JP3283744B2 - Output system and data processing method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an output system and a data processing system in which an information processing device and an output device capable of executing band processing for performing expansion processing in parallel with printing processing can communicate via a predetermined communication medium. It is about the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printer connected to a host computer via an interface (for example, a Centronics interface or the like) analyzes data input from the host computer and converts bitmap data as output data of, for example, a laser beam printer. The laser beam is developed, and a laser beam modulated based on the developed data is scanned and exposed on a photosensitive drum to output image data.

Here, one page of memory is usually required for development into bitmap data, but if the paper size is A4 at a resolution of 600 DPI (DotPerInch), about 4 MBytes Memory is required, resulting in a significant increase in cost.

[0004] Therefore, one page of data is divided into several bands, and print information based on a page description language received from a host for each band is converted into a series of simple commands. This command is called a display list, and describes what is printed on the band. There are as many commands as there are bands.

Next, the display list is sequentially developed into a bitmap by analyzing the command. In this case, the necessary memory may be the memory of the display list and the memory required for developing one band.

According to this method, the memory used can be saved, and bitmap data can be developed while printing at the same time, so that the processing can be speeded up.

However, in a laser beam printer capable of executing the above band processing, bit map data must be sent in accordance with the speed of paper passing through the drum at a constant speed depending on the engine speed. Deployment on the map must also be handled to match this speed. That is, when the band development cannot be performed in time, a printing overrun occurs, and the printing of the page may be defective.

[0008] Networking of printers is progressing, and the use of one printer by a plurality of host computers by using various network operating systems is increasing. A printer in such a network environment is often set apart from a host computer. Therefore, the status of the printer can be returned to the host computer using the bidirectional interface.

The printer resolution, paper feed cassette selection, number of print copies, and whether to perform the above-described band processing can be configured by using a driver or utility from an operation panel on the printer or a host computer. It can be set.

[0010]

Since the conventional printing apparatus is configured as described above, when outputting a plurality of pages, for a page that cannot be printed, the user checks the output result of the printer, or The host computer connected to the printer via the bidirectional interface recognizes the page that could not be printed from the information of the driver and the utility, takes some action once again for the page that could not be printed, and then prompts the user to reprint. Has to be performed.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an output device,
At the time of band processing of each page, a print error due to a print overrun is detected, output error page information including all pages having a print error in the output information is generated, and after printing of all pages based on the output information is completed, The information processing apparatus is configured to notify the generated output error page to the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus analyzes the output page error information notified from the output apparatus, and has a resolution lower than the resolution of the output information already transferred. When a print error occurs due to a print overrun in the output device, re-output page information including a control command for specifying the print command or a control command for securing a memory area for one page is generated and retransmitted to the output device. Also, the printing device can freely recover the output error page generated according to the instruction from the information processing device. It provides excellent output system and an information processing apparatus and data processing method to the convenience of being able to over
That is.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus and an output apparatus capable of executing band processing for performing expansion processing in parallel with printing processing are provided via a predetermined communication medium. In a communicable output system, a transfer unit for transferring output information per page to the output device, and after transferring the output information by the transfer unit, analyze output page error information notified from the output device, Generating means for generating re-output page information including a control command for specifying a resolution lower than the resolution of the already output output information or a control command for securing a wider expansion area of the re-output page than the transferred output information; and An information processing apparatus including a retransfer unit that retransmits the generated reoutput page information to the output device; Developing means for analyzing output information in units of pages and developing the output image, storing means for storing the output image developed by the developing means, and recording based on the output image stored in the storing means A printing unit that prints on a medium, and monitors a print output state of the printing unit to detect a print error due to a print overrun in band processing during processing of each page of the output information, and detects a print error in the output information. Error information generating means for generating output error page information including all of the pages, and the output error page information generated by the error information generating means. Notification means for notifying a processing device, and the printing means for analyzing the re-output page information retransmitted from the information processing device And having an output device and control means for controlling the output.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the control means analyzes the re-output page information retransmitted from the information processing apparatus and automatically sets the resolution of the re-output page information to a low resolution. Or a control for automatically setting a wide expanded area of the re-output page information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output system in which an information processing apparatus and an output apparatus capable of executing band processing for performing expansion processing in parallel with print processing can communicate via a predetermined communication medium. In the data processing method, a transfer step of transferring output information in page units to the output device, and after transferring the output information in the transfer step, analyzing output page error information notified from the output device and transferring the output information. Generating a re-output page information including a control command that specifies a resolution lower than the resolution of the output information that has been output or a control command that ensures a wider expansion area of the re-output page than the resolution of the transferred output information; and A re-transfer step of re-transmitting the generated re-output page information to the output device; and outputting a page unit transferred from the information processing device. A developing step of analyzing information and developing the output image into an output image; a storing step of storing the output image expanded in the developing step in a storage unit; and a storage medium based on the output image stored in the storage unit. A printing process for performing printing, and a print error due to a print overrun in band processing was detected during processing of each page of the output information by monitoring a print output state in the printing process, and a print error occurred in the output information. An error information generating step of generating output error page information including all pages; and the output error page information generated in the error information generating step, after the printing of all pages based on the output information is completed, the information processing apparatus. And outputting the re-output page information re-transferred from the information processing apparatus to the output unit. Characterized by a control step of controlling.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the control step, the re-output page information retransmitted from the information processing apparatus is analyzed, and a resolution of the re-output page information is automatically set to a low resolution. Or a control for automatically setting a wide expanded area of the re-output page information.

