JP3392095B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and print system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method and a print system capable of constructing a printer system in which an information processing apparatus having a plurality of printer drivers and a printer are connected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a recording apparatus or recording system capable of executing this type of processing is constructed from a printer connected to a host computer via an interface (for example, Centronics interface), and is input from the host computer. The output information is analyzed, bit map data is expanded as output data of a printer engine, for example, a laser beam printer, and a laser beam modulated based on the expanded data is scanned and exposed on a photosensitive drum to record an image. It is configured.

Further, when the printer has an emulation function, it is configured to be able to process a plurality of printer control language systems, and executes print processing while switching between the emulation mode and the native mode according to the application executed by the user. The printer is provided with a switch for switching the control language of the printer and a card slot for issuing a switching instruction in advance.

[0004]

However, since there is no function to check the consistency of the language environment set in the printer before the printing process, the language environment set in the printer and the application set it. If the language environment is different and print data is transferred to the printer to start the print processing, an unexpected result may be printed.

In this way, under the print system environment in which the printer control language is selectively used in the printer control system (under the environment in which a plurality of print drivers can be selectively executed)
In, since the printer control language to be used will be determined depending on the hardware environment setting by the user,
When the printer control language environment specified by the host computer and the printer is inconsistent, there is no remedy for ensuring the consistency, so printing failure occurs, and the position where the printer is installed is changed from the host computer. When print data with a large number of pages is processed at a distant position, the state cannot be easily detected, resulting in waste of printing and waste of paper resources. Occurs.

Further, when the memory environment is released when switching the language environment as described above, the printer setting contents (form, external character,
Since each memory setting of RAM) is rewritten and lost, even if the environment is switched to the same language again, the information such as the above forms and external characters cannot be reproduced, and the memory map of RAM is also normally reproduced. Printing is not performed, and it is no longer possible to guarantee printing in the environmental state before switching.

On the other hand, if the memory environment is controlled so as to maintain the state before the environment switching, the memory space that can be used after the switching is considerably limited, so that the recording processing efficiency in the environment after the switching is significantly reduced. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is that an information processing device receives identification information from an external device such as a printer, and the received identification information indicates the identification information. Determining whether a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language is selected, and automatically selecting a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language indicated by the received identification information from a plurality of printer drivers based on the determination result. Thus, even if the information processing apparatus can be connected to various printers having different control language systems, and the printer control language environment of the information processing apparatus and the external device such as a communicatively connected printer is inconsistent, An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a printing system capable of automatically setting a matching printer control language environment.

A first aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus having a plurality of printer drivers, wherein a receiving means for receiving identification information specifying a printer control language from an external device and a selected printer driver. Is determined by the determination means to determine whether or not it corresponds to the printer control language indicated by the identification information received by the reception means, and if the determination means determines that they do not correspond, it is received by the reception means. And a selecting unit for automatically selecting a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language indicated by the identification information from a plurality of printer drivers.

A second invention according to the present invention is an information processing method for selecting a printer driver from a plurality of printer drivers, wherein the printer control language currently set in a printer capable of switching the printer control language is set. A receiving step of receiving identification information for specifying from the printer; a determining step of determining whether or not the selected printer driver corresponds to the printer control language indicated by the identifying information received in the receiving step; If not, the selection step of automatically selecting a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language indicated by the identification information received in the reception step from a plurality of printer drivers is included. Is characterized by.

A third invention according to the present invention is characterized in that it has a transmission step of transmitting a command for requesting the cloth classification information to the printer.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is a detection step of detecting that the printer control language has been switched in the printer, and the switching of the printer control language is detected in the detection step. According to the above, the command is transmitted in the transmitting step.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the command is transmitted in the transmitting step in response to the start of printing.

A sixth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the command is transmitted in the transmitting step in response to the startup of the information processing apparatus.

A seventh invention according to the present invention is characterized by including a setting step for setting a printer driver environment according to the printer driver selected in the selecting step.

An eighth invention according to the present invention is an information processing method for selecting a printer driver from a plurality of printer drivers, wherein the printer control language currently set in a printer capable of switching the printer control language is set. A receiving step of receiving identification information for specifying from the printer; a determining step of determining whether or not a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language indicated by the identifying information received in the receiving step exists; When the determination is made in the step, a selection step of automatically selecting a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language indicated by the identification information received in the reception step from a plurality of printer drivers is included.

