JP2001092607A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system for efficiently performing transfer processing and for shortening the print processing itself in a print system in which corresponding print processing can be attained in response to the data reception of not only original actual print data to be used for printing but also form data, external character data, and font data or the like. SOLUTION: In this printing system, print data supplied from host equipment are stored into a receiving buffer 13 by a receiving part 12, data in a configuration different from that of the print data such as form data supplied from the host equipment are registered in a registering buffer 15, the analysis processing of the data is performed by an executing part 14, plotting data are prepared by a plotting part 17, the plotting data are developed in a picture memory 18, and print processing is operated by the printer engine not shown in the figure. When the receiving buffer 13 is full of the print data, data such as the form data from the host equipment are registered in a registering buffer 5 so that any waiting time for data transfer of the host equipment can be eliminated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing system which receives not only original actual print data used for printing but also data such as form data, external character data, font data and the like, and performs a corresponding printing process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printing apparatus which is directly connected to a host device such as a personal computer or connected via a network line such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and performs a printing process in accordance with print data has many functions today. . For example, a form overlay function that performs composite printing of form data on form data,
This is a printing function for registering external characters or registering various font data and using a wide range of fonts.

FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram of a printing apparatus having the above-described functions. In FIG. 1, a printing apparatus 1 includes a receiving unit 2, a receiving buffer 3, an execution unit 4, a registration buffer 5, a page buffer 6, a drawing unit 7, an image memory 8, a print control unit 9, and an overall control unit 10. I have. The printing apparatus having the above configuration is connected to, for example, a personal computer (host device) (not shown), and receives supply of print data from the personal computer.

The receiving unit 2 receives the supplied print data, stores the print data other than the registration data in the reception buffer 3, and registers the registration data in the registration buffer 5. Here, the registration data is, for example, form data prepared in advance for form overlay printing, and the registration data is registered in the registration buffer 5 as described above.

If there is no free space in the reception buffer 3 during reception of print data from the personal computer, the reception unit 2 notifies the personal computer that temporary print data cannot be received. Then, the reception buffer 3 is monitored thereafter, and when a free area is created in the reception buffer 3, the personal computer is notified that reception is possible.

The execution unit 4 reads out the print data stored in the reception buffer 3 and performs an analysis process on the print data.
The page data is converted into drawable page data in the page buffer 6, and the converted page data is stored for each page. If registration data is required at this time, the registration buffer 5
Read the registration data from and use it.

[0007] When one page of print data is stored in the page buffer 6, the drawing unit 7 draws in the image memory 8 based on the print data. Further, when one page of print data is drawn in the image memory 8, the print control unit 9 issues a print instruction to a printer engine (not shown) and transmits the drawn data developed in the image memory 8 to the printer engine.

The overall control unit 10 collects information from the receiving unit 2, the execution unit 4, the drawing unit 7, and the print control unit 9, and controls each unit based on this information.

FIG. 8 is a time chart from when the conventional printing apparatus 1 receives print data from a personal computer and performs print processing. For example, the JO shown in FIG.
B1 to JOB5 are executed. In addition, JOB1
JOB5 is print data or form data of one page as shown in FIG. 12, and JOB1 is three copies,
Each of JOB2 to JOB5 has one copy.

As a premise of the processing, the above-mentioned reception buffer 3 and page buffer 6 each have a memory capacity capable of storing print data for two pages. Also, “reception” shown in FIG. 8 means that the receiving unit 2 receives the print data,
Indicates the time until the data is written to the reception buffer 3 or the registration buffer 5, and “execute” reads out the data stored or registered in the reception buffer 3 or the registration buffer 5, and converts the data into page data drawable in the page buffer 6. It means the time to convert and store. “Print” indicates the time from when the page data in the page buffer 6 is drawn in the image memory 8 to when printing is completed by a printer engine (not shown). Furthermore, the dotted lines of “reception” and “execution” indicate the time for which data is held until the processing is completed. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

First, before starting the processing, the respective areas of the reception buffer 3, the registration buffer 5, and the page buffer 6 are set to the "empty" state by initial processing. Thereafter, when the print data of JOB1 is supplied from the personal computer, the JB1 is stored in the area (half area) of the reception buffer 3.
The print data of OB1 is stored. This state is the timing shown in FIG.

Next, the above J stored in the reception buffer 3
The print data of OB1 is read out by the execution unit 4 and analyzed, and at the same time, the print data of the next job 2 is stored in the area of the reception buffer 3 (the remaining half area). This state is the timing shown in FIG.

