JP2006053946A - Information processor, control method of information processor, and computer-readable storage medium storing control program of information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the load in data communication between a printer and a host computer and to surely utilize a job spool function of the printer in multiple print output. <P>SOLUTION: In the host computer, a maximum data size of printing data capable of being temporarily stored in a spool storage means in the printer is acquired (S505), the total data size of printing data stored in a temporary file created by a printer driver is compared with the acquired maximum storage data size (S506), the maximum storage data size of the printer is reset (S509) in a case when the total data size of the printing data stored in the temporary file is larger than the acquired maximum storage data size, and then the printing data stored in the temporary storage means is output to the printer to be printed for the designated number of times by utilizing the job spool function (S510). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a printer having a job spool function for temporarily storing received data in a spool storage means and continuously processing the data for a specified number of times, a method for controlling the information processing apparatus, and information The present invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for a processing device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various configurations for printing a plurality of copies of a plurality of pages in a printing apparatus are known.

  For example, if print data composing multiple pages is repeatedly sent to the printer from the host computer, the output paper is stacked on the printer paper discharge unit while collating the number of transmissions (hereinafter referred to as “collation output”). The user does not need to realign (collate) the pages, and only binds one page (no need for a paper discharge mechanism such as a stapler). Multiple copies can be obtained.

  However, according to the processing for repeatedly transmitting print data constituting a plurality of pages to the printer as described above, there is a problem that the data communication load between the host computer and the printer increases in proportion to the number of transmissions. .

  In view of this point, recent printers temporarily store received data in a specific storage unit, and can execute an accumulation printing function (hereinafter referred to as “job”) that can be executed as if the data has been repeatedly received a specified number of times. Some have a "spool function". According to this job spool function, it is possible to realize the collation output as described above with a communication load of transmitting print data about once (one copy) to the printer.

When collation output is performed using the job spool function of such a printer, the conventional printer driver operating on the host computer temporarily stores the printer control commands in addition to the normally generated printer control commands. A printer control command specifying how many times the received data is repeatedly processed is added and transmitted to the printer.
JP 09-277618 A

  However, the above-described method of using the job spool function of the printer to send one copy of data to the printer in advance and printing it for the designated number of times (number of copies) has the following problems.

  That is, since the total data size of the printer control command generated by the printer driver is not known until the end of the command generation process, the total data size of the printer control command exceeds the maximum data size that can be temporarily stored in the printer. There was a possibility. Therefore, according to the conventional configuration, there is no guarantee that collation output using the job spool function of the printer will always succeed.

  In addition, in order to solve the above problem, if an old method is used in which the printer driver operating on the host computer always outputs the printer control command repeatedly for the designated number of times, the total data size of the printer control command and As described above, the communication load between the host computer and the printer greatly increases in proportion to the specified number of times.

  Due to such an increase in data communication load between the printer and the host computer, the performance of the entire system may be deteriorated depending on the system environment and conditions. In particular, such a problem is more likely to occur as a plurality of host computers and printers are connected to the network and there are more resources sharing the network.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, reduce the data communication load between an information processing apparatus such as a printer and a host computer, and, in addition, print job spooling of a printer in a plurality of copies such as collation output The goal is to ensure that the functionality is available.

In order to solve the above problem, in the present invention, the received print control command is temporarily stored in the spool storage means, and the received print control command is continuously printed for the number of times designated by the print control command. An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a printer having a job spool function for performing print output, a control method for the information processing apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for the information processing apparatus,
Collation designation determination means (or step) for determining whether or not collation printing is designated in the print request;
If it is determined by the collation designation determination means (or step) that collation printing is designated, the total data size of all print control commands and the data size that can be stored in the spool storage means are used. First determination means (or step) for storing all print control commands in the spool storage means and determining whether or not printing using the job spool function can be executed;
If it is determined by the first determination means (or step) that printing processing using the job spool function can be executed, specific information for executing the job spool function is added and all the print control commands are added. And when the first determination means (or step) determines that printing using the job spool function cannot be executed, it is generated by repeatedly outputting all the print control commands a specified number of times. First transmission control means (or step) for transmitting a print job to be performed;
If it is determined by the collation designation determination means (or step) that collation printing is not designated, a print control command is sent to the printer without executing the processing by the first determination means (or step). A configuration including a second transmission control means (or step) for transmitting a print job generated by output is employed.

  With the above configuration, in the present invention, when collate printing is designated, the sequentially generated printer control commands are not immediately output to the printer, but temporarily stored on the information processing apparatus, and the total data Judges whether the size exceeds the maximum data size that the printer can temporarily store when the job spool function is used, and if so, repeats the stored print control command for the specified number of times. Output to the printer. If the total data size of the print control command does not exceed the maximum data size that the printer can temporarily store when the job spool function is used, processing using the job spool function is performed. Further, when collation printing is not designated, the total data size of the printer control command is output to the printer without determining whether or not it exceeds the maximum data size that can be temporarily stored in the printer. With this configuration, it is possible to execute an efficient and reliable printing process.

  Embodiments for describing the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a printing system employing the present invention. Here, for convenience, a system including the host computer 3000 and the printer 1500 is shown, but a printing system including a single device in which the two are integrated may be used. Even if the printing system is composed of a plurality of devices, the number is not limited, and a printing system in which a plurality of devices such as a host computer and a printer are interconnected via a network such as a LAN or a WAN. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer, which is a CPU 1 that executes document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program stored in a program ROM of the ROM 3. , And the CPU 1 performs overall control of each device connected to the system bus 4 to perform the above processing.

  Further, the program ROM of the ROM 3 in FIG. 1 or the external memory 11 (external storage device such as a hard disk) stores an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS) which is a control program of the CPU 1. The font ROM or the external memory 11 of the ROM 3 stores font data used for the document processing, and the ROM 3 data ROM or the external memory 11 stores various data (for example, the document processing etc.). For example, directory information, a printer driver table, etc.) are stored.

  The main control of the host computer 3000 is a CPU in hardware. On the other hand, in software, the main control is application software called a printer control command generation program (hereinafter referred to as a printer driver). In this embodiment, the OS is assumed to be, for example, Windows 95 (trade name: manufactured by Microsoft Corporation), but is not limited thereto.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM which functions as a main memory and a work area of the CPU 1. As will be described later, this RAM 2 is also used as a work area in the printer control of this embodiment.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a keyboard controller (KBC) which controls key input from a keyboard 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 disk controller (DKC) 7 is an external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) or floppy disk (trade name) (FD) for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, printer drivers, and the like. And control access.

  Reference numeral 8 denotes a printer controller (PRTC) which is connected to the printer 1500 via a predetermined bidirectional interface 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1500. The bidirectional interface 21 may be IEEE1284 or the like, but the host computer 3000 and the printer 1500 are connected by other interfaces, for example, a bus such as SCSI, USB, IEEE1394, or a network interface such as Ethernet (registered trademark). Also good.

  The CPU 1 executes, for example, outline font development (rasterization) processing on the display information RAM set on the RAM 2 and can perform WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) processing using a GUI on the CRT 10. It is said. 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.

  In the printer 1500, reference numeral 12 denotes a printer CPU, which is a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13 or a control program stored in the external memory 14. An image signal is output as output information.

  Further, the control program of the CPU 12 and the like are stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13. The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data used when generating the output information, and the ROM 13 data ROM is used on the host computer in the case of a printer without the external memory 14 such as a hard disk. Information to be stored is stored.

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

  Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 12. The RAM 19 is allocated as an area used for developing bitmap information, an environment data storage area, a battery-backed NVRAM area, and the like. The RAM 19 is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown).

  The external memory 14 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. Reference numeral 1501 denotes an operation panel. On the operation panel 1501, a display such as a switch, LED, LCD, and other components are arranged.

  The above-mentioned external memory 14 is not limited to one, and at least one external memory 14 is provided. In addition to the built-in font, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different language systems can be connected. May be. Furthermore, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1501.

  Access to the external memory 14 such as the hard disk and the IC card is controlled by a disk controller (DKC) 20.

  In the present embodiment, when the RAM 19 receives a specific printer control command, the RAM 19 temporarily stores data received thereafter without immediately processing it, and continuously stores the data for a specified number of times. It is used as a job spool storage area for functions that can be processed as if received (hereinafter referred to as job spool functions). The maximum size that can be allocated (reserved) as the job spool storage area can be set using a printer control command described later. The securement of the job spool storage area is performed by software as will be described later, in addition to the expansion of the memory capacity by adding the optional RAM.

  When the printer 1500 of this embodiment receives a specific printer control command, it does not immediately process the data received thereafter, but temporarily stores it in the RAM 19 and continuously stores the data for the designated number of times. Have a function (job spool function) that can be processed as if they were received. The format of a printer control command that designates the function is shown below.

@PJL JOBSPOOL COPIES = num ENDSTRING = "word"<CR><LF>… (1)
num Numeric value indicating how many times the temporarily stored data is processed
word Character string to indicate the end of print data
<CR> Carriage return character
<LF> Line feed character Here, “@PJL” is the start of the printer control command, “JOBSPOOL” is a mnemonic indicating the type of command, and the printer 1500 has a command starting with “@PJL” above. When received, the data immediately after the command to immediately before the character string designated by “word” is stored in the RAM 19. After the storage is completed, the printer 1500 continuously processes the data stored in the RAM 19 as if it were received as many times as specified by the “num” of the command.

  By using such a job spool function, it is possible to stack the output paper on the printer paper discharge unit while collating the number of times designated by “word” (hereinafter, collation output).

  Here, in the above-described job spool function, the received data size that can be temporarily stored in the printer 1500 is limited to a maximum capacity that is set in advance in the printer due to the hardware capacity of the RAM 19 and other processing. . When changing this maximum reserved capacity, whether to change the setting by a predetermined method using the operation panel 1501, or to send the following printer control command having the same effect to the printer 1500 and restart the printer Assume that a printer control command (hereinafter referred to as a hardware reset command) for updating hardware settings is transmitted to the printer 1500.

@PJL SET SPOOL-SIZE = x <CR><LF> (2)
x Numeric value indicating the data size that can be temporarily stored (in Mega-Byte units)
<CR> Carriage return character
<LF> Line feed character Here, "@PJL" is the start of the printer control command, and "SET" is a mnemonic indicating the type of command, and the job with the following "SPOOL-SIZE = x" This is for setting the received data size that can be stored in the printer 1500 in the spool function.

  Note that the maximum value of the reserved capacity of the job spool storage area secured by the printer control command is naturally limited due to the combination of the hardware maximum capacity of the RAM 19 and the storage area for other purposes. If the capacity of the job spool storage area requested by the host computer 3000 can be secured, the printer 1500 returns a predetermined positive response to the host computer 3000, and if not secured, the printer 1500 returns a response indicating that the job spool storage area cannot be secured.

  The capacity size set in the printer 1500 can be notified to the host computer 3000 when the host computer 3000 requests information acquisition by a specific printer control command.

  Note that the printer 1500 shown in this embodiment is limited to storing the received data in the RAM 19 when the printer control command (1) is received. However, the printer 1500 is not limited to an external memory 14 built in the printer 1500 or the like. These may be stored in the storage means, or a combination of these may be utilized as the storage means. For example, if the capacity of the requested job spool storage area on the RAM 19 cannot be secured, the free space in the external memory 14 is automatically checked, and an appropriate amount of that is secured as the job spool storage area. A configuration that satisfies the above can also be considered.

  In the host computer 3000, the CPU 1 operates a printer driver to which the BIOS, OS, application, and information processing method according to the present invention are applied. The BIOS is written in the program ROM 3, and the OS is written in the hard disk as the external memory 11. When the host computer 3000 is turned on, the OS execution code image is read from the hard disk into the RAM 2 by the IPL (Initial Program Loading) function in the BIOS program, and the operation of the OS starts.

  The printer driver can actually be operated when an application operating under OS management on the host computer 3000 starts print processing in response to an instruction from the user or the like. This is when the printer driver is read out from the medium such as the external memory 11 under the control of the OS and BIOS and loaded into the RAM 2.

  Here, the printer driver of the present embodiment is not a driver in a narrow sense, that is, driver software for driving a printer port, but a book including setting of a job spool function of a printer, which will be described later, generation of the printer control command described above, and the like. The processing of the invention is performed, and any portion thereof may be stored in any storage location on any storage medium on the host computer until loaded into the RAM 2.

  In the following, an example in which the processing of the present invention is implemented in the printer driver is shown, but all or some of the characteristic processing of the present invention is implemented not only on the printer driver but also on application software. It may be done.

  FIG. 2 shows a memory map 21 in a state where a printer driver employing the present invention is loaded into the RAM 2 on the host computer 3000 and becomes executable. Reference numeral 22 is a storage area for an application for printing, 23 is an unused memory area, 24 is a data area for storing various parameters necessary for controlling the printer driver, 25 is a storage area for the printer driver body, and 26 is an OS. 27 is a BIOS storage area (a part of which may be allocated on the ROM). The memory arrangement in FIG. 2 is merely an example, and it may be different from that according to the specifications and customs of the OS.

  Hereinafter, processing of the printer driver to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail.

  A flowchart of FIG. 3 shows an outline of processing when a printer driver to which the present invention is applied receives a print request from an application via the OS and sequentially generates printer control commands. 4 shows the processing contents of step 303 in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 shows the processing contents of step 307 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the printer driver continues to accept print requests from the application via the OS from when the application starts the printing process to when it ends (step S <b> 301). The received print request is first determined whether or not it signifies the start of printing (step S302). If so, step S303 (FIG. 4) is processed, and then the print request from the application is started again. .

  If it is determined in step S302 that the print request does not mean the start of printing, and if it is determined that it means the end of printing (step S304), the process proceeds to step S307 (FIG. 5). Thereafter, the printer control command generation process is terminated.

  If it is determined in steps S302 and S304 that the print request does not mean print start or print end, a printer control command corresponding to the content of the print request is generated (step S305), and the OS The printer control command is output via the system spooler managed by (step S306), and the process loops to step S301.

  Note that the printer control command generated in step S305 opens the print job in which the printer is specified by the output destination information in the following step S405, or after the print job having the temporary file as the output destination is opened in step S404. In step S306, the data is output directly to the printer 1500 or once via a temporary file. That is, as described later, in step S405, a print job having the printer device as the output destination is opened based on the output destination information including the output port name input from the application or the OS. On the other hand, in step S404, the temporary file is saved. The print job that is the output destination is opened. Which type of print job is generated is determined by the presence / absence of collation output designation (step S401) as shown in FIG.

  Next, the printer driver process (step S303) when the print request from the application signifies the start of printing will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  First, the printer driver refers to the additional information obtained when the print start request is received, and determines whether collation output is not specified (step S401). A print job is opened based on output destination information including an output port name input from an application or OS (step S405).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S401 that collate output is designated, the output destination information input from the application or the OS is stored in the RAM 2 of the host computer 3000 (step S402), and then provided by the OS. The full path name of the temporary file is generated using the function call (step S403). At the same time, the full path name of the temporary file is also stored on the RAM 2 (step S403).

  Next, the printer driver replaces the output destination information input from the application or the OS with the full path name of the temporary file generated in step S403, and opens the print job (step S404).

  By the way, if you use a system spooler provided by the OS, open a print job that specifies the full path name of the temporary file as the output destination, and close the print job when printing ends, the result is that all the files indicated by the specified full path name The printer control command can be stored. If data is written to the system spooler using the identifier (handle) acquired when the print job is opened, the data output to the output destination specified when the print job is opened is transparently performed by the system spooler. Because.

  Next, printer driver processing (step S307) in the case where the print request from the application means the end of printing will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  First, after the printer driver closes the open print job (step S501), the printer driver determines whether collation output is designated with reference to additional information obtained when a print end request is received. (Step S502). If it is determined in step S502 that collation output is not designated, the process is terminated, but if it is determined that collation output is designated, it is stored in step S402. The read output destination information is read from the RAM 2, and based on the information, a print job for which the printer is the output destination is newly opened (step S503).

  Subsequently, the printer driver obtains the total data size of the printer control commands temporarily stored in the temporary file using the OS function call, and stores it on the RAM 2 (step S504). Next, when using the job spool function, the printer driver acquires the maximum data size that can be temporarily stored in the printer 1500 and stores it in the RAM 2 (step S505). In the present embodiment, the maximum data size that can be temporarily stored in the printer 1500 is acquired by a dedicated application (for example, a printer driver installer) communicating with the printer 1500 at a predetermined timing, and then stored in the external memory 11. It is assumed that the printer driver is stored in a predetermined format in a predetermined location, and the printer driver reads the information into the RAM 2 using an OS function call, thereby performing the process of step S505. . However, the process of step S505 may be performed by communicating with the printer 1500 and acquiring the information every time the printer 1500 needs information on the maximum data size that can be temporarily stored in the job spool storage area.

