JP2015015052A - Print data processing program for distributing output destination, print data processing device, and print data processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print data processing program and the like for processing print data from an existing application, which can easily perform output destination distribution processing for various types of print data without changing a program of the existing application.SOLUTION: A print data processing program for causing a computer having two or more communication ports, which executes predetermined processing by an application, to execute processing of print data causes the computer to execute the following steps: a step for, in an OS kernel layer, obtaining print data that is to be output to predetermined communication ports before the communication ports receive it; and a step for, in an application layer, analyzing the obtained print data, determining one or more communication ports to which the print data is output, performing conversion into data appropriate for devices connected with the determined communication ports, and outputting the data after the conversion to the determined communication ports.

Description

  The present invention relates to a print data processing program for processing print data output from an existing application, and in particular, can easily perform a variety of print data output destination distribution processes without changing the program of the existing application. The present invention relates to a print data processing program that can be used.

  In retail sales businesses such as supermarkets, a POS system, which is a sales management system, has become widespread, and in this system, a plurality of terminal devices (registers) connected to a server via a network operate according to applications provided in the device. Execute the process. Also, normally, each terminal device is provided with a printer, and outputs a receipt or a coupon according to an instruction from the application. In addition, as a system having a configuration similar to the POS system with such output, there are a system used in a hospital, a system used in a transportation company, and the like.

  Even in such a system, it is necessary to expand the functions along with the technical improvement and business improvement requests after the introduction. However, such a system is generally used as a business center at all times. In many cases, it is not easy to modify the application.

  As for this problem, the following proposals have conventionally been made regarding the functions of the output processing system.

  The following Patent Document 1 describes a device that performs a modem function in a personal computer that can remove the microprocessor and memory required for a conventional modem without having to modify an existing application program. Has been.

  Further, in Patent Document 2 below, by accessing one communication port without changing the application, it is possible to cause a printer connected to another communication port to execute printing simultaneously. A device is described that enables it.

JP-A-8-69427 JP 2006-338443 A

  However, the contents described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are not limited to realizing limited functions of the output system such as a modem function and a duplication printing function, and cannot satisfy other various demands. Further, since the above-mentioned Patent Document 2 is processing in the OS kernel layer, there is a problem that function construction (program development or the like) is generally not easy and functions are limited.

  On the other hand, due to the improvement of the printer function, it is desired to expand the function of the output system with the addition or replacement of the printer, for example, to properly use the printer according to the application.

  An object of the present invention is a print data processing program for processing print data output from an existing application, and easily performs a variety of print data output destination distribution processes without changing the program of the existing application A print data processing program that can be used.

  In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides a computer having two or more communication ports that is operated by an operating system of the OS kernel layer and executes predetermined processing by an application provided in the application layer. Data acquisition that a print data processing program for executing processing of print data output from the application acquires in the OS kernel layer before the communication port receives the print data output to the predetermined communication port Analyzing the print data acquired in the data acquisition step in the process and the application layer, determining one or more communication ports for outputting the print data based on the analysis result, and determining the determined communication Print the data appropriate for the device connected to the port Converts over data, a print data processing step of outputting the printing data after the conversion to the communication port with the determined, to the execution in the computer, is that.

  Furthermore, in the above-described invention, a preferable aspect thereof is characterized in that the determination of the communication port in the print data processing step is performed based on a character string or an image detected in the acquired print data.

  Furthermore, in the above invention, one aspect is that two or more communication ports are determined as communication ports for outputting the print data, and the contents of the print data output to the communication ports are respectively obtained in the acquisition. The content of the printed data is divided.

  In the above invention, another aspect is characterized in that two or more communication ports are determined as communication ports for outputting the print data, and the same print data is output to each communication port. To do.

  Furthermore, in the above invention, another aspect is characterized in that one communication port is determined as a communication port for outputting the print data in accordance with the content of the print data.

  In order to achieve the above object, another aspect of the present invention comprises a computer having two or more communication ports that is operated by an operating system of the OS kernel layer and executes predetermined processing by an application provided in the application layer. The print data processing apparatus that executes processing of the print data output from the application acquires the print data output to the predetermined communication port at the OS kernel layer before the communication port receives the print data. The data acquisition unit and the application layer analyze the print data acquired by the data acquisition unit, determine one or more communication ports that output the print data based on the analysis result, and determine Print data corresponding to the device connected to the selected communication port. Converted, the print data after the conversion; and a print data processing unit for outputting the communication port with the determined, is that.

  In order to achieve the above object, still another aspect of the present invention provides a computer having two or more communication ports that is operated by an operating system of an OS kernel layer and executes predetermined processing by an application provided in the application layer. A print data processing method for executing processing of print data output from the application before the computer receives the print data output to the predetermined communication port; The data acquisition step acquired in step 1 and the computer analyzes the print data acquired in the data acquisition step in the application layer, and outputs the print data based on the analysis result Determine the port and assign it to the determined communication port. It converts the print data to appropriate to the device data to be continued, the printing data after the conversion; and a print data processing step of outputting to the communication port with the determined, is that.

  Further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments of the invention described below.

It is a schematic block diagram which concerns on the embodiment of the POS terminal device to which this invention is applied. It is a schematic function block diagram of a POS terminal device. It is the flowchart which illustrated the process sequence of the output destination distribution process. It is a figure for demonstrating the improvement of a POS system.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, such an embodiment does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals or reference symbols.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram according to an embodiment of a POS terminal device to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the POS terminal apparatus. The POS terminal apparatus 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the apparatus, the print data output from the POS application 201 is acquired by the virtual port 203 (data acquisition unit) of the OS kernel layer 230. To do. The acquired data is received by the port handler 204 of the application layer 220, and predetermined output destination distribution processing is executed based on the analysis result of the print data. Thereafter, the processed print data is output from the port handler 204 to the communication port 209 corresponding to the processed data. The POS terminal device 2 executes such processing to easily realize distributed processing of various print data without changing the program of the POS application 201.

  In this embodiment, a POS system used in a supermarket or the like is assumed, and a plurality of POS terminal devices 2 are connected to a POS server 1 via a network 4 as shown in FIG. Yes. The POS server 1 is constituted by a computer system, and executes processing such as management of the plurality of POS terminal devices 2 and aggregation and management of various data acquired from the POS terminal devices 2.

  The POS terminal device 2 is installed at each cash register and is connected to the printer 3. The printer 3 outputs a receipt or a coupon according to the print data output from the POS terminal device 2. Therefore, the POS terminal device 2 is positioned as the host device of the printer 3.

  In addition, a display 5 is connected to the POS terminal device 2, and the display 5 displays the price of the product shown to the customer.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each POS terminal device 2 includes a POS terminal main body 21, a keyboard 23, a barcode reader 24, a card reader 25, and the like. The keyboard 23 is used for an operator to input product information such as price and product code, and customer information such as sex and age. Further, the barcode reader 24 reads the barcode attached to the product to acquire product information, and the card reader 25 reads the information stored in various cards to acquire information necessary for settlement.

  The POS terminal main body 21 generates information to be printed on a receipt or a coupon based on information acquired from the keyboard 23, the barcode reader 24, and the card reader 25 described above, and outputs the information to the printer 3. The POS terminal main body 21 is configured by a computer and includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an HDD and the like (not shown). A program of the POS application 201 described later and a program for output destination distributed processing are stored in the ROM, and each processing is executed by the CPU operating according to these programs.

  Further, the POS terminal device 2 has a functional configuration as shown in FIG. The POS application 201 performs processing for generating the information to be printed on the receipt and coupon described above and outputting them. The data generated here is the original data before the output destination distribution processing. The generated data is in a format that can be output to the printer 3A as it is, that is, in a format that is a command that depends on the model (device) of the printer 3A, or in a format that is passed to the printer 3A driver 202. The former is generated in the case of simple print data such as printing of text only.

  The printer 3A driver 202 is a printer driver for the printer 3A, and the printer 3A can receive and print the data output from the POS application 201 by a command depending on the model (device) of the printer 3A. Output as print data.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the POS application 201 and the printer 3A driver 202 are located in an application layer 220 on which a program executes each process based on an operating system (OS) of a computer. Both are constituted by a program stored in the ROM for instructing each processing content and the CPU for executing processing according to the program. Moreover, both are not the part newly added and improved by this invention, but the thing of a conventional apparatus is used as it is.