Next, the above J stored in the reception buffer 3
At the same time as the print data of OB2 is read and analyzed by the execution unit 4, the print data of the previous job 1 is also continuously analyzed by the execution unit 4, and
When the print data analysis processing of OB1 is completed, the next JO
The print data of B3 is stored in the area (JOB1
(Half area after the print data is read out). This state is the timing shown in FIG.

Next, in the same manner as described above, the analysis processing is continued by the execution unit 4 and the job stored in the reception buffer 3 is processed.
When the analysis processing of the print data of step 2 is completed, the next job 4
Is stored in the area of the reception buffer 3 (half the area after the print data of JOB 2 is read). This state is the timing shown in FIG.

Next, the same processing as described above is continued, but during the following ', the data of JOB1 and JOB2 are stored in the page buffer 6, and the drawing processing by the drawing unit 7 is performed. However, the processing of JOB1 is 3
It is a sheet. For this reason, the drawing unit 7 needs to perform the drawing process three times, and during this time, new analysis data cannot be written to the page buffer 6. Therefore, new print data cannot be written even in the reception buffer 3, and data supply from the personal computer stops.

That is, the input of the form data of JOB 5 is at the timing shown in FIG. The data supplied at this time is form data, and is registered in the registration buffer 5. Thereafter, the print data of JOB5 is supplied at the time shown in the figure, and the same analysis processing, drawing processing, and the like as described above are performed, and the data of JOB1 to JOB5 are sequentially printed.

[0017]

However, in the processing by the above-mentioned conventional printing system, the input of the form data of JOB5 is delayed. That is, after the print data of the previous job 4 is supplied, the data to be supplied next is not known to be form data even though there is an empty area in the registration buffer 5, and the transmission processing from the personal computer is not performed. The delay is the transfer waiting time of the personal computer. Therefore, the efficiency of the transfer process from the personal computer to the printing apparatus 1 is low, and the print process itself may be delayed.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a printing system capable of efficiently performing transfer processing and shortening the printing processing itself.

[0019]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus, comprising: first storage means for storing print data supplied from a host device; A second storage unit that is provided in the apparatus and stores data in a form different from the print data supplied from the host device, and a storage area is stored in the first storage unit by storing the print data. When there is no print data, the host device determines whether data in a form different from the print data exists in the transmission data, and when it exists, by providing a printing system for transmitting the data to the second storage means first. Can be achieved.

Here, the host device is, for example, a personal computer or the like connected directly to the printing device or via a network, and the printing device is, for example, a printer connected to the host device.

The first storage means is provided in the printing apparatus and is, for example, a reception buffer for storing print data.
This is a memory for storing print data as actual data. Further, the second storage means is also provided in the printing apparatus, and is data having a different form from print data such as form data described in claim 2.

Further, the host device stores the print data in the first storage means, and when the first storage means is full, confirms whether or not transfer data has data different in form from the print data. If it exists, the data is sent to the printing device first and stored in the second storage means.

With this configuration, the waiting time for data transfer is eliminated, efficient transfer is performed, and, for example, form overlay printing is performed quickly using form data that can be transferred early, and printing processing is performed in a short time. It is possible to do.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the data in a form different from the print data is, for example, form data for performing form overlay printing.

This example has a configuration showing an example of data in a form different from the above-described print data, and specifies form data for performing form overlay printing. Therefore, in the present invention, other data, such as external character data and font data, may be used.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the host device outputs transmission disable information to the host device when, for example, the first storage means runs out of storage area, According to this information, the host device determines whether there is data different from the print data in the transmission data.

With this configuration, after receiving the information, the host device searches the transmission data for the presence of data different from the print data, thereby performing a more efficient search process. it can.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the host device has an empty area in the second storage unit before transmitting data to the second storage unit, for example. It is a configuration to confirm whether or not.

With this configuration, for example, when the second storage unit stores the form data and the like and cannot store new data, the data transmission from the host device is not performed.

[0030]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a printing apparatus 11 of this embodiment includes a receiving unit 12, a receiving buffer 13, an executing unit 14, a registration buffer 15, a page buffer 16, a drawing unit 17, and an image memory 1.
8, a print control unit 19, and an overall control unit 20. Further, the printing apparatus having the above configuration is connected to, for example, a host device (for example, a personal computer) not shown, and receives supply of print data from the host device.

