JP5716379B2 - Print control apparatus, print control method and program thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a print control method, and a program therefor.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a print control apparatus, an apparatus that prints a plurality of print jobs by adjusting an output amount has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). With this apparatus, it is possible to set a job output ratio during processing of a print job. When the printer controller receives this job output ratio and receives the next print job during the processing of the print job, the amount of image data output for the job being processed according to the value of the job output ratio set for the print job being processed Reduce. Then, by performing control for assigning the reduced output amount to the next job, it is possible to interrupt and print the next print job of the mass print job.

JP 2006-163678 A

  By the way, in the print control apparatus described in Patent Document 1, for example, print data spooled using a spooler of an operating system may be transmitted to a printer to perform print processing. In such a case, for example, the spooler may have restrictions such as print data capacity or printer memory capacity. If the print data exceeds these capacity restrictions, the print processing will continue. In some cases, it could not be executed. For this reason, it has been desired to execute the printing process more reliably.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a print control apparatus, a print control method, and a program for executing a print process more reliably.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve the main object described above.

The print control apparatus of the present invention includes:
A printing control device connected to a printing device for printing a print job to be printed so that data communication is possible;
An image processing unit for executing processing for generating print data corresponding to a part of the print job;
A buffer processing unit for buffering the generated print data in a storage unit for storing data;
A data output unit that reads the print data from the storage unit asynchronously with the buffer of the print data to the storage unit, and outputs the read print data to the printing apparatus;
It is equipped with.

  In this print control apparatus, print data corresponding to a part of a print job is generated, the generated print data is buffered in the storage unit, the print data is read from the storage unit asynchronously with the print data buffer, and the read print Output the data to the printer side. As described above, since the print data is buffered for each part of the print job, the print data can be generated without being affected by restrictions such as a storage amount limitation that may occur when spooling a large-capacity print job, for example. it can. Further, since the print data generation process and the print data output process are executed asynchronously, for example, even if a trouble occurs in one of the processes, the processes can be continued without interfering with each other. Therefore, the printing process can be executed more reliably. Here, for example, the image processing unit may generate the print data by converting from a data file of an application program as the print job, or by converting from a print job that can be handled by the printing apparatus. The print data may be generated. The print data may be at least a part of converted data obtained by converting the entire print job to be printed into printable data.

  In the print control apparatus of the present invention, the buffer processing unit monitors the buffer amount of the storage unit, and when the buffer amount of the print data exceeds a predetermined first threshold, the buffer amount of the print data per unit time It is good also as what performs the 1st restriction | limiting process which reduces more. In this way, when the buffer amount of the storage unit tends to increase, an increase in the buffer amount of the storage unit can be suppressed. For this reason, it is possible to make the buffer amount more appropriate, and the print processing can be executed more reliably. At this time, the buffer processing unit sends a buffer completion response to the image processing unit when the buffering of the print data is completed, and the image processing unit receives the buffer completion response and generates next print data The buffer processing unit may perform the buffer completion response after a predetermined first waiting time has elapsed when executing the first limiting process. By so doing, it is possible to more easily suppress an increase in the buffer amount of the storage unit by waiting for a buffer completion response. Here, the “predetermined first standby time” may be determined empirically according to, for example, the storage capacity of the printing apparatus, the printing speed of the printing apparatus, and the generation speed of print data. For example, the predetermined first waiting time may be set to a time in which the amount of print data generated per unit time exceeds the amount of print data output per unit time. In this way, it is difficult for the printing apparatus to wait for reception of print data, and print processing can be executed efficiently.

  In the print control apparatus according to the aspect of the invention that executes the first restriction process, the first threshold value may be determined based on a storage capacity of print data of the printing apparatus. In this way, it is easy to make the amount of data output to the printing apparatus closer to the storage capacity of the printing apparatus. For this reason, it is easy to execute the printing process more reliably in the printing apparatus. Here, the first threshold value may be set to the print data storage capacity of the printing apparatus, or in the vicinity of the print data storage capacity of the printing apparatus, for example, 70% of the print data storage capacity of the printing apparatus. Or 80%.

