JP2001270173A - Printing control unit, printing control method and memory medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently process a printing job by shortening a printing processing time utilizing registered data. SOLUTION: In such a case that the data registered in an external memory 1-3 low in reading speed is utilized as printing data, a registered image is read prior to transferring the printing job to be stored in a cash memory 1-6-C being an internal memory.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a print control method, and a storage medium for processing print information generated by communication between an information processing apparatus and a printing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, computers have been interconnected by a LAN (local area network), and LAN connections have been made possible also in various peripheral devices such as page printers.

[0003] The LAN enables the shared use and transfer of data of computers and peripheral devices as one user group. The LAN is composed of a group of computers including a file server and a print server, and functions as a network operating system mounted on each computer. It supports various protocols for transferring and sharing data and files, and sharing printers.

There are various user applications running on each computer, such as document creation software and spreadsheet software. The data created using these applications is transmitted by the printer driver software as a function of the operating system.
PDL (Printer Description) which is a printer control language
Language) data, and then temporarily stored in a print spooler as a print job, and sent to a printer in many cases.

Further, depending on the operating system, after a print file converted into a specific data format is transferred to a print spooler, a print job is generated by printer driver software in the print spooler and stored again in the print spooler. Sometimes.

[0006] In addition, a print job is not only composed of PDL data, but depending on the operating system, it may be possible to generate print data in a raster bitmap format.

Further, there is a case where a print job generated by printer driver software is transferred to a printer spooler in a print server connected to a network, and then transmitted to a printer.

[0008] The print job generated in this way is
When transferred from the print spooler to the printer, the printer sequentially analyzes the received print data by a PDL analysis unit or the like, generates a raster bitmap image to be printed, and performs printing processing.

At this time, a print job is generated from one or a plurality of document files, and is a unit constituting one print document, and is usually separated by a job start command and a job end command. Although information for generating a page in a job is used only in the job, an image may be generated using stored data such as external characters or form overlays registered and stored in the printing apparatus in advance.

In this case, prior to transfer of the print job,
Using the download utility software as application software on the computer, external characters, form overlays, etc. are stored in the printing device, and the PDL data is used so that the printer driver software that generates the print job can use the registered data. Generate

For example, in the form overlay function, form data (PD) transferred from the host computer
L)) to generate a raster bitmap image from
The raster bitmap image generated from the post-print data and the raster bitmap form overlay image stored in advance are read out and stored in the storage area in the printer, and post-installed with the form data in the bitmap memory. In some cases, an output image is generated by synthesizing data.

At this time, a large capacity (A3 paper,
A storage area of 8 MB at a resolution of 600 DPI) is required, and a hard disk device or the like may be provided.

Communication protocols for remotely managing various devices for constructing a printer network connected to the network and devices including computers connected to the network have also been standardized.
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP: Simple N
etwork Management Protocol). In the case of a network device that implements these protocols, various devices can be managed from a remote location on the network by network management software. For example, in the case of a printer, the current printer information (paper, toner, etc.) , Acquisition of remaining consumables information, status monitoring (processing, error status, etc.), initialization control, and the like.

Further, a parallel interface capable of bidirectional transmission / reception may be configured so that current printer information and status information can be exchanged between a computer and a printer using a dedicated protocol.

[0015]

However, the above printing system is configured to acquire printer information, status information, and the like on a computer. In order to obtain the status after the execution, when the output process of the print data to be output stored in the reception buffer or the print spooler of the printer is executed, there is a problem that the status of the obtained printer information changes.

For this reason, even though the user transfers the print job after confirming the consumables information such as the printing paper and the toner for printing with the network management software, an error occurs in the print job shortage of consumables. It can be difficult to use.

Furthermore, it has not been possible to determine whether or not a print job to be transferred to a printing apparatus can be printed normally before transferring the print job.

Further, in the above printing system, since it is desired to sequentially process the print jobs transmitted from the print spooler, data (registered in a storage having a low read speed such as a hard disk in the printing apparatus). For example, when an image is generated using an external character or a form overlay image, the print processing is disadvantageously reduced.

For this reason, a large-capacity secondary storage device with a slow read time is often configured to reuse data by using a cache memory or the like with a fast read time. The time cannot be shortened, and in the case of data that cannot be stored in the cache memory, it is necessary to access the secondary storage device, in which case the processing speed is reduced as a result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method in which print data is registered in a storage device such as a hard disk in a printing apparatus as an external memory, which has a low reading speed. If the registered data is used (for example, external characters or form overlay images), the registered data is read out and stored in a cache memory as an internal memory prior to the transfer of the print job. An object of the present invention is to provide a print control device and a print control method capable of efficiently processing a print job by reducing a print processing time to be used, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0021]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing control apparatus for controlling printing of a printing unit by communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium. Different first and second storage means, control means for registering predetermined registration data used for print information received from the information processing apparatus in the first storage means, analysis of the print information, Detecting means for detecting whether or not designation is made to use any of the registered data stored in the first storage means, and wherein the control means determines that the detecting means is to use the registered data. If it is detected that the print data has been registered, the registered data designated from the first storage means is read out prior to the analysis of the print information, and the second storage having a higher access speed than the first storage means. It is intended to be registered in the stage.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the first storage means stores the predetermined registration data in a nonvolatile manner.

