JPH11212738A - Printing controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing controller for accelerating a printing processing by providing a means for taking out image data stored beforehand without the need of the instruction of an operator. SOLUTION: The specified information of received printing data, the leading byte data of the printing data for instance, is extracted by a specified information extraction part 11 and the image data generated by an image data generation part 13 are related to the specified information and stored in an image data storage part 14. Then, in the case of receiving new printing data, the specified information of the received printing data is extracted in the specified information extraction part 11 and the image data provided with the same specified information are retrieved from the image data storage part 14 by a specified information retrieval part 12. In the case that the pertinent image data are present as the result of the retrieval, the image data are read and outputted to a printing execution part 101.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, and more particularly, to a print control apparatus which speeds up a printing process by providing a means for extracting image data stored in advance without requiring an operator's instruction. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an ink jet printer or a laser printer, print data output from a personal computer or the like is converted into image data, and an image is formed on a sheet based on the image data.

In the above-described printer, various techniques have been conventionally considered to achieve high-speed printing. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-024016, once generated image data is stored in a storage device such as a hard disk together with attached information, and when an operator requests a print of the same data, the print request A printing apparatus has been disclosed in which included information is extracted and image data stored in a hard disk is read to prevent duplication of image data and speed up printing processing.

[0004]

However, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-024016, the operator has to specify the additional information, and the operator needs to grasp the relationship between the additional information and the image data stored in the hard disk. is there.

In general, a huge amount of data is printed by the above-described printer, and it is difficult for an operator to grasp all print data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing control apparatus which speeds up a printing process by providing means for extracting image data stored in advance without requiring an operator's instruction.

[0007]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print data receiving unit for receiving print data, and image data from the print data received by the print data receiving unit. Image data generating means for generating the image data, and image data output means for outputting the image data generated by the image data generating means to the printing execution means, and prints the image data output from the image data output means. A print control device to be executed by a print execution unit, a specific information extraction unit for extracting specific information for specifying the print data from the print data received by the print data reception unit, and an image generated by the image data generation unit Relating the data to the specific information extracted by the specific information extracting means Image data storage means for storing the specific information extracted by the specific information extracting means from the print data newly received by the print data receiving means; The image data output means, the result of the search by the specific information search means,
When the corresponding specific information is found, the image data associated with the specific information is extracted, and the extracted image data is output to the print execution unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, an internal processing code used as a processing code in the print control device is generated from the print data received by the print data receiving means. Further comprising an internal processing code generating means for generating image data from the internal processing code generated by the internal processing code generating means, wherein the specific information extracting means generates the internal processing code. The identification information for identifying the internal processing code is extracted from the internal processing code generated by the means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, extraction of specific information by the specific information extracting means and generation of image data by the image data generating means are performed in parallel. Parallel execution means; and generation stop means for stopping generation of image data by the image data generation means when the image data stored in the image data storage means is extracted by the image data extraction means. It is characterized by.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the generation time measuring means for measuring the time when the image data is generated by the image data generating means is provided. Furthermore, the image data storage means stores only image data whose time measured by the generation time measurement means is equal to or longer than a predetermined time.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the specific information extracting means stores the type of the specific information to be extracted. Means for extracting the type specific information stored in the extraction type storage means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the specific information searching means includes a search type storing means for storing a type of the specific information to be searched. A search unit that searches for the type of specific information stored in the search type storage unit when searching for the specific information.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a print control apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, an outline of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the print control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

According to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, specific information of print data received by a specific information extracting unit 11, for example, first byte data of the print data is extracted, and an image generated by an image data generating unit 13 is extracted. The image data storage unit 14 associates data with the specific information.
To memorize it. Then, when new print data is received, the specific information of the received print data is extracted by the specific information extracting unit 11, and the image data having the same specific information is extracted by the specific information searching unit 12 by the image data storing unit 14. Search from. As a result of the search, when there is corresponding image data, the image data is read out and output to the print execution unit 101 to solve the above-described problem.

Hereinafter, the contents of the present invention will be described in more detail.

