JP2002036683A - Information processor, method for presenting print processing time, and recording medium storing computer readable program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an information processor in which a print processing time is presented to a user before starting print so that the user can make a decision whether print is executed or not. SOLUTION: Based on write information obtained from a print document produced by an application and print set information at the time of executing print processing of print data, a print processing time is derived prior to start print processing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a method for presenting print processing time, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for presenting a print processing time, a print processing time presenting method, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printer driver for generating print data to be transmitted to a printing apparatus, a user has to specify various print settings, for example, a print purpose for designating a print quality such as a print resolution and a print gradation, a double-sided print, and the like. A print layout for specifying N-page printing and bookbinding printing, a paper discharge method for specifying stapling, saddle stitching and sorting, and a paper feeding method for specifying a paper feed unit for each page have to be set. In order to make print settings using such a printer driver, the user must make settings in consideration of the effects of each print setting, and requires a high level of knowledge.

For this purpose, recent printer drivers have a plurality of printing environments defining a plurality of printing settings, and each printing environment has a name (standard printing, two-page printing, confidential information, etc.) which is easy for the user to understand. , Bitmap development, photographic images, bookbinding printing, etc.) are displayed on the user interface. Therefore, when the user determines the name of the print environment from the plurality of print environments (sometimes called a “print profile”) and selects a certain print environment, the print environment is defined by the print environment (print profile). Since a plurality of print settings are automatically set and print data can be generated based on the print settings, a user can relatively easily obtain a desired print output.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned printer driver is designed to make it easier for the user to understand the printing environment. However, according to each printing environment, the time required for the printing process is given to the user. I don't consider comprehension. However, the time required for the printing process varies greatly depending on the printing environment, and when the user arbitrarily selects the printing environment, it is expected that the printing process will take an unintended amount of time. It was not easy to use from a viewpoint.

Further, a printer driver generates print data, analyzes the print quality (resolution, gradation, data amount) of the print data in a printer or print server, calculates the time required for print processing, and prints out the print data. A mechanism for presenting the time required and the time at which a print output can be obtained to the user is conceivable. However, in a mechanism in which a printer or a print server calculates time and presents it to the user, the user feels dissatisfied with the time and generates print data from the application again in order to obtain a print output by another method. Need to do so, which can be frustrating for the user.

The contents of print data analyzed by a printer or print server are limited to the amount of print data, the print resolution, and the print quality, which is the print gradation. N pages of print data are reduced and arranged, and print processing is performed on one page of recording paper) or bookbinding printing (print pages are rearranged in the bookbinding order, print data of four pages are reduced and arranged, and one page is recorded. (Printing is performed according to the facing direction bound on paper.)
No consideration is given to the print processing time required for conditions other than print quality, such as a print layout that specifies the print layout, and the time required for the actual print processing cannot be accurately derived.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and has as its object to provide a function of presenting a print processing time required for print processing to a user before starting printing by using a printer driver. .

Further, based on the above problem, a printing processing time is further derived for each of a plurality of printing purposes, and each printing processing time is presented to the user, so that the user can select a desired printing purpose. With the goal.

Further, based on the above problem, a print processing time is further derived for each of a plurality of print environments, and each print processing time is presented to the user, so that the user can select a desired print environment. With the goal.

By notifying the user of the printing time in advance, it is possible to make a final decision on whether to execute printing.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following arrangement. That is, an information processing apparatus that generates print data to be printed by a printing apparatus, an obtaining unit that obtains drawing information based on a print document created by an application, and executes a print data print process by the printing apparatus. Setting means for setting print setting information at the time of printing, and deriving means for deriving print processing time required for print processing based on drawing information acquired by the acquiring means and print settings set by the setting means. And characterized in that:

[0012] The acquisition means acquires, via an extended API provided between the printer driver and the application, drawing information including an ID of each object constituting the print document before printing.

The print setting information is information on print quality in the print data.

The print setting information includes information on print quality in print data and information on print layout.

