JP3209911B2 - Print control device and data processing method of print control device - 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 control apparatus for processing a predetermined unit of output information received from a host computer via a predetermined communication medium, and a data processing method of the print control apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an output device of this kind, for example, a print control device for controlling a printing device, an operation in which a job is interrupted while data of a plurality of pages is being printed (for example, it is impossible to cancel a job or continue printing). If an error in the printing device occurs on the host computer side or on the printing device side and the job transmission from the host computer is stopped once, the job data being processed in the printing device and information on the job etc. However, even if all of the data disappears from the printing apparatus or even if processed data remains, normal printing is not guaranteed, so the processed data has to be manually deleted.

[0003] Therefore, when the same job is transmitted to the printing apparatus, the processing is performed again from the first page in the printing apparatus.
Printing was performed again from the first page. Here,
Job cancellation refers to stopping transmission of a job from the host computer to the printing apparatus, and erasing received job data and information held in the printing apparatus.

[0004]

A print control device for controlling a conventional output device is configured as described above.
Since the information of a job that has been completed once does not remain on the output device, sending the same job again will output even the page that has already been printed normally before the job was interrupted. Since the page is output twice, there is a problem that processing time and printing paper are wasted as a result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for identifying identification information obtained from print information and detecting the interruption when print processing interruption is detected. The page information of the print information processed by the processing means is stored, and it is determined whether or not the identification information obtained from the print information received from the information processing apparatus is the same as the stored identification information. The data processing start page of the same print information as the print information whose data processing was interrupted is controlled by controlling the data processing start page of the print information based on the stored page information based on the determination result. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print control apparatus and a data processing method of the print control apparatus, which are capable of performing a relay output of a non-output page of the print information from a print unit.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus capable of receiving print information from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the print information is stored in units of pages. Processing means for performing data processing to generate output data that can be output from a printing unit; detecting means for detecting that data processing of the print information by the processing means is interrupted; and detecting the interruption by the detecting means. Storage means for storing identification information obtained from the print information and page information of the print information subjected to data processing by the processing means, and identification information obtained from the print information received from the information processing apparatus. And a determination unit for determining whether or not the identification information stored in the storage unit is the same as the identification information stored in the storage unit. Page, in which and a control means for controlling on the basis of the page information stored in the storage means.

[0007] In a second aspect of the present invention, the interruption includes:
This is an interruption due to an error that makes it impossible to continue printing.

[0008] In a third aspect of the present invention, the interruption includes:
Interruption due to an error that does not guarantee normal printing.

A fourth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the interruption is:
This is an interruption due to cancellation of data processing.

A fifth invention according to the present invention is a printing control device for a laser beam printer.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus capable of receiving print information from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium. A processing unit that generates output data that can be output from the processing unit; a cancellation detection unit that detects an instruction to cancel the data processing of the print information by the processing unit; and, based on a detection result of the cancellation instruction by the cancellation detection unit, Storage means for storing identification information obtained from print information and page information of print information data-processed by the processing means; and data processing by the processing means based on a detection result of the cancellation instruction by the cancellation detection means. Transfer means for transferring the generated output data to the save memory, and identification information obtained from print information received from the information processing apparatus. A determination unit for determining whether the information and the identification information stored in the storage unit are the same, and obtaining the output data from the save memory when the determination unit determines that the information is the same. After the output of the output data by the first control means for outputting from the printing unit and the output of the output data by the first control means is determined to be the same by the determination means based on the page information stored in the storage means. And a second control unit for controlling the data processing start page of the print information.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the save memory is provided on the information processing device side.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the evacuation memory is provided on the main body of the printing control apparatus.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the save memory is constituted by a nonvolatile memory medium.

In a tenth aspect according to the present invention, the nonvolatile memory medium is any one of a hard disk, a floppy disk, and a magneto-optical disk.

