JP2004086874A - Printing data providing device, printer, printing system, and printing data forwarding method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system which conducts push-print of a printing document which consists of a plurality of different format files. <P>SOLUTION: An HDD unit 12 is a printing data providing device which provides the printing documents that consists of a plurality of printing data files described in different formats to a printer unit 13 connected via a transmission channel, and is provided with a storage sub unit 12a which integrates the plurality of printing data files in one archive file and push forwards the archive file to the printer unit 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of transferring print data to a printer device, and more particularly to push printing when print document data is composed of a plurality of print objects in different formats.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Attempts have been made to connect a printer device to an AV (Audio Visual) device such as a digital camera or a digital broadcast receiver (STB: Set Top Box), and to directly print an image captured and received by the AV device to the printer device. I have.
[0003]
Here, it is desirable that the same print result is always obtained regardless of the print instruction from any AV device, and that the processing load on the host side is reduced. Therefore, there is a need for a print protocol capable of transferring print document data captured and received by the AV device from the AV device to the printer device as it is, and performing the process of generating print image data on the printer side.
[0004]
One of the measures to meet such a demand is Printer Subunit, which is one of the AV / C protocols defined in the IEEE 1394 standard. The AV / C protocol provides a framework that determines the minimum necessary standard protocol for connection of AV equipment, maintains compatibility, and enables each manufacturer to individually enhance the performance of the equipment. Among the AV / C protocols described above, an AV / C printer subunit that particularly negotiates an AV / C command relating to a printer device is the AV / C Printer Subunit. For more information on AV / C Printer Subunit, see http: // www. 1394TA. described in "TA Document 1999038 AV / C Printer Subunit Specification 1.0" available at org. Printer Subunit specifies push printing of still image data when a still image is transferred from an AV device to a printer and printed.
[0005]
FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a communication procedure when an AV device such as a digital camera prints out an image to a printer device according to an existing AV / C Printer Subunit. Here, a communication sequence when a controller 900 connected via an IEEE 1394 bus outputs a print object such as an image held therein to a printer unit (printer device) 910, and a command and a response at that time are shown.
[0006]
First, the controller 900 obtains version information from the printer unit 910 (version verification phase), generates a print job by designating a job identifier job_ID to the printer unit 910 (job creation phase), and then executes a logical transfer channel (job creation phase). Establish an asynchronous data transfer connection (Asynchronous Connection) (connection phase).
[0007]
Then, by sending the AV / C command CAPTURE to the printer unit 910, the controller 900 designates a print object to be output, and instructs to receive the print object. The object is output (pushed) to the printer unit 910 (object push phase).
[0008]
When printing is completed and the printer unit 910 returns an end status ACCEPTED response to the controller 900, the controller 900 disconnects the transfer channel Asynchronous Connection (disconnection phase) and closes the print job (job closure phase). The status of the job in the printer unit 910 is polled (status poll phase).
[0009]
In this way, the AV device outputs the print object to the printer device according to the AV / C Printer Subunit, so that the print output can be performed without installing the driver software specific to the printer device.
By the way, a print format such as HTML widely used for document data distribution on the Internet and XHTML-Print which has recently attracted attention is one print document from a plurality of data (print objects) described in different formats. Is configured. In order to generate a print image from a print document described in such XHTML-Print or the like, it is necessary to randomly access a plurality of print objects described in different formats.
[0010]
However, if the above-mentioned access mode is realized by sequentially using the N-column printing as described above and sequentially storing the print objects in the printer device by push-transferring the print object, the end of the transfer cannot be clearly specified, and the print document can be configured up to which push transfer. The printer device cannot determine whether it has been performed. Further, the printer device cannot determine which type of print document is formed by a plurality of print objects sequentially pushed and transferred. This is the same in other push print protocols including the AV / C Printer Subunit, and a plurality of data described in different formats are collectively transferred from an AV device (print data supply device) to a printer device. There is no push print protocol for push transfer.
[0011]
Therefore, in order to realize a system that can always obtain the same print result even when printing a format such as XHTML-Print from any type of AV device, the printer device sequentially transmits necessary print objects to the AV device at that time. It is necessary to employ a pull print protocol that performs print image data generation processing while making a request.
[0012]
Regarding the pull print protocol, a pull print protocol (for example, as an example) that enables pull print of any form of print document including a print document composed of a plurality of print objects described in different formats such as XHTML-Print. , AV / C Printer Subunit, etc.) have been proposed (see Patent Document 1).
[0013]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application 2002-024578
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional pull print protocol such as the AV / C Printer Subunit, since the printer device sequentially requests (pulls) a print object on the host side, there is a problem that communication traffic increases.
[0015]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and provides a print data supply device, a printer device, a printing system, and the like that can print a print document of any format by push printing. The purpose is to: That is, a printer that can always obtain the same print result regardless of the print instruction from any print data supply device, reduces the processing load on the host side, and reduces communication traffic generated in the print processing. It is intended to provide a device or the like.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a print data supply apparatus according to the present invention provides a print data supply apparatus for supplying a print document consisting of a plurality of print data files described in different formats to a printing apparatus connected via a transmission path. A supply device, comprising: an aggregation unit that aggregates the plurality of print data files into one archive file; and a transfer unit that push-transfers the archive file to the printing device.
[0017]
Another print data supply device according to the present invention is a print data supply device that supplies a print document, which is composed of a plurality of print data files described in different formats, to a printing device connected via a transmission path. A sequential transfer unit that sequentially push-transfers the plurality of print data files to the printing apparatus with information indicating that the transferred print data file is the print data file constituting the print document.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a broadcast wave is used for communication between the broadcast station and the print data supply device, and communication between the print data supply device and the printer device is IEEE 1394 as a communication medium, and IEEE 1394 AV is used as a print protocol. Although the present invention is described using the / C Printer Subunit, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, Internet is used for communication between a broadcast station and a print data supply device, and HTTP is used as a data transfer protocol. (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), a Print Basic Service protocol in UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) and a print protocol in Bluetooth for a print protocol between a print data supply device and a printer device. The same effect can be obtained even when applying the present invention in asic Printing Profile.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a printing system 100 according to the present embodiment. The print system 100 is a push print system that outputs a print document composed of a plurality of print objects described in different formats to a printer using the archive push method or the multi-push transfer method of the present invention. A station 110, an STB 120, a printer device 140, and an external bus 150 are provided. The broadcast station 110 is a broadcast station that broadcasts digital broadcast programs to homes, and includes a print data generation device 111. The print data generation device 111 generates a print document such as an Internet homepage described in HTML and XHTML-Print, which is composed of a plurality of print objects in different formats.
