JP4323617B2 - Print control apparatus, information processing apparatus, print control method, information processing method, and storage medium storing computer-readable program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention stores a print job input from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium in a storage device, analyzes the stored print job, performs print processing, an information processing apparatus, and a print The present invention relates to a control method, an information processing method, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in one type of printing system, an application that displays a list of print data and registration data stored in a printer on a host display regularly acquires information about the print data from the printer.
[0003]
In one of these types of printing systems, an application that displays a list of print data and registered data stored in the printer on the host display is called an event or trap that notifies that the data list has changed. Information was acquired using data transmission to notify the host of changes in the list from the printer side as a trigger.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in a system in which an application that displays a list of print data and registration data stored in the printer on the host display periodically acquires information about the print data from the printer, the information is acquired even if the list has not changed. Therefore, when the data amount of the list is large or when the information acquisition interval is short, there is a problem that the performance on the host side deteriorates.
[0005]
In addition, an application that displays a list of print data and registration data stored in the printer on the host display notifies the host of an event that notifies the data list change, or a change in the list from the printer called a trap. In a printing system that acquires information by using data transmission for notification as a trigger, in a network in which a plurality of hosts are connected, a plurality of hosts simultaneously acquire information from the printer by the trigger, and the network is temporarily There was a problem that the traffic increased and the performance decreased.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a print control apparatus that performs printing based on a print job in accordance with a print designation after inputting the print job. Is transmitted to the information processing apparatus, and based on the acquisition request from the information processing apparatus, when it is determined that the number of print jobs has changed based on the number of print jobs received by the information processing apparatus Job information about print jobs The The number of print jobs stored in the printing apparatus is compared with the printing apparatus that transmits to the information processing apparatus or the printing apparatus performs printing based on the print job according to the print designation after inputting the print job. When changing, it is intended to provide a mechanism that can suppress the occurrence of traffic associated with the acquisition of job information and avoid a decrease in data transfer processing efficiency by acquiring job information related to a print job.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The printing control apparatus according to the present invention has the following characteristic configuration.
A print control device that stores a print job input from an information processing device in a storage device and controls printing based on the print job stored in the storage device, the number of print jobs stored in the storage device; Job management means for managing job information related to print jobs stored in the storage device; Based on the number of print jobs managed by the job management means and the number of print jobs received by the information processing apparatus, and transmission means for transmitting the number of print jobs to the information processing apparatus, it is determined that the number of print jobs has changed. If Job information managed by the job management means The Send based on acquisition request from information processing device Job information And printing based on a print job stored in the storage device according to a print designation after inputting the print job.
A print control apparatus that stores a print job input from the information processing apparatus in a storage device and controls printing based on the print job stored in the storage apparatus, the print job being stored in the storage device A job management means for managing job information relating to a print job stored in the storage device, a transmission means for transmitting the number of print jobs stored in the storage device to the information processing device, When it is determined that the number of print jobs has changed based on the number of print jobs received by the information processing apparatus, Based on an acquisition request from the information processing apparatus, job information transmission means for transmitting job information related to the print job stored in the storage device to the information processing apparatus, and based on the print job stored in the storage device Printing is performed according to print designation after inputting the print job.
[0008]
An information processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following characteristic configuration.
An information processing apparatus capable of transferring a print job to a printing apparatus, a first acquisition unit that acquires the number of print jobs stored in the printing apparatus, and a job related to the print job stored in the printing apparatus Whether the number of print jobs acquired by the second acquisition means for acquiring information, display means for displaying a list of job information acquired by the second acquisition means, and print jobs acquired by the first acquisition means has changed And a control unit that causes the second acquisition unit to acquire job information and causes the display unit to display a list of job information when the determination unit determines that the number of print jobs has changed. And in front Printing based on the print job stored in the printing device Is , According to the print specification after inputting the print job. Depending on the printing device Line Be called It is characterized by that.
An information processing apparatus capable of transferring a print job to a printing apparatus, the first obtaining unit obtaining the number of print jobs stored in the printing apparatus, and the print job stored in the printing apparatus Second acquisition means for acquiring job information regarding, and display means for displaying a list of print jobs stored in the printing apparatus based on the job information acquired by the second acquisition means The second acquisition unit acquires job information relating to the print job stored in the printing apparatus when the number of print jobs acquired by the first acquisition unit changes; in front Printing based on the print job stored in the printing device Is , According to the print specification after inputting the print job. Depending on the printing device It is characterized by being performed.
[0009]
The printing control method according to the present invention has the following characteristic configuration.
A print control method in a print control apparatus for storing a print job input from an information processing apparatus in a storage device and controlling printing based on the print job stored in the storage device, wherein the print job is stored in the storage device Number of jobs When A job management step for managing job information related to a print job stored in the storage device; Based on the transmission step of transmitting the number of print jobs managed in the job management step to the information processing apparatus and the number of print jobs received by the information processing apparatus, it is determined that the number of print jobs has changed. If Job information managed in the job management process The Send based on acquisition request from information processing device Job information Printing based on a print job stored in the storage device is performed according to a print designation after inputting the print job.
A print control method in a print control apparatus for storing a print job input from an information processing apparatus in a storage device and controlling printing based on the print job stored in the storage device, the print control method being stored in the storage device A counting step for counting the number of print jobs to be transmitted; a transmission step for transmitting the number of print jobs stored in the storage device to the information processing device; When it is determined that the number of print jobs has changed based on the number of print jobs received by the information processing apparatus, A job information transmission step of transmitting job information related to a print job stored in the storage device to the information processing device based on an acquisition request from the information processing device, and based on the print job stored in the storage device Printing is performed according to print designation after inputting the print job.
[0010]
The information processing method according to the present invention has the following characteristic configuration.
An information processing method in an information processing apparatus capable of transferring a print job to a printing apparatus, the first acquisition step of acquiring the number of print jobs stored in the printing apparatus, and the information stored in the printing apparatus A second acquisition step for acquiring job information relating to a print job; a display step for displaying a list of job information acquired in the second acquisition step on a display device; and a print acquired by the first acquisition step. A determination step for determining whether the number of jobs has changed, and when it is determined that the number of print jobs has changed in the determination step, job information is acquired in the second acquisition step, and the display step displays the display A control process for displaying a list of job information on the device, in front Printing based on the print job stored in the printing device Is , According to the print specification after inputting the print job. Depending on the printing device Line Be called It is characterized by that.
An information processing method in an information processing apparatus capable of transferring a print job to a printing apparatus, the first acquisition step of acquiring the number of print jobs stored in the printing apparatus, and the information stored in the printing apparatus A second acquisition step of acquiring job information relating to the print job being displayed, and a list of print jobs stored in the printing device based on the job information acquired in the second acquisition step on the display device The second acquisition step acquires job information relating to the print job stored in the printing apparatus when the number of print jobs acquired in the first acquisition step changes. And in front Printing based on the print job stored in the printing device Is , According to the print specification after inputting the print job. Depending on the printing device It is characterized by performing.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[First Embodiment]
Before describing the configuration of the present embodiment, the configuration of a laser beam printer suitable for applying the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Needless to say, the printer to which the present embodiment is applied is not limited to a laser beam printer, and may be a printer of another printing method.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an output device to which the present invention can be applied. For example, a laser beam printer (LBP) is shown.
[0018]
In the figure, reference numeral 1000 denotes an LBP main body (printer), which inputs and stores printing information (character code, etc.), form information, macro instructions, etc. supplied from a host computer connected to the outside, and information about them. Accordingly, a corresponding character pattern, form pattern, etc. are created, and an image is formed on recording paper, which is a recording medium. Reference numeral 1012 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged. A printer control unit 1001 controls the entire printer 1000 and analyzes character information supplied from a host computer.
[0019]
The printer control unit 1001 mainly converts character information into a video signal having a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1002. The laser driver 1002 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1003, and switches on / off the laser light 1004 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 in accordance with the input video signal. The laser beam 1004 is shaken in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 1005 to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 1006.
[0020]
As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1007 disposed around the electrostatic drum 1006 and then transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used as the recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1008 mounted on the printer 1000 and is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 1009, a transport roller 1010, and a transport roller 1011. The electric drum 1006 is supplied.
[0021]
In addition, the printer 1000 includes at least one card slot (not shown), and is configured to be able to connect an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language system in addition to the built-in font.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system to which the data processing apparatus and the print control 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. As long as the functions of the present invention are executed, the present invention can be used for a single device, a system composed of a plurality of devices, or a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. It goes without saying that the invention can be applied.
[0023]
In the figure, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer, which has a CPU 1 that executes document processing in which figures, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets) and the like are mixed based on a document processing program stored in a program ROM of the ROM 3. The CPU 1 generally controls each device connected to the system bus 4.
[0024]
The ROM 3 program ROM stores a control program of the CPU 1, the ROM 3 font ROM stores font data used in the document processing, and the ROM 3 data ROM stores the document. Stores various data used for processing and the like.
[0025]
Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM which functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls key input from a keyboard (KB) 9 or a pointing device (not shown). Reference numeral 6 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC) which controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 10.
[0026]
A memory controller (MC) 7 controls access to the external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) or floppy disk (FD) that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, and the like.
[0027]
A printer controller (PRTC) 8 is connected to the printer 1000 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1000.
[0028]
The CPU 1 executes, for example, an outline font rasterization process on the display information RAM set on the RAM 2 to enable WYSIWYG on the CRT 10. The CPU 1 opens various windows registered based on commands instructed by a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.
[0029]
In the printer 1000, reference numeral 12 denotes a printer CPU (CPU), which is various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13 or a control program stored in the external memory 14. And an image signal as output information is output to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via the printing unit interface 16.
[0030]
The ROM 13 stores a control program for the CPU 12 as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 to be described later. The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data used when generating the output information, and the ROM 13 data ROM is used on the host computer in the case of a printer without the external memory 14 such as a hard disk. Information to be stored is stored.
[0031]
The CPU 12 can communicate with the host computer via the input unit 18 and can notify the host computer 3000 of information in the printer, such as the number of stored jobs, list information of stored jobs, the number of print jobs, and the like. Has been.
[0032]
Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as the main memory, work area, and the like of the CPU 12, and is configured such that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The RAM 19 is used as an output information expansion area, environment data storage area, NVRAM, and the like. Access to the above-described external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) or IC card is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 20.
[0033]
The external memory 14 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. Reference numeral 1012 denotes the above-described operation panel, on which switches for operation, LED indicators, and the like are arranged.
[0034]
Further, the number of external memories is not limited to one, and at least one external memory is provided so that an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages with different language systems can be connected in addition to the built-in font. It may be configured.
[0035]
Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1012.
[0036]
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the printer job start command and job end command in the print data transferred from the host computer 3000 shown in FIG. 2 to the printer 1000. The print data starts with a job start command and ends with a job end command.
[0037]
In the figure, reference numeral 3001 denotes a job start command, which includes a command ID section 3002, a store flag 3003, a job name size 3004, a job name 3005, an owner name size 3006, and an owner name 3007. A job end command 3008 includes a command ID section 3009.
[0038]
Here, the store flag 3003 is a flag for separating whether the corresponding job data is normally printed or stored in the storage area without printing. For example, when “1” is designated in the store flag 3003, Data is stored in the external memory 14 without printing. It is assumed that the job stored (stored) in the external memory 14 can be printed later by a print designation by a command.
[0039]
When “0” is designated in the store flag 3003, data is normally printed.
[0040]
Furthermore, when “print” is designated from the host application, a print parameter setting screen (not shown) is displayed, and each print parameter can be set. The store specification can also be specified as one of the print parameters. When the store is designated, the printer driver program designates “1” in the store flag 3003 of the job start command. The job end command 3008 includes only a command ID portion 3009.
[0041]
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the data structure of the return value from the printer 1000 in response to the store information acquisition command from the host computer 3000 shown in FIG.
[0042]
When displaying a list of jobs stored in the RAM 19 or the like of the printer 1000, the application on the host computer 3000 side issues a store information acquisition command (not shown) to the printer 1000.
[0043]
When the printer 1000 receives a store information acquisition command from the host computer 3000, it returns a store job list information 4001 to the host computer 3000.
[0044]
In the present embodiment, the interface is a bidirectional interface. The stored job list information 4001 includes a command ID section 4002, a job number 4003, and job information JOBA, JOBB,.
[0045]
Each job information includes a name size part 4004, a job name part 4005, an owner name size part 4006, and an owner name part 4007.
[0046]
Further, when the printer 3000 shown in the present embodiment receives a store counter acquisition command (not shown) from the host computer 3000, the value of the store counter (managed on the RAM 19) is returned to the host computer 3000. .
[0047]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a job management table and a store job management table managed by the printer 1000 shown in FIG.
[0048]
Here, the job management table is a table for managing a normal print job received from the host computer 3000, and is temporarily stored in memory resources (including the RAM 19 and the external memory 14) in the printer 1000. Stores job information.
[0049]
In the printer 1000 according to the present embodiment, the job management table 5001 includes job names, owner names, and job IDs.
[0050]
Here, the store job management table is a table for managing store print jobs (store-designated jobs) received from the host computer 3000, and memory resources in the printer 1000 (including the RAM 19 and the external memory 14). Stores job information stored in. In the printer 1000 of this embodiment, the store job management table 5002 is composed of job names, owner names, and store IDs.
[0051]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention. In addition, (1)-(19) shows each step.
[0052]
First, in step (1), after the printer power is turned on, various initialization processes are performed. Note that the value of the store counter is initialized to “0” during the initialization process. After the initialization process is completed, the printer waits for data input.
[0053]
If it is detected in step (2) that data has been input from the state of waiting for data input, the process proceeds to step (3) to perform data input processing.
[0054]
Next, in step 4, it is determined whether the current mode is the store mode. If it is determined that the current mode is the store mode, the process proceeds to step (13). If it is determined that the current mode is not the store mode, In the case of normal printing, the process proceeds to step (5) to perform data analysis processing.
[0055]
If it is determined in step (6) that the command is a job start command as a result of data analysis, and if it is determined that the command is a job start command, the process proceeds to step (16), and the parameters of the job start command are used. It is determined whether a certain store flag 3003 is “1”. If NO, the process proceeds to step (19) and thereafter. If it is determined to be “1”, the process proceeds to step (17), and the store mode is set. Migrate to At this time, job registration processing is performed in the store job management table 5002.
[0056]
During the store mode, the print mode is merely stored in the storage area, printing is not performed, and the store mode continues until a job end command is recognized.
[0057]
Next, in step (18), the store counter is incremented. The store counter is incremented when store jobs increase or decrease. In step (19), job registration processing is performed. If it is the store mode, the job is registered in the store job management table 5002, and if not, the job is registered in the job management table 5001, and the process returns to step (2).
[0058]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (6) that the command is not a job start command as a result of the data analysis in step (5), it is determined in step (7) whether the command is a job end command. If it is determined that the command is an end command, the process proceeds to step (12), the job end process is performed, and the process returns to step (2). In the job end process, the job information is deleted from the job management table.
[0059]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (7) that it is not a job end command, it is determined in step (8) whether or not the command is a paper discharge command, and if it is determined that it is a paper discharge command, Printing is performed in step (10), paper is discharged in step (11), and the process returns to step (2).
[0060]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (8) that the command is not a paper discharge command, that is, if it is determined that it is another drawing command, in step (9), each drawing process is performed according to the command. Return to (2).
[0061]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that the store mode is selected, the process proceeds to step (13) to perform store processing. In the store process, data is stored in a storage area such as the external memory 14, and printing is not performed.
[0062]
Next, in step (14), it is determined whether or not the job end command is recognized during the store mode. If the job end command is not recognized, the process returns to step (2) and the job end command is recognized. Returns to step (2) after canceling the store mode in step (15).
[0063]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a job processing status display screen in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to a screen based on the host application of the print system displayed on the CRT 10 shown in FIG. This application has a function of displaying a store job stored in the printer 1000 connected to the host computer 3000 via the network.
[0064]
In the figure, in screen A shown in (A), reference numeral 7001 denotes a screen for selecting a specific printer. The printer connected via the network is searched and the printer name is displayed.
[0065]
The user can select and determine a specific printer by using the keyboard 9 or a pointing device. When the printer is determined by such an operation, the screen on the CRT 10 is switched to the screen B shown in (B), that is, the screen displaying the store job list of a specific printer. Reference numeral 7003 denotes an end button.
[0066]
In screen B, 7002 is a store job list screen. When an end button 7004 is selected, the application is terminated.
[0067]
The store job list screen 7002 displays the store job name and owner name stored in the printer. Reference numeral 7004 denotes an end button. When the end button is selected, the screen display is switched to the screen A shown in screen A.
[0068]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the data processing procedure based on the host application of the print system described above. In addition, (1)-(14) shows each step.
[0069]
First, when the execution of the application is started, a printer connected via the network is searched in step (1), and the screen A shown in FIG. 7 is displayed in step (2). Then it waits for input.
[0070]
Here, for example, when an input is made from a keyboard, a pointing device or the like, the process proceeds to step (4), where it is determined whether or not the input is an end designation, and when it is determined that the input is an end designation, the application is terminated. .
[0071]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that the input is a printer selection, a target printer is determined in step (5), and information on the printer store counter is acquired in step (6).
[0072]
Next, in step (7), the current time is stored in the RAM 2, and in step (8), store job list information is acquired from the selected printer. In step (9), the screen shown in FIG. (B) is displayed.
[0073]
In step (10), the current time is acquired again, and in step (11), the current time is compared with the time stored in the previous step (7), and it is determined whether or not 30 seconds or more have already elapsed. If it is determined that 30 seconds or more have not elapsed, the process proceeds to step (14) and thereafter.
[0074]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (11) that 30 seconds or more have already passed, store counter information is acquired from the selected printer in step (12), and the value of the store counter is acquired in step (13). If it is determined that the store job list has changed, it means that the store job list has been updated. Therefore, the process returns to step (7) to acquire the store job list information. Try again.
[0075]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (13) that there is no change, there is no need to change the screen display of the CRT 10, so the process proceeds to step (14), where it is determined whether there is an input from the keyboard 9 or pointing device. If it is determined that there is no input, the process returns to step (11).
[0076]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (14) that there is an input and the input is designated to end, the process returns to step (2), and the display on the CRT 10 is changed from the display of the screen (B) shown in FIG. The display returns to (A).
[0077]
This eliminates the need to acquire store job information each time, thereby reducing the amount of data communication between the host and the printer, reducing network traffic, reducing application processing, and improving performance.
[0078]
[Second Embodiment]
In the above embodiment, the case where the interval for acquiring the store counter is fixed has been described. However, the store counter may be configured to be changed by a menu or command of the printer.
[0079]
[Third Embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the store counter is incremented has been described for the case where the store job increases. However, the store counter may be configured to increase, decrease, or both.
[0080]
[Fourth Embodiment]
In the above embodiment, the interface channel for acquiring the store counter value and acquiring the job information has been described as being a data channel. However, the channel may be other than the same channel.
[0081]
[Fifth Embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the storage unit for storing jobs is the RAM has been described. However, the storage unit is not limited to the RAM, and may be configured by another nonvolatile external storage device.
[0082]
According to each of the above embodiments, the application can acquire information only when the information on the printer side is updated. Therefore, the number of data transfers for information acquisition is reduced, and the performance on the host side can be improved. . Further, efficient information acquisition can be performed without using traps and events, and the problem of simultaneous polling by using traps and events can be avoided.
[0083]
The configuration of a data processing program that can be read out by a printing system to which the printing control apparatus and data processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.
[0084]
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs that can be read out by a printing system to which the printing control apparatus and data processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.
[0085]
Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.
[0086]
Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.
[0087]
The functions shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 in the present embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.
[0088]
As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.
[0089]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0090]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, an EEPROM, or the like is used. it can.
[0091]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0092]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0093]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the print control apparatus that performs printing based on a print job in accordance with the print designation after the print job is input is the number of print jobs. Is transmitted to the information processing apparatus, and based on the acquisition request from the information processing apparatus, when it is determined that the number of print jobs has changed based on the number of print jobs received by the information processing apparatus Job information about print jobs The The number of print jobs stored in the printing apparatus is compared with the printing apparatus that transmits the information processing apparatus or performs printing based on the print job according to the print designation after inputting the print job. When changing, by acquiring job information related to a print job, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of traffic associated with the acquisition of job information and avoid a decrease in data transfer processing efficiency.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an output device to which the present invention can be applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system to which the data processing apparatus and the print control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention can be applied.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a job start command and a job end command of a printer in print data transferred from the host computer shown in FIG. 2 to the printer.
4 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a return value from a printer in response to a store information acquisition command from a host computer shown in FIG.
5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job management table and a store job management table managed by the printer illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a job processing status display screen in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the printing control apparatus and data processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 CPU
2 RAM
3 ROM
4 System bus
12 CPU
13 ROM
19 RAM
1000 printer
3000 Host computer

Claims (14)

A print control device that stores a print job input from an information processing device in a storage device and controls printing based on the print job stored in the storage device,
Job management means for managing the number of print jobs stored in the storage device and job information relating to the print jobs stored in the storage device;
Transmitting means for transmitting the number of print jobs managed by the job management means to the information processing apparatus;
Based on the number of the print job received by said information processing apparatus, when the number of print jobs is determined to have changed, the job information managed in the job management unit to an acquisition request from the information processing apparatus Job information transmission means for transmitting based on;
Have
Printing based on a print job stored in the storage device is performed according to a print designation after inputting the print job. A print control device that stores a print job input from an information processing device in a storage device and controls printing based on the print job stored in the storage device,
Job management means for managing the number of print jobs stored in the storage device and job information relating to the print jobs stored in the storage device;
Transmitting means for transmitting the number of print jobs stored in the storage device to the information processing device;
A print job stored in the storage device based on an acquisition request from the information processing device when it is determined that the number of print jobs has changed based on the number of the print jobs received by the information processing device Job information transmission means for transmitting job information to the information processing apparatus, and printing based on the print job stored in the storage device is performed according to a print designation after inputting the print job. Print control device. The transmission unit, based on the acquisition request from the information processing apparatus, the storage device the number of print jobs that are stored in and transmits to the information processing apparatus according to claim 2 Symbol placement of the print control apparatus. The job information, in claim 2 or 3, wherein the the information indicating the job name of the print job stored in the storage unit or information indicating the owner name of the print job stored in the storage device, The printing control apparatus described. An information processing apparatus capable of transferring a print job to a printing apparatus,
First acquisition means for acquiring the number of print jobs stored in the printing apparatus;
Second acquisition means for acquiring job information relating to a print job stored in the printing apparatus;
Display means for displaying a list of job information acquired by the second acquisition means;
Determination means for determining whether the number of print jobs acquired by the first acquisition means has changed;
Control means for causing the second acquisition means to acquire job information and causing the display means to display a list of job information when the determination means determines that the number of print jobs has changed,
Printing based on the print job stored before Symbol printing apparatus, an information processing apparatus characterized by follow the print settings after entering the printing job, dividing lines I by the printing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the determination unit determines whether the number of print jobs acquired by the first acquisition unit has changed at a set time interval. An information processing apparatus capable of transferring a print job to a printing apparatus,
First acquisition means for acquiring the number of print jobs stored in the printing apparatus;
Second acquisition means for acquiring job information relating to a print job stored in the printing apparatus;
Display means for displaying a list of print jobs stored in the printing apparatus based on the job information acquired by the second acquisition means;
The second acquisition unit acquires job information related to a print job stored in the printing apparatus when the number of print jobs acquired by the first acquisition unit changes.
Printing based on the print job stored before Symbol printing apparatus, an information processing apparatus characterized by follow the print settings after entering the printing job, dividing lines I by the printing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first acquisition unit acquires the number of print jobs stored in the printing apparatus at a predetermined interval. A print control method in a print control device for storing a print job input from an information processing device in a storage device and controlling printing based on the print job stored in the storage device,
The number of print jobs stored in the storage device, the job management step of managing the job information on the print job stored in the storage device,
A transmission step of transmitting the number of print jobs managed in the job management step to the information processing apparatus;
Based on the number of the print job received by said information processing apparatus, when the number of print jobs is determined to have changed, on the basis of the job information managed by the job management process to the acquisition request from the information processing apparatus A job information transmission step for transmitting
Printing based on a print job stored in the storage device is performed according to a print designation after inputting the print job. A print control method in a print control device for storing a print job input from an information processing device in a storage device and controlling printing based on the print job stored in the storage device,
A counting step for counting the number of print jobs stored in the storage device;
A transmission step of transmitting the number of print jobs stored in the storage device to the information processing device;
A print job stored in the storage device based on an acquisition request from the information processing device when it is determined that the number of print jobs has changed based on the number of the print jobs received by the information processing device A job information transmission step for transmitting job information to the information processing apparatus,
Printing based on a print job stored in the storage device is performed according to a print designation after inputting the print job. An information processing method in an information processing apparatus capable of transferring a print job to a printing apparatus,
A first acquisition step of acquiring the number of print jobs stored in the printing apparatus;
A second acquisition step of acquiring job information relating to a print job stored in the printing apparatus;
A display step of displaying a list of job information acquired in the second acquisition step on a display device;
A determination step of determining whether or not the number of print jobs acquired by the first acquisition step has changed;
A control step of acquiring job information in the second acquisition step and displaying a list of job information on the display device in the display step when it is determined that the number of print jobs has changed in the determination step. And
The printing based on the print job stored before Symbol printing apparatus, an information processing method characterized by follow the print settings after entering the print job, dividing lines I by the printing device. An information processing method in an information processing apparatus capable of transferring a print job to a printing apparatus,
A first acquisition step of acquiring the number of print jobs stored in the printing apparatus;
A second acquisition step of acquiring job information relating to a print job stored in the printing apparatus;
A display step of displaying a list of print jobs stored in the printing apparatus on a display device based on the job information acquired in the second acquisition step;
The second acquisition step acquires job information related to a print job stored in the printing apparatus when the number of print jobs acquired in the first acquisition step changes,
The printing based on the print job stored before Symbol printing apparatus, an information processing method characterized by follow the print settings after entering the print job, dividing lines I by the printing device. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling an information processing apparatus capable of transferring a print job to a printing apparatus,
A first acquisition step of acquiring the number of print jobs stored in the printing apparatus;
A second acquisition step of acquiring job information relating to a print job stored in the printing apparatus;
A display step of displaying a list of job information acquired in the second acquisition step on a display device;
A determination step of determining whether or not the number of print jobs acquired by the first acquisition step has changed;
A control step of acquiring job information in the second acquisition step and displaying a list of job information on the display device in the display step when it is determined that the number of print jobs has changed in the determination step. And
Printing based on the print job stored before Symbol printing apparatus, the have print jobs follow the print settings after entering, the printing device capable computer readout, characterized in that the dividing lines I by the program A storage medium that stores A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling an information processing apparatus capable of transferring a print job to a printing apparatus,
A first acquisition step of acquiring the number of print jobs stored in the printing apparatus;
A second acquisition step of acquiring job information relating to a print job stored in the printing apparatus;
A display step of displaying a list of print jobs stored in the printing apparatus on a display device based on the job information acquired in the second acquisition step;
The second acquisition step acquires job information related to a print job stored in the printing apparatus when the number of print jobs acquired in the first acquisition step changes,
Printing based on the print job stored before Symbol printing apparatus, the have print jobs follow the print settings after entering, the printing device capable computer readout, characterized in that the dividing lines I by the program A storage medium that stores

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