JPH10187367A - Print controller, print controlling method and recording medium storing program that can be read by computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To freely perform detailed settings from various setting utility software for a printer by acquiring expansion information that is necessary for a printer setting from each information device based on a prescribed protocol, analyzing it and installing it in a memory resource. SOLUTION: A network controller 34 acquires expansion information that is necessary for printer settings from each information device based on a prescribed protocol, a CPU 36 analyzes it, and a CPU 12 installs it on writable ROM 13 in accordance with an analyzed result. Then, the detailed setting for a desired print environment can freely be expanded and strengthened by storing the expansion information that is acquired from each information device as expansion resources and using various setting utility software which operate on each information device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing method for receiving print information by communicating with a plurality of information devices via a predetermined communication medium and controlling print processing of a printing unit based on the received print information. The present invention relates to a control device, a print control method, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional network printing system,
Controlled by network software sold by different software companies, these manufacturers each define different protocols for network communication.

[0003] For example, Novell has an IPS / SP
X (Internet Packet Switching / Sequential Packet Switching) protocol, UNIX operating system uses TPC / IP protocol, APPLE uses Eth
ertalk protocol, and other companies define other network protocols.

Network communication generally involves [frames]
Carried on the line in packets called. Several different frame types are defined and commonly used, with each frame type representing the network data in the frame, such as the length of the frame packet, the error code of the frame packet, and the source and destination sockets. Identify the organization of places, etc.

[0005] Examples of frame types in the Ethernet network are 802.2 and Ethernet2.
And Ethernet Snap, and 802.3.

A printing device installed on a network also
By installing an expansion board (including a built-in one) corresponding to each network, printing on the network becomes possible. Generally, printer processing is performed using an Ethernet network, for example, using NetWare (trademark) software manufactured by Novell.

[0007] The printer and the network board are used to obtain and set various kinds of information such as the status of each printer separately from the processing of the printer.
kManagement Protocol (SNM
It supports the P) protocol, and exchanges information according to this protocol.

[0008] Various information exchanged on the SNMP is based on MIB (Management Information).
n Base), and the MIB includes a standard MIB and a company-extended MIB commonly used by each company.

In the extended MIB, detailed information such as information commonly used by manufacturers and information for managers can be set.

[0010]

However, as described above, since the content of each company's MIB is different,
If the user attempts to set the printing device using the network printing device management software of another company, the necessary information cannot be obtained and set.

[0011] In addition, there has been a problem that MIB objects cannot be added to commercialized products, and the network environment cannot be easily expanded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the first to fifth inventions according to the present invention is to provide an extended information acquired from each information device by a predetermined protocol. By analyzing the information and installing it as an extended resource on the memory, even if it is extended information with different specifications from each information device, it is installed as an extended resource, and details from various information utility software to the printing device from the information device are printed. An object of the present invention is to provide a print control device and a print control method capable of freely setting, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a printing apparatus receives print information by communicating with a plurality of information devices via a predetermined communication medium, and performs printing based on the received print information. A printing control device for controlling a printing process of a copy unit, wherein the obtaining unit obtains, from the information device, extended information necessary for printer setting from each information device based on a predetermined protocol; and the extension obtained by the obtaining unit. Registration means for analyzing the information and installing the same in a memory resource.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transfer means for transferring management information of extended resource information allocated to the memory resource to the information device in response to a request from each information device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the predetermined protocol is a simple network management protocol.

A fourth invention according to the present invention communicates with a plurality of information devices via a predetermined communication medium to receive print information, and controls print processing of a printing unit based on the received print information. A print control method for obtaining, from each information device, extended information necessary for printer setting from each information device based on a predetermined protocol, and analyzing the obtained extended information to install the information in a memory resource. And a registration step.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a print information is received by communicating with a plurality of information devices via a predetermined communication medium, and a print process of a printing unit is controlled based on the received print information. A storage medium storing a computer readable program, the obtaining step of obtaining, from the information device, extended information necessary for printer setting from each information device based on a predetermined protocol; and And a registration step of analyzing the program and installing the program in a memory resource.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before describing the configuration of the present embodiment, a configuration of a laser beam printer suitable for applying the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
The printer to which the present embodiment (extension memory and interface part) is applied is not limited to a laser beam printer and an ink jet printer, but may be a printer of another printing method or a copier having a printing function. Needless to say.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the configuration of an output device to which the present invention can be applied.
P).

In the figure, reference numeral 1500 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores print information (character codes and the like), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer, and stores the information. , A corresponding character pattern, form pattern or the like is created, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper. Reference numeral 1501 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged. Reference numeral 1000 denotes a printer control unit that controls the entire LBP main body 1500 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from a host computer. The printer control unit 1000 converts the main character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1502. Laser driver 1502
Is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1503,
The laser light 1504 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1503 is turned on / off according to the input video signal. The laser beam 1504 is oscillated in the horizontal direction by the rotary polygon mirror 1505 to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 1506. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1506.