[0020]
The STB 120 has a function of receiving digital broadcast radio waves, extracting audio signals, video signals, and data signals from the received broadcast radio waves, and reproducing and printing out the extracted signals on a television monitor, a speaker, a printer, and the like. And a TS (Transport Stream) decoder 121, an input unit 122, a remote controller 123, a memory 124, an image processing unit 125, a television monitor 126, an audio processing unit 127, a speaker 128, an internal bus 129, and a printing process. The communication device includes a unit 130, a controller 133, and a communication control unit 134. Further, the print processing unit 130 includes an archive determination unit 131 and an archiver 132.
[0021]
The TS decoder 121 extracts and decodes only the broadcast data of the broadcast station 110 selected by the user from the received broadcast wave. The input unit 122 receives an input from the remote controller 123 by a user. The remote controller 123 transmits a signal corresponding to a user's button operation or the like to the input unit 122 by infrared rays or the like. The memory 124 holds print data included in the broadcast data extracted by the TS decoder 121. The image processing unit 125 is an MPEG decoder realized by an LSI, a video board, a program, or the like, extracts video data from broadcast data extracted by the TS decoder 121, performs processing such as decoding, and converts display data. Generate. The television monitor 126 is realized by a CRT or a liquid crystal display panel, and displays the display data generated by the image processing unit 125. The audio processing unit 127 is an MPEG2-AAC decoder or the like realized by an LSI or a program, extracts audio and audio data from the broadcast data extracted by the TS decoder 121, performs processing such as decoding, and performs analog audio signal processing. Generate The speaker 128 outputs the sound signal generated by the sound processing unit 127 as sound. The internal bus 129 is a data transmission path for each unit in the STB 120 to transmit data at high speed.
[0022]
The print processing unit 130 extracts a print document from the broadcast data extracted by the TS decoder 121, and determines whether the extracted print document is archive data, a single document, or a print document including a plurality of files in the same format. If the print document is output as it is to the memory 124 and the extracted print document is a print document described in HTML and XHTML-Print composed of a plurality of files of different formats, the top page to be read first by the printer device 140 This is a processing unit that aggregates files so as to be at the head of the archive data and outputs the files to the memory 124. When the print document in the memory 124 is described in HTML, XHTML-Print, or the like, the archive determination unit 131 collects the image data files referred to in the HTML, XHTML-Print, or the like into one file in advance. It is determined whether or not the files are combined. If the files are not combined, the files including the files, such as HTML and XHTML-Print, are transferred to the archiver 132 and are combined into one file. In other cases, the print document is not transferred to the archiver 132, and the print document is output to the memory 124 by an ordinary method. The archiver 132 converts a file group having a different format, which constitutes the print document acquired from the archive determination unit 131, into a Tar (Tape Archive and Retrieval format) format, a MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension) format, a ZIP format, an LZH format, and the like. Use a format to consolidate into one file.
[0023]
The communication control unit 134 is for transferring print data from the STB 120 to the printer device 140, and is connected to the printer device 140 via the external bus 150. The external bus 150 is, for example, an IEEE 1394 bus. When data is stored from the print processing unit 130 to the memory 124, the communication control unit 134 reads the data from the memory 124 and transfers the data to the printer device 140 via the external bus 150.
[0024]
The controller 133 controls the operation of each unit in the STB 120.
The printer device 140 is a printer that prints a print document acquired from the STB 120, and includes a controller 141, an I / F 144, a rasterizer 146, and a printer engine 147. The controller 141 includes a command determination unit 142 and a development unit 143, controls the operation of each unit in the printer device 140, interprets the top page of the print document developed by the development unit 143, and outputs HTML and XHTML-Print. The timing at which the expansion unit 143 outputs the reference file to the rasterizer 146 is controlled so that the reference file is appropriately arranged in the top page described in, for example, FIG. The command determination unit 142 determines whether or not the print document acquired from the STB 120 is archive data. If the print document is archive data, the command determination unit 142 transfers the acquired print document to the expansion unit 143; Transfer to the rasterizer 146. The expansion unit 143 expands the print document acquired from the command determination unit 142, and restores an original file group including a top page and reference files described in HTML, XHTML-Print, or the like.
[0025]
The I / F 144 includes a buffer 145, establishes a logical connection with the communication control unit 134 via the external bus 150, interprets a push transfer command from the communication control unit 134, and prints a print document. Accept the transfer. The buffer 145 is a FIFO memory realized by a RAM or the like. The rasterizer 146 converts a print document input from the controller 141 into bitmap data for printing. The printer engine 147 prints the print content of the print document on paper based on the bitmap data from the rasterizer 146.
[0026]
The operation of the print processing unit 130 in the STB 120 in the printing system 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the print processing unit 130 when the STB 120 illustrated in FIG. 1 receives a print document from the broadcast station 110. When the STB 120 receives the print document from the broadcasting station 110 (S110), the print processing unit 130 extracts the print document from the broadcast data extracted by the TS decoder 121, and converts the extracted print document into a single file or the same format. Whether or not the print document data is composed of a plurality of files is checked based on the file extension of the print document (S115). If the retrieved print document is print document data composed of a single file or a file composed of a plurality of files of the same format, it is output to the memory 124 as it is (S114). If they are different, it is checked whether the data is archive data based on the file extension of the print document, the data header of the file, and the like (S111). If the extracted print document is archive data, it is output to the memory 124 as it is (S114). Further, when the extracted print document is not archive data, the print document is configured such that data such as an image is referred to a link from a Top Page described in, for example, HTML and XHTML-Print to form the print document. It is checked whether the document is a print document composed of a plurality of files of different formats (S112). If so, a Top Page file described in HTML and XHTML-Print comes to the top of the archive data. Thus, a plurality of files are aggregated (archived) (S113) and output to the memory 124 (S114).
[0027]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a system model 10 which is a logical configuration of the printing system 100 shown in FIG. The system model 10 includes a controller 11, an HDD unit 12, and a printer unit 13 connected by an IEEE 1394 bus, and has the same basic configuration as a conventional system model defined by the IEEE 1394 AV / C Printer Subunit. Are characterized by the contents of the parameters of the AV / C Printer Subunit Control command "Capture", which is a command for instructing push print, and the format of the data accompanying the push transfer from the HDD unit 12 to the printer unit 13. .