  In the print control apparatus according to the aspect of the invention that executes the first restriction process, the buffer processing unit monitors the buffer amount of the storage unit, and the buffer amount of the print data is larger than the first threshold. When the threshold value is exceeded, a second restriction process in which the buffer amount of print data per unit time is restricted to be larger than the first restriction process may be executed. In this way, even if the buffer amount of the storage unit tends to increase due to the first restriction process, the increase of the buffer amount of the storage unit can be further suppressed by the second restriction. For this reason, it is easy to make the buffer amount of the print data within the range between the first threshold value and the second threshold value, and it is possible to execute the print processing more reliably in consideration of the limitation of the storage capacity. Here, for example, the second threshold value may be determined based on the storage capacity of the print control apparatus. For example, if the first threshold value is determined based on the storage capacity of the printing apparatus and the second threshold value is determined based on the storage capacity of the print control apparatus, the buffer amount of the print data is within the storage capacity range of both apparatuses. It is easy to become, and it is suitable, and can perform a printing process more reliably. At this time, the buffer processing unit sends a buffer completion response to the image processing unit when the buffering of the print data is completed, and the image processing unit receives the buffer completion response and generates next print data The buffer processing unit performs the buffer completion response after a predetermined first waiting time when executing the first limiting process, and executes the second limiting process when performing the second limiting process. The buffer completion response may be performed after a predetermined second waiting time longer than the first waiting time has elapsed. By so doing, it is possible to more easily suppress an increase in the buffer amount of the storage unit by further waiting for a buffer completion response. Here, the “predetermined second standby time” may be determined empirically according to, for example, the storage capacity of the printing apparatus, the printing speed of the printing apparatus, the generation speed of print data, and the predetermined first standby time. . For example, although the predetermined second waiting time limits the print data buffer amount per unit time to be larger than that in the first restriction process, the print data generation per unit time is larger than the print data output amount per unit time. It is good also as what is set to the time when quantity exceeds. In this way, even when the buffer amount of the print data per unit time is further suppressed by executing the second restriction process, it is difficult for the printing apparatus to wait for reception of the print data, and the print process can be executed efficiently.

  In the print control apparatus of the present invention, the data output unit may output the read print data to the printing apparatus side without going through a spool process by a spool system of an operating system. For example, the spool processing by the spool system may have restrictions such as the upper limit of the print job capacity. However, here, since the print data is output directly to the printing apparatus without going through the spool processing, the spool processing The printing process can be executed more reliably without being restricted by the process.

  In the print control apparatus of the present invention, the buffer processing unit buffers the print data in the storage unit when outputting print data exceeding an allowable capacity in spool processing by the spool system of the operating system to the printing device side. It is good also as what makes it. In this way, even when the printing process cannot be executed due to the limitation of the allowable capacity of the spool system, the printing process can be surely executed by outputting a part of the print job to the printing apparatus.

The printing control method according to the present invention includes:
A print control method executed by a print control device connected to a printing device that performs print processing of a print job that is a print target so that data communication is possible,
(A) executing a process of generating print data corresponding to a part of the print job;
(B) buffering the generated print data in a storage unit for storing data;
(C) reading the print data from the storage unit asynchronously with the buffer of the print data in the storage unit, and outputting the read print data to the printing apparatus side;
Is included.

  In this print control method, as with the print control apparatus described above, print data is buffered for each portion of the print job. For this reason, there is a limitation on the storage amount that can occur when spooling a large-volume print job, for example. Print data can be generated without being affected. Further, since the print data generation process and the print data output process are executed asynchronously, for example, even if a trouble occurs in one of the processes, the processes can be continued without interfering with each other. Therefore, the printing process can be executed more reliably. In this print control method, various aspects of the above-described print control apparatus may be adopted, and steps for realizing each function of the above-described print control apparatus may be added.

  The program of the present invention is for causing one or more computers to realize each step of the above-described print control method. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.) or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this program is executed by a single computer or if each step is shared and executed by a plurality of computers, each step of the above-described print control method is executed. Therefore, the same effect as this print control method can be obtained. can get.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a printer system. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print control processing routine. Explanatory drawing which shows the process at the time of error generation, and the mode of communication sequentially. Explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the process which reduces a data processing speed sequentially. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between elapsed time and a print data buffer amount. Explanatory drawing which shows the process at the time of completion | finish, and the mode of communication sequentially.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a printer system 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer system 10 according to the present embodiment ejects ink onto the recording paper S drawn from the roll paper 36 and performs printing processing of a print job to be printed. And a printer personal computer (PC) 40 having a function of a print control device that is connected so as to be capable of data communication and outputs print data.