A ninth invention according to the present invention is characterized by including a transmitting step of transmitting a command for requesting the cloth classification information to the printer.

A tenth aspect of the present invention comprises a detection step of detecting that the printer control language has been switched in the printer, and the printer control language switching being detected in the detection step. Accordingly, the command is transmitted in the transmitting step.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the command is transmitted in the transmitting step in response to the start of printing.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the command is transmitted in the transmitting step in response to the startup of the information processing apparatus.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized by having a setting step for setting a printer driver environment according to the printer driver selected in the selecting step.

A fourteenth invention according to the present invention is a printing system in which an information processing apparatus having a plurality of printer drivers and a printer are connected, wherein identification information for specifying a printer control language of the printer is provided to the printer. A transfer unit that transfers the information to the information processing apparatus from the printer and a printer driver selected by the information processing apparatus determine whether or not the printer control language indicated by the identification information transferred by the transfer unit is supported. Selection means for automatically selecting a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language indicated by the identification information transferred by the transfer means from a plurality of printer drivers when the determination means determines that they do not correspond. And having.

A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is a printing system in which an information processing apparatus having a plurality of printer drivers and a printer are connected, and the printer control language is currently set in the printer. It is determined whether there is a transfer unit that transfers identification information that specifies a printer control language from the printer to the information processing apparatus, and a printer driver that corresponds to the printer control language indicated by the identification information transferred by the transfer unit. And a selecting means for automatically selecting, from the plurality of printer drivers, a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language indicated by the identification information received by the receiving means when it is determined to exist. It is characterized by having.

[0024]

[0025]

[0026]

[0027]

[0028]

[0029]

[0030]

[0031]

[0032]

[0033]

[0034]

[0035]

[0036]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment to which the present invention can be applied.
3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the recording apparatus of FIG. 1, for example, the case of a laser beam printer (LBP).

In the figure, reference numeral 1500 denotes an LBP main body (printer), which stores and stores print information (character code or the like) supplied from an externally connected host computer, form information, or a macro command. A corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created in accordance with the information, and an image is formed on a recording paper, which is a recording medium. 1501 is a switch for operation and L
Operation panel with ED display etc., 1000 is L
A printer control unit for controlling the entire BP main body 1500 and analyzing character information and the like supplied from the host computer. The printer control unit 1000 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs it to the laser driver 1502. The laser driver 1502 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1503, and turns on / off the laser light 1504 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1503 in accordance with the input video signal. The laser beam 1504 is a rotating polygon mirror 1505.
Then, the electrostatic drum 1506 is swung in the left-right direction to perform scanning exposure on the electrostatic drum 1506.

As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1506. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1507 arranged around the electrostatic drum 1506 and then transferred to a recording paper.
A cut sheet is used as the recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is a paper cassette 150 mounted on the LBP main body 1500.
8, the paper feed roller 1509 and the transport roller 1
It is taken into the apparatus by the 510 and the conveyance roller 1511 and is supplied to the electrostatic drum 1506. Also, LB
The P main body 1500 is provided with at least one or more card slots (not shown) so that an option card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language can be connected in addition to the built-in font.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing the configuration of a second recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied, for example, the case of an ink jet recording apparatus (IJRA).

In the figure, a spiral groove 5004 of a lead screw 5005 that rotates via driving force transmission gears 5011 and 5009 in association with forward and reverse rotations of a drive motor 5013.
The carriage HC that engages with is a pin (not shown)
And is reciprocated in the directions of arrows a and b. The carriage HC includes an ink jet cartridge IJC including an ink tank IT and an ink jet head IJH.
Is installed. A paper pressing plate 5002 presses the paper P against the platen 5000 in the carriage movement direction.

Photocouplers 5007 and 5008 function as 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 drive motor 5013. 501
6 is a cap member 50 for capping the entire surface of the recording head.
A member 5015 for indicating 22 is suction means for sucking the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the recording head through the opening 5023 in the cap. A cleaning blade 5017 can be moved in the front-rear direction by a member 5019. Reference numeral 5018 denotes a main body supporting plate which supports the cleaning blade 5017 and the member 5019. Reference numeral 5012 is a lever for starting suction for suction recovery, which moves in accordance with movement of a cam 5020 that engages with a carriage, and the driving force from a drive motor 5013 is movement-controlled by a known transmission means such as clutch switching. It

The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured such that when the carriage comes to the home position side area, desired processing can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005. It suffices if it is configured so as to perform the desired operation.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the control configuration of the second recording apparatus shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 1700 is an interface for inputting a recording signal, 1701 is an MPU, 1702 is a program ROM for storing a control program executed by the MPU 1701, and 1703 is a DRAM for storing various data (the above-mentioned recording signals and head signals are supplied. Save the recorded data etc.). A gate array 1704 controls supply of print data to the print head 1708, and also controls data transfer between the interface 1700, the MPU 1701, and the DRAM 1703.

