JP2006137050A - Printing system, printing controlling device, printer driver, printing device, and connection checking method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the consumption of consumables at the time of a connection test between a computer and a printer. <P>SOLUTION: A printing system comprises a printing controlling device which outputs printing data, and a printing device which performs printing from the printing data. The printing controlling device is equipped with an indication accepting means which accepts the indication for the execution of a connection test, a printing data outputting means which outputs printing data for testing for printing a predetermined image when the indication for the execution of the connection test is accepted, and a displaying means which shows a connected state with the printing device from the test result information from the printing device. The printing device is equipped with a receiving means which receives the printing data for testing from the printing controlling device, a comparing means which compares image data obtained from the received printing data for testing and predetermined image data, and a test result information outputting means which outputs information based on the comparison result as test result information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, and more particularly to a printing system that performs a connection test when a computer and a printer are connected.

  When a new printer is connected to the computer, a printer driver corresponding to the printer must be installed in the computer and set appropriately in addition to a physical connection using a cable or the like.

  Such situations include, for example, when a computer and a printer are connected locally, when a printer is newly connected to a computer network, when a computer is newly connected to a computer network to which the printer is connected, Occurs when the connection is unsuccessful.

  The printer driver appropriately connects the computer and the printer (here, “connection” includes installation of the printer driver and setting of the printer driver in addition to physical connection. Hereinafter, the present specification and claims) The same is true for the range of (1).) A test printing function is provided as a function for confirming whether or not it has been performed.

  After the connection is completed, the user can perform test printing to confirm whether the computer and the printer are properly connected by checking whether a predetermined image is correctly printed.

  As described above, test printing is performed to check whether the computer and the printer are properly connected. Of course, in test printing, printing paper is consumed, and toner and the like are also consumed.

  The print result of the test print is not necessary on the spot. If the connection is not successful, test printing is performed many times, and the consumables are consumed each time. For this reason, it is desirable to reduce the consumption of consumables during the connection test between the computer and the printer.

  An object of the present invention is to reduce consumption of consumables during a connection test between a computer and a printer.

A printing system according to a first aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is
A printing system comprising a print control device that outputs print data and a printing device that performs printing based on the print data,
The print control device includes:
Instruction receiving means for receiving a connection test execution instruction;
Print data output means for outputting test print data for printing a predetermined image when receiving an instruction to execute a connection test;
Based on the test result information from the printing device, comprising a display means for indicating a connection state with the printing device,
The printing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving the test print data from the print control device;
Comparison means for comparing the image data obtained from the received test print data with predetermined image data;
Test result information output means for outputting information based on the comparison result as test result information is provided.

  According to the present invention, since it is determined whether or not the connection is appropriate based on the result of comparing the image data obtained from the test print data and the predetermined image data, actual printing is not required in the connection test. . Therefore, it is possible to reduce the consumption of consumables during the connection test between the computer and the printer.

A printing control apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problem is
A print control device that outputs print data to a printing device,
Instruction receiving means for receiving a connection test execution instruction;
Print data output means for outputting, to the printing apparatus, test print data for printing a predetermined image when receiving an instruction to execute a connection test;
And display means for indicating a connection state with the printing apparatus based on test result information from the printing apparatus.

A printer driver according to a third aspect of the present invention for solving the above problem is
A printer driver that causes a computer to function as a print control device that outputs print data to a printing device,
Instruction receiving means for receiving a connection test execution instruction;
Print data output means for outputting, to the printing apparatus, test print data for printing a predetermined image when receiving an instruction to execute a connection test;
Based on the test result information from the printing apparatus, the computer is caused to function as display means for indicating a connection state with the printing apparatus.

  Here, the print data can be described in a command format that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus.

  Further, the display means can indicate whether or not the connection is appropriate as a connection state with the printing apparatus.

A printing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problem is
A printing device that performs printing based on print data sent from a print control device,
Storage means for storing test image data;
Receiving means for receiving the test print data from the print control device;
Comparison means for comparing the image data obtained from the received test print data with the test image data;
Test result information output means for outputting information based on the comparison result to the print control apparatus.

Here, the test image data is represented in a bitmap format,
The image data can be obtained by expanding the received test print data into a bitmap format.