This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1507 disposed around the electrostatic drum 1506, and then transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used as the recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1508 mounted on the LBP 1500, and is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 1509, a conveyance roller 1510, and a conveyance roller 1511. It is supplied to the drum 1506. The LBP body 1500 is provided with at least one or more card slots (not shown) so that an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language can be connected in addition to the built-in fonts.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printer control system to which the present invention can be applied. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

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 or the like stored in a program ROM of the ROM 3. C
The CPU 1 is provided with a PU 1 and controls each device connected to the system device 4 as a whole.

The program ROM of the ROM 3
Stores a control program of the CPU 1 and the like.
The font ROM stores 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 and the like. Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 1. 5 is a keyboard controller (KB
C) controls key input from a keyboard (KB) 9 or a pointing device (not shown). Reference numeral 6 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC), and a CRT display (CR
T) Control the display of 10. Reference numeral 7 denotes a disk controller (DKC), which stores an external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) storing a boot program various applications, font data, user files, driver software for a printing apparatus, and editing files, and a floppy disk (FD). Control access to

8 is a printer controller (PRTC)
A predetermined bidirectional interface (interface)
21 and is connected to the printer 1500 to execute communication control processing with the printer 1500. Note that the CPU 1
Executes rasterization of an outline font to a display information RAM set on the RAM 2, for example, to enable WYIWYG on the CRT 10. Further, the CPU 1 opens various registered windows based on commands specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.

In the printer 1500, reference numeral 12 denotes a printer CPU (CPU) which stores a program RO in the ROM 13.
M or the external memory 1
4 to control the access to various devices connected to the system bus 15 on the basis of the control program and the like stored in the printing section 4 and the printing section interface 16 (printing section I /
Printing unit (printer engine) 1 connected via F)
7 outputs an image signal as output information. The program ROM of the ROM 13 stores a control program of the CPU 12 and the like. RO for fonts in ROM13
M stores font data and the like used when generating the output information. In the case of a printer having no external memory 14 such as a hard disk in a data ROM of the ROM 13, information used on a host computer is stored. I remember. The CPU 12 can communicate with the host computer via the input unit 18 and can notify the host computer 3000 of information in the printer and the like. The ROM 13 is composed of a rewritable memory medium, for example, an EEPROM, a flash ROM, etc., acquires various MIB information from a host computer on a network described later by a predetermined protocol, and expands the information into an area allocated to a mapped space. Go write.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an extension port (not shown). Note that RA
M19 is an output information development area, environment data storage area, N
Used for VRAM and the like. Hard disk (H
D), access to the external memory 14 such as an IC card is controlled by a disk controller (DKC) 20.
The external memory 14 is connected as an option, and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. Reference numeral 18 denotes the above-described operation panel on which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged.

The above-mentioned external memory is not limited to one, and at least one external memory is provided. In addition to built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different languages are connected. It may be configured to be able to. Furthermore, NV
It is also possible to have the RAM 22 and store the printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1501.

In the printer control system configured as described above, text data output from the host computer is stored in the input unit 18 first. The CPU 12
The input information is translated with reference to the ROM 13, and the translated content is stored in the RAM 19. Here, the storage method of the RAM 19 is to store the data in an intermediate form having a width of 16, 32, or 48 bits or as a bit map memory.
When character data and image data are stored in the RAM 19, the RAM 19, which has been used as one page memory, is divided into two page memories, one of which is a character area and the other is an image area. I do.

Therefore, it is characterized in that a form in which character information is developed and a form in which image information is developed are stored in the respective areas. According to this storage method, when refining an intermediate object, it is recognized based on the respective headers of the character information and the image information, and is developed in each area. Since the RAM 19 generally has a memory area for one page, the character and image areas are separated from each other and no additional memory is required. RAM needs to be added. Generally, when starting up the system, the host computer is connected to a network server, and at this time, information on a printer connected to the network is obtained. Alternatively, if the connection is not made when the system is started, the information of the printer is acquired when the connection work to the network environment is executed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a network printer system obtained by expanding the printer control system shown in FIG.

In the figure, PC1 and PC2 are personal computers, which are configured to be able to communicate with peripheral devices, for example, a PC server SB and a printer PR via a network, and perform a communication control with a router / bridge RB and a hub HUB.
Is communicably connected to a device (not shown) via the.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a print control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals as in FIG. 2 denote the same parts.

In the figure, reference numeral 30 denotes a network board (NEB) which is connected to the input / output unit 18 via the expansion slot 22 shown in FIG. 2, for example. The NEB
Numeral 30 receives data from a network and processes the peripheral devices such as printers and interactive intelligent network members. The host computer 3
000 uses network utility software attached to the printing device or the NEB 30 when acquiring information to the printing device.

The network utility is SNMP
The information of the MIB object stored in the printing apparatus can be obtained and set using the protocol. The command sent from the host computer 3000 is sent to the NEB 30 via the network (LAN 40). N
In the EB 30, the input / output unit 35, for example, an Ethernet interface 10Base-2 having a coaxial connector
Or input to the NEB system bus 31 via a LAN interface such as 10Base-T having RJ-45.

The input data is transmitted to a network controller (Network Controller) 3
4. Confirmation of the network address and exchange of information via the ROM 37 are performed, and are taken into the NEB 30. This data is processed by the CPU 36 and stored in the shared memory 33. When the MIB information is stored in the shared memory 33, the CPU 36 notifies the printing device CPU 12 that the input information has been stored. Then, CPU1
2 is a CPU 3 of the NEB 30 through the input / output units 18 and 32.
6, the information in the shared memory 33 is received and stored in the RAM 19, or immediately analyzed without being stored, and the next processing is performed.

The information sent to the inside of the printing apparatus 1500 includes:
The CPU 12 refers to the MIB object stored in the ROM 13 and is analyzed by the CPU 12, and in accordance with each command, the CPU 12 determines the status of the printing apparatus and acquires the result information of the command. The result is sent to the NEB 30 in a procedure completely opposite to the procedure just described, and the NEB 30 is released to the LAN 40 through the network controller 34 and the host computer obtains the information, thereby completing a series of processes. Hereinafter, a method of adding and changing the MIB on the SNMP will be described with reference to FIG.

FIGS. 5 to 7 are diagrams for explaining the memory map of the ROM 13 shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the MIB is generally R
The OM 13 is assigned to a certain address space. This MIB can be broadly divided into a standard MIB 52 from which common information can be obtained and a company-extended MIB 53 for performing settings unique to each printing apparatus. As shown in the figure, the internal object tree structure of the company MIB 53 starts with the company name first, and is expanded from each setting condition to each subtree.

Here, each setting condition, for example, setting 1
If an item of MIB rewriting is assigned to (see FIG. 6), "1.
IB address space setting (1) "and" 2. Write sequence start (2) "are set.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between this embodiment and the respective means of the first to third inventions and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a communication unit communicates with a plurality of information devices (host computers or the like) via a predetermined communication medium (network) to receive print information, and based on the received print information, a printing unit of the printing unit. A print control device that controls print processing, and obtains, from each information device, extended information necessary for printer setting from the information device based on a predetermined protocol (in the present embodiment, the extended slot 21 of the printer 1500 A network controller 34 of the NEB 30 to be connected), and a registering unit (the CPU 12 and the CPU 36 corresponding to the R and R) which analyze the extended information acquired by the acquiring unit and install it in a memory resource.
The OM 13 and the control program stored in the ROM 37 are executed and installed). The network controller 34 acquires the extended information necessary for the printer setting from each information device based on a predetermined protocol, and acquires the acquired extended information. The extended information is analyzed by the CPU 36 and is installed in the writable ROM 13 by the CPU 12 according to the analysis result. Therefore, the extended information acquired from each information device is stored as an extended resource, and various setting utility software that operates on each information device is stored. The detailed setting of the desired print environment can be freely extended and enhanced by the wear.

The second invention has a transfer means (network controller 34) for transferring management information of the extended resource information allocated to the memory resource to the information device in response to a request from each information device. Since the network controller 34 transfers the management information of the extended resource information allocated to the memory resource to the information device in response to a request from the information device, the setting is performed by the unique setting utility software operating on each information device. The information device can read the environment information and clearly show it to the user.

In a third aspect, the predetermined protocol is:
Since the simple network management protocol is used, it is possible to reliably transfer the extended information to freely expand and enhance the detailed settings of the desired print environment, even with various setting utility software running on each information device. it can.

Hereinafter, the MIB rewriting operation of the print control apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure of the print control apparatus according to the present invention. In addition,
(1) to (7) show each step.

First, when a MIB rewrite command (for example, company No. 1, 1) is sent from a host computer (not shown) on the network to the printing apparatus by the method described above (1), printing is first performed. The device changes the state of the MIB to the write mode (2),
Writable RO such as EPROM and hard disk
Check the state of M13. Then, an address setting command is sent from the host computer (3).

Next, spaces usable in the respective ROMs are searched in the order specified in advance in the program ROM, and these address spaces are allocated as spaces in which MIBs can be written. After that, NEB
It returns to the host computer through 30 (4).

When the host computer receives the information, the host computer displays the result on the network utility on the screen, and the user selects an item to be added by himself according to the specified free space capacity, designates writing, and performs writing. When specified, a write command (for example, No. 1, 2)
Is sent to the printing device (5), writing starts (6), and additional M that has been delayed in the same format as the print data
The IB object (binary data) is stored in the specified ROM at any time by the CPU 12 in the printing apparatus (7), and the process ends.

As a result, as shown in FIG.
A new MIB can be added inside the IB53.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between this embodiment and each step of the fourth and fifth inventions and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, print information is received by communicating with a plurality of information devices via a predetermined communication medium (network), and print processing of a printing unit is controlled based on the received print information. A print control method, wherein an acquisition step of acquiring, from each information device (host computer), extended information necessary for printer setting from the information device based on a predetermined protocol (steps (1) to (5) in FIG. 8) And a registration step (steps (6) and (7) in FIG. 8) of analyzing the acquired extended information and installing the same in a memory resource are stored in the ROM 13 or the ROM 37 or a memory resource (not shown). Since the control program is executed, the extended information obtained from each information device is stored as extended resources, and various setting utility software that operates on each information device It can be freely expanded enhance Advanced print environments that desired air.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, print information is received by communicating with a plurality of information devices (host computers) via a predetermined communication medium, and print processing of a printing unit is controlled based on the received print information. A storage medium that stores a computer-readable program to be executed by a computer, and acquires, from each information device, extended information necessary for printer setting from the information device based on a predetermined protocol (step (1) in FIG. 8). To (5)) and a registration step (steps (6) and (7) in FIG. 8) of analyzing the acquired extended information and installing it in a memory resource. Is stored in. That is, a program code corresponding to the process shown in FIG. 8 is stored in an external storage medium or an internal storage resource to be described later, and the storage medium storing the program code stores the program code.
The form in which the PU 12 and the CPU 36 read and execute the data is also included in the embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the print control apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, etc. are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is stored. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIG. 8 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or the CPU or the MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0064]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, since the extended information necessary for the printer setting is acquired from each information device based on a predetermined protocol, the acquired extended information is analyzed, and the registration unit is installed in the memory resource. The extended information acquired from the printer is stored as extended resources, and the detailed setting of a desired print environment can be freely extended and enhanced by various setting utility software operating on each information device.

According to the second aspect, the transfer means transfers the management information of the extended resource information allocated to the memory resource to the information device in response to a request from each information device, so that the operation at each information device is possible. The information device can read out the environment information set by the specific setting utility software to be specified by the user.

According to the third invention, since the predetermined protocol is a simple network management protocol, even if various setting utility software operating on each information device is used, detailed setting of a desired print environment can be performed. It is possible to reliably transfer the extension information for freely expanding and enhancing the information.

According to the fourth and fifth aspects, extended information necessary for printer setting is acquired from each information device from the information device based on a predetermined protocol, and the acquired extended information is analyzed and stored in the memory. Since it is installed on resources, extended information obtained from each information device is stored as extended resources,
Various setting utility software operating on each information device can freely expand and enhance the desired detailed settings of the print environment.

Therefore, even if the extended information having different specifications from each information device is installed as an extended resource, it is possible to freely perform detailed settings from the information device to the printing apparatus from various setting utility software. It works.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an output device to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network printer system obtained by expanding the printer control system shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a ROM shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a ROM shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a ROM shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure of the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the print control device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 CPU 13 ROM 18 Input / output section 19 RAM 30 NEB 32 Input section 36 CPU 1500 Printer

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A print control device that communicates with a plurality of information devices via a predetermined communication medium to receive print information, and controls print processing of a print unit based on the received print information. An acquisition unit for acquiring from the information device extended information necessary for printer setting from each information device based on a predetermined protocol; a registration unit for analyzing the extended information acquired by the acquiring unit and installing it in a memory resource; A print control device comprising: 2. The print control according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer unit configured to transfer management information of extended resource information allocated to the memory resource to the information device in response to a request from each information device. apparatus. 3. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined protocol is a simple network management protocol. 4. A print control method for communicating with a plurality of information devices via a predetermined communication medium to receive print information, and controlling print processing of a print unit based on the received print information, An acquisition step of acquiring, from each information device, extended information necessary for printer setting from each information device based on a predetermined protocol, and a registration step of analyzing the acquired extended information and installing it in a memory resource. A printing control method characterized by the following. 5. A computer readable program that communicates with a plurality of information devices via a predetermined communication medium to receive print information, and controls a printing process of a printing unit based on the received print information. An acquisition step of acquiring, from the information device, extended information necessary for printer setting from each information device based on a predetermined protocol, and analyzing the acquired extended information to install the acquired extended information in a memory resource. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program, including a registration step of: