JP4422871B2 - Information processing apparatus, printing processing time presentation method, and storage medium storing computer-readable program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a printing processing time presentation method, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program, and more particularly to derive a printing processing time before starting printing and present the printing processing time to a user. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a printing processing time presentation method, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a printer driver that generates print data to be transmitted to a printing apparatus, a user can specify various print settings, for example, a print purpose for specifying print quality such as print resolution and print gradation, duplex printing, N-page printing, and bookbinding. A print layout for specifying printing, a paper discharge method for specifying stapling, saddle stitching, and sorting, and a paper supply method for specifying a paper feed unit for each page had to be set. In order to perform print settings using such a printer driver, the user must make settings in consideration of the effects of the respective print settings, and requires advanced knowledge.
[0003]
For this reason, recent printer drivers have a plurality of printing environments in which a plurality of printing settings are defined, and names that can be easily understood by the user (standard printing, two-page printing, confidential, bitmap) in each printing environment. Development, photographic images, bookbinding printing, etc.) are displayed on the user interface. For this reason, when the user determines the name of the printing environment from the plurality of printing environments (sometimes referred to as “printing profile”) and selects a certain printing environment, the printing environment (printing profile) is defined. Since a plurality of print settings are automatically set and print data can be generated based on the print settings, the user can obtain a desired print output relatively easily.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above printer driver considers making the printing environment easy for the user to understand, but does not consider making the user understand the time required for the printing process according to each printing environment. However, the time required for the printing process varies greatly depending on the printing environment, and when the user arbitrarily selects the printing environment, it is expected that the printing process will take time unintentionally. It was not easy to use from a viewpoint.
[0005]
Also, the printer driver generates print data, and the printer or print server analyzes the print quality (resolution, gradation, data amount) of the print data, calculates the time required for print processing, A mechanism for presenting a user with a time when print output can be obtained is conceivable. However, in the mechanism in which the time is calculated and presented to the user in the printer or the print server, the user feels dissatisfied with the time and in order to obtain print output by another method, the print data is generated again from the application. It will be necessary and will be unsatisfactory for the user.
[0006]
The content of the print data analyzed by the printer or print server is limited to the print quality that is the data amount, print resolution, and print gradation of the print data, and the printing apparatus side prints N pages (for N pages). Print data is reduced and printed on one page of recording paper) or bookbinding printing (print pages are rearranged in the bookbinding order, and print data for four pages is reduced and arranged on one page of recording paper. There is nothing that takes into account the print processing time required for conditions other than print quality, such as a print layout that specifies (print processing according to the spread direction), and the time required for the print processing cannot be accurately derived. .
[0007]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional example, and an object thereof is to provide a function of presenting a print processing time required for a print process to a user before starting printing using a printer driver.
[0008]
Further, in view of the above problems, the purpose is to derive a print processing time for each of a plurality of printing purposes and present the respective printing processing times to the user so that the user can select a desired printing purpose. To do.
[0009]
In addition, in view of the above-described problems, the purpose is to derive a print processing time for each of a plurality of print environments and present the respective print processing times to the user so that the user can select a desired print environment. To do.
[0010]
By informing the user of the printing time in advance, it is possible to make a final determination as to whether or not to execute printing.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises the following arrangement. An information processing apparatus as a host computer that generates print data, receiving means for receiving drawing information processed by a printer driver converted from a print document created by an application stored in the information processing apparatus; Received by the receiving means; a setting means for setting a printing environment including a plurality of print setting information used for the printing process; a selecting means for selecting a printing environment used for the printing process from the plurality of printing environments; Deriving means for deriving the print processing time required for printing processing of the drawing information for each of the plurality of printing environments based on the drawn drawing information and the plurality of printing environments set by the setting means, and deriving by the deriving means The selecting means uses the printing processing times of the plurality of printing environments. Characterized in that it has a display control means for displaying the print processing time of the printing environment that is not selected by the print processing time and the selection means selected print environment Te.
[0012]
The acquisition unit acquires drawing information including an ID for each object constituting the print document before execution of printing through an extended API provided between the printer driver and the application.
[0020]
Further, the problem is solved by the printing processing time presentation method in the above apparatus.
[0021]
Further, the problem is solved by a computer readable program for realizing the above processing.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0023]
<Configuration of printing system>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system that includes a host computer 3000 and a printer 1500.
[0024]
In FIG. 1, the host computer 3000 includes a CPU 1 that executes document processing in which graphics, 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. Prepare. The CPU 1 comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 4. The RAM 2 functions as a main memory and work area for the CPU 1. Each module of the printer driver program of the present invention is read into the RAM 2, and the CPU 1 performs processing based on each module.
[0025]
A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). A CRT controller (CRTC) 6 controls display on the CRT display 10. The CRT 10 also displays a printer installation screen to be described later.
[0026]
A disk controller (DKC) 7 controls access to an 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. Each module of the printer driver program of the present invention is stored in the external memory 11 or the ROM 3 and is read out to the RAM 2 as necessary.
[0027]
A printer controller (PRTC) 8 is connected to the printer 1000 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (bidirectional I / F) or the network 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1500. The CPU 1 executes, for example, outline font development (rasterization) processing on the display information RAM set on the RAM 2 to enable WYSIWYG (a function for matching display contents and print contents) on the CRT 10. . Further, the CPU 1 executes a program that realizes a procedure of a flowchart that will be described later, and opens various windows registered based on commands instructed by a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 10 to perform various data processing. Execute.
[0028]
On the other hand, in the printer 1500, the printer CPU 12 comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on the control program stored in the control program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13. Then, an image signal as output information is output to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via the printing unit I / F 16. The printing unit 17 is equipped with a staple stacker for executing stapling.
[0029]
The CPU 12 can communicate with the host computer via the network 21 and can notify the host computer 3000 of information in the printer. The RAM 19 is a RAM that functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 12. The input unit 18 is configured to control communication of status information such as print status information with the host computer 3000 via the network, and to notify the host computer 3000 of information in the printer. Here, the input unit 18 is called a network board.
[0030]
A memory controller (MC) 20 controls access to an external memory 14 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. The operation unit 1501 includes a display panel and a keyboard, and provides information to the operator and inputs instructions from the operator.
[0031]
<Printer functions>
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 1500 showing an outline of the mechanism of the printing unit 17.
[0032]
The laser driver 221 drives the laser issuance unit 211 to cause the laser issuance unit 211 to emit laser light according to image data generated based on print data received from the host computer 3000. The laser beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 212, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 212. A developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 212 by the developing device 213. Then, at the timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, the recording paper is fed from either the cassette 214 or the cassette 205 and conveyed to the transfer unit 206, and the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 212 is transferred to the recording paper. To do. The recording paper on which the developer is placed is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed to the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged by a discharge roller 208.
[0033]
If double-sided recording is set, the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, and then the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed and guided to the refeed conveyance path by the flapper 209. If multiple recording is set, the flapper 209 guides the recording sheet to the refeed conveyance path so that the recording sheet is not conveyed to the discharge roller 208. The recording paper guided to the refeed conveyance path is fed to the transfer unit 206 at the timing described above.
[0034]
The recording paper discharged by the discharge roller 208 is inserted into the paper discharge device 171. The paper discharge device 171 is controlled by a paper discharge method specified by print data from the host computer 3000. When there are a plurality of copies of the print data and the sort is designated, the sheets are discharged to the vertical drive type sorter 217 from the upper bin one page at a time.
[0035]
<Software configuration of the host computer>
In such a system, the software configuration for the host computer 3000 to perform printing is as shown in FIG. That is, when printing a print document such as a document created by the application 201, the application generates a drawing command using an interface function defined by the OS based on the printed document, and the generated drawing command is received from the application. Is sent to the graphic engine 202 which is a part of the operating system. The graphic engine 202 is called GDI in the case of a Windows OS (registered trademark of US Microsoft), for example. The graphic engine 202 acquires a drawing command (first drawing function) using an interface function (GDI function: Graphical Device Interface) defined by GDI from the application 201, and is interpreted by the printer driver 203 unique to the printer 1500. It is converted into a possible drawing command (second drawing function) and passed to the printer driver 203. The printer driver 203 generates print data suitable for the printer 1500 based on a drawing command (DDI function: Device Driver Interface) received from the graphic engine 202.
[0036]
The printer driver 203 passes the generated print data to the system spooler 204. The system spooler spools the print data and sends the print data to the printer in accordance with the printer schedule.
[0037]
FIG. 3 is an example of a memory map of the RAM 2 at the time of printing in the host computer 1500 or setting of the printer. The application 32 performs printing using the OS 36 and a print program (printer driver) 35. The BIOS 37 is called a basic input / output system, and includes a program for driving a parallel interface and a serial interface connected to the printer 1500.
[0038]
The print control program (printer driver) is composed of a plurality of modules. The plurality of modules includes the following modules.
[0039]
First, there is an acquisition module that acquires drawing information based on a print document created by an application. The acquisition module acquires drawing information including an ID for each object constituting a print document before executing printing through an application and an extended API. The acquisition module also acquires a second drawing command (DDI function) issued by the OS based on the first drawing command (GDI function) issued by the application.
[0040]
In addition, there is a user interface providing module that provides a user interface for setting print setting information when executing print processing of print data in the printing apparatus. The user interface providing module provides the user interface shown in FIG. 4, and the user interface is displayed on the display unit via the OS. The user interface shown in FIG. 4 is composed of a plurality of sheets, and various print settings can be made for each sheet. The print setting information includes information related to print quality in print data (set in a print quality sheet) and information related to print layout (set in “page layout” in a page setting sheet). Further, the user interface providing module provides a user interface for setting a print profile (S403 in FIG. 4) in which a plurality of pieces of print setting information when executing print processing of print data in the printing apparatus.
[0041]
There is also a derivation module for deriving the print processing time required for the print processing based on the drawing information acquired by the acquisition module and the print settings set in the user interface. Details of the derivation module will be described with reference to a flowchart described later. Further, this derivation module derives the print processing time required for the print processing for each of a plurality of print profiles set via the user interface (S401 and S402 in FIG. 4) provided by the user interface providing module.
[0042]
There is also a presentation module that presents the print processing time derived by the derivation module to the user before generating print data. The presentation module provides a user interface (FIG. 9) that prompts the user to input a print processing time and an instruction to execute a print process that requires the print processing time. The user interface is displayed on the display unit via the OS. The As shown in FIG. 9, the user interface presented by the presentation module can accept an input of an instruction to cancel execution of a print process that requires a print process time.
[0043]
In addition, there is a generation module that generates print data based on the print document after the print processing time is presented by the presentation module.
[0044]
Further, a transmission module for transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus via the network is further included.
[0045]
In addition to the settings for printing such as paper size and layout information, the related data 34 includes setting information set and used by the printer driver and a structure called DEVMODE.
[0046]
Next, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4, 8, and 9 and FIGS. 5 to 7, the print processing time is derived for each print environment called “favorite” including other conditions such as print quality and print layout. The procedure for presenting will be described.
[0047]
<Print processing time presentation method and favorite print time display procedure>
A user (user) uses a plurality of print setting information such as a print layout, a paper size, a print quality, and a paper discharge method as a print environment according to a printer to be used as a print environment (favorite: S403 in FIG. 4). This is set using the user interface provided by the user interface providing module of the printer driver shown in FIG. As an example of a method for setting print setting information, when a user calls a printer setting provided from an operating system or the like, a printer driver is called from the operating system (OS). A user interface providing module of the printer driver provides a user interface for setting setting information unique to the printer to the OS, and the OS displays a user interface screen on the display unit via the display driver. The user makes settings on the screen.
[0048]
In the embodiment, the setting is performed in such a manner.
[0049]
FIG. 4 is an example of a screen for performing printer setting when the printer setting is called by the user. In this example, there are multiple sheets for performing settings such as “Information”, “Details”, “Page Settings”, “Finish”, “Paper Feed”, “Print Quality”, “Device Settings” for each setting. Yes, the user selects a desired user interface by switching the setting sheet according to the information to be set. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the “page setting” screen is selected, and the user uses this pointing device such as a mouse or a keyboard to set each item and derive the print processing time. Settings are made (S401 in FIG. 4).
[0050]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart relating to a procedure when the print processing time derivation setting is performed on the screen of FIG. 4 and printing is executed.
[0051]
First, in step S501, it is determined whether or not the “measure print processing time” column S401 in FIG. 4 is checked. If not checked, normal printing is performed and the process is terminated.
[0052]
If the “Measure print processing time” check box is ON, the printer driver acquisition module receives an ID for each drawing object defined in the printer driver from the application (step S502).
[0053]
This uses a means for an application to notify an object ID by using an API function (extended API) exported by a printer driver. Therefore, the application 201 and the printer driver 203 can exchange data without going through the graphic engine 202.
[0054]
In step S503, the printer driver derivation module measures the print processing time based on the drawing object ID received from the application by the acquisition module in step S502. Details of step S503 will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0055]
When the measurement of the print processing time is completed for all favorites in step S503, in step S504, the CPU 1 displays the print time on the CRT 10 that is a display unit for each printing environment based on the presentation module of the printer driver. To do. FIG. 9 shows an example thereof, which is a display example when a favorite (print environment) of “standard setting” is selected and printing is executed.
[0056]
The user can instruct execution and cancellation of printing before executing printing with reference to the printing time presented in the user interface shown in FIG. Further, since the printing time when printing is performed with each favorite is displayed, it becomes reference data for the next printing.
[0057]
If it is determined in FIG. 9 that the print cancel button has been pressed, the CPU 1 deletes the drawing information received and held from the application based on the printer driver deletion module, and ends without performing the printing process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the print continuation button has been pressed by the user, in step S506, the CPU 1 performs print data generation processing with the printer driver 203 based on the drawing command acquired from the graphic engine 202, and ends. To do.
[0058]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the CPU 1 based on the printer driver for calculating the number of print profiles for deriving the print processing time when deriving the print processing time (step S503 in FIG. 5).
[0059]
First, in step S601, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the “Measure with all favorites” column S402 in FIG. 4 is checked. If it is determined that the check is ON, in step S602, the CPU 1 searches for the number of print profiles (“favorites”) that are printing environments stored in the registry based on an instruction from the printer driver, and sets the variable Num. set. In step S603, the CPU 1 sets a variable i to 0, and performs a printing processing time measurement process (S605) for each printing profile until the variable i becomes Num.
[0060]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the process of the CPU 1 based on the derivation module for deriving the printing process (step S605).
[0061]
In step S701, the CPU 1 initializes Sum, which is a total variable value of the print processing time, to 0 based on an instruction from the derivation module. In step S702, the CPU 1 determines whether there is a drawing object ID notified from the application in step S502. If it does not exist, it means that the CPU 1 has calculated the print processing time of all the drawing objects, so that the time required for the print processing is derived based on the Sum value indicating the total time numerical value, and the print time measurement processing Exit. Here, the print processing time derived based on the Sum value includes a print data generation time required for generating print data in the printer driver and a development time for developing and generating image data based on the print data in the printing apparatus. And the total discharge time from when the recording paper is fed to when the image is formed based on the image data and discharged to the paper discharge unit. Further, the development time and the paper discharge time differ depending on the type of printing apparatus, but since this value is held in advance by the printer driver (because a printer driver is prepared for the printing apparatus), It can be easily realized. Although not shown, the time conversion table for obtaining the print processing time (print data generation time + development time + recording time) from the Sum value, which is a time value, is also stored by the storage means in the same manner as the print processing time table of FIG. It is assumed that it is held in advance in a certain RAM 2 or external memory 11.
[0062]
On the other hand, if an object ID exists in step S702, in step S703, the CPU 1 searches for the print processing time for each target indicated by the drawing object ID based on the print processing time table of FIG. set.
[0063]
Here, the printing time table is as shown in FIG. 8. Based on the drawing object ID notified from the application in step S502 and the “favorite name” of the printing profile acquired from the registry, the printing time value is calculated. Get and set to variable a. In step S704, the CPU 1 adds the printing time a required for each drawing object to the total number Sum of the printing processing times based on the instruction from the derivation module.
[0064]
Based on the derivation module, the CPU 1 repeats this process until there is no print object notified from the application, and calculates Sum.
[0065]
The process for measuring the printing time for each favorite in step S605 is repeated until the variable i reaches the favorite registration number Num as described above. Even when the “Measure with all favorites” field S402 in FIG. 4 is not checked in step S601, the above-described print time measurement process is performed using the favorite name set in the favorite field S403 in FIG. Is performed (step S607).
[0066]
Further, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention provides a derivation unit (printer driver) based on an ID of a drawing object that constitutes a print document from an application acquired by an acquisition unit (processing of the CPU 1 based on a printer driver acquisition module) through the extended API. The processing of the CPU 1 based on the derivation module) derives the print processing time, but it can be realized by using the following method without having an extended API.
[0067]
First, a print request from an application is generated, and the printer driver acquires a drawing command (DDI function) via the OS. The spool module of the printer driver converts the DDI function, which is a drawing command, into intermediate format data (referred to as intermediate data), and spools the converted intermediate data as an intermediate file in the spool means (the work area of RAM 1). To do. The acquisition module describes DEVMODE (print setting information) indicating a print profile in which a plurality of print settings set in the user interface of the printer driver via the OS are collected in parallel with the spool processing of the spool module. Structure) is acquired and stored in the spool means in association with the intermediate data of the print document.
[0068]
Then, the analysis module of the printer driver reads the intermediate data from the intermediate file and analyzes the contents, thereby recognizing the object attribute (drawing object ID) of each intermediate data. Then, the derivation module of the printer driver calculates a time value based on the object attributes of all intermediate data of the print document and the print processing time table (FIG. 8), and converts the time value using the time conversion table described above. By doing so, the print processing time is derived. Also, the derivation process by the derivation module is derived for each of the plurality of print profiles based on the print setting information set in each print profile by reading a plurality of print profiles held in the spool means.
[0069]
Here, the derivation of the time value considering the print profile will be briefly described. In the print layout in the print profile, first, “2-page printing (when two logical pages (pages issued from an application) are reduced and printing is performed on one recording sheet)” is executed as a page layout. The case will be described. In the case of printing two pages, it is necessary to perform a reduction process for each logical page and then rearrange it on a physical page. Therefore, the print data generation time takes a lot of time, for example, reduction processing (0.1 page for one physical page) and layout processing (0.05 second for one physical page). The number of physical pages is reduced by half. Further, when staple is specified as the paper discharge method, the paper discharge time is a calculation that requires a longer time for, for example, the stapling process (0.5 seconds per copy).
[0070]
Further, after the print processing time is presented to the user as the user interface shown in FIG. 9, when the user instructs to cancel the print on the user interface, the printer driver deletion module is spooled in the spool means. The intermediate data of the corresponding print document is deleted. On the other hand, when the user instructs printing on the user interface shown in FIG. 9, the despool module of the printer driver is spooled in the spool means. Based on the corresponding intermediate data, the GDI function, which is the first drawing command based on the print profile, is regenerated and output to the graphic engine 202. Upon receiving the DDI function that is the second drawing command generated again by the graphic engine 202, the print data generation module of the printer driver print data (page description language) to be printed by the printing apparatus based on the DDI function. ), And the transmission module transmits the print data to the printing apparatus via the network (LAN 21).
[0071]
[Other embodiments]
The present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.) or an apparatus composed of a single device (for example, a host computer). Good. Another object of the present invention is to supply a recording medium in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the recording medium. This can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.
[0072]
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.
[0073]
Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-R / W, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, A DVD or the like can be used.
[0074]
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) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. A case where part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are performed by the processing is also included.
[0075]
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. This includes a 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.
[0076]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, by notifying the user of the print processing time, it is possible to cancel printing in a setting that takes time for output in advance.
[0077]
Also, by displaying the printing time for each favorite or printing purpose, it becomes reference data for the next printing, and printing with optimum settings is possible.
[0078]
According to the present embodiment, the printer driver provides a function of presenting the print processing time required for the print processing to the user before starting printing, so that the user can recognize the time required for the print processing in advance. .
[0079]
Further, by deriving the print processing time for each of a plurality of print purposes and presenting each print processing time to the user, the user can recognize the time required for the print processing for each print purpose.
[0080]
Further, by deriving the print processing time for each of a plurality of print environments and presenting each print processing time to the user, the user can recognize the time required for the print processing for each print environment.
[0081]
In addition, after presenting the print processing time for each print purpose or print environment, an instruction to perform the print processing is accepted, so that the user can determine whether to perform the print processing in consideration of the print processing time.
[0082]
In addition, after presenting the print processing time for each printing purpose or printing environment, an instruction to cancel the print processing is accepted, so that the user can cancel printing in advance in consideration of the print processing time.
[0083]
In addition, after presenting the print processing time for each of a plurality of printing purposes or printing environments, an instruction on which printing environment is to be used for printing is accepted, so the user considers the printing processing time for each of the plurality of printing purposes or printing environments. Thus, it is possible to instruct to perform a printing process for a desired printing purpose or printing environment.
【The invention's effect】
As described above, by deriving the print processing time for each of the plurality of print setting information and presenting each print processing time to the user, the user can recognize the time required for the print processing for each printing purpose. It becomes.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system including a host computer and a printer.
FIG. 2 is software for printing in a host computer.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of a memory map at the time of printing or printer setting in the host computer.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a user interface for setting whether to measure printing time on a screen.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a procedure for measuring a printing time.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a procedure for measuring a printing time.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a procedure for measuring a printing time for each favorite.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a printing time table.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a dialog box for notifying a user of a printing time.
10 is a cross-sectional view of the printer showing the mechanism of the printing unit 17. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 CPU
2 RAM
3 ROM
4 Bus
5 KBC (keyboard controller)
6 CRTC (CRT controller)
7 DKC (disk controller)
8 PRTC (Printer Controller)
9 KB (keyboard
10 CRT
11 External memory
12 CPU
13 ROM
14 External memory
15 bus
16 Printing section I / F
17 Printing department
18 Input unit (network board)
19 RAM
20 DKC
21 LAN (Local Area Network)
171 Staple Stacker

Claims (18)

An information processing apparatus as a host computer that generates print data,
A receiving unit for receiving drawing information processed by a printer driver converted from a print document created by an application stored in the information processing apparatus, and a print environment including a plurality of print setting information used for print processing Based on a plurality of printing environments set by the setting means, a selection means for selecting a printing environment to be used for printing processing from the plurality of printing environments, the drawing information received by the receiving means, and the plurality of printing environments set by the setting means Derivation means for deriving a printing processing time required for the printing process of the drawing information for each of the plurality of printing environments;
Using the printing processing times of the plurality of printing environments derived by the deriving unit, the printing processing time of the printing environment selected by the selection unit and the printing processing time of the printing environment not selected by the selection unit An information processing apparatus having display control means for displaying.   2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a generation unit configured to generate the print data based on print setting information included in a print environment selected by the selection unit after the print processing time is displayed by the display control unit. The information processing apparatus described in 1.   The derivation unit uses the identification information for each object constituting the print document, and the print processing time table in which the identification information for each object is associated with the print setting information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a print processing time for each of the environments is derived.   4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing environment includes at least one of information related to print quality or information related to print layout in the print data. 5.   A first mode for deriving the print processing time of the print environment selected by the selection unit without deriving the print processing time of the print environment not selected by the selection unit as a mode for deriving the print processing time; Alternatively, the image processing apparatus further includes a specifying unit that specifies a print processing time of the printing environment not selected by the selection unit and a second mode for deriving the print processing time of the printing environment selected by the selection unit. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Conversion means for converting drawing information processed by a printer driver converted from a print document created by the application into intermediate data, and spool means for spooling the intermediate data converted by the conversion means,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the derivation unit recognizes identification information for each object constituting the print document by analyzing the intermediate data. A control method in an information processing apparatus as a host computer for generating print data,
A receiving step for receiving drawing information processed by a printer driver converted from a print document created by an application stored in the information processing apparatus, and a print environment including a plurality of print setting information used for print processing A selection step for selecting a printing environment to be used for printing processing from the plurality of printing environments, drawing information received by the receiving step, and a plurality of printing environments set by the setting step A derivation step of deriving a print processing time required for the printing process of the drawing information for each of the plurality of print environments, and the selection step using the print processing times of the plurality of print environments derived by the derivation step Print processing time selected by the printing environment and printing not selected by the selection step The information processing method characterized by comprising a display control step of displaying a border print processing time.   8. A generation step of generating the print data based on print setting information included in a print environment selected by the selection step after the print processing time is displayed by the display control step. Information processing method described in 1. The derivation step uses the identification information for each object constituting the print document, and the print processing time table in which the identification information for each object is associated with the print setting information. the information processing method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the deriving the print processing time for each environment. The information processing method according to any one of claims 7 to 9 , wherein the printing environment includes at least one of information on print quality or information on a print layout in the print data. A first mode for deriving the printing processing time of the printing environment selected by the selection step without deriving the printing processing time of the printing environment not selected by the selection step as a mode for deriving the printing processing time; Alternatively, the method further comprises a designation step for designating a second mode for deriving the print processing time of the printing environment not selected by the selection step and the print processing time of the printing environment selected by the selection step. The information processing method according to any one of claims 7 to 10 . A conversion step of converting drawing information processed by a printer driver converted from a print document created by the application into intermediate data, and a spool step of spooling the intermediate data converted by the conversion step, 10. The information processing method according to claim 9 , wherein the derivation step recognizes identification information for each object constituting the print document by analyzing the intermediate data. A storage medium storing a program readable by an information processing apparatus as a host computer that generates print data,
A receiving step for receiving drawing information processed by a printer driver converted from a print document created by an application stored in the information processing apparatus, and a print environment including a plurality of print setting information used for print processing A selection step for selecting a printing environment to be used for printing processing from the plurality of printing environments, drawing information received by the receiving step, and a plurality of printing environments set by the setting step A derivation step of deriving a print processing time required for the printing process of the drawing information for each of the plurality of print environments, and the selection step using the print processing times of the plurality of print environments derived by the derivation step Print processing time selected by the printing environment and printing not selected by the selection step The computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a display control step of displaying a border print processing time of the computer. 14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising a generation step of generating the print data based on print setting information included in the print environment selected by the selection step after the print processing time is displayed by the display control step. The storage medium described in 1. The derivation step uses the identification information for each object constituting the print document, and the print processing time table in which the identification information for each object is associated with the print setting information. The storage medium according to claim 13 or 14 , wherein a print processing time for each of the environments is derived. The storage medium according to any one of claims 13 to 15 , wherein the printing environment includes at least one of information on print quality or information on a print layout in the print data. A first mode for deriving the printing processing time of the printing environment selected by the selection step without deriving the printing processing time of the printing environment not selected by the selection step as a mode for deriving the printing processing time; Alternatively, the method further comprises a designation step for designating a second mode for deriving the print processing time of the printing environment not selected by the selection step and the print processing time of the printing environment selected by the selection step. The storage medium according to any one of claims 13 to 16 . A conversion step of converting drawing information processed by a printer driver converted from a print document created by the application into intermediate data, and a spool step of spooling the intermediate data converted by the conversion step, 16. The storage medium according to claim 15 , wherein the derivation step recognizes identification information for each object constituting the print document by analyzing the intermediate data.

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