The print control apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is composed of blocks surrounded by dotted lines in FIG. 1 and includes an external device 10 such as a personal computer or CAD.
0 and a print execution unit 101 that forms an image on a paper 102 such as an exposure printing apparatus or a printer.

The print control apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment
As shown in FIG. 1, a print data receiving unit 10 for receiving print data, an image data generating unit 13 for generating image data from print data received by the print data receiving unit 10, and an image data generating unit An image data output unit 15 for outputting the image data generated by the print data generating unit 13 to the print execution unit 101; and a specific information extracting unit 11 for extracting specific information for specifying the print data from the print data received by the print data receiving unit 10. When,
An image data storage unit that stores the image data generated by the image data generation unit in association with the specific information extracted by the specific information extraction unit; The specific information search unit 12 searches from the image data storage unit 14.

Here, the image data storage section 14 is provided with an image data storage table for storing the specific information extracted by the specific information extracting section 11 and the image data generated by the image data generating section 13.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the image data storage table provided in the image data storage section 14 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the image data storage table T1 includes a print data name storage field F1 for storing the name of the received print data, and a head byte storage field F2 for storing the head byte data of the print data in hexadecimal code. And a print data size storage field F3 for storing the data size of the print data.
And a sum check code storage field F4 used to check the transmission of the print data, and an image data storage field F5 for storing the generated image data in a bitmap format. Is stored.

The data stored in the print data name storage field F1, the leading byte storage field F2, the print data size storage field F3, and the sum check code storage field F4 are the specific information extracted by the specific information extracting unit 11. .

The structure of a record stored in the image data storage table T1 will be described with reference to the first record shown in FIG. 1 as an example. The record is a record relating to print data having a name "AAAAA". The byte data is “00FF”, the data size of the print data is “240 kilobytes”, the sum check code of the print data is “1”, and the image data generated from the print data is “AAAAA”.
A. BMP ".

Next, the operation of the printing control apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure of a print control process executed by the print control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

First, the print data receiving unit 10 receives the print data sent from the external device 100 (step S100), and outputs this print data to the specific information extracting unit 11. The specific information extracting unit 11 includes a print data receiving unit 10
Extracts the print data name, the leading byte, the print data size, and the sum check code shown in FIG. 2 from the received print data, and outputs them to the specific information search unit 12 (step S).
101).

The above-mentioned specific information is extracted by, for the print data name, a method of determining the reception timing from the format of the print data, searching for a position or a flag included in the print data, and temporarily storing the relevant data in an internal register or the like. To be stored. Regarding the first byte, the first few bytes of the received print data are unconditionally extracted and stored. As for the print data size, after receiving the print data, a size check is performed to obtain and store the size of the print data. As for the sum chuck code, after the print data ends, a sum check of the print data is executed, and the obtained code is stored.

The specific information retrieving section 12 is provided with an image data storage table T provided in the image data storage section 14.
1 and retrieves the specific information extracted as described above (step S102).

As a result of the search, if there is no record to which all the specific information is applicable (No in step S103), a new record is created in the image data storage table T1, and the print data name storage field of the new record is created. The corresponding data is stored in F1, head byte storage field F2, print data size storage field F3, and sum check code storage field F4 (step S104).

Thereafter, the print data receiving section 10 outputs the print data to the image data generating section 13, and the image data generating section 13 having received the print data generates image data of the print data (step S10).
5). Then, the generated image data is stored in a bitmap format in the image data storage field F5 of the record (step S106), and the generated image data is output to the image data output unit 15.

An image data output unit 15 receiving the image data output from the image data generation unit 13
Outputs the image data to the print execution unit 101 (step S107). The print execution unit 101 that has received the image data output from the image data output unit 15
Forms an image on the paper 102 based on the image data (step S108).

On the other hand, if the record having the specific information extracted by the specific information extracting unit 11 in step S103 exists in the image data storage table T1 (Yes in step S103), the specific information searching unit 12 A "read instruction signal" is output to the output unit 15, and the image data output unit 15 reads the image data stored in the image data storage field F5 of the record (step S109).

