JP2012190117A - Printer, information processor and printing control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To present a real time operational state of printing to a user.SOLUTION: An information processor that executes printing instructions to a printer has an output device. The information processor receives operational state information indicating an operational state of a printing mechanism of the printer during a print process from the printer and controls operation of the output device according to the operational state information. The output device is at least one of an audio output device, a vibrator and a display. In a case where the operational state information includes information indicating a print start, an audio output 1 is executed. In a case where the operational state information includes information indicating a start of paper feeding operation, a vibration 1 is executed. In a case where the operational state information includes information indicating a start of carriage movement, a vibration 2 is executed. In a case where the operational state information includes information indicating print completion, an audio output 2 is executed.

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, an information processing apparatus connected to the printing apparatus, and a printing control method.

Conventionally, various types of information have been transmitted and received between a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus that issues a printing instruction to the printing apparatus. For example, the printing apparatus transmits a print end notification to the information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus displays the end of printing on the display (Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-5259 A

By the way, in recent years, a terminal such as a mobile PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, or a smartphone is often connected to a printing apparatus by wireless communication and remotely operated. In such a case, it is convenient for the user if the operation status of real-time printing is known.

For example, when printing a high-definition image or the like with an inkjet printer, it may take several minutes to print one page. In this case, the user cannot act efficiently in anticipation of the remaining printing time just by being notified of the end of printing from the printing apparatus.
The behavior in anticipation of the remaining printing time is, for example, that the user moves to arrive at the location of the printing apparatus at the printing end time, or that the user performs other work in parallel with printing.

Conventionally, there is an information processing apparatus that displays a print processing progress bar. However, this technique merely displays the progress until the information processing apparatus generates print data and outputs it to the printing apparatus. It does not display the real-time operation status of the printing process on the printing apparatus side. Therefore, in this technique, even if the display of the progress bar of the information processing apparatus is finished, there may occur a situation where the printing process of the printing apparatus is not finished. For example,
This is the case, for example, when the printing apparatus has already performed another user's printing process. In this case, the user cannot accurately know the remaining printing time even when looking at the progress bar of the information processing apparatus, and cannot efficiently operate in anticipation of the remaining printing time.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to present a user with a real-time printing operation status.

A first aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problem is an information processing apparatus that gives a printing instruction to a printing apparatus, and shows an operation status during a printing process of an output apparatus and a printing mechanism of the printing apparatus. It is characterized by comprising receiving means for receiving operation status information from the printing apparatus, and output control means for controlling the operation of the output device in accordance with the operation status information.

Here, the operation status information includes information indicating the start of a predetermined operation of the printing mechanism, and the output control means includes information indicating the start of the predetermined operation of the printing mechanism in the operation status information. Is included, the operation of the output device may be started.

The operation status information includes information indicating the end of a predetermined operation of the printing mechanism,
The output control means may end the operation of the output device when the operation status information includes information indicating the end of a predetermined operation of the printing mechanism.

Further, the output device is at least one of an audio output device, a vibrator device, and a display device, and the operation of the output device is the audio output of the audio output device, the vibration of the vibrator device, and the display device. It may be characterized by being at least one of displaying predetermined information.

The receiving unit receives the operation status information at a regular timing from the start of printing to the end of printing, a timing when the operation status of the printing mechanism changes, or a predetermined timing, and the output control unit May control the operation of the output device in accordance with the operation status information received at each timing.

The operation status information includes at least one or more of information indicating the start / end of the paper feed operation, information indicating the start / end of the carriage movement, and information indicating the start / end of the paper discharge operation. It may be characterized by that.

A second aspect of the present invention for solving the above problem is a program for causing an information processing apparatus including an output device to function as a device for instructing a printing device to perform printing, and printing the printing mechanism of the printing device. As receiving means for receiving operation status information indicating an operating status during processing from the printing apparatus, and output control means for controlling the operation of the output device in accordance with the operation status information,
The information processing apparatus is functioned.