The receiving unit 12 receives the supplied print data, and stores data other than form data, external character data, and font data (hereinafter, referred to as registration data) in the reception buffer 1.
3 and the registration data is registered in the registration buffer 15. Here, the registration data is, for example, form data prepared in advance for form overlay printing, and is external character data or font data as described above. The registration data is registered in the registration buffer 15 as described above. You.

The execution unit 14 reads out the print data stored in the reception buffer 13, analyzes the print data, converts the data into page data that can be drawn in the page buffer 16, and converts the converted page data for each page. Remember. At this time, if the registration data is required, the registration data is read from the registration buffer 15 and used.

When one page of print data is stored in the page buffer 16, the drawing unit 17 draws in the image memory 18 based on the print data. The print control unit 19
When one page of print data is drawn in the image memory 18, a print instruction is issued to a printer engine (not shown), and the drawn data developed in the image memory 18 is transmitted to the printer engine.

The overall control unit 20 collects information from the receiving unit 12, the execution unit 14, the drawing unit 17, and the print control unit 19, and controls each unit based on this information.

FIG. 2 is a time chart from when the system of this embodiment receives print data or form data from the host device and performs print processing.
OB1 to JOB5 are executed. For example, JO
B1 is print data, which includes a job number, a flag indicating form data, and actual data. Also,
Similarly, each of JOB2 to JOB5 includes a job number, a flag indicating form data, and actual data. However, JOB5 is data for performing form overlay printing, and JOB5 includes form data and print data, and is composed of a job number and a form flag, and form data and actual data.

It should be noted that JOB1 has three copies and JOB2
, JOB5, and JOB5 are designated to be one copy each, and the same conditions are used in the description of the present embodiment in order to compare with the conventional example.

Therefore, as a premise of the processing, the reception buffer 13 and the page buffer 16 each have 2
The “reception” shown in FIG. 2 is a memory capacity that becomes full when print data for a page is stored, and the reception unit 12 receives the print data and stores the print data in the reception buffer 13 or the registration buffer 15. "Execution" indicates the time for reading data stored or registered in the reception buffer 13 or the registration buffer 15, converting the data into page data that can be drawn in the page buffer 16, and storing the data for each page. “Print” indicates the time from when the page data in the page buffer 16 is drawn in the image memory 18 to when printing is completed by a printer engine (not shown). Less than,
The processing of this example will be specifically described.

First, also in this example, each area of the reception buffer 13, the registration buffer 15, and the page buffer 16 is set to the "empty" state by the initial processing. And
First, print data of JOB1 is supplied from the host device.
By supplying this print data, first, the print data of JOB1 is stored in the area (half area) of the reception buffer 3 (at the timing shown in FIG. 2), and then the print data of JOB2 is stored in the area of the reception buffer 3 (the remaining area). (Half area) (timing shown in FIG. 2).

Next, the print data of the job 2 stored in the reception buffer 13 is read out by the execution unit 14 and analyzed, and at the same time, the print data of the previous job 1 is also analyzed by the execution unit 14. , Execution unit 1
When the print data analysis process of job 1 by job No. 4 is completed, the print data of the next job 3 is stored in the area of the reception buffer 13 (half the area after the print data of job 1 is read) (shown in FIG. 2). Timing).

Next, the analysis processing is continued by the execution unit 14 and the J
When the print data analysis processing of OB2 is completed, the next JO
B4 print data is stored in the area (JOB
2 is stored in a half area after the readout of the print data (the timing shown in FIG. 2).

Next, the same processing as described above is continued, but at the above-mentioned time, JOB1 and JOB2 are stored in the page buffer 16.
Is stored, and the drawing unit 17 performs a drawing process. However, the processing of JOB1 is three copies. For this reason, the drawing unit 17 needs to perform the drawing process three times, and during this time, new analysis data cannot be written to the page buffer 16. However, in this example, upon receiving a notification from the printing apparatus 1 that print data cannot be received, the host device searches the remaining JOB for data that can be registered in the registration buffer 15 such as form data, and the data exists. In this case, the data is transmitted first.

This processing will be described with reference to FIG. 2 described above. At the above-mentioned timing, the host device receives information indicating that reception is impossible from the printing apparatus 11. When the host device receives the notification that print data cannot be received as described above, the remaining J
The OB is searched for data that can be registered in the registration buffer 5, such as form data. For example, form data for form overlay, external character data, and font data are searched. Then, in this example, the form data exists in JOB 5 and the host device checks whether the registration buffer 5 has an empty state.

