JP2002248840A - Printing controller, method for processing data and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the efficiency for processing jobs by proceeding with all processes without interruption and continuing processing a successively received job when a slight error is generated while a received job is being analyzed or developed. SOLUTION: While an interpreter 205 is analyzing the job received from each data processor or when a renderer 206 is developing to a bit map image on the basis of the analysis result, when an error-detecting mechanism 200 detects the slight error, processing the job is kept continued and at the same time, the next job is shifted to a state in which the job is processible. The detected error is displayed to a panel display 203. A job control mechanism device control part 201 controls to continue or cancel a printing process to the job in the error in accordance with an instruction from a panel key 204.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a data processing method, and a storage medium capable of receiving and storing jobs from a plurality of data processing apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing apparatus to which a printing control apparatus which analyzes data and develops a bitmap image can be applied, a slight error such that the printing processing does not need to be stopped immediately, for example, a shortage of work memory. Even when such processing occurs during the analysis processing or the development processing, it is usual to stop the analysis processing, the development processing, and the print processing and wait for an instruction from the user to continue or cancel the job.

[0003] However, some users find it inconvenient to stop every time due to a minor error, and a method of ignoring all minor errors or automatically restarting after a certain time stop has been considered. Printing apparatuses that allow a user seeking a proper output result to stop with an error and a user who does not otherwise output an instruction from a panel or the like to continue even with an error are becoming common.

[0004]

On the other hand, in recent years,
Printers having a high-speed engine connected to a network have appeared, and an environment in which a plurality of users simultaneously use the printer has been increasing. In such an environment, it is sufficient if the jobs sent from all users can be output without any problem, but if any error occurs even if it is mild, the job will be stopped and all subsequent jobs will be waiting. I will.

[0005] At this time, it is possible to avoid a minor error if the setting for skipping the error is made in the device in advance, but a user who wants to obtain a perfect result has to change the setting every time he or she uses it. A problem is coming up.

Furthermore, if the settings in ordinary printing are applied to a stored job as they are, an error display is required but not made, or the error is displayed only and adversely affects the operation of another user. There were problems such as coming out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to analyze a received job during or based on an analysis result to be analyzed.
If the printing mechanism detects a different type of error that occurs during the development of the printable bitmap image, it displays that the detected error is at a predetermined level, and analyzes the display for the error. Controls the continuation or cancellation of print processing for a job that has detected a given error, according to the user's instructions on how to process a running job, a completed job, or a job that is in progress or completed. By doing so, when a minor error occurs during analysis or expansion of a received job, the analysis and expansion processing proceeds as much as possible without interrupting all processing, and some user instruction for the error Even if the status cannot be obtained immediately, the job is received first while continuing the processing of the jobs received subsequently to increase the job processing efficiency Were also job errors is to provide a print control apparatus and a data processing method and a storage medium capable of constructing a flexible printing environment capable of handling freely in accordance with a user instruction.

A second object is to analyze different types of errors that occur during the analysis of a received job or during the development of a printable bitmap image by the printing mechanism based on the analyzed result. If a predetermined error is detected during any job processing by controlling the storage processing of the bitmap image to be stored based on the specified storage job processing, the analysis processing Alternatively, the job processing is performed without interrupting the expansion processing according to the designated storage job processing, and the processing of the subsequently received job is continued even if no user instruction for the error is immediately obtained. While improving efficiency, it is possible to flexibly respond to a job error that occurred earlier according to the user's instruction, or take action when an error occurs. To provide a superior print control apparatus and a data processing method and a storage medium to the convenience of being able to construct a printing processing environment to or freely.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus capable of receiving a job, comprising: an analyzing unit (corresponding to the interpreter 205 shown in FIG. 2) for analyzing the received job. A developing unit (corresponding to the renderer 206 shown in FIG. 2) that develops a printable bitmap image based on the analysis result analyzed by the analyzing unit, and a difference generated during the job analysis by the analyzing unit. A first detecting means (corresponding to the error detecting mechanism 200 shown in FIG. 2) for detecting the type of error, and a second detecting means for detecting different types of errors occurring during bitmap development by the developing means (FIG. 2). 2), and when the error detected by the first or second detecting means is determined to be a predetermined error, the error is detected. Display control means c for displaying on the display unit that the error has occurred, and instructing continuation or cancellation of print processing for a job in which a predetermined error is detected when an error is displayed. The predetermined error is detected when it is determined that the error detected by the instructing means (equivalent to the panel key 204 shown in FIG. 2) is the predetermined error. The printing by the printing mechanism is stopped for the job without stopping the job analysis by the analysis unit and the bitmap expansion by the expansion unit, and the predetermined error is detected according to the instruction by the instruction unit. Control means for controlling continuation or cancellation of print processing for a job (corresponding to the job control mechanism device control unit 201 shown in FIG. 2) And it has a door.

The second invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the different types of errors are a serious error for which the printing process of the job for which the error has been detected should be terminated, and a job other than the printing process of the job for which the error has been detected. Is a minor error that can handle.

In a third aspect according to the present invention, the control means is provided when the predetermined error is detected, and
In the case of waiting for an instruction by the instruction unit, a process for a job subsequently received by the analysis unit and the expansion unit is enabled.

A fourth invention according to the present invention is a print control apparatus capable of receiving a job, and an analyzing means for analyzing the received job (corresponding to the interpreter 403 shown in FIG. 9).
And, based on the analysis result analyzed by the analysis means,
Developing means (corresponding to the renderer 404 shown in FIG. 9) for developing a bitmap image printable by the printing mechanism, and storing means (corresponding to the hard disk 312 shown in FIG. 8) for storing the bitmap image developed by the developing means. ), First detecting means (corresponding to an error detecting mechanism 400 shown in FIG. 9) for detecting different types of errors occurring during job analysis by the analyzing means, and occurring during bitmap development by the developing means. Second detection means for detecting different types of errors (the error detection mechanism 4 shown in FIG. 9)
00), when storing the bitmap image expanded by the expansion unit in the storage unit, different types of storage job processing to be executed in accordance with the detection of an error by the first or second detection unit. Designation means for designating in advance (corresponding to a structure in which the interpreter 403 designates the job accumulation processing unit 401 with reference to a designation information area secured on the RAM 307 shown in FIG. 8) and the first or second judgment means by the judgment means A first control unit (FIG. 9) that controls the accumulation process of the bitmap image to be accumulated in the accumulation unit based on the type of error detected by the detection unit and the type of accumulation job process designated by the designation unit. (Corresponding to the job accumulation processing unit 401 shown in FIG. 3).

In a fifth aspect according to the present invention, the designating means stores the expanded bitmap image ignoring an error in the first storing job processing (job attribute shown in FIG. 11). 502 (corresponding to the designation A of 502).

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the specifying means cancels the storage processing immediately while the developed bitmap image is being stored in the storage means (the job processing shown in FIG. 11). (Equivalent to designation B of attribute 502)
Is specified.

In a seventh aspect according to the present invention, the designation means is configured to perform a third accumulation job processing for displaying an error after the completion of the accumulation of the expanded bitmap image in the accumulation means (the job shown in FIG. 11). (Corresponding to the designation C of the attribute 502).

