JPH0816335A - Printer and printing control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To report it before the start of printing that designated bit map data can not be extended into a bit map while keeping a designated page size by reporting it before the start of printing when it is decided that the designated bit map data can not be extended within the memory capacity of a plotting memory. CONSTITUTION:Concerning a printer 1000 for performing a printing operation at the main body of the printer by receiving printing data such as control codes or character codes from a host computer 3000 of an external device or the like, when a deciding means (due to a CPU 12) decides that the bit map data can not be extended within the memory capacity of the plotting memory (the plotting memory allocated as the plotting memory of a RAM 19 as memory resources) while keeping the page size designated by the printing data, a reporting means (due to the CPU 12) reports it before the start of printing. Then, it is surely reported to a user before the start of printing that all the bit map data can not be extended into the bit map by the memory resources on the main body side of the printer while keeping the page size designated by the printing data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for transmitting a control code, a character code or the like from an external apparatus to a printing apparatus for printing, and a printing control method for the printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing apparatus that transmits a control code or a character code from an external apparatus to a printing apparatus for printing, a drawing memory for expanding and storing one page of print data in a bit map corresponds to the paper size. Otherwise, the output image may be missing.

[0003]

Conventionally, even in such a case, "printing with insufficient drawing memory is executed (there is a possibility that the image is missing)" and "a part where the image is missing in the print result". Printing was executed without the user clearly indicating such information, and it was determined whether the correct output was obtained by actually looking at the print result.

This is unfriendly to the user, and there is a problem in that he / she overlooks that the printing was not performed correctly.

Further, when the drawing memory is insufficient, the range of the page (paper) covered by the drawing memory is fixedly determined, and therefore drawing is performed in the other range (filled dots exist). There was also a problem that the data could never get the correct output.

In this way, a drawing memory for storing the print information edited by the application on the external device side, for example, a bitmap matching the paper size instructed on the instruction screen of the print driver or the like is used as the memory resource on the printer main body side. If it cannot be secured, no notification has been given to that effect,
There is a problem that desired print information is lost.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the first to tenth aspects of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus main body according to a paper size designated by print data. The memory resources are used to determine whether or not it is possible to expand the bitmap corresponding to the print data, and this is notified before and after the printing process, and if the bitmap of the specified paper size cannot be expanded, printing is performed. By adjusting the page size on the bitmap expansion side so that data will not be lost, it is possible to notify the user that printing failure will occur due to print data that cannot be drawn with the memory resources of the printing device body, and also the memory resources of the printing device body. Even if you receive print data with a specified page size that causes an image to be missing on a page, the memory By adjusting the page expansion range, it is to provide a user-friendly printing apparatus and print control method not it is possible to obtain a normal print result as much as possible the image out print data input.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a printing apparatus in which print data such as a control code or a character code is received from an external apparatus and a printing operation is performed by the printing apparatus main body, the print data is bit-printed. A drawing memory for expanding and storing the map, a judgment means for judging whether or not the bitmap data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory at the page size specified by the print data, and the judgment means cannot execute the expansion. If it is determined, the notification means for notifying that effect is provided before the start of printing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a printing apparatus receives print data such as a control code and a character code from an external apparatus and performs a printing operation in the printing apparatus main body. Drawing memory of
A determination unit that determines whether or not the bitmap data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size specified by the print data, and if the determination unit determines that expansion is not possible, prints that fact. An informing means for informing after the start is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a printing apparatus in which print data such as a control code and a character code is received from an external apparatus and a printing operation is performed by the printing apparatus main body, the print data is expanded into a bitmap and stored. Drawing memory of
Judgment means for judging whether or not the bitmap data based on the print data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory, and if this judgment means judges that expansion is not possible, a notification to that effect before the start of printing Means, a designating means for designating an expandable page range of the drawing memory after the reporting by the reporting means, and a bit map corresponding to the print data for the drawing memory based on the page range designation by the designating means. Adjusting means for adjusting the specified page range so as to accommodate the data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in a printing apparatus which receives print data such as a control code or a character code from an external apparatus and performs a printing operation in the printing apparatus main body, the print data is expanded into a bitmap and stored. Drawing memory of
Judgment means for judging whether or not the bitmap data based on the print data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory, and if this judgment means judges that expansion is not possible, a notification to that effect before the start of printing And means for automatically adjusting a page range designated so that bitmap data corresponding to the print data is stored in the drawing memory after the notification by the notification means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the determining means determines that the expansion is impossible, the informing means notifies the external device of that fact before starting printing. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the notifying means is
When the determination unit determines that the expansion is impossible, the fact is notified to the operation panel of the printing apparatus main body before the printing is started.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the designating means is
The page range of the drawing memory that can be expanded is specified by the panel operation of the printing apparatus main body.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the designating means is
The page range that can be expanded in the drawing memory is specified by a command from an external device.

