JPH09193485A - Print control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of times of banding processes by making it possible to set a storage medium capacity effectively using the capacity of a storage medium of a terminal unit by providing a capacity setting means for setting the capacity of the medium used for banding process based on the empty capacity and necessary capacity of the medium. SOLUTION: A print control information setter 1 sets print control information such as the sheet size and resolution of data to be printed, and an acquiring unit 2 acquires necessary information during printing from the control information. An empty capacity acquiring unit 3 acquires the empty capacity of the storage medium of a terminal unit. Then, a data converter 4 converts the data to be printed to image data, and a band memory setter 5 sets the capacity required for one page of the print data based on the control information and a band memory from the empty capacity of the medium of the terminal unit. An image data developing unit 6 develops the image data for the band memory, and transmits it to a printer via a transmission processor 7.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print control system for controlling a printer device connected to a terminal device on the terminal device, and more particularly to a print control system suitable for performing banding processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a print control system for connecting a terminal device such as a personal computer to a printer device and controlling the printer device on the terminal device,
Depending on the print control information such as the paper size and resolution of the data to be printed and the free space (byte) of the storage medium of the terminal device during the printing process that differs depending on the terminal environment, a fixed value is set in the band memory at several levels. It was

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional print control system, depending on the data to be printed, the banding process, that is, the image (bitmap) data converted on the terminal device is processed in the row direction of one page. Since the number of executions of the printing method that divides each strip-shaped area into the strip-shaped areas and transfers the strip-shaped areas one by one to the printer device increases, overhead of banding processing occurs, and as a result, printing speed performance deteriorates. There was a problem that there was something to do.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and sets a band memory that effectively uses the capacity (byte) of a storage medium of a terminal device that differs depending on the terminal environment and sets the number of banding processes ( It is an object of the present invention to provide a print control system capable of improving the printing speed by reducing the overhead of the banding process.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 controls a printing device such that a terminal device such as a computer transfers data based on a banding process to a printing device such as a printer. In the print control system, the terminal device includes print control information setting means for setting print control information, free space calculation means for calculating free space of a storage medium of the terminal device, and predetermined printing based on the print control information. And a capacity setting means for setting the capacity of the storage medium used for the banding process based on the free capacity and the required capacity of the storage medium. .

To achieve the above object, the invention of claim 2 is the print control system according to claim 1, wherein the capacity setting means can effectively use the capacity of the storage medium which differs depending on the terminal environment. It is characterized by having a function of executing a storage medium capacity optimization method.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 3 is the print control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the terminal device uses the storage medium capacity optimization method for the number of bands and conventional storage. The comparing means for comparing the number of bands by the medium capacity setting method and the setting method of the capacity of the storage medium used for the banding processing according to the comparison result are the storage medium capacity optimizing method or the conventional storage medium capacity setting method. And a method for switching the method.

To achieve the above object, the invention of claim 4 is the print control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the terminal device is used for a banding process depending on whether or not the print process is prioritized. It is characterized by further comprising a method switching means for switching the capacity setting method of the storage medium to the storage medium capacity optimization method or the conventional storage medium capacity setting method.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 5 is the print control system according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the print control information is information about a paper size and print data in color. It is characterized in that it is information regarding whether to output in monochrome or monochrome, information regarding whether to output print data as multivalued data, information regarding resolution for processing print data, and the like.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(1) First Embodiment First, the configuration of the main part of the print control system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The main part of the print control system is the print control information. From the setting unit 1, the print control information acquisition unit 2, the terminal storage medium free space acquisition unit 3, the data conversion unit 4, the band memory setting unit 5, the image data expansion unit 6, and the transmission processing unit 7. It is configured. The arrows in the figure simply show the flow of control. Details of each of the above units will be described with reference to FIG.

Next, the overall configuration of the print control system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The present print control system generally comprises a terminal device 11 such as a personal computer and a printer 21. Has been done.
The terminal device 11 includes a print control information setting unit 1, a print control information acquisition unit 2, a free space acquisition unit 3 of a terminal storage medium, a data conversion unit 4, a band memory setting unit 5, and an image data expansion unit 6. , Transmission processing unit 7, CPU 8, and RAM
9 and the ROM 10. Also,
The printer 21 is configured to include the reception processing unit 20.