The image data output unit 15, which has read the image data as described above, outputs the read image data to the print execution unit 101 (step S1).
07), and causes the print execution unit 101 to execute printing of the image data (step S108).

Thereafter, each time print data is sent from the external device 100, the above-described series of processing is repeated.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the specific information of the received print data is automatically collated, so that the image data can be extracted without requiring any special instructions. .

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a print control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, a print control device 2 according to the second embodiment is configured by blocks surrounded by a dotted line in the figure, and similarly to the print control device 1 according to the first embodiment, an external device. 100 and the print execution unit 101.

The print control device 2 according to the second embodiment
Is provided with an internal processing code generation unit 20 that generates an internal processing code from print data in addition to the configuration of the print control apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The internal processing code is a control code used in processing in the print control device, and has a format common to the print control device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure of a print control process executed by the print control device 2 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. In the processing shown in FIG. 3, between the steps S100 and S101 of the processing shown in FIG. 3, an internal processing code generation process is executed by the internal processing code generation unit 20 (step S200).

The internal processing code generation section 20 divides the received print data into a predetermined number of bits, generates an internal processing code for each of the divided units, and outputs the generated internal processing code to the specific information extraction section 11. And output to the image data generation unit 13. The specific information extracting unit 11 that has received the internal processing code extracts specific information for specifying the internal processing code from the internal processing code (step S10).
1), the image data generating unit 13 that has received the internal processing code generates image data from the internal processing code (Step S105).

Other processes are executed in the same procedure as the print control process shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the extraction of the specific information and the generation of the image data are executed based on the internal processing code. The effects of the invention can be obtained.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a print control apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the print control apparatus 3 according to the third embodiment is configured by blocks surrounded by dotted lines in the figure, and includes first and second blocks.
As in the print control device according to the embodiment, the external device 10
0 and connected to the print execution unit 101.

The print control device 3 according to the third embodiment
In addition to the configuration of the print control apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, a parallel execution control unit 30 that causes specific information extraction unit 11 to extract specific information and image data generation unit 13 to generate image data in parallel is provided. And a generation suspending unit 31 for suspending generation of image data by the image data generating unit 13.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure of a print control process executed by the print control apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

First, the print data receiving unit 10 receives the print data sent from the external device 100 (step S300), and outputs the print data to the specific information extracting unit 11 and the image data generating unit 13.

When the print data is output, the parallel execution control unit 30 outputs an "execution instruction signal" to the specific information extraction unit 11 and the image data generation unit 13 (step S30).
1) The extraction of specific information by the specific information extraction unit 11 (step S302) and the generation of image data by the image data generation unit 13 (step S320) are simultaneously executed.

After the specific information extraction unit 11 receives the “execution instruction signal”, after the extraction of the specific information ends, the specific information search unit 12 continues to execute the search for the specific information (step S303). During this time, the generation of image data by the image data generation unit 13 is being executed.

If the specific information search unit 12 searches the image data storage unit 14 and finds a corresponding record (Yes in step S304), the generation stop unit 31
To that effect, and stops the image data generation processing by the image data generation unit 13 (step S33).
0). Then, a “read instruction signal” is output to the image data output unit 15. The image data output unit 15 that has received the “read instruction signal” reads out the searched image data (step S331) and outputs it to the print execution unit 101 (step S307).

The print execution unit 101 that has received the image data W output by the image data output unit 15 forms an image on a sheet based on the image data (step S308).

On the other hand, the specific information search unit 12 determines in step S
If the corresponding record is not obtained as a result of searching the image data storage table T1 in 304, a new record is created in the image data storage table T1 (step S305), and the new record is generated by the image data generator 13 in the record. The stored image data is stored (step S306).

As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the extraction of the specific information and the generation of the image data are performed in parallel, so that even if the image data cannot be searched, Data generation processing can be executed without delay. Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a print control apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, a print control device 4 according to the fourth embodiment is configured by blocks surrounded by dotted lines in the drawing, and like the print control devices according to the first to third embodiments, External device 100
Is connected to the print execution unit 101.

The print control device 4 according to the fourth embodiment
In addition to the configuration of the print control apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, a generation time measurement unit 40 that measures the time when the image data is generated by the image data generation unit 13 is provided in the configuration. Then, it operates so as to store only the image data whose time measured by the generation time measuring unit 40 is equal to or longer than a predetermined time.

The predetermined time may be A0 size or A1 size.
It is set based on the time for generating large format image data such as size.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure of a print control process executed by the print control device 4 according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. In the process illustrated in FIG. 3, a comparison process of the time measured by the generation time measuring unit 40 is performed between Step S105 and Step S106 of the process illustrated in FIG. 3 (Step S400).

This comparison processing is performed by the image data generation unit 1
3 is performed. The image data generation unit 13
Receiving the time measured by the generation time measuring unit 40,
It is determined whether or not this time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time (step S400).

If it is longer than the predetermined time (Yes in step S400), the generated image data is stored in the image data storage unit 14 (step S106), and if it is not longer than the predetermined time (step S400). N
o) Output the generated image data to the image data output unit 15 without storing it.

Other processes are executed in the same procedure as the print control process shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, since image data that takes a long time to generate is stored, it is possible to speed up printing processing while saving storage capacity.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a print control apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, a print control device 5 according to the fifth embodiment is configured by blocks surrounded by dotted lines in the figure, and includes first to fourth blocks.
As in the print control device according to the embodiment, the external device 10
0 and connected to the print execution unit 101.

The print control device 5 according to the fifth embodiment
In addition to the configuration of the print control apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, a type storage unit that stores the type of specific information extracted by the specific information extraction unit 11 and the type of specific information searched by the specific information search unit 12 The specific information extraction unit 11 and the specific information search unit 12 target only the types stored in the type storage unit 50 as processing targets.

As the type stored in the type storage section 50, for example, it is preferable to select the print data name or the leading byte shown in FIG. Because the print data name and the first byte are data that is normally received first, if the data is to be extracted, the speed of the extraction process by the specific information extraction unit 11 can be improved. Furthermore, if the print data receiving unit 10 is configured to output only the first few bytes first, the extraction process can be executed before the completion of the reception of the print data.

By storing the type of the specific information to be searched in the type storage unit 50, the specific information search unit 12 can similarly improve the speed of the search processing.

Except when it is particularly necessary, the types stored in the type storage unit 50 are shared as an extraction target and a search target.

The configuration in which the extraction target and the search target are stored in the type storage unit 50 can be used not only to improve the speed as described above, but also to improve the identification accuracy of the print data. For example, if all the specific information shown in FIG. 2 is stored as an extraction target and a search target, the identity of the received print data can be identified with high accuracy. If a creator of print data, a creation date and time, and the like are added as extraction targets and search targets in addition to those shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the extraction target and the search target can be appropriately changed, so that the specific information can be extracted and searched at a desired speed and accuracy. .

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a construction example when the image data generating apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is implemented. The print control device shown in FIG. 1 includes an input interface 20 functioning as a print data receiving unit 10.
1, a specific information extracting unit 11, a specific information searching unit 12, an image data generating unit 13, and an image data output unit 15.
CPU 202 and second CPU 20 functioning as
3 and the processing shown in FIG.
ROM2 for storing a program to be executed by PU203
04 and a RAM 20 for providing a work area for each CPU
5, a hard disk 206 functioning as the image data storage unit 14, and an output interface 207 functioning as an interface for the image data output unit 15.
And a print execution unit 10 which are connected to a system bus or a network and function as external devices.
1 is connected to the printing machine 208 functioning as the printer.

When implementing the print control apparatus according to the second embodiment, the first CPU 202 or the second CPU 20
3 functions as an internal processing code generation unit 20 and stores a program for causing the CPU to execute the processing shown in FIG.
4 is stored.

When implementing the print control apparatus according to the third embodiment, the first CPU 202
And the second CPU 203 functions as the specific information search unit 12 and the generation suspending unit 31.
A program for causing the CPU to execute the process shown in FIG.

When implementing the print control apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, the first CPU 202 or the second CPU 20
3 functions as the generation time measuring unit 40 and the ROM 204
Is stored, and the process shown in FIG.
A program to be executed by U is stored in the ROM 204.