[0028]
The controller 11 is, for example, a device such as the STB 120 (for example, the print processing unit 130 illustrated in FIG. 1) that implements a connection management function on an IEEE 1394 bus. The HDD unit 12 is a data transmission device (Producer) on a bus realized by a hard disk drive (Hard Disk Drive) device (for example, the memory 124 shown in FIG. 1), and a storage subunit having a data transmission function. 12a. An example of the storage subunit 12a includes an AV / C Camera Storage Subunit. The printer unit 13 is a data receiving device (Consumer) on a bus realized by the printer device 140 and the like, and has a printer subunit 13a having a function of printing received data. An example of the printer subunit 13a is an AV / C Printer Subunit. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which an AV / C Camera Storage Subunit is used as the storage subunit 12a, and an AV / C Printer Subunit is used as the printer subunit 13a.
[0029]
Note that the unit corresponds to an AV device, and the subunit manages the function of the AV device (virtual functional unit). The combination of the subunits becomes a unit, and what functional unit the unit is divided into is determined as appropriate. Further, the subunit is a virtual functional unit and does not always match the hardware configuration.
[0030]
The feature shown in the figure is that the command to the HDD unit 12 and the printer unit 13 is performed only by the controller 11, and the controller 11 instructs the HDD unit 12 to transmit data (command and response), and at the same time, The point is that push printing in the printer unit 13 is realized by instructing the printer unit 13 to receive data from the controller 11. The print objects constituting the print document are transmitted via a connection for asynchronous data transfer (Asynchronous Connection) already established by the controller 11 or the like.
[0031]
If described as a controller-subunit model in the IEEE1394 AV / C standard, the controller 11 is a controller for the AV / C Printer Subunit (printer subunit 13a) in the printer unit 13. Further, the controller 11 is a controller for the AV / C Camera Storage Subunit (storage subunit 12a) in the HDD unit 12. Further, in the present embodiment, the controller 11 is also a controller for Asynchronous Connection, which is a connection for asynchronous data transfer, and establishes, restores, and disconnects Asynchronous Connection.
[0032]
The communication sequence in the system model 10 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 3 enables push printing in which a plurality of data described in different formats are collectively pushed and transferred, which is impossible in the related art. Therefore, internal processing in the object push phase is different from the communication sequence of the existing AV / C Printer Subunit. Focusing on the communication protocol, the contents of the parameters in the AV / C Printer Subunit Control command “CAPTURE” issued after performing the specific internal processing, and the format of the print object transmitted in association therewith are different from those in the related art. A further different point is that a plurality of print objects described in different formats are consolidated into one archive data by devising in advance that the printer can easily perform the print image generation process.
[0033]
Here, a specific example of a print document composed of a plurality of print objects described in different formats will be described. A typical document is a print document described in a tagging language such as HTML or XHTML-Print described above. is there. These print documents are composed of a Top Page described in a tagging language, and a plurality of image data described in Jpeg, PNG, Gif, and the like linked from the Top Page. In the present embodiment, a print document described in XHTML-Print is adopted as an example of a print document composed of a plurality of print objects described in different formats, and the print objects forming the print document are in XHTML-Print. A description will be given assuming that the data is a Top Page described in a specified tagging language and a plurality of image data linked (associated) from the Top Page. The print document in the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a print document described in another tagging language.
[0034]
Here, the parameters of the command “CAPTURE” of the AV / C Printer Subunit will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing parameters of the print instruction command “CAPTURE” of the existing IEEE 1394 AV / C Printer Subunit. It shows the operands (parameters added to the instruction) and the length (the number of bytes) in the AV / C command frame of the command “CAPTURE”. As shown in FIG. 4, the command “CAPTURE” has, as operands, a parameter subfunction, a reply parameter status and result, a parameter destination_plug, a parameter print_job_ID, a parameter image_format_size_specifier, a parameter image_size_specifier, a parameter image_size_specifier, a parameter image_size_specifier, and a parameter datasize parameter. It is composed of the parameters next_pic and next_page.
[0035]
The parameter “subfunction” is a parameter for designating one of a plurality of specific operations “receive”, “status”, “resume”, and “abort” for the command “CAPTURE”. The parameters “status” and “result” are return parameters for inputting the status value and the print result value of the printer unit 13 and returning them to the controller 11. The parameter destination_plug is a parameter for specifying an input port of the printer unit (data receiving device; consumer) in the connection. The parameter print_job_ID is a parameter that specifies the print job to be commanded. The parameter image_format_specifier is used to specify the format of a print object that forms a print document. The parameter data_size specifies the data size of the print object to be transferred. The parameters image_size_x and image_size_y are used to specify the number of pixels as image data (for the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction). The parameters next_pic and next_page are parameters for returning a specific command.
[0036]
As will be described in detail later, in the present embodiment, the problem in the related art is solved by extending the values specified by image_format_specifier, next_pic, and next_page among these parameters. First, in order to enable push-printing of a print document such as XHTML-Print composed of a plurality of print objects described in different formats, which is impossible in the related art, an object push phase in the present embodiment is described. The following describes what internal processing is being performed. FIG. 5A is a view showing a print screen of a print document 510 to be push-printed by the system model 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a plurality of print objects constituting the print document 510. By using a tagged description language such as XHTML-Print or HTML, a print document 510 in which an image 511, an image 513, a push button 512, and the like are freely arranged in a character string as shown in FIG. 5A is described. can do. The character string portion of the print document 510 is described in, for example, the XHTML-Print file 520 “TopPage.xhtmlp”. The XHTML-Print file 520 “TopPage.xhtmlp” includes an image file 521 “g1.gif” corresponding to the image 511 in the print document 510 and a push button 512 as shown in FIG. A link to an image file 522 “button.png” to be executed and an image file 523 “g2.gif” corresponding to the image 513 are described.
[0037]
There are two methods for realizing XHTML-Print push printing using the framework of the AV / C Printer Subunit. First, as a first method, an archive push method in which a plurality of print objects described in different formats are aggregated into one archive data and push-printed by devising Printer to easily perform a print image generation process will be described. I do. FIG. 6 is a communication sequence diagram in the case where a print document composed of a plurality of print objects is to be push-printed by the archive push method in the system model 10 shown in FIG. In this method, the archive data push in step S215 shown in FIG. 6 is performed in the object push phase in the communication sequence of the existing AV / C Printer Subunit.