A third aspect of the present invention for solving the above problem is a printing apparatus that performs printing in accordance with a printing instruction from an information processing apparatus, and generates operation status information indicating an operation status during a printing process of the printing mechanism. And generating means for notifying the information processing apparatus of the operation status information.

Here, the operation status information includes information indicating the start of a predetermined operation of the printing mechanism, and is used for control for starting the operation of the output device of the information processing apparatus. Good.

The operation status information includes information indicating the end of a predetermined operation of the printing mechanism,
The information processing apparatus may be used for control to end the operation of the output device of the information processing apparatus.

Further, the output device included in the information processing device is at least one of an audio output device, a vibrator device, and a display device, and the operation of the output device is the audio output of the audio output device, the vibration of the vibrator device, And at least one of the displays of the display device.

Further, the generation unit generates the operation status information at a regular timing, a timing when the operation status of the printing mechanism changes, or a predetermined timing from the start of printing to the end of printing. Also good.

The operation status information includes at least one or more of information indicating the start / end of the paper feed operation, information indicating the start / end of the carriage movement, and information indicating the start / end of the paper discharge operation. It may be characterized by that.

A fourth aspect of the present invention for solving the above problem is a printing system including a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus that gives a printing instruction to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus includes a printing mechanism of the printing apparatus. Generating means for generating operation status information indicating an operation status during print processing, and notifying means for notifying the information processing apparatus of the operation status information, the information processing apparatus receiving the operation status information Receiving means, and output control means for controlling the operation of the output device in accordance with the operation status information.

A fifth aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problem is a printing control method in a printing system including a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus that issues a printing instruction to the printing apparatus. A generation step of generating operation status information indicating an operation status during a printing process of a printing mechanism of the device, a notification step of notifying the operation status information to the information processing device, and the information processing device; A reception step of receiving operation status information, and an output control step of controlling the operation of the output device according to the operation status information by the information processing device are characterized by:

1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a hardware configuration of a printing system according to an example of a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a printing system according to an example of a first embodiment of the present invention. The figure explaining the operation | movement control table which concerns on an example of 1st embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating a printing process of the printing system according to an example of the first embodiment of the invention. The figure explaining the printing progress situation screen concerning an example of a first embodiment of the present invention. The figure explaining the printing progress situation screen concerning an example of a first embodiment of the present invention.

  An example of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a hardware configuration of a printing system according to an example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

The printing system 1 includes an information processing apparatus 3 for realizing various processes by an application (application program), various processes by a printer driver, and the like, and a printing apparatus 2 that communicates with the information processing apparatus 3.

The printing apparatus 2 is connected to a network 5 such as a LAN. An access point 4 that provides wireless communication is connected to the network 5. The information processing apparatus 3 is connected to the network 5 via the access point 4 by wireless communication. Therefore, the printing apparatus 2 and the information processing apparatus 3 can communicate with each other.

The information processing apparatus 3 issues a print instruction to the printing apparatus 2. That is, it functions as a print control apparatus that generates print data that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus 2 based on the print target data and transmits the print data to the printing apparatus 2. The printing apparatus 2 performs printing based on the printing instruction. That is, printing is performed based on the print data received from the information processing apparatus 3.

The form of the printing system 1 is not limited to the above. For example, the printing system 1 may be configured by adding a function for generating print data based on print target data to the printing apparatus 2. Further, the information processing apparatus 3 may be connected to the network 5 by wired communication. Also,
The printing apparatus 2 may be connected to the network 5 by wireless communication.

In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 2 is, for example, an ink jet printer. For example, the printing apparatus 2 is connected to a controller 20 that controls the printing apparatus 2 in an integrated manner, a network interface (I / F) 24 that is connected to the network 5 to transmit and receive data, and an external device such as a storage medium. USB (Universal Serial Bus) I / F25,
A print engine 26 that prints on a print medium and an operation panel 27 that displays various types of information and accepts user operations are provided.