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a sectional view for explaining the configuration of an output device to which the present invention can be applied, and shows a case of a laser beam printer.

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

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1000 denotes a laser beam printer (LBP) main body, which inputs and stores print information (character codes, etc.), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer. In accordance with the information, a corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper.

Reference numeral 1012 denotes an operation panel (operation unit) on which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged. Reference numeral 1001 denotes a printer control unit, which is an LBP main unit 1
000 and analyzes character information supplied from the host computer. This printer control unit 1
001 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1002.

The laser driver 1002 is a circuit that drives the semiconductor laser 1003, and outputs a laser beam 100 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 according to an input video signal.
4 is turned on / off. Reference numeral 1005 denotes a rotary polygon mirror which scans and exposes a laser beam 1004 on an electrostatic drum 1006 while being swung right and left. The laser beam 1004 scanned by the rotating polygon mirror 1005 forms an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern on the electrostatic drum 1006.

Reference numeral 1007 denotes a developing unit, which is an electrostatic drum 1
After developing the latent image on the electrostatic drum 1006, the latent image is transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used for this recording paper. 1008 is a paper cassette, LB
It is attached to P1000 and stores cut sheet recording paper.

Reference numeral 1009 denotes a paper feed roller, and the paper cassette 1
Take the cut sheet stored in 008 into the device,
The sheet is conveyed in the direction of the electrostatic drum 1006 by driving the conveying rollers 1010 and 1011, conveyed to the position of the conveying roller 1011 functioning as a registration roller, temporarily stopped,
The cut sheet is fed again at a timing synchronized with the leading edge of the image with the electrostatic drum 1006.

The LBP main body 1000 (printer 10
00), which is provided with at least one or more card slots (not shown) so that an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language system can be connected in addition to the built-in fonts.

The printing device is configured to be able to execute a print sequence in response to a plurality of resolution designations based on the resolution of print data, and to perform band processing according to the designated resolution. It is configured.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an output system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The output system includes an output device such as a laser beam printer (LBP body 1000) shown in FIG. And an information processing apparatus such as a host computer 3000 connected via a bidirectional interface.

If the functions of the present invention are executed, the system may be a single device, a system including a plurality of devices, or a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied.

In the host computer 3000, 1
Is a CPU for executing document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program or the like stored in the program ROM of the ROM 3, and is connected to the system bus 4. Control each device.