[0038]
First, the HDD unit 12 performs a process of consolidating a plurality of print objects (print object groups) such as a Top Page described in HTML or XHTML-Print and image data associated therewith into archive format data (FIG. 6). Step S210). As the archive format, a Tar format that can convert and aggregate a plurality of files into one piece of binary data, a MIME format that can convert and aggregate a plurality of files into one piece of text data (ASCII character string), and the like are used. When a plurality of print objects are aggregated into archive data, a device is devised so that print image data can be easily generated in a printer that restores the archive data. Specifically, when generating print image data from a print document described in XHTML-Print, the printer must be able to determine which print object is a Top Page. Therefore, the Top Page print object name (file name) transferred from the HDD unit 12 to the printer unit 13 is determined in advance, and the Top Page print object name in the HDD unit 12 is changed to the determined name. The arrangement of the print objects in the archive is changed so that the print object data of the Top Page always becomes the head of the archive data (or a predetermined place), and the aggregation processing to the archive data is performed.
[0039]
FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example of archive data 710 in which print objects constituting the print document 510 of FIG. 5 are collected into one file. FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example of archive data 710 transmitted as a print document 510 from the HDD unit 12 to the printer unit 13. As shown in FIG. 7A, the archive data 710 is, for example, an aggregation of the print documents 510 in the Tar format, and sequentially from the top of the archive data 710, an XHTML-Print file 520 “TopPage.xhtmllp”, an image file 521 "g1.gif", an image file 522 "button.png", and an image file 523 "g2.gif" are combined. To the archive data 710 in the Tar format, although not shown, data indicating which file is consolidated from which position of the archive data 710 to which position is separately attached. In the archive push method of the present invention, the archive data 710 aggregated as described above is pushed and transmitted only once from the HDD unit 12 to the printer unit 13, so that each of the archive data 710 is transmitted as an XHTML-Print file, a gif file, and a png file. The printer unit 13 prints a print document 510 composed of print objects of different formats.
[0040]
Alternatively, a compressed archive format such as a Zip format or an LZH format may be used as the archive format. In this case, CPU resources are required for the compression / decompression processing, but the data transfer amount can be reduced. The execution of step S210 in FIG. 6 is basically performed in response to an instruction from the controller 11. The instruction method is not particularly limited. When the controller 11 and the HDD unit 12 are in the same device, the controller 11 may instruct the processing internally or the controller 11 may perform the processing. good. When the controller 11 and the HDD unit 12 exist as separate devices and are connected to each other via a network, it is necessary to separately provide a protocol for instructing step S210 in FIG. If the print document is in the archive format from the beginning, this step can be omitted.However, before performing the subsequent steps, the print document is The controller 11 needs to know that the data is archive data.
[0041]
Next, the controller 11 issues a command “CAPTURE” to the printer unit 13 (S211). At this time, it is assumed that the parameter image_format_specifier shown in FIG. 4 specifies that the data transferred to the printer is in the archive data format. In the “TA Document 1999038 AV / C Printer Subunit Specification 1.0”, an explicit value for specifying an archive data format is not specified in image_format_specifier, but an area in which a vendor can specify an original print format. It becomes possible by applying a certain Vendor Dependent category (from “0x8000” to “0x8FFF”). For example, when print documents described in XHTML-Print are aggregated in the Tar format and subjected to push printing, the parameter value “0x8001” is defined as indicating the archive data format “XHTML-Print_Tar_PushPrint” by applying the Vendor Dependent category, and In step S211, the controller 11 issues an AV / C Printer Subunit Control command “CAPTURE” specifying the image_format_specifier “0x8001” to the printer unit 13. Of course, an explicit value specifying the archive data format may be determined and standardized.
[0042]
Upon receiving the command “CAPTURE”, the printer unit 13 confirms the parameter “image_format_specifier”, confirms that the data to be subsequently pushed and transferred is archive data, and prepares processing for it (S212). A response (INTERIM response) to the command “CAPTURE” is returned to the controller 11 (S213).
[0043]
Upon receiving the INTERIM response to the command “CAPTURE”, the controller 11 requests the HDD unit 12 to transmit the archive data generated in step S210 to the printer unit 13 (S214). For example, when the HDD unit 12 includes an AV / C Camera Storage Subunit as a data transmission function, the HDD unit 12 issues an AV / C Camera Storage Subunit Control command “SEND FILE”.
[0044]
Upon receiving this, the HDD unit 12 transmits (pushes) the archive data to the printer unit 13 via the already established connection Asynchronous Connection (S215). Here, as a specific example, it is assumed that the archive data 710 shown in FIG. 7B has been pushed. The printer unit 13, which has recognized in advance that archive data is to be received in step S212, expands the received data and restores print document data (S216). At this time, if the aggregation processing to the archive data is performed such that the print object of the Top Page, for example, the XHTML-Print file 520 “TopPage.xhtmlp” is at the beginning (or a fixed position) of the archive data, the printer The unit 13 determines and stores the print object name of the Top Page, for example, “Top Page.xhtmllp” when expanding the archive data. The process of expanding the received archive data may be sequentially performed in step S218 of actually generating print image data from a print document.
[0045]
Next, the printer unit 13 returns a final response of the command “CAPTURE” to the controller 11 and starts the print processing of the print document (S218). Hereinafter, the printing process of the print document by the printer unit 13 will be specifically described. The print document described in XHTML-Print is composed of TopPage and image data linked from the TopPage, and these files are stored in the work storage area of the printer unit 13 by the process of step S216 in FIG. Is done. The print processing in step S218 in FIG. 6 is performed by the XHTML-Print interpreter in the printer, and generates print image data from the print document.
[0046]
First, a Top Page file (e.g., Top Page.xhtmllp) is loaded from the work storage area, and the Top Page data is parsed. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is easy to specify the Top Page. In step S210, if the print object name of the Top Page is fixedly determined in advance, the print object name can be uniquely specified from the name. On the other hand, if the process of consolidating the top page print object into the archive data is performed so as to be at the beginning (or a fixed position) of the archive data, the print object name of the top page is determined when the process of step S216 is performed. Is known. Therefore, it is possible to specify based on it.
