JP3320264B2 - Memory shortage processing method for printing, printer system, printer device, printer interface - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a memory shortage processing method for processing a shortage of memory capacity for storing data for printing during printing, and a printer system, a printer, and a printer interface for implementing the memory shortage processing method. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printer devices capable of registering and drawing data such as forms, fonts, and macro data have been known. If a memory shortage occurs during data registration in such a printer device, the registered data is deleted, so that there is a disadvantage that all the registered data cannot be drawn. On the other hand, there is a printer device which can perform a drawing process by banding process and perform a process of lowering the resolution when the memory capacity is insufficient. However, since information such as the cause of the memory shortage state and how much memory is required is not notified to the outside, the user often cannot grasp the cause and cannot perform any medical treatment.

[0003]

That is, not only can the registered data not be drawn, but no information can be obtained as to how much memory should be added to register the registered data. Even if you think that the printer is equipped with memory, if the printer uses the print memory after registration and there is no more memory available to expand the objects, the resolution often drops due to insufficient memory. appear. Since the user could not grasp the internal cause of such a stop or delay of the printing process, no appropriate action is taken.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art and, when a memory shortage occurs, notifies a user of information including at least the memory shortage and the shortage capacity, thereby enabling the printing process to be performed. Since the internal cause of the stop or delay can be accurately grasped, appropriate measures can be taken promptly.

[0005] A memory shortage processing method according to the present invention is a memory shortage processing method for processing a shortage of memory capacity for storing print data at the time of printing. When the shortage is detected, at least a memory shortage and a shortage are displayed to notify the user. Here, the print data includes registration data such as forms, fonts, and macro data, which are an aggregate of a plurality of objects, and drawing data to be printed. The print data is registered data such as a form, font, macro data, etc., which is an aggregate of a plurality of objects. When a memory shortage is detected, it is determined whether to register the registered data. The inquiry is further displayed, and when the drawing is instructed, the registered data is drawn, and when the deletion is instructed, the registered data is deleted, whereby the print processing can be promptly returned. Further, the data for printing is object data to be printed, and performs a process of lowering the resolution when a memory shortage is detected, and the displayed insufficient capacity is an average value of the memory shortage at the time of the resolution lowering process. By including the maximum value, appropriate measures such as an increase in the memory capacity can be expected. Further, the display is performed on a display unit selected from the printer control unit and the host computer, thereby increasing the possibility of transmitting information to the user.

Further, the printer system of the present invention, in a printer system for performing printing based on the transferred print data, monitors a memory shortage at the time of transfer of the print data and detects a memory shortage. In this case, there is provided a display means for displaying at least the memory shortage and the insufficient capacity to notify the user.

Here, the print data includes registration data such as form, font, macro data and the like, which are an aggregate of a plurality of objects, and drawing data to be printed. The print data is registered data such as a form, font, macro data, etc., which is an aggregate of a plurality of objects, and the display means draws the registered data when the memory shortage is detected. Further displaying a question as to whether or not to perform, and further comprising drawing control means for drawing the registered data when drawing is instructed, and for deleting the registered data when deletion is instructed. Thus, the print processing can be quickly returned. Further, the print data is drawing data to be printed, and further includes a resolution conversion unit that performs a process of lowering a resolution when a memory shortage is detected, and the display unit includes, as the insufficient capacity, the resolution of the resolution. By displaying the average value and the maximum value of the memory shortage at the time of the reduction processing, it is possible to expect an appropriate measure such as an increase in the memory capacity. Also,
The printer system includes a host computer and a printer control unit, the display unit includes a display unit selected from a display unit of the printer control unit and a display unit of the host computer, and the host computer, the printer control unit, Has a bidirectional interface, and the display means includes a transfer means for transferring information of insufficient memory from the printer control unit to the host computer when a display unit of the host computer is selected. Increase the possibility of transmitting information to the user.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a printer for performing printing in accordance with a command and data sent from a host computer. In this case, there is provided a display means for displaying information of the memory shortage including at least the memory shortage and the shortage capacity and notifying the user.