The program ROM of the ROM 3
Includes a CPU as shown in a flowchart described later.
1, a control program and the like, a font ROM of the ROM 3 stores font data and the like used in the document processing, and a data ROM of the ROM 3 stores various data used in the document processing and the like. Remember.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls a key input from a keyboard (KB) 9 or a pointing device (not shown). 6 is C
The display of the CRT display (CRT) 10 is controlled by an RT controller (CRTC).

A memory controller (MC) 7 accesses the external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, and editing files, and a floppy disk (FD). Control.

8 is a printer controller (PRTC)
A predetermined bidirectional interface (interface)
21 is connected to the printer 1000 and the printer 1
000 is executed. Note that the CPU 1
Executes a rasterization process of an outline font on a display information RAM set on the RAM 2, for example, to enable WYSIWYG on the CRT 10. Reference numeral 4 denotes a system bus, and the CPU 1 controls the above 1 to 3 and 5 to 8 via the system bus 4 as a whole. Reference numeral 2000 denotes a data processing unit which includes the above 1 to 8 and the like.

Further, the CPU 1 opens various registered windows based on commands specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.

In the printer 1000, reference numeral 12 denotes a printer CPU (CPU).
M or the external memory 1
4 to control overall access to various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program and the like stored in the printer 4 and output to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via a printing unit interface 16. An image signal as information is output.

The program RO of the ROM 13
M has C as shown in a flowchart described later.
The control program of the PU 12 is stored. The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data used when generating the output information.
In the case of a printer having no external memory 14, such as a hard disk, the OM stores information used on the host computer.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM, which is a main memory of the CPU 12,
It functions as a work area and the like, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an additional port (not shown). Note that RAM1
9 is an output information development area, environment data storage area, NVR
Used for AM and the like.

Reference numeral 18 denotes an input unit, which is a bidirectional interface 2
1 enables communication processing with the host computer 3000, and the printer 1000 is configured to be able to notify the host computer 3000 of information and the like in the printer.

The printing unit interface (I / F) 1
Reference numeral 6 controls a printing unit (printer engine) 17, and the printing unit 17 outputs data transmitted via the printing unit I / F 16 as a visible image on a recording sheet. The operation panel 1012 includes switches and LEDs for operation.
An indicator and the like are arranged.

A memory controller (MC) 20 controls access to the external memory 14 such as the hard disk (HD) and IC card. The external memory 14
Is connected as an option and stores printer font data, download font data, emulation programs, form data, and the like.

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

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the concept of error page re-output processing of the output system according to the present invention.
(Da), (Db) and (Dc) show the flow of data.

In the figure, the host computer 3000
Transmits print data of a plurality of pages from the PRTC 8 to the printer 1000 via the bidirectional interface 21 (Da), the input unit 18 receives the print data, analyzes the print data, and converts the print data into a bit map on the RAM 19. The data is developed and output from the printing unit 17 via the printing unit I / F 16. At this time, the number of unprintable pages is stored in the work memory on the RAM 19, and the number of unprintable pages is returned as a status after printing to the host computer 3000 via the bidirectional interface 21 (Db ).

After printing is completed, the host computer 3000 reads the status returned from the printer 1000, identifies the number of pages that could not be printed, and lowers the resolution of the print data of the pages that cannot be printed.
Alternatively, a printer control command (control command COM) for securing one page of memory and printing is added before print data (page data FP1 and EP2 to be reprinted pages) that could not be printed, and both data are output from PRTC8. By transmitting the data again to the printer 1000 via the directional interface 21 (Dc), the printer 1000 can print.

When the host computer 3000 receives an output request for a plurality of pages from an application or the like, the printer driver or the like of the host computer 3000 converts the application command into a printer command, and outputs the command from the PRTC 8 to the printer 1000 via the bidirectional interface 21. Send to The printer 1000 receives the data at the input unit 18 and stores the data in a buffer of the RAM 19. Thereafter, the RO based on the data on the RAM 19 is executed.
Printing is performed using the program stored in M13.

