JP2003226048A - Print controller, printer, print system, print control method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print controller, a printer, a print system, a print control method, a program, and a recording medium in which completion of print can be quickened by quickening completion of transfer of print data from a print controller to a printer. <P>SOLUTION: In a print system comprising a host computer 1 and a host base printer 2, the control section 9 of the host computer 1 performs control for transferring previous print data being transmitted, as non-compressed data, from an arbitrary point to the host base printer 2, and control for transferring following print data being transmitted, as compressed data, from an arbitrary point to the host base printer 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing control device, a printing device, a printing system, a printing control method, a program, and a storage medium, and more particularly to a host-based printer that prints based on print data transmitted from a host computer. The present invention relates to a print control device, a printing device, a printing system, a print control method, a program, and a storage medium, which are suitable when applied to the data transfer control to the printer and the activation control of the printer engine unit of the host-based printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a host-based printer which is connected to a host computer and prints based on print data transmitted from the host computer.
Conventionally, print data is compressed by a host computer and then transferred from the host computer to a host-based printer. Similarly, the host-based printer is started at the timing when the transfer of print data from the host computer to the host-based printer is started.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional technique has the following problems. That is, in the conventional system including the host computer and the host-based printer, the host computer is
GDI (Graphics Device Interfa) emitted by ows (R)
ce: Module responsible for the graphics drawing of Windows (R)) command, convert print data to bitmap data once, compress the data based on that data, and after data compression is completed, I was transferring compressed data to a host-based printer. At the same time, the printer engine of the host-based printer was started by the host computer. Therefore, there is a problem that the host computer cannot start up the host-based printer until the data compression is completed and the transfer of the compressed data is started.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and a print control apparatus capable of accelerating the completion of printing by accelerating the completion of transfer of print data transmitted from the print control apparatus to the printing apparatus. A first object is to provide a printing apparatus, a printing system, a printing control method, a program, and a storage medium.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and it is possible to reduce the data to be compressed by the print control apparatus and to shorten the processing time of the print control apparatus and the print apparatus. A second object is to provide a printing system, a printing control method, a program, and a storage medium.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and a print control device, a printing device, a printing system, a print control method, a program, and a storage medium capable of shortening the first print time. The third purpose is to provide. Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a print control device, a printing device, a printing system, a print control method, a program, and a storage medium capable of shortening the overall printing time. The fourth purpose is to do.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and CPUs of both the print control device and the print device.
By making it possible to reduce the processing load of the print control device by shortening the processing time of the print control device by making it possible to use the rasterizing process for the print control device, the printing device, the printing system, the print control method, the program, A fifth object is to provide a storage medium.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a print control apparatus capable of transmitting print data to a printing apparatus, wherein an arbitrary point for switching compression processing is set in a page of print data. Setting means for setting, and control to uncompress the print data to be transmitted before an arbitrary point to be uncompressed data, and to compress the print data to be transmitted after the arbitrary point to be transferred as compressed data to the printing apparatus It has a control means to operate.

The present invention is also a printing apparatus connected to the print control apparatus via a communication medium, for receiving print data transmitted from the print control apparatus and performing image formation based on the print data. It is characterized by having control means for controlling the operation and image forming means for forming an image on a print medium.

The present invention is also a print control method executed by a print control device capable of transmitting print data to a printing device, wherein a setting step for setting an arbitrary point for switching compression processing within a page of print data. And a control step of controlling the preceding transmission target print data to be uncompressed and uncompressed data from an arbitrary point, and compressing the subsequent transmission target print data from the arbitrary point to transfer as compressed data to the printing device. It is characterized by having.

Further, the present invention is a program supplied to a printing system including a printing device and a print control device capable of transmitting print data to the printing device, wherein the print data is set at an arbitrary point for switching compression processing. Setting step for setting in the page, and the previous transmission target print data from any point is uncompressed to be uncompressed data, and the transmission target print data after the arbitrary point is compressed to the printing device as compressed data. And a control step of controlling the transfer.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, the outline of the present invention will be described.
In a system consisting of a host computer that sends print data and a host-based printer that prints based on the print data, how should the host computer obtain information about the host-based printer in advance and set an arbitrary point? To decide. The host computer sets the data compression time after the arbitrary point and the time for transferring the uncompressed data before the arbitrary point to be the same. This makes it possible to transfer the compressed data without waiting after the transfer of the non-compressed data is completed. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Before describing the configuration of the present embodiment, the configurations of a laser beam printer and an inkjet printer suitable for applying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. Needless to say, the printer to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the laser beam printer and the inkjet printer, and may be a printer of another printing method such as a thermal transfer printer, a thermal printer, an electrostatic printer, or the like.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the structure of a first output device to which the present invention can be applied, for example, the case of a laser beam printer (LBP). In FIG.
Reference numeral 1500 denotes an LBP main body, which includes various components described below. The LBP main body 1500 is the LBP main body 1500
Print information (character code, etc.) supplied from an externally connected host computer, form information, macro commands, etc. are input and stored, and corresponding character patterns, form patterns, etc. are created according to those information, An image is formed on a recording paper, which is a recording medium.