Here, the host computer and the printer device are connected by a bidirectional interface, and further include a transfer unit for transferring the memory shortage information including the memory shortage and the shortage capacity to the host computer. Thereby, the possibility of transmitting information to the user is increased. In addition, the memory shortage information further includes a user's inquiry about whether or not to execute printing of the created data, whereby the print processing can be promptly returned.

Further, the printer interface of the present invention comprises:
Monitoring means for monitoring a memory shortage at the time of creating data for printing, a monitoring means for generating print data in response to a command and data sent from a host computer and outputting the print data to a printer engine; And a display means for displaying information of memory shortage including at least a memory shortage and a shortage capacity and notifying the user when the shortage is detected.

Here, the host computer and the printer interface are connected by a bidirectional line, and further include a transfer unit for transferring information of memory shortage including the memory shortage and the shortage capacity to the host computer. Thereby, the possibility of transmitting information to the user is increased. In addition, the memory shortage information further includes a user's inquiry about whether or not to execute printing of the created data, whereby the print processing can be promptly returned.

Further, the printer device of the present invention can register data such as form, font, macro data, etc., which is an aggregate of a plurality of objects, performs printing processing by banding processing, and performs printing processing by lowering the resolution when memory is insufficient. A monitoring device for monitoring the occurrence of memory shortage in the printer during the registration or printing of the data, and a memory shortage occurring. Detecting means for detecting the end of the registered or generated object when the processing cannot be executed as it is, and in the case of registration, registering up to the object as registration data and drawing the registration data Wait for the user's instruction to delete or delete, and in the case of printing, And having a low memory control means for storing the raw number counted by.

[0013] Here, the memory shortage control means detects a memory size necessary for registering all of the registered data when the memory becomes full during data registration and, as a result, partially registered data is deleted. Means, and a means for notifying the host or panel of the required memory size, the memory shortage control means causes a decrease in resolution due to memory shortage during printing, and the number of occurrences exceeds a certain threshold. In this case, means for detecting a memory size necessary to prevent a decrease in resolution due to insufficient memory, and means for notifying the host or panel of the required memory size when the number of times of resolution reduction exceeds a certain threshold value are included. By having more, appropriate measures such as an increase in the memory capacity can be expected.

Further, the printer device of the present invention reads a predetermined program from a storage medium and performs printing in accordance with a command and data sent from a host computer. A printer control program including a procedure code of a step of monitoring a memory shortage at the time of transfer and a procedure code of a step of displaying at least the memory shortage and the insufficient capacity and notifying the user when the memory shortage is detected. It is characterized by.

Here, the printer device includes a laser beam printer, an ink jet printer, a dot matrix printer, a thermal transfer printer (including a sublimation type), and an LED.
Includes printers and liquid crystal shutter printers.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. <Example of Configuration of Printer System> FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printer system according to the present embodiment mainly showing the configuration of a controller (hereinafter, also referred to as a printer interface) of a laser beam printer.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a host computer, which includes a display unit 101a capable of displaying a memory shortage or a shortage, and an instruction unit 101b for inputting an instruction from a user for a memory shortage. Note that the display unit 101a is preferably a CRT or LCD display provided by the host computer 101, and the indicating unit 101b is preferably a keyboard or mouse provided by the host computer 101. Reference numeral 102 denotes a transmission / reception buffer in the controller, which temporarily stores received data such as commands and data from the host computer 101 to the printer.
1 and transmission data such as error data.
Therefore, the communication line connecting the host computer 101 and the transmission / reception buffer 102 is bidirectional.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a ROM, which stores programs, fonts, and the like for implementing a series of controls according to a flowchart shown in FIG. As a program stored in the ROM 103 and related to the present embodiment, 1
A command analysis program 04 analyzes a command from the host computer 101 and starts a process according to the command instruction. A drawing data creation program 105 creates a drawing object from the reception data temporarily stored in the transmission / reception buffer 102 and stores the drawing object in the drawing memory 112. Reference numeral 106 denotes a rasterization processing program for rasterizing a drawing object stored in the drawing memory 112,
4 is stored in band units. Reference numeral 107 denotes a degrate rasterization processing program at the time of resolution conversion (resolution reduction), which rasterizes the drawing object after resolution conversion stored in the drawing memory 112 and stores the rasterized object in the degrate band raster memory 115 in band units. Note that the degrated rasterization processing program 107 may be included in a part of the rasterization processing program 106.
The following monitoring of memory shortage in the present embodiment is preferably executed by a part of the drawing data creation program 105 and the rasterization processing program 106.

Reference numeral 111 denotes a RAM, which includes the following storage areas. A drawing memory 112 stores a drawing object created by the drawing data creation program 105. Reference numeral 113 denotes a data registration memory for registering registration data such as forms, fonts, and macro data; 114, a band raster memory for storing drawing data created by the rasterization processing program 106; and 115, a degrade rasterization processing program 107. This is a declade band raster memory for storing the created drawing data. Reference numeral 117 denotes a program load area.
It is used as a storage area when the program stored in the OM 103 is configured to be loaded from an external storage medium 118 such as a floppy disk, CD, IC, or CARD and executed.

Reference numeral 108 denotes a resolution conversion unit, which converts the resolution when a drawing object is created. Reference numeral 109 denotes a CPU that controls the controller. Reference numeral 110 denotes an engine transfer unit that outputs image data to the printer engine unit 120. Reference numeral 116 denotes a panel i / f unit for notifying information to the panel and acquiring information on the panel.

<Operation Example of Printer System> (Memory Insufficiency Processing at the Time of Data Registration) Next, in the printer system having the configuration shown in FIG. A description will be given according to the configuration diagram of the data registration memory 113.

In step S201, the host computer 1
Start registration of the form that came from 01. In this example, during registration of the form in step S202, event E2
Suppose that a memory full state occurs at 01. Step S2
At 02, a break in the object is detected (see FIG. 3).
In step S203, subsequent forms are not registered, and even if a registration command is received, the form is ignored and skipped. The registration of the form ends in step S204. The form size that could not be registered in step S205 is counted (see FIG. 3). In step S206, the lack of memory is displayed on the panel 116 and / or the display unit 101a, and it is left to the user to determine whether to draw or delete the registered form. Step S2
If the user instructs to draw the form registered in step 06, the registered form is drawn in step S207 (see FIG. 3). If the user instructs to delete the form registered in step S206, the form registered in step S208 is deleted. The form size that could not be registered in step S209 is displayed on the panel and / or the display unit 101a, and the process ends.

(Memory Insufficiency Processing During Data Printing) Next, the operation of the printer system having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 when printing data from the host will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When a print job is started, data from a host computer is input via a printer interface, and printing is started. Here, if the memory in the printer becomes full before all the objects for one page are generated based on the transmitted data, the resolution will be reduced due to insufficient memory.

First, it is determined whether or not the resolution is reduced (step S401). If the resolution is not reduced, the normal printing process is performed and the process ends (step S409). When the resolution is reduced, the number of occurrences of the resolution reduction is counted up (step S402), and the object must be recreated as a low-resolution object. However, the remaining objects that cannot be generated are formed at a predetermined resolution. The amount of memory required for printing at a predetermined resolution is calculated. Then, this memory amount is stored as an average insufficient memory amount and a maximum insufficient memory amount. Thereafter, when the resolution decreases, a new average insufficient memory amount is calculated from the average insufficient memory amount and the number of occurrences of the resolution reduction, and the value is updated. Also, regarding the maximum insufficient memory amount,
A comparison is made between the maximum insufficient memory amount and the current insufficient memory amount, and the larger one is stored (step S403).

Next, printing is continued with the resolution lowered based on the low resolution object (step S40).
4: Degree rasterization processing program), it is determined whether the number of occurrences of resolution reduction has exceeded a certain threshold during that time (step S405). If it exceeds, information of memory shortage and the average memory shortage stored in the memory Then, the maximum memory shortage is notified to the host computer or displayed on the panel to prompt the user to increase the memory (step S406). If the number of resolution reductions does not exceed the threshold (step S405), the process ends.

If the user adds a memory in response to this message (step S407), the count of the number of occurrences of resolution degradation stored in the printer is set to zero, and the process ends (step S408). Since normal memory expansion is performed when the power is turned off, in step S407, the amount of memory before the power is turned off is stored in an external storage device, and the amount of installed memory when the power is turned on is acquired, and the two are compared. It is determined whether or not the memory has been added. When the memory is not added (step S407)
Ends the processing as it is.

In the above-described embodiment, the remaining objects are generated at a predetermined resolution in step S403 to calculate the amount of insufficient memory. However, the remaining objects are generated based on the low-resolution designation after the resolution has been reduced, and the predetermined amount is determined from the reduced resolution. The required memory amount (insufficient memory amount) may be calculated and obtained by referring to information on how many times the object becomes larger when the object is generated at the resolution.

Although the drawing data memory is a RAM in this embodiment, it may be an NVRAM. Further, in the present embodiment, the registered data is a form, but may be data such as fonts and macro data. Furthermore,
The display of the form size and the like that could not be registered may be displayed on the panel or on the host computer in accordance with the configuration and usage of the printer system.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as LBP) described in the present embodiment. This LBP can input character pattern data and the like and print it on recording paper. . In FIG. 5, reference numeral 740 denotes an LBP body based on a supplied character pattern or the like.
An image is formed on a recording paper as a recording medium. Reference numeral 700 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation and an LED display are arranged. Reference numeral 701 denotes a printer control unit for controlling the entire LBP 740 and analyzing character pattern information and the like. Including. The printer control unit 701 mainly converts character pattern information into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 702.

The laser driver 702 is a semiconductor laser 70
And a laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 703 in response to an input video signal.
04 is turned on / off. The laser beam 704 is swung right and left by a rotary polygon mirror 705 to scan on an electrostatic drum 706. Thus, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 706. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 707 around the electrostatic drum 706,
Transferred to recording paper. A cut sheet is used as the recording paper. The cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 708 mounted on the LBP 740, is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 709 and transport rollers 710 and 711, and is supplied to the electrostatic drum 706. Is done.

In the present embodiment, a laser beam printer has been described as an example of a printer device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to an ink jet printer described below. <Example of Configuration of Inkjet Printer> (Example of Mechanism Configuration) FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an inkjet recording apparatus IJRA to which the present invention can be applied. In FIG.
The carriage HC that engages with the spiral groove 5004 of the lead screw 5005 that rotates via the driving force transmission gears 5011 and 5009 in conjunction with the forward and reverse rotation of the drive motor 5013 has a pin (not shown), , B. An ink jet cartridge IJC is mounted on the carriage HC. Reference numeral 5002 denotes a paper pressing plate, which presses the paper against the platen 5000 in the moving direction of the carriage. Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote home position detecting means for confirming the presence of the lever 5006 of the carriage in this area and switching the rotation direction of the motor 5013. 50
16 is a cap member 5 for capping the front surface of the recording head.
Reference numeral 5015 denotes a suction unit for sucking the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the recording head through the opening 5023 in the cap. Reference numeral 5017 denotes a cleaning blade. Reference numeral 5019 denotes a member which allows the blade to move in the front-rear direction. These members are supported by a main body support plate 5018. It goes without saying that the blade is not limited to this form and a known cleaning blade can be applied to this example. Reference numeral 5021 denotes a lever for starting suction for recovery of suction, which moves with the movement of the cam 5020 which engages with the carriage, and controls the movement of the driving force from the drive motor by a known transmission means such as clutch switching. Is done.

The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired operations can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage comes to the area on the home position side. If a desired operation is performed at a timing, any of the examples can be applied. (Control Configuration Example) Next, a control configuration for executing the recording control of the above-described apparatus will be described with reference to a block diagram shown in FIG. In FIG. 7 showing the control circuit, 170
Reference numeral 0 denotes an interface for inputting a recording signal.
The engine transfer unit 110 is connected. 1701 is MP
Reference numerals U and 1702 denote program ROMs for storing control programs executed by the MPU 1701, and reference numeral 1703 denotes a dynamic ROM for storing various data (such as the recording signal and recording data supplied to the head). 1704
A gate array for controlling supply of print data to the print head 1708;
It also controls data transfer between the MPU 1701 and the RAM 1703. Reference numeral 1710 denotes a carrier motor for transporting the recording head 1708, and reference numeral 1709 denotes a transport motor for transporting the recording paper. Reference numeral 1705 denotes a head driver for driving the head, and 1706 and 1707 denote transport motors 170, respectively.
9. A motor driver for driving the carrier motor 1710.

