JP2958251B2 - Information processing apparatus and method, printer system and control method therefor - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, a printer system and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when print data from a personal computer or the like is output by a color printer, if the print job includes color data, the printer process is printed in a color mode. If the printer can switch between the color mode and the black monochrome mode, a print job that does not include color data such as text data is printed in the black monochrome mode. If it is not possible to switch between the color mode and the black single-color mode, even a print job that does not include color information is output in the color mode. That is, in a general print system, even when the process mode of the printer itself can be switched, the switching is managed only for each print job.

[0003]

However, some print jobs have print data in which only some of the pages contain color data, and the other pages have a monochrome black color. For example, it is DTP data in which a color photograph is embedded in a part of a document. When outputting such print data, all pages have been output in a full-color mode in a conventional printer and print system.

[0004] This does not correspond to the fact that the printing system manages the process mode of the printer on a page basis, and the printer itself sets the process mode to full color / color.
This is because the setting of the process mode can be controlled only in print job units even if the mode is switched to monochrome black or the like.

Generally, from the viewpoint of the printer management system, the printer process mode manages the full-color or black single-color process modes as independent logical printers, and it has been considered that this is sufficient. In order to control the process on a page-by-page basis, it is necessary to analyze print data on a page-by-page basis and control the printer mode accordingly. However, such means has not been prepared.

As a result, the page of black text in the print job is also output in all the color processes, and it takes a long time to print. In addition, the print quality is deteriorated due to problems such as misregistration in which the pixel position is slightly different for each process. The problem of lowering occurred.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to enable a print job process to be managed on a page basis in a printer and a system.

[0008]

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object has, for example, the following arrangement. That is, by searching for color information for each page from the print data generated by the application, a mode determining means for generating process information specifying a print process of a print job, and a color printer based on the print data Data generating means for generating output data for print processing; the process information generated by the mode determining means; and the output data generated by the data generating means. Transfer means for transferring.

Preferably, the process information includes:
Information indicating whether each page is a color or a single color. This is because whether a color process or a single-color process is set for each page, it is possible to speed up processing of print data in which color pages and monochrome pages are mixed.

Preferably, the mode determination means generates process information before print data generated by an application is received by the data generation means, and generates the print data after generating the process information. Hand over means. This is because it is possible to easily set the process information for each page without changing the application program.

Preferably, the data generation means is a rasterizer.

[0012] Preferably, the output data is a raster image.

The printer system of the present invention that achieves the above object generates process information specifying a print process of a print job by searching color information for each page from print data generated by an application. Mode determining means, data generating means for generating output data to be printed by a color printer based on the print data, process information generated by the mode determining means, and data generating means generated by the data generating means. The output data, and an information processing apparatus including a transfer unit that transfers data to the color printer in units of pages, based on the process information,
A color printer including a print control unit for controlling a print process of the output data in page units.

Further, according to the present invention, there are provided an information processing method realized by the information processing apparatus and a control method realized by the printer system.

[0015]

According to the above arrangement, color information is searched from print data generated by an application, and process information for designating a print process of a print job is generated for each page. Then, based on the print data, output data to be printed by a color printer is generated, and is transferred to the color printer in page units together with the generated process information.

As described above, in the present invention, the process mode information for each page of the print job is held separately from the print data, and the printer process is controlled according to the information. As a result, for example, in a print job in which only some of the pages are color data, it is possible to print only the pages in the full-color mode, thereby shortening the print time and reducing the registration error of the text portion. Solvable.

[0017]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a host device, which outputs data generated by an application program or the like to a printer 200 to form a desired image. In the host device 100, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU, which executes various controls in the host device 100. Reference numeral 2 denotes an input unit, which is constituted by a keyboard and a pointing device.
Input various data to Reference numeral 3 denotes a display unit, which is a CRT.
Alternatively, it is constituted by an LCD or the like, and performs various displays under the control of the CPU 1. Reference numeral 4 denotes a ROM which stores a boot program for starting the apparatus and raster image data for converting character codes into image data.

An external storage device 5 stores various application programs and various font data.
The application program stored in the external storage device 5 is loaded into the RAM 6 and executed by the CPU 1. Reference numeral 6 denotes a RAM, which is an application program 106, a print spooler 102, an interpreter / rasterizer 105, and a printer driver 107, which will be described later.
Etc. are stored. An interface (I / F) 108 exchanges data with the printer 200.

