JP2001273099A - Printer, its control method and record medium for recording program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control a plurality of printing job data received through a physical channel in an RAW mode respectively. SOLUTION: The printer samples the printing job data in an unit of job from among a sequence of data received from a host computer through the physical channel in the RAW mode, such as a parallel interface, then allocates job identification information to the sampled-printing data, thereby can control every the job data on the basis of the job identification information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer technology, and more particularly, to a printer technology connected to a RAW mode physical channel such as a serial interface, a parallel interface, or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Printers provide various interfaces for interconnecting with a host computer. As typical interfaces, dedicated interfaces such as a serial interface, a parallel interface, and a USB interface are known. Such a dedicated interface is called a RAW mode physical channel because it does not perform data conversion by a protocol stack unlike a network interface that has become widespread in recent years.

A printer connected to a host computer via a dedicated interface controls a data flow using a BUSY signal or a READY signal in accordance with the processing capability (ie, printing speed) of a receiving buffer or the like, while controlling the host computer. To receive the print target data. The print target data is typically supplied to the printer in the form of print job data generated by a printer driver on a host computer. The printer interprets the print job data stored in the reception buffer to generate bitmap image data, expands the image data in an image memory, and supplies the image data to a print engine. Thereby, the printer realizes printing on a print recording medium such as printing paper.

[0004]

A printer connected to a dedicated interface has realized printing by sequentially interpreting print job data stored in a reception buffer.
In particular, when such a dedicated interface is used, the host computer of the transmission source is clear, and if the print job data is processed in the order in which the print job data is received in order to control the data flow led by the printer, contradictions may occur. Printing was realized without any problems. That is, even if print job data is successively input before printing based on the print job data input first from the host computer is completed, the printer explicitly stores the print job data therein. By processing a series of data in order without discrimination, printing could be realized.

On the other hand, to cancel the printing after the print job data is input to the printer, the user must press the reset button or turn off the power of the printer.
This has been dealt with by clearing the memory inside the printer by performing FF and the like.

For this reason, when printing is attempted to be canceled after a plurality of print job data has been input into the printer, there has been an inconvenience that all the input print job data is cleared from the memory. . That is, with such a printer, it was not possible to cancel only specific print job data.

In recent years, printers generally include a spooling mechanism to release a host computer from data communication at an early stage, so that a plurality of print job data can be stored in a storage device such as a hard disk. It has become. Therefore, even when a plurality of print job data are input into the printer, it is desired to manage each print job data.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to be able to manage each of a plurality of print job data (jobs) received via a RAW mode physical channel.

More specifically, a first object of the present invention is to
The purpose is to extract each of a plurality of jobs that have been continuously received via a physical channel in the RAW mode.

A second object of the present invention is to assign job identification information to each of the extracted jobs so that the jobs can be managed for each job.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The gist of the present invention is to extract print job data from a series of received data received from a host computer via a dedicated interface in units of jobs, and to extract the extracted print job data. , Job information can be managed for each print job data based on the job identification information.

The dedicated interface means a RAW level physical channel such as a serial interface, a parallel interface or a USB interface.

More specifically, the present invention provides a dedicated interface connected to a host computer through a dedicated line connection, and prints in a job unit from a series of data received from the host computer via the dedicated interface. Extracting means for extracting job data; assigning means for assigning job identification information to the extracted print job data; spooling means for storing the print job data to which the job identification information is assigned and outputting the job data in a predetermined order; Generating means for interpreting the print job data output from the spool means to generate image data, and print executing means for executing printing on a print recording medium based on the generated image data. A printer characterized in that:

[0014] It is preferable that the extracting means searches predetermined language identification information from the series of received data, and specifies a language type of the print job data to be extracted.

[0015] Preferably, the extracting means extracts print job data from the series of received data based on termination pattern data corresponding to the specified language type.

Further, it is preferable that the allocating means allocates job identification information including interface identification information indicating a type of the dedicated interface.

Further, it is preferable that the printer further comprises management means for managing each job based on the print job data based on the assigned job identification information.

The management means receives a job management request for managing the job, and manages a specific job based on the received job management request.

In this specification, means does not simply mean physical means, but also includes a case where all or a part of the functions of the means are realized by software. Further, even if the function of one means is realized by two or more physical means, the function of two or more means is one.
It may be realized by two physical means.