Reference numeral 1501 is a switch for operation and LE
Operation panel with D display, etc., 1000 is L
A printer control unit that controls the entire BP main body 1500 and analyzes the character information supplied from the host computer. The printer control unit 1000 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs it to the laser driver 1502. The laser driver 1502 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1503, and switches on / off the laser light 1504 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1503 according to an input video signal. The laser light 1504 is emitted from the rotating polygon mirror 15.
At 05, the electrostatic drum 1506 is swung in the left-right direction (direction intersecting with the paper surface) to perform scanning exposure on the electrostatic drum 1506. As a result, a character pattern electrostatic latent image is formed on the electrostatic drum 1506.

This character pattern electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing unit 1507 arranged around the electrostatic drum 1506 and then transferred to a recording paper. As this recording paper, for example, cut sheet recording paper is used. The cut sheet recording paper is loaded in the paper feed port of the LBP main body 1500 (manual paper feed) or stored in the paper cassette 1508, and the paper feed roller 1509 and the transport roller 15 are provided.
It is taken into the LBP main body by 10 and the conveyance roller 1511 and supplied to the transfer position near the electrostatic drum 1506. Further, the LBP main body 1500 is provided with at least one or more card slots (not shown), and is configured so that an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language system can be connected in addition to the built-in font.

FIG. 11 is an external view showing the configuration of a second output device to which the present invention can be applied, for example, the case of an ink jet recording device (IJRA). In FIG. 11, the lead screw 5005 is a drive motor 5013.
Driving force transmission gears 5011, 500
Rotate through 9. The carriage HC is engaged with the spiral groove 5004 of the lead screw 5005 and includes a pin (not shown), and is reciprocated in the directions of arrows a and b. An inkjet cartridge IJC having an ink tank IT is mounted on the carriage HC. A paper pressing plate 5002 presses the recording paper against the platen 5000 in the carriage movement direction.

Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote photocouplers, which function as home position detecting means for confirming the presence of the lever 5006 of the carriage HC in this area and switching the rotation direction of the drive motor 5013. Reference numeral 5016 denotes a member that supports a cap member 5022 that caps the entire surface of the recording head, and 5015 is a suction unit that sucks the inside of the cap member 5022, and performs suction recovery of the recording head through the in-cap opening 5023.
5017 is a cleaning blade, which is a member 5019.
This makes it possible to move in the front-back direction. Reference numeral 5018 denotes a main body supporting plate, and the cleaning blade 5017, the member 5
Support 019. Reference numeral 5012 is a lever for starting suction for suction recovery, and a cam 50 that engages with the carriage HC.
20 and the drive motor 5
Movement control is performed by transmitting the driving force from 013 by a known transmission means such as clutch switching.

In the ink jet recording apparatus, the capping, cleaning and suction recovery are performed by the carriage HC.
When it comes to the home position side area, the desired processing can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005, but the desired operation may be performed at a known timing. .

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the second output device shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, 1700 is an interface for inputting a recording signal,
Reference numeral 701 is an MPU, 1702 is a ROM for storing a control program executed by the MPU 1701 and print information supplied from a host computer, 1703 is a DRAM, and various data (the above-mentioned recording signal and recording head 1708).
The recording data etc. supplied to the. 1704
Is a gate array for controlling the supply of output data to the recording head 1708.
It also controls data transfer between the PU 1701 and the DRAM 1703.

Reference numeral 1710 is a carrier motor for conveying the recording head 1708, 1709 is a conveyance motor for conveying recording paper, and 1705 is the recording head 1708.
1706 is a head driver for driving the carrier motor 1709, and 1707 is a motor driver for driving the carrier motor 1710.