A ninth aspect of the present invention relates to a printing apparatus for performing a printing operation in a printing apparatus main body through a drawing memory for expanding and storing a bit map based on print data such as a control code and a character code from an external apparatus. In the print control method, a determination step of determining whether or not the bitmap data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size specified by the print data, and a notification to that effect is given before printing is started based on the determination. And an informing step.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is directed to a printing apparatus in which a printing operation is performed by a printing apparatus main body via a drawing memory which stores a bit map based on print data such as a control code or a character code from an external apparatus and stores the bit map. In the print control method, a determination step of determining whether the bitmap data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with a page size designated by the print data, and based on the determination, that effect is notified after the start of printing. And a notification step.

[0018]

In the first aspect of the present invention, when the determination unit determines that the bitmap data cannot be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size specified by the print data, the notification unit prints a message to that effect. Before starting the printing, the user is surely notified before the printing that the page size specified by the print data is in a state in which all the memory resources on the printing apparatus main body cannot be expanded into the bitmap.

In the second aspect of the invention, when it is determined by the determination means that the bitmap data cannot be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory at the page size designated by the print data, the notification means prints a message to that effect. Notify after opening,
The user is assuredly notified after printing that the page size designated by the print data has been printed in a state in which memory resources on the printing apparatus main body side cannot all expand the bitmap.

In the third aspect of the invention, when it is determined by the determination means that the bitmap data cannot be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size specified by the print data, the notification means prints a message to that effect. After the notification is given before the start, based on the page range designation by the designating unit, the adjusting unit adjusts the specified page range so that the bitmap data corresponding to the print data is stored in the drawing memory and is input. Print the print data as a normal image as possible within the specified page range.

In the fourth invention, when it is determined by the determination means that the bitmap data cannot be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory at the page size designated by the print data, the notification means prints out that effect. After the notification is given before the start, the adjusting unit automatically adjusts the specified page range so that the bitmap data corresponding to the print data is stored in the drawing memory based on the page range specification, and the input print data is input. To print as normal image as possible.

In the fifth aspect of the invention, when the determination unit determines that the expansion is impossible, the notification unit notifies the external device of that fact before printing is started, and the user of the external device receives the print data. Be sure to notify that printing will fail.

In the sixth aspect of the invention, when the determination unit determines that the expansion is impossible, the notification unit notifies the operation panel of the printing apparatus main body to that effect before starting printing,
The user on the other side of the printing apparatus is surely notified that the printing data is defective.

In the seventh invention, the designating means designates the page range in which the drawing memory can be expanded by the panel operation of the printing apparatus main body, and adjusts the page range designated by the printing data from the printing apparatus main body side. Specify the page range.

In the eighth invention, the designating means designates the expandable page range of the drawing memory by a command from the external device, and adjusts the page range specified by the print data from the external device side. Is specified to the printer body with a command.

In the ninth invention, it is judged whether or not the bitmap data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size designated by the print data, and based on the judgment, the fact is indicated before printing is started. Then, after the user's output request for print data, the fact that the print data is defective due to lack of memory resources is notified at an appropriate timing.

In the tenth aspect of the invention, it is determined whether or not the bitmap data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size designated by the print data, and based on the determination, the fact is indicated after printing is started. Then, the page size designated by the print data is surely notified to the user after printing that there is a possibility of printing failure when printing is performed in a state in which the memory resources of the printing apparatus main body cannot expand all into the bitmap.