  Next, the virtual port 203 is an OS kernel in which the operating system is located before the communication port 209 receives print data (referred to as original print data here) output from the POS application 201 or the printer 3A driver 202. This is the part received by layer 230. Then, the virtual port 203 delivers the acquired original print data to the port handler 204.

  Next, the port handler 204, the data analysis unit 205, the data processing unit 206, the command conversion unit 207, and the data storage unit 208 are print data processing units that execute output destination distribution processing using the original print data. The functions of the POS application 201 can be expanded by the processing of each unit.

  The port handler 204 transfers the original print data delivered from the virtual port 203 to the data analysis unit 205 and receives the print data after the output destination distribution process (here, referred to as post-process print data). Processing for outputting post-processing print data to the communication port 209 corresponding to the data is performed.

  The data analysis unit 205 is a part that determines the processing contents by analyzing the original print data and determines the communication port 209 that outputs the processed print data.

  The data processing unit 206 is a part that processes the original print data in accordance with the processing content determined by the data analysis unit 205.

  The command conversion unit 207 uses different commands for the printer 3 connected to the communication port 209 specified by the original print data and the printer 3 connected to the communication port 209 from which processed print data is output. In this case, it is a part for performing processing to change the command.

  The data storage unit 208 is a part that stores various data used by the data analysis unit 205 and the data processing unit 206. Here, a keyword database and a printer database are stored. In the former, each character string or image serving as a keyword is associated with processing contents corresponding thereto, and in the latter, each printer is stored. 3 use commands, print setting information, information of the communication port 209 to be connected, and the like. The data storage unit 208 is composed of the HDD or the like.

  A specific procedure of processing in the print data processing unit described above will be described later.

  The virtual port 203, the port handler 204, the data analysis unit 205, the data processing unit 206, and the command conversion unit 207 are respectively executed by a program that instructs processing performed by each unit and the CPU that executes processing according to the program. Composed. Further, the program relating to these portions corresponds to the print data processing program of the present invention.

  Next, the POS terminal device 2 includes communication ports 209A and 209B in the physical layer 240, which are connected to the printers 3A and 3B, respectively. Here, as an example, the communication port 209A is a COM communication port for serial communication, and the communication port 209B is a USB communication port for performing USB communication. For the printer 3, as an example, the printer 3A is a monochrome printer, and the printer 3B is a color printer. Here, although two communication ports 209 are provided and two printers 3 are connected to the POS terminal apparatus 2, the number of communication ports 209 and printers 3 to be connected is not limited to this. That's all. In addition, the type of the communication port 209 can be configured in other ways, such as both being USB communication ports. Also, regarding the type of the printer 3, other configurations can be adopted depending on the application, such as a combination of a SIDM printer and a laser printer, or a combination of a SIDM printer and a TM printer.

  The present POS terminal device 2 having the above-described configuration is characterized by output destination distribution processing using original print data, and the specific processing procedure will be described below. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of the output destination distribution processing.

  First, as described above, the original print data is output directly from the POS application 201 or via the printer 3A driver 202 (step S1). For example, the original print data is print data of a receipt that is assumed to be output from the printer 3A. Therefore, the communication port 209A is designated as the output destination communication port, and is expressed by a command depending on the printer 3A. Has been.

  Next, the output original print data is received by the virtual port 203 before reaching the designated communication port (here, the communication port 209A) (step S2). This processing is realized by changing the (priority) setting of the registry so that the virtual port 203 receives data for any communication port 209, and the setting change is started by the OS. Sometimes executed. Thereafter, the received original print data is sent from the virtual port 203 to the port handler 204 of the application layer 220 (step S2).

  Next, the port handler 204 transfers the sent original print data to the data analysis unit 205 (step S3). The data analysis unit 205 interprets the original print data command and analyzes the content of the data (step S4). Then, the processing content and the output destination communication port 209 are determined from the analysis result.

  Specifically, the data analysis unit 205 detects a keyword stored in the data storage unit 208 from the original print data, determines that the processing content associated with the keyword is to be executed, The communication port 209 of the output destination corresponding to is determined. The process is a process of distributing output destinations. The process contents include a process of dividing the print contents of the original print data into a plurality of parts and outputting them to output destinations suitable for the respective contents (division process). There are a process for outputting the print contents of the original print data to a plurality of output destinations (duplication process), a process for changing the output destination of the print data (distribution process), etc., and the predetermined contents are the keywords Is predetermined. A more specific example of the function expansion content will be described later.

  The output destination communication port 209 determined by the data analysis unit 205 is notified to the port handler 204, and the determined processing content is notified to the data processing unit 206. When the processing content and the output destination are fixed regardless of the original print data, the data analysis unit 205 is not necessary, and the original print data is transferred from the port handler 204 to the data processing unit 206.

  Next, the data processing unit 206 executes data processing on the original print data (step S5). Specifically, the print data is processed according to the determined processing content, and post-process print data is generated. As main processing, the above-described division of the print content, modification to data suitable for the specification of the output destination, and the like are performed. A specific processing example will be described later. Also in such processing, the data in the data storage unit 208 is referred to as necessary, such as the information in the printer database described above.

  Further, when there are a plurality of processing contents, the data processing unit 206 may be configured by a plurality of processing parts corresponding to each processing content. If the determination by the data analysis unit 205 is that the process (data processing) is not performed, the data processing unit 206 does not execute the processing.

  Next, when it is necessary to change the command for the processed print data generated by the data processing unit 206, the command conversion unit 207 executes a command conversion process (step S6). As described above, since the print data is expressed by a command depending on the output destination printer 3, if the command of the original print data and the determined command of the output destination printer 3 are different, the output destination Convert to a command suitable for. In this embodiment, since the original print data is expressed by a command for the printer 3A, when the output destination is changed to the printer 3B (model is different from the printer 3A), the command conversion process is executed. The processed data is delivered to the port handler 204. If command conversion is not required, the print data transferred from the data processing unit 206 is delivered to the port handler 204.

  Next, the port handler 204 outputs the transferred post-processing print data to the determined communication port 209 (step S7). In this embodiment, the data is output to the communication port 209A and / or the communication port 209B.

  Thereafter, the print data is transmitted from the communication port 209 to the connected printer 3, and printing by the print data is executed in the printer 3, and a printed matter such as a receipt is output (step S8). For example, a monochrome printed matter can be obtained if output from the printer 3A, and a color printed matter can be obtained if output from the printer 3B.

  The output destination distribution process in the POS terminal device 2 is executed according to the procedure described above. A specific example of the output destination distribution process will be described below.

  First, a specific example of the division process described above will be described. For example, it is assumed that the POS system is installed in a restaurant, the kitchens are in different places depending on the contents of the dish, and the printer 3 is provided in each kitchen. In this case, if the original print data for outputting the order form is issued from the POS application 201 and the data includes items to be cooked in a plurality of kitchens, the division processing is performed, and the dishes are cooked in each kitchen. An order form indicating only the item to be produced is output from the printer 3 provided in the kitchen. In this processing, the data analysis unit 205 refers to the data stored in the data storage unit 208 described above, uses the character string of the item included in the original print data as a keyword, and the kitchen (printer 3) associated with the item. Is determined as the output destination. Based on the determination for each item, the data processing unit 206 divides the content of the original print data into each kitchen, and generates order form data for each kitchen. Thereafter, after necessary conversion processing is performed in the command conversion unit 207, the print data of each order form is output from the port handler 204 to each output destination.

  Also, in the same example, when the original print data is for receipt output, the print data for receipt output is output as it is, and the product information is divided into each kitchen in the form of an order form. It may be output.

  Next, as an example of the above-described duplication processing, there is a case where a copy of the printed matter to be output is output at the same time (when a copy and a copy are desired), and a plurality of coupons are output quickly. In such print data processing, when the data analysis unit 205 detects a predetermined keyword included in the original print data, for example, when it detects a character string indicating a predetermined coupon, it is determined to perform the duplication processing. Then, the data processing unit 206 generates print data to be output to each printer 3 according to the determination with the same print contents. Thereafter, after necessary conversion processing is performed in the command conversion unit 207, each print data is output from the port handler 204 to each output destination.

  Further, as an example of the above-described distribution process, there is a case where an output destination is determined so that printing is performed by an appropriate printer 3 according to the type of printed matter to be output. For example, when the printed material is a receipt, processing is performed so as to be output from the monochrome printer 3A, and when the printed material is a coupon, processing is performed so as to be output from the color printer 3B. In addition, when the printed material is a guarantee, it is possible to determine an output destination so that the color is not output and is output from the SIDM printer. Further, when it is desired to change the quality of the printing paper depending on the printed matter, the same processing can be realized if the printer 3 is provided with different printing paper.

  In such distribution processing, the data analysis unit 205 detects a predetermined keyword included in the original print data, grasps the type of the printed matter, and determines the printer 3 corresponding to the type. The data processing unit 206 generates print data to be output to the printer 3 according to the determination. Thereafter, after necessary conversion processing is performed in the command conversion unit 207, the print data is output from the port handler 204 to the output destination.

  The POS terminal device 2 is also used when the data for the printer 3 and the data for the display 5 output from the POS application 201 to the same communication port 209 are respectively distributed (distributed) to a predetermined output destination. Can do. As described above, since the POS application 201 is provided in the conventional apparatus, the conventional apparatus includes only one communication port for serial communication, from which the printer and the display are serially connected. The POS application 201 outputs the data for the printer 3 and the data for the display 5 to the same communication port.

  In the POS terminal device 2 in which the conventional device is improved, as shown in FIG. 2, when the display 5 is connected to the communication port 209A and the printer 3 (B) is connected to the communication port 209B, Execute the sorting process.

  Specifically, as in the case of all print data described with reference to FIG. 3, one of the data is acquired by the virtual port 203 and the data is passed to the data analysis unit 205 via the port handler 204. It is. The data analysis unit 205 analyzes whether the data type is print data or display data, and determines an output destination according to the result. Thereafter, predetermined processing corresponding to the output destination is performed by the data processing unit 206 and the command conversion unit 207, and the processed data is output to the determined communication port 209 via the port handler 204. If it is print data, it is output from the printer 3B, and if it is display data, it is displayed on the display 5.

  When a device switching signal is output from the POS application 201, the data analysis unit 205 can determine the output destination communication port 209 by detecting the signal.

  As described above, the POS terminal apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment can execute the output destination distribution process for the data output from the POS application 201. Then, the POS terminal device and the POS system that do not perform the processing can be improved to the POS terminal device 2 and the POS system including the POS terminal device 2 by a relatively easy method.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the improvement. This figure is the same functional configuration diagram as FIG. 2, and the solid line portion shows the POS terminal device and POS system before improvement described above. That is, the system before improvement is configured such that print data output directly from the POS application 201 or via the printer driver 202 is received by the communication port 209A and output from the printer 3A. And it is possible to make this POS terminal device 2 and the POS system containing it by adding the part shown with a broken line with respect to the system of such a structure.

  That is, by adding the above-described print data processing program, data in the data storage unit 208, and a new printer 3B without changing the existing POS application 201, the functions of the existing POS system can be expanded. . This improvement (addition) can be executed by installing a new printer 3B and installing the printer driver software including the print data processing program and data. Note that the printer 3A may be newly installed, and the computer constituting the POS terminal apparatus 2 may be changed to a new one without changing the program of the existing POS application 201.

  Even when the above-described data is distributed to the printer and the display, the distribution can be easily realized by the same additional work.

  As described above, by using the print data processing program according to the present embodiment, it is possible to extend the function of the POS system by distributed processing of various output destinations in an easy way without changing the existing POS application program. Will be able to. In addition, since the main processing for realizing it is configured to be performed in the application layer of the computer, it is possible to easily develop a program that executes various processing.

  Further, by applying the program, the output can be executed with contents more suitable for the user, so that the user convenience can be improved.

  In addition, since the output is distributed by applying the program, the output can be quickly performed in a predetermined case. In addition, the output can be made faster by changing the computer and the communication form to a new one.

  In the present embodiment, the POS server 1 is a system connected to a plurality of POS terminal devices 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and an environment in which a POS terminal device and a printer are connected. Can be applied.

  In the present embodiment, an example of a POS system is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to a POS system, but a predetermined application including output of printed matter from a printer, such as a system used in a hospital or a transportation company. The present invention can be applied to a provided system, and is particularly effective when it is difficult to modify an existing application program.