[0047]
There are two types of print image information in the XHTML-Print interpreter: text data and image data. The XHTML-Print interpreter uses the information obtained by parsing the Top Page to determine these layouts, and sequentially determines the layout. A print image of text / image data is generated and arranged, and final print image data to be output on paper is generated and printed. The text data is included in the Top Page, but since the image data is linked to the image file in the Top Page, the XHTML-Print interpreter uses the image file separately stored in the work storage area, for example, The image file 521 "g1.gif", the image file 522 "button.png", and the image file 523 "g2.gif" are loaded to generate a print image of the image data.
[0048]
Next, a multi-push transfer method, which is a second method for realizing XHTML-Print push printing using the framework of the AV / C Printer Subunit, will be described. In this method, the parameters image_format_specifier, next_pic and next_page of the AV / C Printer Subunit Control command “CAPTURE” are applied, and in step S215 shown in FIG. 6, the phase archive shown in step S215 shown in FIG. Is performed. Although the parameter content of the command “CAPTURE” has been described above, the parameters “next_pic” and “next_page” are return parameters to which values are entered from the AV / C Printer Subunit at the time of return. When issuing the AV / C Printer Subunit Control command “CAPTURE”, it is defined that a null value “0xFFFF” is substituted. However, a response in which values are substituted for the parameters next_pic and next_page is returned from the printer subunit 13a. .
[0049]
In this method, the print document is pushed from the HDD unit 12 to the printer unit 13 by issuing the AV / C Printer Subunit Control command “CAPTURE” a plurality of times by using the two parameters to issue a plurality of print objects constituting the print document. In this method, the number of times the command “CAPTURE” is issued is controlled using the parameters next_pic and next_page. For example, by setting next_pic as the total number of print objects constituting the print document and next_page as the number of times the command “CAPTURE” is issued, the printer sub-unit 13a reads the parameters next_pic and next_page of the command “CAPTURE” to read the print document. It is understood that reception of next_pic commands “CAPTURE” in total and push transfer of the print object next_pic times in total occur until the push transfer is completed, and that the current command “CAPTURE” is the next_page number of these commands. . Note that the roles of the parameters next_pic and next_page may be reversed. Alternatively, a new command having a communication sequence similar to the AV / C Printer Subunit Control command “CAPTURE” may be newly provided, and a parameter having a role equivalent to the role assigned to the parameters next_pic and next_page may be newly provided in the new command. .
[0050]
Further, by instructing that the number of times of issuing “CAPTURE” is controlled by the parameters next_pic and next_page with the parameter image_format_specifier at the time of issuing the first “CAPTURE”, the Printer can smoothly switch the processing. It can be carried out. Further, by transmitting data required first in a printing process such as a TopPage file in a printer in a specific order, the printing process can be performed smoothly.
[0051]
Hereinafter, along with FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, four print objects (one Top Page data “TopPage.xhtmlp” and three image data “g1.gif”, “button.png”, and “g2.gif” The communication sequence when push-printing the print document 510 composed of ")" will be described. FIG. 8 is a communication sequence diagram in a case where a print document composed of a plurality of print objects is push-printed by the multi-push transfer method in the system model 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing specific values of parameters in the command “CAPTURE” transmitted from the controller 11 in the communication sequence of FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing each print object in the print document 510 transferred in each phase object push shown in FIG.
[0052]
The controller 11, which knows in advance which data the four print objects that make up the print document are, issues an AV / C Printer Subunit Control command “CAPTURE” to the printer unit 13 for push-transferring the Top Page first. (S410 and S510). At this time, the controller 11 expands the parameter image_format_specifier shown in FIG. 4 to the effect that the print document is a format including a plurality of print objects of different formats, and prints by issuing the command “CAPTURE” a plurality of times by expanding next_page and next_pic. A value that specifies that the document is to be push-transferred shall be specified. In the above-mentioned “TA Document 1999038 AV / C Printer Subunit Specification 1.0”, a value that specifies the push transfer method of this method is not specified, but for example, the value “0x8003” is changed to “Multiplepipe” by applying a vendor dependent category. This can be handled by defining it as "XHTML-Print". Of course, an explicit value may be negotiated and standardized. Also, “4”, which is the total number of print objects, is input to the parameter next_pic, and “1” indicating the first push transfer is input to the parameter next_page.
[0053]
Upon receiving the command "CAPTURE" in which the above parameters are set, the printer unit 13 confirms the parameters, and four print objects are transferred by a total of four (multi) push transfers from the values of the parameters next_pic and next_page, and Since the parameter next_page is “1”, it is confirmed that the data that is the first push transfer and the push transfer is the Top Page data of the print document described in the XHTML-Print format. Then, a response (INTERIM response) to the command "CAPTURE" is returned (S411). Upon receiving the INTERIM response to the command “CAPTURE”, the controller 11 requests the HDD unit 12 to transmit Top Page data to the printer unit 13 (S412). For example, when the HDD unit 12 includes an AV / C Camera Storage Subunit as a data transmission function, the HDD unit 12 issues an AV / C Camera Storage Subunit Control command “SEND FILE”.
[0054]
Upon receiving this, the HDD unit 12 transmits (pushes) Top Page data “TopPage.xhtmllp” to the printer unit 13 via the already established connection Asynchronous Connection (S413 and S511). The printer unit 13 that has received the Top Page data “TopPage.xhtmlp” returns a final response of the command “CAPTURE” to the controller 11 (S414). Since the four push transfers specified by the parameter next_pic have not been completed yet (the parameter next_pic and the parameter next_page are not the same value), the printer enters a standby state for receiving the next command “CAPTURE” (S415). ). Thereafter, the processes from S410 to S415 are repeated until the push transfer of all print objects is completed (the parameters next_pic and next_page have the same value).
[0055]
That is, the controller 11 inputs the command “CAPTURE” in which the total number of print objects “4” is input to the parameter next_pic, and “2” indicating the second push transfer is input to the parameter next_page. It is issued to the unit 13 (S512). Although not shown in FIG. 9, the printer unit 13 that has received the command “CAPTURE” returns an INTERIM response to the controller 11, and the controller 11 that has received the INTERIM response sends the INTERIM response to the HDD unit 12. Request the printer unit 13 to transmit the second print object. Upon receiving this, the HDD unit 12 transmits (pushes) a second print object, for example, image data “g1.gif” to the printer unit 13 via the already established connection Asynchronous Connection (S513). The printer unit 13 that has received the second print object image data “g1.gif” returns a final response of the command “CAPTURE” to the controller 11, and the printer enters a standby state for receiving the next command “CAPTURE”. .
[0056]
Similarly, the controller 11 issues a command “CAPTURE” in which “4” is input to the parameter next_pic for the third print object and “3” is input to the parameter next_page to the printer unit 13, and the printer unit 13 Causes the HDD unit 12 to transmit a third print object, for example, image data “button.png” in response to the INTERIM response from. The controller 11 sequentially pushes the print objects to the printer unit 13 as described above, and upon receiving the final response of the command “CAPTURE” from the printer unit 13 for the third print object, sets “4” in the parameter next_pic and “4” in the parameter next_pic. A command "CAPTURE" in which "4" is input to the parameter next_page is issued to the printer unit 13 (S514), and in response to the INTERIM response from the printer unit 13, the fourth print object from the HDD unit 12, for example, image data “G2.gif” is transmitted (S515).
[0057]
When the push transfer of all the print objects is completed and the print processing of the print document can be started, the printer unit 13 starts the print processing (S417 and S516). Here, in the present embodiment, it is specified in advance that a Top Page print object is first transferred (S410 to S414). Therefore, the XHTML-Print interpreter can specify that the data transferred first is a Top Page. The order in which the top page print object is transferred is not particularly limited. By transferring the top page print object first, the XHTML-Print interpreter can analyze the top page parsing in parallel with the reception processing of the remaining print objects. Processing can be performed. In the foregoing, two methods for realizing push printing of a print document composed of a plurality of print objects have been described. As described above, according to the present embodiment, a print document composed of a plurality of files having different formats is processed by one job (one sheet) regardless of whether the archive push method or the multi-push transfer method is used. On paper).
[0058]
As described above, the printing system according to the present invention has been described based on the embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in the present embodiment, the STB, the HDD device, and the printer device have been described as specific examples of the controller, the data transmitting device (producer), and the data receiving device (consumer) that constitute the printing system. In addition to the device, a computer device, a home bus controller, or the like may function as the controller, and the data transmission device may be a data supply device such as a DSC, a DTV, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) device, or a video camera device. Alternatively, the data receiving device may be a large-capacity storage device that stores print objects, a communication device that remotely transfers print objects, or the like.
[0059]
Further, the printing system according to the present embodiment is configured by devices connected by the IEEE1394 bus, but the transmission path connecting the devices is not limited to this bus. If it is possible to send and receive a print command, a file acquisition command, and the like, the printing procedure according to the present invention can be applied to a communication system having a LAN (10BaseT or the like), the Internet, or the like as a lower layer.
[0060]
For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the printing system according to the present invention can be applied to a general computer system in which a controller such as a personal computer and a printer are connected via a printer port or a wireless LAN. . At this time, in the case of the archive push method, first, the controller transmits a print request (Job add) with a print parameter for transmitting print data in the format of an archive file to the printer (S500). After receiving the job identifier (Job ID) for the request from the printer (S501), the print data may be transmitted to the printer in the form of an archive file together with the job identifier (S502). In the case of the multi-push transfer method, for example, a print parameter transmitted at the time of a print request includes a value representing the total number of print objects and a number of print objects such as the parameters next_pic and next_page in the present embodiment. And a value indicating whether or not the transmission is performed.
[0061]
Further, the printer that has received the archive file does not extract a plurality of files included in the archive file at once, but extracts only the file to be printed from the archive file as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Then, the process of developing and printing may be sequentially repeated for all the files included in the archive file (S510 to S514). As a result, even when a plurality of compressed files are included in the archive file, only one file is sequentially decompressed, so that the memory capacity required as a working area can be reduced.
[0062]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the print processing unit 130 has been described as collecting print documents described in XHTML-Print or the like into one archive data. However, the print processing unit 130 may also collect print documents into one or two or more archive files. . In the case of two or more, for example, the data is aggregated for each data type such as a top page and a text file group or a top page and an image file group.
[0063]
Further, in the multi-push transfer method of the above embodiment, the total number of print objects constituting the print document and the number of times of issuing the command “CAPTURE” are notified to the printer unit 13 using the parameters next_pic and next_page. The present invention is not limited to this. The transfer end of the print object may be notified to the printer unit 13 using one of the parameters next_pic and next_page. For example, by inputting “1111” into one of the parameters next_pic and next_page, the printer unit 13 may be notified that the transfer of the print object in the same print document has been completed.
[0064]
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the printer unit 13 is notified of whether to transfer the print document by the archive push method or the multi-push transfer method by using the parameter image_format_specifier, but the parameter image_format_specifier is not necessarily used. Furthermore, there is no need to use the parameters of the command “CAPTURE”. For example, a function of interpreting the extension or header of the print object file may be added to the printer unit 13. Alternatively, it may be described in the data of the print object file.
[0065]
Further, in the printing system 100 shown in FIG. 1, the STB 120 outputs the print document to the printer device 140 via the external bus 150. However, the present invention is not limited to such online printing, but may be applied to so-called offline printing. Can also be applied. For example, when a removable recording medium such as a memory card is mounted, the STB stores a print document on the recording medium. Then, the recording medium may be taken out from the STB, inserted into a printer device to which the recording medium can be attached, and the print document stored in the recording medium may be printed by the printer device.
[0066]
In addition, the present invention can be realized as the print data generation device 111 of the broadcasting station 110, the STB 120 of each home, an AV device such as a digital camera or the printer device 140, or the print data generation device 111 of the printing system 100. Alternatively, it can be realized as a print data transfer method by the STB 120 in each home, particularly, a document printing method by the printer device 140, or as a program for causing a general-purpose computer device to execute characteristic steps in the method. Such a program can be distributed via a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a communication network, or the like.
[0067]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the print data supply device according to the present invention is a print data supply device that supplies a print document including a plurality of print data files described in different formats to an external device, wherein the plurality of print data files And an output unit that outputs the collected archive files to the external device. Here, the external device is, for example, a printing device connected to the print data supply device via a transmission path, and the output unit push-transfers the archive file to the printing device.