[0015] Further, presenting means for presenting the print processing time derived by the deriving means to the user before generating the print data, and after the print processing time is presented by the presenting means,
Generating means for generating print data based on the print document.

The presenting means provides a print processing time and a user interface for prompting input of an instruction to execute a print processing requiring the print processing time.

The user interface presented by the presenting means accepts an input of an instruction to cancel the execution of the print processing requiring the print processing time.

The setting means sets a print profile in which a plurality of pieces of print setting information are collected when the printing apparatus executes the print processing of the print data, and the deriving means is set by the setting means. The print processing time required for the print processing is derived for each of the plurality of print profiles.

[0019] The image processing apparatus may further include a transmission unit for transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus via the network.

Further, the above problem is solved by a printing processing time presenting method in the above apparatus.

Further, the above problem is solved by a computer readable program for realizing the above processing.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Configuration of Printing System> FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system including a host computer 3000 and a printer 1500.

In FIG. 1, a host computer 300
0 is a C for executing document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program or the like stored in the program ROM of the ROM 3.
PU1 is provided. The CPU 1 controls each device connected to the system bus 4 as a whole. RAM2 is CP
It functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of U1. Each module of the printer driver program of the present invention is
The data is read by the AM 2 and the CPU 1 performs processing based on each module.

The keyboard controller (KBC) 5
It controls key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). CRT controller (CRTC)
Reference numeral 6 controls display on the CRT display 10. CR
At T10, a printer installation screen to be described later is also displayed.

The disk controller (DKC) 7 includes an external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, and editing files, and a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD). Control access to
Each module of the printer driver program of the present invention is stored in the external memory 11 or the ROM 3 and is read out to the RAM 2 as needed.

The printer controller (PRTC) 8 includes:
The printer 1000 is connected to the printer 1000 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (bidirectional I / F) or the network 21 to execute a communication control process with the printer 1500.
The CPU 1 executes, for example, a process of developing (rasterizing) the outline font in the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, and performs WYSIWYG processing on the CRT 10.
(A function of matching display contents and print contents) is possible. Further, the CPU 1 executes a program for realizing a procedure of a flowchart described later,
Various registered windows are opened based on commands instructed by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown), and various data processes are executed.

On the other hand, in the printer 1500, the printer CPU 12 controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program stored in a control program stored in a program ROM of the ROM 13. And the printing unit I / F 16
An image signal as output information is output to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via the. The printing unit 17 has a staple stacker for performing stapling.

The CPU 12 can communicate with the host computer via the network 21 and can notify the host computer 3000 of information and the like in the printer. The RAM 19 is a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 12. The input unit 18 controls communication of status information such as print status information with the host computer 3000 via a network, and transmits information in the printer to the host computer 3.
000 can be notified. Here, the input unit 1
8 is called a network board.

A memory controller (MC) 20 controls access to an external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy disk (FD) for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edited files, and the like. I do. Operation unit 1501
Includes a display panel and a keyboard, and provides information to an operator and inputs an instruction from the operator.

<Printer Function> FIG.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 1500 showing the outline of the mechanism of FIG.

The laser driver 221 includes the laser issuing unit 21
1 to cause the laser emitting unit 211 to emit a laser beam corresponding to the image data generated based on the print data received from the host computer 3000. The laser beam is applied to the photosensitive drum 212, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 212. A developer is attached to a portion of the latent image on the photosensitive drum 212 by a developing device 213. Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of the laser beam irradiation, the recording paper is fed from one of the cassette 214 and the cassette 205, transported to the transfer unit 206, and the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 212 is transferred to the recording paper. I do.
The recording paper on which the developer is loaded is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged by a discharge roller 208.
Is discharged by.

When double-sided recording is set,
After the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed, and the flapper 209 is rotated.
Guides the paper to the re-feeding conveyance path. When multiple recording is set, the recording paper is guided to the re-feeding conveyance path by the flapper 209 so as not to be conveyed to the discharge roller 208. The recording paper guided to the re-feeding conveyance path is fed to the transfer unit 206 at the above-described timing.