Reference numeral 1710 is a carrier motor for carrying the recording head 1708, 1709 is a carrying motor for carrying the recording paper, and 1705 is the recording head 1708.
1706 is a head driver for driving the carrier motor 1709, and 1707 is a motor driver for driving the carrier motor 1710.

When a recording signal is input from the host computer 100, which will be described later, through the interface 1700 in each of the recording devices configured as described above, the recording signal is output between the gate array 1704 and the MPU 1701 as print data for printing. Is converted to. Then, the motor drivers 1706 and 1707 are driven, and the recording head 1708 is driven according to the recording data sent to the head driver 1705 to execute printing.

The MPU 1701 is an interface 1
A printer capable of performing communication processing with a host computer via 700, configured to be able to notify the host computer 100 of memory information and resource data regarding the DRAM 1703, and further connected to the host computer 100 (described later) The printer environment is automatically determined by communicating with the printer and the printer environments that match each other are automatically set.

Also, the data set in the printer memory is transferred to the host computer 100 as a temporary registration file in accordance with the printer control language switching,
After the printer processing is completed after switching the printer control language, the temporary registration file is transferred back to the printer and resettable in order to restart the printer environment of the printer.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a printer control system to which the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied. Here, a laser beam printer (FIG. 1) will be described as an example. In addition, as long as the function of the present invention is executed, whether it is a single device or a system composed of a plurality of devices,
It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN.

In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a host computer, which is provided with a CPU 1 for executing document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program stored in ROM 2. It comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 4.

Further, this ROM 2 is stored in FIG. 6 and FIG.
The control program of the CPU 1 shown in the flowchart of FIG. A RAM 3 functions as a main memory and a work area of the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls key input from the keyboard 9. 6 is a CRT controller (CRTC), which is a CRT
The display of the display (CRT) 10 is controlled. 7 is a disk controller (DKC), which is a boot program,
Hard disk (H that stores various applications, font data, user files, edit files, etc.
D) 11 and floppy disk (FD) 12 access control. 8 is a printer controller (PRTC)
With a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface)
It is connected to the printer 1500 via 13 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1500. Interface circuits 8a and 18a control various command communication processes and print information processing between the printer 1500 and the host computer 100 via the interface 13.

The CPU 1 executes the rasterizing process of the outline font to the display information RAM set on the RAM 3, for example, and the W on the CRT 10 is executed.
It enables YSIWYG. Further, the CPU 1 is C
Various windows registered based on commands designated by the mouse cursor or the like on the RT 10 are opened, and various data processes are executed.

In the printer 1500, 14 is a printer CPU (CPU), which comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 17 based on a control program stored in the ROM 15 and the like, and a printer interface. A print unit (printer engine) 20 connected via 19 receives an image signal (V
DO) is output. Further, the CPU 14 can perform communication processing with the host computer 100 via the input unit 18, and is configured to be able to notify the host computer 100 of memory information and resource data regarding the RAM 16. Reference numeral 16 denotes a RAM, which is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown).

Further, at least one card slot (not shown) is provided so that an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language can be connected in addition to the built-in font. Further, the operation panel 150 has an NVRAM (not shown).
The printer mode setting information from 1 is stored.

In the printer control system thus configured, the acquisition means (CPU 1) is connected to the host computer 100 at a predetermined timing via the bidirectional interface 13, and the memory (R) of the printer 1500 is connected.
When the printer control language data stored in the OM 15) is acquired, the specifying unit (CPU 1) analyzes the acquired printer control language data and specifies the switching of the printer driver, and the environment setting unit (CP) is specified according to this switching specification.
U1) sets the printer driver environment of the host computer 100 to match, so that even if the printer environment of the communicatively connected printer and the host computer do not match, the matching printer environment is automatically set.