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <Description of Laser Beam Printer> Before describing the configuration of the present invention, the configuration of a laser beam printer and an inkjet printer suitable for applying the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
Will be described with reference to. Needless to say, the printer to which the present embodiment is applied is not limited to the laser beam printer and the inkjet printer, and may be a printer of another printing method.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the arrangement of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. For example, a laser beam printer (L
The case of BP) is shown.

In the figure, reference numeral 1000 denotes an LBP main body (printer), which inputs and stores print information (character code or the like) supplied from an externally connected host computer, form information, or a macro command. A corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created in accordance with the information, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper. 1012 is a switch for operation and L
An operation panel on which an ED display and the like are arranged, 1001 is L
A printer control unit for controlling the entire BP main body 1000 and analyzing character information and the like supplied from a host computer. The printer control unit 1001 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1002. The laser driver 1002 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1003, and switches on / off the laser light 1004 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 according to the input video signal.

The laser beam 1004 is oscillated in the left-right direction by the rotating polygon mirror 1005 to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 1006. As a result, an electrostatic latent image having a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006. This latent image
Developing unit 10 arranged around the electrostatic drum 1006
After being developed by 07, it is transferred to recording paper. A cut sheet is used for this recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is L
The paper is stored in a paper cassette 1008 mounted on the BP 1000, taken into the apparatus by the paper feed roller 1009, the conveyance roller 1010, and the conveyance roller 1011 and supplied to the electrostatic drum 1006. [First Embodiment] <Description of Printer Control System (FIG. 2)> FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printer control system showing an embodiment of the present invention.

Here, a laser beam printer (FIG. 1)
Will be described as an example. As long as the functions of the present invention are executed, the present invention can be applied to a single device, a system including a plurality of devices, or a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. It goes without saying that the invention can be applied.

In the figure, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer, which executes document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 3. To do C
The CPU 1 is provided with the PU 1 and controls each device connected to the system device 4 as a whole.

The program ROM of the ROM 3
The ROM 3 stores a control program of the CPU 1 and the like.
The font ROM of 1 stores the font data and the like used in the document processing, and the data ROM of the ROM 3 stores various data used in the document processing.

A RAM 2 functions as a main memory and a work area of the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls key inputs from the keyboard 9 and a pointing device (not shown). 6 is a CRT controller (CRTC), which is a CRT display (CR
T) Control the display of 10.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a memory controller (MC) for accessing the external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy disk (FD) for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files and the like. Control.

8 is a printer controller (PRTC)
With a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface)
It is connected to the printer 1000 via 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1000.

It should be noted that the CPU 1 executes the rasterizing process of the outline font to the display information RAM set in the RAM 2, for example, and the WY on the CRT 10 is executed.
SIWYG is possible. In addition, the CPU1 is CR
Various windows registered based on commands designated by a mouse cursor (not shown) on T10 are opened, and various data processes are executed.

In the printer 1000, a printer CPU 12 includes various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13 or a control program stored in the external memory 14. Access is collectively controlled, and an image signal as output information is output to the printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via the printing unit interface 16.

Further, the program ROM of the ROM 13
The CP as shown in the flow charts of FIGS.
The U12 control program and the like are stored. The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information, and the data R of the ROM 13
In the case of a printer that does not have the external memory 14 such as a hard disk in the OM, the information and the like used on the host computer are stored. The CPU 12 can perform communication processing with the host computer via the input unit 18,
The information and the like in the printer can be notified to the host computer 3000.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM which functions as a main memory, a work area, etc. of the CPU 12, and is constructed so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown).

The RAM 19 is used as a drawing memory for expanding and storing print data in a bitmap, an environment data storage area, and other work areas. Access to the external memory 14 such as the hard disk (HD) or IC card described above is controlled by the memory controller (MC) 20. The external memory 14 is connected as an option and stores font data, emulation programs, form data and the like. In addition, the input unit 18
The above-mentioned operation panel 102 is provided with switches for operation and an LED display.