Next, an outline of a color laser beam printer will be described as a color printer used in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the color laser beam printer of the present embodiment.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 711 denotes a laser scanning unit, which includes a laser output unit (not shown) for converting an image signal into an optical signal, and a polygon mirror 71 (for example, an octahedron).
2, a motor (not shown) for rotating the mirror 712, an f / θ lens (imaging lens) 713, and the like. 7
14 is a reflection mirror for changing the optical path of the laser light, and 715
Denotes a photosensitive drum. Laser light emitted from the laser output unit is reflected by one side surface of the polygon mirror 712, and f / θ
The surface of the photosensitive drum 715 rotating in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure is scanned linearly through the lens 713 and the mirror 714 (raster scan). As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the document image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 715.

Reference numeral 717 denotes a primary charger; 718, a full-surface exposure lamp; 723, a cleaner unit for collecting untransferred residual toner; and 724, a pre-transfer charger. These members are disposed around the photosensitive drum 715. It is arranged.

A developing unit 726 develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 715 by laser exposure, and has the following configuration. 731Y, 7
31M, 731C and 731BK are developing sleeves for directly developing in contact with the photosensitive drum 715, 730Y and 730
M, 730C and 730BK are toner hoppers for holding spare toner, and 732 is a screw for transferring the developer, and these sleeves 731Y to 731B are provided.
K, toner hoppers 730Y to 730BK and a screw 732 are arranged around the rotation axis P of the developing unit. It should be noted that Y, M,
C and BK indicate colors. That is, “Y” is yellow, “M” is magenta, “C” is cyan, and “BK” is black. When forming a yellow toner image,
The yellow toner developing process is performed at the position shown in FIG. Also,
When forming a magenta toner image, the developing unit 7
26 is rotated about the axis P in the figure so that the developing sleeve 731M in the magenta developing device contacts the photoconductor 715. The development of cyan and black operates similarly.

A transfer drum 716 transfers a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 715 to a sheet.
Reference numeral 19 denotes an actuator plate for detecting the movement position of the transfer drum 716, and 720 denotes the actuator plate 71.
9, a position sensor for detecting that the transfer drum 716 has moved to the home position position by approaching the transfer drum 716.
725 is a transfer drum cleaner, 727 is a paper press roller,
Reference numeral 728 denotes a charger, and 729 denotes a transfer charger. These members 719, 720, 725, 727, and 729 are arranged around the transfer roller 716.

On the other hand, reference numerals 735 and 736 denote paper cassettes for accommodating paper (sheets). In this embodiment, the paper cassette 735 includes, for example, A4 size paper and paper cassette 73.
It is assumed that A6 size paper is stored in 6.
Reference numerals 737 and 738 denote paper feed rollers for feeding paper from the cassettes 735 and 736, and reference numerals 739, 740 and 741 denote timing rollers for timing of paper feed and conveyance. The guide is guided by a guide 749 and wrapped around the transfer drum 716 while being held by the gripper 721, and the process proceeds to an image forming process. Which one of the paper cassettes 735 and 736 is to be selected is determined by an instruction from the printer control unit 700, and only the selected paper feed roller rotates.

The outline of the printing operation will be described below with reference to FIG. A latent image of Y (yellow) is formed on the photosensitive drum 715 according to the print data input from the host device, and is developed by the developing unit 726 with the toner for Y. In synchronization with this, the paper feed cassette 735
Alternatively, the paper supplied from 736 is transferred to transfer roller 716.
, And the image developed from the photosensitive drum 715 is transferred to a sheet. Thereafter, the sheet is continuously wound on the transfer roller 716, and the photosensitive drum 71
An M (magenta) image is developed on 5 and transferred to a sheet. Similarly, when the C (cyan) and BK (black) images are developed and transferred, the sheet is separated from the transfer roller by the peeling claw 750 and is conveyed to the fixing roller 745 by the belt 742. The fixing roller 745 heat-fixes the color image formed on the sheet, and thereafter, the sheet on which the color printing has been completed is discharged outside the apparatus.

