JP2002278725A - Printer driver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer driver to set exact processing conditions in consideration of remaining amount of a memory. SOLUTION: The remaining amount of the memory, the printing contents and printing conditions in the case of printing are stored in a various information storage module 4 as print logs. In addition, the printer driver 1 acquires the remaining amount of the memory 9 by a memory remaining amount investigation module 6, acquires all printing instructions, presumes the print completion time by using print logs in the past, the remaining amount of the memory this time and the printing contents and sets the printing conditions this time for a printing request from application 2. In this case, when the print completion time is specified from a user via a UI processing module 3, the printing conditions are determined so that print quality becomes maximum within the time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printer driver.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when printing from a PC via an application, usually, a resolution is designated to a printer driver.

However, in the above-described configuration, the contents of a document to be printed are relatively large (high-resolution) image data or a figure having a complicated path such as a high number of colors per pixel. In the case of data, if the resolution on the printer side at the time of printing is set to be high, there is a problem that it takes a very long time for printing, and in some cases, a memory area cannot be secured and rendering becomes impossible.

Conventionally, such a problem cannot be solved by a configuration in which a printer driver determines a printing resolution based on the contents of a document output by a user or a configuration in which the number of colors used in image data is determined. And had

[0005] Further, as the prior art for solving such a problem, there are the following.

[0006] First, in "Data Processing Apparatus, Printing Apparatus, Control Method and Recording Medium" disclosed in JP-A-2000-29646, a predicted data amount for each output unit and a memory that can be secured in the printing apparatus. By configuring so as to determine the compression ratio based on the capacity, optimal processing is performed according to the data amount of image data, and the time required for the entire printing process is reduced.

[0007] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-222146 discloses a "print data conversion apparatus, a print data conversion method, and a recording medium on which a print data conversion control program is recorded." An appropriate drawing capability is set according to the predetermined information (type and version information), and the data format of the print data is converted.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-329402 discloses a "print system and a print time predicting method for a print system" in which a print time is predicted based on the operation speed of a printing apparatus and print data. By presenting the predicted printing time to the user, the printing condition such as high definition or high speed is selected by the user.

In the prior art, a method of setting printing conditions by an application or an OS (operating system) used by a printer driver and estimating a printing time from the contents of a document has been proposed as a solution. .

[0010]

However, originally,
A parameter that greatly affects the drawing process during printing is the remaining amount of memory in the computer that outputs the print command.
In each of the above prior arts, this is not taken into consideration, and accurate printing conditions are not always set.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a printer driver for setting an accurate processing condition in consideration of a remaining amount of a memory.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a memory remaining amount acquiring unit for acquiring a remaining amount of a memory mounted on a computer for executing a print command, and a memory. Print data processing condition setting means for setting the processing conditions of the print data based on the remaining amount of the print data.

According to this configuration, the present invention makes it possible to set an appropriate and accurate processing condition in consideration of the remaining amount of the memory.

Further, according to the present invention, the contents of the past print data, the remaining capacity of the memory when processing the past print data, the time required for the print processing of the past print data, and the like are further provided. , Corresponding to the print information storage means,
The remaining amount of memory, the contents of print data, the contents of past print data, the remaining amount of memory when processing past print data, and the time required for print processing of past print data,
And a print completion time calculating means for calculating a print completion time of the print data based on the print data.

According to this configuration, the present invention saves the contents of the print data, the remaining amount of the memory, and the time required for completing the printing at the time of the past printing, and calculates the remaining amount of the current memory from the saved contents. It is possible to automatically calculate the print completion time of the print data in.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the print data processing condition setting means reduces the image resolution of the print data under the processing condition when the print completion time is longer than a predetermined time. Features.

With this configuration, the present invention can automatically reduce the resolution of an image to be drawn when it is estimated that it will take a certain time or more to complete printing.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the print data processing condition setting means further reduces the number of colors used for the print data in the processing condition when the print completion time is longer than a predetermined time. It is characterized by:

With this configuration, the present invention can automatically reduce the number of colors used for print data when it is estimated that a certain time or more is required until printing is completed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a print time limit setting means for setting a time limit required for printing by a user, and the predetermined time is set by the print time limit setting means. And the time limit.