The external memory 14 is not limited to one, but at least one external memory is provided, and in addition to the built-in font, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing a program for interpreting a printer control language of a different language system are provided. It may be configured to be connectable. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1012.
Correspondence between the respective means of the first and second inventions of the present invention and this embodiment and their functions will be described below with reference to FIG.

A first aspect of the present invention is a printer 1000 that receives print data such as a control code and a character code from a host computer 3000 such as an external device and performs a printing operation in the printer main body.
2), it is determined that the bitmap data with the page size designated by the print data cannot be expanded within the drawing memory (in this embodiment, the allocated drawing memory as the drawing memory of the RAM 19 as the memory resource) memory capacity. In this case, the notifying unit (by the CPU 12) notifies that fact before the printing is started, and the page size designated by the print data cannot be entirely expanded into the bitmap with the memory resources of the printer main body side. Is surely notified to the user before printing is started.

A second aspect of the present invention is a printer 1000 which receives print data such as a control code and a character code from a host computer 3000 such as an external device and performs a printing operation in the main body of the printing apparatus. When it is determined that the bitmap data with the page size specified by is not expandable within the memory capacity of the drawing memory (in the present embodiment, the allocated drawing memory as the drawing memory of the RAM 19 as the memory resource), The notification means (by the CPU 12) notifies that after printing is started, and informs the user after printing that the page size designated by the print data is printed in a state in which all of the memory resources on the printer body side cannot expand the bitmap. Make sure to notify.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the first embodiment of the print control method according to the present invention. In addition, (1) ~
(4) shows each step.

First, in step (1), it is determined to which paper size the print data input from the host computer 3000 should be bitmap-developed. This may be determined by a command included in the print data or may be designated by the panel of the operation panel 1012, but the determination method is not limited in the present invention.

Next, in step (2), step (1)
The paper size to be subjected to the bit map expansion determined in step 1 is compared with the size of the drawing memory currently secured, or if the size is larger or the drawing memory is larger, the bit map expansion of the print data is immediately executed. On the other hand, if the drawing memory currently secured is smaller, the fact is indicated in step (3) (the output image may be missing because there is not enough drawing memory) and then the bitmap expansion is performed. (4) is executed. Correspondence between each step of the ninth invention and this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is a drawing memory for expanding and storing a bit map based on print data such as a control code and a character code from a host computer 3000 such as an external device (in the present embodiment, a drawing of the RAM 19 as a memory resource). In a print control method of a printer 1000 that performs a printing operation in a printing apparatus main body via a drawing memory assigned as a memory), bitmap data is expanded within a memory capacity of the drawing memory with a page size specified by print data. By executing a determination step (step (2) in FIG. 3) of determining whether it is possible and an informing step (step (3) in FIG. 3) of notifying that fact based on the determination before printing is started, After the output request of the print data from the user, the fact that the print data is defective due to lack of memory resources is notified at an appropriate timing.

There are various conceivable methods of displaying, such as displaying on the panel of the operation panel 1012 by an LED or LCD, warning with a buzzer, transmitting status to the host computer 3000 and displaying on the display of the host computer 3000. Also, these methods are not limited, and any method can be used as long as the user can know it.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is necessary to clearly indicate to the user that the output image may be missing because the drawing memory size is smaller than the paper size on which the print data is to be bitmap-developed. You can [Second Embodiment] FIG. 4 shows a second print control method according to the present invention.
It is a flow chart which shows an example. In addition, (1) ~
(3) shows each step.

First, in step (1), the print data is stored in a drawing memory smaller than the paper size. In step (2), it is determined whether the filled dots (black dots) of the bitmap expanded in step (1) are within the range covered by the drawing memory. If they are within the range, drawing is performed. By printing a portion not covered by the memory as a white dot, a correct printing result can be obtained. On the other hand, in step (2), if the filled dots extend outside the range covered by the drawing memory, in step (3) that is the effect (a portion of the output image where printing is missing occurs). Explicitly. Correspondence between each step of the tenth invention and this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is a drawing memory for expanding and storing a bit map based on print data such as a control code and a character code from a host computer 3000 such as an external device (in the present embodiment, drawing of the RAM 19 as a memory resource). In a print control method of a printer 1000 that performs a printing operation in a printing apparatus main body via a drawing memory assigned as a memory), bitmap data is expanded within a memory capacity of the drawing memory with a page size specified by print data. The determination step (step (2) in FIG. 4) for determining whether or not it is possible, and the notification step (step (3) in FIG. 4) for notifying that fact based on the determination are executed to perform printing. With the page size specified by the data, printing is performed with the memory resources on the printer body side that cannot all be expanded into a bitmap. Reliably notify the user after printing a possible printing failure.

