JP2005235068A - Direct printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an output environment which not only gives more print setting options to a user but also allows an accurate print result according with characteristics of individual data to be easily obtained, by allowing print setting of an attachment/reference file in a job to be performed independently of print setting of main data in the job or automatically in a direct printing system comprising an output device and a higher-order device. <P>SOLUTION: In the direct printing system comprising the higher-order device capable of directly transmitting a job to the output device and the output device which received the job and performs processing while downloading a file from the outside when necessary, a means is provided which allows print setting of an attachment/reference file to be performed independently of print setting of main data in the job in the case that the attachment/reference file exists in the job. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a host device capable of directly transmitting a job to an output device and a direct printing system including an output device that receives the job and performs output processing.

Conventionally, only one type of print setting for a job has been defined throughout. In other words, even if a job is composed of main data and attached / reference files, print settings cannot be made for each data or object (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-236568 A

  However, jobs that include attachment / reference files are output with the same print settings, even if the characteristics of the main data and attachment / reference file data differ, and an appropriate or desired print result can be obtained. There is a problem that it is not possible.

  Accordingly, in order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a direct printing system in which main data and attached / reference files can be easily identified, and print settings for attached / reference files in a job are printed. By making it possible to perform the setting separately or automatically, the user can be given more print setting options, and at the same time, the accurate print setting according to the characteristics of each data can be made. An object of the present invention is to provide an output environment in which desired print results can be easily obtained.

  The direct printing system of the first invention according to the present application that achieves the above object has the following configuration. That is, in a direct printing system comprising a host device capable of directly transmitting a job to an output device, and an output device that receives the job and performs processing while downloading a file from the outside as necessary. If the attachment / reference file exists, the print setting is provided separately from the print setting of the main data in the job.

  The direct printing system of the second invention according to the present application which achieves the above object has the following configuration. That is, in the direct printing system according to the first aspect of the present invention, page settings such as paper size, media type, number of copies, paper orientation, and page layout can be set separately from the main data page settings as print settings for attached / reference files. Means.

  A direct printing system according to a third aspect of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration. That is, in addition to the configuration of the direct printing system of the second aspect of the invention, there is provided means capable of setting the paper discharge outlet separately from the main data paper discharge outlet as the print setting for the attached / reference file.

  Moreover, the direct printing system of the 4th invention based on this application which achieves the said objective is equipped with the structure shown below. That is, in addition to the configuration of the direct printing system according to the third aspect of the invention, there is provided means for setting a timeout value related to downloading of the reference file as the print setting for the attached / reference file.

  A direct printing system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration. That is, in addition to the configuration of the direct printing system of the fourth invention, means for determining whether or not a timeout has occurred during downloading of the reference file, and means for canceling the download when it is determined that the timeout has occurred And a means for outputting only the reference address of the reference file with respect to the reference file.

  A direct printing system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration. That is, in addition to the configuration of the direct printing system of the fifth invention, means for determining whether a timeout has occurred during downloading of the reference file, and means for canceling the download when it is determined that a timeout has occurred Storing the reference file print setting information and reference address, and downloading the reference file again after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  A direct printing system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration. That is, in addition to the configuration of the direct printing system of the sixth invention, means for previously registering print setting information corresponding to the characteristics of the attached / reference file in the output device, and the attached / reference file included in the job Means for determining whether or not the print setting information exists, and means for reading out the print setting information when it is determined that the print setting information is present, and automatically performing output processing of the attached / reference file based on the print setting information.

[Action]
In such a configuration of the first to seventh inventions according to the present application, a host device capable of directly transmitting a job to an output device, and an output process while receiving the job and downloading a file from the outside as necessary In the direct printing system consisting of output devices that perform printing, the print settings for attachments and reference files in the job can be made separately from the print settings for the main data in the job, or automatically. At the same time as providing many print setting options, it is possible to perform accurate print settings according to the characteristics of individual data, and the user can easily obtain a desired print result.

  According to the first to seventh aspects of the present application, a host device that can directly send a job to an output device, and an output that receives the job and performs output processing while downloading a file from the outside as needed In the direct printing system consisting of devices, print settings for attachments and reference files in a job can be performed separately or automatically from the print settings for the main data in the job, thereby increasing the number of prints for the user. At the same time as providing setting options, it is possible to perform accurate print settings according to the characteristics of individual data, and the user can easily obtain desired print results.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.

  Hereinafter, before describing the configuration of the present embodiment, the overall configuration of an output device to which the present embodiment is applied will be described with reference to the block diagram 1. In this embodiment, a series of flow from data reception processing to output processing will be described by taking a laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as LBP2000) which is a printing device as an output device.

  In FIG. 1, the host device 3000 outputs data (jobs) created using various applications to the LBP 2000. The job is first temporarily stored in the reception buffer 24 of the input unit 18 of the LBP 2000 via the input interface 21 that enables communication between the host device 3000 and the LBP 2000, and is then stored in the ROM 13 by the data analysis unit 25. Is stored in the page buffer 19 after being analyzed in accordance with the control program stored in the CPU 12. Next, the information stored in the page buffer 19 is subjected to arithmetic processing related to character printing and graphic drawing in the expansion unit 26, expanded into bitmap data, and then stored in the frame buffer 19. The bitmap data stored in the frame buffer 19 is converted into a video signal in the output unit 23 and output to the printing unit 17 via the output interface 16.

  Next, Example 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment, in the direct printing system, when an attached / reference file exists in the job, the print setting can be performed separately from the print setting of the main data in the job. In particular, as print settings for attached / reference files, page settings such as paper size, media type, number of copies, paper orientation, and page layout can be set separately from the main data page settings.

  FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a user interface of an output driver that operates on the higher-level device 3000 that implements the first embodiment and performs print settings related to a job. Using such an output driver user interface, the page setting of the attached / reference file included in the job is set separately from the page setting of the main data in the job. Then, by adding print setting information including this setting to the job and transmitting it to the output device 2000, an output result corresponding to the print setting can be obtained.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In this embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the direct printing system of the first embodiment, when an attached / reference file exists in the job, the print setting can be performed separately from the print setting of the main data in the job. The reference file discharge port can be set separately from the main data discharge port.

  FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a user interface of an output driver that operates on the higher-level device 3000 that implements the second embodiment and performs print settings related to a job. By using such a user interface of the output driver, a discharge port for attached / reference files included in the job is set separately from a discharge port for main data in the job. Then, by adding print setting information including this setting to the job and transmitting it to the output device 2000, an output result corresponding to the print setting can be obtained.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the direct printing system of the second embodiment, when an attached / reference file exists in a job, a timeout value relating to downloading of the reference file can be set. FIG. 3 shows an example of a user interface of an output driver that operates on the higher-level device 3000 that implements the third embodiment and performs print settings related to a job. Using such an output driver user interface, a timeout value for downloading a reference file included in the job is set. Then, by adding print setting information including this setting to the job and transmitting it to the output device 2000, processing based on the print setting becomes possible.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the direct printing system of the third embodiment, a means for determining whether or not a timeout has occurred during downloading of the reference file, and the download is canceled when it is determined that the timeout has occurred. And a means for outputting only a reference address of the reference file (a location where a file such as a URL or a directory exists) with respect to the reference file.

  A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 shows a data processing procedure of the output device 2000. (1) to (6) in the figure indicate each step. First, in step (1), a panel status check is performed to monitor the engine status status of the output device 2000 such as no paper, paper jam, door open, and the like, and the switch pressed status of the operation panel 22. Next, in step (2), it is determined whether or not there is data to be received. If yes, reception processing is performed in step (3). Next, in step (4), the received data is analyzed, and the analysis result is expanded into a bitmap pattern and stored in a predetermined memory 19. Details will be described with reference to FIG. In the next step (5), the data stored in the predetermined memory 19 in step (4) is output to the printing unit 17 as a video signal. Next, in step (6), depending on whether or not there is data to be received, if yes, the process returns to step (3), and if no, this process is terminated.

  Next, the analysis / development processing procedure of step (4) in the data processing procedure will be described with reference to FIG. (1) to (11) in the figure indicate each step. First, in step (1), data analysis is started. Depending on whether or not the reference file exists in the job, in the case of Yes, in step (2), the download of the reference file is executed. Go to 3). If no, the process proceeds to step (8). If the process proceeds to step (3), the process proceeds to step (8) if the download is completed. If yes, the process proceeds to step (8). If the result is No, the reference file is set as the print setting of the job in step (4). It is determined whether or not a timeout value related to downloading is set. If yes, go to step (5), if no, go to step (6) and continue the download process. If the process proceeds to step (5), depending on whether or not the time-out value related to the download of the reference file has been reached, if yes, the download is stopped in step (7) and only the reference address for the reference file is received. Can be output. In No, it progresses to step (6) and a download process is continued. If the process proceeds to step (8), depending on whether or not there is data to be analyzed, if yes, the process proceeds to step (11), the data analysis process is continued, and the process returns to step (1). In the case of No, an intermediate object creation process is performed in step (9), and the result is stored in a predetermined memory 19. Next, in step (10), the intermediate object is expanded into a bitmap pattern and stored in a predetermined memory 19, and the present process ends.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the direct printing system of the fourth embodiment, a means for determining whether or not a timeout has occurred during downloading of the reference file, and the download is canceled when it is determined that the timeout has occurred. And means for storing the print setting information and the reference address of the reference file, and executing the download of the reference file again after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 shows a data processing procedure of the output device 2000. (1) to (7) in the figure indicate each step. First, in step (1), a panel status check is performed to monitor the engine status status of the output device 2000 such as no paper, paper jam, door open, and the like, and the switch pressed status of the operation panel 22. Next, in step (2), it is determined whether or not there is data to be received. If yes, reception processing is performed in step (3). Next, in step (4), the received data is analyzed, and the analysis result is expanded into a bitmap pattern and stored in a predetermined memory 19. Details will be described with reference to FIG. In the next step (5), the data stored in the predetermined memory 19 in step (4) is output to the printing unit 17 as a video signal. Next, in step (6), depending on whether or not there is data to be received, if yes, the process returns to step (3), and if no, the process proceeds to the retry process in step (7) (for details) , Described with reference to FIG.

  Next, the analysis / development processing procedure of step (4) in the data processing procedure will be described with reference to FIG. (1) to (12) in the figure indicate each step. First, in step (1), data analysis is started. Depending on whether or not the reference file exists in the job, in the case of Yes, in step (2), the download of the reference file is executed. Go to 3). If no, the process proceeds to step (9). If the process proceeds to step (3), the process proceeds to step (9) depending on whether or not the download is completed. If yes, the process proceeds to step (9). It is determined whether or not a timeout value related to downloading is set. If yes, go to step (5), if no, go to step (6) and continue the download process. If the process proceeds to step (5), depending on whether or not the time-out value related to the download of the reference file has been reached, if yes, the download is stopped in step (7) and only the reference address for the reference file is received. Can be output, and the process proceeds to step (8). In No, it progresses to step (6) and a download process is continued. When the process proceeds to step (8), the print setting information and the reference address of the reference file including the timeout value relating to the download of the reference file are stored, and the process proceeds to step (9). In Step (9), depending on whether or not there is data to be analyzed, if Yes, the process proceeds to Step (12), the data analysis process is continued, and the process returns to Step (1). In the case of No, in step (10), an intermediate object creation process is performed, and the result is stored in a predetermined memory 19. Next, in step (11), an expansion process is performed in which the intermediate object is expanded into a bitmap pattern and stored in a predetermined memory 19, and the process ends.

  Next, the retry process of step (7) in the data processing procedure will be described with reference to FIG. (1) to (10) in the figure indicate each step. First, in step (1), the print setting information saved in step (8) of FIG. 7 and the reference address of a reference file that has not been downloaded are read. Next, in step (2), the download is re-executed. In step (3), depending on whether or not the download is completed, in the case of Yes, the intermediate object creation process in step (5), step (6) The process proceeds to the output process of step (7), and then proceeds to step (11). If No, the process proceeds to step (4), and if yes, the process proceeds to step (9) depending on whether or not the timeout value for downloading the reference file is set, and the timeout value for downloading the reference file has been reached. Determine whether or not. In No, it progresses to step (8) and download processing is continued. If yes in step (9), the download is stopped and the process proceeds to step (11). If no, the process proceeds to step (8) and the download process is continued. If the process proceeds to step (11), the process returns to step (2) in the case of No depending on whether or not the re-execution of the download has been completed for all reference files that have not been downloaded. This process is terminated.

  Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the direct printing system of the fifth embodiment, print setting information corresponding to the characteristics of the attached / reference file is registered in the output device 2000 in advance, and the attached / reference file included in the job is stored. If it exists in the print setting information, the print setting information is read out, and the process of outputting the attached / reference file is automatically performed based thereon. As a result, the user can reduce the number of print setting items related to attached / reference files performed on the output driver of the host device 3000. In addition, even when there are a plurality of attached / reference files, accurate print settings can be automatically applied to each of them.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11. FIG. First, FIG. 9 shows an example of a user interface of an output driver (operating on the host device 3000) for registering print setting information corresponding to the characteristics of the attached / reference file in the output device 2000. Using such a user interface on the output driver, print setting information corresponding to the characteristics of each attached / reference file can be transmitted to the output device 2000 and registered. The information can be registered using the operation panel 22 of the output device 2000.

  Next, FIG. 10 illustrates an example of an overview in which the print setting information is associated with each attached / reference file and registered in the output device 2000, that is, an example of a print setting information table registered in the output device 2000. Show. The print setting information includes information such as paper size, print orientation, media type, number of copies, double-sided / single-sided, and page layout.

  Subsequently, FIGS. 11A and 11B show an analysis / development processing procedure in the data processing procedure of the output device 2000. FIG. Since the data processing procedure of the output device 2000 is the same as that of the fifth embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted, and only the analysis / development processing procedure of step (4) in the data processing procedure (FIG. 6) will be described. Incidentally, the details of the retry processing procedure (FIG. 8) of step (7) in the data processing procedure (FIG. 6) are also the same as those in the fifth embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. (1) to (21) in the figure indicate each step.

  First, in step (1), data analysis is started. Depending on whether or not the reference file exists in the job, in the case of Yes, in step (2), the download of the reference file is executed. Go to 3). If no, the process proceeds to step (9). If the process proceeds to step (3), the process proceeds to step (10) if the download is completed. If yes, the process proceeds to step (10). If the result is No, the reference file is set as the print setting of the job in step (4). It is determined whether or not a timeout value related to downloading is set. If Yes in step (4), the process proceeds to step (5). If No, the process proceeds to step (6) and the download process is continued. If the process proceeds to step (5), depending on whether or not the time-out value related to the download of the reference file has been reached, if yes, the download is stopped in step (7) and only the reference address for the reference file is received. Can be output, and the process proceeds to step (8). In No, it progresses to step (6) and a download process is continued. When the process proceeds to step (8), the print setting information and the reference address of the reference file including the timeout value relating to the download of the reference file are stored, and the process proceeds to step (9). In step (9), a previously registered print setting information table (described in FIG. 10) is read. If the process proceeds to step (10), the pre-registered print setting information table is read out as in step (9), and whether or not the reference file exists in the print setting information table in step (11). Judging. In the case of Yes, the print setting is applied in Step (12), and in the case of No, the main data or the predetermined print setting is applied in Step (13). Subsequently, in step (14), it is determined whether or not an attached file exists in the job. If Yes, in step (15), whether or not the attached file exists in the print setting information table. Determine whether. If Yes, the print settings are applied in Step (16), and if No, the main data or predetermined print settings are applied in Step (17). Next, in Step (18), depending on whether or not there is data to be analyzed, if Yes, the process proceeds to Step (19), the data analysis process is continued, and the process returns to Step (1). In the case of No, in step (20), an intermediate object creation process is performed, and the result is stored in a predetermined memory 19. Next, in step (21), an expansion process is performed in which the intermediate object is expanded into a bitmap pattern and stored in a predetermined memory 19, and the process ends.

  The present invention supplies a storage function (or recording medium) that records a program code of software that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is provided. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing of the implementation and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the card or 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.

  In the above-described embodiments, the LBP is described as an example of the output device. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to other output devices (inkjet, dot matrix, etc.). The output device described in the present invention can be applied in a stand-alone environment or a network environment.

It is a block diagram which shows the flow from the whole structure of the output device (laser beam printer) in this invention, and a data reception process to an output process. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface of an output driver of a higher-level device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface of an output driver of a higher-level device in the second and third embodiments. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a data processing procedure of the output device according to the fourth embodiment. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an analysis / development processing procedure in a data processing procedure of the output device according to the fourth embodiment. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a data processing procedure of the output device according to the fifth embodiment. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an analysis / development processing procedure in a data processing procedure of the output device according to the fifth embodiment. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a retry processing procedure in a data processing procedure of the output device according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface of an output driver of a higher-level device according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting information table stored in an output device according to a sixth embodiment. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an analysis / development processing procedure in a data processing procedure of an output device according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a continuation flowchart of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

2 Spooler 12 CPU
13 ROM
14 RAM
16 Output interface 17 Printing unit 18 Input unit 19 RAM (page buffer memory, frame buffer memory)
21 Input Interface 22 Operation Panel 23 Output Unit 24 Reception Buffer 25 Analysis Unit 26 Development Unit 27 Panel Control Unit 28 Option Controller 29 Paper Feed Deck / Stapler
2000 Output device 2001 Output device control unit 3000 Host device

Claims (7)

  Attached to a job in a direct printing system consisting of a host device capable of directly sending a job to an output device and an output device that receives the job and downloads files from the outside as needed A direct printing system characterized in that, when a reference file exists, a means for setting the print setting separately from the print setting of the main data in the job is provided.   2. The print setting for an attached / reference file according to claim 1, wherein page settings such as paper size, media type, number of copies, paper orientation, and page layout can be set separately from the main data page setting. Direct printing system described in 1.   3. The direct printing system according to claim 1, wherein, in addition to the configuration of claim 2, the paper discharge port can be set separately from the main data paper discharge port as the print setting of the attached / reference file.   The direct printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in addition to the configuration of claim 3, a timeout value relating to download of a reference file can be set as a print setting for an attached / reference file.   In addition to the configuration of claim 4, with respect to the reference file, means for determining whether or not a timeout has occurred during downloading of the reference file, means for stopping the download when it is determined that a timeout has occurred, and 5. The direct printing system according to claim 1, further comprising means for outputting only a reference address of the reference file.   In addition to the configuration of claim 5, means for determining whether or not a timeout has occurred during downloading of the reference file, means for canceling the download when it is determined that a timeout has occurred, and printing of the reference file 6. The direct printing system according to claim 1, further comprising means for storing the setting information and the reference address, and executing the download of the reference file again after a predetermined time has elapsed.   In addition to the configuration of claim 6, means for previously registering print setting information in accordance with the characteristics of the attached / reference file in the output device, and whether the attached / reference file included in the job exists in the print setting information A means for judging whether or not, and means for reading out the print setting information and automatically outputting the attached / reference file based on the print setting information when it is judged to be present. The direct printing system according to any one of 6.

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