the capacity and resolution of print data are small and there is no problem that must be dealt with urgently, there is no method using a technology that has been set and fixed.

[0004]

However, with the advent of Windows (trade name) and the like, the demand for high-resolution and large-capacity image printing has rapidly increased, and in some cases it may take tens of minutes to print one sheet. Have been. In particular, the data capacity is increasing due to the progress of colorization of printing apparatuses.

[0005] As a result, the total printing time is not reduced at all, despite the improvement of the hardware performance, and furthermore, the result is that the user is retained, and the work efficiency is reduced at present.

That is, it is possible to immediately estimate the estimated print time before starting the printing operation so that the user can select the print mode depending on the user's convenience and select whether to print at high speed or finely at low speed. There were problems that could not be achieved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of starting a printer driver for converting print data into a code corresponding to a printing apparatus. The printer driver inquires whether to specify whether to enable a mode for calculating a print time, and calculates a print time of print data transferred to the printing apparatus according to a result of the query. By controlling whether or not to display the printing time on the display unit, the calculation and display of the printing time by the printer driver can be appropriately performed by a user's selection instruction, and further,
For example, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing method capable of setting an appropriate print mode in a printer driver in consideration of printing time and user's convenience.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus capable of starting a printer driver for converting print data into a code corresponding to a printing apparatus,
Inquiring means for inquiring the printer driver to specify whether to enable a mode for calculating a printing time,
Control means for calculating the printing time of the print data transferred to the printing apparatus in accordance with the result of the inquiry by the inquiry means and controlling whether or not to display the printing time on a display unit. is there.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the printer driver calculates a print time until print data is printed by the printing apparatus.

In a third aspect of the present invention, the printer driver checks a print data format of the print data and calculates the print time based on operation speed information of a printing apparatus corresponding to the print data format. Is what you do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the printer driver has updating means for monitoring a printing state of the printing apparatus and updating the operating speed information.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the printer driver includes a transfer unit for displaying print time on a display unit and then transferring print data to the printing apparatus in response to a print start instruction. Have

In a sixth aspect according to the present invention, the printer driver calculates the printing time according to the progress of a printing process in the printing apparatus.

In a seventh aspect according to the present invention, the printing device is an ink jet printer.

In an eighth invention according to the present invention, the printing apparatus and the information processing apparatus are separate bodies and are connected by a port.

A ninth invention according to the present invention is an information processing method in an information processing apparatus capable of starting a printer driver for converting print data into a code corresponding to a printing apparatus, wherein the printer driver calculates a printing time. An inquiry step of inquiring whether or not to enable the mode to perform, and the printer driver calculates a printing time of the print data transferred to the printing apparatus according to a result of the inquiry, and calculates the printing time. Controlling whether or not to display on the display unit.

In a tenth aspect according to the present invention, the printer driver calculates a print time until print data is printed by the printing apparatus.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the printer driver inspects a print data format of the print data,
The printing time is calculated based on operating speed information of the printing apparatus corresponding to the print data format.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the printer driver monitors a printing state of the printing apparatus,
An update step for updating the operation speed information is provided.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, after the printer driver displays the printing time on a display unit,
And a transfer step of transferring print data to the printing apparatus in response to a print start instruction.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the printer driver calculates the printing time according to the progress of a printing process in the printing apparatus.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment FIG. 1 is an external view showing a configuration of a printing system to which an information processing apparatus and an information processing method according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.
(A) corresponds to a printing device incorporated in a portable computer system, and (b) corresponds to a printing device applied to a general-purpose desktop computer system connected using a parallel port. A display device is provided for displaying the total estimated printing time or displaying the remaining time during printing in real time.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a control configuration of the printing system shown in FIG. 1, and includes a host computer PC, a printing device (printer) PR, and a panel display device PL.
And three types of blocks. Note that a keyboard or the like may be attached to the panel display device PL.

The display device PL may be a host-side display or a panel attached to the printing device (hereinafter simply referred to as a display device) in some cases. Also,
The host computer PC includes an operating system (OS) and a system program such as a printer driver PD. The printer driver PD outputs a printer code, a bit map, a control code, and the like to the printer PR. That is, the print data is translated into a dedicated command system, and a dedicated storage area (not shown)
Alternatively, the print data is stored in a hard disk (HD), and at the same time, the format of the print data is analyzed in the print data format shown in FIG. Further, the operation speed value of the printer PR (see FIG. 5) is stored and managed in the hard disk (HD) or the like in the printer driver PD (a configuration may be incorporated in the printer driver PD in advance as dedicated code information). The estimated total print time is calculated from the format of the print data and the operation speed value as described later. In addition, the host computer P
It goes without saying that the printer C and the printer PR have a controller (not shown) and a CPU, a RAM and a ROM.