  The printer 20 is configured as a large-sized printing apparatus capable of executing a large-format printing process for printing large-capacity print data on a large-sized recording sheet S (for example, A0 size). The printer 20 includes a controller 11 that controls the entire apparatus, a printing mechanism 21 that discharges ink onto the recording paper S, and a paper feeding mechanism 30 that includes a paper feeding roller 35 that is driven by a drive motor 33 and conveys the recording paper S. I have. The controller 11 is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 12, and includes a flash ROM 13 that can store various processing programs and can rewrite data, and a RAM 14 that temporarily stores data and stores data. ing. The controller 11 receives print data from the printer PC 40 and controls the print mechanism 21 and the paper feed mechanism 30 to execute print processing. The printing mechanism 21 includes a carriage 22 that reciprocates left and right (main scanning direction) along a carriage shaft 28 by a carriage belt 32, a print head 24 that applies pressure to ink and ejects ink droplets from nozzles 23, and inks of various colors. And a cartridge 25 for supplying the accommodated ink to the print head 24. The print head 24 is provided at the lower part of the carriage 22, and each color is applied from the nozzle 23 provided on the lower surface of the print head 24 by applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element to deform the piezoelectric element and pressurize the ink. The ink is discharged. The mechanism for applying pressure to the ink may be based on the generation of bubbles due to the heat of the heater. The cartridge 25 individually accommodates ink of each color such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K).

  The printer PC 40 is a general-purpose personal computer configured as an information processing apparatus and a print control apparatus used by a user. The printer PC 40 includes a controller 41 that controls the entire apparatus, an HDD 45 that is a large-capacity memory that stores various application programs and various data files, and a network interface that inputs and outputs data with external devices such as the printer 20. (I / F) 46. The controller 41 includes a CPU 42 that executes various controls, a flash ROM 43 that stores various control programs, a RAM 44 that temporarily stores data, and the like. The printer PC 40 includes an input device 47 such as a keyboard and a mouse for a user to input various commands, a display 48 for displaying various information, and the like. The printer PC 40 has a function of executing an operation corresponding to the input operation when the user inputs the cursor or the like displayed on the display 48 via the input device 47. The controller 41, the HDD 45, the I / F 46, the input device 47, the display 48, and the like are electrically connected via a bus 49 so that various control signals and data can be exchanged.

  The HDD 45 of the printer PC 40 stores application programs (not shown), a print driver 50, a spool system 58, and the like. The print driver 50 is a program that converts a print job received from the application program side into print data that can be directly printed by the printer 20 and outputs (transmits) the print job to the printer 20 side. The print driver 50 includes an image processing unit 52 that generates print data, and a print data control unit 54 that includes a buffer processing unit 55 and a data output unit 56. The print data control unit 54 reads out the print data from the RAM 44 asynchronously with the buffer processing unit 55 for buffering the generated print data in the RAM 44, and outputs the read print data to the printer 20. Part 56. The image processing unit 52 has a function of generating print data corresponding to all or part of a print job received from an application program and outputting the print data to the print data control unit 54 or the spool system 58. The print data control unit 54 has a function of switching whether a print job is output to the spool system 58 or converted into print data and buffered. The buffer processing unit 55 has a function of buffering the print data received from the image processing unit 52 in the RAM 44 and monitoring the buffer amount of the print data stored in the RAM 44. The data output unit 56 has a function of reading the print data from the RAM 44 in accordance with the state of the RAM 14 of the printer 20 and outputting it to the printer 20 via the I / F 46 asynchronously with the print data buffer. The image processing unit 52 and the print data control unit 54 (buffer processing unit 55 and data output unit 56) are an image processing module as a program and a print driver 50 as a print data control module (buffer processing module and data output module), respectively. Built in. These modules are executed by the controller 41 to express the functions described above. The spool system 58 is a printing-related system incorporated in an operating system (not shown), and has a spool processing unit 59 having a function of spooling a print job as a set of print data to the RAM 44 or the HDD 45. The spool system 58 is limited in terms of operating system in the capacity of print data, and can process print data within a predetermined capacity (for example, within several GB). For example, the print job may be data corresponding to the application program and include vector data such as character data, and the print data may be raster data corresponding to each color ink of the printer 20. .

  Next, regarding the operation of the printer 20 of the present embodiment configured as described above, a process for converting a print job to be printed into print data and causing the printer 20 to print will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print control processing routine executed by the CPU 42 of the controller 41. This routine is stored in the HDD 45, and is executed after a print processing execution command is input. The print processing execution command is input by, for example, editing image data on an application program editing screen (not shown) displayed on the display 48 and then clicking a print execution button displayed on the screen. It may be a thing. The print control process is executed by each function of the print data control unit 54 and the image processing unit 52 such as the buffer processing unit 55 and the data output unit 56. Although details will be described later, the print data generation process, the print data buffer process, and the print data output process to the printer 20 are executed separately asynchronously, but it is easy to understand the outline of the entire process. One print control process routine will be described below.