The operation of the above control configuration will be described. When a recording signal enters the interface 1700, the gate array 1
The recording signal is converted into recording data for printing between the 704 and the MPU 1701. And the motor driver 1
The printheads 706 and 1707 are driven, and the printhead is driven according to the print data sent to the head driver 1705 to perform printing.

The components of the present invention can be incorporated into the above-described control structure of the ink jet printer, and it is apparent that the present invention can be applied not only to the laser beam printer but also to the above ink jet printer and the like. The present invention is not limited to the above example, and can be applied to a dot matrix printer, a thermal transfer printer (including a sublimation type), an LED printer, a liquid crystal shutter printer, and the like.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices such as a host computer, an interface, and a printer, or to a device including a single device such as a printer including all functions. Is also good. Also,
As pointed out above, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is implemented by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, the external storage medium 118 of FIG. 1 storing the program according to the present invention constitutes the present invention. Then, by reading the program from the storage medium to a system or an apparatus, the system or the apparatus operates in a predetermined manner.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When a memory shortage occurs, by notifying the user of information including at least a memory shortage and a shortage capacity,
Since the internal cause of the stop or delay of the print processing can be accurately grasped, the effect that the appropriate treatment is quickly performed can be achieved.

Specifically, the following effects are achieved. (1) Large-size registration data can be drawn. (2) The data size that could not be registered is known. (3) It is possible to inform the user of a drawing memory necessary for preventing a reduction in resolution during printing. (4) It is possible to inform the user of the minimum required size of the memory by notifying that the memory is insufficient to execute the specified processing. (5) In a printer that can perform registration and the like, even if the user thinks that the user has sufficient memory, the memory is consumed for registration, and the drawing memory is insufficient without knowing. It is possible to notify the user that the resolution is frequently reduced due to the shortage.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a system including a printer controller to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control procedure at the time of data registration in the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a break between a registered object and an unregistered object when a memory shortage occurs during data registration.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control procedure at the time of executing a printing process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an internal structure of the laser beam printer described in the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an inkjet recording apparatus I to which the present invention can be applied.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of JRA.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a control configuration for executing printing control of the inkjet printing apparatus.

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Claims (22)