The recording paper discharged by the discharge roller 208 is inserted into a paper discharge device 171. The paper discharge device 171 is
It is controlled by a paper discharge method specified by print data from the host computer 3000. When the number of copies of the print data is plural and the sort is designated, the print data is sequentially discharged from the upper bin one page at a time to the vertical drive sorter 217.

<Software Configuration of Host Computer> In such a system, the host computer 3
FIG. 2 shows a software configuration for printing by the 000.
It will be something like That is, the application 20
1 prints a print document such as a document created by the application 1, the application generates a drawing command using an interface function defined by the OS based on the print document, and the generated drawing command corresponds to a print request from the application. Is passed to the graphic engine 202 which is a part of the operating system. The graphic engine 202 is called GDI in the case of, for example, Windows OS (registered trademark of Microsoft USA). The graphic engine 202 uses an interface function (GDI function: Graphica
l) A drawing command (first drawing function) using the device interface) is acquired from the application 201 and the printer 1
500 into a rendering command (second rendering function) that can be interpreted by the printer driver 203, and
Pass to 03. The printer driver 203 receives the drawing command (DDI function:
Printer 15 based on the Device Driver Interface)
Generate print data suitable for 00.

The printer driver 203 passes the generated print data to the system spooler 204. The system spooler spools the print data and sends the print data to the printer according to the schedule of the printer.

FIG. 3 is an example of a memory map of the RAM 2 at the time of printing or setting of a printer in the host computer 1500. The application 32 is an OS
Printing is performed using the print program 36 and a print program (printer driver) 35. The BIOS 37 is called a basic input / output system, and includes a program for driving a parallel interface or a serial interface connected to the printer 1500.

Print control program (printer driver)
Is composed of a plurality of modules. The plurality of modules include the following modules.

First, there is an acquisition module for acquiring drawing information based on a print document created by an application. The acquisition module acquires, via an application and an extended API, drawing information including an ID of each object constituting the print document before printing. The acquisition module also acquires a second drawing command (DDI function) issued by the OS based on the first drawing command (GDI function) issued by the application.

Further, there is a user interface providing module for providing a user interface for setting print setting information when the printing apparatus executes print processing of print data. The user interface providing module is
The user interface shown in FIG. 4 is provided, and the user interface is displayed on the display unit via the OS. The user interface shown in FIG. 4 includes a plurality of sheets, and various print settings can be made for each sheet. The print setting information includes information on print quality in print data (set on a sheet of print quality) and information on print layout (set on “page layout” on a sheet of page setting). Further, the user interface providing module provides a user interface for setting a print profile (S403 in FIG. 4) in which a plurality of pieces of print setting information are collected when the printing apparatus executes print processing of print data.

There is a derivation module for deriving a print processing time required for a print process based on the drawing information acquired by the acquisition module and the print settings set on the user interface. Details of the derivation module will be described with reference to a flowchart described later.
Further, this derivation module derives the print processing time required for the print processing for each of a plurality of print profiles set via the user interface (S401 and S402 in FIG. 4) provided by the user interface providing module.

There is also a presentation module for presenting the print processing time derived by the derivation module to the user before generating print data. The presentation module provides a print processing time and a user interface (FIG. 9) for prompting the user to input an instruction to execute the print processing requiring the print processing time. The user interface is displayed on the display unit via the OS. You. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the user interface presented by the presentation module can receive an input of an instruction to cancel execution of a print process that requires a print process time.

Further, there is a generation module for generating print data based on the print document after the print processing time is presented by the presentation module.

Further, the image processing apparatus further includes a transmission module for transmitting the print data to the printing device via the network.

The related data 34 includes not only settings for printing such as paper size and layout information, but also setting information and DEVMODE set and used by a printer driver.
It also includes a structure called.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4, 8, and 9 and the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 to 7, the print processing time for each print environment called "favorite" including other conditions such as print quality and print layout. The procedure for deriving and presenting is described.