[0052]

In the output system configured as described above, that is, the information processing apparatus (host computer 3
000) and an output device (printer 1000) in an output system capable of communicating via a predetermined communication medium, a transfer unit (printer controller 8) for transferring output information in page units to the output device, After the transfer of the output information, the output page error information notified from the output device is analyzed and the re-output page information (control command COM, page data EP to be a reprint page) is analyzed.
1, EP2) (the CPU 1 has the ROM 3
Or a re-transfer unit (printer controller 8) that re-transfers the re-output page information generated by the generating unit to the output device. An information processing apparatus and a developing unit that analyzes output information in page units transferred from the information processing apparatus and develops the output image (the CPU 12 executes a control program stored in the ROM 13 or the external memory 14 to perform the developing processing) )
Storage means for storing the output image expanded by the expansion means (a page buffer area secured in the RAM 19 with a predetermined bandwidth); and a storage medium based on the output image stored in the storage means. A printing unit (printing unit 17) for performing printing, and a detecting unit for monitoring a print output state of the printing unit and detecting an output error page (the CPU 12 executes the control program stored in the ROM 13 or the external memory 14 to detect Processing unit), a notifying unit (input unit 18) for notifying the information processing apparatus of the output error page detected by the detecting unit,
Control means for analyzing the re-output page information re-transferred from the information processing apparatus and controlling the output of the printing means (the CPU 12 executes a control program stored in the ROM 13 or the external memory 14 to execute And an output device for controlling output). When printing the output information in page units transferred from the host computer 3000 to the printer 1000, the CPU 12 monitors the print output state and detects an output error page. In this case, the input unit 18 notifies the host computer 3000 of the output error page, and the CPU 1 generates the re-output page information by analyzing the notification, and transmits the generated re-output page information to the printer controller 8. Is a printer 1000
The CPU 12 controls the output of the printing unit 17 by analyzing the re-output page information to be re-transmitted, and an output error occurs in any page in the output information transmitted from the information processing apparatus. Even so, it is possible to automatically and normally re-output the page in which the output error has occurred.

The control means (the CPU 12 is a ROM
13 or controls the output of the printing unit 17 by executing a control program stored in the external memory 14), analyzes the re-output page information re-transferred from the information processing apparatus, and executes the printing unit (the printing unit By controlling the output resolution setting of 17), even if an output error occurs in any page in the output information transferred from the host computer 3000, the output resolution of the page in which the output error occurred is changed from the previous output. It is possible to automatically set a low value and to perform normal output again.

In this embodiment, an output system in which the printer 1000 and the host computer 3000 can communicate with each other via a predetermined interface is taken as an example. However, the printer 1000 or the host computer 3000 is regarded as a device having an independent configuration. It is also possible,
In that case, the first invention is configured as a combination of the invention of the output device and the information processing device.

The data processing method of the output system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of the data processing method of the output system according to the present invention.
This corresponds to a process of notifying of a printing failure page on the printing device side. (1) to (8) indicate each step.

First, in step (1), a work area for storing the number of unprintable pages to be returned to the host computer 3000 is secured in the RAM 19. In step (2), it is determined whether the first page has been printed. If it is determined that the first page has not been printed, in step (3), 1 page is stored in the work area in the RAM 19.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the first page has been printed, it is determined in step (4) whether or not the second page has been printed. In this case, in step (5), the number of pages 2 is stored in the work area in the RAM 19.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that the second page has been printed,
Similar processing is performed, and it is determined in step (6) whether the Nth page (final page) has been printed. If it is determined that printing has not been performed, in step (7), the work area in the RAM 19 is stored in the work area. The number of pages N is stored.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (6) that the Nth page has been printed, finally in step (8), the data is stored in the work area in the RAM 19 via the bidirectional interface 21 by the host computer 3000. The returned print error page information is returned as a print status, and the process ends.

