JP3210565B2 - Printer control device and printer control method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention communicates with a plurality of printers via a predetermined communication medium, converts output information from a predetermined application program into print information which can be analyzed by any printer, and transfers the print information. And a printer control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a printer control program resident in an information processing apparatus as a data source, when a print request is issued from an application program of the information processing apparatus,
A printer control device that converts the output information requested to be printed into print information that can be translated by a printing device and transfers the print information has been put to practical use in accordance with each printer description language.

[0003] The current printer control device is configured so that various print control instructions can be issued in accordance with the functions of the printing device, for example, a staple function, a sort function, a duplex function, and the like. Further, when the printer is configured as a printer shared on a network, a printer control device compatible with a network that allows a printer selected by a user to perform printing has been put to practical use.

[0004] In particular, for a printer capable of single-sided or double-sided printing having functions such as stapling and sorting using a printer control device compatible with a network, for example, on a printer setting screen of the information processing device, 1
If you specify to staple or sort page documents, or to staple or sort two-page documents in duplex printing, the printer controller unconditionally staples or sorts the printer specified by the user. And other control commands.
In this case, if the printer on the network is a single-sided or double-sided printing printer that does not have a staple, sort, etc. function, there is no problem even if the staple, sort, etc. control commands are transferred.

In addition, it is not necessary to staple and sort a one-page document, and it is not necessary to staple and sort a two-page document by double-sided printing. Such a setting instruction should be invalidated. Was.

[0006]

Accordingly, a user can select a single-sided or double-sided printer having a staple function and a sort function by selecting a staple or sort for a one-page document or a two-sided print for a two-page document. Was output to the printer as a valid instruction.

As a result, when another user on the network wants to print a multi-page document using functions such as stapling and sorting, there is a problem that the printer may be in use.

Further, even when the user selects the most suitable printer in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, in a printing application in which the number of pages of a print document is not known until the user tries to print, one or both sides having a staple function and a sort function are provided. Whether you should select a printer to output or whether to output to a single-sided or double-sided printer that does not have a staple function or sort function, you need to print it, and the user always consciously selects the optimal printer. There was a problem that it was difficult to select.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to store the presence or absence of an extendable functional unit in each printer for each printer, and to issue a print instruction. From the printer functional unit requested by the print instruction and the output information output by the print instruction, the print information is stored in order to allow selection of a printer in which the printer functional unit requested by the print instruction is stored without connection. By controlling the transfer destination of the printer, the functional unit of the printer requested by the print instruction and the output information output by the print instruction, even if a certain functional unit is requested, A printer control device capable of selecting a printer to which the functional unit of the printer is not connected and enabling efficient printing by a printer adapted to the output information. And to provide a printer control method.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of printers communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium, and any printer can analyze output information from a predetermined application program. A printer control device that converts and transfers the print information to various printer information, the storage unit for storing the presence or absence of the connection of the extendable functional unit to each printer, for each printer, and the functional unit of the printer requested by a print instruction. A function unit of the printer requested by the print instruction, based on the output information output by the print instruction, to allow selection of a printer stored as no connection from the storage contents of the storage unit. And control means for controlling the transfer destination of the print information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the printer control device is connected to a plurality of printers via a network and has a function of transferring the print instruction.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the functional unit includes a sorter unit for controlling and sorting the printed recording medium, a stapler unit for binding a predetermined number of copies, or printing on both sides of the recording medium. It is composed of a double-sided unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the output information requested by the print instruction has one page, and the functional unit of the printer requested by the print instruction is a stapler unit or a sorter. In the case of a unit or a double-sided unit, regardless of the request for the print instruction, the print information is stored in the storage unit so as to allow selection of a printer stored when the unit is not connected. The control means controls the destination of the transfer.

A fifth invention according to the present invention communicates with a plurality of printers via a predetermined communication medium and converts output information from a predetermined application program into print information which can be analyzed by any printer. A printer control method in a printer control device for transferring data to a printer, wherein a storage step of storing the presence or absence of an expandable functional unit in each printer in a storage means for each printer, and a functional unit of the printer required by a print instruction And the output information output by the print instruction, the function unit of the printer requested by the print instruction allows selection of a printer stored as no connection from the storage contents of the storage means. And a control step of controlling the transfer destination of the print information.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the printer control device is connected to a plurality of printers via a network and has a function of transferring the print instruction.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the functional unit is a sorter unit for controlling and sorting the printed recording medium, a stapler unit for binding a predetermined number of copies, or a unit for printing on both sides of the recording medium. It is composed of a double-sided unit.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the output information requested by the print instruction has one page, and the functional unit of the printer requested by the print instruction is a stapler unit or a sorter. In the case of a unit or a double-sided unit, regardless of the request for the print instruction, the print information is stored in the storage unit so as to allow selection of a printer stored when the unit is not connected. The above-mentioned control step controls the transfer destination.

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an information processing system to which a printer control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied. This information processing system uses a predetermined communication medium. Corresponding to a case in which the computer terminal 1 and the plurality of printers 2 and 3 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via the PC.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an information processing device (computer terminal), which includes a computer terminal CPU 1a, a memory 1
b, a display device 1c, a fixed disk device 1d such as a hard disk (HD), a removable disk drive 1e such as a floppy disk drive, a system clock 1f, etc., and a predetermined interface (for example, Ethernet (Ethernet (trade name)) specification Can communicate with the printer 2 and the printer 3 via the interface 4).

The computer terminal CPU 1a makes a determination and a determination shown in a flowchart described later in accordance with a program stored in the fixed disk device 1d or another storage medium.
The processing is executed to control the entire computer terminal 1. The memory 1b is a work area of the computer terminal CPU 1a. The display device 1c is a display device such as a CRT, the fixed disk device 1d is a storage device such as a hard disk, and the removable disk drive 1e is a storage device such as a floppy disk.

The fixed disk device 1d has a removable disk drive 1e by a communication program or a removable disk drive 1e.
Stores a plurality of printer drivers based on a predetermined page description language installed from a floppy disk set in a fixed disk. At the time of a print request from various application software activated from the device 1d or the like, control is performed to convert output information into print information that can be analyzed by the printers 2 and 3 and transfer the print information.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a printer which is connected to the interface 4 so as to communicate with the computer terminal 1 and a computer terminal (not shown) on the network.
The stapling device 2e and the sorting device 2f that perform the sorting function processing are configured to be connectable. The main body control unit includes a printer CPU 2a, a development memory 2b, a printing unit 2c,
Receiving memory 2d, stapling device 2e, sorting device 2
f, which is constituted by a ROM (not shown), analyzes control information and print information from a printer control program (printer driver) installed in the fixed disk device 1d of the computer terminal 1, and performs staple function processing and sort function processing. It is configured to be able to do it.

The printer CPU 2a has a ROM (not shown)
In accordance with the program stored in the printer 2. The reception memory 2d functions as a reception buffer for temporarily storing print information from the computer terminal 1.
The expansion memory 2b expands bitmap data analyzed by the CPU 2a based on the print information stored in the reception memory 2d.

The stapling device 2e includes a printing unit 2c.
Staple processing is performed on the recording medium discharged from the printer. The sorting device 2f performs a sorting process on the recording medium discharged from the printing unit 2c according to the set sort mode (group, sort, non-sort). The printing unit 2c includes a laser beam printer engine, an inkjet printer engine, and the like.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a printer which is connected to the interface 4 so as to communicate with the computer terminal 1 and a computer terminal (not shown) on the network.
The stapler 2e and the sorter 2f that perform the sort function processing are not provided, and the main body control unit includes a printer C.
It comprises a PU 3a, a development memory 3b, a printing unit 3c, a reception memory 3d, and a ROM (not shown).

The printer CPU 3a controls the entire printer 3 according to a program stored in a ROM (not shown). The receiving memory 3d is the computer terminal 1
It functions as a receiving buffer for temporarily storing print information from. The development memory 3b develops bitmap data analyzed by the CPU 3a based on the print information stored in the reception memory 3d. The printing unit 3c includes a laser beam printer engine, an inkjet printer engine, and the like.

In the information processing system thus configured, the computer terminal 1 is connected to the printer 2 and the printer 3 via the interface 4 via a network, installed in the fixed disk device 1d of the computer terminal 1, and A specified page description language (for example, PostScript, LIPS, CaP
The print data converted based on the SL (including the product name) or the like can be transmitted to instruct printing.

The printer 2 includes the printing unit 2c.
When the stapling or sorting is instructed to the printer driver operating on the computer terminal 1 by the stapling apparatus 2e or the sorting apparatus 2f, the sheet as the recording medium printed in the step 1 is stapled or sorted. The paper is ejected.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a printer equipment setting screen displayed on the display device 1c shown in FIG. 1. The printer 2 and the printer 3 are provided by the selected printer driver of the computer terminal 1. Corresponds to the screen for setting the equipment.

In the figure, (a1) and (a2) are equipment setting screens which are displayed on the display device 1c when the respective functions of the stapling device 2e and the sorting device 2f of the printer 2 are set. A selection button 20a is designated by a pointing device (not shown).

(B) is an apparatus setting screen which is displayed on the display device 1c when setting the functions of the printer 3.

As shown in this figure, when the equipment setting screen (a1) is displayed on the display device 1c, the selection button 20 is displayed.
When a is designated by a pointing device (not shown), the display screen is switched to the equipment setting screen (a2), and the function can be selected (presence / absence). It should be noted that the item highlighted in black and white in the figure indicates the selected item.
Therefore, the stapler unit is set to “present” for the printer 2. It is assumed that the equipment setting screen (a1) is displayed when a switch such as an option setting is instructed on a higher-level printer setting screen (not shown).

Similarly, for the printer 3, each function can be selected (with or without) by instructing the selection button 20 a with a pointing device (not shown). Since the stapler 2e and the sorter 2f shown in the printer 2 are not provided, both the stapler unit and the sorter unit are set to "none".

[0038]

In the printer control device configured as described above, that is, it communicates with a plurality of printers 2 and 3 via a predetermined communication medium (interface 4), and outputs output information from a predetermined application program to one of the printers. In a printer control device that converts print data that can be analyzed by a printer and transfers the print information, setting means (CPU 1a is connected to the fixed disk device 1d by the CPU 1a to set the presence or absence of an expandable functional unit to each of the printers 2 and 3) A pointing device or the like is operated on a setting screen displayed on the display device 1c by the stored printer driver to set by a button instruction) and whether or not each functional unit for each printer is set by the setting means. Storage means for storing (fixed disk device 1d), and detecting the number of pages of the output information Detecting means (detected by the CPU 1a according to an instruction of a printer driver stored in the fixed disk device 1d), connection of the number of pages detected by the detecting means with each extension unit of each printer stored in the storing means A control means for controlling the transfer destination of the print information to one of the printers based on the presence / absence thereof (the CPU 1a controls according to an instruction of a printer driver stored in the fixed disk device 1d); The CPU 1a controls the distribution of the transfer destination of the print information to one of the printers based on the presence or absence of the connection of each expansion unit for each printer stored in the disk device 1d,
It is possible to automatically select an optimum printer capable of executing a functional unit process corresponding to the number of output pages and to transfer print information.

The functional unit is constituted by a sorter unit (sorting device 2f) for controlling and sorting the printed recording medium, and the number of pages detected and each printer stored in the fixed disk device 1d. The CPU 1a controls the distribution of the transfer destination of the print information to any one of the printers based on whether or not the sorting device 2f is connected to each of the printers, and automatically selects an optimal printer capable of executing a functional unit process corresponding to the number of output pages. It is possible to transfer print information.

Further, the functional unit is constituted by a stapler unit (stapling device 2e) for controlling the conveyance of the printed recording medium and binding a predetermined number of copies, and stores the detected number of pages and the fixed disk device 1d. The control means controls the distribution of the transfer destination of the print information to any one of the printers based on the presence / absence of connection of each stapling device 2e for each of the printers, and executes an optimal unit process that can execute a functional unit process corresponding to the number of output pages. It is possible to automatically select a printer and transfer print information. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of the printer control method according to the present invention, and corresponds to a printing process by a printer driver on the computer terminal 1. Note that (1) to (13) indicate each step.

When there is a print instruction from the print application on the computer terminal 1, first, in step (1), the data instructed by the print application on the computer terminal 1 is sent to the CPU 2a of the printer 2,
The CPU 1a converts the data into a printer language (for example, a page description language) that can be interpreted by the CPU 3a of the printer 3.

Next, in step (2), the CPU 1a determines whether or not one page of data has been converted to a printer language in step (1), and one page of data has been converted to the printer language. If not,
The conversion processing of step (1) is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that one page of data has already been converted to the printer language, then in step (3), it is determined whether all pages have been converted to the printer language. The CPU 1a determines whether the printed page is a single page or not, and if it is determined that all the pages have been converted to the printer language, that is, if it is determined that the printed page is a single page, the sorting and stapling functions are required. Therefore, in step (13), the CPU 1a transmits a print instruction for the first page to the print unit 3c of the printer 3 having no sort / staple function via the interface 4, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that all the pages have not been converted to the printer language, that is, if it is determined that there are a plurality of pages, the sorting and stapling functions are necessary, and the subsequent processing is performed. Sort by,
Output to the printer 2 having the stapling function.

Next, in step (4), it is determined whether or not the setting of the printer driver is to execute sorting.
If U1a determines that sorting has not been performed, the process proceeds to step (6).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that sorting has been performed, in step (5), sheets to be printed on the printing unit 2c are sorted and output to the sorting device 2f of the printer 2. The instruction is issued by the CPU 1a via the interface 4. Next, in step (6), the converted printer language is sent to the printing unit 2c of the printer 2 via the interface 4 as C.
PU1a instructs printing of the first page.

Next, in step (7), the data of the next page is converted into a printer language that can be interpreted by the printer 2.
U1a converts. Then, in step (8),
It is determined whether or not one page of data has been converted to the printer language. If it is determined that one page of data has not been converted to the printer language, the conversion process of step (7) is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (8) that the data for one page has already been converted into the printer language, in step (9), the CPU 1a sends the data to the printing unit 2c of the printer 2 via the interface 4. 1
Send a print instruction for the page. Next, step (1)
In step (0), it is determined whether or not printing of all pages has been completed. If it is determined that printing of all pages has not been completed, the processing of steps (7) to (10) is repeated again.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (10) that printing of all pages has been completed, step (1)
In 1), the CPU 1a determines whether the setting of the printer driver is stapling, and if it is determined that stapling is performed, the process proceeds to step (1).
In 2), an instruction is given to the stapling device 2e of the printer 2 to staple the printed document, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (11) that stapling has not been performed, the processing is terminated.

[0053]

In the printer control method in the printer control device configured as described above, that is, a plurality of printers 2 and 3 and a predetermined communication medium (interface 4)
In a printer control method for converting output information from a predetermined application program into print information that can be analyzed by any of the printers and transferring the print information, a connection between extendable functional units to each of the printers 2 and 3 A setting step of setting presence / absence for each printer (pre-processing (not shown) in step (1) of FIG. 3) and a registration step of registering the set presence / absence of connection of each functional unit for each printer in a storage medium (Pre-processing (not shown) of step (1) in FIG. 3), a detection step (step (3) in FIG. 3) for detecting the number of pages of the output information, and the detected number of pages and the storage means The distribution step (from step (3) in FIG. 3 to step (3) in FIG. 3) for distributing the transfer destination of the print information to one of the printers based on the presence or absence of the connection of each extension unit for each printer stored in (4) or step (3) to step (13)) to automatically select an optimal printer capable of executing a functional unit process corresponding to the number of output pages and transfer print information. Processing can be performed.

According to the above processing, when printing a one-page document, there is no need to perform stapling or sorting on the printed recording medium, and even if the user has selected the stapling function or sorting function. By automatically selecting and printing a printer that does not have functions such as stapling and sorting on the network, the user can select printing on the optimal printer on the network without being aware of it. It is possible to operate the printer efficiently.

As a result, it is possible to suppress occurrence of a situation where the printer is in use when another user on the network wants to print a multi-page document using functions such as stapling and sorting.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, a printer for single-sided printing having functions such as stapling and sorting and a printer for single-sided printing not having functions such as stapling and sorting are connected to a network. In the above description, a case is described in which the respective printers are optimally selected according to the state of the created print pages. Each printer has a duplex printing unit, and one of the printers further includes staples and sorts. The most suitable printer may be selected when a printer capable of executing the above function is connected to a network. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of another information processing system to which a printer control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention can be applied. The same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 denote the same parts. It is attached.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an information processing device (computer terminal), which includes a computer terminal CPU 1a, a memory 1
b, a display device 1c, a fixed disk device 1d such as a hard disk (HD), a removable disk drive 1e such as a floppy disk drive, a system clock 1f, etc., and a predetermined interface (for example, Ethernet (trade name)) specification Can communicate with the printer 2 and the printer 3 via the interface 4).

The computer terminal CPU 1a makes a determination and a determination shown in a flowchart described later according to a program stored in the fixed disk device 1d or another storage medium.
The processing is executed to control the entire computer terminal 1. The memory 1b is a work area of the computer terminal CPU 1a. The display device 1c is a display device such as a CRT, the fixed disk device 1d is a storage device such as a hard disk, and the removable disk drive 1e is a storage device such as a floppy disk.

The fixed disk drive 1d has a removable disk drive 1e by a communication program or a removable disk drive 1e.
Stores a plurality of printer drivers based on a predetermined page description language installed from a floppy disk set in a fixed disk. At the time of a print request from various application software activated from the device 1d or the like, control is performed to convert output information into print information that can be analyzed by the printers 2 and 3 and transfer the print information.

A printer 2 is connected to the interface 4 so as to communicate with the computer terminal 1 and a computer terminal (not shown) on the network.
The stapling device 2e and the sorting device 2f for performing the sort function processing are configured to be connectable, and the main body control unit includes a printer CPU 2a, a development memory 2b, a duplex printing unit 2
g, a receiving memory 2d, a stapling device 2e, a sorting device 2f, and a ROM (not shown), and a printer control program (printer driver) installed in the fixed disk device 1d of the computer terminal 1.
It is configured to analyze control information and print information from the printer and perform staple function processing, sort function processing, and double-sided printing function processing.

The printer CPU 2a has a ROM (not shown)
In accordance with the program stored in the printer 2. The reception memory 2d functions as a reception buffer for temporarily storing print information from the computer terminal 1.
The expansion memory 2b expands bitmap data analyzed by the CPU 2a based on the print information stored in the reception memory 2d.

The stapling device 2e performs a stapling process on the recording medium discharged from the duplex printing unit 2g.
Further, the sorting device 2f performs a sorting process on the recording medium discharged from the duplex printing unit 2g according to the set sorting mode (group, sorting, non-sorting). The two-sided printing unit 2g includes a laser beam printer engine, an inkjet printer engine, and the like.

The double-sided printing unit 2g prints on the surface of the recording medium fed from a paper feeding unit (not shown), and then reverses the surface of the recording medium via a reverse conveyance path to print the already printed image. It is assumed that the printing unit includes a duplex unit and a printing unit for refeeding paper to the engine unit so that printing can be performed on the back surface opposite to the front surface, and the duplex unit is configured to be detachable from the printing unit.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a printer which is connected to the interface 4 so as to communicate with the computer terminal 1 and a computer terminal (not shown) on the network.
The stapler 2e and the sorter 2f that perform the sort function processing are not provided, and the main body control unit includes a printer C.
It comprises a PU 3a, a development memory 3b, a duplex printing unit 3g, a reception memory 3d, and a ROM (not shown).

The printer CPU 3a controls the entire printer 3 according to a program stored in a ROM (not shown). The receiving memory 3d is the computer terminal 1
It functions as a receiving buffer for temporarily storing print information from. The development memory 3b develops bitmap data analyzed by the CPU 3a based on the print information stored in the reception memory 3d. The duplex printing unit 3g includes a laser beam printer engine, an inkjet printer engine, and the like.

After printing is performed on the surface of the recording medium fed from a paper feeding unit (not shown) by the duplex printing unit 3g, the surface of the recording medium is reversed via a reversing conveyance path, and the already printed image is printed. It is assumed that the printing unit includes a duplex unit and a printing unit for refeeding paper to the engine unit so that printing can be performed on the back surface opposite to the front surface, and the duplex unit is configured to be detachable from the printing unit.

In the information processing system configured as described above, the computer terminal 1 is connected to the printer 2 and the printer 3 via the interface 4 via a network, installed in the fixed disk device 1d of the computer terminal 1, and A specified page description language (for example, PostScript, LIPS, CaP
The print data converted based on the SL (including the product name) or the like can be transmitted to instruct printing.

Further, the printer 2 instructs the printer driver operating on the computer terminal 1 to execute stapling or sorting on the paper as the recording medium printed by the duplex printing unit 2g, thereby stapling the stapling device 2e. Alternatively, the sheets are stapled by the sorting device 2f or are discharged after sorting.

Further, when the printer 2 and the printer 3 are both installed on the computer terminal 1 and instructed to execute double-sided printing from the selected printer driver, the double-sided printing units 2g and 3g use both sides of the recording medium. If the instruction to execute single-sided printing has been given, printing can be performed on one side of the recording medium by the double-sided printing units 2g and 3g.

Further, setting of a sort function, a staple function, and the like for the printer driver on the computer terminal 1 is as follows.
The setting can be performed in the same manner as the method shown in FIG. 2, and the setting of the double-sided printing function can be instructed on a print request screen displayed at the time of a print instruction (not shown).

[0073]

In the printer control device configured as described above, a plurality of printers 2 and 3 each having a duplex unit for controlling the conveyance of a recording medium and performing printing on both sides of the recording medium, and a predetermined communication medium ( Interface 4)
A printer unit that converts output information from a predetermined application program into print information that can be analyzed by any of the printers and transfers the print information to the printers 2 and 3. Setting means for setting presence / absence for each printer (the CPU 1a operates a pointing device or the like on a setting screen displayed on the display device 1c by a printer driver stored in the fixed disk device 1d and sets by a button instruction) Storage means (fixed disk device 1d) for storing the presence / absence of connection of each functional unit for each printer set by the setting means, and detection means (CPU 1a for detecting the number of printed pages on both sides of the output information) 1d), and is detected by the detection means. Control means for distributing the transfer destination of the print information to any one of the printers based on the number of double-sided printed pages and the presence / absence of connection of each extension unit for each printer stored in the storage means (the CPU 1a stores the transfer destination of the print information in the fixed disk device 1d) CPU 1a controls one of the printers based on the detected number of double-sided print pages and the presence / absence of connection of each extension unit for each printer stored in fixed disk device 1d. The transfer destination of the print information is controlled so as to automatically select an optimum printer capable of executing a functional unit process corresponding to the number of double-sided pages, and transfer the print information.

The functional unit is constituted by a sorter unit (sorting device 2f) for controlling and sorting the printed recording medium, and the number of double-sided printed pages detected and each stored in the fixed disk device 1d. The CPU 1a controls the distribution of the transfer destination of the print information to one of the printers based on the connection / non-connection of the sorting device 2f for each printer, and automatically selects an optimal printer capable of executing a functional unit process corresponding to the number of double-sided printed pages. To transfer the print information.

Further, the functional unit is constituted by a stapler unit (stapling device 2e) that controls the conveyance of the printed recording medium and binds it by a predetermined number of copies. The control means controls the distribution of the transfer destination of the print information to any one of the printers based on the presence or absence of the connection of each stapling device 2e for each of the stored printers, and can execute a functional unit process corresponding to the number of double-sided printed pages. It is possible to automatically select an optimum printer and transfer print information.

Hereinafter, the printer control method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing a second embodiment of the printer control method according to the present invention, and correspond to the printing process by the printer driver on the computer terminal 1. In addition, (1) to (22) indicate each step.

When a print instruction is issued from a print application on the computer terminal 1, first, in step (1), a page indicating a page converted into a printer language is displayed.
Initialize by substituting “0” into a variable. Next, in step (2), the CPU 1a converts the data instructed by the print application from the print application on the computer terminal 1 into a printer language that can be interpreted by the printer 2 and the printer 3.

Next, in step (3), the CPU 1a determines whether or not one page of data has been converted to a printer language in step (2), and one page of data has been converted to the printer language. If not,
The conversion processing of step (2) is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that one page of data has already been converted into the printer language, the value of the page variable is incremented by "1" in step (4).

Next, in step (5), page
The CPU 1a determines whether the variable is greater than or equal to "2" or has been converted to an all-page printer language, and determines that the page variable is smaller than "2" and that the conversion of all pages to the printer language has not been completed. If (N), the process returns to step (2).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (5) that the page variable is “2” or more, or if it is determined that the conversion of all pages into the printer language has been completed, the process proceeds to step (6). The CPU 1a determines whether or not all pages have been converted into the printer language, that is, whether or not all the printed pages are one or two pages, and determines that all the pages have been converted into the printer language. If this is the case, that is, if it is determined that the total number of printed pages is one or two, the process proceeds to step (9) and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (6) that all the pages have not been converted to the printer language yet, that is, if it is determined that the total number of print pages is three or more, the number of print results is 2 Since the sorting and stapling functions may be required when the number of sheets becomes more than one, the converted print pages are output to the printer 2 having the sorting and stapling functions in the subsequent processing.

Next, in step (7), it is determined whether or not the setting of the printer driver is to execute duplex printing.
If the PU 1a determines that double-sided printing has not been performed, the process proceeds to step (11) and subsequent steps. If it is determined that double-sided printing has been performed, the process proceeds to step (8). The CPU 1a instructs the two-sided printing unit 2g via the interface 4 to perform the printing from now on on both sides.

Next, in step (11), it is determined whether or not the setting of the printer driver is to execute the sort.
If the PU 1a determines that sorting has not been performed, the process proceeds to step (13) and the subsequent steps. If it is determined that sorting has been performed, step (1) is performed.
In 2), the CPU 1a instructs the sorting device 2f of the printer 2 via the interface 4 to sort and output sheets to be printed on the duplex printing unit 2g.

Next, in step (13), the CPU 1a transmits a print instruction for the first and second pages to the double-sided printing unit 2g of the printer 2 having the sort and stapling function via the interface 4. Next, in step (14), the data of the next page is
Is converted into a printer language that can be interpreted by the CPU 1a.

Then, in step (15), it is determined whether or not the data for one page has been converted to the printer language. If it is determined that the data for one page has not been converted to the printer language yet, The conversion processing of step (14) is repeated.

On the other hand, in step (15),
If it is determined that the data for the page has been converted to the printer language, in step (16), the CPU
1a transmits a print instruction for one page. Next, in step (17), it is determined whether or not printing of all pages has been completed. If it is determined that printing of all pages has not been completed, the processing of steps (14) to (17) is performed again. repeat.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (17) that printing of all pages has been completed, step (1)
In step 8), the CPU 1a determines whether or not the setting of the printer driver is stapling. If it is determined that stapling is not performed, the process is terminated and it is determined that stapling is performed. In this case, in step (19), the stapling device 2e of the printer 2 is instructed to staple the printed document, and the process ends.

On the other hand, in step (6), all pages are converted into the printer language (one page or two pages in total).
If the page variable is determined to be “page”, the CPU 1a determines in step (9) whether the page variable is “1”, that is, the total number of printed pages is “1”, and the page variable is determined to be “1”. In this case, since sorting and stapling is not required, in step (22), the double-sided printing unit 3g of the printer 3 having no sorting and stapling function is required.
The CPU 1a transmits a print instruction for the first page via the interface 4 to terminate the process.

On the other hand, in step (9), page
If it is determined that the variable is not “1”, that is, if it is determined that the total number of print pages is two, the step (1)
In step 0), the CPU 1a determines whether or not the setting of the printer driver is to execute double-sided printing. If it is determined that double-sided printing is not to be executed, the number of print results becomes two and the sorting and stapling functions are required. In some cases, the process proceeds to step (11), and in a subsequent process, the data is output to the printer 2 having the sorting and stapling function.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (10) that double-sided printing has been executed, the number of print results is one, and sorting and stapling are not required. Printing unit 3g
Interface 4 to print the future print on both sides
Via the interface 4 to the duplex printing unit 3g of the printer 3 having no sorting and stapling functions in step (21).
1a transmits a print instruction for the first page and the second page, and ends the processing.

[0094]

The printer control device in the printer control device configured as described above includes a double-sided unit (the printing units 2g and 3g) for controlling the conveyance of the recording medium and performing printing on both sides of the recording medium. A printer control method that communicates with a plurality of printers 2 and 3 via a predetermined communication medium (interface 4), converts output information from a predetermined application program into print information that can be analyzed by any printer, and transfers the print information. A setting step (pre-processing (not shown) of step (1) in FIG. 5) for setting presence or absence of connection of an extendable functional unit to each of the printers 2 and 3 for each printer; A registration process (pre-processing (not shown) of step (1) in FIG. 5) for registering the presence or absence of connection of each functional unit in a storage medium; A detection step (steps (1) and (4) in FIG. 5) for detecting the number of double-sided printed pages of the force information, and the detected double-sided printed page number and each extension stored in the storage unit for each printer A distribution step of allocating the transfer destination of the print information to any one of the printers based on the presence or absence of the unit connection (processing from step (6) to step (7) in FIG. 5 and step (6) to step (6) in FIG. 5) After (9), steps (21) and (22) are executed) to automatically select an optimal printer capable of executing a functional unit process corresponding to the number of double-sided printed pages, and transfer print information. Processing can be performed.

In the above processing, when printing a single document such as a one-page document or a two-sided two-page document, there is no need to perform stapling or sorting. Even if the sort function is selected, by controlling and printing so that a printer that does not have staple and sort functions on the network is automatically selected, the optimum A printer can be selected, and a plurality of printers having various functions can be operated more efficiently.

As a result, when another user on the network wants to print a multi-page document using functions such as stapling and sorting, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the printer is in use. Can significantly improve the printing efficiency of all the printers.

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. .

Further, by downloading and reading out a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a database on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can be
It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0100]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the eighth aspect, the presence / absence of connection of an expandable function unit to each printer is stored for each printer, and the function unit of the printer requested by the print instruction and the output information output by the print instruction From the above, since the function unit of the printer requested by the print instruction controls the transfer destination of the print information so as to allow the selection of the printer stored as not connected, the function unit of the printer requested by the print instruction And the output information output by the print instruction, even if a certain functional unit is requested, a printer to which the functional unit of the printer requested by the print instruction is not connected is selected and the output information is output. And an excellent effect such as efficient printing by a printer adapted to the printer.

[0101]

[0102]

[0103]

[0104]

[0105]

[0106]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system to which a printer control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a printer equipment setting screen displayed on the display device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of a printer control method according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of another information processing system to which a printer control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the printer control method according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a printer control method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Computer terminal (information processing device) 1a Computer terminal CPU 1b Memory 1c Display device 1d Fixed disk device 1e Removable disk drive 1f System clock 2 Printer 2a Printer CPU 2b Expansion memory 2c Printing unit 2d Receiving memory 2e Stapling device 2f Sorting device 3 Printer (printing device) 3a Printer CPU 3b Expansion memory 3c Printing unit 3d Receiving memory 4 Interface

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] A printer control device that communicates with a plurality of printers via a predetermined communication medium, converts output information from a predetermined application program into print information that can be analyzed by any printer, and transfers the print information. Storage means for storing for each printer the presence or absence of connection of an expandable functional unit to each printer, a functional unit of the printer requested by a print instruction,
From the output information output in response to the print instruction,
The functional unit of the printer required by the printing instruction is
No connection is stored from the storage contents of the storage means.
Control means for controlling a transfer destination of the print information so as to permit selection of a printer. 2. The printer control device according to claim 1, wherein the printer control device includes a plurality of printers.
Connected to the printer via a network, and
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device has a function of transmitting.
Printer control device. 3. A sorter unit for controlling conveyance of a printed recording medium to sort the printed recording medium or a predetermined unit.
For stapler units or recording media
3. The printer control device according to claim 1, wherein the printer control device comprises a duplex unit for printing on both sides . 4. The output information requested by the print instruction.
Page number is 1 and the page requested by the print instruction is
If the function unit of the printer is a stapler unit or software
Data unit or double-sided unit,
Regardless of the printing instruction request, from the storage content of the storage means,
It is remembered that those units are not connected
The transfer destination of the print information to allow the selection of the printer
2. The control means controls
Or the printer control device according to 2. 5. A printer in a printer control device which communicates with a plurality of printers via a predetermined communication medium, converts output information from a predetermined application program into print information which can be analyzed by any printer, and transfers the print information. A control method that stores the presence / absence of connection of expandable functional units to each printer.
Means for storing for each printer in the means, a functional unit of the printer required by a print instruction,
From the output information output in response to the print instruction,
The functional unit of the printer required by the printing instruction is
No connection is stored from the storage contents of the storage means.
A control step of controlling a transfer destination of the print information so as to permit selection of a printer. 6. A printer control device comprising :
Connected to the printer via a network, and
6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the device has a function of transmitting.
Printer control method. 7. The functional unit includes a printed recording medium.
Sorter unit that controls and sorts body transport or specified
For stapler units or recording media
It must be composed of a duplex unit for printing on both sides.
7. The printer control method according to claim 5, wherein
Law. Claim 8. The output information requested by the print instruction
Page number is 1 and the page requested by the print instruction is
If the function unit of the printer is a stapler unit or software
Data unit or double-sided unit,
Regardless of the printing instruction request, from the storage content of the storage means,
It is remembered that those units are not connected
The transfer destination of the print information to allow the selection of the printer
6. The control step controls:
Or the printer control method according to 6.