The present invention is also realized as a program for realizing a predetermined function in a printer or a recording medium on which the program is recorded. More specifically, the present invention relates to a recording medium recording a program for realizing a predetermined function in a printer having a dedicated interface connected to a host computer by a dedicated line connection, wherein the program is An extraction function for extracting print job data in a unit of job from a series of data received from a host computer via a host computer, an assignment function for assigning job identification information to the extracted print job data, and the job identification information A print function for outputting print job data assigned to a storage device and reading the print job data in a predetermined order; a generation function for interpreting the print job data read by the spool function to generate image data; Printed image data A print control function which supplies to Jin, characterized by comprising a.

The program may be realized by including a function of calling a function realized by a basic program such as an operating system.

Here, the recording medium is, for example, a hard disk (HD), a DVD-RAM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM, etc.
Includes memory such as OM. Also, the computer is
For example, a so-called central processing unit such as a CPU or an MPU that performs a predetermined process by interpreting a program includes a so-called microcomputer.

The present invention is also realized as a printing system including a printer and a host computer connected to each other via a dedicated interface. Further, the invention of the above-described object is also realized as a method invention.

[0024]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a printer 1 according to the present embodiment. In the figure,
The processor 11 executes various programs stored in the ROM 12 and the RAM 13. That is, when the various programs are executed by the processor 11, the printer realizes a predetermined function in cooperation with other hardware. In the present embodiment, as described later, a communication function, a spooling function, an image generation function, a print control function, and a job management function are realized. Hard disk drive 14
Is connected to the host device 1 via the dedicated interface circuit 15.
The print job data sent from is stored. The dedicated interface circuit 15 is connected to a dedicated line such as a parallel cable and performs data communication with the host device.
In this embodiment, a parallel interface circuit capable of performing bidirectional communication with a host device is assumed. The image memory 16 stores image data generated based on the print job data. The engine controller 17 reads out the image data expanded in the image memory 16 and supplies the read image data to the print engine 18 while controlling the operation of the print engine 18. The engine controller 17 is, for example, an image memory 16
When the bitmap data of a predetermined bandwidth is expanded, the print execution command sent from the processor 11 is activated as a trigger. The print engine 18 is, for example,
It is configured by a paper feed mechanism, a print head, and the like, and performs printing on a print recording medium such as paper. As the print engine 18, a printer according to the type of printer such as a laser printer or a serial printer can be used.

The printer 1 described above is interconnected with the host device 2 via a parallel interface circuit, and forms a printing system. The printer 1 in the present embodiment is connected to the host device 2 by a parallel interface circuit capable of bidirectional communication. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the print system according to the present embodiment.

The application program 201 includes, for example, a word processor for creating and editing a document,
Graphic editors for creating and editing figures. Now, when a print command is given from the user via the user interface 202, the application program 201 calls the printer driver 203.

The printer driver 203 displays a print dialog box via the user interface 202 and prompts the user to input predetermined setting items and the like.
When a print instruction (for example, selection of an “OK” button) is given from the user via the user interface 22, the printer driver 203 receives the application data (print target data) to be printed from the application program 201. Then, the application data is converted into print job data for interpretation by a printer. In this case, it is preferable that the printer driver 203 embed information (job information) relating to the print job itself in the output data, in addition to the print command for the printer to interpret for the original printing. The job information is, for example, a document name (file name), a user name, and the like. The printer driver 203 transmits print job data generated based on the application data to the printer 1 via the parallel interfaces 204 and 204 ′.
Data communication is performed in the AW mode.

The parallel interface 204 ′ is transmitted from the host device 2 while transmitting a control signal to the host device 2 in accordance with the use state of a receiving buffer (not shown) provided in the print job extracting unit 205. Data (that is, print job data) is received and sent to the print job extraction unit 205.

The print job extracting unit 205 extracts (cuts out) print job data from a series of data sent from the parallel interface 204 'in units of jobs, and issues a job identification issued for each of the extracted print job data. Information (job ID) is assigned. The job identification information is for uniquely identifying a job (a job for print job data and data based thereon) in the printer 1. Preferably, the job identification information includes interface identification information indicating which dedicated interface has received the job. The print job extracting unit 206 further extracts the job information added by the printer driver 13 from the print job data. Print job extraction unit 2
In step 05, the issued job identification information and job information are notified to the job management unit 211 ′, and the print job data and the job identification information are associated with each other (for example, in a format added to the print job data) and output to the spool unit 206. I do. When the print job extracting unit 205 finishes outputting the print job data to the spool unit 206,
The job management unit 211 'is notified that the reception has been completed.