An eleventh invention according to the present invention is a data processing method of a print control device capable of receiving print information from an information processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the print information is processed in page units. A process of generating output data that can be output from a printing unit, a detecting step of detecting that the data processing of the print information in the processing step is interrupted, and a step of detecting the interruption by the detecting step. Storing the identification information obtained from the print information and the page information of the print information data-processed by the processing means in the storage unit, and the identification information obtained from the print information received from the information processing apparatus. A determining step of determining whether the information and the identification information stored in the storage unit are the same; and a data of the print information determined to be the same by the determining step. The data processing start page, in which and a control step of controlling, based on the page information stored in the storage unit.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing method for a print control apparatus capable of receiving print information from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium. A processing step of generating output data that can be output from the printing unit, a cancellation detection step of detecting a cancellation instruction of the data processing of the print information in the processing step, and a detection result of the cancellation instruction by the cancellation detection step. A storage step of storing in the storage unit the identification information obtained from the print information and the page information of the print information data-processed by the processing unit, based on a detection result of the cancellation instruction by the cancellation detection step. A transfer step of transferring output data generated by performing the data processing in the processing step to a save memory; A judging step of judging whether or not the identification information obtained from the printing information and the identification information stored in the storage means are the same; A first control step of acquiring the output data and outputting the output data from the printing unit, and after the output of the output data by the first control step, based on the page information stored in the storage unit, And a second control step of controlling a data processing start page of the print information determined to be the same in the determination step.

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] Before describing the configuration of this embodiment, the configurations of a laser beam printer and an ink jet printer suitable for applying this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The printer to which the present embodiment is applied is not limited to a laser beam printer and an ink jet printer, and it goes without saying that a printer of another printing method may be used.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the configuration of an output device to which the present invention can be applied, and shows, for example, the case of a laser beam printer (LBP).

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1000 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores print information (character codes and the like), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer, and stores the information. , A corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper.
Reference numeral 1012 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation and an LED display are arranged, and 1001 denotes an LBP main body 10
This is a printer control unit that controls the entire 00 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the host computer.
The printer control unit 1001 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to a laser driver 1002.

The laser driver 1002 is the semiconductor laser 1
003 is a circuit for driving a laser beam 1004 that is emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 in accordance with an input video signal. Laser light 10
Reference numeral 04 denotes a rotary polygon mirror 1005 which is swung right and left to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 1006. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1007 disposed around the electrostatic drum 1006,
Transferred to recording paper. A cut sheet is used as the recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1008 mounted on the LBP 1000, is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 1009, a conveyance roller 1010, and a conveyance roller 1011, and is electrostatically charged. It is supplied to the drum 1006.

The LBP main body 1000 has at least one or more card slots (not shown) so that an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language system can be connected in addition to the built-in fonts. .

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a control configuration of an output system to which the print control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied. The same components as those in FIG. A description will be given using a laser beam printer (FIG. 1) as an example. Note that, as long as the functions of the present invention are executed, the present invention is applicable to a single device, a system including a plurality of devices, and a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. It goes without saying that the invention can be applied.

In the figure, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer, an external memory 11 such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, or a magneto-optical disk;
A CPU 1 for executing document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program or the like stored in the OM, and each device connected to the system device 4 Controls over all.

The program ROM of the ROM 3
Stores a control program of the CPU 1 and the like.
The font ROM stores font data and the like used in the document processing, and the data ROM of the ROM 3 stores various data used in the document processing and the like.

2 is a RAM whose capacity can be expanded as required.
And functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls a key input from a keyboard (KB) 9 or a pointing device (not shown). 6 is a CRT controller (CR
TC), the display of the CRT display (CRT) 10 is controlled.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a memory controller (MC) for accessing the external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, and editing files, and a floppy disk (FD). Control. Reference numeral 8 denotes a print controller (PRTC), which is a printer 1000 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21.
And executes communication control processing with the printer 1000.

The CPU 1 executes a process of rasterizing the outline font in the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, for example.
YSIWYG is possible. Further, the CPU 1
Various registered windows are opened based on a command specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the RT 10,
Perform various data processing.

In the printer 1000, reference numeral 12 denotes a printer CPU, which is a system based on a control program or the like stored in a program ROM of a ROM 13 or a control program or the like stored in an external memory 14 such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, or a magneto-optical disk. Bus 15
, And generally controls access to various devices connected thereto, and outputs image signals as output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via a printing unit interface (I / F) 16.