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, when the third storage job process is designated by the designation means,
A display means (corresponding to the panel display 402 shown in FIG. 9) for displaying that a predetermined error has occurred, and a display means for displaying that a predetermined error has occurred, Instructing means (corresponding to a key of panel 311 shown in FIG. 8) for instructing how to process the bitmap accumulated by the accumulating means, and in accordance with the instruction from the instructing means, the predetermined error is detected and A second control unit (job accumulation processing unit 401 shown in FIG. 9) for controlling the continuation or cancellation of the print processing stored in the storage unit.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage unit for storing different stored job processes specified by the specifying unit.

In a tenth aspect according to the present invention, the predetermined error is a minor error that can process a job other than the printing process of the job whose error is detected.

An eleventh invention according to the present invention is a data processing method in a print control apparatus capable of receiving a job, wherein the analyzing step analyzes the received job (step S2 shown in FIG. 3), and the analyzing step Based on the analysis result analyzed by (1), the printing mechanism develops a printable bitmap image (Step S22 shown in FIG. 4), and detects different types of errors that occur during job analysis by the analysis step. A first detection step (step S3 shown in FIG. 3), a second detection step (step S23 shown in FIG. 4) for detecting different types of errors occurring during bitmap development by the development step, An error occurs when it is determined that the error detected by the first or second detection step is a predetermined error. The display control step (Step S87 shown in FIG. 7) for displaying the error on the display unit, and the printing process for the job in which the predetermined error is detected when the error is displayed. An instruction step for instructing continuation or cancellation (step S88 shown in FIG. 7), and when it is determined that the error detected by the first or second detection step is a predetermined error, the predetermined error is Stopping the printing by the printing mechanism for the job without stopping the job analysis by the analysis step for the detected job and the bitmap expansion by the expansion step;
A control step (step S shown in FIG. 7) for controlling continuation or cancellation of the printing process for the job in which the predetermined error is detected in accordance with the instruction in the instruction step.
89).

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the different types of errors include a serious error for which the printing process of the job for which the error has been detected should be terminated, and a job other than the printing process of the job for which the error has been detected. Is a minor error that can handle.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the control step, when the predetermined error is detected,
Further, when an instruction is awaited by the instruction step, a process for a job subsequently received by the analysis step and the development step is enabled.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing method in a print control apparatus capable of receiving a job, comprising: an analyzing step of analyzing the received job (step S104 shown in FIG. 12); (Step S123 shown in FIG. 13) in which the printing mechanism develops a printable bitmap image based on the analysis result analyzed by (1), and storing the bitmap image developed in the developing step in a storage unit. Step (Step S123 shown in FIG. 13), a first detection step (Step S105 shown in FIG. 12) for detecting different types of errors that occur during job analysis by the analysis step, and bitmap development by the development step A second detection step for detecting different types of errors occurring during Step S124 shown in 13)
And specifying, in advance, when storing the bitmap image expanded in the expansion step in the storage means, a type of a different storage job process to be executed in accordance with the error detection in the first or second detection step. A step (Step S102 shown in FIG. 12) and the storing means based on the type of error detected by the first or second detecting step in the determining step and the type of stored job processing specified by the specifying step. The first control step (step S shown in FIG. 14) for controlling the accumulation process of the bitmap image to be accumulated in
148, S153).

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the specifying step, the first storage job processing for storing, in the storage means, a bitmap image that has been completely developed ignoring errors is specified.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the specification step, while the developed bitmap image is being stored in the storage means, a second storage job process for immediately canceling the storage process is specified. .

In a seventeenth aspect according to the present invention, the designation step designates a third accumulation job process for displaying an error after the completion of accumulation of the developed bitmap image in the accumulation means. .

An eighteenth invention according to the present invention is a display step for displaying, on a display means, that a predetermined error has occurred when the third storage job processing is specified by the specifying step, An instruction step for instructing how to process the bitmap stored by the storage means when an indication that a predetermined error has occurred is displayed on the display means; and an instruction by the instruction step. And a second control step of controlling the continuation or cancellation of the print processing stored in the storage means upon detection of the predetermined error.

The nineteenth invention according to the present invention has a holding step of holding different stored job processes specified by the specifying step in a holding unit.

In a twentieth aspect according to the present invention, the predetermined error is a minor error that can process a job other than the printing process of the job whose error is detected.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, an analysis step (step S2 shown in FIG. 3) for analyzing a job to be received by a print control apparatus capable of receiving a job, and an analysis result analyzed by the analysis step And a first detecting step (step S22 shown in FIG. 4) of developing a printable bitmap image by the printing mechanism and detecting a different type of error that occurs during job analysis by the analyzing step. Step S3 shown in FIG. 3)
A second detection step (step S23 shown in FIG. 4) for detecting different types of errors occurring during bitmap development by the development step, and the first or second
A display control step (step S87 shown in FIG. 7) for displaying, on the display unit, that an error has occurred when it is determined that the error detected by the detection step is a predetermined error; If the display indicates that the job has been performed, an instruction step (step S88 shown in FIG. 7) for instructing continuation or cancellation of the printing process for the job in which the predetermined error is detected, and the first or second If it is determined that the error detected by the detection step is a predetermined error, without stopping the job analysis by the analysis step and the bitmap expansion by the expansion step for the job in which the predetermined error is detected. The printing by the printing mechanism for the job is stopped, and the predetermined error is performed in accordance with the instruction in the instruction step. Chromatography in which the computer was recorded readably in a recording medium storing a program for executing a control step of controlling to continue or cancel the print processing (step S89 shown in FIG. 7) for the job that has been detected.

A twenty-second invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the different types of errors include a serious error to terminate the printing process of the job for which the error is detected, and a job other than the printing process of the job for which the error is detected. Is a minor error that can handle.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the control step, when the predetermined error is detected,
Further, when an instruction is awaited by the instruction step, a process for a job subsequently received by the analysis step and the development step is enabled.

A twenty-fourth invention according to the present invention relates to a data processing method in a print control apparatus capable of receiving a job, comprising: an analyzing step of analyzing the received job (step S104 shown in FIG. 12); (Step S123 shown in FIG. 13) in which the printing mechanism develops a printable bitmap image based on the analysis result analyzed by (1), and storing the bitmap image developed in the developing step in a storage unit. Step (Step S123 shown in FIG. 13), a first detection step (Step S105 shown in FIG. 12) for detecting different types of errors that occur during job analysis by the analysis step, and bitmap development by the development step A second detection step for detecting different types of errors occurring during Step S124 shown in 13)
And specifying, in advance, when storing the bitmap image expanded in the expansion step in the storage means, a type of a different storage job process to be executed in accordance with the error detection in the first or second detection step. A step (Step S102 shown in FIG. 12) and the storing means based on the type of error detected by the first or second detecting step in the determining step and the type of stored job processing specified by the specifying step. The first control step (step S shown in FIG. 14) for controlling the accumulation process of the bitmap image to be accumulated in
148, S153) are recorded on a recording medium in a computer-readable manner.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the specifying step, the first storage job processing for storing in the storage means a bitmap image which has been completely developed ignoring errors is specified.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the specification step, while the expanded bitmap image is being stored in the storage means, a second storage job process for immediately canceling the storage process is specified. .

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the specifying step, after the storage of the expanded bitmap image in the storage means is completed, a third storage job process for displaying an error is specified. .

[0036] A twenty-eighth invention according to the present invention is a display step for displaying, on a display means, that a predetermined error has occurred when the third storage job processing has been designated by the designation step. An instruction step for instructing how to process the bitmap stored by the storage means when an indication that a predetermined error has occurred is displayed on the display means; and an instruction by the instruction step. And a second control step of controlling the continuation or cancellation of the print processing stored in the storage means upon detection of the predetermined error.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a holding step of holding different storage job processes designated by the designation step in a holding means.

In a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined error is a minor error that can process a job other than the printing process of the job for which the error is detected.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus capable of receiving a job, analyzing the received job, and developing a printable bitmap image by a printing mechanism based on the analysis result. Means (corresponding to the interpreter 205 and the renderer 206 shown in FIG. 2) and detecting means for detecting different types of errors occurring during processing by the processing means (corresponding to the error detecting mechanism 200 shown in FIG. 2).
A display control unit (a job control mechanism display control unit shown in FIG. 2) for displaying, on the display unit, that an error has occurred when it is determined that the error detected by the detection unit is a predetermined error. 202)), and when it is determined that the error detected by the detection unit is a predetermined error, the processing of the job in which the predetermined error is detected by the processing unit is not stopped. Control means for stopping printing by the printing mechanism with respect to (the job control mechanism device control unit 20 shown in FIG. 2).
1).

A thirty-second invention according to the present invention is for inputting an instruction as to whether or not to cancel the printing process of a job in which the predetermined error has been detected, while displaying that an error has occurred. 2. The control unit controls the printing of the job for which the predetermined error has been detected in accordance with the instruction input by the instruction input unit. The printing is performed by a mechanism.

A thirty-third invention according to the present invention is a print control apparatus for a printer capable of receiving a job via a network.

[0042]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing apparatus to which a printing control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a network such as Ethernet (registered trademark), which is configured to communicate with an arbitrary number of host computers (not shown) according to a predetermined protocol. A panel 111 has a display and keys, and is configured to be able to set the state of the printer engine 110 and the printing environment.

Reference numeral 104 denotes an input / output interface which receives a job from the network 101 and
To display messages and keystrokes. Reference numeral 105 denotes a CPU that controls the control, and stores a control program in a RAM 106 or an external storage device such as a hard disk,
The printer engine 11 analyzes the received job, bitmap development, and bitmap data,
Various controls such as outputting to 0 and notifying the host of the detected state of the printer engine 110 via the network 101 are performed.

The ROM 106 stores a control program for the CPU 105 and various data such as character fonts. The RAM 107 is configured so that its capacity can be expanded by an option RAM, and a part of the RAM 107 is configured as an NVRAM so that internal information can be stored and managed in a nonvolatile manner. Further, the RAM 107 functions as a work memory that temporarily stores various data such as a display list and a bitmap image in which drawing objects are stored in band units.

An engine device driver 109 controls the transfer of a bitmap page to the printer engine 110. These components are connected to the system bus 108 on the controller 103.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a printer engine which feeds paper as a recording medium and actually performs printing. The printer engine 110 may execute an electrophotographic process or may execute an inkjet process. A printing apparatus 102 includes a printer engine 110 and a controller 103.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a job processing configuration in the print control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a device control unit of a job control mechanism, which actually controls a job. A job control mechanism display control unit 202 controls display on the display 203. The panel display 203 displays an error message and the like.

A panel key 204 receives an instruction from the user. Reference numeral 205 denotes an interpreter for analyzing input data. 206 is a renderer, which is interpreter 2
In accordance with the result of the analysis performed in step 05, a bitmap image that can be output to the printer engine 110 is developed.

Reference numeral 207 denotes a printing mechanism (printer engine).
Then, the bitmap image developed by the renderer 206 is printed on paper. Reference numeral 200 denotes an error detection mechanism that detects an error that has occurred in the interprinter 205 and the renderer 206, and notifies the job control mechanism of the error when the error is detected. The interprinter 20
5 and the renderer 206 each notify the error detection mechanism 200 when an error occurs.

It should be noted that the job control mechanism device control unit 201,
The job control mechanism display control unit 202 has different states and performs different controls, but it is assumed that information from outside is shared as one job control mechanism. Hereinafter, the processing configuration of the controller 103 will be described.

First, the input / output interface 104 receives input data sent from an information processing device such as a host computer (not shown) via the network 101, and the controller 103 converts the input data into one job as shown in FIG.
The processing is performed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the first data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure of the interpreter 205 shown in FIG. In addition, S1 to S11 indicate each step.

First, when a job is submitted, the RAM 10
7, buffer the input data and read it (S
1) Further analysis is performed to generate a page (S2).

Then, it is determined whether or not any error has been detected during the analysis in step S2 (S3).
If it is determined that any error has been detected during the analysis, the error is notified to the job control mechanism device control unit 201 via the error detection mechanism 200 (S4). It is determined whether or not the processing is severe (S5), and if it is determined that the processing is severe, the job control mechanism device control unit 201 is notified that the processing is to be terminated by an error (S6), and the processing is terminated.

On the other hand, if no error is detected in step S3 or if it is determined in step S5 that the error is mild,
Proceeding to step S7, it is determined how much processing has been completed, that is, whether or not all input data processing has been completed, and if it is determined that input data processing has not been completed, the job control An inquiry is made to the mechanism device control unit 201 about the status of the entire job (S8), and it is determined whether a serious error has occurred in another mechanism (S8).
9) If it is determined that a severe error has not occurred in another mechanism (including that only a minor error has occurred), the process returns to step S1 to read the input data and continue the processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S9 that a serious error has occurred in another mechanism, the job control mechanism device control unit 201 is notified that the processing is to be terminated due to the error (S10), and the processing is terminated. .

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S7 that the processing of all the input data has been completed, the job control mechanism device control unit 201 is notified of the normal completion (S11), and the processing is terminated.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure of the renderer 206 shown in FIG. In addition, S21 to S31 indicate each step.

First, when the page generated by the interpreter 205 is received (S21), the page is developed into a bitmap and stored in a storage device such as the RAM 107 or a hard disk (not shown) (S22).

Then, it is determined whether or not any error has been detected during the expansion processing in step S22 (S2).
3) If it is determined that any error has been detected during the rasterization process, the job control mechanism device control unit 201 is notified (S24), and it is further determined whether the degree of the error is minor (S25). If it is determined that the degree of the error is severe, the job control mechanism device control unit 201 is notified via the error detection mechanism 200 of the end of the process due to an error (S26), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if no error is detected in step S23, or if the degree of error is determined to be minor in step S25, it is determined how much processing has been completed, ie, all input data Is determined (S27), and if it is determined that the processing for all pages is not completed, the job control mechanism device control unit 2
01 is inquired about the status of the entire job (S28), and if a serious error has occurred in another mechanism (S29), it is determined that a serious error has occurred in another mechanism. Is a job control mechanism device control unit 201
(S30), and terminates the process.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S29 that only a minor error has occurred, the process returns to step S21 to receive another page and continue the process.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S27 that the processing of all pages has been completed, the job control mechanism device control unit 201 is notified of normal termination (S31), and the processing is terminated.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the third data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure of the printing mechanism 207 shown in FIG. In addition, S41 to S53 indicate each step.

First, when the printing mechanism 207 is activated, the status is inquired to the job control mechanism device control unit 201 (S41). Then, it is determined whether or not a severe error has occurred (S42). If it is determined that a severe error has occurred, the job control mechanism device control unit 2
01 is notified of the termination due to the error (S43), and the processing is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S42 that the error is not a severe error, it is further determined whether or not there is a minor error that has not been released (S4).
4) If you determine that a minor error exists,
While the printer engine 110 is stopped, it waits for a predetermined time (S45), and returns to step 41 again to inquire about the situation.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S44 that there is no unresolved minor error, the bitmap stored for each page is received by the renderer 206 (S46).

It is determined whether all page processing has been completed (S47). If it is determined that there is no more bitmap and all pages have been printed, the job control mechanism device controller 201 Is notified of the normal end (S48), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S47 that there is a bit map, the printer engine 110 is operated to perform a printing process (S49). And step S
During the printing process of 49, it is determined whether an error has been detected (S50). If it is determined that an error has been detected, the job control mechanism device control unit 201 is notified via the error detection mechanism 200 (S51). ).

Then, it is determined whether the error is serious (S52). If it is determined that the error is serious, the job control mechanism device control unit 201 is notified of the end due to the error. (S53), the process ends.

On the other hand, if an error is not detected in step S50, or if it is determined that the error is slight in step S52, the process returns to step S41 to inquire the job control mechanism device control unit 201 about the situation. Thereafter, this process is continued.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the fourth data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention. The job control mechanism shown in FIG. Corresponds to the processing procedure. In addition,
S61 to S71 indicate each step.

First, when a job is started, the job control mechanism device control section 201 activates the interpreter, renderer, and printing mechanism (S61). Then, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction (S62). If it is determined that there is no instruction, for example, an instruction for an error is viewed, but there is no instruction at the first time. It is checked whether there is an error (S63), and if there is no error (S64). If it is determined that there is no error, for example, since there is no error in the initial state, the process proceeds to step S65 to determine whether the job has been completed. (S65), and since the process is not completed at first, the process returns to step S62 and the process is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S64 that an error has been detected during processing, it is determined whether the error is serious (S66). If it is determined that the error is serious, the interpreter 205 and the renderer 206 and the printing mechanism 207 are instructed to end (S67), and the processing ends.

At this time, of course, since one of these has detected a serious error, the mechanism that caused the error has already been terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S66 that the error is minor, the stop is transmitted only to the printing mechanism 207 (S68), the process returns to step S62, and the process is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S62 that an instruction from the user has been detected, it is determined whether the instruction is a cancel instruction (S69), and if it is determined that the instruction is not a cancel instruction but an instruction to continue. If you do
Inform the stopped printing mechanism to restart (S7
0), and return to step S62.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S69 that the instruction from the user is an instruction for canceling, the interpreter 205, the renderer 206, and the printing mechanism 207 are instructed to terminate (S71), and the process is terminated. I do.

When there is no error in the above-described repetitive processing and the end of the job is detected in step S65, the present processing is terminated.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the fifth data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention. The processing of the job control mechanism display control unit 202 shown in FIG. Job control mechanism display control unit 2 that displays the status and receives instructions from the user
02 corresponds to the processing procedure No. 02. S81 to S90 indicate each step.

First, when a job is started, the job control mechanism display control unit 202 displays on the panel display 203 that a job is being performed (S81). Then, it is determined whether an error has been detected (S82). If it is determined that no error has been detected, for example, since no error exists in the initial state (S83), the process proceeds to step S84 to determine whether the job is completed. It is determined, and if it is determined that the job has been completed, the process is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S84 that the job has not been completed, for example, since the job has not been completed at first, the process returns to step S81 to repeat the processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S83 that an error has been detected during job processing, it is determined whether the error is serious (S85). If it is determined that the error is serious, the error is determined. Is displayed on the panel display 203 (S86), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S85 that the degree of the error is minor, the fact that a minor error has occurred is displayed on the panel display 203 (S8).
7) Waiting for a user instruction input from the panel key 204 (S88), and when a panel instruction is received from the user, it is determined whether the instruction is a print stop instruction (S8).
9) If it is determined that the instruction is a print stop instruction, the fact that the cancel is instructed by the user is displayed on the panel display 203 (S90), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S89 that the user's instruction is continued, the process returns to step S81, and
The fact that a job is being executed is displayed on the panel display 203 again, and the subsequent processing is repeated. By performing such processing, when a minor error occurs, the user is prompted to input an instruction by displaying an error, and the printing operation of the printing mechanism is stopped. However, in practice, the interpretation process and the expansion process do not stop, and each process is continued until the end.

Then, continuation or cancellation is possible at any time thereafter, so that a desired result can be obtained regardless of whether the user who has submitted the job desires continuation or cancellation.

When the processing is continued, the interpretation processing and the development processing are in progress or have already been completed, so that the printing processing can be performed at a higher speed without waiting.

Further, even if a job unrelated to the job is submitted, resources for interpretation processing and development processing are not left unsecured, so that processing can proceed without waiting for an instruction to the job. Will be possible.

As described above, in the first embodiment, even if a minor error occurs, the user can know that the error has occurred and instruct the user to perform the processing without waiting for the printing process of another user. Can be.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing apparatus to which a print control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 301 denotes a network such as Ethernet, which is configured to communicate with an arbitrary number of host computers (not shown) by a predetermined protocol. Reference numeral 311 denotes a panel having a display and keys,
The state of the printer engine 310 and the printing environment can be set.

Reference numeral 304 denotes an input / output interface which receives a job from the network 301 and
To display messages and keystrokes. Reference numeral 305 denotes a CPU which performs control, reads a control program from an external storage device such as a ROM 306 or a hard disk 312 described later into the RAM 307, analyzes received jobs, develops bitmaps, and outputs and detects bitmap data to the printer engine 310. Printer engine 310
Various kinds of control, such as notifying the host of the state of the above through the network 301, etc.

The ROM 306 stores a control program for the CPU 305 and various data such as character fonts. The RAM 307 is configured so that its capacity can be expanded by an option RAM, and a part of the RAM 307 is configured as an NVRAM so that internal information can be stored and managed in a nonvolatile manner. Further, the RAM 307 functions as a work memory that temporarily stores various data such as a so-called display list and a bitmap image in which drawing objects are stored in band units.

Reference numeral 309 denotes an engine device driver for controlling transfer of a bitmap page to the print engine 310. These components are connected to a system bus 308 on the controller 303.