  More specifically, by not performing printing based on the received test print data, consumption of consumables during a connection test between a computer and a printer is reduced.

The connection confirmation method according to the fifth aspect of the present invention for solving the above problem is
A connection confirmation method in a printing system comprising a printing control device that outputs printing data and a printing device that performs printing based on the printing data,
Outputting test print data for printing a predetermined image from the print control device to the printing device;
Expanding the test print data received by the printing apparatus into image data;
Comparing the developed image data with the image data of the predetermined image stored in advance;
And determining a connection state between the printing control apparatus and the printing apparatus based on the comparison result.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an outline of a hardware configuration of a printing system to which the present invention is applied.

  As shown in the figure, the printing system includes a computer 30 for realizing various processes using application software, a printing process using a printer driver, and the like, and a printer 10 connected to the computer 30. In the present embodiment, the computer 30 functions as a print control apparatus that generates print data and transmits it to the printer 10. The printer 10 functions as a printing apparatus that performs printing based on the received print data.

  The configuration of the printing system is not limited to this. In particular, the present invention can be effectively applied to a network printing system in which a plurality of computers 30 and a plurality of printers 10 are connected as shown in FIG.

  The computer 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301 that executes various programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 302 that temporarily stores data and programs, and various data and programs for controlling the computer 30 in advance. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 303 that is stored in a nonvolatile manner and an interface 304 that controls transmission and reception of data with peripheral devices such as the connected printer 10 are provided.

  The computer 30 includes a display device 21 such as a color display, an input device 22 such as a mouse and a keyboard, a media reading device 23 that reads data from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and a built-in or external auxiliary storage device 24. A communication control device 25 for connecting to a computer network such as the Internet is connected. However, the configuration of the computer 30 is not limited to this.

  The printer 10 is, for example, a laser type page printer. A laser-type page printer includes a toner cartridge containing toner in a housing, and performs printing by transferring the toner to a printing medium such as printing paper. The printer 10 may be either a color laser printer or a monochrome laser printer. Further, an ink jet printer or the like may be used.

  The printer 10 includes an interface 101 that controls transmission and reception of data with the computer 30, a CPU 102 that executes various programs such as a printer driver, a RAM 103 that temporarily stores print data and the like, various data and various programs for controlling the printer 10. A print engine comprising a ROM 104, in which non-volatile data is stored in advance, a toner cartridge, a photosensitive drum, a laser beam irradiation mechanism, a paper feed mechanism, a paper supply / discharge mechanism for performing a paper supply / discharge process of a print medium such as a printing paper 105, an operation panel 106 that receives an instruction from the user. However, the configuration of the printer 10 is not limited to this.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a characteristic functional configuration of a printing system to which the present invention is applied.

  As shown in the figure, the computer 30 has a printer driver unit 40. The printer driver unit 40 performs processing for causing the computer 30 to function as a print control apparatus. Therefore, the printer driver unit 40 includes a print data generation unit 41, a user interface unit 42, a connection test processing unit 43, and an input / output unit 44.

  The printer driver unit 40 is provided corresponding to the printer 10 connected to the computer 30. Accordingly, when a plurality of printers 10 are connected to the computer 30, there is a printer driver unit 40 corresponding to each printer 10.

  In particular, when a new printer 10 is connected, a printer driver program corresponding to the new printer 10 needs to be installed in the computer 30 to construct an appropriate printer driver unit 40. The present invention is effectively applied in such a situation.

  The print data generation unit 41 performs processing for generating print data in a format interpretable by the printer 10 based on a document created by application software (not shown).

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the print data is configured in a command format. That is, it is assumed that the command is interpreted by the printer 10 and developed into bitmap format image data. However, the image data may be developed by the computer 30 and transmitted to the printer 10 as print data.

  The user interface unit 42 receives an instruction from the user and performs processing for presenting information to the user. These processes can be performed using, for example, a dialog box, menu, or the like provided by an operating system (not shown).

  In the present embodiment, the user interface unit 42 can receive an instruction to perform a connection test from the user. The connection test execution instruction can be received by, for example, operating a button provided for executing the connection test on a dialog box for receiving various settings of the printer 10 provided by the user interface unit 42. .