Here, in the case of the present example, there is an empty area in the registration buffer 5, and the host device performs transmission processing of the form data of JOB5. Therefore, in this example, the form data of JOB 5 is registered in the registration buffer 5 at the timing shown in FIG. 2, and the data transfer is performed earlier than the timing shown in FIG. It does not occur.

By registering the form data in the registration buffer 5 at an early stage as described above, when performing the form overlay processing using the form data thereafter, the synthesizing processing is performed quickly and the printing is performed quickly. Becomes possible.

In the description of FIG. 2, after the timing, the data cannot be transferred to the reception buffer 3 once, so that the host device receives the information indicating that the data cannot be received.
1 is completed in a short time and a free area is formed in the reception buffer 3.
The transfer of the form data of B5 is forgotten.

The data transferred at the timing described above is not limited to form data, but may be data such as the above-described external character data or font data. <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the second embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a configuration in which a memory such as a hard disk is connected to the above-described first embodiment. The external memory 21 is connected to the receiving unit 12, the execution unit 14, and the print control unit 19, and exchanges print data and drawing data via a data bus. Note that the other configuration is basically the same as that of the above-described first embodiment, and a description of the configuration will be omitted. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the control performed by the receiving unit 12 and the overall control unit 20. First, when print data is supplied from the host device, the reception buffer 13
It is determined whether or not there is an empty area (step (hereinafter referred to as S) 1). Here, if there is an empty area in the reception buffer 13 (S1 is Y (Yes)), it is determined whether the external memory 21 is already receiving, and the print data is stored in the reception buffer 3 (S2 is N (No)). , S3). The determination during reception of the external memory 21 is made by a “receiving flag 1” described later.
When the print data is stored (saved) in the external memory 21 as described later, the print data is always transferred, and then the new print data is transferred to the reception buffer 1.
3 is transferred.

On the other hand, in the judgment (S1), if there is no free space in the reception buffer 13 (N in S1), the reception buffer 3 is full of print data and new print data cannot be stored. It is determined whether or not the memory 21 is receiving data, and the print data is transferred to the external memory 21 (S4: N (No), S6). At this time, the external memory 2
The “receiving flag 1” is turned on to indicate that “1” is being received thereafter (S5).

By performing the above-described processing, the print data can be stored in the external memory 21 even when there is no free space in the reception buffer 13 when the print data is supplied, and the transfer of the print data from the host device can be interrupted. Absent.

Thereafter, the print data in the reception buffer 13 is sequentially read out by the execution unit 14, and when an analysis process is performed, a free area is formed in the reception buffer 13 (S1).
Is Y). In this case, the receiving unit 2 checks the above-mentioned “receiving flag 1” and determines whether print data is stored in the external memory 21 (S7). If print data remains in the external memory 21, the "receiving flag 1" is turned off and the print data is transferred from the external memory 21 to the reception buffer 13 (S8, S3).

Therefore, by performing such control, the print data once stored in the external memory 21 can be transferred to the reception buffer 13. Then, it is determined that all the print data stored in the external memory 21 is sent to the reception buffer 13 (S7). If the print data is supplied from the host device, the print data is directly transferred to the reception buffer 3. (S1 is Y, S2 is N, S3). Therefore, once the print data is once stored in the external memory 21, all the print data stored in the external memory 21 is output, and then the new print data is stored in the reception buffer 3.

By performing the processing as described above, the transfer waiting time of the print data of the host device can be eliminated, and the efficient transfer processing can be performed.

Next, FIG. 6 shows the execution unit 14 and the overall control unit 2.
It is a flowchart explaining control by 0. In this example, when writing drawing data to the page buffer 16, the free area of the page buffer 16 is determined. If there is no free area, the data is stored (evacuated) in the above-described external memory 21, and the free area is stored in the page buffer 16. Is formed, the saved data is transferred to the external memory 21 when is formed.
Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

First, the execution unit 14 reads the print data from the reception buffer 13, performs an analysis process, converts the data into drawing data, and writes it into the page buffer 16. At this time, the execution unit 14 determines whether there is a free area in the page buffer 16 (step (hereinafter, referred to as ST) 1). If there is a free area in the page buffer 16 (ST1 is Y (yes)), it is determined whether the external memory 21 is already receiving data.
The drawing data is stored in the page buffer 16 (ST2 is N (No), ST3). The determination during reception of the external memory 21 is performed by checking the “receiving flag 2” described later, and the meaning of this processing is stored in the external memory 21 similarly to the processing of writing print data to the reception buffer 13. This is for confirming that no print data remains and writing new drawing data into the page buffer 16.