<Method of Presenting Print Processing Time and Displaying Print Time for Each Favorite> The user (user) can select a print layout, a paper size, a print quality, and a paper discharge method, which are print processing methods according to the printer used. For example, a plurality of print setting information is set as a print environment (favorite: S403 in FIG. 4) using the user interface provided by the user interface providing module of the printer driver shown in FIG. As an example of a method for setting print setting information, when a user calls a printer setting provided from an operating system or the like, a printer driver is called from the operating system (OS). Then, the user interface providing module of the printer driver provides a user interface for setting setting information unique to the printer to the OS, and the OS causes the display unit to display the user interface screen via the display driver. The user makes settings on the screen.

In the embodiment, the setting is performed in such a manner.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen for setting the printer when the user calls the printer setting. In this example, there are multiple sheets for setting “Information”, “Details”, “Page settings”, “Finishing”, “Paper feeding”, “Print quality”, “Device settings”, etc. for each setting. Yes,
The user selects a desired user interface by switching setting sheets according to the information to be set. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the “page setting” screen is selected from among them. The user can use the pointing device such as a mouse or a keyboard to set each item and derive the print processing time on this screen. Setting (S40 in FIG. 4)
Perform 1).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure in a case where print processing time derivation is set on the screen shown in FIG. 4 and printing is performed.

First, in step S501, it is determined whether or not the "measure print processing time" column S401 in FIG. 4 is checked ON. If it is not checked, normal printing is performed and the process ends.

When the “measure print processing time” check box is ON, the acquisition module of the printer driver
The application notifies an ID of each drawing object defined in the printer driver (step S502).

In this method, an application uses an API function (extended API) exported by the printer driver to notify the object ID. Therefore, data can be exchanged between the application 201 and the printer driver 203 without passing through the graphic engine 202.

Next, in step S503, the derivation module of the printer driver measures the print processing time based on the drawing object ID received from the application by the acquisition module in step S502. Step S
Details of 503 will be described later using the flowchart of FIG.

When the measurement of the print processing time is completed for all the favorites in step S503, the process proceeds to step S5.
At 04, the CPU 1 displays the printing time on the CRT 10 as a display unit for each printing environment based on the presentation module of the printer driver. FIG. 9 shows an example of the display, in which a favorite (print environment) of “standard setting” is selected and printing is performed.

By referring to the print time presented on the user interface shown in FIG. 9, the user can give an instruction to execute or cancel printing before executing printing. In addition, since the printing time when printing is performed at each favorite is displayed, it becomes reference data for the next printing.

If it is determined in FIG. 9 that the print stop button has been pressed, the CPU 1 deletes the drawing information received and held from the application based on the deletion module of the printer driver and does not perform the printing process. finish. On the other hand, if it is determined that the print continuation button has been pressed by the user, the CPU 1 performs print data generation processing with the printer driver 203 based on the drawing command acquired from the graphic engine 202 in step S506, and terminates. I do.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the CPU 1 based on the printer driver for calculating the number of print profiles for deriving the print processing time when deriving the print processing time (step S503 in FIG. 5). It is.

First, in step S601, the CPU 1
It is determined whether the “measure with all favorites” column S402 in FIG. 4 is checked ON. If it is determined that the check is ON, in step S602, the CPU 1 prints the print environment (“favorite”) as the print environment stored in the registry based on the instruction of the printer driver.
Is searched and set to the variable Num. Then, in step S603, the CPU 1 sets 0 to a variable i,
Until the variable i becomes Num, the print processing time measurement processing for each print profile is performed (S605).

FIG. 7 derives the printing process (step S).
It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process of CPU1 based on the derivation module for 605).

