JP2006085212A - Printer conversion device and printer conversion method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer conversion device capable of effectively solving the problem of compatibility of an updated printer with an existing printer in printer updating in a computer system. <P>SOLUTION: The printer conversion device 100, which is used for a computer system adapted to output two or more kinds of print requests by controllers Ca, Cb and Cc, comprises a plurality of input terminals 1a, 1b and 1c receiving print requests from the computer system, and a plurality of conversion processing units 2a, 2b and 2c provided in conformation to the input terminals, respectively. These conversion processing units include command conversion parts 13x, 13y and 13z for converting each print command in the two or more kinds of print requests to a printer-specific print command format, which are provided in a number according to the kinds of each print command, and function switching means 12 for selectively connecting the input terminals to the plurality of command conversion parts to perform switching of function in the conversion processing units. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer conversion technique for enabling a single printer to process a plurality of types of print requests output from a computer system.

  In a computer system, since the degree of wear of a printer used therein is relatively high, it is general that the printer needs to be updated during the operation of the computer system. However, when a printer is updated, compatibility problems occur depending on the manufacturer and version of the printer. That is, if the updated printer is not compatible with the existing printer, the updated printer will not operate normally. This problem is further exacerbated by the rapid technological innovation in the information equipment field in recent years. Conventionally, when such a problem occurs, it is common to change the application software of the host computer in the computer system.

  However, depending on the computer system, the application software of the host computer may not be changed. One technique for dealing with such a case is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the technique of Patent Document 1, a printer control code conversion system that converts a printer control code output from various computers into a printer control code suitable for the printer so that the printer can correctly receive the printer control code can be printed. It is dealt with by using. A technique similar to the technique of Patent Document 1 is also disclosed in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3.

  In a computer system, it is desirable to reduce power consumption associated with printer operation as much as possible. In a computer system, it is generally uncertain when a print request is generated for 24 hours, and a print result is rarely required immediately. Therefore, it is possible to save power in the printer by printing the print requests output from the computer system as needed at a given time. As such a technique, for example, an example disclosed in Patent Document 4 is known.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-19645 JP-A-7-276742 JP-A-6-149499 JP 2003-308182 A

  In order to deal with the compatibility problem of the printer, a technique using the printer control code conversion apparatus system in Patent Document 1 is effective. However, the printer control code conversion apparatus system of Patent Document 1 has a one-to-one relationship with the printer, and must be individually installed for each printer. For this reason, it is necessary to prepare conversion device systems and new printers as many as the number of existing printers to be updated, which leaves a problem that the cost required for updating the printers increases.

  In order to save power of the printer in the computer system, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 that enables printing requests output from the computer system at any time to be collectively printed at a certain time is effective. However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 4 has a problem that application software of a computer system needs to be rewritten to apply this, and cannot be introduced into a computer system in which application software cannot be rewritten. Yes.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above-described conventional circumstances, and can effectively solve the compatibility problem between an updated printer and an existing printer when updating a printer in a computer system. Providing a printer conversion apparatus and a printer conversion method that enable a new printer to be completed with respect to the update target printer, and that can save power in printing in any computer system It is aimed.

  The printer conversion apparatus according to the present invention is used in a computer system configured to output a plurality of types of print requests, and can process the plurality of types of print requests with the one printer. A plurality of input terminals for receiving a print request, and a plurality of conversion processing units provided corresponding to each of the plurality of input terminals, the conversion processing unit includes each of the plurality of types of print requests. A command conversion unit for converting a print command into a print command format unique to the printer is provided in a number corresponding to the type of each print command, and the input terminal is selectively connected to the plurality of command conversion units. Function switching means for switching functions in the conversion processing unit is provided.