The controller 20 is a CPU (Central Proc) that performs processing based on various programs.
essing Unit) 21 and RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing print data and the like
) 22 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23 in which various data, various programs and the like for controlling the printing apparatus 2 are previously stored in a nonvolatile manner. Controller 20
Is a dedicated ASIC (Application Specif) that controls image processing and the operation of the print engine 26.
ic Integrated Circuit).

The controller 20 controls the printing operation by the print engine 26. For example, the controller 20 prints the print engine 26 based on the print data received from the information processing apparatus 3.
Generate image data to control. Further, a drive signal is generated based on the image data, ink is ejected from the print head, and operations of various mechanisms of the print engine 26 are controlled. For example, a motor for reciprocating the carriage, a motor for feeding paper, a motor for feeding and discharging paper, and the like are driven to control the carriage reciprocating movement, paper feeding, paper feeding and discharging, and the like.

Accordingly, the controller 20 can, for example, move the carriage, position the carriage,
Information regarding the operation of various mechanisms, such as the carriage movement direction and paper feed distance, can be grasped. Also, various information such as the number of print pages, the amount of print data, and the consumption amount of ink (recording material) can be grasped based on print data, image data, and the like. Further, it is possible to grasp the remaining amount of ink by referring to the storage element mounted on each ink cartridge.

The print engine 26 is, for example, a color ink jet system. Print engine 26
In this case, ink cartridges filled with inks of various colors are detachably loaded, and printing is performed by spraying these inks on a printing medium such as recording paper. The print engine 26 includes, for example, a print head that ejects ink, a carriage that mounts the print head, a carriage drive mechanism that drives the carriage in the main scanning direction, a paper feed mechanism that transports the print medium in the sub-scanning direction, and a print medium Various mechanisms such as a paper supply / discharge mechanism for performing paper supply / discharge in the sub-scanning direction are provided.

The operation panel 27 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL.
A display such as a display (Electro-Luminescence Display), a touch panel, a hard switch, and the like are provided.

The information processing device 3 is, for example, a PC or a mobile terminal. The information processing apparatus 3 includes a controller 30 that controls the information processing apparatus 3 in an integrated manner, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and an SDD.
A built-in or external auxiliary storage device 37 such as (Solid State Drive), a speaker 40 that outputs sound, and a vibrator 41 that generates vibration (vibration) by a motor.
An input device 38 such as a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, liquid crystal display or organic E
And a display 39 such as an L display.

The controller 30 stores in advance a CPU 31 that performs processing based on various programs, a RAM 32 that temporarily stores data and the like, and various data and various programs that control the information processing device 3 in a nonvolatile manner. The ROM 33 includes a network I / F 34 that wirelessly connects to the network 5 to transmit and receive data, and a USB I / F 35 that connects to an external device such as a storage medium.

Of course, the configurations of the printing system 1, the printing device 2, and the information processing device 3 are not limited to the above because the main configurations have been described in describing the features of the present invention. In addition, other configurations included in a general printing system, a printing apparatus, and an information processing apparatus are not excluded.

For example, the printing apparatus 2 is not limited to an ink jet printer, and may be a laser printer. Further, the printing apparatus 2 may be a multifunction machine or a copier having a scanner function and a facsimile function. Further, the information processing apparatus 3 may be a mobile phone or a smartphone.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the printing system according to an example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

The printing apparatus 2 includes a print control unit 210, an operation status monitoring unit 220, and an operation status notification unit 230.
And have.

Each functional unit of the printing apparatus 2 is realized by the CPU 21 executing a predetermined program loaded from the ROM 23 to the RAM 22, for example. For example, the predetermined program is stored in advance in the ROM 23 when the printing apparatus 2 is manufactured. Of course, it may be downloaded from a server on the network and updated. Further, it may be recorded in advance on a portable recording medium, read from the recording medium, and updated.

The print control unit 210 generates image data for controlling the print engine 26 based on the print data received from the information processing apparatus 3. Based on the image data,
A drive signal is generated, ink is ejected from the print head, and operations of various mechanisms of the print engine 26 are controlled. Details are as described in the description of the controller 20.