In FIG. 2, a process 2-1 corresponds to a process of transmitting printability information from the printing apparatus PR to the host computer PC. A process 2-2 corresponds to a process of transmitting print data from the host computer PC to the printing apparatus PR. A process 2-3 corresponds to a process of displaying print information from the printing device PR on the display device PL. The process 2-4 corresponds to a process for urgently terminating the process of the printing apparatus in the case of a printing error or the like.

Reference numeral 2-5 denotes a process, which corresponds to a process of displaying data obtained by simulating the printing time on the display device PL and prompting whether to execute printing. 2-6
Corresponds to a process for permitting the execution of the process 2-1 to the host if the execution is instructed in the process 2-5, correcting the print mode, and repeating the process 2-5 again.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a printing time estimation method of a printing system to which the information processing apparatus and the information processing method according to the present invention can be applied. In addition,
(1) to (7) show each step. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the process is generally controlled by a printer driver PD that performs engine control.

In step (1), the host computer PC issues a print data transfer start command. here,
Once the print data is stored on the host computer,
It does not directly transfer the data to the printing device PR.

The printer driver PD prompts the start of transfer after setting a print mode such as selection of color / monochrome, selection of delicate / draft printing, and the like.

In step (2), the user is asked whether or not to simulate the total printing time.
Printing can also be started as in step (7). Here, when simulating the total print time, the print format is inspected and recorded for all the print data in parallel with storing the print data in step (3).

In step (4), the printer driver P
D calculates the total printing time from the print format and the operation speed value of the printing device stored in step (3) (the print format of the print data and the operation speed value of the printing device will be described later).

In step (5), the calculated estimated total printing time is displayed on the panel of the printer or the display of the host computer to notify the user.

In step (6), based on the estimated total printing time, the user is prompted to change the print mode and then to transfer the print data again. If the user wants to start over, the process is not started again from step (1). If so, the actual process starts in step (7).

Thus, in the present system, an optimal print mode can be set according to the user's convenience by performing a simulation prior to actual printing. In addition, it is possible to indicate to the user the total printing time required for printing the stored print data by the connected printing apparatus before printing is started.

However, the simulation of the printing time cannot be executed by a different printing device in place of the printer driver PD. It should be noted that the above exceptions may occur when printer drivers respectively corresponding to connectable printers are stored in advance.

Hereinafter, a serial printer will be described as an example of a general printing apparatus. When transmitting print data from the host computer PC, the printer driver PD translates the print data into a dedicated command system and transfers it to a printing device PR such as a serial printer, for example, an inkjet printer.
Before the data is transferred to the dedicated storage area (RAM or hard disk), the format of the print data is checked at the same time.

As shown in FIG. 4, the format of the print data is directly related to the printing operation, and the one related to the speed of the print head is one scan width W, one scan length L,
The scanning start point O, the number of scans C, and the scanning direction D are related to the paper feeding speed, such as the paper feeding width Wlf, the paper size Lp, and the vertical margin Um of the paper.

The printer driver PD checks all print data transferred by the host computer PC in accordance with the above eight print data formats, and stores the eight parameters in a dedicated work area (RAM, not shown).
At the point when the print data has been stored and simulation is completed.

The printer driver PD stores the operating speed value of the printing apparatus PR in advance, and calculates the total printing time from the print data format.

As shown in FIG. 5, the operating speed values of the printing device PR include the scanning speed Csp of the print head and the paper feeding speed L.
It holds Fsp.

However, if the paper feed speed LFsp operates simultaneously with the return of the print head, it is excluded from the simulation.

The print head recovery processing time C2sp is a non-print processing time that is performed independently of the printing operation to maintain the quality of the head.

When the transfer speed of the print data is lower than the operation speed of the print head, the print data wait time Wait
Have a large weight in the simulation.

The printer driver PD holds these four operation speed values as values depending on the model.

The printer driver PD calculates the estimated total printing time only when all the above values have been obtained. The calculation is basically approximated based on the following formula 1. However, when printing is performed in both directions and printing is optimized, the calculation is performed after considering one evaluation at a time. Total print time, approximate value of Tprint [Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the operation speed value of the printing device PR held by the printer driver PD is:
It changes with the aging of the printing device PR.