The program RO of the ROM 13
M stores a control program of the CPU 12 and the like as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information. Further, the data ROM of the ROM 13 stores information and the like used on the host computer 3000 for a printer having no external memory 14 such as a hard disk.

The CPU 12 is capable of performing bidirectional communication processing with the host computer 3000 via the input unit 18, and is configured to be able to notify the host computer 3000 of information in the printer 1000 and the like. 19 is C
R functioning as main memory, work area, etc. of PU12
The AM is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an additional port (not shown).

The RAM 19 has an output information development area,
Used for environmental data storage area, NVRAM, and the like. Access to the external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) or an IC card is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 20.

The external memory 14 is connected as an option, and stores font data, an emulation program,
Stores form data and the like. Reference numeral 18 denotes an operation panel 1012 on which switches for operation and an LED display are arranged.

The number of the external memory 14 is not limited to one, and at least one external memory is provided. In addition to the built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different language systems are provided. It may be configured to be connectable. An NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1012.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an output system to which the print control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a host computer, which is a printing device 31 via a bidirectional interface 320.
1 is communicable. A job storage device 302 stores data to be transmitted to the printing device 311. A CPU 303 executes a control program stored in a ROM 304 or various application programs loaded on a RAM 305, and controls internal I / O with devices connected to an internal bus. A display device (CRT) 306 displays input information from a keyboard or the like (not shown) or a system state. An I / O interface 307 functions as a port for transmitting and receiving data via the bidirectional interface 320.

In the printing apparatus 311, a job name storage unit 313 stores the job name of the job sent from the host computer 301 when the error occurred and the job was interrupted.

Reference numeral 312 denotes a job name comparison device, which is used to compare the job name of the job sent from the host computer 301 and
The job name is compared with the job name stored in the job name storage device 313. Reference numeral 314 denotes a page storage device which stores information on a page in which an error has occurred during job transmission. An error detection device 315 detects an error occurring in the printing device 311.

[0044]

In the print control apparatus configured as described above, that is, in the print control apparatus capable of receiving print information from the information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium (two-way interface 320), Processing means (CPU1) for generating data output from a printing unit (printing unit 17 shown in FIG. 2)
37 is stored in ROM 318 or RAM 319
Executes and processes the control program loaded in the
Detection means (error detection device 315) for detecting a processing error of the print information by the processing means; and identification information (job name information) acquired from the print information when the detection means detects the processing error. ) And page information (number of pages) already processed by the processing means (job name storage device 313, page storage device 314), and print information (host computer 301) received from the information processing device (host computer 301). Determining means (job name comparing device 3) for determining whether the new identification information (job name information) obtained from the print job) is the same as the identification information (job name information) stored in the storage means.
12) data of print information to be processed by the processing unit based on the number of pages stored in the storage unit when the determination unit determines that the new identification information and the identification information are the same. Control means for controlling a process start page and relaying output data of a non-output page from the printing unit (the CPU 317 executes and executes a control program stored in the ROM 318 or loaded in the RAM 319); , Host computer 3
Job name comparison device 3 that determines whether the new job name information acquired from the print job received from job number 01 and the job name stored in job name storage device 313 are the same.
12 determines that both job names are the same, the CPU 31
7 controls the data processing start page of the print job to be subjected to data processing based on the number of pages stored in the page storage device 314, causes the printing unit to output the output data of the non-output page, and outputs the output data. It is possible to skip the page and print the print information from a page that has not been output.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of the data processing method of the print control apparatus according to the present invention.
Note that (1) to (6) indicate each step.

First, the job stored in the job storage device 302 is transferred to the I / O on the host computer 301 side.
The I / O interface 31 of the printing device 311 via the interface 307, the bidirectional interface 320, and the like.
6 receives (1).

Next, the job name comparison device 312 compares the job name of the job received by the I / O interface 316 of the printing device with the job name stored in the job name storage device 313, and determines that both have the same job name. (2), and if it is determined that the job name is the same, that is, the printing of the same job name has already been completed up to the number of stored pages due to some error. Then, a printed page to be described later is skipped (3).

Next, or if it is determined in step (2) that the job names are different, or if no job name is stored in the job name storage device 313, the process proceeds to step (4) and thereafter. Judgment of job reception / processing end, if YES, end processing, if NO,
During the job reception, the error detection device 315 causes an error in which printing cannot be continued or an error in which printing can be continued but normal printing is not guaranteed (for example, (Print overrun (Pr
Int Over run) is determined (5). If NO, the process returns to step (4). If YES, the name of the job currently being processed is stored in the job name storage device 313, and an error message is displayed. The generated page information is stored in the page storage device 314 (6), and the process ends.

Here, the printing process is interrupted and the printing device 31
The first error is manually avoided by the user (for example, page protection is applied).

Next, the same job is received again from the host computer 301 with the job name stored in the job name storage device 313 (1), and the job name storage device 31 is received.
3 and the host computer 301
When the job name comparison device 312 compares the received job name with the job name received this time (2), the job name received this time is the same, so that the printing device stores the error-occurred page information stored in the page storage device 314. Recognition skips processing / printing up to the previous page, that is, the number of pages normally printed before the error occurred (3), and prints from the number of pages after the error. . At this time, since the error has already been avoided, printing is continued normally, and when all the jobs received via the I / O interface 316 are normally received / processed (4), the process ends.

[0052]

In the data processing method of the print control device configured as described above, the print information can be received from the information processing device (host computer 301) via a predetermined communication medium (bidirectional interface 320). In a data processing method of a print control device for processing data of the print information on a page basis to generate output data that can be output from a printing unit (step (1) in FIG. 4).
A detection step (step (5) in FIG. 4) for detecting a generation processing error of the output data; and when the generation processing error is detected, the identification information obtained from the print information and the processing unit A holding step of holding the processed page information in a storage medium (step (6) in FIG. 4)
A determination step (step (2) in FIG. 4) for determining whether the new identification information obtained from the print information received from the information processing apparatus is the same as the identification information held in the storage medium. When it is determined that the new identification information and the identification information are the same, a data processing start page of print information to be subjected to data processing is determined based on the number of pages held in the storage medium, An output step (step (3) in FIG. 4) of outputting output data of the output page by relay is executed, and when printing the same print information, a page that has already been normally printed is identified, and printing is being performed. In this case, it is possible to efficiently and efficiently print the print information that has been interrupted due to an error and is subsequent to the page that has not been output.

In this way, if an error occurs during the printing process that the printing process cannot be restarted, and if a job resent from the host computer 301 is received, it is determined whether the job is the same job and the job has already been output normally. Restricting the printing process of the page, that is, skipping the page where the error occurred without performing the printing process, and restarting printing from the page where the error occurred, thereby shortening the reprint processing time of the same job. Printing waste can be eliminated, and printing resources can be saved.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, when an error that cannot restart the printing process occurs during the printing process, when the job resent from the host computer 301 is received, the same job is executed. It has been described how to discriminate whether or not to restrict the printing process of a page that has already been output normally to shorten the reprinting process time of the same job and to eliminate printing waste and save printing resources. After canceling data processing is instructed from the host computer or an operation panel (not shown) of the printing apparatus main body during data processing of the job, and when the same job is received, the normally output page and the already developed page are displayed. Excluding the output data pages that were saved
The data processing may be controlled to print the print information from the head of the remaining net page to the last page. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an output system to which a print control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied.

In the figure, reference numeral 501 denotes a host computer, which is a printer 51 via a bidirectional interface 530.
1 is communicable. Reference numeral 502 denotes a job storage device which stores data to be transmitted to the printing device 511. A processed data storage device 503 stores data stored in a processed data storage device 517 of the printing device 511 described later.

A CPU 504 executes a control program stored in the ROM 505 or various application programs loaded on the RAM 506, and controls internal I / O with devices connected to the internal bus. . A display device (CRT) 507 displays input information from a keyboard or the like (not shown) or a system state. An I / O interface 508 functions as a port for transmitting and receiving data via the bidirectional interface 530.

In the printing apparatus 511, a job name storage unit 513 stores the job name of the job being transmitted when the job is canceled while the job is being transmitted from the host computer 501. A job name comparison device 512 compares the job name sent from the host computer 501 with the job name stored in the job name storage device 513.

Reference numeral 514 denotes a page storage device, which is page information (number of pages) for which a job was canceled during job reception.
Is stored. Reference numeral 515 denotes a job cancel detection device which receives a job from the host computer 501 while receiving a job.
Alternatively, it is detected that the job is canceled in the printing apparatus 511. A job processing device 516 processes a job received from the host computer 501.
That is, the job (data) received from the host computer 501 is developed into a bitmap, and the developed bitmap data is stored in the processed data storage device 517 (on the printing device 511 side).

The processed data storage device 503 of the host computer 501 also stores the data stored in the processed data storage device 517 of the printing device 511.

[0062]

A print control device configured as described above, that is, a print control device capable of receiving print information from an information processing device (host computer 501) via a predetermined communication medium (bidirectional interface 530). A processing unit (job processing device 516) for processing the print information in page units to generate output data that can be output from a printing unit; and a cancellation unit for detecting an instruction to cancel the processing of the print information by the processing unit. Detection means (job cancellation detection device 515), identification information (job name information) obtained from the print information based on the detection result of the cancellation instruction by the cancellation detection means, and page information already processed by the processing means Storage means (job name storage device 513), and the cancellation from the cancellation detection means Based on the detection result of the instruction, the processing unit has already processed the data and stores the output data waiting for transfer to the printing unit (the printing unit 17 shown in FIG. 2) in a save memory (processed data storage device 517). Transfer means (the CPU 519 transmits data to the ROM 520 or the RAM 5
21 based on the transfer program loaded in the information processing apparatus), and determines whether the new identification information acquired from the print information received from the information processing apparatus is the same as the identification information stored in the storage unit. When the determination unit (job name comparison device 512) and the determination unit determine that the new identification information and the identification information are the same,
A first control unit that acquires the output data from the evacuation memory and causes the printing unit to print the output data (in this embodiment, the job processing device 516;
Alternatively, the processing may be performed based on a transfer program loaded in the RAM 521), and after the printing of the output data by the first control unit is completed, based on the number of pages stored in the storage unit. A second control unit for controlling a data processing start page of print information to be subjected to data processing by the processing unit and relaying output data of a non-output page from the printing unit (in the present embodiment, the second processing unit is a job processing device 516; CPU 519 is ROM 520,
Alternatively, the processing may be performed based on a transfer program loaded in the RAM 521), and the CPU 519 may execute the job processing device 516 based on the detection result of the cancellation instruction from the job cancellation detection device 515.
The output data that has already been processed and is waiting to be transferred to the printing unit (the printing unit 17 shown in FIG. 2) is transferred to the save memory, and is obtained from the print job received from the host computer 501. Determine whether the new job name information and the job name information stored in the job name storage device 513 are the same. When the job name comparison device 512 determines that the new job name information and the stored job name information are the same. Then, the job processing device 516 acquires the output data from the evacuation memory (processed data storage device 503) and causes the printing unit 17 to print the output data. After the printing, the job processing device 516 stores the output data in the page storage device 514. The data processing start page of the print information to be subjected to the data processing is controlled based on the number of pages, and the same print information is printed when the same print information is printed. While identifying the pages that have been printed normally and the pages that are retained and reducing the number of unprinted pages as much as possible, the print information that was canceled during the printing process It is possible to print print information efficiently.

Further, based on the result of the detection of the cancellation instruction from the job cancellation detecting device 515, the transfer means outputs the data already processed by the job processing device 516 and waiting for transfer to the printing unit 17 to the host computer. The data is transferred to an evacuation memory (processed data storage device 503) on the side of the
The job name comparing unit that determines whether the new job name information acquired from the print job received from No. 1 is the same as the job name information stored in the job name storage device 513 determines that the two job name information are the same. In this case, the job processing device 516 acquires the output data from the save memory (processed data storage device 503) on the host computer 501 side and causes the printing unit 17 to print the output data. The job processing device 51 based on the number of pages stored in the page storage device 514
6 controls a data processing start page of a print job to be subjected to data processing, and when printing the same print job, identifies a page that has already been normally printed and a page that has been retained and has not been output yet. While minimizing the number
This makes it possible to efficiently print the print information that has been canceled during the print processing and is subsequent to the page remaining as a non-output.

Further, the job cancellation detecting device 515
The transfer means, based on the result of the detection of the canceling instruction from the printer, saves the output data already processed by the job processing device 516 and waiting to be transferred to the printing unit 17 on the printing control device main body side in the printing device 511. The new job name information acquired from the print job received from the host computer 501 and the job name information stored in the job name storage device 513 are transferred to a memory (the processed data storage device 517 or a hard disk not shown). When the job name comparing unit that determines whether the job name information is the same is determined to be the same, the job processing device 516
Obtains the output data from the evacuation memory (processed data storage device 517) of the print control device main body and causes the printing unit 17 to print the output data. After the printing is completed, the job processing device 516 stores the output data in the page storage device 514. The job processing device 516 controls the data processing start page of the print job to be subjected to data processing based on the number of pages, and when printing the same print job, the page that has already been normally printed and the page that has been held. It is possible to efficiently print the print information that has been canceled during the printing process and that remains as a non-output page while reducing the number of pages that have not been output by identifying I do.

Further, the save memory (processed data storage devices 503, 517) stores the generated output data in a non-volatile manner, limits the loss of the saved output data, and utilizes the already generated output data. Enables print processing.

Further, the output data generated by the save memory composed of any of a hard disk, a floppy disk, and a magneto-optical disk is stored in a non-volatile manner to limit the loss of the saved output data, and the output data has already been generated. Print processing using the output data.

The data processing method of the print control apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the data processing method of the print control apparatus according to the present invention.
(1) to (8) indicate each step.

First, the job stored in the job storage device 502 is transferred to the I / O on the host computer 501 side.
I / O on the printing device 511 side via the interface 508
The interface 518 receives (1). Next, in the job name comparison device 512, the I / O on the printing device 511 side is performed.
The CPU 519 compares the job name received by the O interface 518 with the job name stored in the job name storage device 513 to determine whether the two job names are the same (2). If it is determined, or if no job name is stored in the job name storage device 513, the process proceeds to step (5) and the reception of the job is continued.

During the reception of the job, the CPU 519 determines whether the job cancellation detection device 515 has detected the cancellation of the job from the host computer 501 or in the printing device 511 (6). If it is determined, the job name currently being processed and the page where the job was canceled are stored in the job name storage device 513 and the page storage device 514, respectively (7).

Next, the job has been processed in the job processing device 516, that is, the data which has been developed into bitmap data but has not been printed is stored in the processed data storage device 517 (on the printing device 511 side). Since the stored data is stored in the printer 51,
The data is sent to the I / O interface 508 of the host computer 501 via the I / O interface 518 of the first computer (8), and is stored in the processed data storage device 503 of the host computer 501.

At this time, since the job being received has been canceled, after the processed data is stored in the processed data storage device 503 of the host computer 501, the processed data storage device 503 of the printing device 511 is stored. Data stored in device 517 is erased.

Next, when the same job is received again from the host computer 501 with the job name stored in the job name storage device 513 (1), the job name storage device 5
13 and the host computer 50
1 is compared with the job name received from the
To determine whether the two job names are the same (2). In this case, since the job names are the same, the processed data storage device 5 on the host computer 501 side first
03 is transmitted to the printing device 511 via the I / O interface 508, and the processed data storage device on the printing device 511 is transmitted via the I / O interface 518 of the printing device 511. 51
7 is stored. The printing device 511 first performs printing using the data that has been developed into the bitmap (3).

As a result, when the job is canceled, the page that has been developed into the bitmap data and has not been printed is output.

Next, the page for which the job cancellation has been stored in the page storage device 514 is stored in the printing device 511.
CPU 519 recognizes that the previous page, that is, the page that has been printed by the time before the job cancellation and the page that has been printed in step (3) are skipped (4), and the page where the job cancellation has occurred Perform printing.

Then, it is determined whether or not all the jobs received via the I / O interface 518 have been normally received / processed (5). If YES, the process is terminated. If NO, the process proceeds to step (6). ) Proceed to the following.