The spool unit 206 outputs the print job data sent from the print job extraction unit 205 to the storage device 207, reads the print job data stored in the storage device 207 in a predetermined order, and sends the read print job data to the image generation unit 208. Output. The spool unit 206 according to the present embodiment incorporates a mechanism for speeding up the supply of data to the image generation unit 208, as described later.

The image generation unit 208 includes a spool unit 20
The print job data transmitted via the printer 6 is interpreted to generate image data, and the image data is developed in an image memory (not shown). In this case, the image generation unit 208
When the job identification information added to the print job data is extracted and the interpretation is started, the fact is notified to the job management unit 211 ′. After developing the image data in the image memory, the image generation unit 208 notifies the print control unit 209 of a print request. This print request includes job identification information. When the generation of the image data is completed by interpreting the print job data, the image generation unit 208 notifies the job management unit 211 ′ of the completion.

The print control unit 209 instructs the print mechanism unit 210 to prepare for printing based on the print request, and notifies the job management unit 211 'of the job identification information. When the print control unit 209 receives from the print mechanism unit 210 that the preparation for printing is completed, the print control unit 209 reads the image data expanded in the image memory and supplies the read image data to the print mechanism unit 210. The printing mechanism unit 210 executes printing on a print recording medium based on the supplied image data. After finishing supplying the image data for the job identification information and receiving the page ejection completion notification from the printing mechanism unit 210, the print control unit 209 notifies the job management unit 211 'that printing has been completed.

Job management unit 2 provided in host device 2
Reference numeral 11 denotes a job management unit 211 ′ provided in the printer 1.
And the parallel interfaces 204, 204 '
And implements job management in the printer 1. That is, the job management unit 211 ′ is an execution unit that manages a job based on the print job data input to the printer 1. More specifically, the job management unit 21
1 receives an instruction from a user via the user interface 202 and sends the instruction to the job management unit 211 ′ in the printer 1 as a job management request. The job management unit 211 ′ in the printer 1 performs a process according to the received job management request. For example, the job management unit 211 '
When a delete request (cancel request) for a specific job is received, all data for the specific job existing in the printer 1 is deleted. On the other hand, the job management unit 211 ′ includes a print job extraction unit 205,
It has a function of receiving the progress of a job from the image generation unit 206 and the print control unit 209 and notifying the job progress to the job management unit 211 in the host device 2.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the print job extracting section according to the present embodiment.
As described above, the print job extracting unit 205 extracts print job data for each job from a series of data transmitted from the host device 2 via the parallel interfaces 204 and 204 '. The print job extracting unit 205 also assigns job identification information to the extracted print job data.

In FIG. 3, when the print job extracting unit 205 receives 1-byte data via the parallel interface 204 '(STEP 301), it temporarily stores the received 1-byte data in a reception buffer (STEP 302). ). Print job extraction unit 20
No. 5 stores a predetermined number of bytes (for example, 256 bytes) of data in the reception buffer (YES in STEP 303).
s) or when a timeout occurs (STEP 30)
4 Yes), the following processing is performed.

That is, the print job extracting unit 205
Determines whether the value of the flag is "1" (ST
EP 305). This flag indicates whether it is new print job data or print job data being processed. When this value is, for example, “1”,
This indicates that the print job data is being processed. If the print job extracting unit 205 determines that the value of the flag is not “1” (for example, “0”), the print job extracting unit 205 refers to a pattern table as shown in FIG. Extract. The print job extraction unit 205 determines the language type of the print job data based on the extracted start edge pattern data,
With reference to the pattern table shown in FIG. 4, end pattern data for the job language is acquired (STEP 3).
06). Next, the print job extracting unit 205 issues job identification information and notifies the job managing unit 211 ′ of the job identification information (STEP 307). Then, the print job extracting unit 205 changes the value of the flag to “1” to indicate that the print job data is being processed (STEP 3).
08), and proceeds to STEP 305.

Next, the print job extracting unit 205 determines that the value of the flag is "1" (Y in STEP 305).
es) It is determined whether or not the termination pattern data of the job language specified in STEP 306 is included in the contents of the reception buffer (STEP 309). If the print job extracting unit 205 determines that the termination pattern data is not included, it outputs the contents of the reception buffer to the spool unit 206 together with the job identification information (STEP 3).
10). As a result, the print job extraction unit 205
Returning to STEP 301, the above processing is repeated until the terminal pattern data is found in the contents of the reception buffer.