Specifically, the bidirectional interface 1
Host computer 100 and printer 1 connected by 3
In the system 500, when a driver for a plurality of printer control language systems (corresponding to various printers) can be used, the CPU 1 of the host computer 100 prints information related to the printer control language (identification information identifying the printer control language) It is acquired from the ROM 15 of 1500, and the consistency between the printer driver and the control language system of the printer is checked based on the above information in the work area of the RAM 3 in the host computer 100. If no match is found, the acquired information is matched. Switch to the printer driver that you want to use for consistency. As a result, the user can print with an appropriate printer driver without making a selection setting for the printer driver. Note that the timing for acquiring the information related to the printer control language is
This is when the system is started up (when the power is turned on) or when printing is started.

Hereinafter, the printer environment matching setting processing operation in the printer control system to which the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the printer environment matching setting between the host computer 100 and the printer 1500 shown in FIG. 4, and the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, a printer driver file 11a stores various printer drivers PRD1 to PRDN corresponding to drivable printer control languages, and is registered in the hard disk 11, for example.
Then, the printer driver PRD1 to PRDN can be appropriately switched based on the information about the printer control language acquired from the printer to execute the print processing.

Reference numeral 16a denotes, for example, a first language system printer environment data storage area which is composed of form (ruled line data) data, external character data, RAM data, etc.
Information regarding the current printer control language (for example, PRCL1) is set in the data. Reference numeral 1501 denotes an operation panel, which is provided with keys for setting various modes, keys for error recovery, and the like. S is a card slot in which a control card C that is connected when the printer 1500 is emulated and activated is mounted.
When is mounted, "PRCL1" is set in the RAM data. Reference numeral 16b is a recording data expansion area.

However, when a plurality of emulation control information is stored in advance, for example, the operation panel 1
According to the selection instruction from 501, the corresponding printer control language information is set in the RAM data.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the device driver selection method according to the present invention. Note that S601 to S605 indicate each step.

First, in step S601, the CPU 1 gives a command to the printer 1500 as a printer control language information acquisition request as inquiry information for confirming the type of control language. Here, the instruction of the acquisition request is performed, for example, when the system is started up (for example, when the power is turned on) or when a print start command is issued. In response to this instruction, in step S602, the host computer 100
The CPU 1 acquires the printer control language information from the ROM 15 of the printer 1500, and in step S603, acquires whether the printer driver currently selected by the host computer 100 matches the control language currently set in the printer 1500. The printer control language information and the corresponding information of the plurality of printer drivers stored in the ROM 2 in the host computer 100 (identification information identifying the corresponding printer control language, etc.) are referred to in the work area on the RAM 3 for determination.

In step S603, if the control language of the printer 1500 and the printer driver of the host computer 100 match, the matching process ends, while if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S604.

In step S604, a printer driver matching the control language of the printer is searched for. If a matching printer driver exists, the process proceeds to step S605, and if not, the process ends.

In step S605, the printer driver switching is designated based on the acquired printer control language information, the printer driver environment of the host is consistently set according to the switching designation, and the process is terminated.

As described above, the host computer 100
The printer control language data (printer control language information) stored in the memory (ROM 15 in this embodiment) of the printer 1500 connected to the printer control language data (printer control language) is acquired. By specifying the printer driver switching based on the (Language information), and setting the printer driver environment of the host according to this switching specification, the printer environment of the communicatively connected printer and the printer environment of the host computer do not match. Also, it is possible to set a matching printer environment and automatically select an optimum printer driver.

Although the case where the host computer 100 automatically determines the matching of the printer environments has been described, the printer is detected by detecting the control language switching instruction from the operation panel 1501 of the printer 1500 or the attachment / detachment state of the control card C. The environment matching process may be automatically started.

Further, when searching for a combination in which the printer driver and the printer control language match, priority may be given to a plurality of printer drivers in the host computer 100. Further, in the printer control system of the above embodiment, the printer 1500 has been described.
It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the inkjet printers shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 described above.

According to the first embodiment, when the CPU 1 of the host computer 100 acquires the printer control language data stored in the memory of the printer connected to the host computer via the bidirectional interface at a predetermined timing. , The specifying means analyzes the printer control language data acquired and specifies the switching of the printer driver, and the environment setting means is configured to match the printer driver environment of the host computer according to the switching specification, so that the connection is possible. Even if the printer environment of the registered printer and the host computer does not match,
A matching printer environment can be set automatically.

In the above embodiment, the printer 1500 is used.
The case where the printer environments of the host computer 100 and the host computer 100 are set consistently has been described. It is desirable to release all
Since the contents already registered will be lost with the release, it is necessary to control the contents of the already registered memory with good reproducibility while effectively utilizing the memory. Therefore, the above processing operation will be described based on the following second embodiment.

