JP2007317004A - Information processor, method for controlling information processor, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To apply "a printing standard port" to an interactive communication system of host-base printing. <P>SOLUTION: Setting (registry registration) to a standard TCP port of an operation system is performed by a function of the operation system. In transmitting printing data to the standard TCP port from the printer driver by using the set information, a port handler function is inserted during the processing. The port handler function has a means for switching ports to be used along the kind of operation system, in accordance with whether to use the standard port or a dedicated port, divides a printing data transmission function from a status system command data transmission and reception function, and switches a use protocol and port accordingly. The port handler function has a merge function means for status information received via the standard port and the dedicated port. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mechanism for communicating print data and status information using a standard port for printing and a dedicated port in a network host-based printing environment that requires bidirectional communication during printing.

  In an office environment or the like, a form in which one printer is shared by a plurality of client computers is widely used. That is, each client computer is connected to a printer by PeerToPeer (P2P).

  The printer also processes print data input from a local interface such as USB.

  The user selects either the P2P connection or the USB connection environment as described above, and installs the client computer. The printer software installed on the client is usually divided into processes so that both forms can be supported.

  In other words, the control is performed by separating the print data creation part that does not depend on the form and the part that communicates the print data according to the connection form.

  In the case of the USB connection form, a USB driver that performs USB communication is used, but in the case of network PtoP connection, a function called a network port monitor performs processing. Furthermore, the network operating system supports network communication with lower level functions, and the network port monitor calls this lower level function (network port driver) to actually communicate with the network device.

  Conventionally, in a host-based printing environment, a network port monitor program specialized for the host-based printing environment has been required due to the need for bidirectional communication. In other words, specializing in this host-based printing environment requires dedicated software.

  In addition, in a printing apparatus using a method other than the host-based printing method (typically, a device that transmits print data using an LPR port in a network), printing can be performed by accessing a standard port.

  Since the standard port as described above is common in the market, when setting the network port of the host-based printing apparatus, there is a case where the setting to the standard port is mistakenly performed and printing is impossible.

  In other words, the necessity of dedicated port monitor installation and the setting of the network port are factors that increase the complexity of print settings, leading to an increase in the number of user complaint calls to the support department.

As another conventional example, Patent Document 1 can be cited.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-092604

  In view of the above problems, the present invention applies a so-called “standard port for printing” to a bidirectional communication system for host-based printing.

  Overcoming the following problems that cannot be handled simply by switching the bidirectional communication to the standard TCP port.

  (1) Bidirectional communication requires two-way communication using the IP protocol TCP and UDP protocol, and the standard TCP port can only transmit TCP.

  (2) Maintain compatibility with past host-based printing systems that do not have a standard TCP port.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems,
Settings (registry registration) to the standard TCP port that the operation system has as standard are performed by the function of the operation system, but when using this setting information to send print data from the printer driver to the standard TCP port, Insert a port handler function between them.

This port handler function has a means to switch the port to be used according to the operation system type,
Depending on whether you use a standard port or a dedicated port, the print data transmission function and status command data transmission / reception function are separated, and the protocol and port used are switched accordingly.
Further, the port handler function is characterized by having a function for merging status information received via the standard port and the dedicated port.

  According to the present invention, while maintaining compatibility with a conventional system, network PeerToPeer printing can be performed from a plurality of print clients while performing bidirectional communication without being aware of a dedicated network port monitor program. And

  With a simpler mechanism than in the past, it is possible to perform reliable printer settings for the user.

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

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a conventional host-based printing system. In the figure, reference numerals 110, 120 and 130 denote host computers, which are hardware (so-called general information processing apparatuses) such as a CPU, a memory, a hard disk drive, a flexible disk drive, a keyboard, a mouse, a monitor, a network interface, and a memory card slot. (Not shown). In the present embodiment, this computer is hereinafter referred to as a client.