The operation status monitoring unit 220 monitors the operation status of the printing apparatus controlled by the print control unit 210 and generates information related to the operation status of the printing apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as “operation status information”). Further, the operation status information is notified to the information processing device 3. The timing of notification is, for example,
It can be set as a regular timing, a timing when the operation status changes, or a predetermined timing.

In the present embodiment, the operation status information is information indicating a real-time operation status of printing. The operation status includes, for example, information indicating the start of printing, the page number during printing, the start /
Information indicating the end, information indicating the start / end of the carriage movement, information indicating the start / end of the paper discharge operation, information indicating the end of printing, and the like are included.

Specifically, the operation status monitoring unit 220 starts printing when the print control unit 210 receives print data and starts print processing (for example, when control of the print engine 26 based on image data is started). Is generated, and the operation status notification unit 230 is instructed to transmit the information to the information processing apparatus 3 that is the transmission source of the print data.

The operation status monitoring unit 220 also includes an operation including the page number of the next page (page number during printing) at the timing when the page being printed is replaced with the next page (for example, page 1, page 2, page 3). Status information is generated, and the operation status notification unit 230 is instructed to transmit the information to the information processing device 3. The total number of printed pages included in the print data may be acquired and included in the operation status information.

The operation status monitoring unit 220 also includes an operation status including information indicating the start of the paper feed operation when the paper feed operation of the print medium (here, an operation for conveying the print medium to the print start position) is started. Information is generated and the operation status notification unit 230 is instructed to transmit the information to the information processing device 3. When the print medium feeding operation is completed, operation status information including information indicating the end of the paper feeding operation is generated, and the operation status notification unit 230 is instructed to transmit the information to the information processing apparatus 3.

In addition, when the movement of the carriage is started, the operation state monitoring unit 220 generates operation state information including information indicating the start of the movement of the carriage and transmits the information to the information processing apparatus 3. The unit 230 is instructed. When the movement of the carriage is completed, operation status information including information indicating the end of the movement of the carriage is generated, and the operation status notification unit 230 is instructed to transmit the information to the information processing device 3.

In addition, the operation status monitoring unit 220 starts the paper discharge operation when the print medium discharge operation (here, the operation of discharging the print medium after one page has been printed) is started. The operation status notification unit 230 is instructed to generate the operation status information including the indicated information and to transmit the information to the information processing device 3. When the print medium discharge operation is completed, operation status information including information indicating the end of the paper discharge operation is generated, and the operation status notification unit 230 is instructed to transmit the information to the information processing apparatus 3.

In addition, when the printing process ends (for example, when the last one page is discharged), the operation state monitoring unit 220 generates operation state information including information indicating the end of printing, and processes the information. The operation status notification unit 230 is instructed to transmit to the device 3.

Of course, the above operation status information is an example, and other information may be included in the operation status information. For example, during printing, in addition to movement of the carriage in the main scanning direction, conveyance of the print medium in the sub-scanning direction is also performed in parallel. Therefore, the operation status monitoring unit 220 generates operation status information including information indicating the start / end of conveyance of the print medium, and instructs the operation status notification unit 230 to transmit the information to the information processing device 3. Also good. Further, the operation status monitoring unit 220 generates operation status information including information indicating the ink ejection operation at the timing of ink ejection, and instructs the operation status notification unit 230 to transmit the information to the information processing device 3. May be.

The operation status notification unit 230 notifies the information processing device 3 of the operation status information generated by the operation status monitoring unit 220.

The information processing apparatus 3 includes a setting reception unit 310, a print data generation unit 320, an operation status output unit 330, and an operation status reception unit 340.

For example, each functional unit of the information processing apparatus 3 is configured such that, for example, the CPU 31 performs R to R
This is realized by executing a predetermined program loaded in the AM 32. For example, the predetermined program is downloaded from a server on the network, and is installed or updated in the information processing apparatus 3. Of course, it is recorded in advance on a portable recording medium, read from the recording medium, installed in the information processing apparatus 3,
Or it may be updated.