In the ink jet recording apparatus configured as described above, when input information is input from the host computer described later through the interface 1700,
Input information is converted into output information for printing between the gate array 1704 and the MPU 1701. Then, the motor drivers 1706 and 1707 are driven, and the recording head 1708 is driven according to the output information sent to the head driver 1705, and printing is executed.

[First Embodiment] In the first embodiment of the present invention, an embodiment for printing a print job of one page will be described. Means to transfer to the host-based printer as uncompressed data before compressing the front from any point on one page, and to the host-based printer after completion of transfer of the uncompressed data by compressing print data after that point as compressed data By providing a transfer means, the start of data transfer to the host-based printer and the time for completing the transfer of the print data of one page can be shortened so that the host-based printer can be activated (print start instruction of the printer engine unit). A printing system characterized in that the first print time (the time from the stand-by state until the printing of the first print data is completed) and the time required for printing are realized earlier will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printing system including a host computer and a host-based printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The host-based printer 2 includes a control unit 5, a reception buffer 6, a CPU
A printer controller 3 having a printer controller 7 and a printer engine unit 4 are provided. The host computer 1 is connected to the host base printer 2 and includes a control unit 9. In the figure, 8 is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) that connects the host computer 1 and the host-based printer 2.
It is a cable.

To explain the above-mentioned configuration in detail, in the host-based printer 2, the control unit 5 includes the printer controller 3
It is responsible for overall control, and executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 based on the control program. The reception buffer 6 stores the print data transmitted from the host computer 1. The CPU 7 controls print data and the printer engine unit 4. The printer engine unit 4 controls a printing operation for forming an image on a sheet.

The host computer 1 controls conversion of print data into bitmap data (raster data) based on a GDI command, compression of raster data, control of sending uncompressed data to the host base printer 2,
A control unit 9 is provided that controls the transmission of compressed data to the host-based printer 2. The control unit 9 executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 based on the control program, uncompresses the previous print data to be transmitted from an arbitrary point, transfers it as uncompressed data to the host-based printer 2, and transmits the uncompressed data. Control is performed to compress print data to be transmitted later from the point and transfer it to the host-based printer 2 as compressed data. In this case, the arbitrary point is set either within the page of the print job, between page breaks of the print job, or between consecutive print jobs.
The essential components of the host computer 1 are illustrated, and the illustration and description of other components such as the storage unit, the operation unit, and the display unit are omitted.

The print data transmitted from the host computer 1 to the host-based printer 2 is once stored in the reception buffer 6 of the printer controller 3. In response to a request from the printer engine unit 4, the control unit 5 of the printer controller 3 reads out the data from the reception buffer 6, decompresses the compressed data (converts the uncompressed data as it is) into video data, and converts the data into the printer engine unit 4. And the printer engine unit 4 performs printing.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a conventional host computer and host-based printer, which is a comparison target of the first embodiment. This figure shows the flow of processing in the host computer and the host-based printer over time. Time flows from left to right.

The processing flow of the host computer is as follows. That is, the print data is converted into bitmap data (raster data) by the GDI command issued by Windows (R) between T1 and T2. Between T2 and T3,
Compress the raster data. At point T3, transfer of the compressed data to the host-based printer is started. T3-T
The compressed data is transferred to the host-based printer between the four. The processing flow of the host-based printer is as follows. That is, at the point of T5, the printer engine unit is activated to start printing according to an instruction from the host computer. Printing is performed by the printer engine unit between T5 and T6. Printing is completed at the point of T6.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the host computer 1 and the host-based printer 2 according to the first embodiment. This figure shows the flow of processing in the host computer 1 and the host-based printer 2 over time. Time flows from left to right.

The process flow of the host computer 1 is as follows. That is, between T31 and T32, Windows
The print data is converted into bitmap data (raster data) by the GDI command issued by (R). T32
At this point, the transfer of non-compressed data to the host-based printer 2 is started. The raster data is compressed between T32 and T33. Also, the non-compressed data is transferred to the host-based printer 2. At the point of T33, transfer of the compressed data to the host-based printer 2 is started. T33-T3
The compressed data is transferred to the host-based printer 2 between the four. The processing flow of the host-based printer 2 is as follows. That is, at the point of T35, the printer engine unit 4 is activated and printing is started according to an instruction from the host computer 1. Printing is performed by the printer engine unit 4 between T35 and T36. Printing is completed at the point of T36.