The operation in the full-color mode has been described above. However, in the black single-color mode, only the development using the black units (730BK, 731BK) of the developing unit 726 is performed. Therefore, the transfer operation by the transfer roller 716 is performed four times in the full color mode, but is performed once in the black single color mode.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the flow of data during the printing process in the first embodiment. In FIG.
Is an application program that generates print data, and 102 is a print spooler that buffers print data until it is transferred to a printer. Reference numeral 103 denotes process data generated by the application based on a user's instruction or the like, and reference numeral 104 denotes print data described in a page description language (PDL) in which the application is generated. The process data 103 and the print data 104 are stored in the Priton spooler 102 by the application program 101 according to the print execution instruction.

Reference numeral 105 denotes an interpreter / rasterizer that develops the print data 104 into an image and instructs a driver to perform a printer function described in PDL.
Reference numeral 106 denotes a raster image obtained by expanding the print data 104 by the interpreter / rasterizer 105. Reference numeral 107 denotes a printer driver for controlling printer functions and transferring image data, and 108 denotes an interface (I / F) for physically connecting to a color printer.

The operation of the printer system according to the first embodiment having the above configuration will be described below. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the printing operation according to the first embodiment.

First, during execution of the application 101, when an instruction to start printing is made from the input unit 2, the process proceeds from step S11 to step S12. In response to this print start instruction, the application 101 processes data 103 for performing process control in units of one page.
And print data 104, and the print spooler 102 stores and manages both. The process data may be generated by the application based on the user's specification, or may be automatically generated by the application based on the print data. In this example, 1
The process data for each page is information for setting the full color mode or the black single color mode for each page.

When print execution is instructed from the application 101, the print spooler 102 puts ordinary print data into a spool directory corresponding to the printer (step S12). Also, the process data for each page generated by the application 101 in conjunction with the application 101 is put in the spool directory (step S1).
3). Incidentally, the application program may put the process data into the spool directory.

When the print spooler 102 detects that the printer is in the ready state via the printer driver 107, the process proceeds from step S14 to step S15 to start the printing process.

The interpreter / rasterizer 105 is a PD
The raster data 106 is generated by developing the print data 104 described in L into image data (step S15). At the same time, the print data 104
The control information related to the printer control included in (PDL) is obtained (step S15).

The printer driver 107 is divided into a part for performing printer function control and a function for transferring image data. The function control unit controls the printer 200 in accordance with the process data 103 that specifies a process for each page of the job.
(In this example, the mode is set to either the full color mode or the black monochrome mode) (step S
16). Further, the printer function control based on the print data analysis result in the interpreter / rasterizer 105 is performed, and the developed raster image is transferred to the printer 200 to print one page (step S17). Here, the printer driver 107 sets the process mode of the printer based on the process data in page units in synchronization with the raster image transfer and its printout. Therefore, the operation of the printer 200 can be set to a full color mode or a black single color mode for each page. At this time, if there is a portion where the function control information conflicts with the interpreter side, the process data 103 is regarded as directly reflecting the user's intention and is processed preferentially.

When the printing of all pages is completed and the processing of the print job is completed, the print spooler 101 deletes the print data 104 and the process data 103 (step S19). Alternatively, the process data 103 and the print data 104 may be deleted by the printer driver 107 in synchronization with the end of the job processing.

As described above, according to the first embodiment,
At the time of executing the application program, it is possible to set a process for each page according to the process data for each page set by the user at the time of creating print data or at the time of executing printing. For this reason, for example, it is possible to execute printing in a full-color mode on a page where a color image exists in a black-and-white character image, and in a single-color black mode on a page where no color image exists, thereby shortening the printing time and reducing registration deviation. Prevention of occurrence can be achieved.

Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the process data 103 is generated by an application program. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which the process data 103 is generated by an independent filled program separate from the application program. Example 2
Is the same as in the first embodiment,
Here, the description will be omitted, and portions different from the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a characteristic configuration of the second embodiment. FIG. 5 corresponds to the data flow from the application program 101 to the print spooler 102 in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment, and the same components as those in FIG. 3 are indicated by the same numbers. That is, FIG. 5 shows a difference from FIG. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 201 denotes a filter program, which generates page-based process data from print data generated by an application. That is, in the first embodiment, the process data 103 is generated by the application program 101, but in the second embodiment, the filter program 201 generates the process data 103. In this example, the process data sets the full color mode or the black single color mode in page units.
Searches for color information for each page from print data to generate process data.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for storing process data in the second embodiment. The control shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to step S12 and step S13 in FIG. The filter program 201 issues a print request and reads the generated print data (step S21). The filter program 201 itself functions as a part of a print system. When an application or the like issues a print request, the filter program 201 performs processing before putting print data in a spool directory. Here, processing is not performed on the print data itself, the data is searched, and a print process for each page is extracted (step S22),
This is stored in the print spooler 102. Then, the read print data is used as is in the print spooler 1.
02 (step S24).