[0078]

The data processing method of the print control device configured as described above, that is, a print job can be received from an information processing device (host computer 501) via a predetermined communication medium (bidirectional interface 530). In a data processing method of a print control apparatus, the print information is subjected to data processing in page units to generate output data that can be output from a printing unit (step (1) in FIG. 6).
A detection step (step (6) in FIG. 6) for detecting a cancel instruction of the output data generation process; and identification information acquired from the print job based on the cancel instruction and the processing unit having already performed data processing. A first holding step (step (7) in FIG. 6) for holding the page information thus obtained in the first memory (page storage device 514, job name storage device 513), and data processing has already been performed based on the cancel instruction. A transfer step (step (8) in FIG. 6) for transferring unoutput data waiting for transfer to the printing unit to a save memory (processed data storage device 503); and the information processing device (host computer 501) To judge whether the new identification information acquired from the print job received from the server and the job name information stored in the job name storage device 513 are the same. Degree (step of FIG. 6 (2)), wherein when a new job name information and the job name information is determined to the same, the save memory (processed data storage device 5
03) and the printing unit 1
7 (step (3) in FIG. 6), and after the printing of the unoutput data is completed, the first printing process is performed.
Determine the data processing start page of the print job to be subjected to data processing based on the number of pages stored in the memory of,
An output step (step (4) in FIG. 6) of relaying the output data of the non-output page from the printing unit 17 is executed, and when the same print job is printed, the page that has already been normally printed and held. Efficiently print the print information that has been canceled during the printing process and that remains as a non-output page, while identifying the pages that have been output and reducing the number of pages that have not been output as much as possible. To make things possible.

In the present embodiment, the location where the processed data, that is, the data expanded into the bitmap, is stored is stored in the job storage device 50 in the host computer 501.
Although the description has been made of the case of 2, the processed data can be stored in a non-illustrated non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, or a magneto-optical disk connected to the print controller. .

Thus, when an instruction to cancel the printing process is given during the printing process, the host computer 50
When a job resent from step 1 is received, it is determined whether or not the job is the same job, the printing process of a page that has already been normally output is restricted, and output data that has already been generated but not printed is effectively used. To reduce the printing process of the remaining pages, that is, skip the pages that have been canceled and the pages of the already generated output data without performing the printing process, and restart printing from the remaining net pages. By doing so, the reprint processing time of the same job can be shortened, and printing waste can be eliminated, and printing resources can be saved.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, and C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

Further, when the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus constituted by a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

[0088]

[0093]

[0094]

[0095]

[0096]

According to the eighth aspect, the print information is subjected to data processing in page units to generate output data that can be output from a printing unit, and when a cancel instruction of the output data generation processing is detected, the cancel instruction is issued. In the first memory, the identification information acquired from the print information and the page information already processed by the processing means are stored in the first memory, and the data is already processed based on the cancel instruction to the printing unit. When the print information is received from the information processing apparatus in a state where the unoutput data waiting to be transferred is transferred to the save memory, the new identification information obtained from the received print information and the new identification information stored in the first memory are stored. When it is determined that the identification information is the same as the identification information, the unoutput data is obtained from the save memory and printed by the printing unit, After printing the data, a data processing start page of print information to be subjected to data processing is determined based on the number of pages stored in the first memory, and output data of a non-output page is relay-output from the printing unit. ,
When printing the same print information, identify the pages that have already been printed normally and the pages that are already printed, and reduce the number of unprinted pages as much as possible, while using the print information canceled during the print process. Thus, it is possible to efficiently print the print information after the page remaining as a non-output.

Therefore, when the print processing is interrupted due to some kind of error on an arbitrary page in which the print information received from the information processing apparatus is generated and output as output data by the printing unit in page units, When an instruction to cancel the print output is issued from the processing device or the printing device, the re-output of the page that has already been output normally is restricted, the printing process is resumed from the succeeding page, and the remaining pages are deleted. There is an effect that print information can be efficiently output without waste.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an output device to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of an output system to which the print control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an output system to which the print control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of a data processing method of the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an output system to which a print control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of the data processing method of the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 301 Host computer 302 Job storage device 303 CPU 304 ROM 305 RAM 306 CRT 307 I / O interface 311 Printing device 312 Job name comparison device 313 Job name storage device 314 Page storage device 315 Error detection device 316 I / O interface 317 CPU 318 ROM 319 RAM