On the other hand, in the above judgment (ST1), if there is no free area in the page buffer 16 (ST1 is N),
No new print data can be written to the page buffer 6, and the new drawing data is transferred to the external memory 21 after judging that the external memory 21 is receiving (ST4 is N (No), ST6). At this time, the "receiving flag 2" indicating that the external memory 21 is receiving data thereafter is turned on (ST5).

When the page buffer 16 is full and the drawing data is written to the external memory 21 thereafter,
After confirming the "receiving flag 2", new drawing data is written to the external memory 21 (Y in ST4, ST6).

By performing the above processing, when writing the drawing data to the page buffer 16, even if there is no free space in the page buffer 16, the drawing data can be stored in the external memory 21. Will not be interrupted.

Thereafter, when the drawing data is read from the page buffer 16 and the printing process is performed via the image memory 18, a free area is formed in the page buffer 16 (Y in ST1). The "receiving flag 2" is checked, and it is determined whether the drawing data is stored in the external memory 21 (ST7). Then, the external memory 21
If the drawing data remains, the "receiving flag 2" is turned off and the print data is transferred from the external memory 21 to the page buffer 16 (ST8, ST3).

Therefore, by performing such processing, the drawing data temporarily stored in the external memory 21 can be transferred to the page buffer 16. Then, it is determined that all drawing data stored in the external memory 21 is sent to the page buffer 16 (ST7), and the drawing data is directly transferred from the execution unit 14 to the page buffer 16 (ST1 is Y). , ST2 is N, ST
3).

By performing the processing as described above, the transfer waiting time of the drawing data of the execution unit 4 can be eliminated, and efficient transfer processing can be performed.

Therefore, the transfer process can be efficiently performed by the processes shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the print data and the drawing data can be quickly processed.

The external memory 21 used in the above embodiment may be a memory for storing, for example, form data, font data, or rasterized data.

[0065]

As described above, according to the present invention, when not only print data as actual data but also form data and font data are included in a print job, the printing apparatus cannot receive the print data. Also, it is possible to switch between the actual data and the form data so that the data can be received, and to perform an efficient data transfer process.

In addition to shortening the transfer time, it is also possible to shorten the entire printing process by effectively using the form data and the like transmitted quickly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a system according to the present exemplary embodiment uses print data from a host device;
5 is a time chart from when form data and the like are received to when print processing is performed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the contents of JOB1 to JOB5 in detail.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating control performed by a receiving unit and an overall control unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control performed by an execution unit and an overall control unit.

FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram of a conventional printing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a time chart from when a conventional printing apparatus receives print data from a personal computer and performs print processing.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the contents of conventional jobs JOB1 to JOB5.

[Description of Signs] 11 Printing apparatus 12 Receiving unit 13 Receiving buffer 14 Execution unit 15 Registration buffer 16 Page buffer 17 Drawing unit 18 Image memory 19 Print control unit 20 Overall control unit 21 External memory JOB1 to JOB5 Job to Processing timing

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuhide Kokai 2-229 Sakuragaoka, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Tokyo Office F-term (reference) 2C087 AB05 BA09 BC02 BC05 BC06 BD01 BD08 BD46 5B021 BB06 DD17 DD20 LA01 9A001 BB01 BB03 BB04 CC08 DD07 DD08 FF03 HH28 HH34 JJ35 KK31 KK42

Claims (4)

[Claims] A first storage unit provided in the printing apparatus for storing print data supplied from a host device; and a form different from the print data provided in the printing device and supplied from the host device. And a second storage unit for storing the data of the print data. When the storage of the print data does not have a storage area in the first storage unit, the host device transmits data of a form different from the print data to the transmission data. Wherein the data is transmitted to the second storage means first when the data is present. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the data in a form different from the print data is form data for performing form overlay printing. 3. The host device outputs transmission disable information to the host device when there is no more storage area in the first storage means, and according to this information, the host device converts the print data to the transmission data with the print data. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether different data exists. 4. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the host device checks whether there is a free area in the second storage unit before transmitting data to the second storage unit. .