Each functional unit of the information processing apparatus 3 is realized by, for example, a printer driver program. The operation status output unit 330 and the operation status reception unit 340 may be realized by a program different from the printer driver. Of course, which program implements these functional units may be appropriately changed.

Note that the information processing device 3 may include an OS unit and an application unit (both not shown). The OS unit and the application unit are realized, for example, when the CPU 31 executes a predetermined OS program or application program loaded from the auxiliary storage device 37 into the RAM 32.

The setting reception unit 310 receives various settings related to printing, an instruction to start printing, and the like. Also,
The setting reception unit 310 receives print target data created by an application unit or the like.

The print data generation unit 320 generates print data for causing the printing apparatus 2 to perform printing based on print settings and print target data. For this reason, the print data generation unit 320 has a function of performing rasterization processing, color conversion processing, halftone processing, and the like. In addition, the print data generation unit 320 transmits print data generated based on print settings and print target data to the printing apparatus 2 to perform printing.

The operation status output unit 330 acquires the operation status information received by the operation status reception unit 340 from the printing apparatus 2 and outputs the output operation (for example, audio output, vibration, display, etc.) of the information processing apparatus 3 according to the information. Control. Therefore, for example, a table as shown in FIG. 3 is provided.

As described above, the operation status information includes, for example, information indicating printing start, page number during printing, information indicating start / end of paper feeding operation, information indicating start / end of carriage movement,
Information including information indicating the start / end of the paper discharge operation, information indicating the end of printing, and the like are included.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation control table according to an example of the first embodiment of the invention.

The operation control table 400 includes at least one or more entries that associate the operation status information 410 of the printing device with the output operation information 420 that specifies the output operation of the information processing device 3 corresponding to the operation status of the printing device. It is.

In the example of this figure, when the operation status indicated by the operation status information 410 is “start printing”, “sound output 1” is associated with the output operation indicated by the output operation information 420. Similarly, "Feed"
Is associated with “vibration 1”, “discharge” is associated with “vibration 1”, “carriage movement” is associated with “vibration 2”, and “printing end” is associated with “sound output 2”. Yes. Note that “audio output 1” and “audio output 2” are different in output audio. Further, it is assumed that the vibration pattern is different between “vibration 1” and “vibration 2”.

Of course, each entry in the operation control table 400 is an example, and the combination of the operation status and the output operation, the operation status, the content of the output operation, and the like are not limited to the above. For example, a plurality of output operations (for example, audio output and vibration) may be associated with one operation situation. Further, the operation status output unit 300 may perform processing by another control method that does not use a table.

When the operation status information is received, the operation status output unit 330 refers to the operation control table 400 and identifies an entry having the operation status information 410 that matches the operation status included in the received operation status information. Further, the output operation information 420 of the entry is acquired, and the output operation of the information processing apparatus 3 according to the output operation information 420 is controlled.

For example, when the received operation status information includes information indicating the start of printing, the operation status output unit 330 executes “audio output 1” according to the operation control table 400. That is, predetermined audio data corresponding to the audio output 1 is reproduced and output from the speaker 40 as audio. The audio data can be, for example, “Start printing”.

For example, when the received operation status information includes information indicating the start of the paper feeding operation, the operation status output unit 330 executes “vibration 1” according to the operation control table 400. That is, using predetermined vibration pattern data corresponding to vibration 1,
Vibrator 41 is vibrated. Thereafter, the operation status output unit 330 stops the vibration of the vibrator 41 when receiving the operation status information including information indicating the end of the paper feeding operation.

For example, when the received operation status information includes information indicating the start of carriage movement, the operation status output unit 330 executes “vibration 2” according to the operation control table 400. That is, the vibrator 41 is vibrated using predetermined vibration pattern data corresponding to the vibration 2. Thereafter, the operation status output unit 330 stops the vibration of the vibrator 41 when receiving the operation status information including information indicating the end of the carriage movement.

For example, when the received operation status information includes information indicating the start of the paper discharge operation, the operation status output unit 330 executes “vibration 1” according to the operation control table 400. That is, using predetermined vibration pattern data corresponding to vibration 1,
Vibrator 41 is vibrated. Thereafter, the operation status output unit 330 stops the vibration of the vibrator 41 when receiving the operation status information including information indicating the end of the paper discharge operation.

For example, when the received operation status information includes information indicating the end of printing, the operation status output unit 330 executes “audio output 2” according to the operation control table 400. That is, predetermined audio data corresponding to the audio output 2 is reproduced and output from the speaker 40. The audio data can be, for example, “printing is completed”.

The operation status output unit 330 may display a printing operation status screen 500 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 on the display 39. In addition, after the display of the printing operation status screen 500 is started, a predetermined display (for example, “−”) is displayed in an area where the corresponding information has not yet been received.
And so on.

As shown in the drawing, the printing operation status screen 500 includes an area 51 for displaying the page number being printed.
0 and an area 520 for displaying a paper feed operation, a carriage operation, and a paper discharge operation. Also included are buttons for performing various operations.

For example, the operation status output unit 330 displays the print operation status screen 500 when the received operation status information includes information indicating the start of printing. If the received operation status information includes the page number being printed and the total number of pages, the display of the area 510 is updated in association with these pieces of information.

For example, when the received operation status information includes information indicating the start of the paper feeding operation, the operation status output unit 330 displays an image indicating that the paper feeding operation is being performed in the area 520. When the received operation status information includes information indicating the end of the paper feeding operation, an image indicating that the paper feeding operation has been stopped is displayed.

Further, for example, when the received operation status information includes information indicating the start of carriage movement, the operation status output unit 330 displays an image indicating that the carriage movement is being performed in the area 520. When the received operation status information includes information indicating the end of carriage movement, an image indicating that carriage movement is stopped is displayed.

For example, when the received operation status information includes information indicating the start of the paper discharge operation, the operation status output unit 330 displays an image indicating that the paper discharge operation is being performed in the area 520. When the received operation status information includes information indicating the end of the paper discharge operation, an image indicating that the paper discharge operation is stopped is displayed.

For example, the operation status output unit 330 may hide the printing operation status screen 500 when the received operation status information includes information indicating the end of printing, or when there is a predetermined instruction from the user. It may be.

Of course, the configuration of the printing operation status screen 500 is not limited to the above. For example, the arrangement and display mode of various areas are not limited to the above. Further, for example, not all the regions may be included, and it is only necessary that at least one region is included. Further, for example, the printing apparatus 2 may include the print medium position information (sub-scanning position) in the operation status information, and the operation status output unit 330 may display the position of the print medium as an image.

Returning to FIG. 2, the operation status reception unit 340 receives information related to the printing operation status from the printing apparatus 2. The received information is stored in the RAM 32 or the auxiliary storage device 37, for example.

The above components are classified according to main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the configurations of the printing system 1, the printing device 2, and the information processing device 3. The present invention is not limited by the way of classification and names of the constituent elements. The configurations of the printing system 1, the printing device 2, and the information processing device 3 can be classified into more components according to the processing content. Moreover, it can also classify | categorize so that one component may perform more processes. Further, the processing of each component may be executed by one hardware or may be executed by a plurality of hardware.

  Next, characteristic processing executed in the printing system 1 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a sequence showing a printing process of the printing system according to an example of the first embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, for convenience, the printing process is performed after the reception of the print data, but the reception of the print data and the printing process may be partially or entirely in parallel.

In S (step) 1, the setting reception unit 310 of the information processing apparatus 3 receives a print start instruction and acquires print target data created by the application unit or the like.

In S <b> 2, the print data generation unit 320 generates print data for causing the printing apparatus 2 to perform printing based on the print settings and the print target data, and transmits the print data to the printing apparatus 2.

In S <b> 3, the print control unit 210 of the printing apparatus 2 receives print data from the information processing apparatus 3. In S4, the print control unit 210 generates image data based on the print data, causes ink to be ejected from the print head based on the image data, and controls operations of various mechanisms of the print engine 26.

In S5, in parallel with the printing process (S4), the operation status monitoring unit 220 monitors the printing process and notifies the information processing apparatus 3 at a regular timing, a timing when the operation status changes, or a predetermined timing. To generate operation status information. In S <b> 5, the operation status notification unit 230 transmits the operation status information generated by the operation status monitoring unit 220 to the information processing device 3. As described above, the operation status information includes, for example, information indicating printing start, page number during printing, information indicating start / end of paper feeding operation, information indicating start / end of carriage movement, paper discharge operation, and the like. At least one piece of information indicating information indicating the start / end of printing, information indicating the end of printing, and the like.

In S <b> 6, the operation status reception unit 340 of the information processing device 3 receives the operation status information transmitted from the printing device 2.

In S <b> 7, each time the operation status information is received, the operation status output unit 330 refers to the operation control table 400 and controls an output operation (for example, display, audio output, vibration, etc.) according to the received operation status. .

Each processing unit in FIG. 4 is divided according to main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the processing of the printing apparatus 2 and the information processing apparatus 3. The present invention is not limited by the way of dividing the processing unit or the name. The processing of the printing apparatus 2 and the information processing apparatus 3 can be divided into more processing units depending on the processing content. Moreover, it can also divide | segment so that one process unit may contain many processes.

Heretofore, an example of the first embodiment of the present invention has been described. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to present a real-time printing operation status to the user.

That is, in the present embodiment, the printing apparatus sequentially notifies the information processing apparatus of the operation status of the printing apparatus during the printing process. Then, the information processing apparatus executes a predetermined output operation corresponding to the operation state based on the notified operation state of the printing apparatus. According to such a configuration, since the operation status is generated on the printing device side, the information processing device can present a more accurate (real-time) operation status that cannot be generated on the information processing device side to the user. . The user can then act more accurately in anticipation of the remaining printing time.

In addition, since the information processing apparatus performs an output operation not only by display but also by sound or vibration, the user can recognize the operation status of the printing apparatus not only visually but also by tactile sensation or hearing, which is highly convenient.

The above embodiments of the present invention are intended to illustrate the gist and scope of the present invention, and are not intended to be limiting. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

For example, in the example of the first embodiment described above, the print data generation unit 320 of the information processing apparatus 3 generates print data, but the print control unit 210 of the printing apparatus 2 generates print data. May be. For example, the information processing apparatus 3 transmits print target data such as a photograph or a document file to the printing apparatus 2. The print control unit 210 generates print data and image data based on the print target data. Also in this case, the printing apparatus 2 notifies the information processing apparatus 3 of the operation status information as in the example of the first embodiment.

Further, for example, in the example of the first embodiment described above, the printing apparatus 2 may directly control the output operation of the information processing apparatus 3. Specifically, the printing apparatus 2 has an operation control table 4.
00, and instructs the information processing apparatus 3 to start / stop the output operation corresponding to the operation status. Then, the information processing apparatus 3 performs an output operation in accordance with an instruction from the printing apparatus 2.

1: printing system, 2: printing device, 3: information processing device, 4: access point, 5: network, 20: controller, 21: CPU, 22: RAM, 23: ROM, 24:
Network I / F, 25: USB I / F, 26: Print engine, 27: Operation panel,
30: Controller, 31: CPU, 32: RAM, 33: ROM, 34: Network I / F, 35: USB I / F, 37: Auxiliary storage device, 38: Input device, 39: Display, 40: Speaker, 210 : Print control unit, 220: operation status monitoring unit, 230: operation status notification unit, 310: setting reception unit, 320: print data generation unit, 330: operation status output unit, 340: operation status reception unit, 400: operation control Table 410: operation status information 42
0: Output operation information, 500: Print operation status screen, 510-520: Area

Claims (15)

An information processing apparatus that issues a print instruction to a printing apparatus,
An output device;
Receiving means for receiving, from the printing apparatus, operation status information indicating an operation status during a printing process of the printing mechanism of the printing apparatus;
Output control means for controlling the operation of the output device in accordance with the operation status information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The operation status information includes information indicating the start of a predetermined operation of the printing mechanism,
The output control means starts the operation of the output device when the operation status information includes information indicating the start of a predetermined operation of the printing mechanism.
An information processing apparatus characterized by that. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The operation status information includes information indicating the end of a predetermined operation of the printing mechanism,
The output control means ends the operation of the output device when the operation status information includes information indicating the end of a predetermined operation of the printing mechanism.
An information processing apparatus characterized by that. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,
The output device is at least one of an audio output device, a vibrator device, and a display device,
The operation of the output device is at least one of audio output of the audio output device, vibration of the vibrator device, and display of predetermined information on the display device.
An information processing apparatus characterized by that. An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The receiving means receives the operation status information at a regular timing from the start of printing to the end of printing, a timing when the operation status of the printing mechanism changes, or a predetermined timing,
The output control means controls the operation of the output device according to the operation status information received at each timing;
An information processing apparatus characterized by that. An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The operation status information includes information indicating the start / end of the sheet feeding operation, and the start / end of carriage movement.
At least one of information indicating the end and information indicating the start / end of the paper discharge operation is included.
An information processing apparatus characterized by that. A program that causes an information processing device including an output device to function as a device that instructs a printing device to print,
Receiving means for receiving, from the printing apparatus, operation status information indicating an operation status during a printing process of the printing mechanism of the printing apparatus;
Causing the information processing apparatus to function as output control means for controlling the operation of the output apparatus according to the operation status information;
A program characterized by that. A printing apparatus that performs printing in accordance with a printing instruction from an information processing apparatus,
Generating means for generating operation status information indicating an operation status during the printing process of the printing mechanism;
Notification means for notifying the information processing apparatus of the operation status information,
A printing apparatus characterized by that. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
The operation status information includes information indicating the start of a predetermined operation of the printing mechanism, and is used for control to start the operation of the output device of the information processing device.
A printing apparatus characterized by that. The printing apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein
The operation status information includes information indicating the end of a predetermined operation of the printing mechanism, and is used for control to end the operation of the output device of the information processing apparatus.
A printing apparatus characterized by that. The printing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein
The output device included in the information processing device is at least one of an audio output device, a vibrator device, and a display device,
The operation of the output device is at least one of audio output of the audio output device, vibration of the vibrator device, and display of the display device.
A printing apparatus characterized by that. It is a printing apparatus as described in any one of Claims 8-11,
The generation unit generates the operation status information at a regular timing from the start of printing to the end of printing, a timing when the operation status of the printing mechanism changes, or a predetermined timing.
A printing apparatus characterized by that. It is a printing apparatus as described in any one of Claims 8-12,
The operation status information includes information indicating the start / end of the sheet feeding operation, and the start / end of carriage movement.
At least one of information indicating the end and information indicating the start / end of the paper discharge operation is included.
A printing apparatus characterized by that. A printing system including a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus that gives a printing instruction to the printing apparatus,
The printing apparatus includes:
Generating means for generating operation status information indicating an operation status during the printing process of the printing mechanism of the printing apparatus;
Notification means for notifying the operation status information to the information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving the operation status information;
Output control means for controlling the operation of the output device according to the operation status information,
A printing system characterized by that. A printing control method in a printing system including a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus that gives a printing instruction to the printing apparatus,
A generation step in which the printing device generates operation status information indicating an operation status during a printing process of the printing mechanism of the printing device;
A notification step in which the printing apparatus notifies the information processing apparatus of the operation status information; and a reception step in which the information processing apparatus receives the operation status information;
The information processing device includes an output control step of controlling the operation of the output device according to the operation status information;
And a printing control method.

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