With this configuration, the present invention makes it possible to set in advance the time that the user can wait until printing is completed.

Further, the invention according to claim 6 further comprises a processing condition change obtaining means for obtaining a change of the processing condition from a user, and the print data processing condition setting means is obtained by the processing condition change obtaining means. It is characterized in that processing conditions are set based on a change in processing conditions.

With this configuration, according to the present invention, when it is estimated that the time until printing is completed is longer than a preset time, the user is instructed to reduce the resolution or the number of colors by using, for example, a pop-up menu. It becomes possible to input.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Features of the Present Invention] The present invention is a printer aiming to more accurately predict the print completion time and to obtain an output result of maximum print quality within a limited time. It is about the driver.

In order to achieve this effect, the present invention is applied to a computer, such as a personal computer or a workstation, in which a CPU is incorporated and a printer driver is incorporated (in the following description, all computers are included in a PC). By measuring the amount of free memory that is not occupied by the OS (operating system) or applications and that can be used by the printer driver, the print completion time can be more accurately predicted. The feature is that the resolution and the number of colors included in the output are automatically determined.

In order to have such features, the present invention is configured to automatically acquire the remaining amount of memory.

Further, according to the present invention, the remaining amount of the memory at the time of printing and the contents of printing are statistically held, and the printing completion time is automatically calculated from the result.

Further, according to the present invention, when the calculated printing completion time is estimated to be a predetermined time or more, the image resolution is automatically reset.

Further, according to the present invention, when the calculated print completion time is estimated to be longer than a predetermined time, the number of colors used for image data is automatically reset.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a printer driver having this feature will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration of One Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a printer driver according to one embodiment of the present invention and a module configuration around the printer driver.

Referring to FIG. 1, a PC (personal computer) in which the printer driver 1 according to the present embodiment is incorporated includes an application 2 for outputting a print request to the printer driver 1 in addition to the printer driver 1. An OS (Operating System) 8 for operating the PC, a memory module 9 built in the PC, and an
An output port 10 such as a Centronics interface or a USB or network.

The printer driver 1 shown in FIG.
Is a UI processing module 3 and various information storage modules 4
And an end time prediction module 5, a remaining memory amount investigating module 6, and a graphic processing module 7.

In this configuration, the UI processing module 3
Is a module in the printer driver 1, which displays a user interface (UI) on the screen of the PC and allows the user to set various printing conditions.

The various information storage module 4 stores set printing conditions and various information necessary for printing. Further, the various information storage module 4 statistically holds the remaining amount of memory and the contents of printing at the time of past printing.

The end time prediction module 5 predicts the time until the printing is completed.

Further, the memory remaining amount investigating module 6
Check the free space of the memory mounted on C.

The graphic processing module 7
Create print data to be sent to the printer from a print command from the application.

However, each of these modules is a program, which is stored in a ROM, a hard disk, or the like in the PC, read as needed, and executed with a work area secured in the memory.

(Operation of One Embodiment) Next, the operation of the above-described embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation (printing process) in which the printer driver 1 according to the present embodiment checks the remaining amount (also called free space) of the memory 9 and executes a print command. However, this flow is read out and executed when a print request is issued from the application 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, the printer driver 1 according to the present embodiment first inquires of a user whether or not to execute a printing process in consideration of the remaining amount of the memory 9, and receives an instruction from the user (step S1). S11). The inquiry and the instruction are received via the UI processing module 3. For example, options are displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the PC, and the instruction input via the user interface is input according to the display. Constitute.

In this step S11, when the user instructs to perform the printing process in consideration of the remaining memory (Yes in step S11), the printer driver 1
Checks the remaining amount of the memory 9 using the remaining memory amount checking module 6 (step S12).