  Reference numerals 112, 122, and 132 are operating systems, and hardware included in the client 110, 120, or 130, and applications 111, 121, or 131, print spoolers 114, 124, or 134, printer drivers 115, 125, or 135, language monitor 116, Software such as 126 or 136, network port monitor 117, 127 or 137, network port driver 118, 128 or 138 is managed. What is surrounded by a dotted frame in the figure indicates the function on the operating system side.

  The application has a function of creating / editing a document or graphic, such as a word processor, and editing a photographic image. It is also possible to issue a print instruction based on the created / edited application data.

  The printer driver reads (or receives via the operating system) a print command issued by the application, and converts the print command into a printer command that can be interpreted by the language monitor or the printer.

  The language monitor receives a printer command output from the printer driver from the print spooler, and transmits it to the printer via the network port monitor and the network port driver in the network connection mode. In the USB connection mode, the data is transmitted to the printer via the USB port driver.

  In a client computer-based (host-based) printing system, this transmission needs to be performed according to the printing status of the printer while receiving the detailed status of the printer, and the processing is performed by a language monitor. In other words, there is a need for bidirectional communication between the language monitor and the printer. In the PDL type printing system, it is considered that the processing is somewhat reduced.

  The network port monitor performs a port setting function for transmitting the printer command output from the language monitor to the network and data relay processing. Specifically, port creation in the operating system, port monitoring, and network port driver in the operating system are called to actually transmit / receive data to / from a printer on the network. When the status is received from the printer, it is output to the language monitor.

  A printer 140 performs various processes related to printing in accordance with a printer command received from the network port driver.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the host-based printing system according to the present invention. The description will be made in the same manner as in FIG. In the figure, reference numerals 210 and 230 denote host computers (clients).

  Reference numerals 212 and 232 denote operating systems, and hardware included in the client 210 or 230, and an application 211 or 231; a print spooler 214 or 234; a printer driver 215 or 235; a language monitor 216 or 236; a port handler 218 or 238; Software such as the monitor 217, the network port driver 218, or 238 is managed. What is surrounded by a dotted frame in the figure indicates the function on the operating system side.

  The description will be made based on the difference from FIG. 210 is a case where a standard port is provided as a function on the operating system side, and 230 is a block diagram showing a host-based printing system in the case of an operating system not provided with a standard port.

  In 210, the port handler performs a port setting function for transmitting the printer command output from the language monitor to the network, a data relay process, and a port handling process. Specifically, port creation in the operating system, port monitoring, and port handling function processing according to the operating system are performed, and the network port driver in the operating system is called to actually transfer data to the printer on the network. Send and receive. When the status is received from the printer, it is output to the language monitor. The handling process according to the operating system here is that in the case of an operating system having a standard port, the port is switched so as to use the standard port on the operating system side. Furthermore, in this case, the port handler performs status reception from the printer. In the case of an operating system having no standard port 230, the port handler function performs the same function as the network port monitor of FIG.

  FIG. 3 shows a block diagram when printers A, B, and C are set in the same host computer client. The operating system 310 has a standard port. Although there are cases where a printer driver (which does not support the standard port) that performs the conventional processing (which does not support the standard port) is installed, even the operating system with the standard port function does not go through the standard port due to the port handler function. Printing is possible even with conventional systems.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer 140 of FIG. 1 in more detail. In the figure, reference numerals 411 and 412 denote host computers and network clients. Reference numeral 413 denotes a client connected to the printer via USB. Reference numeral 423 denotes the entire printer. A network interface 421 receives various commands such as a printer command from a network client. A USB interface 422 receives various commands such as a printer command from a client. Reference numeral 423 denotes a so-called printer controller, which has various functions.