  In the present embodiment, the POS application program and the output destination distributed processing program are stored in the ROM. However, the program is not limited to the ROM, and a storage medium such as a RAM or an HDD. May be stored. These programs may be stored in separate storage media.

  The protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but covers the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 POS server, 2 POS terminal device (print data processing apparatus), 3 Printer, 4 Network, 5 Display, 21 POS terminal main body, 23 Keyboard, 24 Bar code reader, 25 Card reader, 201 POS application, 202 Driver for printer 3A , 203 virtual port, 204 port handler, 205 data analysis unit, 206 data processing unit, 207 command conversion unit, 208 data storage unit, 209 communication port, 220 application layer, 230 OS kernel layer, 240 physical layer

To achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention performs a predetermined processing by the application, Oite to a computer having a plurality of communication ports, the processing of the print data output from the application print data printing data processing method to be executed, the print data output to the predetermined one of said communications ports, prior to the communication port receives a data acquisition step of retrieve, obtained in the previous SL data acquisition step And determining two or more communication ports that output the print data based on the result of the analysis, dividing the print data into data suitable for a device connected to the determined communication port, the print data after division having a print data processing step of outputting to two or more communication ports that the determined, is that.

Further, in the invention, preferred embodiment, the print data processing step includes a command included in the print data to which the acquired, if the command is different for devices connected to a communication port with the determined, the command conversion A process is performed, and a process is included .

Further , in the above invention, one aspect is characterized in that the print data processing step determines two or more communication ports including the predetermined one communication port as output destinations .

In order to achieve the above object, another aspect of the present invention executes processing of print data output from the application, which is configured by a computer having a plurality of communication ports that executes predetermined processing by the application. The print data processing apparatus analyzes the print data acquired by the data acquisition unit and the data acquisition unit acquired before the communication port receives the print data output to the predetermined one communication port. Based on the result of the analysis, two or more communication ports that output the print data are determined, the print data is divided into data suitable for the device connected to the determined communication port, A print data processing unit that outputs the print data to the determined communication port.

In order to achieve the above object, still another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute each step in any one of the above print data processing methods.

Claims (7)

A print data processing program for causing a computer having two or more communication ports to execute processing of print data output from the application, which is operated by an operating system of the OS kernel layer and executes predetermined processing by an application provided in the application layer Because
A data acquisition step of acquiring at the OS kernel layer before the communication port receives the print data output to the predetermined communication port;
The application layer analyzes the print data acquired in the data acquisition step, determines one or more communication ports to output the print data based on the analysis result, and connects to the determined communication port A print data processing program for converting the print data into data suitable for a device to be processed and outputting the converted print data to the determined communication port. . In claim 1,
The communication port determination in the print data processing step is performed based on a character string or an image detected in the acquired print data. In claim 1 or 2,
Two or more communication ports are determined as communication ports for outputting the print data, and the contents of the print data output to each communication port are obtained by dividing the contents of the acquired print data. A print data processing program. In claim 1 or 2,
Two or more communication ports are determined as communication ports for outputting the print data, and print data having the same content is output to each communication port. In claim 1 or 2,
A print data processing program, wherein one communication port is determined as a communication port for outputting the print data in accordance with the content of the print data. Print data that is constituted by a computer having two or more communication ports that operates by an operating system of the OS kernel layer and executes predetermined processing by an application provided in the application layer, and executes processing of print data output from the application A processing device comprising:
A data acquisition unit that acquires the print data output to the predetermined communication port at the OS kernel layer before the communication port receives the print data;
The application layer analyzes the print data acquired by the data acquisition unit, determines one or more communication ports to output the print data based on the analysis result, and connects to the determined communication port A print data processing unit that converts the print data into data suitable for a device to be processed and outputs the converted print data to the determined communication port. A print data processing method for executing processing of print data output from an application in a computer having two or more communication ports, which is operated by an operating system of the OS kernel layer and executes predetermined processing by an application provided in the application layer Because
A data acquisition step in which the computer acquires the print data output to the predetermined communication port at the OS kernel layer before the communication port receives the print data;
The computer analyzes the print data acquired in the data acquisition step in the application layer, determines one or more communication ports that output the print data based on the analysis result, and determines A print data processing method comprising: converting the print data into data suitable for a device connected to the communication port; and outputting the converted print data to the determined communication port. .

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