[0068]
According to the print data supply device of the present invention,. html,. xhtmllp,. jpg,. png and. A print document including a plurality of print data files described in different formats such as bmp can be push-transferred to a printing apparatus as one archive file. Therefore, no matter what kind of AV equipment this print data supply device is realized, the function of expanding the archive file into a plurality of print data files has been developed. html or. If the archive file is transferred to a printing apparatus having a function of interpreting a print data file such as xhtmlp and combining and printing the plurality of print data files, a print result of the same quality can always be obtained. Since the printing is performed by the apparatus, the processing load on the host can be reduced, and the communication traffic generated in the printing process can be reduced.
[0069]
Another print data supply device according to the present invention is a print data supply device that supplies a print document including a plurality of print data files described in different formats to a printing device connected via a transmission path. A sequential transfer unit that sequentially push-transfers the plurality of print data files to the printing apparatus with information indicating that the transferred print data file is the print data file constituting the print document. .
[0070]
Thus, according to the other print data supply device of the present invention, a plurality of print data files described in different formats, which constitute the print document, are defined as the print data files which constitute the print document. Push transfer can be performed sequentially with the indicated information. Accordingly, a function of detecting that the print data file sequentially pushed and transferred is a print data file constituting the print document from the accompanying information, and a function of detecting the print data file if the print data file is detected as the print data file. By interpreting the above, the archive file is transferred to a printing device having a function of acquiring all the print data files constituting the print document and printing by combining the acquired print data files. Has an effect that the printing apparatus can perform push printing.
[0071]
As described above, according to the present invention, the degree of freedom in printing images and the like in a system in which a plurality of home AV devices are connected by an IEEE 1394 bus or the like is improved, and the practical value of the present invention is extremely high.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a print processing unit when the STB illustrated in FIG. 1 receives a print document from a broadcast station.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a system model that is a logical configuration of the printing system illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing parameters of a print instruction command “CAPTURE” of an existing IEEE 1394 AV / C Printer Subunit.
5A is a diagram illustrating a print screen of a print document to be push-printed by the system model illustrated in FIG. 3; FIG. FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a plurality of print objects constituting a print document.
FIG. 6 is a communication sequence diagram in a case where a print document composed of a plurality of print objects is push-printed by the archive push method in the system model shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example of archive data in which print objects forming the print document of FIG. 5 are aggregated into one file. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of archive data transmitted as a print document from the HDD unit to the printer unit.
8 is a communication sequence diagram in a case where a print document composed of a plurality of print objects is to be push-printed by a multi-push transfer method in the system model shown in FIG.
9 is a diagram showing specific values of main parameters in a command “CAPTURE” transmitted from the controller in the communication sequence of FIG.
10 is a diagram illustrating each print object in a print document transferred in each phase object push illustrated in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication sequence between a controller and a printer.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for expanding an archive file by a printer.
FIG. 13 is a communication sequence diagram showing an example of a communication procedure when an AV device such as a digital camera prints out an image to a printer device according to an existing AV / C Printer Subunit.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Controller
12 HDD unit
12a Camera storage subunit
13 Printer unit
13a Printer subunit
14 STB unit
100 printing system
110 broadcasting station
111 print data generation device
120 STB
121 TS decoder
122 Input unit
123 remote control
124 memory
125 Image processing unit
126 TV monitor
127 sound processing unit
128 speakers
129 Internal bus
130 print processing unit
131 Archive judgment unit
132 Archiver
133 controller
134 communication control unit
140 Printer
141 controller
142 Command judgment unit
143 Development part
144 I / F
145 buffer
146 Rasterizer
147 Printer Engine
150 External bus

Claims (38)

A print data supply device that supplies a print document including a plurality of print data files described in different formats to an external device,
An aggregation unit that aggregates the plurality of print data files into an archive file;
Output means for outputting the aggregated archive file to the external device. The said consolidating means converts the name of a print data file, which is first required when a printing device prints the print document, into a specific name, and then consolidates the name into the archive file. Item 2. The print data supply device according to Item 1. 2. The print data supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consolidation unit consolidates a print data file that is first required when the printing apparatus prints the print document, at a specific position of the archive file. . 2. The print data supply device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit notifies the external device of an archive format of the archive file and information indicating a format of the print data file aggregated in the archive file. . 2. The print data supply device according to claim 1, wherein the consolidation unit consolidates the plurality of print data files in a Tar Ball format. 2. The print data supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consolidation unit consolidates the plurality of print data files in a MIME format. 2. The print data supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consolidation unit consolidates the plurality of print data files in a compressed format. The print data supply device further includes:
Receiving means for receiving the plurality of print data files via a transmission path,
A first determination unit configured to determine whether the received plurality of print data files are print data files constituting one print document,
The aggregation means aggregates the plurality of print data files into an archive file when it is determined that the plurality of print data files are print data files constituting the print document as a result of the determination. The print data supply device according to claim 1. The print data supply device further includes:
Receiving means for receiving the plurality of print data files via a transmission path,
First determining means for determining whether or not the received plurality of print data files are print data files constituting one print document;
A second determination unit configured to determine whether the received print data file is archive data;
The consolidating unit determines that the print data file is not archive data by the second determining unit, and that the first determining unit determines that the print data file is a plurality of print documents constituting one print document. 2. The print data supply device according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the print data file is a data file, the print data file is consolidated into an archive file. The external device is a printing device connected to the print data supply device via a transmission path,
2. The print data supply device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit push-transfers the archive file to the printing device. 2. The print data supply device according to claim 1, wherein the external device is a removable recording medium mounted on the print data supply device. A print data supply device for supplying a print document composed of a plurality of print data files described in different formats to a printing device connected via a transmission path,
A sequential transfer unit that sequentially push-transfers the plurality of print data files to the printing apparatus with information indicating that the transferred print data file is the print data file constituting the print document. Characteristic print data supply device. 13. The print data supply apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the information is attached to a print data file transferred first among the plurality of print data files to be transferred. 13. The print data according to claim 12, wherein the information includes information indicating a format of the plurality of print data files to be transferred, and information regarding a push transfer method of the print data file to the printing apparatus. Feeding device. 13. The print data according to claim 12, wherein the sequential transfer unit sequentially push-transfers the total number of the print data files constituting the print document and information indicating a transfer order of the print data files. Feeding device. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the sequential transfer unit push-transfers a print data file which is transferred last among the print data files constituting the print document, with a flag indicating transfer completion attached thereto. Print data supply device. 13. The print data supply according to claim 12, wherein the sequential transfer unit further sequentially push-transfers the plurality of print data files together with information indicating a format of the print data file currently being transferred. apparatus. 18. The print data supply apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the sequential transfer unit sequentially push-transfers the plurality of print data files together with a data name indicating a format of each of the print data files. 18. The print data supply apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the sequential transfer unit sequentially push-transfers the plurality of print data files with a header indicating a format of each of the print data files. 13. The print data supply apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the sequential transfer unit first push-transfers a print data file which is required first when the printing apparatus prints the print document. The print data supply device further includes:
Receiving means for receiving the plurality of print data files via a transmission path,
Determining means for determining whether the received plurality of print data files are print data files constituting the print document,
When the plurality of print data files are determined to be print data files constituting the print document as a result of the determination, the sequential transfer unit attaches information indicating that the print data files are the print data files. 13. The print data supply apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of print data files are sequentially push-transferred to the printing apparatus. A printing device for acquiring and printing a print document from a print data supply device connected via a transmission path,
Acquisition means for acquiring, from the print data supply device, an archive file in which a plurality of print data files described in different formats, which constitute a print document, are aggregated,
Expanding means for expanding the acquired archive file into the print data files;
A printing unit that prints the print document by combining and developing the developed print data files. The printing means,
Interpreting means for interpreting a specific print data file among the expanded print data files and combining the print data files so that a print image represented by each print data file forms one print document;
23. The printing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein each of the print data files is printed in accordance with a combination of the interpretation means. 24. The printing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the interpreting unit interprets a print data file having a specific name among the expanded print data files and combines the print data files. 24. The interpreter according to claim 23, wherein the interpreter interprets the print data files aggregated at a specific position of the archive file among the developed print data files and combines the print data files. The printing device according to the above. A printing device for acquiring and printing a print document from a print data supply device connected via a transmission path,
The print document is composed of a plurality of print data files described in different formats,
The printing device sequentially obtains the plurality of print data files from the print data supply device sequentially with information indicating that the print data file is a print data file constituting one print document. Means,
A print unit configured to detect completion of acquisition of the plurality of print data files forming one print document based on the information, combine the acquired print data files, and print the print document. A printing device characterized by the above-mentioned. The sequential acquisition unit sequentially acquires the plurality of print data files together with information indicating the total number of the print data files constituting the print document and the transfer order of the print data files,
27. The printing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the printing unit detects completion of acquisition of the total number of the print data files based on the information and prints the print document. The sequential acquisition unit acquires the plurality of print data files constituting the print document together with a flag indicating the end of transfer of the print data file,
27. The printing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the printing unit detects completion of obtaining the print data file based on the flag and prints the print document. A print data generation device that generates a print data file for causing a printing device to print a print document including a plurality of print data files described in different formats,
The printing apparatus may include an aggregating unit that converts a name of a print data file that is first required when printing the print document to a specific name, and then aggregates the plurality of print data files into an archive file. A print data generation device characterized by the following. A print data generation device that generates a print data file for causing a printing device to print a print document including a plurality of print data files described in different formats,
A print data generation apparatus, comprising: an aggregation unit that aggregates a print data file, which is first required when the printing apparatus prints the print document, at a specific position in an archive file. A printing system comprising a printing data supply device and a printing device interconnected via a transmission path,
The print data supply device,
An aggregation unit that aggregates a plurality of print data files described in different formats into an archive file, which constitutes a print document;
Transfer means for push-transferring the archive file to the printing device,
The printing device,
Acquisition means for acquiring the archive file in which the plurality of print data files described in different formats are included in the print document, from the print data supply device,
Expanding means for expanding the acquired archive file into the print data files;
A printing unit that prints the print document by combining the developed print data files and printing the combined print data files. A printing system comprising a printing data supply device and a printing device interconnected via a transmission path,
The print data supply device,
A sequential transfer unit that sequentially push-transfers each of the print data files to the printing device with information indicating that the plurality of transferred print data files are print data files constituting one print document,
The printing device,
Sequential acquisition means for sequentially acquiring a plurality of print data files described in different formats from the print data supply device together with information indicating that the print data files are print data files constituting one print document When,
A printing unit that prints the print document by combining the obtained print data files after all of the plurality of print data files that constitute one print document are obtained. . A print data transfer method for a print system including a print data supply device and a print device interconnected via a transmission path,
In the print data supply device,
A consolidation step of consolidating a plurality of print data files described in different formats into an archive file, constituting a print document;
Transferring the archive file to the printing device by push transfer.
In the printing device,
An acquisition step of acquiring an archive file in which a plurality of print data files described in different formats, which constitute a print document, are collected from the print data supply device,
Expanding the acquired archive file into each of the print data files;
And a printing step of printing the print document by combining and developing the developed print data files. A print data transfer method for a print system including a print data supply device and a print device interconnected via a transmission path,
In the print data supply device,
A sequential transfer step of sequentially push-transferring each of the print data files to the printing apparatus with information indicating that the plurality of transferred print data files are print data files constituting one print document,
In the printing device,
A step of sequentially acquiring a plurality of print data files described in different formats from the print data supply device together with information indicating that the print data file is a print data file constituting one print document; When,
After all of the plurality of print data files forming one print document are obtained, combining the obtained print data files to print the print document. Transfer method. A program for a print data supply device that supplies a print document including a plurality of print data files described in different formats to an external device,
Consolidating the plurality of print data files into an archive file;
An output step of outputting the aggregated archive file to the external device. A program for a print data supply device that supplies a print document including a plurality of print data files described in different formats to an external device,
A sequential transfer step of sequentially pushing and transferring the plurality of print data files to the external device together with information indicating that the transferred print data file is the print data file constituting the print document. Features program. A program for a printing device that obtains and prints a print document from a print data supply device connected via a transmission path,
An acquisition step of acquiring an archive file in which a plurality of print data files described in different formats, which constitute a print document, are collected from the print data supply device,
Expanding the acquired archive file into each of the print data files;
A printing step of printing the print document by printing the developed print data files in combination. A program for a printing device that acquires and prints a print document from a print data supply device connected via a transmission path,
The print document is composed of a plurality of print data files described in different formats,
The program is
A sequential acquisition step of sequentially acquiring the plurality of print data files from the print data supply device, together with information indicating that the print data file is a print data file constituting one print document;
Detecting a completion of acquisition of the plurality of print data files constituting one print document based on the information, and combining the acquired print data files to print the print document. A program characterized by the following.

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