[Second Embodiment] In the block diagram for explaining the configuration of the printer control system shown in FIG. 4, the second acquisition means (CP) is based on the printer environment switching state.
When U1) acquires the first printer environment data stored in the RAM 16 of the printer 1500, the registration means (by the functional processing of the CPU 1) stores the acquired first printer environment data as an internal file of the host computer 100, for example. After registering in the hard disk 11 and completing the data registration by this registration means, the environment setting control means (C
The second printer environment data corresponding to the second printer environment (depending on the communication control function with PU1, 14) to the RA
The first printer environment data registered in the internal file based on the print processing end state corresponding to the second printer environment is set in the RA.
Even if printer environment switching occurs frequently, the printer environment data contents for each environment can be changed to R by setting M16 to restart.
It is possible to set the AM 16 to be reproducibly set.

Specifically, the bidirectional interface 1
Host computer 100 and printer 1 connected by 3
In the system 500, when a plurality of printer control language systems can be used, when the command mode is switched from the first printer environment (first language system) to the second printer environment (second language system), the first 1500 printer environment data (registration form data, external character data, etc.)
From the RAM 16 to the host computer 100,
Files such as files are stored on the hard disk 11 on the host computer 100 side. Then, the printer 1500
Releases the first printer environment data storage area of the RAM 16 and performs a print process corresponding to the second printer environment, and then returns the command mode from the second printer environment to the first printer environment. 1
The first printer environment data stored in 00 is sent to the printer 1500, the printer 1500 is set to the state before the switching to the second printer environment, and the printer 1500 is set at the time of print processing for the second printer environment.
It is possible to effectively use the resources of the memory (RAM 16) of the above and further to automatically restore the printer environment data of the RAM 16 to the state before the processing after the completion of all the print processing.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, the printer memory resource release processing operation associated with environment switching in the printer control system to which the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described in detail.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining the environment setting switching process between the host computer 100 and the printer 1500 shown in FIG. 4, and the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, 16a is a printer environment data storage area of the first language system, which is composed of form (ruled line data) data, external character data, RAM data for storing printer-specific setting items, and the like. Reference numeral 16b is a recording data expansion area for storing bitmap data at the time of printing processing and used as a work area or the like. Further, there is an NVRAM that stores printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1501 described later.

The operation panel 1501 is provided with keys for setting various modes and keys for error recovery.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a memory map of the RAM 16 shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the data registration method according to the present invention. Note that S901
~ S906 shows each step.

First, in step S901, the CPU 1 determines whether or not an instruction to change the printer settings has been given by operating the keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). If NO in step S901, the flow advances to step S903 to perform normal print processing.

On the other hand, if YES, C in step S902.
The PU 1 instructs the CPU 14 to send the contents (for example, the first printer environment data) of the printer environment data storage area 16a of the RAM 16 to the host computer 100.

In response to this, in step S902, the CPU 14 of the printer 1500 reads the contents of the printer environment data storage area 16a, and obtains the setting value before the change (eg, the first printer environment data) from the host computer 100.
And store it in an internal file. Then, in step S903, after the printer environment data storage area 16a is released so that the printer environment (second printer environment) after the environment switching can effectively use the memory (RAM 16) to the maximum extent, the recording is performed by a known communication process. Print processing such as receiving information and performing bitmap expansion is executed. In this way, when the print job dependent on the printer environment after the environment switching is completed in step S904, whether the CPU 1 has registered the setting information (for example, the first printer environment data) of the printer 1500 as an internal file in step S905. Determine whether Step S9
If NO in 05, the process ends; if YES, the registration file is read out in step S906, and the printer 1
The data is transferred to the CPU 14 of 500, the printer environment data storage area 16a of the RAM 16 is reset, the contents of the RAM 16 are reproduced and set to the state before the environment switching (the first printer environment), and the process ends.

As described above, the first printer environment data stored in the memory (RAM 16) of the printer 1500 connected to the host computer 100 via the bidirectional interface 13 is acquired based on the printer environment switching state. The first printer environment data is registered as an internal file of the host computer 100, and after the registration is completed, the second printer environment data corresponding to the second printer environment is set in the memory of the printer, and the second printer environment data is set.
By resetting the first printer environment data registered in the internal file to the memory of the printer based on the print processing end state corresponding to the printer environment of
It is possible to reliably reproduce the setting state of the memory for each environment when the printer environment is switched.

Further, since the switching of the printer environment occurs along with the switching of the printer control language system,
It is possible to reliably reproduce the memory setting state for each environment accompanying the switching of the printer control language system.

In the above embodiment, the printer control language is switched by the keyboard 9 of the host computer 100.
In the case where a request is issued from the printer etc., the case where the printer environment data of the printer 1500 is read to the host computer 100 and registered as a temporary file has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 10, by a switching instruction from the operation panel 1501 of the printer 1500. , The current printer environment is transferred to the host computer 100 and, for example, RA
The individual registration files 3-1 to 3-3 are registered on the M3 or the hard disk 11 as the individual registration files 3-1 to 3-3, and the individual registration files 3-1 to 3-3 are registered in the order of registration according to the registration file call from the printer 1500. Returning to 1500, printer environment data storage area 1 of RAM 16
6a may be reproduced.

In the above embodiment, the case where the printer control language system switching occurrence state on the single host computer 100 is used as the printer setting change condition has been described. However, a plurality of host computers and printers are used. The present invention can be applied even when the system is shared by. Further, as described above, the instruction from the operation panel 1501 by the user may be used as the switching condition, and a plurality of environment mode setting files by the same language and the same user are enabled and the instruction for calling the desired environment mode setting file is switched. The condition may be such that desired printer setting information is reproduced in the printer environment data storage area 16a of the RAM 16. In the printer control system of the above embodiment, the printer 1500 is used for description, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the inkjet printers shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 described above.

According to the second embodiment, the first printer environment data stored in the memory of the printer connected to the host computer via the bidirectional interface is obtained based on the printer environment switching state, This first printer environment data is registered as an internal file of the host computer, and after this registration is completed, the second printer environment data corresponding to the second printer environment is set in the memory of the printer to make it the second printer environment. Since the configuration is such that the first printer environment data registered in the internal file is reset and set in the printer memory based on the corresponding print processing end status, the memory setting status for each environment due to the printer environment switching is set. It can be reproduced reliably.

Since the printer environment is switched when the printer control language system is switched, the setting state of the printer memory for each environment accompanying the printer control language system switching is surely reproduced. can do.

[0089]

The information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus having a plurality of printer drivers,
Receiving means for receiving identification information specifying a printer control language from an external device and a selected printer driver determine whether or not the printer control language indicated by the identification information received by the receiving means corresponds. Selection for automatically selecting from a plurality of printer drivers a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language indicated by the identification information received by the receiving unit when the determining unit determines that the determination unit does not correspond Since it has a means, an information processing apparatus automatically selects an appropriate printer driver to build a matching printer control language environment and build a print processing environment that can obtain normal output from a connected printer. can do.

The information processing method according to the present invention is an information processing method for selecting a printer driver from a plurality of printer drivers, and the printer control language currently set in the printer whose printer control language can be switched. A receiving step of receiving identification information identifying the printer from the printer, and a determining step of determining whether or not the selected printer driver corresponds to the printer control language indicated by the identification information received in the receiving step. If it is determined in the determination step that they do not correspond, a selection step of automatically selecting a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language indicated by the identification information received in the reception step from a plurality of printer drivers is included. ,
It is possible to automatically select an appropriate printer driver on the information processing apparatus side, build a matching printer control language environment, and build a print processing environment capable of obtaining a normal output from a connected printer.

According to the printer system of the present invention,
In a printing system in which an information processing apparatus having a plurality of printer drivers and a printer are connected, identification information specifying the printer control language currently set in the printer capable of switching the printer control language is provided from the printer. Transfer means for transferring to the information processing device; determining means for determining whether or not a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language indicated by the identification information transferred by the transferring means is present; In this case, since there is a selecting means for automatically selecting a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language indicated by the identification information received by the receiving means from a plurality of printer drivers, an appropriate printer driver is selected on the information processing apparatus side. Automatically select and build a consistent printer control language environment and connect It is possible to construct a printing environment capable of obtaining a normal output from which printer.

Therefore, the information processing apparatus can be connected to various printers having different control language systems, and the printer control language environment between the information processing apparatus and an external apparatus such as a communicatively connected printer is inconsistent. Even if the operator sets the wrong printer control language environment for an external device such as the connected printer, the printer can automatically set the matching printer control language environment. The printer control language environment is set so as to match with the apparatus, and it is possible to obtain a normal print result without a recording error.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a first recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing a configuration of a second recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a second recording apparatus illustrated in FIG.

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

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an environment setting switching process between the host computer and the printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a device driver selection method according to the present invention.

7 is a block diagram illustrating an environment setting switching process between the host computer and the printer illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a memory map of the RAM shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a data registration method according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating another environment setting switching process between the host computer and the printer shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CPU 2 ROM 3 RAM 14 CPU 15 ROM 16 RAM 100 host computer 1500 printer

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Yoshifumi Okamoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Toshiya Mitsuhashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Incorporated (72) Inventor Satoshi Nagata 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Maki Ushii 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Takanori Nishijima 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) Reference JP-A-4-83663 (JP, A) JP-A-1-277929 (JP, A) JP-A-3-158924 (JP, A) JP-A-5-11943 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/12 B41J 29/38

Claims (15)

(57) [Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus having a plurality of printer drivers, comprising: receiving means for receiving from the printer identification information for specifying the printer control language currently set in the printer capable of switching the printer control language. When the selected printer driver determines whether the printer control language indicated by the identification information received by the receiving unit corresponds to the determining unit, and when the determining unit determines not to correspond,
An information processing apparatus comprising: a selection unit that automatically selects a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language indicated by the identification information received by the reception unit from a plurality of printer drivers. 2. An information processing method for selecting a printer driver from a plurality of printer drivers, wherein identification information for specifying a printer control language currently set in a printer capable of switching the printer control language is provided from the printer. The receiving step of receiving, a determining step of determining whether or not the selected printer driver corresponds to the printer control language indicated by the identification information received in the receiving step, and the determining step of not supporting If judged,
And a selecting step of automatically selecting a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language indicated by the identification information received in the receiving step from a plurality of printer drivers. 3. The information processing method according to claim 2, further comprising a transmission step of transmitting a command requesting the identification information to the printer. 4. A detection step of detecting that the printer control language has been switched in the printer, wherein the transmission step is performed in response to the detection of the printer control language switching being detected in the detection step. The information processing method according to claim 3, wherein the command is transmitted. 5. The information processing method according to claim 3, wherein the command is transmitted in the transmitting step in response to the start of printing. 6. The information processing method according to claim 3, wherein the command is transmitted in the transmitting step in response to a start-up of the information processing device. 7. The information processing method according to claim 2, further comprising a setting step of setting a printer driver environment according to the printer driver selected in the selecting step. 8. An information processing method for selecting a printer driver from a plurality of printer drivers, wherein identification information for specifying a printer control language currently set in a printer capable of switching the printer control language is provided from the printer. A receiving step of receiving, a determining step of determining whether or not a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language indicated by the identification information received in the receiving step exists; And a selecting step of automatically selecting a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language indicated by the identification information received in the receiving step from a plurality of printer drivers. 9. The information processing method according to claim 8, further comprising a transmission step of transmitting a command requesting the identification information to the printer. 10. A detection step of detecting that the printer control language has been switched in the printer, wherein the transmission step is performed in response to the detection of the printer control language switching being detected in the detection step. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein the command is transmitted. 11. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein the command is transmitted in the transmitting step in response to the start of printing. 12. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein the command is transmitted in the transmitting step in response to the startup of the information processing apparatus. 13. The method according to claim 8, further comprising a setting step of setting a printer driver environment according to the printer driver selected in the selecting step.
The information processing method described in any one of 1. 14. An information processing apparatus having a plurality of printer drivers, comprising: receiving means for receiving from the printer identification information for specifying the printer control language currently set in the printer capable of switching the printer control language. Determining means for determining whether or not a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language indicated by the identification information received by the receiving means is present; and if the determining means determines that the printer driver is present, received by the receiving means An information processing apparatus, comprising: a selection unit that automatically selects a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language indicated by the identification information from a plurality of printer drivers. 15. A printing system in which an information processing apparatus having a plurality of printer drivers and a printer are connected to each other, and identification information for specifying a printer control language currently set in a printer capable of switching the printer control language. Transfer means for transferring the printer from the printer to the information processing device, and a determination means for determining whether or not a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language indicated by the identification information transferred by the transfer means is present; And a selecting means for automatically selecting, from a plurality of printer drivers, a printer driver corresponding to the printer control language indicated by the identification information received by the receiving means when judged by the judging means. system.