  Reference numeral 424 denotes a FIFO (First In First Out) memory which stores image data received from the network interface and the USB interface. Which interface is used for reception is controlled by a control circuit 425. The decoding circuit 426 decodes the image data stored in the FIFO memory 22 and outputs it to the printer engine 427. The printer engine is a laser beam printer engine, and performs printing according to the image data output from the decoding circuit according to an instruction from the control circuit. The control circuit is composed of, for example, a one-chip CPU, and performs overall control of the printer, such as internal communication with a network interface or USB interface, control of a FIFO memory, a decoding circuit, and a printer engine. Although not shown, when the printer has a display device such as a panel or LED, the control is also performed.

  Hereinafter, an example of a printing operation in the printing system described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described.

  First, when the operator operates the application on the client computer side to instruct printing, a print command is passed from the application to the printer driver via the operating system. Based on the print command issued by the application, the printer driver converts and compresses the image data into image data. The compressed image data is a page start command that specifies the paper size, the line length of the bitmap data, the number of lines, and the like. Output together with an image data end command indicating the end of data.

  When the printer command is output, the operating system notifies the language monitor of the start of the job, and then sequentially passes the output printer command to the language monitor through the print spooler. The language monitor sends an occupancy request command to the printer via the network port monitor when the job is started, and the network port monitor via the network port driver of the operating system.

  When the language monitor succeeds in occupying the printer, the language monitor sequentially transmits the received printer commands to the printer. The language monitor transmits a status request command and acquires the printer status before transmitting the image data command to the printer, and confirms that the image data command can be transmitted. When the language monitor finishes transmitting the printer command for one page, it transmits a print request command (print start instruction command). When receiving a print request command, the control circuit instructs the printer engine to start printing. In addition, the language monitor releases the corresponding page memory when the acquired printer status indicates that the printing of the page is normally completed. On the other hand, if the acquired printer status indicates an error, the language monitor attempts to retransmit from a page that has not been printed normally.

  When the printer commands for all pages of the job have been transferred, the language monitor transmits an exclusive release command without waiting for the completion of paper discharge. In addition, the language monitor continues to acquire the printer status after sending the exclusive release command, and when the acquired printer status indicates that the page printing has been completed normally, the corresponding page memory is released, If an error is detected, an occupancy request command is sent again to try to recover the error page.

  In the above description of an example of the printing operation, an example in which the printer driver generates bitmap image data as print data has been described. Further, applicable printers are not limited to laser beam printers, but may include inkjet printers and other printer-based host-based printers.

  Next, how to install the port handler will be described. The port handler of the present invention is arranged in the operating system by the installation program and becomes operable. Specifically, it is a printer driver installer. At this installation timing, the program is installed in the system. In actual operation, it is necessary to create a printer object operable on the operating system using the installed printer driver, and set a port corresponding to the object. As the types of ports, there are usually a “USB port” and a “standard port for printing”. In a conventional host-based system, it is necessary to select and use a “dedicated port” here. In the present invention, it is determined at the time of installation whether or not the installed operating system has a printing standard port, and if so, the setting for actually performing printing via the printing standard port by the user is performed. To operate using the standard port for printing. An operating system with a standard port for printing is unaware of the dedicated port. In an operation system that does not have a standard port for printing, a dedicated port must be selected and set.

  Next, the port setting method will be described. Basically, the standard port for printing installed in the operating system is used.

  FIG. 5 is a dialog showing a list of ports that the operating system has, and “Standard TCP / IP Port” represents a so-called standard port for printing. When the standard port for printing is selected in the port settings, the dialog shown in Fig. 6 is displayed. Since this is a port for communication on the network, the setting item “IP address or printer name interpreted as IP address” and the “port name” for identifying the port on the operating system are input. By making this setting, the operating system can use this port, and by assigning this port to a printer object, the printer driver can communicate with the printer.

  FIG. 7 shows an example in which a dedicated port exists in the operating system. A dedicated port other than Standard TCP / IP Port can be used in the system.

  Next, functions of the port handler will be described. The port handler is called when the language monitor actually transmits and receives data (FIG. 8). When it is called for the first time, the language monitor (printer driver) gives the port handler information (port information such as an IP address) assigned to its own printer object (802). The language monitor normally transmits or receives data to the port via the operating system, but the language monitor using the standard port once passes the data to the port handler side (803). FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission process procedure of the port handler in the printing system. The port handler refers to previously given port information (standard port destination information) (901), determines the type of data (902), and if it is a print data command, uses the standard port to transmit data. (903). If it is a status-related acquisition command, transmission is performed through another dedicated port (904, the protocol used is also selected).

  The port handler also performs port listening processing (FIG. 10) in order to receive from the port to be used. It is conceivable that status-related information is received from a standard port for printing and parallel reception of status-related information from a dedicated port (1003, 1004)). The status returned by the exchange of print data is returned to the port handler via the standard print port. The status reception outside printing is sent back through the dedicated port. The port handler merges the status information received in parallel (1005) and sends a response to the language monitor (1006).

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the port handler function in the case of the configuration of the operating system having the printing standard port has been described. However, the port handler function in the case of the configuration of the operating system having no printing standard port is described. Do.

  The port handler is called when the language monitor actually sends and receives data. This is no different from Example 1. When called for the first time, the language monitor (printer driver) gives the port handler information (port information such as an IP address) assigned to its own printer object. This is the same as Example 1. The language monitor normally transmits or receives data to the port via the operating system, but the language monitor once passes the data to the port handler side as in the first embodiment. The port handler sends data based on the previously given port information (use the dedicated port. The dedicated port information is managed by the port handler itself) (select the protocol to be used) Is controlled based on the data type).

  The port handler also performs port listening processing in order to receive from the port to be used. This system does not exist when status information is received from the standard port for printing. Only reception of status information from the dedicated port can be considered, and it is returned to the port handler via the dedicated port. The status reception outside printing is also sent back through the dedicated port. The port handler responds by transmitting the status information to the language monitor.

  As described above, the port handler function of the client computer in each of the above embodiments can reduce the setting complexity while maintaining compatibility with the conventional system.

The figure which shows an example of the outline of the whole structure of the conventional printing system. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an outline of a network host base printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an outline of a network host base printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. (When the conventional system and the system of the present invention run simultaneously on one client) 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows an example of the dialog in the case of selecting a port in the setting of the standard port for printing. The figure which shows an example of the dialog in the case of setting the destination information of a port in the setting of the standard port for printing. The figure which shows an example of the dialog in the case of selecting a port in the setting of the port for printing. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a language monitor data transmission processing procedure in the printing system. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission process procedure of a port handler in the printing system. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a listening process procedure of a port handler in the printing system.

Claims (4)

An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a printing apparatus over a network,
A means to set the standard TCP port for printing that the operation system has as a standard with the function of the operation system,
Using the port setting information performed by the above means, the operation system performs processing for sending print data from the printer driver to the standard port.
The port handle function means is a means for switching a port to be used depending on the type of operation system (whether or not it has a standard port for printing);
According to the case where the standard port for printing is used and the case where the dedicated port is used, the print data transmission function and the status system acquisition command data transmission / reception function are separated, and a means for switching the protocol and the port to be used according to each,
Furthermore, the port handle function includes a merge function means for status information received via the standard port and the dedicated port,
An information processing apparatus characterized by comprising: A method for controlling an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a printing apparatus over a network,
The process of setting the standard TCP port for printing that the operation system has as a standard with the function of the operation system,
Using the port setting information performed in the above step, the operation system performs the port handle function when the operation system performs the print data transmission processing from the printer driver to the standard port.
The port handle function process includes a process of switching a port to be used depending on the type of operation system (whether or not it has a standard port for printing);
According to the case of using the standard port for printing and the case of using the dedicated port, the print data transmission function and the status system acquisition command data transmission / reception function are divided, and the protocol and the port to be used are switched according to each.
Furthermore, the port handle function includes a merge function process of status information received via the standard port and the dedicated port,
A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising:   A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 2 in a computer-readable form.   A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 2.

Images