In a third aspect according to the present invention, the control means reads the registered data designated from the first storage means prior to the analysis of the print information and caches the data in the second storage means. It is registered as data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the first storage means comprises an expandable random access memory.

A fifth invention according to the present invention relates to a print control method for controlling printing of a printing unit by communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the first print information is analyzed by analyzing print information. A detecting step of detecting whether designation using any of the registered data stored in the storage unit is performed; and detecting that designation using the registered data is performed by the detecting step, A registration step of reading registration data specified from the first storage unit prior to the analysis of the print information and registering the data in a second storage unit that can be accessed at a higher speed than the first storage unit. is there.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing control apparatus which communicates with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium to control printing of a printing section by analyzing print information and storing the first storage means in the printing control apparatus. A detecting step of detecting whether or not designation of using any of the registered data stored in the first step is performed. If it is detected by the detecting step that designation of using the registered data is performed, the first step is performed. A step of reading registration data specified from the storage unit prior to the analysis of the print information and registering the registration data in a second storage unit that can be accessed at a higher speed than the first storage unit. Is recorded on a storage medium in a computer-readable manner.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus for controlling printing by communicating with a printing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, and is used when printing a print job waiting for output. Determining whether data stored in the external memory is different from the internal memory of the printing apparatus, and specifying the data determined to be stored in the external memory by the determining means. Control means for transmitting, together with the information, instruction information for reading the data from the external memory to the internal memory to the printing apparatus prior to transmitting the print job.

An eighth invention according to the present invention is a print control method for controlling printing by communicating with a printing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, and is used when printing a print job waiting for output. Determining whether or not the data stored in the external memory is different from the internal memory of the printing apparatus; and identifying the data determined to be stored in the external memory in the determining step. A control step of transmitting instruction information for reading the data from the external memory to the internal memory together with the information to the printing apparatus prior to transmitting the print job.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing control apparatus which communicates with a printing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium to control printing, and further includes a step of printing data used when printing a print job waiting for output. A determination step of determining whether or not the data is stored in an external memory different from the internal memory of the printing apparatus, and information specifying data determined to be stored in the external memory in the determination step. Transmitting a command for reading the data from the external memory to the internal memory to the printing apparatus prior to the transmission of the print job. Is recorded.

[0030]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before describing the configuration of this embodiment, a configuration of a laser beam printer suitable for applying this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition,
The printer to which this embodiment is applied is not limited to a laser beam printer, and it goes without saying that a printer of another printing method may be used.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the configuration of an output device to which the present invention can be applied, and shows, for example, the case of a laser beam printer (LBP).

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1000 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores print information (character codes and the like), external characters, form data, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer;
A corresponding character pattern or form pattern is created according to the information, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as a recording sheet. Reference numeral 1012 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged. 1001
Is a printer control unit, which controls the entire LBP main body 1000 and performs processing such as analysis of character information and the like supplied from the host computer. The printer driver mainly converts the character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern,
Perform processing to output to.

The laser driver 1002 is the semiconductor laser 1
003 is a circuit for driving a laser beam 1004 that is emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 in accordance with an input video signal. Laser light 10
Reference numeral 04 denotes a rotary polygon mirror 1005 which is swung right and left to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 1006.

Thus, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1007 disposed around the electrostatic drum 1006, and then transferred to a recording sheet.
The developing unit 1007 is provided with a toner remaining amount detecting mechanism for forming an image on recording paper, and the printer control unit 1001 can detect the remaining toner amount.

A sheet is used as the recording paper to be transferred, and the cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1008 mounted on the LBP main body 1000, and is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 1009, a transport roller 1010, and a transport roller 1011. And supplied to the electrostatic drum 1006.
The paper cassette 1008 is provided with a paper remaining amount detection mechanism, and the printer control unit 1001 can detect the remaining paper amount.

The LBP main body 1000 includes a card slot (not shown), a memory capable of writing and holding an optional font card, a control card (emulation card) having a different language system (PDL), and form data and font data in addition to the built-in font. It is configured so that a card can be connected.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printer control system to which a print control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied. here,
This will be described by taking a laser beam printer (FIG. 1) as an example. In addition, if the function of the present invention is executed, even if it is a single device or a system including a plurality of devices,
It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is implemented by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, the storage medium storing the program according to the present invention constitutes the present invention. Then, by reading the program from the storage medium into a system or an apparatus, the system or the apparatus functions in a specific mode.

In the figure, a host computer 2000 is a printer control unit 1001 via a predetermined interface 1-11 (for example, a bidirectional interface).
To perform communication control processing with the LBP main body 1000.

In the printer control unit 1001,
A printer CPU 1-1 controls access to various devices connected to a system bus 1-4 based on a control program stored in a program ROM of a ROM 1-2. An image signal as output information is output to a printing unit (printer engine) 1-9 connected via -8. In addition, the remaining amount calculation unit 1
Reference numeral -10 allows various kinds of mounting information (paper remaining amount, toner remaining amount, etc.) detected by a consumables remaining amount detection sensor provided in the printing unit 1-9 to be read via the printing unit I / F 1-8. It has become.