As a method of clearly indicating, a warning is given by a buzzer which is displayed on the panel of the operation panel 1012 by an LED or LCD. There are various possible methods such as transmitting the status to the host computer 3000 and displaying it on the display of the host computer 3000, but these methods are not limited and any method can be used as long as the user can know it.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to clearly indicate to the user that a missing portion has occurred in the output image. That is, it is possible to reliably notify the user that there is a state such as "printing is executed even if the drawing memory does not have the size of the paper size" or "drawing is missing in the print result". [Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment, print data is stored in the RAM 1
9. When the bitmap memory is expanded on the drawing memory such as the frame memory secured on 9, the drawing memory for storing is not secured for the paper size to be expanded, and the page (paper) covered by the drawing memory is Allow the user to specify the range.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between drawing memory and drawing data secured on the RAM shown in FIG. 2. For example, when only A4 size drawing memory is secured, legal size printing is performed. This is an example of specifying a range of pages covered by a drawing memory when printing data.

In the figure, (a) to (d) show an example of a range that can be specified by the user, a thick frame legal size paper frame, and the shaded area is the range covered by the A4 size drawing memory. (Printable area) is shown.

Correspondence between the present embodiment and each means of the third, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth inventions and their functions will be described below with reference to FIG.

A third aspect of the present invention is a printer 1000 which receives print data such as a control code and a character code from a host computer 3000 such as the external device shown in FIG. Drawing memory for map expansion and storage (in this embodiment,
(Assigned drawing memory as drawing memory of RAM 19 as memory resource) and judging means (by CPU 12) for judging whether bit map data based on the print data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory.
And, if it is determined by this determination means that expansion is not possible,
An informing unit (by the CPU 12) for informing that fact before starting printing, and an instructing unit for designating the expandable page range of the drawing memory after informing by the informing unit (either on the printing device side or the external device side) And an adjusting unit (C) for adjusting the specified page range so that the drawing memory stores the bitmap data corresponding to the print data based on the page range specification by the specifying unit.
(By PU12), and when the CPU 12 determines that the bitmap data with the page size specified by the print data cannot be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory, the CPU 12 notifies that fact before starting printing. After doing
Based on the page range designation by the designating means, the CPU 12 adjusts the page range designated so as to store the bitmap data corresponding to the print data in the drawing memory (RAM 19) as shown in FIG. Printed print data as a normal image as much as possible within the specified page range.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, when the CPU 12 determines that the expansion is impossible, the CPU 12 notifies the host computer 3000 such as an external device of the fact before printing is started, and the user of the external device receives the print data. Be sure to notify that printing will fail.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, when the CPU 12 determines that the expansion is impossible, the CPU 12 notifies the operation panel 1012 of the main body of the printing apparatus to that effect and informs the user on the other side of the printing apparatus. Make sure that the print data is defective.

In a seventh aspect of the present invention, the designating means on the main body of the printing apparatus (such as the operation panel 1012 of the main body of the printing apparatus) designates the expandable page range of the drawing memory (RAM 12) by the panel operation of the main body of the printing apparatus. , Specify the page range to be adjusted from the page range specified by the print data from the printer body side.

In the eighth invention, the designation means (CPU 1 of the host computer 3000) on the external device side designates the expandable page range of the drawing memory (RAM 12) by a command from the external device, and the external device side specifies. The page range to be adjusted of the page range specified by the print data is specified in the printer main unit by a command.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of print data edited on the host computer 3000 shown in FIG. 1, and corresponds to the case where the print data is edited in a legal size, for example.