  In the present invention, the printer conversion apparatus as described above is provided with a data storage unit that stores the printer-specific print command converted and generated by the command conversion unit together with print data, and a specification setting unit that enables settings related to the print schedule The specification setting unit stores data in the data storage unit until a preset unit time elapses from the timer activation time, and the data storage unit every time the unit time elapses from the timer activation time. Time-up printing for executing printing of accumulated print data, data is accumulated in the data accumulating means until a preset scheduled print time is reached, and the data is accumulated when the scheduled print set time is reached Periodic printing for printing the print data stored in the means, and a mark from the computer system The immediate printing to perform simultaneously printing and output requests are to be selectively set.

  The printer conversion method according to the present invention is used in a computer system that outputs a plurality of types of print requests, and the plurality of types of print requests can be processed by the one printer. Each of the print requests in the plurality of types of print requests by the process of receiving the print request at any one of the input terminals, and the command conversion unit provided in the conversion processing unit corresponding to each of the plurality of input terminals. A function in the conversion processing unit by selectively connecting the input terminal to the plurality of command conversion units by a process of converting a command into a print command format unique to the printer, and a function switching unit included in the conversion processing unit It is characterized by including a process for switching between.

  According to the present invention, the printer conversion method as described above further includes a process of storing the printer-specific print command converted and generated by the command conversion unit in the data storage unit together with the print data, and enables specification relating to a print schedule. The setting unit stores data in the data storage unit until a preset unit time elapses from the timer activation time, and print data stored in the data accumulation unit every time the unit time elapses from the timer activation time. Time-up printing for executing printing of data, data is stored in the data storage unit until a preset scheduled print setting time is reached, and the accumulated print is stored in the data storage unit when the scheduled print setting time is reached At the same time as periodic printing that prints data and the output of a print request from the computer system And to be able to selectively set the immediate printing to perform printing.

  The printer conversion apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of conversion processing units, and can convert a print command in each of a plurality of types of print requests from the computer system into a print command unique to one printer. For this reason, according to the present invention, compatibility problems do not occur when updating the printer. Even when there are a plurality of update target printers, it is possible to reduce the number of new printers to one or less than the number of update target printers. Furthermore, since a plurality of print requests can be processed in a single printer, it is possible to perform a schedule print in which a plurality of print requests are processed in a desired time zone. With this schedule print, any computer system can be used. However, it is possible to save power in printing.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a printer conversion apparatus that executes a printer conversion method according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 also shows the connection relationship of the printer conversion apparatus to the computer system. The computer system is a system composed of one or a plurality of computers (computers), but the constituent computers are not shown.

  The printer conversion apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is configured as an example when applied to a computer system having three types of controllers: a serial printer controller Ca, a hard copy controller Cb, and a page printer controller Cc. Different types of print requests are output from the three types of controllers Ca, Cb, and Cc. Specifically, a serial printer print request is output from the serial printer controller Ca, a hard copy print request is output from the hard copy controller Cb, and a page printer print request is output from the page printer controller Cc. Each print request is accompanied by a print command having a different data format. The printer conversion apparatus 100 converts a print command in these print requests (hereinafter referred to as an input print command as appropriate) into a format of a print command specific to the printer P (hereinafter referred to as a printer specific print command as appropriate) A single printer P can be used for intensive processing. Here, the printer P is a printer provided in the computer system, and is a printer newly installed by printer update.

  The printer conversion apparatus 100 includes an input terminal 1, a conversion processing unit 2, a print request spooler 3, a specification setting unit 4, an output terminal 5, and an input output terminal 6, and a setting computer (personal computer) is connected via the input / output terminal 6. ) 7 can be connected.

  The input terminal 1 is for receiving a print request from the computer system, and three input terminals 1a, 1b, 1c are provided corresponding to the output of three types of print requests from the computer system. ing. In other words, the input terminals 1 are provided in a number that allows a plurality of types of print requests output from the computer system to be individually received. For the input terminal 1, for example, an interface standard such as a Centronics specification or RS-232C can be used.