If the print job extracting unit 205 determines in step 309 that the contents of the reception buffer include the end pattern data, it outputs the contents up to the end pattern data to the spool unit together with the job identification information (STEP 311). ). Here, the print job extracting unit 205 arranges the contents of the reception buffer such that a part of the contents of the reception buffer that has not been output is moved to the head of the reception buffer. Then, the print job extraction unit 205 notifies the job management unit 21 that the reception has been completed.
1 'is notified (STEP 312), and the value of the flag is reset to "0" to prepare for processing of new print job data (STEP 313). Note that the print job extraction unit 205 cancels the processing when there is an interruption due to a cancel notification from a job management unit 211 described later.

As described above, a series of data temporarily stored in the reception buffer is extracted as print job data in job units.

For example, it is assumed that the printer 1 receives print job data as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3A, line numbers are given for convenience of explanation.

The print job data is in a job language called "ESC / PAGE". E
Print job data in the SC / PAGE language is typically composed of EJL (Epson Job Language) data and ES
And C / PAGE data body. The EJL data is data for performing print control on the print target data, and is ESC / PAGE as shown in FIG.
It consists of the body of the data. The print job data of the present example indicates the beginning of the print job data and the start pattern data (first line) indicating that it is the EJB data, and the ESC / P
ESC / P indicating transition to AGE data body 52
AGE start command (5th line), ESC / PAGE exit command (“^ [^ A @ EJL” on 16th line) indicating return from the ESC / PAGE data body to EJL data (EJL footer 53), print job The end pattern data (the 19th line) indicating the end of the data is included.

That is, the print job extracting unit 205
When the data received via the parallel interface 204 is accumulated in the reception buffer by a predetermined number of bytes, a search for the start end pattern data is performed. In this example, "^
[^ A @ EJL] is searched, so print job extraction unit 2
No. 05 recognizes that the print job data in the ESC / PAGE language has been received. When finding the end pattern data “^ [^ A @ EJL” of the print job data in the ESC / PAGE language, the print job extracting unit 205 recognizes that position as the end part of the print job data. . As a result, print job data is extracted for each job from a series of data. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of print job data in the PostScript language. Po
Similarly, in the case of using the stScript language or another job language, print job data is extracted for each job based on the start pattern data and the end pattern data.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining a detailed functional configuration of the spool section according to the present embodiment. The spool unit 206 typically uses the writing unit 701 to write print job data sent from the print job extraction unit 205 together with job identification information for each predetermined memory block unit (a predetermined number of bytes).
07 is written as a file, the print job data stored in the storage device 207 is read out by the reading unit 702 in a first-in first-out order, and the
8 is output. However, in the present embodiment, the spool unit 2
Reference numeral 07 denotes a configuration in which print job data can be supplied without passing through the storage device 207 in accordance with the availability of buffers provided in the preceding and subsequent stages of the storage device 207.

When the print job extracting unit 205 intends to output the contents of the reception buffer, the print job extracting unit 205 notifies the bypass control unit 703 of the fact. Bypass control unit 703
Determines whether there is a memory block in use in the first buffer 704, whether there is an empty memory block in the second buffer 705, or whether there is a residual file in the storage device 208. I do.

The bypass control unit 703 determines whether the first buffer has a memory block in use, the storage device 207 has a remaining file, or the second buffer memory 703 has no free memory block. In this case, the selectors 706 and 707 are controlled so that data is supplied via the storage device 207.

On the other hand, the bypass control unit 703 determines whether there is a memory block in use in the first buffer 704, an empty memory block in the second buffer 705, and no remaining file in the storage device 207. Controls the selector 706 such that data is supplied directly to the second buffer. Further, the bypass control unit 703
Controls the selectors 706 and 707 such that data is supplied to the second buffer via the first buffer 704 when there are no more empty memory blocks in the second buffer 705. Then, the bypass control unit 703
Controls the selector 706 such that when there is no more empty memory block in the first buffer 704, the data is supplied via the storage device 207.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image generation unit 208 according to this embodiment.
The image generation unit 208 is activated when new print job data is received via the spool unit 206. Further, as described later, when an interrupt is issued by the cancel notification from the job management unit 211, the image generation unit 208 stops the processing.

The image generating unit 207 first extracts job identification information from the received print job data (STEP 801), and notifies the job management unit 211 ′ of the job identification information and the fact that the interpretation has been started (STE).
P802). Next, the image generation unit 208 interprets the print job data, generates image data, and expands the image data in the image memory (STEP 803). When the image generation unit 208 expands the image memory for a predetermined bandwidth (for example, for one page), the print control unit 2
Then, a print request is sent to STEP 10 (STEP 804). As a result, the image data developed in the image memory is read under the control of the print control unit 209.
The image generation unit 208 performs the above-described STEP until image data is generated based on the print job data.
Steps 803 and 804 are repeated. If the image generation unit 208 determines that the final data has been developed (Yes in STEP 805), the image generation unit 208 notifies the job management unit 211 ′ that the image generation has been completed, and ends the processing (STEP 806). .

FIG. 9 shows a print control unit 20 according to this embodiment.
9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. The print control unit 209 is activated by receiving a print request from the image generation unit 208. The print control unit 209 includes:
First, when a print request is received from the image generation unit 208, the job identification information added to the image data is extracted (STEP 901), and this job identification information and the fact that printing has been started are notified to the job management unit 211 '(STE).
P902). The print control unit 209 instructs the print mechanism unit 211 to prepare for printing (STEP 903), and the print mechanism unit 21
0, the print data is read from the image memory, and the print
(STEP 904). The print control unit 209 includes:
The processes in STEPs 903 and 904 are repeated until the completion of discharge of the last page is received from the printing mechanism unit 210. The print control unit 209 receives the completion of the ejection of the last page from the print mechanism unit 210 (YES in STEP 905).
s) The job management unit 211 'is notified that the printing is completed.

As described above, each of the print job extraction unit 205, the image generation unit 208, and the print control unit 209 according to the present embodiment notifies the job management unit 211 'of the progress of its own processing. As a result, the job management unit 211 ′ can manage the progress status of the job input into the printer 1 for each processing of reception, image generation, and printing.

The job management section 211 'manages the progress status of such a job for each input job.
Holds the job management table. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the job management table. As shown in the figure, the progress of a job input into the printer 1 is held for each piece of job identification information. The job identification information includes an identification number and interface identification information. The interface identification information indicates through which interface the print job data has been received. For example, if the interface identification information following the identification number is "P", the print job data was received via the parallel interface, and if it was "LPR", the print job data was received via the network interface. It is a thing. The job management table may hold not only the progress of the job but also detailed information on the job. The detailed information on the job includes, for example, the number of prints, toner consumption, and error information.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the job management section 211 'according to the present embodiment. The job management unit 211 ′ includes the print job extraction unit 2
05, when a notification is received from any of the image generation unit 208 and the print control unit 209 (Y in STEP1101).
es), the job management table is updated according to the contents of the notification (STEP 1102). For example, upon receiving the job identification information and the job information from the print job extraction unit 204, the job management unit 211 ′ registers the job in the job management table and changes the progress of the job to “Re
After updating the job management table, the job management unit 211 ′ notifies the host device of the updated content as job management information (STEP 110).
3). Upon receiving the job management information, the job management unit 211 in the host device controls the user interface unit 202 to display the job management screen as a job management screen.

On the other hand, when the job management section 211 'receives a job management request from the host device 2 (STEP 11).
04, Yes), the job identification information is identified from the job information included in the job management request, and the job specified by the job identification information is processed according to the request. For example, when the job management request is a request for acquiring job management information, the job management unit 211 'notifies the request source host device 2 of the contents of the job management table.
If the job management request is a job cancellation (printing stop) request, the job management unit 211 ′ performs control to delete all data relating to the job existing in the printer 1.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the job management section 211 'according to the present embodiment when canceling a job. In FIG.
When receiving a job cancellation request as a job management request from the host device, the job management unit 11 'refers to the job management table and determines whether the job to be canceled has been printed (STEP 1201). When determining that the job has not been printed yet, the job management unit 211 ′ next determines whether or not print job data for the job exists as a file in the storage device 207 (STEP 1202). . When determining that there is a residual file in the storage device 207, the job management unit 211 ′ deletes the file (S
TEP1203). Then, the job management unit 211 ′
A cancel command is notified to the print job extraction unit 205, the image generation unit 208, and the print control unit 209 (STEP 1204). The cancel instruction includes job identification information of a job to be canceled. Each of the print job receiving unit 206, the image generating unit 208, and the print control unit 209, which have received the notification,
No processing is performed on data relating to the job specified by the job identification information. Note that the job management unit 2
11 'preferably firstly notifies the print control unit 209 of a cancel command. This is to minimize the consumption of physical consumables such as paper.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when a plurality of print job data are received as a series of data via a RAW mode physical channel such as a parallel interface, the series of data is received. It becomes possible to extract print job data from inside the job unit. Further, according to the present embodiment, since the job identification information is assigned to the extracted print job data, the print job data can be uniquely identified inside the printer. Therefore, even when a plurality of jobs are input into the printer, management for each job, for example, cancellation of the job can be performed.