The program R in the ROM 1-2 is
The OM stores a control program for the CPU 1-1 as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 to 6, an image generation program for generating a bitmap image transferred to the printing unit 1-9, and the like.

The font ROM of the ROM 1-2 stores font data (outline font data or dot font data) used for generating the output image. The CPU 1-1 has an input / output unit 1-5.
The communication processing with the host computer can be performed via the. A RAM 1-6 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 1-1, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an unillustrated expansion port.

The RAM 1-6 includes a page buffer memory 1-B for storing data to be printed as an intermediate code or an intermediate bitmap image, a band memory 1-A for generating a bitmap image, and an external memory. Memory 1
-3 is also used for a cache memory 1-6-C for temporarily storing registered data such as external characters, form images, and the like stored in -3.

The external memory 1-3 can be connected to a secondary storage device such as a hard disk whose access is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 1-7. This external memory 1-3 is connected to the host computer 2
000 is used as a registration memory for storing registration data transferred from an external character file, a form file, or the like.

It is also used as a page buffer memory for storing data to be printed or form data in the form of an intermediate code or an intermediate bitmap image.

The emulation program is not limited to one, but includes one or more external memories. The emulation program interprets an optional font card and a printer control language of a different language (PDL) in addition to the built-in fonts. May be configured so as to be able to connect a plurality of external memories storing the same. Further, the external memory is not limited to a hard disk, but may be a flash memory card. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store the printer mode setting information from the operation panel (operation unit) 1012.

On the other hand, an application program (application) 2001 operating on the host computer 2000 stores spool data in the print spooler 2003 in accordance with a format determined by the operating system for data to be printed. When the print data is stored in the print spooler 2003, the printer driver program (printer driver) 200
2 is started, the print data is read from the print spooler 2003, and a print job to be transmitted to the printer control unit 1001 is generated.

Hereinafter, a characteristic configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

A printing control device which communicates with the information processing device via the predetermined communication medium configured as described above and controls printing of the printing section, based on output job information received from the information processing device. Storage means (RAM 1-6) for storing output data which is expanded and waiting for output, and detection means (remaining amount detecting unit 1-
9-A) and a predicting unit (CPU1-1 stores the control program stored in the ROM1-2) for predicting the consumption amount of the consumable material consumed in printing the output data which is waiting to be output in the storage unit. And performing a prediction process), and a shortage of consumables during printing of the output data from the consumption of the consumables predicted by the prediction unit and the remaining amount of the consumables detected by the detection unit. (A CPU 1-1 executes a control program stored in a ROM 1-2 to perform a determination process) to determine whether or not consumables shortage occurs during printing of the output data. Control means for changing the output schedule of the output data of each output job information stored in the storage means when the determination is made (the CPU 1-1 executes the control program stored in the ROM 1-2, Because it has a control to), output when the consumable shortage during printing of data is determined to occur, replacement schedule (for example, the output data to the output data of the output job information stored in the storage means,
(Including canceling the transfer of output job information)
It is possible to automatically set the best output schedule for output data waiting for output while predicting that a printing failure may occur.

Further, the control means (the CPU 1-1 has the RO
The warning process (including a warning notification to the host computer 2000 or a warning notification to the operation panel 1012, etc.) by executing the control program stored in M1-2 is
When the determination unit determines that the consumables shortage occurs during the printing of the output data, a warning of the consumables shortage state is issued.
The user can be warned in advance that a shortage of consumables will occur with the printing of the output data.

[0050] Further, there is provided a print control device for communicating with an information processing device via a predetermined communication medium to control printing of a printing unit, comprising: output job information received from the information processing device and waiting for analysis; A storage unit (RAM1-6) for storing output data that is developed based on the output job information and is in an output standby state; a detection unit (remaining amount detection unit 1-9) for detecting a remaining amount of a predetermined consumable; A first predicting unit (CPU1-1 reads out the ROM1-2 from the ROM1-2) for predicting the consumption amount of a predetermined consumable consumed in printing the output data during the output standby.
Executes the control program stored in the memory and performs prediction processing)
Calculating means for calculating a remaining amount of a predetermined consumable based on the consumption amount predicted by the first predicting unit and a remaining amount of the predetermined consumable detected by the detecting unit; A calculating unit 1-10), and a second predicting unit (CPU1-1) for predicting a consumption amount of a predetermined consumable consumed by the printing unit based on the output job information stored in the storage unit. The control program stored in the ROM 1-2 is executed to perform a prediction process), and based on the remaining amount of the predetermined consumable material calculated by the calculation unit and the consumption amount predicted by the second prediction unit. (A CPU 1-1 executes a control program stored in a ROM 1-2 to determine whether consumables shortage occurs during printing of the output job information). Job sign When it is determined that insufficient consumables occurs during a control means for changing the output schedule of each output job information stored in the storage means (CPU 1-1
Executes the control program stored in the ROM 1-2), and when it is determined that the consumables shortage occurs during the printing of the job, each output job stored in the storage unit is determined. Change the schedule for output data of information (including, for example, replacement of output data, cancellation of transfer of output job information, etc.), and output job information waiting for output while predicting that a printing failure may occur. Automatically set the best output schedule.