With the above processing, the host computer 3
000 makes it possible to acquire the page number (status) of the printer 1000 in which a printing error has occurred.

That is, in an output device such as a printer connected to the host computer and in the device, when the printer prints a plurality of pages, when there is a page that could not be printed, the number of pages that could not be printed is determined by the host computer. , The command to lower the resolution of the page that could not be printed by the host computer can be added to the data of the page that could not be printed before the data can be printed from the printer.

FIG. 5 shows a first example of the output system according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the data processing method of FIG.
Print error page retransmission processing. In addition,
(1) to (6) show each step.

In step (1), the printer 100
The status returned from 0 is received and stored in the RAM 2. Next, in step (2), the content of the status is analyzed, and it is determined whether or not the content is present (there is a print error page). If it is determined that there is no content (there is no print error page), Since the status is normal, the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the contents are present (there is a print error page), in step (3), the number of pages in the status is extracted, and in step (4), Find the data for the page you want. Then, in step (5), a control command for lowering the resolution, for example, "600" DPI
If it is intended to print the data, a control command COM for printing at "300" DPI is added before the page data EP1 and EP2 to be reprinted pages, and in step (6), the print data is transmitted to the printer 1000 again. ,
The process ends.

With the above processing, it becomes possible to automatically reprint a page which could not be output due to a memory shortage or the like without being conscious of the user.

[0068]

The data processing method of the output system configured as described above, that is, an information processing device (host computer 3000) and an output device (printer 100)
In the data processing method of the output system, which is capable of communicating with the output device via a predetermined communication medium, the output page error information notified from the output device after transferring the output information in page units to the output device (FIG. 4). Steps (1) ~
(7) is analyzed to generate re-output page information (steps (1) to (5) in FIG. 5 or steps (1) to (5) in FIG. 6); Re-transferring step (step (6) in FIG. 5 or step (6) in FIG. 6) of re-transferring the re-output page information to the output device. Even if an output error occurs in any of the pages, a process of automatically transferring re-output page information for normal output of the page in which the output error occurred can be performed.

Further, an information processing apparatus (host computer 3000) and a developing means for analyzing output information in page units transferred from the information processing apparatus and developing the output image (the CPU 12 stores the information in the ROM 13 or the external memory 14 or the like) Executes the expanded control program and performs deployment processing)
Storage means for storing the output image developed by the development means (a page development area secured in the RAM 19); and printing means for performing printing on a storage medium based on the output image stored in the storage means. (Printing unit 1
7) in a data processing method of an output system capable of communicating with an output device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a detection step of monitoring a print output state of the printing unit and detecting an output error page (FIG. 4) Step (2)-
(7)), a notification step (step (8) in FIG. 4) of notifying the detected output error page to the information processing apparatus, and the re-output page information retransmitted from the information processing apparatus. And performing a switching step (not shown after step (8) in FIG. 4) of analyzing and switching the setting state of the output resolution of the printing means, to determine which page in the output information transferred from the information processing apparatus. Thus, even if an output error occurs, the output resolution of the page in which the output error has occurred can be automatically set to be lower than that at the time of the previous output, and a process of normally re-outputting can be performed.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the case of reprinting a print error page and adding a control command for lowering the resolution before page data to be reprinted has been described. In the reprinting of the print error page data due to the print overrun, a control command for securing a memory for one page may be added before the page data to be reprinted. It should be noted that the bad page notification process on the printer 1000 side is performed as shown in FIG.
Therefore, the description is omitted.

[0072]

In the output system configured as described above, the control means (the CPU 12 controls the output of the printing unit 17 by executing the control program stored in the ROM 13 or the external memory 14)
By analyzing the re-output page information retransmitted from 000, the setting of the development area (set from the band area to the full paint area) set in the storage means (RAM 19) is controlled and transferred from the information processing apparatus. Even if an output error occurs in any of the pages in the output information, the expansion area of the page in which the output error occurred is automatically set to be larger than that at the time of the previous output, thereby enabling normal output.

FIG. 6 shows a second example of the output system according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the data processing method of FIG.
Print error page retransmission processing. In addition,
(1) to (6) show each step.

In step (1), the printer 100
The status returned from 0 is received and stored in the RAM 2. Next, in step (2), the content of the status is analyzed, and it is determined whether or not the content is present (there is a print error page). If it is determined that there is no content (there is no print error page), Since the status is normal, the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the contents are present (there is a print error page), in step (3), the number of pages in the status is extracted, and in step (4), Find the data for the page you want. Then, in step (5), a control command COM for securing one page of memory in the RAM 19 is added before the page data EP1 and EP2 (see FIG. 3), and in step (6), the print data is transferred to the printer 1000 again. And ends the processing.

By the above processing, the page which could not be output due to the print overrun during the band processing is not conscious of the user, and the designated initial resolution (first "6
00 "if DPI is specified, its resolution)
Enables automatic reprinting.

That is, when the printer prints a plurality of pages by using band processing, when there is a page in which print overrun has occurred, the number of pages in which print overrun has occurred is returned to the host computer.
By adding, in the host computer, a command for securing a memory for one page for the page where the print overrun has occurred, before the data of the page where the print overrun has occurred, it is possible to cause the printer to print again.

[0079]

The data processing method of the output system configured as described above, that is, an information processing apparatus (host computer 3000), and analyzing and outputting output information in page units transferred from the information processing apparatus Expansion means for expanding the image (the CPU 12 executes a control program stored in the ROM 13 or the external memory 14 to perform the expansion processing); and storage means for storing the output image expanded by the expansion means (secured in the RAM 19). And a printing unit (printing unit 17) that prints on a recording medium based on the output image stored in the storage unit. In a data processing method of a simple output system, a print output state by the printing unit is monitored to output an output error page. A detection step (steps (2) to (7) in FIG. 4) to output, a notification step (step (8) in FIG. 4) for notifying the information processing apparatus of the detected output error page, and the information And performing a change step (step (8) and subsequent steps not shown) of FIG. 4 for analyzing the re-output page information re-transferred from the processing device and changing the setting of the expansion area set in the storage means. Even if an output error occurs on any page in the output information transferred from the information processing apparatus, the expansion area of the page in which the output error occurred is automatically changed to be larger than that at the previous output, and is normally output again. It is possible to perform a process of causing

[Other Embodiments] In the above embodiment, the case where the printer 1000 returns a print error page number as a print status to the host computer 3000 has been described. Alternatively, the host computer may add a control code corresponding to each error cause before each page data and retransmit the data to the printer.

In this case, even if the cause of the error is different for each page where a printing error has occurred, the reprinting process can be automated.

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. In this case, by reading out 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 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.

[0085]

As described above, according to the output system of the present invention, the output device detects a print error due to a print overrun during band processing of each page, and a print error occurs in the output information. It is configured to generate output error page information including all pages and notify the information processing apparatus of the generated output error page after printing of all pages based on the output information is completed.
The information processing apparatus analyzes output page error information notified from the output device, and specifies a control command or 1 that specifies a resolution lower than the resolution of the output information already transferred.
By generating re-output page information including a control command for securing a memory area for a page and re-transmitting the page information to the output device, even if a print error occurs due to a print overrun in the output device, the information processing device may output the page information. It is possible to construct a highly convenient output system in which the printing apparatus can freely recover the output error page generated according to the instruction.

[0086]

According to the data processing method of the present invention, the output device detects a print error due to a print overrun at the time of band processing of each page, and outputs an output error including all pages in which a print error occurred in the output information. The page information is generated, and after the printing of all the pages based on the output information is completed, the generated output error page is notified to the information processing apparatus.
The output page error information notified from the output device is analyzed, and re-output page information including a control command for specifying a resolution lower than the resolution of the already transferred output information or a control command for securing a memory area for one page is generated. And re-transfer to the output device, so that even if a print error occurs due to a print overrun in the output device, the print device can freely recover the output error page generated according to the instruction from the information processing device. It is possible to construct an output system with excellent performance.