(57) [Claims] 1. A memory shortage processing method for processing a shortage of memory capacity for storing print data at the time of printing, wherein the memory shortage is monitored at the time of transfer of print data and a memory shortage is detected. A memory shortage processing method characterized by displaying at least a memory shortage and a shortage capacity to notify a user. 2. The memory shortage according to claim 1, wherein said print data includes registration data such as form, font, macro data and the like, which are an aggregate of a plurality of objects, and drawing data to be printed. Processing method. 3. The printing data is registration data such as a form, font, macro data, etc., which is an aggregate of a plurality of objects, and when the memory shortage is detected, the registered registration data is drawn. A further question is displayed, and when drawing is instructed, the registered data is drawn,
2. The memory shortage processing method according to claim 1, wherein when the deletion is instructed, the registered data is deleted. 4. The printing data is object data to be printed, and a resolution lowering process is performed when a memory shortage is detected, and the displayed shortage capacity indicates the memory shortage at the time of the resolution lowering process. 2. The memory shortage processing method according to claim 1, further comprising an average value and a maximum value. 5. The memory shortage processing method according to claim 1, wherein the display is performed on a display unit selected from a printer control unit and a host computer. 6. A printer system for performing printing based on transferred print data, a monitoring means for monitoring a memory shortage at the time of transfer of the print data, and at least a memory shortage when the memory shortage is detected. A display unit for displaying the shortage capacity and notifying the user of the shortage. 7. The printer system according to claim 6, wherein the print data includes registration data such as a form, font, and macro data, which are an aggregate of a plurality of objects, and drawing data to be printed. . 8. The print data is registration data such as a form, font, macro data, etc., which is an aggregate of a plurality of objects, and the display means registers the registered data when detecting a memory shortage. A drawing control unit that further displays a question as to whether or not to draw data, further draws the registered data when drawing is instructed, and deletes the registered data when deletion is instructed; The printer system according to claim 6, further comprising: 9. The print data is drawing data to be printed, and further includes a resolution conversion unit that performs a process of lowering a resolution when a memory shortage is detected. 7. The printer system according to claim 6, wherein an average value and a maximum value of the memory shortage during the resolution lowering process are displayed. 10. The printer system includes a host computer and a printer control unit, and the display unit includes a display unit selected from a display unit of the printer control unit and a display unit of the host computer. Item 10. The printer system according to any one of Items 6 to 9. 11. The host computer and the printer control unit have a bidirectional interface, and the display unit is configured to connect the printer control unit to the host computer when the display unit of the host computer is selected. 11. The printer system according to claim 10, further comprising a transfer unit configured to transfer information of a memory shortage. 12. A printer device for performing printing in accordance with a command and data sent from a host computer, wherein a monitoring means for monitoring a memory shortage at the time of creating print data, and at least a memory shortage is detected when the memory shortage is detected. And a display unit for displaying information of memory shortage including the information and the insufficient capacity to notify the user. 13. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the host computer and the printer device are connected by a bidirectional interface, and further include a transfer unit that transfers information of memory shortage including the memory shortage and the shortage capacity to the host computer. 13. The printer according to claim 12, wherein: 14. The printer apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the memory shortage information further includes a query as to whether to execute printing of the created data by a user. 15. A printer interface for receiving print commands and data sent from a host computer, creating print data, and outputting the print data to a printer engine. And a display means for displaying information on memory shortage including at least the memory shortage and the memory shortage and notifying the user when the memory shortage is detected. 16. The printer according to claim 16, wherein the host computer and the printer interface are connected by a bidirectional line, and further include a transfer unit that transfers information of memory shortage including the memory shortage and the shortage capacity to the host computer. The printer interface according to claim 15, wherein: 17. The printer interface according to claim 15, wherein the memory shortage information further includes a query as to whether or not to execute printing of the created data by the user. 18. A host computer capable of registering data such as forms, fonts, and macro data as an aggregate of a plurality of objects, performing printing processing by banding processing, and executing printing processing by lowering resolution when memory is insufficient. A monitoring device for monitoring the occurrence of memory shortage in the printer during the registration or printing process of the data, and the process cannot be directly executed due to the memory shortage. In the case, the detecting means for detecting the end of the registered or generated object is completed, and in the case of the registration, the registration up to the object is registered as registration data, and the user determines whether to draw or delete the registration data. Wait for the instruction, and in the case of printing, count the number of times the resolution And a memory shortage control unit. 19. The memory shortage control unit detects a memory size necessary for registering all of the registered data when the memory becomes full during the registration of data and, as a result, the partially registered data is deleted. 19. The printer apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising: a means for notifying a host or a panel of the required memory size. 20. The memory shortage control unit detects a memory size necessary to prevent a resolution decrease due to a memory shortage when a resolution decrease due to a memory shortage occurs during printing and the number of occurrences exceeds a certain threshold. 19. The printer apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising: means for notifying the necessary memory size to a host or a panel when the number of resolution reductions exceeds a certain threshold value. 21. A printer device which reads a predetermined program from a storage medium and performs printing in accordance with a command and data sent from a host computer, wherein the storage medium monitors a memory shortage when transferring data for printing. A printer apparatus storing a printer control program including a procedure code of a process and a procedure code of a process of displaying at least a memory shortage and a shortage capacity and notifying a user when a memory shortage is detected. 22. The printer according to claim 12, wherein the printer includes a laser beam printer, an ink jet printer, a dot matrix printer, a thermal transfer printer (including a sublimation type), an LED printer, and a liquid crystal shutter printer. The printer device according to the above.