The configuration of each section will be described in detail. The print control information setting section 1 is for setting print control information such as a paper size and resolution of data to be printed. The print control information acquisition unit 2 acquires necessary information from the print control information set by the print control information setting unit 1 during the print processing.
The free capacity acquisition unit 3 of the terminal storage medium acquires the free capacity (byte) of the storage medium of the terminal device 11. Data converter 4
Converts the data to be printed into image (bitmap) data.

The band memory setting unit 5 acquires the capacity (byte) required for one page of print data and the free capacity acquisition unit 3 of the terminal storage medium based on the print control information acquired by the print control information acquisition unit 2. The band memory is set based on the free space (byte) of the storage medium of the terminal device 11. The image data expansion unit 6 expands the image (bitmap) data converted by the data conversion unit 4 into the band memory set by the band memory setting unit 5. The transmission processing unit 7 transmits the image data expanded in the band memory by the image data expansion unit 6 to the printer 21.

The CPU 8 performs various controls based on a predetermined control program. The RAM 9 is a write / read memory as needed and stores various data. ROM10 is
It is a read-only memory and stores control programs and the like.

The reception processing unit 20 of the printer 21 receives the image data transmitted from the transmission processing unit 7 of the terminal device 11 and performs a predetermined reception process.

Next, the print control operation in the print control system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 3, the operator first relates to the width / height of the paper on which the print data is output as print control information of the print data from the print control information setting unit 1 of the terminal device 11 at the start of execution of the print processing. Information, information regarding whether the print data is output in color or monochrome, information regarding whether the print data is output as multivalued data, and information regarding resolution for processing the print data are set (step S1). ).

The print control information acquisition unit 2 uses the print control information set by the operator from the print control information setting unit 1
Information about the width / height of the paper on which the print data is output,
Information regarding whether the print data is output in color or monochrome, information regarding whether the print data is output as multivalued data, and information regarding the resolution for processing the print data are acquired (step S2).

The free capacity acquisition unit 3 of the terminal storage medium acquires the free capacity (byte) of the storage medium of the terminal device 11 during the printing process (step S3). The band memory setting unit 5
The band memory is set based on the print control information acquired by the print control information acquisition unit 2 in step S2 (step S4).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the details of the process of step S4 of FIG. The process of step S4 of FIG. 3 and the band memory setting module in the print control system will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 4, first, step S2 in FIG.
The capacity (byte) required for one page of print data is calculated from the print control information acquired in step S41.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing details of the process of step S41 of FIG. With reference to FIG. 5, the process of step S41 of FIG. 4 and the module for calculating the capacity (byte) required for one page of print data in the print control system will be described in detail.

In FIG. 5, the width and height of the paper on which the print data obtained in step S2 of FIG. 3 is output are set to, for example, mm (step S411). Further, the number of pixels for one page of print data is calculated from the width (mm) and height (mm) of the paper on which the print data is output and the resolution (step S412).

Further, it is determined whether the print data is output in color or monochrome (step S4).
13). When it is determined that the print data is output in color, the number of bits K forming one pixel of the print data is set to a predetermined value depending on whether the print data is output as multivalued data (step S414). . That is, the number of bits K is set to, for example, 24 when multi-valued data processing is performed, and the number of bits K is set to 3, for example, when multi-valued data processing is not performed.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the print data is output in monochrome, the number K of bits constituting one pixel of the print data is set to a predetermined value depending on whether or not the print data is output as multivalued data. Yes (step S4
15). That is, when performing multi-value data processing, the number of bits K
Is set to, for example, 8 and the number of bits K is set to 1, for example, when multi-value data processing is not performed.

The capacity (byte) required for one page of print data is calculated from the number of pixels for one page of print data and the number of bits constituting one pixel of the print data (step S416).

Here, FIG. 6 shows the number of bits constituting one pixel of print data, and the procedure for calculating the number of bits in multi-value data processing and binary data processing when print data is output in color. And a procedure for calculating the number of bits in multi-value data processing and binary data processing when print data is output in monochrome.

Again in FIG. 4, the number of bands n (the number of strip-shaped regions when the image data is cut into strips in the row direction of one page) is set to 1, and the conditional expression “acquired in step S3 of FIG. 3” is obtained. Free space (byte) of the terminal device 11 that has
It is determined whether or not “the capacity (byte) × 1 / n required for one page of print data calculated in step S41 of FIG. 4” is satisfied (step S42).

If the conditional expression is not satisfied, the number of bands n
It is again determined whether or not the conditional expression is satisfied with + = 1 (step S43). When the conditional expression is satisfied, the number of bands n for the conditional expression to be satisfied is obtained, and set as band memory = capacity (byte) required for one page of print data calculated in step S41 in FIG. 4 × 1 / n. Yes (step S44).

Again, in FIG. 3, the data conversion unit 4 is
All the data to be printed is converted into image data (step S5). The image data expansion unit 6 uses the image data converted by the data conversion unit 4 in the step S4.
The data is expanded in the band memory set in (step S6).
The transmission processing unit 7 transmits the image data of the band memory expanded by the image data expansion unit 6 to the reception processing unit 20 of the printer 21 (step S7). The processing is repeated in the order of steps S6 and S7 until all the image data converted in step S5 is expanded in the band memory.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the print control information setting section 1 for setting the print control information,
A print control information acquisition unit 2 that acquires necessary information from print control information, a free space acquisition unit 3 of a terminal storage medium that acquires a free space of a storage medium of a terminal, and a data conversion unit that converts print data into image data. 4, a band memory setting unit 5 that sets a band memory from the capacity required for one page of print data and the free space of the storage medium, an image data expansion unit 6 that expands image data in the band memory, and the image data to the printer 21. And a transmission processing unit 7 for transmitting, free space (byte) of the terminal device 11> print data 1
If the capacity required for pages (byte) x 1 / n is satisfied, the band memory is set as the capacity required for one page of print data (byte) x 1 / n, so that the terminal devices that differ depending on the terminal environment may be set. It is possible to set the storage medium capacity (band memory) that effectively uses the capacity of the storage medium,
As a result, the number of banding processes (banding process overhead) can be reduced,
The printing speed can be improved.

(2) Second Embodiment The configuration of the print control system according to the second embodiment is composed of a terminal device 11 and a printer 21, as in the first embodiment. The terminal device 11 includes a print control information setting unit 1, a print control information acquisition unit 2, a free space acquisition unit 3 of a terminal storage medium, a data conversion unit 4, a band memory setting unit 5, and an image data expansion unit 6. And the transmission processing unit 7
The printer 21 includes a CPU 8, a RAM 9, and a ROM 10, and the printer 21 includes a reception processing unit 20. Description of each part is omitted.

Next, a print control operation in the print control system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, 7, and 8.

In FIG. 3, the operator first relates to the width / height of the paper on which the print data is output as print control information of the print data from the print control information setting unit 1 of the terminal device 11 at the start of execution of the print processing. Information, information regarding whether the print data is output in color or monochrome, information regarding whether the print data is output as multivalued data, and information regarding resolution for processing the print data are set (step S1). ).

The print control information acquisition unit 2 uses the print control information set by the operator from the print control information setting unit 1
Information about the width / height of the paper on which the print data is output,
Information regarding whether the print data is output in color or monochrome, information regarding whether the print data is output as multivalued data, and information regarding the resolution for processing the print data are acquired (step S2).

The free space acquisition unit 3 of the terminal storage medium acquires the free space (byte) of the storage medium of the terminal device 11 during the printing process (step S3). Step S1 to step S
The processes up to 3 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The band memory setting section 5 executes the above step S
In step 2, the band memory is set based on the print control information acquired by the print control information acquisition unit 2 (step S4).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the details of the process of step S4 of FIG. The process of step S4 of FIG. 3 and the band memory setting module in the print control system will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 7, first, step S2 in FIG.
The capacity (byte) required for one page of print data is calculated from the print control information acquired in step S51.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing in detail the processing of step S51 of FIG. The details of the processing of step S51 and the calculation module of the capacity (byte) required for one page of print data in the print control system are described above.
This is the same as the embodiment.

That is, in FIG. 5, step S2 of FIG.
The width and height of the paper on which the print data acquired in step S1 is output are set to, for example, mm (step S411). Further, the number of pixels for one page of print data is calculated from the width (mm) and height (mm) of the paper on which the print data is output and the resolution (step S412). Further, it is determined whether the print data is output in color or monochrome (step S413).

When it is determined that the print data is output in color, the number K of bits forming one pixel of the print data is set to a predetermined value by setting whether the print data is output as multivalued data (step S414). . That is, when performing multi-valued data processing, the number of bits K is set to, for example, 2
4 is set and the number of bits K is set to 3, for example, when multi-value data processing is not performed.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the print data is to be output in monochrome, the number K of bits forming one pixel of the print data is set to a predetermined value depending on whether the print data is output as multivalued data (step). S4
15). That is, when performing multi-value data processing, the number of bits K
Is set to, for example, 8 and the number of bits K is set to 1, for example, when multi-value data processing is not performed.

The capacity (byte) required for one page of print data is calculated from the number of pixels for one page of print data and the number of bits constituting one pixel of print data (step S416).

Referring again to FIG. 7, the number of bands n1 when processed by the conventional band memory setting method is calculated (step S52).

Here, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing in detail the process of step S52 of FIG. The process of step S52 of FIG. 7, the module for calculating the number of bands by the conventional band memory setting method in the print control system will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 8, it is determined whether the print data is output in color or monochrome (step S521). When the print data is output in color, it is determined whether the print data is output as multivalued data (step S522). When the print data is not output as multi-valued data, the fixed value A is set in the band memory (step S523), and when the print data is output as multi-valued data, the fixed value B is set in the band memory ( Step S524).

On the other hand, when the print data is output in monochrome, it is determined whether the print data is output as multivalued data (step S525). If the print data is not output as multi-valued data, the fixed value C is set in the band memory (step S526), and if the print data is output as multi-valued data, the fixed value D is set in the band memory (step S526). Step S527).

Then, based on the capacity required for one page of print data calculated in step S51 of FIG. 7 and the fixed value of the band memory set in any of steps S523, S524, S526, and S527 of FIG. The number of bands n1 according to the band memory setting method is calculated (step S528).

In FIG. 7 again, the number of bands n2 is set to 1, and the conditional expression “free space (byte) of the terminal device 11 acquired in step S3 of FIG. 3”> “print data 1 calculated in step S51 of FIG. Capacity required for pages (byte) ×
It is determined whether "1 / 2n" is established (step S5).
3). If the conditional expression is not satisfied, the number of bands n2 + =
It is again determined whether or not the conditional expression holds as 1 (step S54). If the conditional expression is satisfied, the number of bands n2 for satisfying the conditional expression is obtained, and the number of bands n1 and the number of bands n2 are compared (step S55).

When the difference between the number of bands n1 and the number of bands n2 is large, band memory = capacity (byte) required for one page of print data calculated in step S51 of FIG. 7 × 1 / n
2 is set (step S56). On the other hand, when the difference between the number of bands n1 and the number of bands n2 is small, the band memory setting as in the conventional method is performed.

Referring again to FIG. 3, as in the first embodiment, the data conversion section 4 converts all the data to be printed into image data (step S5). The image data expansion unit 6 expands the image data converted by the data conversion unit 4 into the band memory set in step S4 (step S6). The transmission processing unit 7 transmits the image data of the band memory expanded by the image data expansion unit 6 to the reception processing unit 20 of the printer 21 (step S7). The processing is repeated in the order of steps S6 and S7 until all the image data converted in step S5 is expanded in the band memory.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the print control information setting unit 1 for setting the print control information,
A print control information acquisition unit 2 that acquires necessary information from print control information, a free space acquisition unit 3 of a terminal storage medium that acquires a free space of a storage medium of a terminal, and a data conversion unit that converts print data into image data. 4, a band memory setting unit 5 that sets a band memory from the capacity required for one page of print data and the free space of the storage medium, an image data expansion unit 6 that expands image data in the band memory, and the image data to the printer 21. And a transmission processing unit 7 for transmitting, free space (byte) of the terminal device 11> print data 1
It is determined whether or not the capacity required for pages (byte) x 1 / 2n is satisfied. If the difference between the number of bands n1 and the number of bands n2 is large, band memory = capacity required for one page of print data (byte) ) × 1 / n2, and the number of bands n1
When the difference between the number of bands and the number of bands n2 is small, the band memory setting is performed as it is in the conventional method. The storage medium capacity (band memory) used for the above can be set, and the number of banding processes (banding process overhead) can be reduced, and the printing speed can be improved.

(3) Third Embodiment The configuration of a print control system according to the third embodiment is composed of a terminal device 11 and a printer 21, as in the first embodiment. The terminal device 11 includes a print control information setting unit 1, a print control information acquisition unit 2, a free space acquisition unit 3 of a terminal storage medium, a data conversion unit 4, a band memory setting unit 5, and an image data expansion unit 6. And the transmission processing unit 7
The printer 21 includes a CPU 8, a RAM 9, and a ROM 10, and the printer 21 includes a reception processing unit 20. Description of each part is omitted.

Next, the print control operation in the print control system according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 9.

In FIG. 3, the operator first relates to the width / height of the paper on which the print data is output from the print control information setting section 1 of the terminal device 11 as the print control information of the print data at the start of execution of the print processing. Information, information regarding whether the print data is output in color or monochrome, information regarding whether the print data is output as multivalued data, and information regarding resolution for processing the print data are set (step S1). ).

The print control information acquisition unit 2 uses the print control information set by the operator from the print control information setting unit 1
Information about the width / height of the paper on which the print data is output,
Information regarding whether the print data is output in color or monochrome, information regarding whether the print data is output as multivalued data, and information regarding the resolution for processing the print data are acquired (step S2).

The free space acquisition unit 3 of the terminal storage medium acquires the free space (byte) of the storage medium of the terminal device 11 during the printing process (step S3). Step S1 to step S
The processes up to 3 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The band memory setting section 5 executes the above step S
In step 2, the band memory is set based on the print control information acquired by the print control information acquisition unit 2 (step S4).

Here, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing in detail the process of step S4 of FIG. The process of step S4 of FIG. 3 and the band memory setting module in the print control system will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 9, first, it is determined whether or not the printing process is prioritized (step S61). When giving priority to the printing process, the band memory is set based on the band memory optimization method (step S62).

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing in detail the process of step S62 of FIG. Step S6 of FIG.
The details of the process 2 and the module of the band memory optimizing method in the print control system are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

On the other hand, since other work is performed on the terminal device 11, if the printing process is not prioritized, the band memory is set based on the conventional band memory setting method (step S).
63).

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing in detail the process of step S63 of FIG. Step S6 of FIG.
The details of the processing of No. 3 and the module of the conventional band memory setting method in the print control system are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

In FIG. 3 again, as in the first embodiment, the data converter 4 converts all the data to be printed into image data (step S5). The image data expansion unit 6 expands the image data converted by the data conversion unit 4 into the band memory set in step S4 (step S6). The transmission processing unit 7 transmits the image data of the band memory expanded by the image data expansion unit 6 to the reception processing unit 20 of the printer 21 (step S7). The processing is repeated in the order of steps S6 and S7 until all the image data converted in step S5 is expanded in the band memory.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the print control information setting unit 1 for setting the print control information,
A print control information acquisition unit 2 that acquires necessary information from print control information, a free space acquisition unit 3 of a terminal storage medium that acquires a free space of a storage medium of a terminal, and a data conversion unit that converts print data into image data. 4, a band memory setting unit 5 that sets a band memory from the capacity required for one page of print data and the free space of the storage medium, an image data expansion unit 6 that expands image data in the band memory, and the image data to the printer 21. And a transmission processing unit 7 for transmitting, the band memory is set based on the band memory optimization method when the print processing is prioritized, and the band memory is set based on the conventional band memory setting method when the print processing is not prioritized. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment,
It is possible to set the storage medium capacity (band memory) that effectively uses the capacity of the storage medium of the terminal device that differs depending on the terminal environment, thereby reducing the number of banding processes (banding process overhead). Therefore, the printing speed can be improved.

[0068]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a printing control system in which a terminal device such as a computer transfers data based on a banding process to a printing device such as a printer to control the printing device. At
The terminal device includes a print control information setting unit that sets print control information, a free space calculation unit that calculates a free space of a storage medium of the terminal device, and a storage medium capacity required for predetermined printing based on the print control information. And a capacity setting means for setting the capacity of the storage medium used for banding processing based on the free capacity and the required capacity of the storage medium. It is possible to set the storage medium capacity (band memory) that effectively uses the capacity of the medium, and this can reduce the number of times of banding processing (banding processing overhead), thus improving the printing speed. it can.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the print control system according to the first aspect, the capacity setting means adopts a storage medium capacity optimization method capable of effectively using the capacity of the storage medium which differs depending on the terminal environment. Since it has the function to execute, it is possible to set the storage medium capacity (band memory) that effectively uses the capacity of the storage medium of the terminal device that differs depending on the terminal environment, as in the invention of claim 1. Since the number of banding processes (overhead of banding process) can be reduced, the printing speed can be improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the print control system according to the first or second aspect, the terminal device has the number of bands according to the storage medium capacity optimization method and the number of bands according to the conventional storage medium capacity setting method. And a method for switching the capacity setting method of the storage medium used for banding processing to the storage medium capacity optimization method or the conventional storage medium capacity setting method according to the comparison result. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately switch the setting method of the capacity of the storage medium used for the banding process, and thus,
Similarly to the invention of claim 1, it is possible to set the storage medium capacity (band memory) that effectively uses the capacity of the storage medium of the terminal device which differs depending on the terminal environment.
Since the number of banding processes (overhead of banding process) can be reduced, the printing speed can be improved.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the print control system according to the first or second aspect, the terminal device sets the capacity of the storage medium used for the banding process depending on whether the print process is prioritized or not. Since the system is provided with the system switching means for switching the system to the storage medium capacity optimizing system or the conventional storage medium capacity setting system, the system for setting the capacity of the storage medium used for the banding process can be appropriately switched, and accordingly, Similarly to the invention of claim 1, it is possible to set a storage medium capacity (band memory) that effectively uses the capacity of the storage medium of the terminal device which differs depending on the terminal environment,
As a result, the number of banding processes (banding process overhead) can be reduced,
The printing speed can be improved.

According to the invention of claim 5, claims 1, 2,
In the print control system according to 3 or 4, the print control information includes information regarding a paper size, information regarding whether print data is output in color or monochrome,
Since it is information regarding whether or not the print data is output as multivalued data, information regarding the resolution for processing the print data, etc., various print control information regarding the print is reflected in the calculation of the capacity of the storage medium required for the predetermined printing. It is possible,
Therefore, similarly to the first aspect of the invention, it is possible to set the storage medium capacity (band memory) that effectively uses the capacity of the storage medium of the terminal device, which differs depending on the terminal environment. Since the (banding process overhead) can be reduced, the printing speed can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a print control system according to first to third embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a print control system according to first to third embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing print control processing in the print control system according to the first to third embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a capacity (byt) required for one page of print data in the print control systems according to the first and third embodiments.
It is a flow chart which shows calculation processing of e).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of a band memory optimization method in the print control system according to the first and second embodiments.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram regarding the number of bits forming one pixel of print data in the print control system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing band memory setting processing in the print control system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a conventional band memory setting process in the print control system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing band memory setting processing in the print control system according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 print control information setting section (print control information setting means) 2 print control information acquisition section 3 free capacity acquisition section of terminal storage medium (free capacity calculation means) 4 data conversion section 5 band memory setting section (required capacity calculation means, capacity) (Setting means, comparison means, method switching means) 6 Image data expansion unit 7 Transmission processing unit 11 Terminal device 12 Printer (printing device)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A print control system in which a terminal device such as a computer transfers data based on banding processing to a printing device such as a printer to control the printing device, wherein the terminal device is a printing device that sets print control information. Control information setting means, free space calculating means for calculating free space of the storage medium of the terminal device, required capacity calculating means for calculating the capacity of the storage medium required for predetermined printing based on the print control information, and storage medium And a capacity setting means for setting the capacity of the storage medium used for the banding process based on the available capacity and the required capacity of the print control system. 2. The print control system according to claim 1, wherein the capacity setting unit has a function of executing a storage medium capacity optimizing method capable of effectively using a different capacity of a storage medium depending on a terminal environment. A print control system characterized by the above. 3. The print control system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device compares the number of bands according to the storage medium capacity optimization method with the number of bands according to a conventional storage medium capacity setting method. Means and a method switching means for switching the capacity setting method of the storage medium used for banding processing to the storage medium capacity optimization method or the conventional storage medium capacity setting method according to the comparison result. Print control system. 4. The print control system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device sets the capacity setting method of the storage medium used for the banding process according to whether the print process is prioritized or not. A print control system comprising a method switching means for switching to a capacity optimization method or a conventional storage medium capacity setting method. 5. The print control system according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the print control information is information regarding a paper size, information regarding whether print data is output in color or monochrome, and print information. A print control system, which is information regarding whether or not to output data as multi-valued data, information regarding resolution for processing print data, and the like.