The printer driver 1 obtains printing conditions for outputting image data to be printed (hereinafter referred to as print data) from the user using the UI processing module 3 (step S13). This acquisition method includes U
This is realized by, for example, displaying a pop-up screen or the like on the display unit of the PC using the I processing module 3 and allowing the user to make an input according to the display contents.
However, the printing conditions include the resolution and the number of colors of the print data, a limitation on the time required to complete printing (desired print completion time), and the like.

The printer driver 1 acquires all print commands (print requests) from the application 2 (step S14), analyzes the contents, and specifies the contents of the print data (print contents) (step S15). .

As described above, when the remaining amount of the memory, the printing conditions, and the print content specified by the all print commands are acquired, the printer driver 1
Historical data (statistically stored,
The remaining data of the memory and the content of the print at the time of printing are read, and the print data entered from the application 2 by using the past data, the remaining memory, the print condition, and the print content obtained above. The data printing completion time is predicted (calculated) (step S16).

As a result of this prediction, if it is predicted that the printing will not be completed within the time desired by the user (the desired printing completion time) (No in step S17), the printer driver 1 sends the print data to the user. A request is made to select whether to lower the resolution or the number of colors (step S18). This selection request is also made using the UI processing module 3 in the same manner as the above-mentioned various instruction requests.

As a result of the selection request in step S17,
When the instruction to reduce the image resolution or the number of colors is selected (Yes in step S17), the printer driver 1 causes the user to input an instruction as to whether or not to reduce the resolution in step S18 (step S18), and inputs the instruction to decrease the resolution. If the printing has been performed (Yes in step S19), the printer driver 1 lowers the image resolution of the print data using the graphic processing module 7 (step S22), and proceeds to step S23. Also, as a result of step S18, when an instruction to lower the resolution is input (step S19)
No), in step S20, the printer driver 1 allows the user to input an instruction as to whether or not to reduce the number of colors of the print data (step S20). If the instruction to decrease the number of colors has been input (Yes in step S20), Printer driver 1
Reduces the number of colors of the print data using the graphic processing module 7 (step S21), and proceeds to step S23. Furthermore, as a result of step S20, when an instruction to reduce the number of colors is input (N in step S20)
o), the printer driver 1 proceeds to step S23
Move to.

In step S16, when it is predicted that the printing will be completed within the desired print completion time (Yes in step S17), or when an instruction to reduce the image resolution or the number of colors is input in step S18 ( (No in step S18), the printer driver 1
The process directly proceeds to step S23.

Further, in step S11, when the user instructs to perform the printing process without considering the remaining memory (No in step S11), the printer driver 1 proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the printer driver 1
The print data is output from the graphic processing module 7 to the printer via the output port 10 (the data subjected to the change processing or the data not subjected to the change processing) (step S23).

Thereafter, the printer driver 1 associates the time required for printing this time with the remaining amount of memory acquired in step S12, the printing conditions actually set, and the print content specified in step S15. And stores it in the various information storage module 4 (step S24).

By operating as described above, according to the printing process of the present embodiment, when the user prints from the application 2 using the printer driver 1 as shown in the flowchart of FIG. ,
It operates to obtain the amount of available memory using the memory remaining amount checking module 6. After that, the printer driver 1 operates to save the remaining amount of memory in the various information storage module 4.

Further, according to the printing process of this embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2, after obtaining the remaining amount of memory at the time of printing, the printer driver 1 executes the printing conditions set by the user by the UI processing module 2. And the print request input from the application 2, and the obtained remaining amount of memory, print conditions and print request (print contents), and past data (print log) stored in various information storage modules. , The time required for printing (printing completion time) is estimated. In addition, the printer driver 1 uses the various information storage module 4 as various types of information (remaining memory capacity, printing conditions, print request contents (print contents)) in the print processing performed this time as a print log.
Works to save to.