Reference numeral 310 denotes a print engine which feeds paper as a recording medium and actually performs printing. The print engine 310 may execute an electrophotographic process or may execute an inkjet process. A printing apparatus 302 includes a print engine 310 and a controller 303. Reference numeral 312 denotes a hard disk, which secures an area for storing a plurality of received jobs and stores and manages external characters and form information. The hard disk 312 also has an area for storing a bitmap image.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a stored job processing in the print control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 401 denotes a job accumulation processing unit which actually controls a job. A panel display 402 receives an instruction from a user. An interpreter 403 analyzes input data. Reference numeral 404 denotes a renderer that performs a process of developing a bitmap image that can be output to the print engine 405 according to the analysis result analyzed by the interpreter 403. An error detection mechanism 400 detects an error that has occurred in the interpreter 403 and the renderer 404 and notifies the storage job 401 of the detected error. Note that the interprinter 205
When an error occurs, the renderer 206 and the renderer 206 respectively notify the error detection mechanism 200 of the occurrence. 405
Is a storage mechanism for storing bitmap images on the hard disk 312.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a print job processing configuration in a print control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 405 denotes a storage mechanism for reading a bitmap image from the hard disk 312. A printing mechanism 406 prints a bitmap image on paper. Reference numeral 411 denotes a print job processing unit which actually controls the job and controls the panel display 4 if necessary.
02 is displayed as an error.

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining a model representing an attribute in a job processed by the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 11, reference numeral 501 denotes a job attribute which relates to a job type, and includes a general print job, a stored job,
It can take three values for the print job.

Reference numeral 502 denotes a job attribute, which relates to what to do when a minor error occurs in a stored job. For example, all errors are ignored ignoring the A error, the B job is immediately canceled, and an error display is displayed after the completion of the C development accumulation. It can take two values.

Next, the processing contents of the controller 303 shown in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIG.

First, the input / output interface 304 receives input data sent from an information processing apparatus such as a host computer via the network 301, and the controller 303 processes it as one job.

Hereinafter, the processing contents of the interpreter 403 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the sixth data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure of the interpreter 403 shown in FIG. In addition, S101 to S115 indicate each step.

When the interpreter 403 shown in FIG. 9 is started, first, input data is buffered and read into the RAM 307 (S101), and what to do with a minor error in a stored job is analyzed, and the job is notified as a job attribute. (S102).

Further, the input data is read (S10
3) Analyze and generate a page (S104). Then, it is determined whether any error is detected during the analysis in step S104 (S105). If it is determined that any error is detected, the error is notified to the accumulation job 401 via the error detection mechanism 400. (S10
6) Further, it is determined whether the error is serious (S107). If it is determined that the error is serious, the storage job 401 is further notified that the job is to be terminated due to the error. (S108), the process ends.

On the other hand, if no error is detected in step S105, or if the error is judged to be mild in step S107, the job is inquired of the status (S109).
Further, it is determined whether another serious error has occurred (S110). If it is determined that another serious error has occurred, an error notification is made in step S108, and the process is terminated. .

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S110 that there is no serious error, it is further determined whether all input data has been processed by checking how much processing has been completed (S111). If it is determined that all the input data has been processed, the job is notified of the normal end (S112), and the processing is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S111 that the processing of all input data has not been completed, it is further determined whether or not a minor error has occurred (S113), and a minor error has occurred. If it is determined that there is not, the process returns to step S103, and the processing of the next page is performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S113 that a minor error has occurred, it is determined how to deal with the minor attribute of the job attribute.
B, for example, it is determined whether or not the job is set to cancel immediately (S114). If it is determined that the job is set to cancel immediately, the job is notified of the end due to the cancellation (S115). ), And terminate the process.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S114 that the job attribute 502 is other than B, the process returns to step S103, and the same process is repeated.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the seventh data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure of the renderer 404 shown in FIG. In addition, S121 to S134 indicate each step.

First, when the renderer 404 is activated, the job is first inquired about what to do when a minor error occurs (S121). Job attributes 502 as shown in FIG.
Is obtained, the page is received (S122), and bitmap development is performed to request accumulation to the accumulation mechanism 405 (S1).
23).

Then, it is determined whether any error has been detected during the development in step S123 (S12).
4) If it is determined that any error has been detected during the development, the error is notified to the accumulation job 401 via the error detection mechanism 400 (S125), and whether the error is serious. Is determined (S126), and if it is determined that the error is serious, the accumulated job 40
1 is notified of the end by an error (S
127), the process ends.

On the other hand, if no error is detected in step S124, or if the degree of error is determined to be minor in step S126, the job is inquired about the status (S128), and another serious error occurs. Is determined (S129), and if it is determined that another serious error has occurred, step S127 is performed.
To notify the job of the termination due to the error, and terminate the processing.

On the other hand, in step S129, if there is no serious error, it is determined how much processing has been completed, and it is determined whether all page processing has been completed (S13).
0) If it is determined that all page processing has been completed, that is, all processing has been completed, the job is notified of normal termination (S131), and the processing is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S130 that all page processing has not been completed, it is further determined whether a minor error has occurred (S132).
If it is determined that a minor error has not occurred, the process returns to step S122 to process the next page.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S132 that a minor error has occurred, how to deal with the minor error by referring to the job attribute, that is, the job attribute shown in FIG. If the error 502 is B, it is determined whether the job is set to cancel immediately (S133). If the error 502 is B, it is determined that the job is set to cancel immediately. Is notified to the job (S134), and the process ends.

On the other hand, in step S133, the job attribute 5
If it is determined that 02 is other than B, the process returns to step S122, and the same process is repeated.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the eighth data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure at the time of accumulation by the accumulation mechanism 405 shown in FIGS. S141 to S158 indicate each step.

First, the storing mechanism 405 stores the stored job 401.
When the job is started from (), the storage job 401 is inquired about the value of the job attribute 502 for what to do in case of a minor error in the job attribute (S141), and the storage job 401 is inquired about the job status (S142). It is determined whether the error has occurred (S143). If it is determined that no serious error has occurred, the bitmap stored for each page is received from the renderer 404 (S144), and is stored in the hard disk 312 (S144). S1
45).

Then, it is determined whether or not all page processing has been completed (S146). If it is determined that all page processing has not been completed, it is further determined whether or not a minor error has occurred in the page. If it is determined (S147) that a slight error has occurred in the page, it is determined whether the job of B is set to cancel immediately by looking at the job attribute 502 (S148). , And B are discarded immediately, the pages already stored in the hard disk 312 are all discarded (S149), the job is notified of the end by an error (S150), and the process is ended. .

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S148 that it is other than B, or if it is determined in step S147 that there is no minor error, the process returns to step S142 to continue the processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S143 that a serious error has occurred, all the pages stored in the hard disk 312 are discarded (S151), the job is notified of the end due to the error (S152), and the processing is performed. To end.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S146 that all page processing has been completed, it is determined that a minor error has been found once and that the error display has been set after the completion of development and accumulation of C. It is determined whether there is any error (S153), and if it is determined that a minor error has not been found at all, or if the job attribute 502 is other than an error display after the completion of the development and accumulation of C, a normal end is notified to the job (S154). ), And terminate the process.

On the other hand, in step S153, if a minor error has been found and the job attribute 502 is C
If it is determined that the error display is set after the completion of the development and accumulation of the job, the completion of the development is notified to the job and an instruction is waited (S155).