Therefore, when the initial operation speed value is continuously used, it is considered that the simulated estimated total printing time gradually changes. The cause is
Wear of mechanical parts and deterioration of motor performance can be considered.

Therefore, in order to eliminate this problem, the printer driver PD has a learning function and constantly rewrites the operation speed value obtained in the previous printing process so as to use it as the value of the next simulation. To As a result, the printer driver PD monitors the printing state based on the print data transferred to the printing apparatus PR, updates the predetermined operation speed value stored in the storage unit, and changes over time of the printing apparatus. It is possible to accurately calculate and display the total printing time according to the current state of the printing apparatus.

As a result, the printer driver PD can simulate with the updated operation speed value without reducing the accuracy of the estimated total printing time.

Even when no simulation is performed,
The operation of the printer is always obtained and the operation speed value is rewritten. By doing so, simulation accuracy can be maintained. The data to be rewritten is stored in a backup RAM or the like or a hard disk (HD) or the like.

That is, when the printer driver PD is used in another printer equipped with an emulator, the estimated total printing time may not be calculated accurately, but printing is possible.

However, in this case, it is necessary to keep the operating speed from being revised in other models so that the operating speed value is not rewritten. In order to make full use of the function for calculating the printing time of the printer driver PD of the present embodiment, the printer P corresponding to the printer driver 1: 1 must be used.
Must be R. However, the hard disk (H
There is no problem as long as a dedicated printer driver corresponding to a group of printers connectable to D) is stored and the connected printer is selected. The present invention is also applicable to a printing apparatus or a printing system configured to transfer a printer driver from an external storage device and incorporate the printer driver into a system program.

[Third Embodiment] As a function for extending the estimated total printing time calculation function of the first and second embodiments, the present embodiment describes a case where the remaining printing time is displayed during the printing process.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a display state of the remaining printing time of the printing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, in which the remaining printing time on the operation panel of the printing apparatus PR is subtracted according to the elapsed printing time. Corresponds to display.

As shown in FIG. 6, a method of subtracting and displaying the estimated total print time described in the previous embodiment from the ratio of the print data volume transmitted to the printing apparatus PR to the total volume is employed.

The display device PL is a host computer PC.
Or a panel built in the printer, but as a result, a simple printing device management system can be constructed.

FIG. 7 shows an example of variable values required for calculating the remaining printing time.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of variable values required when calculating the remaining printing time in the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

The calculation formula is calculated based on the following formula (1).

Approximate value of remaining printing time (Trest) Trest to Ttotal × (Ctotal−Cend) / Ctotal (1) Fourth Embodiment The first to third embodiments are directed to the printing apparatus PR.
Although the simulation of the total printing time has been described, it is not convenient to issue a print execution command without using this function.

Therefore, when the total print time calculation function is not used at all, a print command is issued and an ON / OFF flag setting of the total print time calculation function is added to the printer driver PD so that print data can be immediately transferred to the printer. I do.

The first to third embodiments can be validated only when the ON flag is set, that is, it is left to the user whether to use the function.

A dialog box for total printing time simulation is prepared for setting options of the printer driver PD, and if this dialog box is selected, the above-described embodiments can be made effective.

If the printer driver PD confirms that the printing device PR is a compatible model, the printer driver PD enables this setting. If the printer driver PD confirms that the printing device PR is a different model, the printer driver PD disables the setting of the total printing time simulation. As a result, it is possible to prevent a meaningless simulation from being performed on different models as described in the second embodiment.

The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus constituted by a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

As described above, according to each of the above-described embodiments, the function of simulating the printing time before the actual printing is started is provided, and the user can be notified and the print mode can be set again. After the mode is improved, printing can be executed or re-simulation can be performed. As a result, there is an effect of optimizing printing according to the user's convenience and promoting effective use of time.

The printer driver PD is provided with a hardware speed parameter, and the information of the transmitted print data, mainly the moving speed of the carriage, the print scan width, the print scan length, and the total number of print scans is used to determine the total actual print time. Is simulated and displayed on the display / printer panel immediately before starting the actual printing process, so that at this stage, the user can cancel the printing process and start over from resetting the printing mode while notifying the user. In addition, there is an effect that a means for displaying the remaining printing time in real time is provided even during the actual printing process, and when a large number of pages are continuously printed, the printing completion rate can be easily checked.