  The input / output unit 44 outputs print data to the printer 10 and inputs various information from the printer 10 via the operating system.

  The connection test processing unit 43 stores connection test print data 43a. When the connection test processing unit 43 receives a connection test execution instruction from the user, the connection test processing unit 43 transmits the connection test print data 43 a to the printer 10 set corresponding to the printer driver unit 40.

  Here, the connection test print data 43a is described in a format that can be interpreted by the printer 10 to which the printer driver unit 40 corresponds, and is print data for printing a predetermined image. That is, when the connection test print data 43a is correctly expanded into image data by the printer 10, it is indicated that the connection with the printer 10 is appropriate including the setting of the printer driver unit 40, and is not correctly expanded. Indicates that the connection with the printer 10 is inappropriate.

  The connection test processing unit 43 obtains information from the printer 10 as to whether or not the connection test print data 43a has been correctly developed into image data, and whether the setting for connecting the printer 10 is appropriate based on the result. Notify the user of information about whether or not.

  The printer driver unit 40 is constructed on the computer 30 when the CPU 301 executes a printer driver program installed in the computer 30. The printer driver program is developed by the manufacturer of the printer 10 and can be distributed to the market by recording on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. It can also be distributed to the market via a computer network such as the Internet.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes an input / output unit 51, a print processing unit 52, a print execution unit 53, and a connection test determination unit 54.

  The input / output unit 51 receives print data from the computer 30 and outputs various information to the computer 30.

  The print processing unit 52 performs processing for expanding the print data received from the computer 30 into image data. In the present embodiment, the print data sent from the computer 30 during the normal printing process is expanded by the image data and then printed by the print execution unit 53. On the other hand, the print data (connection test print data 43 a) sent from the computer 30 as a connection test is developed into image data, and is not sent to the print execution unit 53 but is sent to the setting test determination unit 54. .

  The print execution unit 53 executes print processing based on the image data developed by the print processing unit 52.

  The connection test determination unit 54 determines whether the image data based on the connection test print data 43a expanded by the print processing unit 52 has been correctly expanded into image data. Therefore, the connection test determination unit 54 stores connection test image data 54a.

  The connection test image data 54a is image data obtained when the connection test print data 43a is correctly expanded.

  The connection test determination unit 54 compares the image data based on the connection test print data 43a developed by the print processing unit 52 with the connection test image data 54a, so that the connection test print data 43a is correctly developed. Can be determined.

  That is, when the image data based on the connection test print data 43a developed by the print processing unit 52 matches the connection test image data 54a, it is determined that the image has been correctly developed. It can be determined that it has not been done. The connection test determination unit 54 outputs the determination result to the printer driver unit 40.

  Note that it is not necessary to determine whether the image data based on the connection test print data 43a and the connection test image data 54a match completely in all bits. For example, the determination may be made based on a predetermined bit, a predetermined area, or the like. Also, even if there are some different bits, they may be considered to match if they are below a predetermined threshold.

  Next, the flow of processing of the printing system in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  This process starts when the printer driver unit 40 of the computer 30 receives an instruction to execute a printer connection test from the user (S101).

  The connection test processing unit 43 of the printer driver unit 40 outputs the connection test print data 43a to the printer 10 set as the corresponding printer (S102). At this time, in order to distinguish from normal printing processing, the printer 10 is also notified that a connection test is to be performed.

  Upon receiving the connection test print data 43a (S201), the printer 10 that has received the notification to perform the connection test develops the connection test print data 43a into image data (S202).

  Then, the connection test determination unit 54 compares the developed image data with the connection test image data (S203).

  As a result, if the two match (S204: Y), it is determined that the connection between the printer 10 and the computer 30 is appropriate, and a notification that the connection is appropriate is transmitted to the computer 30 (S205).

  Upon receiving the notification that the connection is appropriate, the printer driver 40 of the computer 30 displays a screen 500 as shown in FIG. 4A on the display device 21 to notify the user that the connection is appropriate. To do. As shown in the figure, the screen 500 includes a display “Printer is correctly connected.”

  As described above, “correctly connected” here includes the meaning that the printer driver 40 is appropriately set.

  On the other hand, if the two do not match (S204: N), a notification that the connection between the printer 10 and the computer 30 is inappropriate is sent to the computer 30 (S206). .