The user considers the content of the data to be printed,
It is secured by specifying an appropriate range, but if you want to print the print data edited in legal size as shown in FIG. 6 on legal paper, there is no fill dot on the right side of the paper, so By specifying a), normal image output can be obtained.

The designation method may be a panel operation of the operation panel 1012 or a command issued from the host computer 3000, but these methods are not limited.

The page range that can be specified may be selected from several options of the selection area range pattern as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D, or specified by arbitrary coordinate values. You may

As described above, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to increase the possibility of obtaining a normal image output without the drawing memory for the paper size to be developed. [Fourth Embodiment] In the third embodiment, the user specifies the range of pages (paper) covered by the drawing memory, but it is possible to cover all the filled dots in the process of expanding the print data into the bitmap. Alternatively, the range of pages covered by the drawing memory may be automatically optimized.

Correspondence between the present embodiment and each means of the fourth invention and its operation will be described below with reference to FIG.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a printing apparatus receives print data such as a control code and a character code from a host computer 3000 such as an external apparatus and performs a printing operation in the printing apparatus main body. Drawing memory (in this embodiment, R as a memory resource
A drawing memory assigned as a drawing memory of the AM 19) and a judging means (by the function of the CPU 12) for judging whether or not the bitmap data based on the print data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory, and this judging means. When it is determined that the development is not possible, the notification means (by the function of the CPU 12) for notifying that fact before printing is started.
After the notification by the notifying means, an adjusting means (by the function of the CPU 12) for automatically adjusting the page range designated so as to store the bitmap data corresponding to the print data is provided in the drawing memory. When it is determined that the bitmap data cannot be expanded in the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size specified by the print data, the CPU 12 notifies the fact before printing, and then based on the page range specification. The adjusting unit automatically adjusts the specified page range so that the bitmap data corresponding to the print data is stored in the drawing memory, and the input print data is printed as a normal image as possible.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, unlike the third embodiment, it is possible to increase the possibility of obtaining a normal image output without knowing the contents of the print data in advance.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0073]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention
According to the invention, when the determination unit determines that the bitmap data cannot be expanded in the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size specified by the print data, the notification unit notifies the fact before printing is started. Therefore, it is possible to surely inform the user before the start of printing that the page size designated by the print data is in a state where the memory resources on the printing apparatus main body side cannot completely expand the bitmap.

According to the second aspect, when it is determined by the determination means that the bitmap data cannot be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size specified by the print data, the notification means notifies that fact. Since the notification is given after the printing is started, it is possible to reliably notify the user after the printing that the page size designated by the print data has been printed in a state where the memory resources on the printing apparatus main body side cannot expand all to the bitmap.

According to the third aspect, when it is determined by the determination means that the bitmap data cannot be expanded in the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size specified by the print data, the notification means notifies that fact. After the notification is given before the start of printing, the adjusting unit adjusts the specified page range so that the bitmap data corresponding to the print data is stored in the drawing memory based on the page range specification by the specifying unit. The print data can be printed as a normal image as much as possible within the specified page range.

According to the fourth aspect, when it is determined by the determination means that the bitmap data cannot be expanded in the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size specified by the print data, the notification means notifies that fact. After informing before printing is started, the adjusting means automatically adjusts the specified page range so that the bitmap data according to the print data is stored in the drawing memory based on the page range specification.
The input print data can be printed as a normal image as much as possible.

According to the fifth aspect, when the determination unit determines that the expansion is impossible, the notification unit notifies the external device of the fact before the printing is started. Therefore, the user of the external device can receive the print data. Can be surely notified that printing is defective.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, when the determining means determines that the expansion is impossible, the notifying means notifies the operation panel of the main body of the printing apparatus to that effect before the printing is started. It is possible to reliably notify the user on the side that the print data is defective in printing.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, since the designating means designates the page range that can be expanded in the drawing memory by the panel operation of the printing apparatus main body, the page range designated by the printing data is adjusted from the printing apparatus main body side. You can specify the page range to be used.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, since the designating means designates the page range that can be expanded in the drawing memory by the command from the external device, the page range adjusted by the print data from the external device is adjusted. The range can be specified in the printer body by a command.

According to the ninth invention, it is judged whether or not the bitmap data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size specified by the print data, and based on the judgment, printing is started to that effect. According to the above notification, after the user's output request for the print data, it can be notified at an appropriate timing that the print data will be defective due to lack of memory resources.

According to the tenth aspect, it is determined whether the bitmap data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size specified by the print data, and based on the determination, printing is started to that effect. Since it will be notified later, if the page size specified by the print data is printed in a state where memory resources on the printer body side cannot expand all to the bitmap, the user is surely notified after printing that there is a possibility of printing failure. be able to.

Therefore, it is possible to inform the user that printing failure occurs due to the print data that cannot be drawn with the memory resources of the printing apparatus main body, and it is possible to obtain a normal print result in which the input print data is not cut off as much as possible. And so on.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of a print control method according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the print control method according to the present invention.

5 is a schematic diagram showing a correspondence between a drawing memory secured on the RAM shown in FIG. 2 and drawing data.

6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of print data edited on the host computer shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 CPU 13 ROM 14 External Memory 17 Printing Section 19 RAM 1000 Printer 1001 Printer Control Unit 3000 Host Computer

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A drawing memory for receiving print data such as a control code and a character code from an external device and performing a printing operation in the main body of the printing device, a drawing memory for expanding and storing the print data, and the print data. Determination means for determining whether or not the bitmap data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size specified by, and if this determination means determines that expansion is not possible,
A printing apparatus comprising: a notification unit that notifies that effect before starting printing. 2. In a printing device in which print data such as a control code and a character code is received from an external device and a printing operation is performed by the printing device main body, a drawing memory for expanding and storing the print data, and the print data. Determination means for determining whether or not the bitmap data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size specified by, and if this determination means determines that expansion is not possible,
A printing apparatus comprising: a notification unit that notifies that effect after printing is started. 3. A drawing device for receiving print data such as a control code and a character code from an external device and performing a printing operation in the printer main body, a drawing memory for expanding and storing the print data, and the print data. Determination means for determining whether or not the bitmap data based on the above can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory, and an informing means for notifying the fact before the start of printing when it is determined that the expansion is impossible by this determination means, After the notification by the notification means, a designating means for designating a page range in which the drawing memory can be expanded, and bitmap data corresponding to the print data is stored in the drawing memory based on the page range specification by the designating means. An adjusting unit that adjusts the page range designated as described above. 4. A drawing device for receiving print data such as a control code and a character code from an external device and performing a printing operation in the printer main body, a drawing memory for expanding and storing the print data, and the print data. Determination means for determining whether or not the bitmap data based on the above can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory, and an informing means for notifying the fact before the start of printing when it is determined that the expansion is impossible by this determination means, After the notification by the notification unit, an adjusting unit that automatically adjusts a page range designated so that bitmap data corresponding to the print data is stored in the drawing memory. 5. The notification means, if the determination means determines that the expansion is not possible, notifies the external device of that fact before starting printing, according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Printing device. 6. The informing means informs the operation panel of the main body of the printing apparatus to that effect before the start of printing when the determining means determines that the expansion is impossible. The printing device according to any one. 7. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the designating means designates a page range in which the drawing memory can be expanded by a panel operation of the printing apparatus main body. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the designating unit designates a page range in which the drawing memory can be expanded by a command from an external device. 9. A print control method for a printing device, wherein a printing operation is performed by the printing device main body via a drawing memory for expanding and storing a bitmap based on print data such as a control code or a character code from an external device. Printing apparatus having a determination step of determining whether or not bitmap data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with a specified page size, and an informing step of informing that fact before starting printing based on the determination Print control method. 10. A print control method for a printing apparatus, wherein a printing operation is performed by the printing apparatus main body via a drawing memory for expanding and storing a bitmap based on print data such as a control code or a character code from an external apparatus. A printing apparatus having a determination step of determining whether or not the bitmap data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with a specified page size, and an informing step of informing that fact after printing is started based on the determination Print control method.