[0067]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the fourteenth to fourteenth aspects, in an information processing apparatus capable of activating a printer driver for converting print data into a code corresponding to a printing apparatus, the printer driver enables or disables a mode for calculating a printing time. Inquiring means for inquiring the designation, and, in accordance with the result of the inquiry by the inquiring means, calculates the printing time of the print data transferred to the printing apparatus, and determines whether to display the printing time on the display unit. Control means for controlling, so that the calculation and display of the printing time by the printer driver can be appropriately executed by a user's selection instruction, and further, for example, an appropriate printing mode is set in consideration of the printing time and the user's convenience. Can be set in the driver.

Also, in an information processing method in an information processing apparatus capable of starting a printer driver for converting print data into a code corresponding to a printing apparatus, it is preferable that the printer driver activates a mode for calculating a printing time. Inquiry of the designation, according to the result of the inquiry, calculate the printing time of the print data transferred to the printing device,
Controlling whether or not to display the print time on the display unit enables the printer driver to appropriately calculate and display the print time according to a user's selection instruction, and further, for example, considers the print time and the user's convenience. As a result, an appropriate print mode can be set in the printer driver.

Further, it is possible to appropriately select and execute starting printing immediately or starting recalculation of the total printing time in response to a printing start request instruction from the user.

Further, according to the present invention, the printer driver calculates the print time until the print data is printed by the printing device, so that the stored print data is printed by the connected printing device. The total print time required until can be suggested to the user before printing starts.

According to the present invention, the printer driver checks the print data format of the print data, and calculates the print time based on the operating speed information of the printing device corresponding to the print data format. Since the printer driver monitors the printing state of the printing device and updates the operation speed information, even if the aging of the printing device occurs,
The total printing time according to the current state of the printing apparatus can be accurately calculated and displayed.

Accordingly, there is an effect that the user can select whether to print at high definition or at high speed by appropriately selecting the print mode of the print data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which an information processing apparatus and an information processing method according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the printing system illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a printing time estimation method of a printing system to which the information processing apparatus and the information processing method according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a print data format necessary for calculating a printing time in a printing system to which the information processing apparatus and the information processing method according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing operation speed values of a printer held by a printer driver in a printing system to which the information processing apparatus and the information processing method according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a remaining printing time display state of a printing system to which an information processing apparatus and an information processing method according to a third embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of variable values necessary for calculating a remaining printing time in a printing system to which the information processing apparatus and the information processing method according to the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 PC host computer PD printer driver PR printing device PL display device

Claims (14)

[Claims] An information processing apparatus capable of activating a printer driver for converting print data into a code corresponding to a printing apparatus, wherein the printer driver specifies whether to enable a mode for calculating a printing time. And control for calculating whether or not to display the print time on a display unit by calculating the print time of the print data transferred to the printing apparatus in accordance with the result of the inquiry by the inquiry means. And an information processing apparatus. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer driver calculates a printing time until print data is printed by the printing apparatus. 3. The printer driver according to claim 2, wherein the printer driver checks a print data format of the print data, and calculates the print time based on operating speed information of a printing apparatus corresponding to the print data format. 3. The information processing device according to 1 or 2. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the printer driver includes an updating unit that monitors a printing state of the printing device and updates the operation speed information. 5. The printer driver according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer unit configured to display the print time on a display unit and transfer print data to the printing apparatus in response to a print start instruction. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer driver calculates the printing time in accordance with a progress of a printing process in the printing apparatus. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing device is an ink jet printer. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus and the information processing apparatus are separate bodies, and are connected by a port. 9. An information processing method in an information processing apparatus capable of starting a printer driver for converting print data into a code corresponding to a printing apparatus, wherein the printer driver enables a mode for calculating a printing time. An inquiry step of inquiring whether or not the printer driver calculates the print time of the print data transferred to the printing apparatus according to the inquiry result, and whether or not to display the print time on a display unit. Controlling the information processing. 10. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein the printer driver calculates a printing time until print data is printed by the printing device. 11. The printer driver according to claim 1, wherein the printer driver checks a print data format of the print data, and calculates the print time based on operating speed information of a printing apparatus corresponding to the print data format. The information processing method according to 9 or 10. 12. The information processing method according to claim 11, further comprising an update step in which the printer driver monitors a printing state of the printing apparatus and updates the operation speed information. 13. The printer driver, after displaying the print time on a display unit, responds to a print start instruction.
13. The information processing method according to claim 9, further comprising a transfer step of transferring print data to the printing device. 14. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein the printer driver calculates the printing time in accordance with a progress of a printing process in the printing apparatus.