  The printer driver then compares the total data size of the printer control command acquired in step S504 with the maximum stored data size in the job spool function of the printer 1500 acquired in step S505 (step S506), and the former is smaller or equal. If YES, the process immediately proceeds to step S510, in which the printer control command shown as (1) above is instructed at the beginning of the printer control command temporarily stored in the temporary file, and the end of the print data is instructed at the end. Is added to the system spooler.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S506 that the former (total data size of the printer control command) is larger, it is determined from the printer configuration information whether the maximum storage data size of the job spool storage area of the printer 1500 can be updated. At the same time, it is determined whether or not a sufficient area can be secured to accommodate the total data size of the printer control command after the update (step S507).

  If it is determined in step S507 that the total data size of the printer control command is still larger even after updating the maximum storage data size of the job spool storage area of the printer 1500, the temporary data is temporarily stored in the temporary file. The printer control command is repeated a predetermined number of times and output to the system spooler (step S508).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S507 that the maximum data size of the job spool storage area of the printer 1500 is updated, the total data size of the printer control command can be temporarily stored in the printer 1500. A print job for updating the maximum storage data size of the area is output to the system spooler (step S509), and the process proceeds to step S510.

  In step S509, a print job composed of the printer control command and the hardware reset command shown as (2) above is transmitted via the system spooler (in some configurations such as the OS, not via the system spooler). It is also possible to perform processing for updating the maximum storage data size in the job spool storage area of the printer 1500 by outputting to the printer 1500.

  Then, following step S508 or 510, the printer driver closes the print job newly opened in step S503 (step S511), and ends the process when collation output is designated (steps S503 to 511).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when collate output is designated, the sequentially generated printer control commands are not immediately output to the printer 1500, but to the external memory 11 on the host computer 3000. It is temporarily stored, and it is determined whether or not the total data size exceeds the maximum data size that the printer 1500 can temporarily store when the job spool function is used. Issues a print job that updates the maximum data size that can be temporarily stored to the printer 1500, and then outputs a print job to which the job spool function is applied. When printing multiple copies, use the job spool function of the printer to print a predetermined number of times. Force can be reliably guarantee, it is possible to avoid a communication load increases between the printer-host computer, there is excellent effect that.

  If the maximum storage data size obtained from the printer is exceeded even after resetting the maximum storage data size of the printer, the print data stored in the temporary file is used for the specified number of times without using the job spool function. Since the output is made to the printer, there is an excellent effect that the print output does not become impossible and the print output can be surely obtained.

  In the first embodiment, if the maximum storage data size for the job spool of the printer 1500 cannot be updated, the printer control command temporarily stored in the temporary file is repeatedly output a predetermined number of times to the printer 1500. I have to. However, the above-described steps S506 to S510 in FIG. 5 are improved, a method for repeatedly outputting the printer control command temporarily stored in the temporary file to the printer 1500 a predetermined number of times, and a job spool for the printer 1500 After determining which of the methods to output a print job to which the maximum spooled data size is updated to the printer 1500 and then outputting the print job to which the job spool function is applied can be performed at high speed, select one of the methods It is also possible to use a configuration that does this. Hereinafter, a configuration including optimization of such print processing will be exemplified.

  The printer driver shown in the present embodiment executes the processing shown in FIG. Steps S506 to 510 in FIG. 6 replace steps S506 to 510 in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. Of the reference numerals indicating the respective processing flows in FIG. 6, the processing flows denoted by the same numbers as those in FIG. 5 indicate the same processing contents as those in the embodiment.

  In step S506 of FIG. 6, it is determined that the total data size of the printer control command stored as a temporary file in the external memory 11 of the host computer 3000 is smaller than or equal to the maximum data size that can be temporarily stored in the printer 1500. In the case where the job spool function has been received, the process proceeds to step S510, and a print job to which the job spool function is applied is generated and output.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S506 that the total data size of the printer control command stored as a temporary file is larger than the maximum data size that can be temporarily stored in the printer 1500, the maximum storage data size of the printer 1500 is determined. Is updated from the configuration information of the printer 1500, and if updated, it is determined whether or not a sufficient area for the total data size of the printer control command can be secured in the printer 1500 (step S507).

  If it is determined that the total data size of the printer control command still cannot be stored in the temporary storage area of the printer 1500 even when the maximum storage data size of the printer 1500 is updated, the temporary storage is temporarily stored in the temporary file. The printer control command that has been set is repeated a predetermined number of times and output to the printer 1500 (step S508).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S507 that the total data size of the printer control command can be temporarily stored in the printer 1500 by updating the maximum storage data size of the printer 1500, the processing method shown in step S508 and steps S509 and 510 are performed. Each processing time required for the processing method indicated by is calculated (step S601).

  The job spool function held by the printer 1500 shown in this embodiment is a function for processing received data as if it were simply received a specified number of times. Therefore, when comparing the processing time required for the two processing methods described above, it is only necessary to know the processing time required for the following processing contents.

1. 1. Processing time of print data generation processing on the host computer 3000 2. Processing time of print data generation processing for updating the maximum storage data size of the printer 1500 on the host computer 3000 2. Processing time of data communication processing from the host computer 3000 to the printer 1500 for the print data of 4. Processing time for updating the maximum storage data size in the printer 1500 Above 1. Processing time of data communication processing from the host computer 3000 to the printer 1500 regarding the print data of And 5. It is assumed that the processing time required for the processing increases in proportion to the data size that is simply handled, and the processing time required for the above 4 is substantially constant. As shown in the above embodiment, the print job for updating the maximum storage data size of the printer 1500 is composed of the printer control command and the hardware reset command shown in (2). The data size itself is relatively very small. Therefore, in this embodiment, the processing time required for the maximum storage data size update processing in the job spool of the printer 1500 of the above 2 and 3 is ignored, and the processing times required for the two printing methods are calculated and compared respectively. (Of course, for accuracy, calculation may be performed in consideration of the processing time of the maximum storage data size update processing in the job spool).

Here, if the total processing time required for the processing times 1, 5, and 4 is expressed by P, Q, and R (unit: msec), respectively, the processing speed p (unit: 1 byte) of print data. Multiplying the data size handled by msec / byte, the speed required to read the temporary file and prepare for transmission), and the communication speed q (unit: msec / byte) of 1-byte print data, P and Q are obtained respectively. It is done. Further, the total data size of the printer control command group stored as a temporary file on the external memory 11 on the host computer 3000 is S (unit: byte), and the number of collations (the number of collated outputs) is T. And Then, the processing time of step S508 (when the printer command of the temporary file is transmitted a plurality of times) is γ (unit: msec), and the processing of steps S509 and S510 (when the job spool function of the printer is used) is performed. If the total processing time is expressed by θ (unit: msec), γ and θ can be expressed by the following calculation formulas.
γ (msec) = P (msec) + Q (msec)
= (p (msec / byte) × S (byte)) × T + (q (msec / byte) × S (byte) × T)
= (p + q) × S × T
θ (msec) = P (msec) + Q (msec) + R (msec)
≒ (p (msec / byte) x S (byte)) + (q (msec / byte) x S (byte)) + R
≒ (p + q) x S + R
Therefore, in step S602, the printer driver shown in the present embodiment compares γ and θ calculated by the above formula. If it is determined that γ is smaller than or equal to θ, the process proceeds to step S508. If it is determined that γ is larger, the process proceeds to step S509, and the maximum storage data size of the printer 1500 is set. After the print job to be updated is output to the printer 1500 via the system spooler, the print job to which the job spool function is applied is output (step S510). In other words, if it is determined that it is faster to send the printer command of the temporary file a plurality of times, the process proceeds to step S508. If it is determined that it is faster to use the job spool function of the printer, the process proceeds to step S509.

  According to the processing of this embodiment (FIG. 6), the total data size of the printer control command group temporarily stored on the host computer 3000 exceeds the maximum storage data size of the printer 1500. Even if the job spool function can be used by updating the storage data size, the processing speed is compared with a method that does not use the job spool function in advance, and one of these high-speed processing methods is selected and executed. Thus, there is an excellent effect that a collated sheet output result for a predetermined number of times can be guaranteed while performing a relatively high-speed printing process.

  A program and control data for realizing the processing of the present invention may be stored in an arbitrary storage medium of an arbitrary apparatus such as a host computer or a printer constituting the printing system. In particular, various configurations can be considered for the maximum data size that can temporarily store received data in the job spool function of the printer.

  For example, a configuration in which the maximum data size that can temporarily store the received data in the job spool storage area of the printer is stored in the storage means of the host computer, in which case, a nonvolatile memory such as NVRAM in the host computer, It can be stored in any storage means such as a removable storage means. Further, the information on the maximum data size once acquired from the printer may be configured to be saved in an external storage device such as a hard disk when the OS is shut down in the form of a resource file or the like. In particular, according to the configuration in which the maximum data size is held in a nonvolatile manner as described above, the system can be continuously operated under the same conditions regarding the job spool without performing a troublesome resetting operation. it can.

  The maximum data size that can temporarily store the received data in the job spool storage area of the printer is the user interface of any program that the user operates on the host computer (for example, a user interface that customizes the operation of the printer driver, printer It is conceivable that a desired value can be set via a user interface of an application program that performs any information processing using the. With such a configuration, for example, the user can secure a memory capacity necessary for developing a favorite printer built-in font or downloading a font from the outside to the printer according to the use of the printer. Become.

  Also, as described above, the maximum data size that can temporarily store the received data in the job spool storage area of the printer is stored in the printer memory (built-in memory or removable expansion memory), and the host computer The printer control command interface can be used from the side, and can be acquired via a bidirectional interface or a network, and can be reset.

  In particular, when a mechanism capable of storing the maximum data size is provided on the host computer side as described above, information on the maximum data size of the job spool storage area stored in the memory of the printer and the memory of the host computer It is necessary to synchronize the information of the maximum data size stored in the memory by some method. For this purpose, any method may be adopted as necessary by those skilled in the art. For example, when collation printing is required as described above, it is obtained from the printer side, and the contents of the memory on the host computer side are synchronized with this, and if it is necessary to reset, both are updated simultaneously. Can be considered.

  In each of the above embodiments, up to the point where the maximum data size of the job spool function of the printer is reset is shown, but various configurations can be considered for the subsequent processing. For example, the maximum data size setting of the job spool function may be left in the setting memory on the printer side, or the maximum data of the job spool function may be output after processing of the output job that needs to be reset (collation) is completed. The size setting may be returned to the state before the job is started.

  In the above, the configuration in which the function of the present invention is implemented in the printer driver is exemplified, but the function of the present invention may be implemented in a program installed in the host computer from the outside. In that case, the processing program to which the present invention is applied may be read from an arbitrary computer-readable storage medium. That is, the processing program to which the present invention is applied outputs an information group including the program from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, flash memory, or FD, or from an external storage medium via a network such as e-mail or personal computer communication. It can be supplied to a host computer or an output device by being loaded into a system including the device and the host computer.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system that employs the present invention. FIG. 6 is a memory map diagram in a state where a printer driver employing the present invention is loaded onto a RAM of a host computer and becomes executable. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of processing of a printer driver that employs the present invention. It is the flowchart figure which showed the process of step S303 of FIG. It is the flowchart figure which showed the process of step S307 of FIG. It is the flowchart figure which showed the change part of FIG. 5 in a different Example.

Explanation of symbols

1, 12 CPU
2, 19 RAM
3, 13 ROM
4, 15 System bus 5 KBC
6 CRTC
7, 20 DKC
8 PRTC
11, 14 External memory 18 Input unit 1500 Printer 1501 Operation panel 3000 Host computer

Claims (9)

A printer having a job spool function that temporarily stores the received print control command in the spool storage means and prints the received print control command continuously for the number of times specified by the print control command. An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with
Collation designation determination means for determining whether collation printing is designated in the print request;
When it is determined that collation printing is designated by the collation designation judging means, all print control is performed using the total data size of all print control commands and the data size that can be stored in the spool storage means. First determination means for storing a command in the spool storage means and determining whether or not printing using the job spool function can be executed;
When it is determined by the first determination means that printing processing using the job spool function can be executed, specific information for executing the job spool function is added, and all the print control commands are output, When it is determined by the first determination means that printing using the job spool function cannot be executed, a print job generated by repeatedly outputting all the print control commands a specified number of times is transmitted. 1 transmission control means;
Print generated by outputting a print control command to the printer without executing processing by the first determination unit when it is determined by the collation designation determination unit that collation printing is not specified An information processing apparatus comprising second transmission control means for transmitting a job. If it is determined by the first determination means that printing using the job spool function cannot be executed, printing using the job spool function is possible by changing the data size that can be stored in the spool storage means. Second determination means for determining whether or not,
When it is determined by the second determination means that the print using the job spool function can be executed by changing the data size that can be stored in the spool storage means, the data size that can be stored in the spool storage means is changed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a change instruction transmission unit that transmits a change instruction to the printer to the printer.   When the second determination unit determines that printing using the job spool function can be performed by changing the data size that can be stored in the spool storage unit, the data size of the spool storage unit is changed. It is determined which processing can be performed at high speed among the output processing using the processing and the job spool function and the output processing for outputting the print control command to the printer for the designated number of times, and according to the determination result The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a determination unit that determines a process to be executed. A printer having a job spool function that temporarily stores the received print control command in the spool storage means and prints the received print control command continuously for the number of times specified by the print control command. A method of controlling an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with
A collation designation determination step for determining whether collation printing is designated in the print request;
If it is determined in the collation designation determination step that collation printing is designated, all print control is performed using the total data size of all print control commands and the data size that can be stored in the spool storage means. A first determination step of determining whether it is possible to store a command in the spool storage means and execute printing using the job spool function;
If it is determined by the first determination step that the print processing using the job spool function can be executed, specific information to be executed for the job spool function is added and all the print control commands are output. If it is determined in the first determination step that printing using the job spool function cannot be executed, a print job generated by repeatedly outputting all the print control commands a specified number of times is transmitted. One transmission control step;
When it is determined in the collation designation determination step that collation printing is not designated, printing generated by outputting a print control command to the printer without executing the processing in the first determination step A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising: a second transmission control step for transmitting a job. When it is determined in the first determination step that printing using the job spool function cannot be executed, printing using the job spool function is possible by changing the data size that can be stored in the spool storage unit. A second determination step for determining whether or not
If it is determined in the second determination step that printing using the job spool function can be executed by changing the data size that can be stored in the spool storage unit, the data size that can be stored in the spool storage unit is changed. 5. The control method for an information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a change instruction transmission step of transmitting a change instruction for performing the change to the printer.   When the second determination step determines that printing using the job spool function can be performed by changing the data size that can be stored in the spool storage unit, the data size of the spool storage unit is changed. It is determined which processing can be performed at high speed among the output processing using the processing and the job spool function and the output processing for outputting the print control command to the printer for the designated number of times, and according to the determination result 5. The information processing apparatus control method according to claim 4, further comprising a determination step of determining a process to be executed. A printer having a job spool function that temporarily stores the received print control command in the spool storage means and prints the received print control command continuously for the number of times specified by the print control command. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with
A collation designation determination step for determining whether collation printing is designated in the print request;
If it is determined in the collation designation determination step that collation printing is designated, all print control is performed using the total data size of all print control commands and the data size that can be stored in the spool storage means. A first determination step of determining whether it is possible to store a command in the spool storage means and execute printing using the job spool function;
If it is determined by the first determination step that the print processing using the job spool function can be executed, specific information to be executed for the job spool function is added and all the print control commands are output. If it is determined in the first determination step that printing using the job spool function cannot be executed, a print job generated by repeatedly outputting all the print control commands a specified number of times is transmitted. One transmission control step;
When it is determined in the collation designation determination step that collation printing is not designated, printing generated by outputting a print control command to the printer without executing the processing in the first determination step A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for an information processing apparatus, wherein a control program including a second transmission control step for transmitting a job is stored. When it is determined in the first determination step that printing using the job spool function cannot be executed, printing using the job spool function is possible by changing the data size that can be stored in the spool storage unit. A second determination step for determining whether or not
If it is determined in the second determination step that printing using the job spool function can be executed by changing the data size that can be stored in the spool storage unit, the data size that can be stored in the spool storage unit is changed. 8. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for an information processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a control program including a change instruction transmission step for transmitting a change instruction to the printer to the printer. .   When the second determination step determines that printing using the job spool function can be performed by changing the data size that can be stored in the spool storage unit, the data size of the spool storage unit is changed. It is determined which processing can be performed at high speed among the output processing using the processing and the job spool function and the output processing for outputting the print control command to the printer for the designated number of times, and according to the determination result 8. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for an information processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a control program including a determination step for determining a process to be executed.

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