[0088]

[0089]

[0090]

[0091]

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an output system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the concept of error page re-output processing of the output system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of the data processing method of the output system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a first data processing method of the output system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a second data processing method of the output system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 4 System bus 5 Keyboard controller (KBC) 6 CRT controller (CRTC) 7 Memory controller (MC) 8 Printer controller (PRTC) 9 Keyboard (KB) 10 CRT display (CRT) 11 External memory 12 CPU 13 ROM 14 external memory 15 system bus 16 printing unit interface (I / F) 17 printing unit 18 input unit 19 RAM 20 memory controller (MC) 21 bidirectional interface 200 control unit 1000 printer 1001 printer control unit 1012 operation unit 3000 host computer

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-7-256953 (JP, A) JP-A-2-52763 (JP, A) JP-A-7-266631 (JP, A) JP-A-5-119938 (JP) , A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/12

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An output system in which an information processing device and an output device capable of executing band processing for performing expansion processing in parallel with print processing can communicate via a predetermined communication medium. A transfer unit that transfers the output information to the output device; and a control that, after the transfer of the output information by the transfer unit, analyzes output page error information notified from the output device and specifies a resolution lower than the resolution of the output information that has already been transferred. Generating means for generating re-output page information including a command or a control command for securing a development area of a re-output page wider than the resolution of the transferred output information; and outputting the re-output page information generated by the generating means to the output device. An information processing apparatus having a re-transfer unit for re-transferring the information, and analyzing output information in page units transferred from the information processing apparatus. Developing means for developing the output image into a force image; storage means for storing the output image developed by the developing means; printing means for printing on a recording medium based on the output image stored in the storage means; An output error page including all pages in which a print error has occurred in the output information by monitoring a print output state by a printing unit, detecting a print error due to a print overrun in band processing during processing of each page of the output information, Error information generating means for generating information; notifying means for notifying the information processing apparatus of the output error page information generated by the error information generating means after printing of all pages based on the output information is completed; Control means for analyzing the re-output page information re-transferred from the information processing apparatus and controlling the output of the printing means. Output system, characterized in that it comprises an output device to obtain a. 2. The control means for analyzing the re-output page information re-transferred from the information processing device and automatically setting the resolution of the re-output page information to a lower resolution, or the re-output. 2. The output system according to claim 1, wherein a control for automatically setting a wide area of the page information is executed. 3. A data processing method for an output system in which an information processing device and an output device capable of executing band processing for performing expansion processing in parallel with printing processing can communicate via a predetermined communication medium. A transfer step of transferring output information to the output device; and, after the transfer of the output information in the transfer step, analyzing output page error information notified from the output device, and a resolution lower than the resolution of the output information already transferred. Generating a re-output page information including a control command for specifying the re-output page information including a control command for securing a development area of the re-output page wider than the resolution of the transferred output information; and the re-output page information generated by the generating step A re-transfer step of re-transferring to the output device; analyzing output information in page units transferred from the information processing device; A storage step of storing the output image expanded in the expansion step in a storage unit; and a printing step of printing on a recording medium based on the output image stored in the storage unit. Monitoring the print output state in the printing process, detecting a print error due to a print overrun in band processing when processing each page of the output information, and including all pages in which a print error has occurred in the output information. An error information generating step of generating output error page information; and a notifying step of notifying the information processing apparatus of the output error page information generated by the error information generating step after printing all pages based on the output information. Controlling the output of the printing unit by analyzing the re-output page information retransmitted from the information processing apparatus The data processing method of an output system, comprising a. 4. The control step includes: analyzing the re-output page information re-transmitted from the information processing apparatus, and automatically setting a resolution of the re-output page information to a low resolution, or the re-output. 4. The data processing method for an output system according to claim 3, wherein control is performed to automatically set a wide area for expanding page information.