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the first embodiment
In addition to the effects described above, the process data can be generated at the print system level without any processing by the application or the user.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the process data of each page is stored in the print spooler 102 directly by a dedicated process setting tool.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a characteristic configuration of the third embodiment. FIG. 7 corresponds to the data flow from the application program 101 to the print spooler 102 in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment, and the same components as those in FIG. 3 are indicated by the same numbers.

In this configuration example, a process setting tool 301 having a user interface independent of an application
Generates the process data 103 and stores it in the print spooler.

In the third embodiment, the process setting tool 301 is activated before printing the data created by the application program 101. In the control of the process setting tool 301, process data for each page (for example, setting of a full color mode or a black single color mode) is set via the input unit 2, and this is set to the print spooler 1
02 as the process data 103.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the user can specify a print process with a high degree of freedom.

Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the configuration examples of the first to third embodiments described above, the designation of the process in page units is performed by the printer driver 107 in synchronization with the transfer of the print data. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, the printer driver 107 transfers the process information 103 to the printer 200 as it is, and the printer performs process control synchronized with page output.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining the control configuration of the fourth embodiment. In the figure, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted here. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the printer according to the fourth embodiment.

The printer driver 107 transfers the control information of the printer engine including the process data for each page to the printer 200 via the interface 108 before executing the printing of the print job.

The printer-side interface 403 separates the received control information into process data for each page and control information for the engine.
4 and transferred to the engine control block 405 (step S31, step S32).

Subsequently, the raster image received from the printer driver 107 is stored in the frame buffer 406 (step S33). When the raster image is stored in the frame buffer 406, printing in page units is performed. That is, the frame buffer 406 transfers the raster image to the printer engine 407 in synchronization with the operation of the printer engine 407. Engine control block 4
05 is a printer engine 40 according to the engine control information.
7 and the process control synchronized with the page unit output according to the process data 404 (step S34, step S35).

The printer function control including the process control may be supported by a command of the interface standard to be used, or transferred by a header or the like at the data level transferred from the host 401, and detected and separated by the interface 403. It may be passed to the engine control block.

As described above, according to each of the above-described embodiments, a print mode selection function can be added with a slight change in the conventional print system, and a print job in which only some of the pages are color data can be performed. Printing time can be reduced. Further, since the page including only the black text performs only the black single-color process, the problem of misregistration of the text portion can be solved. Further, the user can specify the process for each page at the time of printing even for the print data generated once, so that a print output matching the printer characteristics can be obtained. In the first, second, and fourth embodiments, the setting of the process is performed via an application. In the third embodiment, the process setting tool 3 is used.
01 is realized.

In the above embodiment, the print data described in PDL is developed into a raster image in the host device. However, such a development process may be executed on the printer 200 side.

Although the laser beam printer has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to an ink jet printer described below. <Schematic Description of Apparatus Main Body> FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a color inkjet recording apparatus IJRA to which the present invention can be applied. In the figure, the carriage HC that engages with the spiral groove 5004 of the lead screw 5005 that rotates via the driving force transmission gears 5011 and 5009 in conjunction with the forward and reverse rotation of the drive motor 5013 has a pin (not shown). Then, it is reciprocated in the directions of arrows a and b. The carriage HC includes Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), Bk
(Black) Each color ink jet cartridge IJC is mounted. Reference numeral 5002 denotes a paper pressing plate, which presses the paper against the platen 5000 in the moving direction of the carriage. Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote home position detecting means for confirming the presence of the carriage lever 5006 in this area and switching the rotation direction of the motor 5013. A member 5016 supports a cap member 5022 for capping the front surface of the recording head.
Reference numeral 5015 denotes a suction unit that suctions the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the recording head through the opening 5023 in the cap. Reference numeral 5017 denotes a cleaning blade. Reference numeral 5019 denotes a member which allows the blade to move in the front-rear direction. These members are supported by a main body support plate 5018. It goes without saying that the blade is not limited to this form and a known cleaning blade can be applied to this example. Also, 5021 is
The lever for starting suction for suction recovery moves with the movement of the cam 5020 that engages with the carriage, and the driving force from the drive motor is movement-controlled by known transmission means such as clutch switching.

The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired processing can be performed at the corresponding position by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage comes to the area on the home position side. If a desired operation is performed at a timing, any of the examples can be applied.

<Description of Control Structure> Next, a control structure for executing the recording control of the above-described apparatus will be described with reference to a block diagram shown in FIG. In the figure showing a control circuit, 1700 is an interface for inputting a recording signal, 1701 is an MPU, 1702 is an MPU 1701
RO for storing a control program to be executed by
M and 1703 are dynamic ROMs for storing various data (such as the recording signal and recording data supplied to the head). Reference numeral 1704 denotes a gate array that controls supply of print data to the print head 1708, and includes an interface 1700, an MPU 1701, a RAM 17
Also, data transfer control during 03 is performed. Reference numeral 1710 denotes a carrier motor for transporting the recording head 1708, and reference numeral 1709 denotes a transport motor for transporting the recording paper. Reference numeral 1705 denotes a head driver for driving the head, and reference numerals 1706 and 1707 denote motor drivers for driving the transport motor 1709 and the carrier motor 1710, respectively.

The operation of the above control configuration will be described. When a recording signal enters the interface 1700, the gate array 1
The print signal is converted between the print data 704 and the MPU 1701 into print data of each color. Then, the motor drivers 1706 and 1707 are driven, and the print head of the color to be printed is driven according to the print data sent to the head driver 1705 to perform printing.
This is repeated for each of the colors Y, M, C, and Bk, and the full-color printing is completed. In the case of the black monochrome mode, only printing using the Bk ink head is performed.

It is apparent that the components of the present invention can be incorporated into the above-described control structure of the ink jet printer, and that the present invention is not limited to the laser beam printer but can be applied to the above ink jet printer and the like.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. In addition, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a system or an apparatus with a program for executing the processing specified by the present invention.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In a print system, a print job process can be managed on a page basis. Further, according to the present invention, the printer only needs to set a process in accordance with the received process information and perform printing in accordance with the received print data, thereby simplifying the control configuration of the printer. Further, the printer can be applied to the system without largely changing a conventional printer.

[0062]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a color laser beam printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a flow of data during a printing process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a printing operation according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a characteristic configuration of a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for storing process data according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a characteristic configuration of a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of a printer according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a color inkjet recording apparatus IJRA to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration for executing recording control of the apparatus illustrated in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Application 102 Print Spooler 103 Process Data 104 Print Data 105 Interpreter / Rasterizer 106 Raster Image 107 Printer Driver 108 Interface 201 Filter Program 301 Process Setting Tool

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A mode determining means for generating process information for designating a print process of a print job by searching color information for each page from print data generated by an application, based on the print data, Data generation means for generating output data for print processing by a color printer, the process information generated by the mode determination means,
The output data generated by the data generating means,
An information processing apparatus comprising: a transfer unit configured to transfer data to the color printer in page units. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process information is information indicating whether each page is a color or a single color. 3. The mode determining means generates process information before the data generating means receives print data generated by an application, and passes the print data to the data generating means after generating the process information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data generating means is a rasterizer. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output data is a raster image. 6. A mode determining means for generating process information for designating a print process of a print job by searching color information for each page from print data generated by an application, based on the print data. Data generation means for generating output data for print processing by a color printer, the process information generated by the mode determination means,
The output data generated by the data generating means,
An information processing apparatus including a transfer unit that transfers data to the color printer in page units; and a color printer including a print control unit that controls a print process of the output data in page units based on the process information. Printer system. 7. A mode determining step of generating process information specifying a print process of a print job by searching color information for each page from print data generated by an application; and A data generation step of generating output data for performing a printing process with a color printer, and the process information generated in the mode determination step,
The output data generated in the data generation step,
A transfer step of transferring data to the color printer in page units. 8. A mode determining step of generating process information for designating a print process of a print job by searching color information for each page from print data generated by an application; A data generation step of generating output data for performing a printing process with a color printer, and the process information generated in the mode determination step,
The output data generated in the data generation step,
A transfer step of transferring data to the color printer in page units; and a print control step of controlling a print process of the output data in page units based on the process information transferred in the transfer step. Printer system control method.