Claims (12)

(57) [Claims] 1. A print control apparatus capable of receiving print information from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium , wherein the print information is subjected to data processing in page units to generate output data that can be output from a printing unit. Processing means for performing the data processing of the print information by the processing means.
Detecting means for detecting the interruption, and in response to the interruption being detected by the detecting means,
Memory storage means for storing the page information of the print information data processed by the identification information and the processing means is acquired from the print information, the identification information and the storage means is acquired from the print information received from the information processing apparatus Determining means for determining whether the identified identification information is the same as the identification information; and determining whether the print information determined to be the same by the determination means is the same .
Before the data processing start page is stored in the storage means
A printing control device comprising: control means for controlling based on page information . 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the interruption is an error in which printing cannot be continued.
The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print control apparatus is interrupted by a printer. 3. The interruption does not guarantee normal printing.
2. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interruption is caused by an error . 4. The interruption is for canceling data processing.
The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interruption is caused by interruption . 5. A printing control device for a laser beam printer.
The print control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: 6. An information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium.
A print control device capable of receiving print information from the print unit,
Processing means for generating output data that can be output , and cancellation of data processing of the print information by the processing means
Cancel detection means for detecting a cancellation instruction, and a detection result of the cancellation instruction by the cancellation detection means.
Based on the identification information obtained from the print information and
Print information page data processed by the processing means
Storage means for storing information; and a detection result of the cancellation instruction by the cancellation detection means.
Based on the data processing by the processing means.
Means for transferring the output data to the save memory, and identification information obtained from print information received from the information processing apparatus.
Information is the same as the identification information stored in the storage means
Determining means for determining whether or not the evacuation is performed.
The output data is obtained from the memory and output from the printing unit.
A first control means for force, the output ends of the output data by said first control means
Later, based on the page information stored in the storage unit,
Of the print information determined to be the same by the determination means.
Second control means for controlling a data processing start page.
A print control device, comprising: 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said save memory is provided on said information processing apparatus side.
The printing control device according to claim 6, wherein the printing control device is provided. 8. The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein
The printing control device according to claim 6, wherein the printing control device is provided. 9. The save memory is a non-volatile memory medium
7. The printing control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein
Place. 10. The non-volatile memory medium is a hard disk drive.
Disk, floppy disk, magneto-optical disk
10. The printing control device according to claim 9, wherein
Place. 11. Information processing device via a predetermined communication medium
Processing method of print control device that can receive print information from printer
Law, Data processing of the print information in page units
A processing step of generating output data that can be output, The data processing of the print information in the processing step is interrupted.
A detecting step of detecting that the In response to the interruption being detected by the detection step,
Identification information obtained from the print information and the processing means
Stores page information of print information that has been data processed by the column
A storage step to be stored in the unit; Identification obtained from print information received from the information processing device
Information and the identification information stored in the storage unit are the same
A determining step of determining whether or not there is; Of the print information determined to be the same in the determination step.
The data processing start page is stored in the storage unit.
Control step of controlling based on page information.
And a data processing method for a print control device. 12. Information processing device via a predetermined communication medium
Processing method of print control device that can receive print information from printer
Law, Data processing of the print information in page units
A processing step of generating output data that can be output, Canceling the data processing of the print information by the processing step
Cancellation detection process for detecting the instruction In the detection result of the cancellation instruction in the cancellation detection step
Based on the identification information obtained from the print information and
Print information page data processed by the processing means
A storage step of storing information in a storage unit; In the detection result of the cancellation instruction in the cancellation detection step
Based on the data processing and generated
Transferring the output data to the save memory; Identification obtained from print information received from the information processing device
Information is the same as the identification information stored in the storage means
A determining step of determining whether or not If the same is determined in the determination step, the evacuation is performed.
The output data is obtained from the memory and output from the printing unit.
A first control step to force; Completion of output of the output data by the first control step
Later, based on the page information stored in the storage unit
Of the print information determined to be the same in the determination step.
A second control step of controlling a data processing start page.
A data processing method for a print control device, comprising: