JP3231924B2 - Print processing method and information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a print processing method and an information processing apparatus for starting a printer driver and performing form overlay print processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printer driver installed in a computer only converts data instructed to be printed into data that can be understood by a printing apparatus.

[0003] In addition, this kind of printer driver
When printing a large number of documents in a fixed format such as forms,
If the form is registered in a printing apparatus having a function of registering the form (hereinafter, form registration function) and a function of overlaying and outputting the registered form and the printed matter (hereinafter, overlay function), the printing time can be reduced.

[0004]

However, in order to use the function of registering a form in a printing apparatus, a dedicated program must be used, and the print result of a commonly used general-purpose program is used as a form. You cannot register.

In addition, the conventional printer driver only converts data instructed to be printed by an application into data that can be understood by the printing apparatus, and thus cannot use the form registration function and overlay function of the printing apparatus. There was a point.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and there is provided a method of converting data instructed by an application to be printed into first print data which can be interpreted by a printer, based on settings in a printer driver. 1, a second conversion process for converting data instructed to be printed by the application into second print data as form data to be overlaid on the print data, and the first print data and the form By initiating one of the data and a third conversion process for converting the data into third print data for overlay printing on a printer, a print instruction is issued from an application using a data conversion function of a normal printer driver. Data and generated form data and form overlay print processing To provide a printing method and an information processing apparatus capable of enhancing the ability say easily.

[0007]

A first invention according to the present invention is a print processing method in a printer driver,
A first conversion process for converting data instructed by the application to be printed into first print data that can be interpreted by a printer; and a second conversion process in which the data instructed by the application to be printed is overlaid on the print data as form data. A second conversion process of converting the print data into
A conversion process including a third conversion process for converting the first print data and the form data into third print data for overlay printing with a printer, To third
And a start-up step of judging the setting in the setting step and starting one of the first to third conversion processes.

[0008] A second invention according to the present invention comprises a holding step of holding paper size information of the second print data at the time of second print data conversion based on the second conversion processing;
And a determination step of comparing and determining the held paper size of the second print data and the paper size of the first print data during the conversion processing. This is invoked when the sizes match.

A third invention according to the present invention includes a notifying step of determining whether form data to be overlaid on the first print data is registered in the printer and notifying the application program. A fourth invention according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus including a printer driver, wherein the first apparatus converts data instructed by an application to be printed into first print data that can be interpreted by a printer.
And a second conversion process of converting data instructed by the application to be printed into second print data as form data to be overlaid on the print data, and the first print data and the form data And a third conversion process for converting the data into a third print data for overlay printing by a printer, and converting the data instructed to be printed by the application into one of first to third data. Setting means for setting whether to perform the setting, and starting means for judging the setting by the setting means and starting any of the first to third conversion processes by using the printer driver. A fifth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the processing means of the printer driver holds the paper size of the second print data at the time of the second print data conversion based on the second conversion processing, A determination unit configured to compare and determine a held paper size of the second print data with a paper size of the first print data during the third conversion process; Is activated when the paper sizes match. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the processing means of the printer driver includes a notifying means for determining whether form data to be overlaid on the first print data is registered in the printer and notifying the application program. . A seventh invention according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus including a printer drum, wherein inquiry means for inquiring a registration state of form data in the printing apparatus, and wherein the form data is registered in the printing apparatus in response to the inquiry A printing unit that permits designation of an overlay using form data, a conversion unit that converts data instructed by an application to be printed into print data that can be interpreted by the printing device, , Generate code to instruct overlay printing,
And outputting means for outputting the print data to which the code is added using a printer driver. An eighth invention according to the present invention is a print processing method in a printer driver, wherein an inquiry step for inquiring a registration state of form data in a printing device, and the form data is registered in the printing device in response to the inquiry In the case, a permission step of permitting designation of an overlay using form data in the printing device,
A conversion step of converting data instructed to be printed by an application into print data that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus, and an output for generating a code for instructing overlay printing during overlay printing and outputting print data to which the code is added And a process. A ninth invention according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus including a printer driver, wherein a first conversion process for converting data instructed to be printed by an application into first print data interpretable by a printer, A second conversion process of converting data instructed by the application to print into second print data as form data to be overlaid on the print data, and overlay printing on the printer from the first print data and the form data And a setting step for setting whether to convert data instructed to be printed by the application into one of first to third data. And a start step of determining one of the first to third conversion processes by determining the setting in the setting step. And executes using the printer driver. According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including a printer driver, wherein an inquiry step for inquiring a registration state of form data in the printing apparatus, and wherein the form data is registered in the printing apparatus in response to the inquiry When the overlay printing is performed, a permission step of permitting designation of an overlay using form data in the printing apparatus, a conversion step of converting data instructed to be printed from an application into print data interpretable by the printing apparatus, , A code for instructing overlay printing, and an output step of outputting print data to which the code is added are executed using a printer driver.

[0010]

In the first invention, when it is set whether to convert the data instructed to print from the application program into one of the first to third data, the setting state is determined and the first data is determined. One of the first to third conversion steps is selected and activated, and the first to third conversion steps are individually activated by a print instruction from an application program.

[0011]

[0012]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing system to which a printing method according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

The main part of this system comprises a central processing unit D1, a main storage unit D2, a display unit D3, an input unit D4 and a printing unit D5.

The central processing unit D1 controls a main storage device D2, a display device D3, and an input device D4.
Responsible for logical operations. The main storage device D2 stores information necessary for the information processing device to perform information processing,
Can be taken out if necessary.

The display device D3 displays a result of processing a figure, a character, or the like, and includes a CRT and a liquid crystal.
Denotes various inputs to the central processing unit D1, such as a keyboard and a mouse. The printing device D5 prints the result of processing figures, characters, and the like. In the present invention, the function of registering the data transferred from the central processing unit D1 as a form, the registered form and the central processing unit D1 It has a function to overlay data transferred from it.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of an information processing system to which a printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer driver P
D has a function of converting data instructed to be printed by the application APL into data (printer code) that can be understood by the printing apparatus D5.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a print setting screen displayed on the display device D3 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, when a setting instruction of a printing process, a registration process, and an overlay (overlay) process is performed, a corresponding process is selected and instructed by a pointing device (not shown) and the application APL is executed.
To that effect.

Hereinafter, a print processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a first processing procedure in a print processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that (1) to (14) indicate each step.

First, it is determined whether a print mode setting is instructed by the user (1). If the user is instructed to set the print mode, the print mode is set (2).

The setting of the print mode in the present embodiment is performed by using the input device D4 from the setting window area shown in FIG. 3 displayed on the display device D3.
One of “overlay” is indicated. The print mode set here is stored in the main storage device D2.

However, it is determined whether or not the overlay is permitted, and if no registration has been made, the “overlay” cannot be selected by displaying it in gray or the like. When it is determined in step (1) that printing has been instructed, in step (2), the main storage device D
2. The print modes stored on the screen are “print”, “register”,
It is determined whether it is any of “overlay” (3).
When it is determined in (3) that the print mode is “print”, the data instructed to be printed is converted into data (printer code) that can be understood by the printing device D5 and stored in the main storage device D2. (4).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the print mode is "register", a code for instructing the printing apparatus D5 to start registration is generated first.
It is stored on the main storage device D2 (5). Next, the data instructed to be printed is converted into data (printer code) that can be understood by the printing apparatus D5, and stored in the main storage device D2 (6).

Then, a code for instructing the printing device D5 to end the registration is generated and stored in the main storage device D2 (7). Thereafter, the paper size and the like of the data instructed to be registered are stored in the main storage device D2 (8). In addition, since overlay can be performed when registration is performed, overlay is permitted (9).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the print mode is "overlay", the paper size and the like of the data for which overlay has been instructed are first stored in the main storage device D2 in step (9). It is determined whether the registered data matches the paper size or the like (1).
0).

If the paper sizes and the like do not match, the processing is terminated because overlay cannot be performed.

On the other hand, if the paper size and the like match in the determination in step (10), a code is generated to instruct the printing apparatus D5 to start overlay (11).
It is stored on the main storage device D2.

Next, the data for which printing has been instructed is converted into data (printer code) that can be understood by the printing device D5 (12) and stored in the main storage device D2. Then, a code for instructing the printing device D5 to end the overlay is generated (13) and stored in the main storage device D2.

Finally, the printer code stored in the main storage device D2 is transferred to the printing device D5 (14), and the process is terminated.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in a print processing method for starting a printer driver which is a program dedicated to printing and having a first process of converting data designated to be printed into data that can be understood by a printing apparatus, A second process of setting whether to convert the data instructed to be printed into data for printing, registration, or overlay;
A third process of converting the data instructed to be printed into data that can be registered in the printing device as a form, and the form registered in the printing device and the data instructed to be printed are overlaid in the printing device by the third process Processing, a fifth processing for determining which of the first processing and step 4 has been set in step 2 for the data for which printing has been instructed, and a printing apparatus in the third processing. A sixth process for storing the paper size of the form registered in the fourth process, and a seventh process for determining whether the paper size and the like of the data to be overlaid in the fourth process match the paper size and the like stored in the sixth process When printing a large number of documents with a fixed form, such as forms, without printing a general-purpose program at all, It is possible to use a function to overlay functions and print results and forms for registering the over arm individually independently, it is possible to shorten the print processing time.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a second processing procedure in the print processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention. Note that (1) to (13) indicate each step.

If it is determined in step (1) that printing has been instructed, the print mode stored in the main storage device D2 in step (2) is changed to "print",
It is determined whether it is “registration” or “overlay” (3). If it is determined in (3) that the print mode is “print”, the data instructed to be printed is converted into data (printer code) that can be understood by the printing device D5 and transferred to the printing device D5 (4). ).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the print mode is "register", a code for instructing the printing apparatus to start registration is first generated and transferred to the printing apparatus D5 ( 5). Next, data (printer code) that allows the printing device to understand the data instructed to print
And transfer it to the printing device D5 (6).

Then, a code for instructing the printing apparatus D5 to finish registration is generated and transferred to the printing apparatus D5 (7). Thereafter, the paper size and the like of the data instructed to be registered are stored in the main storage device D2 (8). In addition, since overlay can be performed when registration is performed, overlay is permitted (9).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the print mode is "overlay", the paper size and the like of the data for which overlay has been instructed are first stored in the main storage device D2 in step (10). It is determined whether the registered data matches the paper size or the like of the registered data.

If the paper sizes and the like do not match, the processing is terminated because overlay cannot be performed.

On the other hand, if the paper size and the like match in the determination in step (10), a code is generated to instruct the printing apparatus D5 to start overlay (11).
Transfer to the printing device D5.

Next, the data for which printing has been instructed is converted into data (printer code) that can be understood by the printing apparatus D5 (12) and transferred to the printing apparatus D5. Then, a code for instructing the printing apparatus D5 to end the overlay is generated (13), transferred to the printing apparatus D5, and the processing is ended.

In this embodiment, steps (4), (5), (6), (7), (1) in the first data processing are performed.
In 1), (12), and (13), the printer code to be transferred to the printing device D5 is stored in the main storage device D2, and this is performed without performing the process last transferred in step (14). Steps (4), (5), (6), (7), (11), (1) are not stored in the main storage device D2.
2) and (13), a printer code is generated and transferred to the printing device D5 as needed.

As a result, since it is not necessary to store the printer code in the main storage device D2, the printing control can be performed without reducing the storage capacity.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a third processing procedure in the print processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention. (1) to (8) indicate each step.

In step (1), it is determined whether the designated mode is set, and if so, step (2)
In, the mode is set, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that printing has been instructed, the data for which printing has been instructed is converted into data (printer code) that can be understood by the printing apparatus D5, and is stored in the main storage D2. Remember (3).

Thereafter, it is determined whether the print mode stored in the main storage device D2 in step (2) is any of "print", "register", and "overlay" (4).

If it is determined in step (4) that the print mode is "register", the printer code stored in the main storage device D2 is transferred to the printing device D5 in step (5). It is changed to be registered in the device D5 and stored in the main storage device D2 (5). After this,
The main storage device D2 stores the paper size and the like of the data instructed to be registered.
Stored above (6). Also, since overlay can be performed when registration is performed, overlay is permitted (7).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that the print mode is "overlay", the paper size and the like of the data for which overlay has been instructed are stored in the main storage device D2 and registered. It is determined whether the data matches the paper size or the like (9).

If the paper sizes and the like do not match, the overlay cannot be performed. Therefore, the process proceeds to step (8) and thereafter. If the paper sizes and the like match, the process proceeds to step (10). When the printer code stored in the storage device D2 is transferred to the printing device D5, the printer code is changed so as to be overwritten (overlaid) with the previously registered data, and stored in the main storage device D2.

Finally, the printer code stored in the main storage device D2 is transferred to the printing device DD5 (8).

As a result, since the step of generating the printer code and the step of disabling the registration and overlay functions are separated, they can be implemented as separate programs, and can be made as separate programs. . Therefore, when the (1) registration and overlay functions are not used, the capacity of the main storage device can be reduced. (2) The function can be upgraded and released separately. (3) When the registration and overlay functions are not used at all, there is an effect that the capacity of the auxiliary storage device does not need to be used. [Second Embodiment] The operation of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. The hardware configuration of the information processing system to which the printing method is applied is the same as that in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a print processing designation screen of the application displayed on the display device D3 shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, (1)-
(8) shows each step.

First, it is determined which mode is set (1). If the initialization processing is determined in step (1), it is assumed that the form has not been registered in the printing apparatus D5, and "overlay disabled" is displayed in the area for storing the registration state in the main storage apparatus D2. Set (8).

If the application APL is displayed on the display device D3 in step (1) as shown in FIG. 7, any one of "print", "register", and "overlay" is designated by the input device D4. Is determined (2).

If it is determined in step (1) that "print" has been instructed by the input device D4 from the area shown in FIG. 7 where the application APL is displayed on the display device D3, Is converted into data (printer code) that can be understood by the printing device D5, and stored in the main storage device D2 (6). Then, in step (6), the data stored in the main storage device D2 is output to the printing device D5 (5).

If it is determined in step (1) that "registration" has been instructed by the input device D4 from the area shown in FIG. 7 where the application APL is displayed on the display device D3, AP
When the data specified by L is transferred to the printing device D5, it is converted so that it is registered as a form, and stored in the main storage device D2 (3).

Next, after this, the form is registered in the printing apparatus D5 and the overlay is enabled, so that "overlay possible" is set in the area of the main storage device D2 where the registered state is stored (4). . Then, in step (4), the data stored on the main storage device D2 is transferred to the printing device D5.
(5).

If it is determined in step (1) that “overlay” has been instructed by the input device D4 from the area shown in FIG. 7 where the application APL is displayed on the display device D3, The data from the application APL is converted so that the registered form and the data specified by the application APL are overlaid, and stored in the main storage device D2 (7). Then, in step (7), the main storage device D
2 is output to the printing device D5. If in step (1), the application APL
If it is determined that the overlay is permitted from the application A, it is determined whether the overlay is permitted from the area for storing the registration status on the main storage device D2.
Notify the PL (2).

When the application APL is notified from the printer driver PD that the overlay is not permitted, the application APL changes the area indicating the overlay in the area shown on the display device D3 as shown in FIG. By changing the display to a display different from that of the other areas, for example, gray display, it is possible to prevent the instruction of the overlay.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the print processing method for starting the printer driver which is a print-only program having the first processing for converting the data instructed to be printed into the data that can be understood by the printing apparatus, A second process for converting the specified data into data that can be registered in the printing apparatus as a reform when registration is instructed from the application, and a second processing for registering the overlay in the printing apparatus when the application instructs overlay. Since there is a third process for converting the data instructed to be reformed so as to be overlaid on the printing device and a fourth process for notifying the application whether or not the form is registered in the printing device, a form or the like is determined. When printing a large number of documents with a form in the form, change the general-purpose program completely And no, because the ability to overlay functions and print results and forms for registering the form of the printing apparatus can be used independently individually, it is possible to shorten the print processing time.

Also, instead of registering or setting overlays and instructing printing, direct registration or overlay instructions from the application can reduce the number of operation steps and reduce the number of post-operations by the user. is there.

Further, since it is possible to notify the application that overlay cannot be performed, the application does not entrust the operation of instructing overlay to the user, so that the user can prevent wasteful printing beforehand.

In the above embodiment, it is assumed that no form has been registered in the printing apparatus D5 in step (8) of FIG. 8, and "overlay disabled" is set in the area for storing the registration state on the main storage apparatus D2. . After the registration process,
In step (4), "overlay possible" is set in the area for storing the registration state on the main storage device D2. If it is determined in step (1) that the inquiry is an inquiry, it is determined whether an overlay is permitted from the area for storing the registration status on the main storage device D2. Although the case of notifying has been described, in a system in which the printer driver PD can check the registration status of the printing device D5, the registration status is not directly stored in the main storage device D2 but is directly registered in the printing device D5. And notifies the application APL. That is,
Steps (8) and (4) can be deleted.

As a result, the program size can be reduced. Further, in the embodiment, it is assumed that the form is not registered in the printing apparatus at the time of starting the program. However, in the present embodiment, since the printing apparatus is inquired, accurate registration information can be known.

Further, in the above embodiment, it is assumed that the form is not registered in the printing apparatus at the time of starting the program, and in step (8) of FIG. 8, it is assumed that the form is not registered in the printing apparatus D5. Then, "overlay disabled" is set in the area for storing the registration state on the main storage device D2.
Instead of assuming that the form is not registered in 5, a configuration may be adopted in which the user sets the registration state using the input device D <b> 4 from the area of the setting screen of the printer driver PD as shown in FIG. 9.

As a result, the registration state can be set by the user, and it is possible to avoid a situation in which the overlay cannot be performed even though the form is registered in the printing apparatus.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a laser beam printer applied to the printing apparatus D5 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a laser beam printer to which the present embodiment is applied. The laser beam printer is configured so that a character pattern can be registered and a fixed format (form data) can be registered from a data source (not shown). I have.

In the figure, reference numeral 1000 denotes a laser beam printer (LBP) main body (hereinafter, simply referred to as a main body).
Character information (character code) and form information or macro instructions supplied from an external device such as a host computer connected to the outside are input and stored, and a corresponding character pattern, form pattern, and the like are stored in accordance with the information. It is created and an image is formed on recording paper as a recording medium. Reference numeral 1112 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation and an LED display or an LCD display for displaying the status of the printer are provided. 1101 denotes a printer for controlling the entire LBP 1000 and analyzing character information and the like supplied from the host computer. It is a control unit. The printer control unit 1101 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern, and
02 is output. The laser driver 1102 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1103, and switches on / off a laser beam 1104 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1103 according to an input video signal. Thus, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1106. Reference numeral 1105 denotes a rotating polygon mirror.

This latent image is developed by the phenomenon unit 1107 around the electrostatic drum 1106 and then transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used as the recording paper, and the cut sheet is a paper cassette 11 mounted on the main body 1000.
08, and is taken into the apparatus by the paper feed roller 1109 and the transport rollers 1110 and 1111 and supplied to the electrostatic drum 1106.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one 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.

[0073]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, there is provided a print processing method in a printer driver, comprising: a first conversion process for converting data instructed to be printed by an application into first print data that can be interpreted by a printer; A second conversion process of converting the converted data into second print data as form data to be overlaid on the print data, and a third conversion process for performing overlay printing with a printer from the first print data and the form data. A conversion step having a third conversion process of converting the print data into print data; a setting step of setting whether data instructed to be printed by the application is converted into any of first to third print data; An activation step of determining the setting in the setting step and activating any of the first to third conversion processes. A first different in accordance with the setting by freely activate the third conversion process, any of the conversion processing being requested can be executed in a single printer driver.

According to the second aspect, a holding step of holding the paper size information of the second print data at the time of the second print data conversion based on the second conversion processing, And a determining step of comparing and determining the stored paper size of the second print data with the paper size of the first print data, and the third conversion process determines that the paper sizes match in the determining step. If the paper sizes do not match, a second conversion process is performed to convert the data instructed by the application to print into second print data as form data to be overlaid on the print data. It is not necessary to do so, and it is possible to avoid useless form overlay printing in which a normal printing result cannot be obtained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the printer includes the notification step of determining whether form data to be overlaid on the first print data is registered in the printer and notifying the application program, the application program can execute the first program. It is possible to reliably recognize the registration state of the form data overlaid on the print data.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including a printer driver, wherein a first conversion process for converting data instructed by an application to be printed into first print data which can be interpreted by a printer; A second conversion process for converting data instructed by the application to be printed into second print data as form data to be overlaid on the print data, and overlaying the first print data and the form data on a printer A conversion step including a third conversion process for converting the print data into third print data for printing, and setting as to whether the data instructed to be printed by the application is to be converted into any of first to third data. A setting step, and a starting step of determining one of the settings in the setting step and starting one of the first to third conversion processes The so performed using the printer driver can be executed from a first different in accordance with the setting by freely activate the third conversion process, any of the conversion process which is required for one printer driver. According to the fifth aspect, in the processing step of the printer driver, a holding step of holding the paper size of the second print data at the time of the second print data conversion based on the second conversion processing; And a determination step of comparing and determining the held paper size of the second print data and the paper size of the first print data during the conversion processing. It starts when the sizes match, so if the paper sizes do not match,
The second data as form data to be overlayed with the print data by the data instructed by the application to be printed.
It is not necessary to execute the second conversion process of converting the print data into the print data, and it is possible to avoid useless form overlay printing that cannot obtain a normal print result. According to the sixth aspect, the processing step of the printer driver includes a notification step of determining whether form data to be overlaid on the first print data is registered in the printer and notifying the application program of the form data. The program can reliably recognize the registration state of the form data to be overlaid on the first print data. According to the seventh aspect, there is provided an information processing apparatus including a printer drum, wherein an inquiry step for inquiring a registration state of form data in the printing apparatus, and the form data is registered in the printing apparatus in response to the inquiry A permission step of permitting designation of an overlay using form data in the printing apparatus; a conversion step of converting data instructed to be printed from an application into print data that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus; Since a code for instructing printing is generated and an output step of outputting print data to which the code is added is executed using a printer driver,
When form data that can be printed by overlay printing is registered, data instructed by the application to be printed can be converted into print data that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus, and useless form overlay printing that cannot obtain a normal print result is performed. Can be avoided. According to the eighth invention, there is provided a print processing method in a printer driver, comprising: an inquiry step of inquiring about a registration state of form data in a printing apparatus; and a case where form data is registered in the printing apparatus in response to the inquiry. A permission step of permitting designation of an overlay using form data in the printing apparatus; a conversion step of converting data instructed by an application to be printed into print data that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus; And an output step of outputting print data to which the code is added.
When form data that can be printed by overlay printing is registered, data instructed by the application to be printed can be converted into print data that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus, and useless form overlay printing that cannot obtain a normal print result is performed. Can be avoided. According to the ninth aspect, there is provided an information processing apparatus including a printer driver, wherein a first conversion process for converting data instructed to be printed by an application into first print data that can be interpreted by a printer; A second conversion process for converting print-instructed data into second print data as form data to be overlaid on the print data;
A third conversion process for converting the print data and the form data into third print data for overlay printing by a printer, and converting the data instructed to be printed by the application into the first to third data. Using the printer driver, a setting step of setting whether to convert to any one of the data, and a starting step of determining the setting in this setting step and starting one of the first to third conversion processes. Since the execution is performed, different first to third conversion processes can be started freely according to the settings, and one of the required conversion processes can be executed by one printer driver. According to the tenth aspect, there is provided an information processing apparatus including a printer driver, wherein an inquiry step for inquiring a registration state of form data in the printing apparatus, and wherein the form data is registered in the printing apparatus in response to the inquiry A permission step of permitting designation of an overlay using form data in the printing apparatus; a conversion step of converting data instructed to be printed from an application into print data that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus; An output process for generating a code for instructing printing and outputting print data to which the code is added is executed using a printer driver. Therefore, if overlay printable form data is registered, a print instruction is issued from the application. The printing device can interpret the data Can be converted to Do print data, it is possible to avoid wasteful form overlay printing as not normal printing results. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to easily expand the function of performing the form overlay printing process with the data instructed by the application to print, the generated form data, and the form overlay using the data conversion function of the normal printer driver. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing system to which a printing method according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of an information processing system to which a printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen displayed on the display device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a first processing procedure in a print processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a second processing procedure in a print processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a third processing procedure in a print processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a print processing designation screen of an application displayed on the display device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an overlay setting screen of a printer driver displayed on the display device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a laser beam printer to which the present embodiment is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 D1 Central processing unit D2 Main storage device D3 Display device D4 Input device D5 Printing device

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-153422 (JP, A) JP-A-5-212934 (JP, A) JP-A-4-272879 (JP, A) JP-A-63-1988 278863 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/12

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. A print processing method in a printer driver.
A first conversion process for converting data instructed to be printed by an application into first print data that can be interpreted by a printer, and form data in which the data instructed to be printed by the application is to be overlaid with the print data When
A second conversion process for converting the print data into second print data;
The first print data and the form data are
To the third print data for overlay printing
A conversion process having a third conversion process for converting the data, and printing data instructed by the application from the first application.
To convert to any of the third to third print data
Setting process and a printing processing method in a printer driver which comprises a an activation step of one to launch of the first to third conversion process to determine the setting by said setting step that. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the second print data is converted based on the second conversion process, the paper size information of the second print data is stored.
A holding step of holding the second print data during the third conversion process.
And a chromatography data of the sheet size and the first comparison determination step of determining a paper size of the print data, the third conversion process is activated when the paper size determination process is coincident with said Rukoto The print processing method according to claim 1. 3. A printing process according to claim 1, wherein the form data to be overlaid on the first print data to the printer is characterized in that it comprises a notification step that notifies the application program to determine whether the registered Method. (4) Information processing device including printer driver
So, The printer sends the data instructed by the application to print.
First conversion processing for converting into first print data
And data instructed by the application to print
And the form data to be overlaid with the print data
A second conversion process for converting the print data into second print data;
The first print data and the form data are
3rd print data for overlay printing
Conversion means having a third conversion process for conversion; The data instructed to be printed from the application is stored in the first
To convert to any of the third to third data
Setting means, The setting by the setting means is determined and the first to third
Activating means for activating one of the conversion processes; Is executed using the printer driver.
Information processing device. (5) In the processing means of the printer driver, During the second print data conversion based on the second conversion process,
Holding means for holding the paper size of the second print data
When, During the third conversion process, the held second print data is stored.
Paper size of data and paper size of the first print data
Determination means for comparing and determining In the third conversion process, the paper size is matched by the determination unit.
5. The information according to claim 4, wherein the information is activated in the case of:
Processing equipment. 6. In the processing means of the printer driver, A format that is overlaid on the first print data by the printer.
Application data by determining whether
And a notification means for notifying the application program.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein 7. Information processing device including printer driver
So, Queries the registration status of form data in the printing device
Inquiry means Form data in the printing device in response to the inquiry
Is registered in the printer,
To specify overlays using firmware data
Means, Print the data instructed by the application to print
A conversion unit that converts the print data into print data that can be interpreted by the device; During overlay printing, a code to instruct overlay printing
And print data with the code added
Output means for performing Is executed by using a printer driver.
Information processing device. Claim 8. Print processing method in printer driver
And Queries the registration status of form data in the printing device
Inquiry process and , Form data in the printing device in response to the inquiry
Is registered in the printer,
To specify overlays using firmware data
Process and Print the data instructed by the application to print
A conversion step of converting into print data that can be interpreted by the device; During overlay printing, a code to instruct overlay printing
And print data with the code added
Output process, A print processing method comprising: 9. Information processing device including printer driver
So, The printer sends the data instructed by the application to print.
First conversion processing for converting into first print data
And data instructed by the application to print
And the form data to be overlaid with the print data
A second conversion process for converting the print data into second print data;
The first print data and the form data are
3rd print data for overlay printing
A conversion step having a third conversion process for conversion; The data instructed to be printed from the application is stored in the first
To convert to any of the third to third data
Fixed process, The setting in this setting step is determined and the first to third settings are determined.
A start step for starting any of the conversion processes; Is executed using the printer driver.
Information processing device. 10. Information processing device including printer driver
And Queries the registration status of form data in the printing device
Inquiry process, Form data in the printing device in response to the inquiry
Is registered in the printer,
To specify overlays using firmware data
Process and Print the data instructed by the application to print
A conversion step of converting into print data that can be interpreted by the device; During overlay printing, a code to instruct overlay printing
And print data with the code added
Output process, Is executed by using a printer driver.
Information processing device.