  When this routine is executed, the CPU 42 determines whether or not the input print job is within the allowable capacity of the print data defined by the operating system (step S100). If it is within the allowable capacity, the print job is output to the spool system 58 (step S110), and this routine is terminated. In the spool system 58 that has received the print job, the spool processing unit 59 performs a process of spooling the converted print data to the RAM 44 or the HDD 45 as a set of data. Further, the spooled print data is output to the printer 20 according to the empty state of the RAM 14 of the printer 20 to execute the printing process. Note that the conversion to print data is executed by the image processing unit 52. In the printing process, the printer 20 conveys the recording paper S drawn from the roll paper 36 by the paper feed roller 35 so as to face the print head 24, and ejects ink from the nozzles 23 to the recording paper S based on the print data. Process. Thus, when the total amount of print data is within the allowable capacity of the spool system 58, printing is executed by the spool function of the operating system.

  On the other hand, when the print data capacity exceeds the allowable capacity at step S100, that is, when the print job is a large-capacity print job, the CPU 42 executes the print data buffer output process after step S120. In the print data buffer output process, the spool process unit 59 does not go through the spool process, that is, operates in the direct print process mode in which the print data of the print job is output to the printer 20 through the spool system 58. . In this print data buffer output process, the CPU 42 uses the image processing unit 52 to generate print data corresponding to a part of the print job (step S120), and the print data is input to the print data control unit 54 side. It waits until it is done (step S130). In the print data generation process, a process of sequentially generating a part of print data in one entire print job is performed. When print data is input to the print data control unit 54 side, the buffer processing unit 55 performs processing to buffer the input print data in the RAM 44 (step S140). Next, the CPU 42 causes the data output unit 56 to transfer the print data buffered in the RAM 44 to the printer 20 via the I / F 46 in a first-in first-out (FIFO) system according to the empty state of the RAM 14 of the printer 20. The process which outputs to the side is performed (step S150). The print data output process is performed asynchronously with the print data buffer process. Accordingly, the buffer amount of the print data in the RAM 44 varies depending on the print processing status of the printer 20. Here, it is assumed that the buffer processing unit 55 monitors the buffer amount of the RAM 44. Specifically, the CPU 42 determines whether or not the capacity of the print data buffered in the RAM 44 (hereinafter referred to as buffered capacity) is within a predetermined first threshold by the function of the buffer processing unit 55 ( Step S160). The first threshold value is a threshold value for adjusting the data amount for buffering the print data per unit time, and is a threshold value for executing the first limiting process for limiting the buffer amount of the print data per unit time. . The first threshold may be determined based on the storage capacity of print data in the RAM 14 assigned by the printer 20. Here, it is assumed that the storage capacity of the print data in the RAM 14 of the printer 20 is determined. The first threshold value may be set to 70% or 80% of the storage capacity of the print data in the RAM 14, for example.

  When the buffered capacity is within the predetermined first threshold, a response to the effect that the buffer has been completed is returned to the image processing unit 52 side (step S170), and it is determined whether or not the print job is completed (step S180). When the print job has not ended, the processing from step S120 described above is executed. Here, when the image processing unit 52 receives a buffer completion response, it performs processing for generating the next print data in step S120. That is, when the capacity of the print data buffered in the RAM 44 is relatively small, the print data is generated one after another by the image processing unit 52, and the print data is buffered one after another by the buffer processing unit 55. . On the other hand, when the buffered capacity exceeds the first threshold value in step S160, it is determined whether or not the buffered capacity is within a predetermined second threshold value (step S190). The second threshold value is a threshold value for adjusting the buffer amount of the print data per unit time, and executes the second limiting process that limits the buffer amount of the print data per unit time further than the first limiting process. It is a threshold for The second threshold value is set to a data capacity larger than the first threshold value, and may be determined based on the storage capacity of the print data that can be used by the printer PC 40. The print data that can be used by the printer PC 40 It may be set to 70% or 80% of the storage capacity.

  When the buffered capacity exceeds the predetermined first threshold value in step S160 and the buffered capacity is within the predetermined second threshold value in step S190, the CPU 42 limits the print data buffer amount per unit time. Perform restriction processing. Specifically, the CPU 42 waits for a predetermined first waiting time by the buffer processing unit 55 (step S200), then returns a buffer completion response to the image processing unit 52 side in step S170, and the print job is completed. If not, the processing after step S120 is executed. That is, when the buffered capacity is relatively large, the print data generation process is executed after waiting for the first waiting time. Here, the first standby time is empirically according to, for example, the storage capacity of the RAM 14 that can be used by the printer 20, the standard printing speed of the printer 20, and the generation speed of print data in the image processing unit 52. It is good also as what you ask for. For example, the first standby time is set to a time that exceeds the output amount of print data per unit time in the data output unit 56 than the amount of print data generated in the image processing unit 52 per unit time. It is good. In this way, it is difficult for the printer 20 to wait for reception of print data, and print processing can be executed efficiently.