In step S701, the CPU 1 initializes Sum, which is the total variable value of the print processing time, to 0 based on the instruction of the derivation module. Next, step S70
In 2, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the drawing object ID notified from the application in step S502 exists. If not present, CP
Since U1 has calculated the print processing time of all the drawing objects, Su indicating the total time value is shown.
The time required for the printing process is derived based on the m value, and the printing time measurement process ends. Here, the print processing time derived based on the Sum value is a print data generation time required for generating print data in the printer driver, and a development time for developing and generating image data based on the print data in the printing apparatus. And the discharge time from when the recording paper is fed to when the image is formed based on the image data and when the paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit. Also,
The developing time and the paper discharging time differ depending on the type of the printing apparatus, but since this value is held in advance by the printer driver (because the printer driver is prepared corresponding to the printing apparatus), it is easy to use. It is feasible. Although not shown, the time conversion table for obtaining the print processing time (print data generation time + decompression time + recording time) from the time value Sum value is also stored in the storage unit similarly to the print processing time table of FIG. It is assumed that the information is stored in a certain RAM 2 or external memory 11 in advance.

On the other hand, if the object ID exists in step S702, then in step S703 the CPU 1
Searches the print processing time for each target indicated by the drawing object ID based on the print processing time table in FIG.

Here, the print time table is as shown in FIG. 8, and is based on the drawing object ID notified from the application in step S502 and the “favorite name” of the print profile acquired from the registry.
The time value required for printing is obtained and set in a variable a. Then, in step S704, the CPU 1 determines the total number of print processing times Su based on the instruction of the derivation module.
The printing time a required for each drawing object is added to m.

The CPU 1 repeats this process based on the derivation module until there is no more print object notified from the application, and calculates Sum.

The process of measuring the print time for each favorite in step S605 is repeated until the variable i reaches the favorite registration number Num as described above. Even if the “measure with all favorites” column S402 in FIG. 4 is checked OFF in step S601, the above-described print time measurement process is performed using the favorite name set in the favorite column S403 in FIG. Is performed (step S607).

In addition, the information processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the obtaining means (the CPU 1 based on the obtaining module of
Derivation means (the processing of the CPU 1 based on the derivation module of the printer driver) derives the print processing time based on the ID of the drawing object constituting the print document from the application acquired through the extended API. This can be realized without using an API by using the following method.

First, a print request is issued from the application, and the printer driver issues a drawing command (D
DI function). Then, the spool module of the printer driver converts the DDI function, which is a drawing command, into data of an intermediate format (called intermediate data), and spools the converted intermediate data on a spool means (work area of the RAM 1) as an intermediate file. I do. In addition, the acquisition module describes a DEVMODE (print setting information) indicating a print profile in which a plurality of print settings set by a user interface of the printer driver via the OS are executed in parallel with the spool processing of the spool module. Structure), and causes the spool means to hold the print data in association with the intermediate data of the print document.

Then, the analysis module of the printer driver reads the intermediate data from the intermediate file and analyzes the contents, thereby recognizing the object attribute (drawing object ID) of each intermediate data. Then, the derivation module of the printer driver calculates a time value based on the object attributes of all intermediate data of the print document and the print processing time table (FIG. 8), and converts the time value using the above-described time conversion table. By doing so, the print processing time is derived. In the derivation process by the derivation module, a plurality of print profiles stored in the spool unit are read, and the derivation is performed for each of the plurality of print profiles based on print setting information set in each print profile.

Here, the derivation of the time value in consideration of the print profile will be briefly described. In the print layout in the print profile, first, "two-page printing (when two logical pages (pages issued from an application) are reduced and printed on one recording sheet)" is executed as a page layout. The case will be described. In the case of printing two pages, it is necessary to perform a reduction process for each logical page and subsequently to a rearrangement process for rearranging the logical pages on physical pages. Therefore, the print data generation time is, for example, reduced processing (0.1 physical pages per page).
Seconds), placement processing (0.05 seconds for one physical page)
However, the expansion time is reduced because the number of physical pages is reduced by half. Further, when stapling is specified as the paper discharging method, the paper discharging time is calculated by, for example, requiring a longer time for the stapling process (0.5 seconds for one copy).

After the print processing time is presented to the user as the user interface shown in FIG. 9, if the user instructs to cancel printing on the user interface, the deletion module of the printer driver sends the spool to the spool means. The intermediate data of the corresponding print document is deleted. On the other hand, when the user instructs the execution of printing on the user interface shown in FIG. Based on the corresponding intermediate data, a GDI function, which is a first drawing command based on the print profile, is regenerated and output to the graphic engine 202. And graphic engine 2
When receiving the DDI function, which is the second drawing command generated again in step 02, the print data generation module of the printer driver generates print data (page description language) to be printed by the printing apparatus based on the DDI function. , Via the network (LAN 21) by the transmission module,
The print data is transmitted to the printing device.

[Other Embodiments] The present invention relates to a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device,
The present invention may be applied to a system including a reader, a printer, and the like, or may be applied to an apparatus including one device (for example, a host computer). The object of the present invention is
A recording medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads out the program code stored in the storage medium. It is also achieved by performing.

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 disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, CD-R / W, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM, DVD and the like can be used.

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

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 case where the CPU of the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
By notifying the user of the print processing time, it is possible to stop printing in a setting in which output takes a long time in advance.

By displaying the printing time for each favorite or printing purpose, it becomes reference data for the next printing, and printing can be performed with optimal settings.

[0078]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the printer driver provides a function for presenting the print processing time required for the print processing to the user before starting printing, the user can recognize the time required for the print processing in advance.

Further, by deriving the print processing time for each of a plurality of printing purposes and presenting the respective print processing times to the user, the user can recognize the time required for the printing process for each printing purpose. .

By deriving the print processing time for each of a plurality of print environments and presenting the respective print processing times to the user, the user can recognize the time required for the print processing for each print environment. .

Further, after presenting the printing processing time for each printing purpose or printing environment, an instruction as to whether or not to perform printing processing is accepted, so that the user can determine whether to perform printing processing in consideration of the printing processing time. Become.

Further, after presenting the printing processing time for each printing purpose or printing environment, an instruction to cancel the printing processing is received, so that the user can cancel the printing in advance in consideration of the printing processing time. .

After presenting the print processing time for each of a plurality of printing purposes or printing environments, the user receives an instruction as to which printing environment to perform printing processing. In consideration of the above, it is possible to instruct to perform print processing with a desired print purpose or print environment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system including a host computer and a printer.

FIG. 2 shows software for printing in a host computer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a memory map at the time of printing or printer setting in a host computer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a user interface for setting whether to measure a print time on a screen.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a procedure for measuring a printing time.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a procedure for measuring a printing time.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a procedure for measuring a printing time for each favorite.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a printing time table.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a dialog box for notifying a user of a print time.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the printer illustrating a mechanism of the printing unit 17;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 4 Bus 5 KBC (Keyboard Controller) 6 CRTC (CRT Controller) 7 DKC (Disk Controller) 8 PRTC (Printer Controller) 9 KB (Keyboard 10 CRT 11 External Memory 12 CPU 13 ROM 14 External Memory 15 Bus 16 printing section I / F 17 printing section 18 input section (network board) 19 RAM 20 DKC 21 LAN (local area network) 171 staple stacker

Claims (27)