The control means, when the determining means determines that the consumables shortage occurs during the printing of the job,
Warning means (CPU1-1) for giving advance notice of a consumable shortage state
Executes a control program stored in the ROM 1-2 to perform a warning process (including a warning notification to the host computer 2000 or a warning notification to the operation panel 1012), so that the output job information waiting for output is output. Prior to the start of the execution of the analysis, the user can be warned in advance that a shortage of consumables will occur with the printing of the output job information.

Further, the present invention is a printing control apparatus for controlling printing of a printing unit by communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the first and second printing apparatuses have different access speeds.
Storage means (external memory 1-3, RAM 1-6), and control means (CPU1-1 for storing the predetermined registration data used for the print information received from the information processing apparatus) in the first storage means. -2 executes the control program stored in the first storage unit) and analyzes whether the print information is analyzed to determine whether any of the registered data stored in the first storage unit is used. Detecting means (the CPU 1-1 executes a control program stored in the ROM 1-2 to perform calculation processing), and the control means specifies that the detecting means uses registered data. Is detected, the registered data designated from the first storage means is read out prior to the analysis of the print information, and the access speed is higher than that of the first storage means. Since registered in the storage means, even if the access speed of the storage medium for storing registration data are different, it is possible to shorten the processing time of the print information using the registration data.

Since the external memory 1-3 stores the predetermined registration data in a non-volatile manner, the external memory 1-3 uses the registration data only by downloading the frequently-printed fixed data, font data, and the like from the information processing device or the like. The amount of print information data to be printed can be significantly reduced.

Further, the CPU 1-1 has an external memory 1-
3 is read out before the print information is analyzed and registered in the RAM 1-6 as cache data, so that printing using the registered data can be performed efficiently.

Further, since the RAM 1-6 is constituted by an expandable random access memory, it is possible to freely cope with an increase in the number of registered data in accordance with the use environment. Also, the printing apparatus (the LBP main body 10
00), which controls the transfer of output job information (including hardware and / or software provided on the host computer 2000) and stores a plurality of output jobs to be transferred to the printing apparatus. Storage means (print spooler 2003), and acquisition means (printer driver) for acquiring predetermined consumable remaining amount information predicted and calculated by the printing apparatus after transfer of any output job stored in the storage means 2002) and control means for analyzing the predetermined consumable amount information acquired by the acquisition means and changing the transfer schedule of each output job stored in the storage means (function of the printer driver 2002). According to)
The remaining amount of consumables on the printing device side is captured, and the output job information spooled at the data transfer source that may result in printing failure is transferred to another printing device capable of printing or output capable of printing. It is possible to optimize a print schedule that has been set, for example, by transferring job information in advance.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing the flow of print resource information of the print control apparatus according to the present invention, and the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 2004 denotes a CRT, which displays input data or printer information in real time by writing data in a VRAM or the like by a CPU 2005 of a host computer 2000. Note that arrows shown by solid lines in the figure correspond to data and information actually measured, and arrows shown by broken lines correspond to the flow of predicted value information.

Hereinafter, a case where job information 1 to 5 are processed will be described as an example.

In the printer control unit 1001, the job information 1 to 3 correspond to the processing or waiting state, and the job information 1 is being output while being held in the page buffer memory of the RAM 1-6. The number of output pages is 25, and the job information 2 is stored in the RAM 1-6 in the same manner.
In the output buffer waiting state. In this state, the engine control unit PEC decrements one page each time the engine (printing unit 1-9) outputs, updates the detected number of remaining sheets, and stores the value in the memory. Therefore, job information 1 being output
Is stored in the memory as “75” sheets, and assuming that the actually measured page information of the job information 2 waiting for output is “25” pages, the current remaining consumption prediction value after PDL analysis is “ The number of "50" images is stored in the memory.

Assuming that the job information 3 is spooled with the predicted page information added to a reception buffer constituted by a hard disk or the like, the printer driver 2002 of the host computer 2000 or a print utility (not shown) is sent. , The remaining information on the recording medium when it is assumed that the job information 3 has been output is “25”. In addition,
This notification may be transferred in response to a request to obtain the remaining number of recording media from the printer driver 2002.

At this time, if the job information 4 being transferred and the job information 5 waiting to be transferred are spooled in the print spooler 2003, the printer driver 2002 predicts that the latest remaining number of recording media obtained is “25”. If the predicted number of pages that the consumed job information 3 will consume is “20”,
At this point, that is, it can be recognized that the remaining number is “5”. Furthermore, if the number of remaining pages recognized is “5” and the predicted number of pages waiting for transfer is “25”, the shortage of the recording medium serving as the consumable material is “20” at this point. It is expected that there is. Here, the CPU displays the notice of the paper shortage on the CRT 2004 and notifies the CRT 2004, determines the operation status of other printer resources via the network, cancels the job information 5, and transfers the job to the new printer. It is also possible to control so that the transfer destination of the spooled job information is allocated to another printer instead of the designated printer candidate, such as creating and spooling the information. At the time of the distribution, a message inquiring the user may be displayed on the CRT 2004, and the job information 5 may be transferred to another printer candidate at the instruction of the user. It is also possible to prepare a printer candidate switching mode when such a situation occurs, and to switch automatically or by user designation.

FIG. 4 shows a first example of the print control apparatus according to the present invention.
It is a flowchart showing an example of the data processing procedure,
This corresponds to the paper remaining amount warning processing procedure of the printing system. Note that (1) to (11) indicate each step.

When the application program 2001 of the host computer 2000 is instructed to print by the user, the generated document file is transferred to the host computer 2.
The data is stored in the print spooler 2003 in a format determined by the operating system on the print spooler 000 (1).

Next, the data investigation unit 2002A of the printer driver 2002 reads the spool data stored in the print spooler 2003, counts the number of pages of the print data, and calculates the estimated value of the recording paper to be consumed ( 2). At this time, not the logical page information of the print data, but the recording paper information actually consumed by the recording by the LBP main body 1000 is examined.

For example, when a plurality of pages are allocated to one sheet and output, or when a two-sided printing instruction is given, even if there are a plurality of pages, it is calculated that one recording sheet is consumed.

Conversely, even if it is one page, it is calculated that the recording paper is consumed for the number of copies if the copy print instruction is given.

The thus-calculated recording paper consumption information is stored in the data conversion unit 20 in the printer driver 2002.
02B is notified (3). Data conversion unit 2002B
Converts the notified consumption information into PDL data and transmits the PDL data to the printer control unit 1001 via the input / output unit 1-5, and further reads the spool data in the print spooler 2003 to print the print job (PDL format). Is generated and transmitted similarly (4).

Next, the printer control unit 1001
The consumption information data transferred from the printer driver 2002 is received via the input / output unit 1-5 (5), and the consumption information of the subsequently input print job is read onto the work of the RAM 1-6.

Next, the remaining amount calculating section 1-10 prints the printing section I
/ F1-8 to obtain the remaining amount of currently loaded paper from a paper remaining amount detection unit (not shown sensor) in the printing unit 1-9, and wait for output of a print job that has already been received. By reading out and subtracting the output waiting page information (described later), the remaining amount prediction value at the output time point to be recorded on the recording paper in the printing unit 1-9 for the newly input print job is calculated ( 6).

Then, by comparing the consumption information of the new print job held in the RAM 1-6 with the estimated remaining amount, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of recording paper is insufficient (7). If it is determined not to proceed, the process proceeds to step (9) and thereafter, and if it is determined that it is insufficient, a warning of insufficient paper amount is transmitted to the host computer 2000 via the input / output unit 1-5 (8). ).

Next, the print data (a control code or a character code indicating the print position, etc.) is read, the corresponding PDL analysis process is executed, and the data is classified into band units corresponding to the print position specified by the control code. The intermediate data is generated and stored in the page buffer in -6 (9). In addition,
In the storing process, the print data is stored as intermediate data of the same page until a page end control code such as a page break command in the print data is detected.

Next, if the intermediate data for one page can be stored, the intermediate codes stored in the page buffer in the RAM 1-6 are sequentially bit-mapped into bit map memories in the RAM 1-6 in band units. An output bitmap image generation process is performed (10). The bitmap image generated in this way is transmitted via the printing unit I / F 1-8,
The process transferred to the printing unit 1-9 is repeated until the bitmap image for one page is transferred to the printing unit (11).
When printing of one page is completed, the page buffer memory storing the intermediate code is released.

Although not described in detail, the processes of steps (9) to (11) are repeatedly executed until all the transferred pages are printed.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described where a remaining amount prediction value is calculated for a newly input print job and a warning process is transmitted. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the remaining amount predicting value calculating step of 6), the remaining amount calculating unit 1-10 outputs the intermediate data output waiting page information stored in the page buffer in the RAM 1-6 and the paper remaining amount acquired from the printing unit 1-9. The shortage of consumables may be predicted by comparing the amounts.

When it is determined that the consumables shortage occurs, a warning transmission step may be executed in step (8).

Further, in the step (8) of transmitting a warning indicating that the amount of remaining paper is insufficient, a warning is transmitted to the host computer when the amount of remaining paper is insufficient.
The present invention is not limited to this. For example, a warning display may be executed on the operation panel 1012.

The printer driver 2002 is configured to be able to read out the warning information, to stop the transfer of a subsequent print job, or to request the transfer to another printing device in a network environment having a plurality of printing devices. Or you may.

Hereinafter, the data processing of the remaining amount calculation unit 1-10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the remaining amount calculating section 1-10 shown in FIG.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first page count processing procedure according to the first embodiment, and corresponds to a count-up process associated with intermediate page generation for generating an intermediate page by analyzing a print job. Note that (1) to (4) show each step.

In the intermediate page generation process, first, print data (a control code or a character code indicating a print position, etc.) is read via the input / output unit 1-5 (1), and the corresponding PDL is read.
An analysis process is executed, the data is classified into band units corresponding to the print position specified by the control code, and stored as intermediate data in a page buffer in the RAM 1-6 (2). On this occasion,
The data is stored as intermediate data of the same page until a page end control code such as a page break instruction in the print data is detected.

Next, if the intermediate data for one page can be stored, the output waiting page information is counted up for one page (3), and it is determined whether the input print job is completed (4), and NO That is, when there is subsequent print data, the processing of steps (1) to (3) is repeated.

FIG. 6 shows the remaining amount calculating section 1-10 shown in FIG.
9 is a flowchart showing an example of a second page count processing procedure according to the first embodiment, and corresponds to a countdown processing accompanying the generation of a bitmap. In addition, (1) to (5) indicate each step.

In the output control process, first, the intermediate code stored in the page buffer in the RAM 1-6 is read (1), and the bit map is sequentially developed in the bit map memory in the RAM 1-6 in band units (2). The bitmap image to be output generated in this way is printed by the printing unit I /
The data is transferred to the printing unit 1-9 via F1-8 (3). When the output of one page is completed, the output waiting page information is decremented by one page (4).

Next, it is determined whether or not all the intermediate pages stored in the page buffer have been printed (5). If YES, the processing is ended. If NO, steps (1) to (4). repeat.

In the above embodiment, the remaining amount prediction and the warning operation have been described with respect to the recording paper information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the remaining amount calculating unit 1-10 may include a toner detecting unit in the printing unit 1-9. 5 is configured to acquire information from
Of the toner consumption of the intermediate data stored in the page buffer in the step (2) (ON / O of the bitmap image)
(Calculated based on the FF image ratio or the like) so that output standby toner consumption information can be calculated.

The counting processes shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are configured so that they can be performed independently and in parallel.

Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

A printing control method for controlling printing of a printing unit by communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium configured as described above, or a method for controlling printing with the information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for communicating and controlling printing of a printing unit, wherein a detecting step (step (6) in FIG. 4) for detecting a remaining amount of a predetermined consumable material; A prediction step of predicting a consumption amount of the consumable used in printing of output data which is developed based on output job information received from the processing device and is stored in an output standby state (step (FIG. 4) 6)) and determining whether there is a shortage of consumables during the printing of the output data based on the predicted consumption amount of the consumables and the remaining amount of the consumables detected by the detection unit. Process chart (7)) and a warning step (step (8) in FIG. 4) for giving advance notice of a consumable shortage state when it is determined that a consumable shortage occurs during the printing of the output data. Prior to the start of printing of the output data in the output standby state, the user can be warned in advance that a shortage of consumables will occur due to the printing of the output data.

Further, the printing unit 1 communicates with an information processing apparatus (host computer 2000) via a predetermined communication medium.
-9, a print control method for controlling printing, or a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling printing of a printing unit by communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium. A detecting step (step (6) in FIG. 4) for detecting the remaining amount of the predetermined consumables; and developing based on the output job information received from the information processing apparatus and waiting for analysis and the output job information. A first prediction step (step (6) in FIG. 3) for estimating a consumption amount of a predetermined consumable material consumed in printing of the output data during the output standby; A calculating step (step (6) in FIG. 3) for calculating the remaining amount of the predetermined consumable based on the consumed amount and the detected remaining amount of the predetermined consumable, and based on the stored output job information. Mark of the printing section Second prediction step of predicting the consumption of a given consumable material with consumed (Step of Fig. 3 (6))
And a determining step of determining whether a consumable shortage occurs during printing of the output job information based on the calculated remaining amount of the predetermined consumable material and the consumption amount predicted by the second prediction step ( (Step (7) in FIG. 4) and a warning step (Step (8) in FIG. 4) for giving advance notice of a consumable shortage state when the determining step determines that a consumable shortage occurs during printing of the job. Therefore, before starting the execution of the analysis of the output job information in the output standby state, the user can be warned in advance that the shortage of consumables will occur due to the printing of the output job information.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure of a print control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The registration data caching process in the printing system shown in FIG. Corresponds to the procedure. Note that (1) to (11) indicate each step. Prior to the processing, the external memory 1 in the LBP main body 1000 is
-3 is stored in the printer control unit 10 via the input / output unit 1-5.
It is assumed that the configuration is such that the stored information can be read from 01. Further, steps (1) to (5) correspond to the processing on the printer driver 2002 side, and (6) to (11)
Corresponds to the processing on the printer control unit 1001 side.

When the application program 2001 of the host computer 2000 is instructed by the user to print, the generated document file is transferred to the host computer 2.
The data is stored in the print spooler 2003 in a format determined by the operating system on the print spooler 000 (1). The data checking unit 2002A of the printer driver 2002 reads the spool data stored in the print spooler 2003, and uses the external character data, form data, and the like stored in the external memory 1-3 in the printer control unit 1001. Investigation is performed to determine whether or not the detection has been performed (2), and the detection information is notified to the data converter 2002B (3).

The data conversion unit 2002B converts the notified information about the use of the data in the external memory 1-3 into PDL data (preceding cache instruction command), and sends the PDL data to the printer control unit 1001 via the input / output unit 1-5. Transmit (4). Further, the spool data in the print spooler 2003 is read out, a print job (PDL format) is generated, and the print job is transmitted similarly (5).

Thereafter, the processing on the printer control unit 1001 side is performed, and the transferred consumption information data is input to the input / output unit 1- 1.
5 (6), and determines whether or not there is a preceding cache instruction instruction (7). If NO, the process proceeds to step (9) and later. If YES, the instruction is stored in the external memory 1-3. From the registered data, only the designated data is read out to the cache memory 1-6-C in the RAM 1-6 (8).

Next, the subsequent print data (such as a control code or a character code indicating the print position) is read, and the corresponding P
By executing the DL analysis process, the intermediate data is classified into band units corresponding to the print position specified by the control code, and
The generated intermediate data is stored in the page buffer memory 1-B in M1-6 (9).

At this time, when the PDL analysis processing unit detects a form overlay execution command or a character code printing command in the print job, the PDL analysis processing unit reads the cache memory 1-in the RAM 1-6.
The external character data and form data read into 6-C are read out and stored as intermediate data in the intermediate page buffer (page buffer) memory 1-6-B in the RAM 1-6. In this process, the print data is stored as intermediate data of the same page until a page end control code such as a page break instruction in the print data is detected.

When the intermediate data for one page can be stored, the page buffer 1-6 in the RAM 1-6 is stored.
The intermediate code stored in B is sequentially bit-mapped to the bit map memory in the RAM 1-6 in band units (10). The bitmap image generated in this way is transferred to the printing unit 1-9 via the printing unit I / F 1-8 and subjected to print processing (11).

The registered data stored in the external memory 1-3 is stored in the cache memory 1-6-C in the RAM 1-6.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any configuration may be used as long as data is stored from a storage memory with a slow read time to a cache memory with a fast read time.

The data to be read into the cache memory 1-6-C is not limited to external characters and form registration data, but may be font data or the like built into the apparatus.

Further, the data check unit 2002A of the printer driver 2002 has a print spooler 2003.
In the case of investigating the print data stored in the storage system, information provided by the spool system, for example,
A configuration may be such that a command to instruct pre-reading of stored data specified by a job name, a user name, a host name, or the like can be transmitted.

Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

A printing control method for controlling the printing of the printing unit 1-9 by communicating with the information processing apparatus (host computer 2000) via the predetermined communication medium configured as described above, or A storage medium storing a computer-readable program that controls printing by the printing unit by communicating with the information processing apparatus via the medium, and analyzes print information to store the first storage unit (the external memory 1-3). )
A detection step (step (7) in FIG. 7) for detecting whether or not designation is made to use any of the registration data stored in the storage section, and that the designation to use the registration data has been made in the detection step Is detected before the analysis of the print information, and the registration data is read from the external memory 1-3 and registered in the RAM 1-6 which can be accessed faster than the first storage means ( Since step (8) in FIG. 7 is included, even when the access speeds of the storage media storing the registration data are different, the processing time of the print information using the registration data can be reduced.

The configuration of a data processing program readable by the print control apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

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

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 in this embodiment may be executed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

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

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

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, C
D-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, etc. 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. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

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

[0112]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, there is provided a print control apparatus for controlling printing of a printing unit by communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the first and second storage units have different access speeds, A control unit for registering predetermined registration data used for print information received from the information processing device in the first storage unit; and a registration unit for analyzing the print information and storing the registration information in the first storage unit Detecting means for detecting whether designation to use the data is made,
The control means reads the registered data designated from the first storage means prior to the analysis of the print information, and reads out the registered data when the detecting means detects that the use of the registered data is designated. Since registration is performed in the second storage unit having an access speed higher than that of the first storage unit, even when the access speed of the storage medium storing the registration data is different, the processing time of the print information using the registration data can be reduced. Can be.

According to the second aspect, the first storage means stores the predetermined registration data in a non-volatile manner, so that the first storage means only downloads fixed-form data, font data, and the like having a high print frequency from an information processing apparatus or the like. Thus, the data amount of print information using the registration data can be significantly reduced.

According to the third invention, the control means reads the registered data designated from the first storage means prior to the analysis of the print information, and stores the data as cache data in the second storage means. Since registration is performed, printing using the registered data can be performed efficiently.

According to the fourth aspect, since the first storage means is constituted by an expandable random access memory, it is possible to freely cope with an increase in the number of registered data according to a use environment.

According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, there is provided a print control method for controlling the printing of a printing unit by communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, or providing information via a predetermined communication medium. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program that communicates with a processing device and controls printing of a printing unit, analyzes print information, and uses any registered data stored in a first storage unit. A detection step of detecting whether or not a designation to use the registration data has been made, and when it is detected by the detection step that designation to use the registration data has been made, the registration data specified from the external memory is converted into the print information. A registration step of reading out the data prior to the analysis and registering the data in a RAM which can be accessed at a higher speed than the first storage means. Even if the degree is different, it is possible to shorten the processing time of the print information using the registration data.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus for controlling printing by communicating with a printing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, wherein data used for printing a print job waiting for output is provided. A determination unit for determining whether or not the data is stored in an external memory different from the internal memory of the printing apparatus; and information identifying data determined to be stored in the external memory by the determination unit. And control means for transmitting instruction information for reading the data from the external memory to the internal memory to the printing apparatus prior to transmission of the print job, so that the data stored in the external memory can be used. Print job can be efficiently processed by reducing the processing time of the print job to be performed.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control method for controlling printing by communicating with a printing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, the data being used when printing a print job waiting for output. A determination step of determining whether or not the data is stored in an external memory different from the internal memory of the printing apparatus, and information specifying data determined to be stored in the external memory in the determination step. Transmitting the instruction information for reading the data from the external memory to the internal memory to the printing apparatus prior to the transmission of the print job, so that the data stored in the external memory can be used. Print job can be efficiently processed by reducing the processing time of the print job to be performed.

According to the ninth aspect, the print control device, which communicates with the printing device via a predetermined communication medium to control printing, transmits data used when printing a print job waiting for output to the printing device. A determining step of determining whether or not the data is stored in an external memory different from the internal memory of the printing apparatus; and information identifying data determined to be stored in the external memory in the determining step, A computer-readable program for causing a computer to execute a control process of transmitting instruction information for reading data from the external memory to the internal memory to the printing apparatus prior to transmitting the print job. I let you
The processing time of a print job that uses data stored in an external memory can be reduced, and the print job can be processed efficiently.

Therefore, it is possible to clearly indicate to the user at an optimal timing a suggestion to replenish consumables at the time of execution of a new print job or while waiting for output data, and to greatly reduce the processing time of print information using registered data. There is an effect that a print processing environment that can be shortened can be freely constructed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an output device to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system to which the print control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing a flow of print resource information of the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure of the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first page counting process performed by a remaining amount calculating unit illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second page count processing procedure by a remaining amount calculation unit illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure of the print control apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the print control device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-1 CPU 1-2 ROM 1-9 Printing unit 1-9-A Remaining amount detecting unit 1-10 Remaining amount calculating unit 1000 LBP main body 2000 Host computer 2002 Printer driver 2002A Data investigating unit 2002B Data converting unit

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A printing control apparatus for controlling printing of a printing unit by communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: first and second storage units having different access speeds; Control means for registering predetermined registration data used for print information received from a processing device in the first storage means; and analysis of the print information and any registration data stored in the first storage means Detecting means for detecting whether or not the use of registered data has been specified; and wherein the control means detects the first storage when the detecting means detects that the use of registered data has been specified. Printing means for reading registration data designated by a means prior to analysis of the print information and registering the data in the second storage means, which has a higher access speed than the first storage means. Control device. 2. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first storage unit stores the predetermined registration data in a nonvolatile manner. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit reads out the registration data designated from the first storage unit prior to the analysis of the print information and registers the registration data in the second storage unit as cache data. The print control device according to claim 1. 4. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first storage means is constituted by an expandable random access memory. 5. A printing control method for controlling printing of a printing unit by communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the printing information is analyzed and stored in a first storage unit. A detecting step of detecting whether or not the designation of using the registered data is made; and, when detecting that the designation of using the registered data is made by the detecting step, the detecting step is performed from the first storage means. A registration step of reading the registered data prior to the analysis of the print information and registering the read data in a second storage unit that can be accessed faster than the first storage unit. 6. A print control device that communicates with an information processing device via a predetermined communication medium to control printing of a printing unit, analyzes print information, and stores any of the registrations stored in the first storage unit. A detecting step of detecting whether or not the use of data is specified; and detecting that the use of the registered data is specified, the registration data specified from the first storage unit is converted to the registered data. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a registration step of reading out the print information prior to analysis and registering the readout information in a second storage unit that can be accessed faster than the first storage unit. 7. A printing control device for controlling printing by communicating with a printing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein data used when printing a print job waiting for output is stored in the printing device. Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the data is stored in an external memory different from the internal memory; and information for specifying the data discriminated as being stored in the external memory by the discriminating means. Instruction information for reading from the memory to the internal memory,
Control means for transmitting the print job to the printing apparatus prior to transmission of the print job. 8. A printing control method for controlling printing by communicating with a printing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein data used when printing a print job waiting for output is stored in the printing device. A discriminating step of discriminating whether or not the data is stored in an external memory separate from the internal memory; and information specifying data determined to be stored in the external memory in the discriminating step, and the data is stored in the external memory. A control step of transmitting instruction information for reading from the memory to the internal memory to the printing apparatus prior to transmission of the print job. 9. A printing control device that communicates with a printing device via a predetermined communication medium to control printing, and prints data used for printing a print job waiting for output to an internal memory of the printing device. A determination step of determining whether or not the data is stored in another external memory, and information specifying the data determined to be stored in the external memory in the determination step, and the data from the external memory. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a control step of transmitting instruction information for reading to the internal memory to the printing apparatus prior to transmission of the print job.