As can be seen by comparing FIG. 2 (conventional example) and FIG. 3 (first embodiment), in the first embodiment,
Since the timing of sending print data from the host computer 1 to the host-based printer 2 can be advanced,
Since the printer engine unit 4 of the host-based printer 2 can be activated at an early timing, the printing time can be shortened.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the processing of the host computer 1 of the first embodiment. Step S
In 1, the host computer 1 communicates with the host-based printer 2 to obtain the information of the host-based printer 2, and print speed, resolution, paper size, RAM size (of the memory that stores print data) of the host-based printer 2. Size) and monochrome / color (printing mode of monochrome printing or color printing). In step S2, the host computer 1 determines whether or not there is a print job. If there is a print job, in step S3, the host computer 1 skips data compression from which line of one page based on the paper size information of the print job and the information of the host-based printer 2 obtained in step S1. For example, it is calculated whether the following formula holds, and the point (how many rasters) to start data compression is calculated.

Time to transfer uncompressed data (uncompressed data from the first line of page 1 to line-1 where compression is started) = time to compress raster data In step S4, the host computer 1 causes the host computer 1 to execute the above step S3. The raster data up to the data compression start point calculated in step 3 is started to be transferred to the host-based printer 2. In step S5, the host computer 1 performs data compression from the data compression start point to the end of one page by utilizing the idle time of data transfer in step S4. In step S6, the host computer 1
It is determined whether the data compression is completed. When the data compression is completed, in step S7, the host computer 1 determines whether or not the transfer of the non-compressed data to the host base printer 2 is completed. When the transfer of the non-compressed data is completed, in step S8, the host computer 1
Starts the transfer of the data compressed in step S5 to the host-based printer 2. In step S9, the host computer 1 determines whether or not the transfer of the compressed data to the host base printer 2 is completed. When the transfer of the compressed data ends, this process ends.

By the above procedure, the host computer 1
Determines the point to start data compression, and transfers the print data to the host-based printer 2 in the order of non-compressed data and compressed data.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the processing of the host-based printer 2 of the first embodiment. In step S11, the control unit 5 of the printer controller 3 determines whether or not there is a print request from the host computer 1. When there is a print request, in step S12, the control unit 5 of the printer controller 3 activates the printer engine unit 4 according to an instruction from the host computer 1. At this time, the printer engine unit 4 starts feeding and printing. In step S13, the control unit 5 of the printer controller 3 receives uncompressed data from the host computer 1. This uncompressed data is stored in the reception buffer 6. At this time, the printer engine unit 4 starts printing. The control unit 5 of the printer controller 3 reads the data in the reception buffer 6 and sends it as video data to the printer engine unit 4 (the printer controller 3
Does this until printing is finished).

In step S14, the control section 5 of the printer controller 3 checks whether or not the reception of the non-compressed data from the host computer 1 is completed. When the reception of the uncompressed data is completed, the control unit 5 of the printer controller 3 receives the compressed data from the host computer 1 in step S15. This compressed data is stored in the reception buffer 6. In step S16, the control unit 5 of the printer controller 3 checks whether or not the reception of the compressed data from the host computer 1 is completed. When the reception of the compressed data is completed, it is checked in step S17 whether the printing is completed. When printing is completed, this process ends.

By providing the above means, the transfer of print data from the host computer 1 to the host-based printer 2 can be started earlier, and as a result, the printer engine unit 4 of the host-based printer 2 can be started earlier. Therefore, the printing time can be shortened.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the following various effects can be obtained. (1) Since the transfer of print data transmitted from the host computer to the host-based printer can be completed more quickly, as a result, the printing can be completed more quickly. (2) Since the data compressed by the host computer is reduced, the processing time of the host computer can be shortened. (3) It is possible to accelerate the start-up of the host-based printer (print start instruction of the printer engine section and preheat start instruction of the heater). As a result, the first print time of the host-based printer (the time from the standby state until the printing of the print data for the first sheet is completed) can be shortened. (4) With the above, it is possible to reduce the overall printing time of a plurality of print jobs. (5) Since the CPUs of both the host computer and the host-based printer can be used for rasterization processing, the load on the host computer can be reduced. As a result, the processing time of the host computer can be shortened.

[Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment of the present invention, an embodiment for printing a one-page print job will be described. A means to transfer the GDI command that Windows (R) spits out from an arbitrary point on one page to the host-based printer, and rasterize the print data after that point and compress the compressed data to the host-based printer after the GDI data transfer is completed. By providing a means for transferring data to the host-based printer and accelerating the time for completing the transfer of the data to the host-based printer and the completion of the transfer of the print data for one page, the host-based printer is activated (print start instruction of the printer engine unit). A printing system characterized by shortening the first print time (the time from the standby state until the printing of the first print data is completed) and the time required for printing are described below.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printing system including a host computer and a host-based printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The host-based printer 62 includes a control unit 65, a RAM 66, a CPU
Printer controller 63 having 67 and ROM 68
And a printer engine unit 64. The host computer 61 is connected to the host base printer 62 and includes a control unit 70. Reference numeral 69 in the figure denotes a USB cable for connecting the host computer 61 and the host base printer 62.

To explain the above configuration in detail, in the host-based printer 62, the control unit 65 controls the entire printer controller 63, and executes the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 based on the control program. R
AM66 is print data (GDI data, compressed data)
Is used as a reception buffer for receiving the GDI data and as a work area for expanding the GDI data into raster data. CPU67
Performs a process of converting a GDI command into raster data, controls print data, and print engine unit 6
4 is controlled. The ROM 68 stores a program for converting GDI data into raster data and the like. The printer engine unit 64 controls a printing operation for forming an image on a sheet.

The host computer 61 controls to convert print data into bitmap data (raster data) based on a GDI command, control to convert a GDI command into raster data, control to compress raster data, GDI.
A control unit 70 is provided which controls the transmission of data to the host-based printer 2 and the control of transmission of compressed data to the host-based printer 2. The control unit 70 executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 based on the control program to transfer the previous print data to be transmitted from the arbitrary point to the host-based printer 2 as the GDI data to be discharged by Windows (R), Control is performed to compress the print data to be transmitted later from an arbitrary point and transfer it to the host-based printer 2 as compressed data. In this case, the arbitrary point is set either within the page of the print job, between page breaks of the print job, or between consecutive print jobs. It should be noted that the host computer 61 is shown as an indispensable component, and illustration and description of other components such as a storage unit, an operation unit, and a display unit are omitted.

The print data transmitted from the host computer 61 to the host base printer 62 is once stored in the RAM 66 of the printer controller 63. In response to a request from the printer engine unit 64, the control unit 65 of the printer controller 63 reads data from the RAM 66, decompresses compressed data (converts GDI data into raster data) and converts it into video data, and then the printer engine unit. Then, the printer engine unit 4 prints.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the host computer 61 and the host-based printer 62 according to the second embodiment. This figure shows the flow of processing in the host computer 61 and the host-based printer 62 over time. Time flows from left to right.

The processing flow of the host computer is as follows. That is, between T71 and T72, Windows (R)
The print data is converted into bitmap data (raster data) by the GDI command issued by the. At the same time, the GDI command is converted into raster data. T72-T
The raster data is compressed between 73. At the point of T73, transfer of the compressed data to the host-based printer 62 is started. Between T73 and T74, the host-based printer 6
2. Transfer the compressed data to 2. Host-based printer 62
The processing flow of is as follows. That is, reception of GDI data is started at the point of T75. T75-T76
Converts GDI data to raster data between -T77. At the point of T76, the printer engine unit 64 is activated and printing is started according to an instruction from the host computer 61. The printer engine unit 64 performs printing between T76 and T77. Printing is completed at the point of T77.

As can be seen by comparing FIG. 2 (conventional example) and FIG. 7 (second embodiment), in the second embodiment,
From host computer 61 to host-based printer 62
Since the timing of sending print data to the printer can be advanced, the printer engine unit 6 of the host-based printer 62 can be
4 can be started at an early timing, so that the printing time can be shortened.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the processing of the host computer 61 of the second embodiment. In step S21, the host computer 61 communicates with the host base printer 62 to obtain information about the host base printer 62, and the printing speed, resolution, paper size, RAM size (memory for storing print data of the host base printer 62. Size) and monochrome / color (printing mode of monochrome printing or color printing). In step S22, the host computer 61 determines whether or not there is a print job. If there is a print job, in step S23, the host computer 61 compresses from which line of one page based on the paper size information of the print job and the information of the host-based printer 62 obtained in step S21. It is calculated whether the following formula is satisfied, and the point (how many rasters) at which data compression is started is obtained.

