JP3168853B2 - Print data control method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print data control system in a printer system including a computer and a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing system of a printer system including a printer for generating image data from print data and performing printing and a computer having a function of transferring the print data to the printer, one printer is used. If there are multiple print requests, the printer starts print processing such as generating image data for the print data transferred earlier from the computer, and the print data sent later is sent earlier by the printer. Transfer is not performed until the printing process of the print data is completed.

[0003]

Therefore, in the conventional printing method, there is a problem that the subsequent print data must wait for the print processing until the printer completes the processing of the previous print data. In the second and subsequent print requests that are waiting, the computer has the data as the print data, and the print data is transferred to the printer and then the printer starts print processing such as generating image data. Thus, there is a problem in that printing of the print requests in the second and subsequent orders is completed slowly, and the printing efficiency of the entire printer system is low.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. When a plurality of print requests are made, even if the printer is in a print processing operation, a computer or a printer server can be used. Provided is a print data control method capable of generating image data so that the second and subsequent prints can be started quickly and can be printed at a high speed, so that the printer can be effectively used and the printing efficiency of the printer system can be improved. With the goal.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print data control method, comprising: a printer for generating image data from print data and performing printing; A print data control method comprising a communicable printer server and a plurality of computers connected to the printer server via a network and having a function of transferring print data, wherein the printer notifies the printer server of its operation status. Equipped with notification means,
The printer server detects that the printer is performing a printing operation when the printer server issues a print request to the printer in response to a command from the computer. In this case, the image processing apparatus is provided with image image data generating means for generating image image data from print data transferred from a computer, and transfer means for transferring print data or image image data to a printer. A print data control method according to a second aspect of the present invention is the print data control method according to the first aspect , wherein the computer or the printer server determines whether the printer is performing a printing operation by the detecting means. Each time the image data generation unit completes generation of one page of image data, the detection unit detects whether or not the printer is performing a printing operation.

[0006]

In the print data control method according to the first aspect , the printer notifies the computer or the print server of the operation status of the printer by the notification means, and the computer or the print server detects the print request when the print request to the printer occurs. , The operation status from the notification means of the printer is detected, and if it is detected that the printer is performing the printing operation, the computer or the printer server generates the image data from the print data by the image data generation means. When the printer stops printing, the computer or the printer server transfers the print data or the created image data to the printer by the transfer means. By operating in this manner, when a plurality of print requests are made, while printing the print data previously transferred to the printer, other print data is concurrently converted into image image data by the computer or the printer server. Since the print data is generated, the printing operation of the subsequent print data can be promptly started after the printing of the previous print data is completed. If the printer is not performing a printing operation and is in a printable state when a print request is issued, the computer or the printer server transfers the print data to the printer without generating image data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when a printer or a printer server detects that the printer is performing a printing operation, the image data for one page is output by the image data generator. Each time data generation is completed, the detection means detects whether the printer is performing a printing operation. Therefore, when the printer is not in the printing operation, that is, when the printer is ready for printing, the image data is immediately transferred to the printer and printed.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a printer system according to a first embodiment to which the print data control method of the present invention is applied. The printer system 1 includes a printer 2 that generates image data from print data and performs printing, and a computer 3 that has a function of transferring the print data to the printer 2. Printer 2
It is connected to a computer 3 having a hard disk (not shown) by a cable 5 of, for example, RS232C, which can communicate bidirectionally via a bidirectional interface 4. The printer 2 includes a printer operation status notification unit 6 (hereinafter, referred to as a notification unit 6) that notifies the computer 3 of the operation status thereof, and an image image data generation unit 7 (hereinafter, image data generation unit 7) that generates image image data from print data from the computer 3. , Generating unit 7)
And Further, the computer 3 detects an operation state of the printer 2 from the notification unit 6, and an image data generator 8 (hereinafter, referred to as a generator 8) having a function equivalent to the generator 7 provided in the printer 2. And a data transfer unit 10 (hereinafter, referred to as a transfer unit 10) that transfers print data or image data to the printer 2. I have. FIG. 4 shows an external configuration of the printer system 1.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a printer system according to a second embodiment to which the print data control system of the present invention is applied. In the printer system 15 of this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, a plurality of computers 3 are connected to the printer 2 to form a network. The printer 2 and the computer 3 are the same as those shown in the first embodiment, but in the second embodiment, the printer 2 and the plurality of computers 3 are connected to a network 17 such as an Ethernet by a cable 16. 18 and are in a state in which data can be exchanged with each other. FIG. 5 shows an external configuration of the printer system 15.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a printer system according to a third embodiment to which the print data control system of the present invention is applied. In the printer system 20 of this embodiment, a network of a plurality of computers 30 connected to the printer 2 via a printer server 21 is formed. Further, the printer server 21 has an image data generator 22 (hereinafter referred to as a generator). 22), a printer operation status detection unit 23 (hereinafter, referred to as a detection unit 23), and a data transfer unit 24 (hereinafter, referred to as a transfer unit 24). The printer 2 is the same as the first and second embodiments,
Further, the computer 30 does not include the generation unit 8 and the detection unit 9 unlike the first and second embodiments shown in FIG. 1 (FIG. 4) and FIG. 2 (FIG. 5). Also, the printer server 2
1 is connected to a cable 5 via a bidirectional interface 4. Further, the printer server 21 and the computer 30 connect the network 1 with the cable 16.
7 are connected via an interface unit 18 so that data can be exchanged with each other. FIG. 6 shows an external configuration of the printer system 20.

