JP2005169986A - Printing processing apparatus and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing processing apparatus and a printing system capable of printing out a banner page indicating a paragraph of a printing job intelligibly to a user by a face up form. <P>SOLUTION: The printing processing apparatus performs printing preparation processing for printing data and banner data outputted by a printer 1,000. The apparatus obtains an engine capability of the printer 1,000 performing printing outputting of the printing data and the banner data. Based on the engine capability obtained, a printing face for the printing data and a printing face for the banner data to a printing medium on which the printing is outputted by the printer 1,000 are made to be reverse faces each other. The printer 1,000 prints out articles formed on the printing medium like this. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a print processing apparatus and a printing system for printing a normal print page and a banner page.

  In a conventional printer, generally, a normal print page and a banner page indicating a print job delimiter are generally printed without being distinguished. For example, in general, face-down printing is generally used in which paper is discharged with the printing surface facing downward, and all print pages are discharged in face-down format. Therefore, in a conventional face-down printer, a banner page indicating a print job separation is also discharged in a face-down format. Therefore, in order for the user to know the separation of the print job, there is a problem that the banner page cannot be confirmed unless the printed content on the paper discharge tray is turned over by hand and the printed content is confirmed. .

As a method for solving such a problem, in a printer system having a double-sided printing function for discharging paper in face-down format, specific identification information, for example, user's A print system for printing a name, document data, the number of pages, and the like is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1). According to Patent Document 1, the specific identification information can be designated from a host computer used by a user.
JP-A-11-147349

  However, since the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is a printer having a double-sided printing function and the face-down type paper discharge form is an invention premised on a normal printer, the printer having no double-sided printing function is described above. The problem cannot be solved. For example, in a system environment in which a plurality of information processing apparatuses and a plurality of printers are connected on a network and each printer can perform distributed printing, the discharge form of each printer may be different. It is assumed that a printer that does not have a duplex printing function is also included. In such a case, the technique based on the premise of a printer having a fixed ability such as the invention described in Patent Document 1 and the prior art cannot flexibly cope with the above problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a printing apparatus and a printing system that can print out a banner page indicating a separation of print jobs in a face-up format that is easy for the user to understand. With the goal.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a print processing apparatus that performs print preparation processing of print data and banner data to be output by a printing apparatus,
An acquisition means for acquiring an engine capability of a printing apparatus that prints out the print data and the banner data;
Processing means for reversing the print surface of the print data and the print surface of the banner data for a print medium printed out by the printing device based on the engine capability acquired by the acquisition unit. It is characterized by.

In addition, the present invention is a print processing apparatus that performs print preparation processing of banner data printed by a printing apparatus,
First determination means for determining whether or not a banner instruction is included in a print instruction to the printing apparatus;
A determination unit that determines the content of the banner printing based on the engine capability of the printing device when it is determined by the first determination unit that the designation of banner printing is included;
Processing means for performing print preparation processing of the banner data with the contents of the banner printing determined by the determination means.

Furthermore, the present invention is a printing system comprising a printing device capable of banner printing and an instruction device for giving a printing instruction to the printing device,
The printing device is
First determination means for determining whether or not banner printing is included in a print instruction from the instruction device;
A determination unit that determines the content of the banner printing based on the engine capability of the printing device when it is determined by the first determination unit that the designation of banner printing is included;
Printing means for performing banner printing based on the contents of the banner printing determined by the determining means.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to print and output a banner page indicating a separation of print jobs in a face-up format that is easy for the user to understand.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Here, the configuration of the printing apparatus applied in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printing apparatus used in each embodiment of the present invention. That is, in the following embodiment, a case where a laser beam printer (LBP) as shown in FIG. 1 is applied as a printing apparatus will be described. Note that the printer applied in the following embodiments is not limited to the LBP, and it goes without saying that it may be, for example, an inkjet printer or a printer of another printing method. That is, the present invention can be similarly applied to various printing apparatuses that employ a laser beam printer using an electrophotographic system, an inkjet system, a thermal transfer system, or the like.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1000 denotes an LBP main body. The LBP inputs and stores print information (character code, etc.), form information, macro commands, etc. supplied from a host computer connected directly to the LBP main body 1000 or via a network such as a LAN. Corresponding character patterns, form patterns, and the like can be created according to the information, and an image can be formed on recording paper or the like as a printing medium.

  Reference numeral 1012 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation and LED indicators are arranged. A printer control unit 1001 controls the entire LBP main body 1000 and analyzes character information supplied from the host computer. The printer control unit 1001 mainly converts character information into a video signal having a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1002.

  The laser driver 1002 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1003, and switches on / off the laser light 1004 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 in accordance with the video signal input from the printer control unit 1001. The laser beam 1004 is shaken in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 1005 to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 1006.

  On the electrostatic drum 1006, an electrostatic latent image having a character pattern corresponding to the video signal is formed by operation exposure of laser light 1004. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1007 disposed around the electrostatic drum 1006 and then transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used as the recording paper. The cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1008 mounted on the LBP 1000, taken into the LBP main body 1000 by the paper feed roller 1009 and the transport rollers 1010 and 1011, and supplied to the electrostatic drum 1006.

  Further, the LBP main body 1000 is provided with at least one card slot (not shown), and is configured to be able to connect an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language system in addition to a built-in font. Yes.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the print control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a host computer and a laser beam printer having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 connected thereto will be described as an example. Here, only one host computer and one printer are shown in FIG. 2, but actually a plurality of host computers and a plurality of types of printers having different engine capabilities are connected via a network. To do. As long as the function of the present invention is executed, whether it is a single device, a system composed of a plurality of devices, or a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN, It goes without saying that the present invention can be similarly applied.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer, which includes a controller unit 2000 and devices connected thereto. The controller unit 2000 includes a CPU 1 that executes document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets), and the like are mixed based on a document processing program stored in the program ROM 32 of the ROM 3. The CPU 1 generally controls each device described later connected to the system bus 4. A program ROM 32 of the ROM 3 stores a control program of the CPU 1 having a procedure as shown in flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  The font ROM 31 of the ROM 3 stores font data and the like used for the document processing, and the ROM 3 data ROM 33 stores various data used for the document processing and the like. .

  On the other hand, reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM which functions as a main memory and work area of the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls key input from a keyboard (KB) 9 or a pointing device (not shown). Reference numeral 6 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC), which controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 10.

  A memory controller (MC) 7 controls access to the external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) or a flexible disk (FD) that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, and the like. . Reference numeral 8 denotes a print controller (PRTC) which is connected to the printer 1000 via a predetermined bidirectional interface 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1000.

  In this embodiment, the CPU 1 executes outline font development (rasterization) processing on the display information RAM set on the RAM 2 to enable wigging (WYSIWYG) on the CRT 10. Further, the CPU 1 opens various windows registered based on commands instructed by a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.

  On the other hand, the printer 1000 includes a controller unit 1001 and each unit connected thereto. In the controller unit 1001, reference numeral 12 denotes a CPU, and various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program stored in the program ROM 132 of the ROM 13 or a control program stored in the external memory 14. Overall access control. Then, the CPU 12 outputs an image signal as output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via the printing unit interface (I / F) 16.

  Further, the program ROM 132 of the ROM 13 stores a control program for the CPU 12 as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. The font ROM 131 of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information. Further, in the case of a printer without an external memory 14 such as a hard disk, information used on the host computer is stored in the data ROM 133 of the ROM 13.

  The CPU 12 can communicate with the host computer 3000 via the input unit 18 and can notify the host computer 3000 of information in the printer 1000 and the like.

  In the printer 1000, reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 12, and is configured such that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The RAM 19 is used as an output information expansion area, environment data storage area, NVRAM, and the like.

  Further, access to the external memory 14 such as the hard disk (HD) and the IC card described above is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 20. The external memory 14 can be connected as an option, and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. Further, the input unit 18 is provided with a switch for operating with the operation panel described with reference to FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the host computer 3000 and the printer 1000 have not only one external memory, but a plurality of external memories, and an optional font card and a printer control language having a different language system are interpreted in addition to the built-in font. A plurality of external memories storing programs may be connected. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided, and printer mode setting information set from the operation unit (operation panel) 1012 may be stored.

  In the print control system according to the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, the first embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 with reference to FIG. That is, FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining functions realized by the print control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a network unit that receives print data from the host computer 3000. A banner detection unit 302 detects whether banner printing is specified in data received by the network unit 301 (that is, whether there is specification as a communication protocol). A banner control unit 303 generates banner data and issues a print command when the banner detection unit 302 detects that the banner is specified in the protocol. A PDL interpretation unit (PDL interpreter) 304 interprets print data. Reference numeral 305 denotes a printer engine.

  FIG. 4 shows a processing apparatus for printing predetermined print data and banner data according to the first embodiment of the present invention, with the print surface for predetermined print data and the print surface for banner printing reversed. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a print preparation process to be performed. In the following, the capability of a printing apparatus that prints out predetermined print data and banner data is acquired, and based on the acquired engine capability, the print surface of the predetermined print data and the print surface of banner printing are reversed. The processing to be performed will be described.

  First, the network unit 301 receives print data transmitted from the host computer 3000 to the printer 1000 (step S401). Next, the banner detection unit 302 determines whether or not banner printing is designated in the received print data (step S402).

  As a result, if it is determined that there is a banner print designation (Yes), it is further determined whether or not normal printing has ended (step S403). If normal printing has not ended (No), the banner print data is stored (step S404), and the process returns to step S401.

  On the other hand, if banner printing is not designated in step S402 (No), normal print data is rendered (step S405), and it is determined whether printing of all print data is completed (step S406). As a result, if it is determined that printing of all print data has been completed (Yes), the present printing process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that printing of all print data has not been completed yet (No), the process returns to step S401 to further receive print data.

  If it is determined in step S403 that normal printing has ended (Yes), the banner detection unit 302 notifies the banner control unit 303 of necessary information, and the banner control unit 303 inquires about the capability of the printer engine 305 ( Step S407). Based on the acquired capability, the print contents of the banner print are determined. Here, the printer engine includes an image forming function such as double-sided printing, charging and fixing, a transport mechanism such as face-up and face-down, and a control unit for controlling the transport function. Capabilities include those capabilities.

  Next, the banner control unit 303 creates all banner data including the stored banner data based on the capability of the printer engine 305 (step S408). In the process of step S408, the print data for printing the banner is a form in which a PDL corresponding to the banner is generated in advance on the information processing apparatus side, or banner printing from the information processing apparatus side on the printing apparatus side. PDL and rendering data corresponding to the banner are generated on the printing device side from the control command instructing the user and information such as the user name, document name, information processing device name, and information processing device owner name associated with the print data Such a form is assumed. Details will be described in other embodiments.

  Then, the banner control unit 303 transmits the created banner data to the PDL interpretation unit (PDL Interpreter) 304, and performs rendering / printing (step S409). In this way, even when face-down is assumed as normal printing, only the banner page can be face-up printed. In other words, after normal printing is completed, banner printing is finally performed face-up printing, thereby eliminating the problem that the banner print output and the print surface of the normal print output face each other and the banner print becomes invisible.

  Here, banner data creation based on the printer engine capability means that when the printer engine 305 has face-up printing capability, only banners are designated with face-up printing and have duplex printing capability. Means to change the printing method so that the banner is printed on both sides.

  Note that the “processing” in the above-described embodiment is performed in correspondence with each printing apparatus even in distributed printing or proxy printing for a plurality of printing apparatuses capable of communicating with each other in a network environment. Thus, it is possible to cope with printing processing for a plurality of printing apparatuses.

  In the first embodiment described above, the banner page is output in face-up format at the end. However, depending on the type of printer, normal print data is also sent from the information processing apparatus (host computer) to face-up / face-down. It is possible to specify the paper discharge form. Therefore, in the present embodiment, an embodiment in a print control system in which the discharge form can be designated from the host computer will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a user interface for setting the paper discharge form of the printer on the host computer in the second embodiment. That is, when printing the print data, the user designates whether the paper discharge mode is face-up, face-down, or double-sided printing on an interface screen as shown in FIG. The interface is not realized only on the host computer (that is, the display unit of the information processing apparatus connected to the printing apparatus via a predetermined communication line), but is provided on the printer side (that is, on the printing apparatus main body). It is also possible to add a similar function to the display unit.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the print control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the same reference numerals are given to portions that perform the same processing as in the first embodiment. In the following, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

  After banner printing is designated (Yes in step S402), normal printing is completed (Yes in step S403), and the capabilities of the printer engine are inquired (step S407). Then, the designation of the paper discharge form is confirmed (step S410). That is, it is confirmed whether normal printing is performed in face-up format or face-down mode. Then, after the banner data is created in step S408, the banner data is rendered based on the confirmed discharge form (step S411), and the print output based on the rendered data is performed. That is, when the normal printing is face-down, the banner page is printed in the face-up format after the last page of the normal printing is printed. If the normal printing is face-up, the banner page is printed in face-up format. The confirmation of the discharge form of the printer engine in step S410 is not limited to immediately after step S403. For example, it may be performed before step S403, or in parallel with the data reception process in step S401. It may be performed.

  In the first and second embodiments, banner printing is printed out after normal printing. However, a form in which banner printing is performed before normal printing is also applicable. The processing state is shown in FIG. That is, FIG. 7 shows a print preparation process in which banner printing is performed before normal printing in a processing apparatus that performs printing processing of predetermined print data and banner data according to the third embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating.

  In the first and second embodiments, the processing on the printing apparatus side has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the processing of the flowcharts of FIGS. Applicable.

  In this case, the processing in step S401 is replaced with processing by a printer utility (for example, a printer driver) that accepts a print request based on predetermined application data. Further, the processing in step S402 is replaced with a determination as to whether or not banner printing is designated via a predetermined setting screen. Further, the process of step S403 is replaced with a determination as to whether generation of print data by a printer utility such as PDL has been completed. The print data generated here is transmitted to the printer and printed out.

  In the process of step S407, the printer driver refers to the capability information of the printer device acquired from the printer device via the communication line (network) in advance, and the content of banner printing is determined based on the acquired capability information. In step S408, the printer driver creates banner data based on the contents of banner printing determined in step S407.

  In step S407, if the capability acquired from the printer device supports only face down and duplex printing is possible, print data creation processing is performed so that the banner data is printed on the back side. . In step S407, when the capability acquired from the printer device corresponds to face-down and face-up, printing is performed so that the print surface of the banner data is opposite to the print surface in the print output of the predetermined print data. Data creation processing is performed.

  Note that the print data created in step S408 is assumed to be an operation control command for controlling a print data (PDL data) situation or an operation of creating banner data of the printer device. The processing in step S411 is replaced with processing in which the generated banner print data is transmitted from the host computer to the printer. The banner print data transmitted from the host computer to the printer is output by the printer.

  In step S412, print data (PDL) based on application data other than the banner print data is created and transmitted to the printer. On the printer side, print output is performed according to the print data sequentially transmitted from the host computer.

  In the above embodiment, the banner printing is designated by the communication protocol. However, the present invention can be similarly applied even when banner printing is designated by the panel operation.

  In such a case, instead of acquiring information on the presence or absence of banner printing designation from the data received by the banner detection unit 302 in FIG. 3, the information is obtained by designation by the user from the operation unit 1012 shown in FIG. You can do it.