The GDI data (GDI data from the first line of one page to the line-1 where compression is started) is transferred to the host-based printer 62. When the host-based printer 62 receives this GDI data and finishes converting it to raster data = raster data compression completion time In step S24, the host computer 61 determines the GDI up to the data compression start point calculated in step S23. Data transfer to the host-based printer 62 is started. In step S25, the host computer 61
Performs the data compression from the data compression start point to the end of one page by using the idle time of the data transfer in step S24. In step S26, the host computer 61 determines whether or not the data compression has been completed. When the data compression is completed, in step S27,
The host computer 61 determines whether or not the GDI data transfer is completed. When the GDI data transfer is completed, in step S28, the host computer 61
Starts transferring the data compressed in step S25 to the host-based printer 62. In step S29, the host computer 61 determines whether or not the transfer of the compressed data has been completed. When the transfer of the compressed data ends, this process ends.

By the above procedure, the host computer 6
1 judges the point to start data compression, and GDI
The print data is transferred to the host-based printer 62 in the order of data and compressed data.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing of the host-based printer 62 according to the second embodiment. In step S31, the controller 65 of the printer controller 63.
Determines whether there is a print request from the host computer 61. When there is a print request, the control unit 65 of the printer controller 63 starts receiving GDI data from the host computer 61 in step S32.
At this time, conversion of GDI data into raster data is started. In step S33, the control unit 65 of the printer controller 63 determines whether or not there is a start command for the printer engine unit 64 from the host computer 61.
If there is a start command, the control unit 65 of the printer controller 63 starts the printer engine unit 64 in step S34.

In step S35, the control unit 65 of the printer controller 63 controls the host computer 61
It is checked whether the reception of DI data is completed. When the reception of the GDI data is completed, the control unit 65 of the printer controller 63 receives the compressed data from the host computer 61 in step S36. This compressed data is stored in the RAM (reception buffer) 66. In step S37, the controller 65 of the printer controller 63.
Checks whether the reception of compressed data from the host computer 61 has been completed. When the reception of the compressed data is completed, the control unit 65 of the printer controller 63 checks in step S38 whether the printing is completed. When printing is completed, this process ends.

By providing the above means, the transfer of print data from the host computer 61 to the host base printer 62 can be started earlier, and as a result, the printer engine unit 6 of the host base printer 62 can be started.
Since the start-up of No. 4 can be speeded up, the printing time can be shortened. Moreover, since the CPUs of both the host computer 61 and the host-based printer 62 can be used for rasterization, the load on the host computer 61 is reduced. As a result, there is an advantage that the processing time of the host computer 61 is shortened.

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the following various effects can be obtained. (1) Since the transfer of print data transmitted from the host computer to the host-based printer can be completed more quickly, as a result, the printing can be completed more quickly. (2) Since the data compressed by the host computer is reduced, the processing time of the host computer can be shortened. (3) It is possible to accelerate the start-up of the host-based printer (print start instruction of the printer engine section and preheat start instruction of the heater). As a result, the first print time of the host-based printer (the time from the standby state until the printing of the print data for the first sheet is completed) can be shortened. (4) With the above, it is possible to reduce the overall printing time of a plurality of print jobs. (5) Since the CPUs of both the host computer and the host-based printer can be used for rasterization processing, the load on the host computer can be reduced. As a result, the processing time of the host computer can be shortened.

[Other Embodiments] In the above embodiment, the case where each one host computer and one host-based printer are applied to a system connected via a USB cable has been described as an example, but any plural number may be used. It is also possible to apply to the system in which the host computer and the host-based printer are connected via a network such as a LAN.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. A medium such as a storage medium that stores a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the medium in the medium such as the storage medium. It goes without saying that the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the executed program code.

In this case, the program code itself read from the medium such as the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the medium such as the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. It will be. As a medium such as a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-RO.
M, CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card,
ROM or download via a network can be used.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS or the like running on the computer is actually executed based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the present invention includes a case where a part or all of the processing of (1) is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from a medium such as a storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, an instruction of the program code is given. Based on the above, a case where a CPU or the like included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs a part or all of actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is not included in the present invention. Needless to say.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Set an arbitrary point in the print data page to switch the compression process, uncompress the previous print data to be transmitted from any point to uncompressed data, and compress the subsequent print data to be transmitted from the arbitrary point. It controls to transfer to the printing device as compressed data, and the print data to be transmitted before the arbitrary point is
s (registered trademark) exhaled GDI (Graphics Device Int)
erface) data, it has the following various effects. (1) The transfer completion of the print data transmitted from the print control device to the printing device can be completed earlier, and as a result, the completion of printing can be completed faster. (2) Since the amount of data compressed by the print controller is reduced, the processing time of the print controller can be shortened. (3) The activation of the printing apparatus (the instruction to start the printing of the image forming unit and the instruction to start the preheating of the heating unit) can be accelerated. As a result, the first print time (time from the standby state until the printing of the print data for the first sheet is completed) of the printing apparatus can be shortened. (4) With the above, it is possible to reduce the overall printing time of a plurality of print jobs. (5) Since the CPUs of both the print control device and the print device can be used for the rasterizing process, the load on the print control device can be reduced. As a result, the processing time of the print control device can be shortened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system including a host computer and a host-based printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a conventional host computer and host-based printer, which are comparison targets of the first and second embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a host computer and a host-based printer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing of the host computer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of the host-based printer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printing system including a host computer and a host-based printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a host computer and a host-based printer according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing of a host computer according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing of the host-based printer according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a first output device to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 11 is an external view showing a configuration of a second output device to which the present invention can be applied.

12 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a second output device shown in FIG.

[Description of Reference Signs] 1,61 host computer (printing control device) 2,62 host base printer (printing device) 3,63 printer controller (control means) 4,64 printer engine unit (image forming means) 5,65 host base Printer control unit (control unit) 8, 69 USB cable (communication medium) 9, 70 Host computer control unit (control unit, setting unit, determining unit)

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A print control device capable of transmitting print data to a printing device, comprising setting means for setting an arbitrary point for switching compression processing within a page of print data, and printing to be transmitted before the arbitrary point. A print control device, comprising: a control unit for controlling data to be non-compressed and non-compressed data, compressing print data to be transmitted after the arbitrary point, and transferring the compressed print data to the printing device as compressed data. 2. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising setting means for setting the arbitrary point as a page break of a print job. 3. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising setting means for setting the arbitrary point between consecutive print jobs. 4. A determination unit that determines the arbitrary point based on information obtained from the printing apparatus, and the information includes the resolution, the printing speed, the paper size, the reception buffer size, and the printing mode of the printing apparatus. 4. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print control apparatus includes information such as whether it is monochrome or color. 5. The printing apparatus includes a printing apparatus that forms an image on a print medium by an electrophotographic method, and a printing apparatus that forms an image on a print medium by an inkjet method. 4. The print control device according to item 4. 6. The print data to be transmitted before the arbitrary point is a GDI (Graphic) that is discharged by Windows (R).
5. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the print control device is a print control device. 7. A printing apparatus, which is connected to the print control apparatus according to claim 1 through a communication medium, wherein print data transmitted from the print control apparatus is received and the printing is performed. A printing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls an operation such as image formation based on data; and an image forming unit that forms an image on a print medium. 8. A printing system comprising the print control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and the printing device according to claim 7. 9. A print control method executed by a print control device capable of transmitting print data to a printing device, comprising: a setting step of setting an arbitrary point for switching compression processing within a page of print data; And a control step of controlling the preceding transmission target print data to be uncompressed from the point to be uncompressed data, and compressing the subsequent transmission target print data from the arbitrary point and transferring to the printing device as compressed data. A characteristic print control method. 10. A program supplied to a printing system including a printing device and a print control device capable of transmitting print data to the printing device, wherein an arbitrary point for switching compression processing is set in a page of the print data. Setting step for setting, and control to compress the previous transmission target print data from an arbitrary point as uncompressed data and compress the subsequent transmission target print data from the arbitrary point and transfer as compressed data to the printing device And a control step for performing the program. 11. The program according to claim 10, further comprising a setting step of setting the arbitrary point as a page break of a print job. 12. The program according to claim 10, further comprising a setting step of setting the arbitrary point between consecutive print jobs. 13. A determination step of determining the arbitrary point based on information obtained from the printing device,
13. The program according to claim 10, wherein the information includes resolution, printing speed, paper size, reception buffer size of the printing device, and whether the printing mode is monochrome or color. . 14. The printing apparatus includes a printing apparatus that forms an image on a print medium by an electrophotographic method, and a printing apparatus that forms an image on a print medium by an inkjet method. 13. The program described in 13. 15. The print data to be transmitted before the arbitrary point is the GDI (Graph) that is discharged by Windows (R).
ics Device Interface) data, The program according to any one of claims 10 to 13. 16. A storage medium storing the program according to any one of claims 10 to 15.