Next, the printer systems 1 and 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.
Operations 5 and 20 will be described. Printer systems 1, 15
In, the print data to be printed by the printer 2 is created or edited by the computer 3 by the user, and the printer 2 is designated by the computer 3 using a print command. Transfers the print data to the printer 2 by the transfer unit 10. Printer 2
Generates image data from the print data by the generation unit 7 and prints the image data. In the printer system 20, print data to be printed by the printer 2 is created or edited by the computer 30 by the user, the printer 3 is designated by the computer 3 using a print command, and the print data is sent to the printer server 21. Forward. Printer server 2
1 transfers the print data to the printer 2 by the transfer unit 24 when the printer 2 is not performing the printing process.

The computer 3 in the printer systems 1 and 15 and the printer server 21 in the printer system 20 transfer the print data while the printer 2 is performing a printing operation until the printing process in the printer 2 is completed. have to wait. Utilizing this time, the computer 3 or the printer server 21 performs image data generation processing to be performed by the printer 2, and when the printer 2 is not performing a printing operation, the image data generated up to that point and the remaining print data are copied. I try to transfer.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a data processing procedure performed by the printer system 1, 15, or 20 according to the first, second, or third embodiment during a printing (hereinafter, referred to as printing) operation of the printer 2. In the printer systems 1 and 15 of the first and second embodiments, when the computer 3 issues a print command to the printer 2 (S1 · YES), the computer 3 sends a print data transmission request to the printer 2. . The printer 2 generates an interrupt request by the transmission request, and performs an interrupt process different from the normal process.
The current operation status of the printer 2 is checked, and if a printing operation is being performed, a transmission disable signal is returned to the computer 3 by the notification unit 6 if the printing operation is not being performed. With this response,
The computer 3 detects the signal from the notifying unit 6 by the detecting unit 9 and, if the printer 2 is not operating at present and can print (S2: YES), sends the sent print data to the printer 2. Transfer (S3). The printer 2 performs a process of converting the print data into image data by the generation unit 7, and then performs a print output. Calculator 3
When the transfer of the print data is completed (S4: YES), the print data control process is completed.

On the other hand, if the printer 2 is currently operating and cannot receive print data (S2: NO) according to the response from the notification unit 6 of the printer 2, the computer 3 transmits the transferred print data. The image data which can be printed out without being converted by the printer 2 from the printer 2 is generated by the generating unit 8 for one page (S
5). When the creation of the one-page image data is completed, the computer 3 saves the created one-page image data on the hard disk in the form of a file (S6). After that, the computer 3 sends a transmission request to the printer 2 again. The printer 2 performs the above-described interrupt processing again for this transmission request, and returns the result to the computer 3. If the response indicates that the printer 2 is currently operating (S7: NO), the computer 3 cannot transfer the data to the printer 2 and returns to S5 to create the image data of the next page. I do. As described above, while the printer 1 is performing the printing process, the computer 3 uses the standby time to generate the image data in the generating unit 8 in units of one page.

In S7, if the printer 2 completes the printing operation and becomes ready for printing (S7YE)
S), the computer 3 transfers the image data created in S5 and stored in S6 to the printer 2 in the order of pages (S8). The transferred image data file is erased from the stored hard disk. After all the image data created by the computer 3 have been transferred to the printer 2 (S9
(YES), if there is no print data that has not been converted into image image data in the computer 3 among the print data sent to the computer 3 (S10: NO), the conversion of the print data into image image data is not performed. Since all the printing has been completed, the print data control process ends.

In S10, if there is print data not converted to image data in the computer 3 (S10: YES), the remaining print data is transferred to the printer 2 (S11) and transferred to the printer 2. The generated print data is converted into image data by the generation unit 7 in the printer 2 and printed out. When the transfer of the print data is completed (S12: YES), the computer 3 ends the print data control process.

Next, a data processing procedure performed by the printer system 20 according to the third embodiment during the printing operation of the printer 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The printer server 21 receives the print command sent from the computer 30 (S1).
(YES), the printer server 21 sends a print data transmission request to the printer 2. The printer 2 generates an interrupt request due to the transmission request. As an interrupt process different from the normal process, the printer 2 checks the current operation status of the printer 2, and if a print operation is in progress, sends a transmission disable signal during the print operation. If not, a signal indicating that transmission is possible is returned to the printer server 21 by the notification unit 6. With this response, the printer server 2
1 detects a signal from the notification unit 6 by the detection unit 23,
If the printer 2 is not currently operating and can print (S2: YES), the received print data is transferred to the printer 2 (S3). The printer 2 performs a process of converting the print data into image data by the generation unit 7, and then performs a print output. Printer server 2
1 indicates that the transfer of the print data is completed (S4 · YE
S), the print data control process ends.