  In the above embodiment, the banner printing is specified by the communication protocol. However, it may be considered that banner data is created on the host computer 3000. In such a case, a special flag may be set in the banner data on the host computer 3000, and the banner detection unit 302 of the printer 1000 that has received the flag may detect this.

  As described in the first to sixth embodiments, since the print surface of the banner print output and the other print output such as document data (referred to as document print output) are reversed, it is easy. You can specify the range of your printed output. That is, when the user takes out the printed matter from the paper discharge port of the printer, it is possible to easily identify from where to where the printed matter is based on a banner whose printed surface is opposite to the document printed output matter. In addition, since the printing surface is reversed, the cost can be reduced compared to a mode in which a colored paper medium that can be easily identified from anyone's output is inserted between the print output and the print output.

  In addition, because the print output of the document and the print side of the banner can be reversed flexibly based on the engine capability, the print side of the print output of the banner and the print output of the banner is reversed according to various environments. be able to.

  As described above, the embodiment has been described in detail. However, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system that is configured, or may be applied to an apparatus that includes a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the figure) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is directly or remotely supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus Is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the printing apparatus used by each Example of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining functions realized by the print control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the processing apparatus for printing predetermined print data and banner data according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the print surface of the predetermined print data and the print surface of banner printing are reversed. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a print preparation process. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a user interface for setting a paper discharge form of a printer on a host computer in a second embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure of the print control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart for demonstrating the printing preparation process which performs banner printing before normal printing in the processing apparatus which performs the printing process of the predetermined print data and banner data based on 3rd Example of this invention It is.

Explanation of symbols

301 Network Unit 302 Banner Detection Unit 303 Banner Control Unit 304 PDL Interpreter
305 Printer engine 1000 Printer 3000 Host computer

Claims (8)

A print processing device that performs print preparation processing of print data and banner data to be output by a printing device,
An acquisition means for acquiring an engine capability of a printing apparatus that prints out the print data and the banner data;
Processing means for reversing the print surface of the print data and the print surface of the banner data for a print medium printed out by the printing device based on the engine capability acquired by the acquisition unit. A print processing apparatus.   When the engine capability of the printing apparatus supports only a face-down function and double-side printing is possible, the processing unit performs printing of the banner data on the print medium on the back side. The print processing apparatus according to claim 1.   When the engine capability of the printing apparatus corresponds to both a face-down function and a face-up function, the processing unit makes the print surface of the banner data on the print medium the reverse side of the print surface of the print data. The print processing apparatus according to claim 1. A print processing device that performs print preparation processing of banner data to be printed by a printing device,
First determination means for determining whether or not a banner instruction is included in a print instruction to the printing apparatus;
A determination unit that determines the content of the banner printing based on the engine capability of the printing device when it is determined by the first determination unit that the designation of banner printing is included;
And a processing unit configured to perform print preparation processing of the banner data with the content of the banner printing determined by the determination unit. A second determination unit for determining whether or not all the normal print data excluding the banner data has been printed in the printing apparatus;
The said processing means makes the said printing apparatus print the said banner data with the content of the said banner printing determined by the said determination means, after all the said normal printing data are printed. Print processing equipment.   The print processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the engine capability includes a conveyance function capability of the printing apparatus or a control capability of the conveyance function.   The content of the banner printing is such that the print surface of the print medium of the print data discharged from the printing apparatus is opposite to the print surface of the print medium of the banner data. The print processing apparatus according to any one of 6 to 6. A printing system comprising a printing device capable of banner printing and an instruction device for giving a printing instruction to the printing device,
The printing device is
First determination means for determining whether or not banner printing is included in a print instruction from the instruction device;
A determination unit that determines the content of the banner printing based on the engine capability of the printing device when it is determined by the first determination unit that the designation of banner printing is included;
And a printing unit that performs banner printing based on the content of the banner printing determined by the determining unit.

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