Further, according to the printing process of the present embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2, the time required to complete printing using the end time prediction module 5 from the remaining amount of memory (the print completion time). If the print completion time is longer than a predetermined time, the printer driver 1 operates to request the graphic processing module 7 to reduce the image resolution and the number of colors per pixel. On the other hand, the graphic processing module 7 converts the print data based on the requested content, creates data to be transmitted to the printer, and
0 to be transmitted to the printer.

[0057]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set an appropriate and accurate processing condition in consideration of the remaining amount of the memory. That is, when the printer driver acquires the remaining amount of memory, it is possible to set optimal processing conditions without having to set cumbersome printing conditions.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the contents of the print data, the remaining amount of the memory, and the time required for the completion of the printing at the time of the past printing are stored, and the stored contents of the current memory are stored. It is possible to automatically calculate the print completion time of the print data in the remaining amount. That is, the printer driver obtains the remaining amount of memory, saves a log as to how much printing completion time was required under the printing conditions, the printing contents, and the remaining amount of memory from the printing conditions, Is analyzed by a statistical method, it is possible to more efficiently and effectively predict the print completion time.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when it is estimated that it takes a certain time or more to complete printing, the resolution of an image to be drawn can be automatically reduced. That is, by automatically correcting the resolution of the print data from the print completion time by the printer driver, the memory capacity can be reduced to only the physical memory without using the virtual memory mapped to the hard disk or the like, As a result, the printing process can be performed with the maximum efficiency within the predetermined time.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when it is estimated that it takes a certain time or more to complete printing, it is possible to automatically reduce the number of colors used for print data. . That is, the printer driver automatically corrects the number of colors per pixel of the print data from the print completion time, thereby suppressing the memory capacity to only the physical memory without using the virtual memory mapped on the hard disk or the like. As a result, the printing process can be performed with the maximum efficiency within a predetermined time.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set in advance a time during which the user can wait until the printing is completed. That is, since the user can specify the time at which the printing time is desired (scheduled), comparison with the predicted printing completion time becomes easy.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, if it is estimated that the time until printing is completed is longer than a preset time, the user can use a pop-up menu or the like to select a resolution or color. An instruction to reduce the number can be input. In other words, if the print completion time that is predicted is longer than the time set by the user, the user is notified by using, for example, a pop-up menu, etc. This makes it possible to eliminate human error-like mistakes such as mistakenly dropping the number of colors for an image for which the number of colors per pixel should not be dropped.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a printer driver and a peripheral module configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a printer driver 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a flowchart showing a print process executed in response to a print request received from application 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer driver 2 Application 3 UI processing module 4 Various information storage module 5 End time prediction module 6 Remaining memory check module 7 Graphic processing module 8 Operating system 9 Memory 10 Output port

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A memory remaining amount acquiring unit for acquiring a remaining amount of a memory mounted on a computer that executes a print command, and a print data processing condition setting for setting a processing condition of print data based on the remaining amount of the memory. Means, and a printer driver. 2. A printing method for storing the contents of past print data, the remaining amount of memory for processing the past print data, and the time required for the print processing of the past print data in a corresponding manner. Information storage means, the remaining capacity of the memory, the content of the print data, the content of the past print data, the remaining capacity of the memory when processing the past print data, The printer driver according to claim 1, further comprising: a print completion time calculating unit configured to calculate a print completion time of the print data based on a time required for a print process. 3. The print data processing condition setting unit according to claim 2, wherein, when the print completion time is longer than a predetermined time, the image resolution of the print data is reduced under the processing condition. Printer driver. 4. The print data processing condition setting means, when the print completion time is longer than a predetermined time, reduces the number of colors used for the print data under the processing condition. The described printer driver. 5. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printing time limit setting unit configured to set a time limit required for printing by a user, wherein the predetermined time is the time limit set by the printing time limit setting unit. 5. The printer driver according to claim 3, wherein: 6. A processing condition change acquiring unit for acquiring a change in the processing condition from a user, wherein the print data processing condition setting unit is configured to perform processing based on the change in the processing condition acquired by the processing condition change acquiring unit. And setting the processing conditions.
6. The printer driver according to any one of claims 1 to 5.