  The conversion processing unit 2 is provided corresponding to the input terminal 1, and in this embodiment, three conversion processing units 2a, 2b, and 2c are provided corresponding to the input terminals 1a, 1b, and 1c, respectively. ing. The conversion processing units 2 (2a, 2b, 2c) are provided with a number of processing paths 11 corresponding to the number of types of print requests output from the computer system, and input terminals 1 are connected to these processing paths 11. The function switching means 12 for switching the function in the conversion processing unit 2 by selectively connecting the inputs from is provided. Here, the functions of the conversion processing unit 2 include, as will be described later, conversion of a print command in a serial printer print request into a printer specific print command, conversion of a print command in a page printer print request into a printer specific print command, and hardware. There are three types of conversion of a print command in a copy print request into a printer specific print command. In the present embodiment, since there are three types of print requests and accompanying print commands from the computer system, three processing paths 11x, 11y, and 11z are provided, and the processing paths 11x, 11y are correspondingly provided. , 11z, the function switching means 12 is configured so that the input from the input terminal 1 can be selectively connected.

  The processing path 11x is for a serial printer print request. The command conversion unit 13x converts a print command in the serial printer print request into a printer-specific print command, and print command data converted by the command conversion unit 13x is printed data (print object data). ) And an individual spooler 14x that temporarily accumulates. The processing path 11y is for a page printer print request. The command conversion unit 13y that converts a print command in the page printer print request into a printer-specific print command and the print command data converted by the command conversion unit 13y are temporarily combined with the print data. It consists of individual spoolers 14y that accumulate. The processing path 11z is for a hard copy print request, converts a print command in the hard copy print request into a printer specific print command, and also performs a process of converting print data into a data format suitable for the printer P as necessary. The command conversion unit 13z and the individual spooler 14z that temporarily stores the print command data converted by the command conversion unit 13z together with the print data. Here, in the case of a serial printer print request or a page printer print request, it is not necessary to convert the data format of the print data. On the other hand, for hard copy print requests, image data such as photographs and images is included in the print data from the computer system, the image data is, for example, in YMC format, and the image data format that can be handled by the printer P is RGB. In such a case, the print data also needs to be converted. In the present embodiment, as described above, the conversion of the print data is also performed by the command conversion unit 13z.

  The function switching means 12 can be configured by using a dip switch as in the present embodiment, and can also be configured by a program as necessary.

  The print request spooler 3 is data storage means that also functions to store data for enabling scheduled printing as described later, and print command data generated by each of the conversion processing units 2a, 2b, and 2c is printed data. Together with this, it is used for storing in a print waiting state. Data in the print waiting state stored in the print request spooler 3 is continuously stored until the print start time set as the schedule print function in the specification setting unit 4 is reached. At that time, the printer conversion device 100 issues a print request to the printer P, and starts printing the data stored in the print request spooler 3.

  The specification setting unit 4 is a functional unit for setting specifications such as a schedule relating to printing in the printer conversion apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the integrated page / line number setting unit 21, the immediate print setting unit 22 (serial printer print request immediate print setting unit 22x, page printer print request immediate print setting unit 22y, hard copy print request immediate print setting unit 22z), print timer operating time setting unit 23, and print time setting unit 24 have.

  The output terminal 5 is a terminal for connecting the printer conversion apparatus 100 to the printer P. For the output terminal 5, for example, a Centronics specification, an interface standard such as RS-232C or USB can be used.

  The input / output terminal 6 is a terminal for connecting a personal computer 7 for setting, and is formed by an interface standard such as a Centronics specification, RS-232C, or USB.

  The setting personal computer 7 is connected as necessary, and is used when the user appropriately changes the setting contents in the specification setting unit 4. The setting personal computer 7 can also be used to store electronic data corresponding to data printed out by the printer P as required.

  Hereinafter, an outline of processing in the execution of the printer conversion method by the printer conversion apparatus 100 will be described. In order to connect the printer conversion apparatus 100 to the computer system, the controllers Ca, Cb, Cc of the computer system are appropriately connected to the input terminals 1a, 1b, 1c. In the example of FIG. 1, the serial printer controller Ca is connected to the input terminal 1a, the hard copy controller Cb is connected to the input terminal 1b, and the page printer controller Cc is connected to the input terminal 1c. Then, the function switching means 12 is operated for each of the conversion processing units 2a, 2b and 2c, and the input from the input terminal 1 is processed according to the connection state of the controllers Ca, Cb and Cc to the input terminals 1a, 1b and 1c. Selectively connect to any of the paths 11x, 11y, and 11z. In the example of FIG. 1, in the conversion processing unit 2a corresponding to the input terminal 1a to which the serial printer controller Ca is connected, the input from the input terminal 1a is connected to the processing path 11x for serial printer print request, and the hard copy controller Cb is connected. In the conversion processing unit 2b corresponding to the connected input terminal 1b, the input from the input terminal 1b is connected to the processing path 11z for the hard copy print request, and the conversion processing corresponding to the input terminal 1c to which the page printer controller Cc is connected. In the unit 2c, the page printer connects the input from the input terminal 1c to the print request processing path 11y.

Thus, the print request output from the serial printer controller Ca of the computer system is input from the input terminal 1a to the processing path 11x of the conversion processing unit 2a. The print command in the print request is converted into a printer-specific print command by the command conversion unit 13x. The printer-specific print command converted and generated by the command conversion unit 13x is temporarily stored together with the print data in the individual spooler 14x, and then sent to the print request spooler 3. In the accumulation of data in the individual spooler 14x, print data is also collected. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the print data 31 for each line in the individual spooler 14x is aggregated print data 32 that is aggregated for one page, and the data is sent to the print request spooler 3 when the aggregation is completed. Such a method of collecting print data is set in the aggregated page / line number setting unit 21 in the specification setting unit 4, and the contents can be appropriately changed by the user using the setting personal computer 7.

  The print request output from the page printer controller Cc of the computer system is input from the input terminal 1c to the processing path 11y of the conversion processing unit 2c. The print command in the print request is converted into a printer-specific print command by the command conversion unit 13y. The printer-specific print command converted and generated by the command conversion unit 13y is temporarily stored together with the print data in the individual spooler 14y, and then sent to the print request spooler 3.

  The print request output from the hard copy controller Cb of the computer system is input from the input terminal 1b to the processing path 11z of the conversion processing unit 2b. The print command in the print request is converted into a printer-specific print command by the command conversion unit 13z. In this embodiment, the image data in the print data from the computer system is in YMC format, and the image data format that can be handled by the printer P is RGB. Conversion is performed by the conversion unit 13z. The printer-specific print command and print data converted and generated by the command conversion unit 13z are temporarily stored in the individual spooler 14z and then sent to the print request spooler 3.

  Next, an example of data format conversion processing in the command conversion unit will be described. The conversion processing methods in the command conversion unit 13x and the command conversion unit 13y are basically the same. The concept of the conversion process is shown in FIG. In the method of this example, a rewritable conversion table corresponding to both the input print command table 31 and the printer-specific print command table 32 is provided, and the input print command (controller input side print command) is sent to the printer using this conversion table. Conversion is performed by replacing it with a unique print command (print command on the printer output side). In the input print command table 31 and the printer specific print command table 32, those corresponding to typical print commands of respective manufacturers are prepared. If necessary, the type of print command can be changed by rewriting the conversion table on the setting personal computer 7. For this reason, the compatibility with the types of computer systems and printers P becomes high.

  The concept of the conversion process in the command conversion unit 13z is shown in FIGS. In this example, the print command in the hard copy print request is converted into a printer specific print command, and the YMC format image data in the hard copy print request is converted into the RGB format. The conversion of the print command is the same as that in the command conversion unit 13x and the command conversion unit 13y described above. In the conversion of the image data, “0” and “1” in the conversion source data are read for each of Y, M, and C, and combined into one. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, a signal is read from the correspondence between the YMC color table 41 and the RGB color table 42 and is converted into R, G, and B, respectively, as shown in FIG.

  Next, the print schedule function will be described. The print schedule includes time-up printing and timed printing, which are time-designated printing methods (timer printing), and immediate printing, which is a method of printing simultaneously with the output of a print request.

  Time-up printing is a method in which printing is executed every time a unit time preset in the print timer operating time setting unit 23 elapses. FIG. 7 shows a temporal flow of processing in time-up printing. In time-up printing, a timer (a timer is provided in the specification setting unit 4 or the like, but not shown) is started at a certain time t1, and a preset unit time T is started from the timer starting time t1. Only the timer keeps counting. During this time, data (print command data and print data) from the individual spoolers 14x, 14y, and 14z is continuously stored in the print request spooler 3 while performing the above-described conversion processing according to the input of the print request from the computer system. . When the timer counts up at time t2, printing is started from that point, and printing is executed for all the print data stored in the print request spooler 3. When this printing is completed, the timer is started again at time t3, and the above processing is repeated. By processing the print requests output from the computer system at an indefinite time by such time-up printing, it is possible to concentrate the operation time of the printer P and to save power.

  In the scheduled printing, the printing start time (scheduled printing setting time) is designated in advance by the printing time setting unit 24, and printing is executed for all the print data stored in the print request spooler 3 at the designated printing start time. It is a method. FIG. 8 shows a temporal flow of processing in the scheduled printing. In scheduled printing, the scheduled print setting time ts is designated in advance, and until the scheduled print setting time ts is reached, the individual spooler is performed while performing the conversion processing as described above in accordance with the input of the print request from the computer system. Data is continuously accumulated in the print request spooler 3 from 14x, 14y, and 14z. When the scheduled print setting time ts is reached, printing is started from that point, and printing is executed for all the print data stored in the print request spooler 3. When this printing is completed, data accumulation in the print request spooler 3 is started again, and this is continued until the scheduled print setting time ts. Similar to time-up printing, such scheduled printing has the effect of reducing the printing cost in addition to the effect of reducing the power consumption of the printer P by collectively processing print requests from the computer system. That is, by setting the scheduled print setting time ts at night, the printing process can be performed collectively in a time zone where the electricity bill is cheap, and thus the printing cost can be reduced.

  Here, with regard to time-up printing and scheduled printing, there may be a case where the print request spooler 3 overflows before the printing start time. When such a situation occurs, the print processing is executed for all the data stored at that time, and the timer is started when the data is completed, or the data is stored in the print request spooler 3. Is newly started and continued until the scheduled print set time ts.

  Immediate printing is a method for responding to a print request that needs to be printed simultaneously with the input of a print request from a computer system. FIG. 9 shows a temporal flow of processing in immediate printing. In immediate printing, for each print request that requires immediate printing, an immediate print setting unit 22 (serial printer print request immediate print setting unit 22x, page printer print request immediate print setting unit 22y, hard copy print request immediate print The immediate printing is set in the setting unit 22z). When a print request for which immediate printing is set is input from the computer system, data is accumulated in the print request spooler 3 through the processing described above. Then, printing is started at time tx when the accumulation of data in the print request in the print request spooler 3 is completed. In this case, since the printer P is already operating, not only the print data for the print request of the immediate print setting but also the print data stored in the print request spooler 3 by time tx are printed. It is reasonable to do so. However, if print data for time-up printing is also printed along with immediate printing, a timer is started at the end time ty of the printing. If print data for scheduled printing is printed along with immediate printing, the data is continuously stored in the print request spooler 3 until the scheduled printing setting time ts in FIG. 8 at any time after the end of printing.

  As described above, the printer conversion apparatus 100 can convert a print command in each of a plurality of types of print requests from the computer system into a print command unique to one printer. For this reason, by interposing the printer conversion apparatus 100 between the computer system and the printer, compatibility problems do not occur when updating the printer. Even when there are a plurality of update target printers, it is possible to reduce the number of new printers to one or less than the number of update target printers. Further, by appropriately combining a plurality of schedule printing functions as described above, it is possible to save power and reduce printing costs in the printer while meeting the user's request. In addition, such a schedule printing function can be set by a printer conversion device interposed between the computer system and the printer, so that schedule printing can be performed without rewriting the application software of the computer system, and the application software can be rewritten. Even in an impossible computer system, it is possible to save power and reduce printing costs of the printer by schedule printing.

  The present invention effectively solves the printer compatibility problem when updating a printer in a computer system and enables power saving of the printer, and can be widely applied to the information processing field.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the printer conversion apparatus by one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of a specification setting part. It is a figure explaining aggregation of the print data in an individual spooler. It is a figure explaining the conversion process in the command conversion part for a serial printer print request or a page printer print request. It is a figure explaining the conversion process in the command conversion part for hard copy printing requests. It is a figure explaining the process from the YMC format of image data to RGB format. It is a figure which shows the time flow of the process in time-up printing. It is a figure which shows the time flow of the process in a periodic printing. It is a figure which shows the time flow of the process in immediate printing.

Explanation of symbols

1 Input terminal
2 Conversion processing unit 3 Data storage unit 4 Specification setting unit 13 Command conversion unit 12 Function switching unit P Printer

Claims (4)

A printer conversion apparatus for use in a computer system configured to output a plurality of types of print requests, and for allowing the plurality of types of print requests to be processed by the one printer;
A plurality of input terminals for receiving the print request, and a plurality of conversion processing units provided corresponding to each of the plurality of input terminals, wherein the conversion processing unit includes the plurality of types of print requests. A command conversion unit that converts each print command into a print command format unique to the printer is provided in a number corresponding to the type of each print command, and the input terminal is selectively connected to the plurality of command conversion units. A printer conversion apparatus comprising a function switching means for switching functions in the conversion processing unit.   The printer includes a data storage unit that stores the printer-specific print command converted and generated by the command conversion unit together with print data, and a specification setting unit that enables settings related to a print schedule. Data is stored in the data storage means until a preset unit time elapses from the time, and the time for printing the print data stored in the data storage means every time the unit time elapses from the timer activation time Up-printing, data is stored in the data storage unit until a preset scheduled print setting time is reached, and printing of the stored print data is executed in the data storage unit when the scheduled print setting time is reached Scheduled printing and immediate printing that executes printing at the same time as printing request output from the computer system Printer converter according to claim 1, which is to be set to 択的. A printer conversion method for use in a computer system configured to output a plurality of types of print requests, so that the plurality of types of print requests can be processed by the one printer,
The process of receiving the print request at any of a plurality of input terminals, and the plurality of types of printing by a command conversion unit included in a conversion processing unit provided corresponding to each of the plurality of input terminals The conversion is performed by selectively connecting the input terminal to the plurality of command conversion units by a process of converting each print command in the request into a print command format unique to the printer and a function switching unit included in the conversion processing unit. A printer conversion method comprising a process of switching functions in a processing unit. A unit of time set in advance from a timer activation time by a specification setting unit that further includes a process of storing the printer-specific print command converted and generated by the command conversion unit together with print data in a data storage unit; Until time elapses, data is accumulated in the data accumulating means, and time-up printing is executed in advance to print the print data accumulated in the data accumulating means every time the unit time elapses from the timer activation time. Scheduled printing that stores data in the data storage means until a certain scheduled print setting time, and prints the stored print data in the data storage means at the scheduled print set time, and the computer system You can selectively set immediate printing that executes printing at the same time as printing request output from Printer conversion method according to claim 3 being.

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