  Upon receiving the notification that the connection is inappropriate, the printer driver unit 40 of the computer 30 displays a screen 520 as shown in FIG. 4B on the display device 21 to indicate that the connection is inappropriate. Notify As shown in the figure, the screen 500 includes a display “Printer connection is not correct.”

  As described above, the “connection is not correct” here includes the meaning that the setting of the printer driver unit 40 is not set appropriately.

  Further, depending on the connection status, there may be no response from the printer 10 even if the connection test print data is output to the printer 10 (S102).

  Considering this, the printer driver unit 40 determines that there is no response for a predetermined time after the connection test print data is output to the printer 10. As the connection is inappropriate, a screen 520 as shown in FIG. 4B is displayed on the display device 21 to notify the user that the connection is inappropriate.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an outline of a hardware configuration of a printing system. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a characteristic functional configuration of the printing system. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of a process of a printing system. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen which notifies the result of a connection test. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a network printing system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer, 21 ... Display device, 22 ... Input device, 23 ... Media reading device, 24 ... Auxiliary storage device, 25 ... Communication control device, 30 ... Computer, 40 ... Printer driver part, 41 ... Print data generation part, 42 ... User interface unit, 43 ... Connection test processing unit, 43a ... Print data for connection test, 44 ... Input / output unit, 51 ... Input / output unit, 52 ... Print processing unit, 53 ... Print execution unit, 54 ... Connection test determination unit 54a ... Connection test image data, 101 ... I / O interface, 102 ... CPU, 103 ... RAM, 104 ... ROM, 105 ... Print engine, 106 ... Operation panel, 301 ... CPU, 302 ... RAM, 303 ... ROM, 304 ... I / O interface

Claims (10)

A printing system comprising a print control device that outputs print data and a printing device that performs printing based on the print data,
The print control device includes:
Instruction receiving means for receiving a connection test execution instruction;
Print data output means for outputting test print data for printing a predetermined image when receiving an instruction to execute a connection test;
Based on the test result information from the printing device, comprising a display means for indicating a connection state with the printing device,
The printing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving the test print data from the print control device;
Comparison means for comparing the image data obtained from the received test print data with predetermined image data;
A printing system comprising: test result information output means for outputting information based on the comparison result as test result information. A print control device that outputs print data to a printing device,
Instruction receiving means for receiving a connection test execution instruction;
Print data output means for outputting, to the printing apparatus, test print data for printing a predetermined image when receiving an instruction to execute a connection test;
A printing control apparatus comprising: display means for indicating a connection state with the printing apparatus based on test result information from the printing apparatus. A printer driver that causes a computer to function as a print control device that outputs print data to a printing device,
Instruction receiving means for receiving a connection test execution instruction;
Print data output means for outputting, to the printing apparatus, test print data for printing a predetermined image when receiving an instruction to execute a connection test;
A printer driver that causes a computer to function as display means for indicating a connection state with the printing apparatus based on test result information from the printing apparatus. A printer driver according to claim 3,
The printer driver, wherein the print data is described in a command format interpretable by the printing apparatus. A printer driver according to claim 3,
The printer driver according to claim 1, wherein the display means indicates whether or not the connection is appropriate as a connection state with the printing apparatus.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the printer driver according to any one of claims 3 to 5 is recorded. A printing device that performs printing based on print data sent from a print control device,
Storage means for storing test image data;
Receiving means for receiving the test print data from the print control device;
Comparison means for comparing the image data obtained from the received test print data with the test image data;
A printing apparatus comprising: test result information output means for outputting information based on the comparison result to the print control apparatus. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
The test image data is represented in a bitmap format,
The image data is obtained by expanding the received test print data into a bitmap format. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
A printing apparatus that does not perform printing based on the received test print data. A connection confirmation method in a printing system comprising a printing control device that outputs printing data and a printing device that performs printing based on the printing data,
Outputting test print data for printing a predetermined image from the print control device to the printing device;
Expanding the test print data received by the printing apparatus into image data;
Comparing the developed image data with the image data of the predetermined image stored in advance;
And a step of determining a connection state between the printing control apparatus and the printing apparatus based on the comparison result.

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