On the other hand, if the printer 2 is currently operating and cannot receive print data according to the response from the notification unit 6 of the printer 2 (S2: NO), the printer server 21 The image data which can be printed out from the data without being converted by the printer 2 is generated by the generating unit 22 for one page (S5). When the creation of the one-page image data is completed, the printer server 21 saves the created one-page image data on the hard disk in the form of a file (S6). Thereafter, the printer server 21 sends a transmission request to the printer 2 again.
The printer 2 performs the above-described interrupt processing again for the transmission request, and returns the result to the printer server 21. According to this response, if the printer 2 is currently operating (S7: NO), the printer server 21 cannot transfer the data to the printer 2, and returns to S5 to copy the image data of the next page. create. As described above, if the printer 2 is performing the printing process, the printer server 21 creates the image data in the unit of one page by the generation unit 22 using the waiting time.

In S7, if the printer 2 completes the printing operation and becomes ready for printing (S7 · YE
S), the printer server 21 transfers the image data created in S5 and stored in S6 to the printer 2 in the order of pages (S8). The transferred image data file is erased from the stored hard disk. After the transfer of the image data generated by the printer server 21 to the printer 2 is completed (S9: YES), the printer server 21
If there is no print data in the printer server 21 that has not been converted to image data in the print data sent to the printer server 21 (S10: NO), all the conversion of the print data to image data has been completed. Therefore, the print data control process ends.

At S10, the printer server 21
If there is any print data that has not been converted into image data (S10, YES), the remaining print data is transferred to the printer 2 (S11), and the print data transferred to the printer 2 is stored in the printer 2. Is converted into image data by the generation unit 7 and printed out. If the transfer of the print data is completed (S1)
2. YES), the printing data control process ends.

As described above, the data control method of the present invention
While waiting for transfer of print data during the printing operation of the printer 2, the generation unit 8 of the computer 3 in the printer systems 1 and 15 or the generation unit 22 of the printer server 21 in the printer system 20 converts the image data from the print data. Since the data is generated, when the printing operation of the printer 2 is completed, the printing of the waiting data can be started immediately, the printing efficiency of the printer 2 improves, and the printing time of the entire system becomes faster. . Further, each time the generation of the image data in the generation unit 8 or 22 of the computer 3 or the printer server 21 during the standby time is completed for one page, the detection unit 9 or 23 detects whether the printer 2 is performing a printing operation. As a result, the image data generated at the end of printing by the printer 2 and the remaining print data are immediately transferred to the printer 2, so that printing can be performed at high speed.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, printer system 1
In the above, the cable 5 connecting the printer 2 and the computer 3 uses RS232C, but a cable conforming to the Centronics standard may be used. Further, in the printer system 15, the printer 5 may be connected to the plurality of computers 3 via the same interface unit 18. In the printer system 20, the cable 5 connecting the printer 2 and the printer server 21
Although S232C is used, a cable conforming to the Centronics standard may be used.

[0023]

[0024]

As described above , according to the print data control method of the first aspect , when a print request is issued from a computer to a printer, the print data in the computer is transferred to a printer server, and When trying to transfer print data from the printer to the printer, the printer server detects the operation status of the printer, and if the printer is performing printing, the printer server generates image data from the print data transferred from the computer. When the printing operation of the printer is completed, the image data created as described above is immediately transferred and printed, so that the data transfer waiting time of the printer server can be prevented from being wasted, and the efficiency can be improved. Can be printed.

According to the print data control method of the second aspect , when the computer or the printer server detects that the printer is performing a printing operation, it generates image image data for each page, and executes the processing for one page. Each time the generation of the image data is completed, the printer detects whether or not the printing operation is being performed, and as soon as the printer becomes available, the generated image data and the remaining print data are transferred immediately. Printing can be performed with high efficiency and high speed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a printer system to which a print data control method according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a printer system to which a print data control method according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a printer system to which a print data control method according to a third embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is an external configuration diagram illustrating the printer system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an external configuration diagram illustrating a printer system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an external configuration diagram illustrating a printer system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a data processing procedure in a computer of the printer system according to the first and second embodiments or in a printer server of the printer system according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 15, 20 Printer system 2 Printer 3 Computer 6, Printer operation status notification unit 8, 22 Image / image data generation unit 9, 23 Printer operation status detection unit 10, 24 Data transfer unit 17 Network 21 Printer server

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printer for generating image data from print data and printing the image data, a printer server connected to the printer and capable of bidirectional communication, and connected to the printer server via a network to transfer the print data. In a print data control system including a plurality of computers having functions, the printer includes a notification unit that notifies the printer server of an operation state thereof, and the printer server detects an operation state of the printer from the notification unit. Detecting means for performing a print request to the printer in accordance with a command from the computer, and when the detecting means detects that the printer is performing a printing operation, the print data transferred from the computer. Image data generating means for generating image data from the image data; Print data control method, characterized in that data or the picture image data and a transfer means for transferring to the printer. 2. The computer or printer server terminates generation of one page of image data by the image data generating unit when the detecting unit detects that the printer is performing a printing operation. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the detecting unit detects whether or not the printer is performing a printing operation.
2. The print data control method according to 1.