Then, it is determined whether or not the instruction from the job is canceled (S156). If it is determined that the instruction is a continuation instruction, the process advances to step S154 to notify the job of normal end and terminate the processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S156 that the instruction from the job has been canceled, all pages already stored in the hard disk 312 are discarded (S15).
7) Inform the job of the end due to cancellation (S
158), and the process ends.

Next, a description will be given of the contents of processing performed by the storage mechanism 405 at the time of reading according to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the ninth data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the reading procedure of the storage mechanism 405 shown in FIGS. S161 to S167
Indicates each step.

First, when the storage mechanism 405 is started from the print job processing unit 411, first, the job is inquired about the status (S161), and it is determined whether a serious error is found (S162). If it is determined that the error has occurred, an error is notified to the job (S
163), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S162 that there is no serious error, the pages stored from the hard disk 312 are read and passed to the printing mechanism 406 (S1).
64). Then, it is determined whether a serious error has been found at the time of reading (S165). If it is determined that a serious error has been found, the process proceeds to step S165.
Proceeding to 163, an error is notified to the job, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S165 that there is no serious error, it is determined whether or not processing of all pages is completed (S166), and it is determined that processing of all pages is not completed. In this case, the process returns to step S161, and the above-described processing is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S166 that the processing of all pages has been completed, the job is notified of normal completion (S167), and the processing is terminated.

Next, the processing contents of the printing mechanism 406 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a tenth data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure in the printing mechanism 406 shown in FIG. Note that S181 to S191 indicate each step.

First, when the printing mechanism 406 is started, the status is inquired to the print job processing unit 411 (S181), and it is determined whether a serious error has occurred (S182). If it is determined that the processing has been performed, an end due to an error is notified to the print job processing unit 411 (S183), and the processing ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined that no serious error has occurred, the bit map stored for each page is received from the storage mechanism 405 (S184).

Then, it is determined whether or not processing of all pages has been completed (S185). If it is determined that processing of all pages has been completed, the print job processing unit 41
1 is notified of the normal end (S186), and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S185 that processing of all pages has not been completed, the printer engine 310 is operated to perform printing processing (S187).

Then, it is determined whether there is an error in the printing process (S188). If it is determined that there is an error in the printing process, the fact is notified to the print job processing unit 411 (S189).

Then, it is determined whether the error is a serious error (S190). When it is determined that the error is a serious error, the print job processing unit 411 is notified again of the end due to the error (S191). ), And terminate the process.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S188 that there is no error, or if it is determined in step S190 that the error is slight even if there is an error, the process proceeds to step S188.
Returning to 181, the same processing as described above is repeated.

Next, the processing contents of the stored job 401 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the eleventh data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure of the stored job 401 shown in FIG. Note that S201 to S214 indicate each step.

First, when the accumulation job 401 is input,
The interpreter 403 is activated (S201), and waits for information about what to do when a minor error occurs from the interpreter 403 (S202). And interpreter 4
03 and save it as a job attribute 502,
Activate the renderer 404 and the storage mechanism 405 (S20
3) The panel display 402 indicates that a job is being performed.
And wait for a notification event from each mechanism (S20).
4).

When the notification event arrives, it is determined whether or not the error is an error (S205). If it is determined that the notification event is not an error, it is further determined whether or not the development of the notification event from the renderer 404 is completed. Judgment (S
206) If it is determined that the development has not been completed, the flow returns to step S204 to wait for an event notification.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S206 that the notification event indicates that the development has been completed, it is checked what to do when a minor error has occurred in the job attribute 502, and whether or not the error display has been set for the development and accumulation of C has been completed. It is determined whether or not a minor error has occurred in the job attribute 502 (S207), and a serious error has occurred other than the error display after the completion of the development and accumulation of C, or in step S212 described later. If it is determined that all the mechanisms are completed (S208), the end of the job is displayed on the panel display 402 (S209), and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, in step S207, if an error is displayed at the end of the development and accumulation of C and a slight error has occurred, the fact that an error has occurred is displayed on the panel display 402 and an instruction from the user is waited for (step S207). S21
0).

Then, when an instruction is notified from the user,
The content is transmitted to the storage mechanism 405 (S211), and the process proceeds to step S208, and waits until all processes are completed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S205 that an error has been notified, it is determined whether the error is a serious error (S212). If it is determined that a serious error has occurred, the flow proceeds to step S208. Thereafter, the processing is similarly terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S212 that the error that has occurred is a minor error, it is determined whether the job at the time of the error B with the job attribute 502 is set to immediately cancel. (S213) If it is determined that the cancellation is immediately set, all the mechanisms are instructed to cancel (S214), as in the case of a severe error, the process proceeds to step S208, and the same processing is performed thereafter.

On the other hand, in step S213, the job attribute 50
If it is determined that a value other than B has been set in step S2, the process returns to step S204 to indicate that a job is being performed.
02 and the same processing as described above is repeated.

Next, the processing contents of the print job 402 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the twelfth data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure of the print job processing section 411 shown in FIG. S221 to S229 indicate each step.

First, when a print job processing unit 411 receives a job, the print mechanism 40
6 is started (S221), the fact that a job is being executed is displayed on the panel display 402, and a notification event from each mechanism is awaited (S222).

Then, when a notification event arrives, it is determined whether or not the content is an error (S223). If it is determined that the content is not an error, the notification event further notifies the end of all processing. It is determined whether the notification event is a notification event (S224). If it is determined that the notification event does not notify the end of all the processes, the process returns to step S224.
Return to 222 and wait for an event notification.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S224 that the contents of the notification event indicate that all processing has been completed, the end of the job is displayed on panel display 402 (S22).
5), end the processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S223 that the notification event is an error, it is determined whether the error is a serious error (S226). If it is determined that the error is a serious error, all the mechanisms are determined. Is completed (S227), and the end of the job is indicated on the panel display 40.
2 (S225), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S226 that the error is a minor error, the error is displayed on panel display 402 and an instruction from the user is waited for (S22).
8). Then, it is determined whether or not the instruction from the user is a cancel instruction (229). If it is determined that the instruction from the user is a cancel instruction, the process waits until all mechanisms are completed (S227), and the job ends. Is displayed on the panel display 402 (S225), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S229 that the instruction from the user is not a cancel instruction, for example, if it is determined that the instruction from the user is a continuation instruction, the process returns to step S222 to execute the job. This is displayed on the panel display 402, and the same processing as described above is repeated. By performing such processing, if a slight error occurs in the accumulated job 401,
When the job is input, the user can instruct whether to accumulate the entire job ignoring the error, immediately cancel the job, or display and stop after the completion of the development and accumulation.

If all the accumulations are specified ignoring the error, the accumulation is always terminated because a slight error does not stop any mechanism.

Therefore, a user who wants to store and print a draft or the like can prepare for printing without taking any trouble during the processing and not inconveniencing other users.

If the job is specified to be canceled immediately, the processing of all the mechanisms is canceled at the moment when a slight error occurs.

Therefore, a user who needs only a perfect print result can re-enter a job without wasting resources and correcting an error without hesitation.

Further, when display and stop are designated after the development and accumulation, all the analysis processing, development processing and accumulation processing are completed, an error is displayed and the processing is stopped, and the user waits for continuation and cancellation.

Therefore, a user who wants to input and release jobs more and more can end the processing without occupying resources by this designation, and can discard any errors.

As described above, by adopting a configuration in which the user designates what to do when an error occurs in the job according to his / her wish by using the job attribute 502, a plurality of users can share the printing apparatus. However, it is possible to freely construct a print processing environment in which each person can obtain a desired processing result without bothering each other.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, even if a minor error occurs, the user can know that the error has occurred without instructing another user to perform the printing process, and instruct the processing corresponding to the error. can do.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

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

Further, data subordinate to various programs is also managed in the directory. Also, a program for installing various programs on a computer, and a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed, may be stored in some cases.

FIGS. 3 to 7 and FIGS.
The functions shown in FIG. 18 may be performed 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.

In the above embodiments, the printing apparatus to which the print control apparatus can be applied has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to a network printer in which a print server or the like transfers a developed bitmap to the printing apparatus. Needless to say, there is.

Further, it is needless to say that the other embodiments in which the first embodiment and the second embodiment are appropriately and effectively combined can expect the same synergistic effect.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the example in which the error level is displayed on the panel 311 has been described. However, the error level may be displayed on a host-side display device employing a remote user interface.

Also, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which a printing apparatus to which a printing control apparatus can be applied is taken as an example.
The present invention can also be applied to a multi-function device that receives a job by communicating with a host and performs print function processing.

[0188]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the thirty-third aspect, in the print control apparatus capable of receiving the job, the received job is being analyzed, or the printing mechanism is developing the printable bitmap image based on the analyzed result. In the case where a different type of error that occurs is detected, it is displayed that the type of the detected error is a predetermined error, and a job whose analysis is in progress or a job whose analysis has been completed for the display, Or, in accordance with a user instruction on how to process a job that has been developed or has been completed, the continuation or cancellation of a print process for a job in which a predetermined error is detected is controlled. When a minor error occurs during deployment, proceed with analysis and deployment as much as possible without interrupting all processes, Even if some user instruction is not immediately obtained, the processing of the subsequently received job can be continued to increase the job processing efficiency, and the error of the previously generated job can be flexibly handled according to the user instruction. A print processing environment can be freely constructed.

In a print control apparatus capable of receiving a job, the error occurs during the analysis of the received job or during the expansion of the printable bitmap image by the printing mechanism based on the analyzed result of the analysis. When a different type of error is detected, the storage process of the bitmap image to be stored is controlled based on the specified storage job process. Therefore, even if a predetermined error is detected during one of the job processes, The analysis process or the expansion process is performed without interruption according to the designated storage job process, and the process of the subsequently received job is continued even if a user instruction for the error cannot be obtained immediately. In addition to improving job processing efficiency, it is also possible to respond flexibly to a previously It is possible to construct a printing processing environment or cancel the process with raw time freely.

Therefore, even if a minor error that can process the succeeding job occurs during the preceding job processing, the user can know that the error has occurred without waiting for the printing process for another user's job. It is possible to give an instruction to perform a corresponding process, and it is possible to flexibly respond to a job processing request from a user and to achieve an excellent effect that the job processing efficiency can be remarkably improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus to which a print control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a job processing configuration in a print control apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

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

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the print control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

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

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus to which a print control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a stored job process in a print control apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a print job processing configuration in a print control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a model representing an attribute in a job processed by the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a sixth data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a seventh data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an eighth data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a ninth data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a tenth data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an eleventh data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a twelfth data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 network 102 printing device 103 controller 104 input / output interface 105 CPU 106 ROM 107 RAM 108 bus 109 engine device driver 110 printer engine 111 panel 200 error detection mechanism 201 job control mechanism device control section 202 job control mechanism display control section 203 panel display 204 Panel key 205 Interpreter 206 Renderer 207 Printing mechanism

Claims (33)

[Claims] 1. A print control apparatus capable of receiving a job, comprising: an analysis unit for analyzing the job to be received; and a bitmap image printable by a printing mechanism based on an analysis result analyzed by the analysis unit. Developing means, a first detecting means for detecting different types of errors occurring during job analysis by the analyzing means, and a second detecting means for detecting different types of errors occurring during bitmap developing by the developing means. Detecting means; display control means for displaying, on a display unit, that an error has occurred when the error detected by the first or second detecting means is determined to be a predetermined error; Instruction means for instructing continuation or cancellation of print processing for a job in which a predetermined error has been detected when it is displayed that When the error detected by the first or second detection means is determined to be a predetermined error, a job analysis by the analysis means for a job in which the predetermined error is detected and a bit by the development means Stop printing by the printing mechanism for the job without stopping map development, according to the instruction by the instruction means,
Control means for controlling continuation or cancellation of print processing for the job in which the predetermined error is detected. 2. The different types of errors are classified into a serious error in which printing of an error-detected job should be terminated and a minor error in which a job other than the printing of an error-detected job can be processed. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The control unit, when the predetermined error is detected and when the instruction unit waits for an instruction, performs a process on a job subsequently received by the analysis unit and the expansion unit. 2. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the print control device is set in a possible state. 4. A print control apparatus capable of receiving a job, comprising: an analyzing unit for analyzing the received job; and a bitmap image printable by a printing mechanism based on an analysis result analyzed by the analyzing unit. Developing means, storing means for storing the bitmap image developed by the developing means, first detecting means for detecting different types of errors occurring during job analysis by the analyzing means, A second detection unit for detecting different types of errors that occur during bitmap development; and a first or second detection unit for storing the bitmap image developed by the development unit in the storage unit. Means for specifying in advance the types of different stored job processes to be executed in accordance with the detection of an error by the A first control unit that controls a storage process of a bitmap image to be stored in the storage unit based on a type of an error detected by the first or second detection unit and a type of a storage job process specified by the specification unit; And a control unit. 5. The print control according to claim 4, wherein the specifying unit specifies a first storage job process for storing the bitmap image, which has been completely developed irrespective of an error, in the storage unit. apparatus. 6. The printing method according to claim 4, wherein the designation unit designates a second accumulation job process for immediately canceling the accumulation process while the developed bitmap image is being accumulated in the accumulation unit. Control device. 7. The printing method according to claim 4, wherein the designation unit designates a third accumulation job process for displaying an error after the completion of accumulation of the expanded bitmap image in the accumulation unit. Control device. 8. A display means for displaying that a predetermined error has occurred when the third storage job processing is specified by the specification means, and a predetermined error is displayed on the display means. When it is displayed that an error has occurred, instruction means for instructing how to process the bitmap stored by the storage means, and in accordance with the instruction from the instruction means, the predetermined error is detected. The print control apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a second control unit configured to control continuation or cancellation of the print processing stored in the storage unit. 9. The print control apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a storage unit configured to store different stored job processes specified by the specification unit. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined error is a minor error that can process a job other than the printing process of the job for which the error has been detected. Print control device. 11. A data processing method in a print control device capable of receiving a job, comprising: an analysis step of analyzing the received job; and an analysis result analyzed by the analysis step.
A developing step of developing a printable bitmap image by a printing mechanism; a first detecting step of detecting a different type of error occurring during job analysis by the analyzing step; and a developing step of developing a bitmap image by the developing step. A second detection step of detecting a different type of error to be performed; and determining that the error has occurred when it is determined that the error detected by the first or second detection step is a predetermined error. A display control step of displaying on a display unit; an instruction step of instructing continuation or cancellation of print processing for a job in which a predetermined error is detected when an error is displayed; When it is determined that the error detected by the first or second detection step is a predetermined error, Stopping the printing by the printing mechanism for the job without stopping the job analysis by the analysis step and the bitmap expansion by the expansion step for the job in which the error is detected, and according to the instruction by the instruction step, the predetermined error is A control step of controlling continuation or cancellation of the print processing for the detected job. 12. The different types of errors include a serious error for which the printing process of the job for which the error is detected should be terminated and a minor error which can process a job other than the printing process of the job for which the error is detected. The data processing method according to claim 11, wherein the data processing method includes: 13. The control step, when the predetermined error is detected and when the instruction step waits for an instruction, performs a process on a job subsequently received by the analysis step and the development step. 12. The data processing method according to claim 11, wherein the data processing method is set to a possible state. 14. A data processing method in a print control apparatus capable of receiving a job, comprising: an analysis step of analyzing the received job; and an analysis result analyzed by the analysis step.
A developing step of developing a printable bitmap image by a printing mechanism; a storing step of storing the bitmap image developed by the developing step in a storage unit; and different types of errors occurring during job analysis by the analyzing step. A first detection step of detecting the error, a second detection step of detecting a different type of error that occurs during the bitmap expansion by the expansion step, and storing the bitmap image expanded by the expansion step in the storage unit. When storing, the first or second
A designation step for designating in advance a type of a different accumulation job process to be executed in accordance with the detection of an error by the detection step; and an error type detected by the first or second detection step in the determination step and the designation step. A first control step of controlling a storage process of a bitmap image to be stored in the storage unit based on a designated type of a storage job process. 15. The data processing according to claim 14, wherein said specifying step specifies a first storage job process for storing, in the storage unit, a bitmap image that has been completely developed ignoring errors. Method. 16. The data according to claim 14, wherein the specifying step specifies a second storage job process for immediately canceling the storage process while the expanded bitmap image is stored in the storage unit. Processing method. 17. The data according to claim 14, wherein the specifying step specifies a third storage job process for displaying an error after storing the expanded bitmap image in the storage unit. Processing method. 18. A display step of displaying on a display means that a predetermined error has occurred when a third storage job process is specified by the specifying step; An instruction step for instructing how to process the bitmap stored by the storage means when an error is displayed; and detecting the predetermined error according to the instruction in the instruction step. 18. The data processing method according to claim 14, further comprising: a second control step of controlling continuation or cancellation of a print process stored in said storage unit. 19. The data processing method according to claim 15, further comprising a holding step of holding different storage job processes specified by the specifying step in a holding unit. 20. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined error is a minor error that can process a job other than the printing process of the job for which the error is detected.
The data processing method according to any one of the above. 21. An analysis step of analyzing a job to be received by a print control apparatus capable of receiving the job, based on an analysis result analyzed by the analysis step.
A developing step of developing a printable bitmap image by a printing mechanism; a first detecting step of detecting a different type of error occurring during job analysis by the analyzing step; and a developing step of developing a bitmap image by the developing step. A second detection step of detecting a different type of error to be performed; and determining that the error has occurred when it is determined that the error detected by the first or second detection step is a predetermined error. A display control step of displaying on a display unit; an instruction step of instructing continuation or cancellation of print processing for a job in which a predetermined error is detected when an error is displayed; When it is determined that the error detected by the first or second detection step is a predetermined error, Stopping the printing by the printing mechanism for the job without stopping the job analysis by the analysis step and the bitmap expansion by the expansion step for the job in which the error is detected, and according to the instruction by the instruction step, the predetermined error is And a control step of controlling the continuation or cancellation of the print processing for the detected job. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the control step. 22. The different types of errors include a severe error for which the printing process of an error-detected job should be terminated and a minor error which can process a job other than the printing process of the error-detected job. 22. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein: 23. The control step, when the predetermined error is detected and when the instruction step waits for an instruction, executes a process for a job subsequently received by the analysis step and the development step. 22. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein the storage medium is set in a possible state. 24. A data processing method in a print control device capable of receiving a job, comprising: an analysis step of analyzing a received job; and an analysis result analyzed by the analysis step.
A developing step of developing a printable bitmap image by a printing mechanism; a storing step of storing the bitmap image developed by the developing step in a storage unit; and different types of errors occurring during job analysis by the analyzing step. A first detection step of detecting the error, a second detection step of detecting a different type of error that occurs during the bitmap expansion by the expansion step, and storing the bitmap image expanded by the expansion step in the storage unit. When storing, the first or second
A designation step for designating in advance a type of a different accumulation job process to be executed in accordance with the detection of an error by the detection step; and an error type detected by the first or second detection step in the determination step and the designation step. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a first control step of controlling a storage process of a bitmap image to be stored in the storage unit based on a designated type of a storage job process. 25. The storage medium according to claim 24, wherein said specifying step specifies a first storage job process for storing, in said storage means, a bitmap image that has been completely developed ignoring errors. . 26. The storage according to claim 24, wherein the specifying step specifies a second storage job process for immediately canceling the storage process while storing the developed bitmap image in the storage unit. Medium. 27. The storage according to claim 24, wherein the specifying step specifies a third storage job process for displaying an error after the completion of storing the expanded bitmap image in the storage unit. Medium. 28. A display step of displaying on a display means that a predetermined error has occurred when a third storage job process is specified by the specifying step; An instruction step for instructing how to process the bitmap stored by the storage means when an error is displayed; and detecting the predetermined error according to the instruction in the instruction step. 28. The storage medium according to claim 24, further comprising: a second control step of controlling continuation or cancellation of a print process stored in said storage unit. 29. The storage medium according to claim 25, further comprising a holding step of holding different storage job processes specified by said specifying step in a holding unit. 30. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the predetermined error is a minor error that can process a job other than the printing process of the job for which the error is detected.
The storage medium according to any one of the above. 31. A printing control device capable of receiving a job, a processing unit for analyzing the received job, and developing a printable bitmap image based on a result of the analysis, and a process by the processing unit Detecting means for detecting different types of errors occurring in the display means for displaying on the display unit that an error has occurred when the error detected by the detecting means is determined to be a predetermined error And when the error detected by the detection unit is determined to be a predetermined error, the printing mechanism for the job in which the predetermined error is detected without stopping the processing by the processing unit. And a control unit for stopping printing by the printer. 32. An instruction input means for inputting an instruction as to whether or not to stop print processing of a job in which the predetermined error has been detected, while displaying that an error has occurred, 32. The print control according to claim 31, wherein the control unit causes the printing mechanism to perform printing on the job in which the predetermined error is detected, in accordance with an instruction input by the instruction input unit. apparatus. 33. The print control apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the print control apparatus is a print control apparatus of a printer capable of receiving a job via a network.