The above embodiment is an exemplification for explaining the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention only to this embodiment. The present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist thereof.

For example, the operation of the function realizing means has been described sequentially, but the present invention is not limited to this. Therefore, as long as no inconsistency occurs in the operation, the order of processing may be changed or the operation may be performed in parallel.

In the above embodiment, the parallel interface has been described as an example. However, the same description may be made using a dedicated interface such as a serial interface or a USB interface. Further, the printer may be connected to the host device via each of the dedicated interfaces. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in addition to the connection with the host device via the dedicated interface, it may be connected to the LAN constructed by Ethernet (registered trademark) via the network interface.

[0060]

According to the present invention, it is possible to manage each of a plurality of print job data (jobs) received via a physical channel in the RAW mode.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a print system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a print job extracting unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a pattern table according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of print job data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of print job data.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed functional configuration of a spool unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a print control unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job management table according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a job management unit 211 ′ according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the job management unit according to the embodiment when canceling a job.

[Explanation of symbols]

 201 ... application program 202 ... user interface 203 ... printer driver 204, 204 '... network interface 205 ... print job extraction unit 206 ... spool unit 207 ... storage device 208 ... image generation unit 209 ... print control unit 210 ... print mechanism unit 211 211 '... Job management unit

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A method of extracting print job data from a series of received data received from a host computer via a dedicated interface in job units, and assigning job identification information to the extracted print job data. A printer characterized in that it can be managed for each print job data based on job identification information. A dedicated interface connected to the host computer through a dedicated line connection; and an extracting means for extracting print job data for each job from a series of received data received from the host computer via the dedicated interface. Assigning means for assigning job identification information to the extracted print job data, spooling means for storing the print job data to which the job identification information is assigned, and outputting the print job data in a predetermined order; output from the spooling means A printer, comprising: generating means for interpreting the print job data to generate image data; and print executing means for executing printing on a print recording medium based on the generated image data. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the extracting unit searches predetermined language identification information from the series of received data, and specifies a language type of the print job data to be extracted. Printer. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said extracting means extracts print job data from the series of received data based on termination pattern data corresponding to the specified language type. Printer. 5. The printer according to claim 2, wherein said assigning means assigns job identification information including interface identification information indicating a type of a dedicated interface. 6. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the printer further comprises management means for managing jobs based on print job data based on the assigned job identification information. 7. The printer according to claim 5, wherein the management unit receives a job management request for managing the job, and manages a specific job based on the received job management request. 8. The dedicated interface is a serial interface, a parallel interface or a US interface.
8. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the printer is at least one of a B interface. 9. A recording medium for recording a program for realizing a predetermined function in a printer having a dedicated interface connected to a host computer by a dedicated line connection, wherein the program is executed by the host computer via the dedicated interface. An extraction function for extracting print job data for each job from a series of received data received from a printer; an assignment function for assigning job identification information to the extracted print job data; and a print to which the job identification information is assigned. A spool function of outputting job data to a predetermined storage device and reading the job data in a predetermined order; a generating function of interpreting the print job data read by the spool function to generate image data; and Print engine Recording medium for recording a program characterized by comprising: a print control function, the of. 10. A method of extracting print job data from a series of data received from a host computer via a dedicated interface in units of jobs, and assigning job identification information to the extracted print job data. A print job data management method, wherein the management is performed for each print job data based on job identification information. 11. A method for controlling a printer having a dedicated interface connected to a host computer through a dedicated line connection, wherein the printer is controlled on a job basis from a series of data received from the host computer via the dedicated interface. Extracting print job data, assigning job identification information to the extracted print job data, outputting the print job data to which the job identification information is assigned to a predetermined storage device, and reading the print job data in a predetermined order Interpreting the print job data read by the spool function to generate image data; and performing printing on a print recording medium based on the generated image data. And of the printer Control method