  On the other hand, when the buffered capacity exceeds the predetermined second threshold value in step S190, the CPU 42 executes a second restriction process that restricts the buffer amount of print data per unit time to be larger than the first restriction process. . Specifically, after waiting for a predetermined second waiting time longer than the first waiting time by the buffer processing unit 55 (step S210), the CPU 42 sends a buffer completion response to the image processing unit 52 side in step S170. If the response is made and the print job is not completed, the processing from step S120 is executed. That is, when the buffered capacity is larger, the print data generation process is executed after waiting for a longer second waiting time. Here, the second waiting time is empirical depending on, for example, the storage capacity of the RAM 14 that can be used by the printer 20, the standard printing speed of the printer 20, the generation speed of print data by the image processing unit 52, and the like. It is good also as what you ask for. For example, the second standby time limits the print data buffer amount per unit time to be larger than that in the first limit process, but the image processing unit outputs more than the print data output amount per unit time in the data output unit 56. It may be set to a time that exceeds the amount of print data generated per unit time at 52. By doing so, even if the buffer amount of the print data per unit time is further suppressed by executing the second restriction process, it is difficult for the printer 20 to wait for reception of the print data, and the print process can be executed efficiently. .

  On the other hand, when the print job ends in step S180, that is, when the entire print job is converted into print data, the CPU 42 buffers the print end request from the image processing unit 52 in the RAM 44 by the buffer processing unit 55 (step S220). ), A response to the effect that printing is completed is sent to the image processing unit 52 side (step S230). Further, upon receiving a print completion response from the printer 20 side, the processing of the data output unit 56 is closed (step S240), and this routine is terminated. In response to the print completion response, the image processing unit 52 shifts to a print completion standby state. When the printer 20 is in a print complete state by acquiring the printer 20 state, the print process is completed.

  Next, print data buffer output processing in the image processing unit 52, the print data control unit 54, the spool system 58, and the printer 20 will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram that sequentially shows the state of processing and communication when an error occurs, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram that sequentially shows the state of processing that reduces the data processing speed, and FIG. And FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram that sequentially shows the state of processing and communication at the time of termination. 3, 4, and 6, for convenience of explanation, the exchange between processes executed by each configuration is sequentially shown. In the following description, the same processing as the print control processing routine shown in FIG. 2 is assigned the same step number, and the description thereof is omitted. First, when print data buffer output processing is executed, a print start request is sent from the image processing unit 52 to the buffer processing unit 55 (step S300), and the buffer processing unit 55 sends a print start request to the data output unit 56 ( In step S400), a response to the start request is made to the image processing unit 52 (step S410). In response to the response, the image processing unit 52 generates a part of print data in the print job (step S120), and the data output unit 56 that receives the request outputs a print start command to the spool system 58 (step S500). ). Receiving the print start command, the spool system 58 outputs an open command to the printer 20 (step S600), and performs a process of returning a response from the printer 20 to the data output unit 56. Thereafter, the spool system 58 does not perform the spool process, but transmits the print data as it is to the printer 20 (step S610), or performs a process of returning the response from the printer 20 to the data output unit 56 as it is. Then, each time print data is transmitted from the image processing unit 52 (step S310), the buffer processing unit 55 buffers the RAM 44 (step S140) and repeats the process of returning a buffer completion response to the image processing unit 52. This is performed (step S170). The data output unit 56 repeats the process of outputting the print data buffered in the RAM 44 to the printer 20 using the FIFO method and receiving the response. In this way, print data is exchanged asynchronously between the buffer processing unit 55 and the data output unit 56.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, if an error such as a cover open or a print paper out occurs in the printer 20 during this repetitive processing (step S700), the printer 20 closes the data channel while the spool system 58 is closed. Then, transmission of the write size 0 is performed (step S620), and the retry process is repeated until all the data is written. When the buffer processing unit 55 and the data output unit 56 are not asynchronous, it is frozen in this retry state, and it is not possible to shift to the error cancellation processing on the image processing unit 52 side. In particular, when the print data is output from the image processing unit 52 to the printer 20 through the spool process in the spool system 58, it is prominent that the printer is frozen in this retry state. Here, even if the processing on the data output unit 56 side is delayed, the buffer processing in the buffer processing unit 55 is repeatedly executed asynchronously. Further, the image processing unit 52 acquires the status of the printer 20 by periodic polling (step S320). Upon receiving a notification of an error status from the printer 20 (step S710), the image processing unit 52 proceeds to error cancellation processing. (Step S330). For this reason, even when an error occurs, the printing process can be continued more reliably.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when the print data buffer process in the buffer processing unit 55 and the print data output process in the data output unit 56 are performed in parallel, the process in the printer 20 is performed. When the load is high, the output of the print data buffered in the RAM 44 may be delayed. In this case, since the buffer amount of the RAM 44 monitored by the buffer processing unit 55 exceeds the first threshold value, the first limiting process for further reducing the print data capacity per unit time buffered in the RAM 44 is executed. . That is, after waiting for the first waiting time (step S200), a buffer completion response is returned to the image processing unit 52 (step S170). Since the image processing unit 52 does not generate print data during the first waiting time, the print data capacity per unit time buffered in the RAM 44 becomes smaller. If the print data capacity buffered in the RAM 44 exceeds the second threshold even after the execution of the first restriction process, the buffer completion response is waited for a longer second waiting time (step S210). The second restriction process for responding to the image processing unit 52 is executed (step S170). As shown in FIG. 5, the print data amount buffered in the RAM 44 tends to fall between the first threshold value and the second threshold value by the first and second restriction processes. Thus, the buffer amount of the print data can be made more appropriate according to the state of the printer 20.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the print data conversion of the print job is completed in the image processing unit 52, a print end request is output to the buffer processing unit 55 (step S340), and the buffer processing unit receiving this In 55, the print end request is also buffered (step S220), and a print end response is returned to the image processing unit 52 (step S230). In response to this, the image processing unit 52 enters a standby state for completion of printing. On the other hand, the data output unit 56 that has received the buffered print end request outputs a print end command to the spool system 58 (step S510), and the spool system 58 that has received this transmits a close command to the printer 20 (step S510). 630). Upon receiving the completion of printing from the printer, the data output unit 56 closes this process (step S230). Thereafter, the image processing unit 52 acquires the status of the printer 20 by periodic polling (step S320), and receives the notification of the print completion status from the printer 20 (step S240), thereby shifting to the print completion status. To do. As described above, since the print end request is buffered, the print processing can be completed more smoothly.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The printer 20 of the present embodiment corresponds to the printing apparatus of the present invention, the printer PC 40 corresponds to the print control apparatus, the image processing unit 52 corresponds to the image processing unit, the RAM 44 and the HDD 45 correspond to the storage unit, and the buffer The processing unit 55 corresponds to a buffer processing unit, the data output unit 56 corresponds to a data output unit, and the spool system 58 corresponds to a spool system. In the present embodiment, an example of the printing control method of the present invention is also clarified by describing the operation of the printer PC 40.

  According to the printer PC 40 of the present embodiment described in detail above, print data corresponding to a part of the print job is generated, the generated print data is buffered in the RAM 44, and the print data is printed from the RAM 44 asynchronously with the print data buffer. Data is read, and the read print data is output to the printer 20. As described above, since the print data is buffered for each part of the print job, the print data can be generated without being affected by restrictions such as a storage amount limitation that may occur when spooling a large-capacity print job, for example. it can. Further, since the print data generation process and the print data output process are executed asynchronously, for example, even if a trouble occurs in one of the processes, the processes can be continued without interfering with each other. Therefore, the printing process can be executed more reliably.

  In addition, when the buffer amount of the print data exceeds a predetermined first threshold value, the first limit process for further reducing the buffer amount of the print data per unit time is executed, so that an increase in the buffer amount of the RAM 44 is suppressed. Can do. For this reason, it is possible to make the buffer amount more appropriate, and the print processing can be executed more reliably. At this time, since a buffer completion response is made after a predetermined first waiting time has elapsed, an increase in the buffer amount of the storage unit can be more easily suppressed by waiting for the buffer completion response. In addition, since the first waiting time is set to a time that exceeds the output amount of print data per unit time and the amount of print data generated per unit time exceeds, it is difficult for the printer 20 to wait for reception of print data. The printing process can be executed efficiently. Furthermore, since the first threshold is determined based on the print data storage capacity of the printer 20, the amount of data output to the printer 20 is likely to be closer to the storage capacity of the printer 20. For this reason, the printing process can be more reliably executed by the printing apparatus. Furthermore, even if the buffer amount of the RAM 44 tends to increase due to the first restriction process, the increase of the buffer amount of the RAM 44 can be further suppressed by the second restriction. For this reason, it is easy to make the buffer amount of the print data within the range between the first threshold value and the second threshold value, and the print processing can be executed more reliably in consideration of the storage capacity limitation of the RAM 44 and RAM 14. A buffer completion response is made after a predetermined first waiting time when executing the first limiting process, and a predetermined second waiting time longer than the first waiting time elapses when executing the second limiting process. After that, since the buffer completion response is performed, an increase in the buffer amount of the RAM 44 can be more easily suppressed by waiting for the buffer completion response in two stages. Since the print data is output to the printer 20 without going through the spool process by the spool system of the operating system, the print process can be executed more reliably without being limited by the upper limit of the print job capacity of the spool process. Can do. In addition, when printing data exceeding the allowable capacity in the spool processing by the spool system 58 is output to the printer 20, the print data is buffered in the RAM 44, so even if the print processing cannot be executed in the spool system, the print processing is ensured. Can be executed.

  In addition, when the print data of one print job has a large capacity, it is conceivable to divide the print job itself and output it as a plurality of print jobs to the printer 20 to execute the print processing. However, when one print job is divided into a plurality of print jobs, an initial operation and an end operation including a paper feeding operation, head cleaning, flushing, and home position alignment are executed for each print job processing, and the print processing time Becomes longer. In particular, in continuous printing using roll paper, print data tends to be enormous and the number of print job divisions tends to be large. In the printer PC 40 according to the present invention, since one print job is handled as one print job by outputting a part of the print job to the printer 20, unnecessary initial operation and end operation generated by dividing the print job. Etc. can be suppressed, and the printing process can be more reliably executed while further suppressing an increase in the printing process time.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the first restriction process and the second restriction process are performed. However, the second restriction process may be omitted, and both the first restriction process and the second restriction process are omitted. May be. Even in this case, since the buffer processing unit 55 and the data output unit 56 asynchronously execute print data buffer processing, print data output processing, and the like, the print processing can be executed more reliably. Alternatively, a third restriction process in which the buffer amount of print data per unit time is further restricted may be added as compared with the second restriction process, or a restriction process of a larger number of stages may be performed.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the buffered capacity exceeds the first threshold, the first restriction process is executed as a buffer completion response after the first waiting time has elapsed. If the buffer amount of the print data is further reduced, the present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example, the print data generation speed itself may be reduced, or the generated print data transfer speed itself may be reduced. Good. Even in this case, since the buffer processing unit 55 and the data output unit 56 asynchronously execute print data buffer processing, print data output processing, and the like, the print processing can be executed more reliably. The same applies to the second restriction process.

  In the above-described embodiment, the data output unit 56 outputs the print data to the printer 20 without going through the spool processing by the spool system of the operating system. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is related to the operating system and the spool system. Instead, the print data buffer output process after step S120 of the print control process routine may be performed. Even in this case, since the buffer processing unit 55 and the data output unit 56 asynchronously execute print data buffer processing, print data output processing, and the like, the print processing can be executed more reliably.

  In the above-described embodiment, the print data buffer output process after step S120 of the print control process routine is performed for print data exceeding the allowable capacity of the spool system 58, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the print data buffer output process may be performed regardless of the allowable capacity. Even in this case, the printing process can be executed more reliably.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first threshold value is determined based on the available capacity of the RAM 14, but is not particularly limited thereto, and may be set to a value that allows the printing process to be executed more reliably. . In addition, the second threshold value is set based on the available storage capacity of the printer PC 40. However, the second threshold value is not particularly limited as long as it is larger than the first threshold value, and printing processing is more reliable. May be set to a value to be executed. In addition, the first standby time and the second standby time are times when the print data generation amount per unit time in the image processing unit 52 exceeds the output amount of print data per unit time in the data output unit 56. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this as long as the print data buffer amount per unit time is reduced.

  In the embodiment described above, the printer 20 is a color printer capable of large format printing, but is not particularly limited thereto. The printer 20 includes the ink jet printing mechanism 21 that discharges ink. However, the printer 20 is not particularly limited thereto, and may be a laser printer, a thermal transfer printer, or a dot impact printer. It is good also as these monochrome printers. The print job may be data in a format that cannot be directly printed by the printer 20. Further, although the print control apparatus is the printer PC 40, it may be a print control method or a program that can be executed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printer system, 11 Controller, 12 CPU, 13 Flash ROM, 14 RAM, 20 Printer, 21 Printing mechanism, 22 Carriage, 23 Nozzle, 24 Print head, 25 Cartridge, 28 Carriage shaft, 30 Paper feed mechanism, 32 Carriage belt, 33 drive motor, 35 paper feed roller, 36 roll paper, 40 printer personal computer (PC), 41 controller, 42 CPU, 43 flash ROM, 44 RAM, 45 HDD, 46 network interface (I / F), 47 input device, 48 display, 49 bus, 50 print driver, 52 image processing unit, 54 print data control unit, 55 buffer processing unit, 56 data output unit, 58 spool system, 59 spool processing , S recording paper.

Claims (12)

A printing control device connected to a printing device for printing a print job to be printed so that data communication is possible;
An image processing unit for executing processing for generating print data corresponding to a part of the print job;
A buffer processing unit for buffering the generated print data in a storage unit for storing data;
E Bei and a data output unit for outputting the print data read said read the print data from the storage unit to asynchronously to the printing apparatus side to the buffer to the storage unit of the print data,
The buffer processing unit causes the storage unit to buffer the print data when outputting print data exceeding an allowable capacity in spool processing by a spool system of an operating system to the printing device side .   The buffer processing unit monitors the buffer amount of the storage unit, and when the print data buffer amount exceeds a predetermined first threshold value, a first restriction process for further reducing the print data buffer amount per unit time The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A printing control device connected to a printing device for printing a print job to be printed so that data communication is possible;
An image processing unit for executing processing for generating print data corresponding to a part of the print job;
A buffer processing unit for buffering the generated print data in a storage unit for storing data;
And a data output unit for outputting the print data read said read the print data from the storage unit to asynchronously to the printing apparatus side to the buffer to the storage unit of the print data,
The buffer processing unit monitors the buffer amount of the storage unit, and when the print data buffer amount exceeds a predetermined first threshold value, a first restriction process for further reducing the print data buffer amount per unit time When the buffer amount of the print data exceeds a predetermined second threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value, the second limit is set such that the buffer amount of the print data per unit time is limited to be larger than that of the first limit process. A print control device that executes processing . A printing control device connected to a printing device for printing a print job to be printed so that data communication is possible;
An image processing unit for executing processing for generating print data corresponding to a part of the print job;
A buffer processing unit for buffering the generated print data in a storage unit for storing data;
And a data output unit for outputting the print data read said read the print data from the storage unit to asynchronously to the printing apparatus side to the buffer to the storage unit of the print data,
The buffer processing unit monitors the buffer amount of the storage unit, and when the print data buffer amount exceeds a predetermined first threshold value, a first restriction process for further reducing the print data buffer amount per unit time When the buffer of the print data is completed, a buffer completion response is sent to the image processing unit,
The image processing unit is configured to execute a next print data generation process in response to the buffer completion response.
The buffer processing unit performs the buffer completion response after a predetermined first waiting time elapses when executing the first restriction process . 5. The print control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first threshold value is determined based on a storage capacity of print data of the printing apparatus. The buffer processing unit monitors the buffer amount of the storage unit. When the buffer amount of the print data exceeds a predetermined second threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value, the buffer amount of the print data per unit time is calculated. The print control apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5 , wherein a second restriction process that is larger than the first restriction process is executed. The buffer processing unit sends a buffer completion response to the image processing unit when the buffering of the print data is completed, and the image processing unit receives the buffer completion response and executes a process for generating the next print data Is,
The buffer processing unit performs the buffer completion response after a predetermined first waiting time when executing the first limiting process, and is longer than the first waiting time when executing the second limiting process The print control apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the buffer completion response is made after a predetermined second waiting time has elapsed. The data output unit, the output to the printing apparatus print data the read without going through the spool processing by the spool system of the operating system, print control apparatus according to any one of claims 1-7. The buffer processing unit, the print data that exceeds the allowable capacity of the spool processing by the spool system of the operating system when outputting to the printing apparatus, thereby buffer the print data in the storage unit, according to claim 3-8 The printing control apparatus according to any one of the above. A print control method executed by a print control device connected to a printing device that performs print processing of a print job that is a print target so that data communication is possible,
(A) executing a process of generating print data corresponding to a part of the print job;
(B) buffering the generated print data in a storage unit for storing data;
(C) viewed including the steps of outputting the print data read said read the print data from the storage unit to asynchronously to the printing apparatus, the the buffer to the storage unit of the print data,
In the step (b), a print control method for buffering the print data in the storage unit when outputting print data exceeding an allowable capacity in spool processing by the spool system of the operating system to the printing apparatus side . A print control method executed by a print control device connected to a printing device that performs print processing of a print job that is a print target so that data communication is possible,
(A) executing a process of generating print data corresponding to a part of the print job;
(B) buffering the generated print data in a storage unit for storing data;
(C) viewed including the steps of outputting the print data read said read the print data from the storage unit to asynchronously to the printing apparatus, the the buffer to the storage unit of the print data,
In the step (b), the buffer amount of the storage unit is monitored, and when the buffer amount of the print data exceeds a predetermined first threshold, the first limit for further reducing the buffer amount of the print data per unit time When the processing is executed and the buffer amount of the print data exceeds a predetermined second threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value, a second value in which the buffer amount of the print data per unit time is limited to be larger than that in the first limiting process. A print control method for executing a restriction process . The program for making one or more computers perform each step of the printing control method described in Claim 10 or 11 .

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