[Claims] An information processing apparatus for generating print data to be printed by a printing apparatus, comprising: an obtaining unit configured to obtain drawing information based on a print document created by an application; and printing of the print data by the printing apparatus. Setting means for setting print setting information when executing the processing; and deriving a print processing time required for the print processing based on the drawing information obtained by the obtaining means and the print setting set by the setting means. An information processing apparatus comprising: a deriving unit configured to: 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the obtaining unit obtains drawing information including an ID of each object constituting the print document before performing printing through an extended API provided between a printer driver and the application. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print setting information is information on print quality in the print data. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print setting information includes information on a print quality and information on a print layout in the print data. 5. Presenting means for presenting a print processing time derived by said deriving means to a user before generating print data, and print data based on the print document after the print processing time is presented by the presenting means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a generation unit configured to generate the information. 6. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the presenting unit includes:
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a user interface is provided for prompting input of an instruction to execute the print processing requiring the print processing time. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the user interface presented by the presentation unit accepts an input of an instruction to cancel execution of the print processing requiring the print processing time. 8. The setting means is for setting a print profile in which a plurality of pieces of print setting information are collected when executing printing processing of print data in the printing apparatus. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a print processing time required for print processing is derived for each of a plurality of set print profiles. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit configured to transmit the print data to the printing apparatus via a network. 10. A print processing time presenting method in an information processing apparatus for generating print data to be printed by a printing apparatus, comprising: an obtaining step of obtaining drawing information based on a print document created by an application; A setting step of setting print setting information when executing print processing of print data in the apparatus; and, based on the drawing information acquired in the acquiring step and the print settings set in the setting step, the print processing is performed. A derivation step of deriving a required print processing time, and a print processing time presenting method. 11. The acquiring step includes acquiring drawing information including an ID of each object constituting the print document before executing printing through an extended API provided between a printer driver and the application. The method for presenting print processing time according to claim 10, wherein: 12. The print processing time presenting method according to claim 10, wherein the print setting information is information relating to print quality in the print data. 13. The print setting information according to claim 10, wherein the print setting information includes information on print quality and information on a print layout in the print data.
3. The print processing time presentation method according to 1. 14. A presenting step of presenting a print processing time derived in the deriving step to a user before generating print data, and, after the print processing time is presented in the presenting step, print data based on the print document. 14. The print processing time presentation method according to claim 10, further comprising: a generation step of generating. 15. The print processing time according to claim 14, wherein the presenting step provides the print processing time and a user interface for prompting input of an instruction to execute a print processing requiring the print processing time. Presentation method. 16. The print processing time presenting method according to claim 15, wherein the user interface presented in the presenting step receives an input of an instruction to cancel execution of the print processing requiring the print processing time. 17. The setting step is a step of setting a print profile in which a plurality of pieces of print setting information are collected when executing a print process of print data in the printing apparatus. 17. The print processing time presentation method according to claim 10, wherein a print processing time required for the print processing is derived for each of the plurality of set print profiles. 18. The print processing time presenting method according to claim 10, further comprising a transmission step of transmitting the print data to the printing device via a network. 19. A storage medium storing a printer driver program for generating print data to be printed by a printing device, wherein: an acquisition module for acquiring drawing information based on a print document created by an application; A user interface providing module that provides a user interface for setting print setting information when executing print processing of print data in a printing apparatus; drawing information acquired by the acquisition module; And a derivation module for deriving a print processing time required for the print processing based on the print setting. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program. 20. The printing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the obtaining module obtains, via the application and the extended API, drawing information including an ID of each object configuring the print document before executing printing. Storage medium. 21. The storage medium according to claim 19, wherein the print setting information is information on print quality in the print data. 22. The print setting information according to claim 19, wherein the print setting information includes information on a print quality in the print data and information on a print layout.
A storage medium according to claim 1. 23. A presentation module for presenting a print processing time derived by the derivation module to a user before print data generation, and after the print processing time is presented by the presentation module,
23. The storage medium according to claim 19, further comprising: a generation module that generates print data based on the print document. 24. The storage medium according to claim 23, wherein the presentation module provides a user interface for prompting an input of the print processing time and an instruction to execute a print process requiring the print processing time. 25. The storage medium according to claim 24, wherein the user interface presented by the presentation module receives an input of an instruction to cancel execution of the print processing requiring the print processing time. 26. The user interface providing module is a module that provides a user interface for setting a print profile in which a plurality of pieces of print setting information are collected when executing print processing of print data in the printing apparatus. 26. The printing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the deriving module derives a print processing time required for print processing for each of a plurality of print profiles set via a user interface provided by the user interface providing module. The storage medium according to any one of the above. 27. The storage medium according to claim 19, further comprising a transmission module that transmits the print data to the printing device via a network.