When the printing control apparatus according to the fifth embodiment is implemented, the RAM 205 functions as the type storage unit 50.

The present invention can be configured so as to achieve the respective effects by combining the above embodiments.

[0075]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By providing a means for extracting image data stored in advance without requiring an operator's instruction, it is possible to provide a print control apparatus that speeds up the printing process.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention,
Since the specific information of the received print data is automatically collated, the image data can be extracted without requiring a special instruction.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention,
Since the extraction of the specific information and the generation of the image data are executed based on the internal processing code, the effects of the present invention can be obtained even for print data having different formats.

According to the third embodiment of the present invention,
Since the extraction of the specific information and the generation of the image data are performed in parallel, even when the image data cannot be searched, the image data generation processing can be executed without delay.

According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention,
Because image data that takes time to generate is stored,
It is possible to speed up the printing process while saving the storage capacity.

According to the fifth embodiment of the present invention,
Since the extraction target and the search target can be appropriately changed, the extraction and the search of the specific information can be executed at a desired speed and accuracy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of an image data storage table provided in an image data storage unit 14 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure of a print control process executed by the print control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

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

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure of a print control process executed by a print control device 2 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure of a print control process executed by the print control apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure of a print control process executed by a print control device 4 according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration example when the image data generation device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is implemented.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Print control apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment, 2 ... Print control apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment, 3 ... Print control apparatus concerning 3rd Embodiment, 4 ... Print control concerning 4th Embodiment Apparatus, 5: Print control apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, 10: Print data receiving section, 11: Specific information extracting section, 12: Specific information searching section, 13: Image data generating section, 14: Image data storage section, 15 ... image data output unit, 20 ...
Internal processing code generation unit, 30 ... parallel execution control unit, 31 ...
Generation stop unit, 40: generation time measurement unit, 50: type storage unit, 100: external device, 101: print execution unit, 102:
Paper, 200 CAD, 201 input interface, 202 first CPU, 203 second CPU, 204
... ROM, 205 ... RAM, 206 ... Hard disk,
207: output interface, 208: printing machine, F1
... print data name storage field, F2 ... first byte storage field, F3 ... print data size storage field
F4: Sum check code storage field, F5: Image data storage field, T1: Image data storage table.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Print data receiving means for receiving print data, image data generating means for generating image data from print data received by the print data receiving means, and image data generated by the image data generating means And an image data output unit that outputs the image data to the print execution unit, wherein the print control unit causes the print execution unit to execute printing of the image data output from the image data output unit. Specific information extracting means for extracting specific information for specifying the print data from the print data, and an image storing the image data generated by the image data generating means in association with the specific information extracted by the specific information extracting means. Data storage means, and the print data receiver A specific information retrieval unit for retrieving from the image data storage unit specific information extracted by the specific information extraction unit from the print data newly received by the step, the image data output unit comprising: A print control device for extracting image data associated with the specific information and outputting the extracted image data to the print execution unit if the specific information is found as a result of the search by the means; . 2. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an internal processing code generating unit configured to generate an internal processing code used as a processing code in the print control apparatus from the print data received by the print data receiving unit. Generates image data from the internal processing code generated by the internal processing code generating unit, and the specific information extracting unit specifies the internal processing code from the internal processing code generated by the internal processing code generating unit The printing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific information is extracted. 3. A parallel execution unit for executing the extraction of specific information by the specific information extraction unit and the generation of image data by the image data generation unit in parallel, and the image data extraction unit stores the image data in the image data storage unit. 3. The printing control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a generation stopping unit configured to stop generation of the image data by the image data generating unit when the image data is extracted. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a generation time measuring unit configured to measure a time when the image data is generated by the image data generating unit; 4. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein only the image data described above is stored. 5. The specific information extracting means includes an extraction type storing means for storing the type of the specific information to be extracted, and extracts the specific information of the type stored in the extraction type storing means. The print control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein 6. The specific information search means includes a search type storage means for storing a type of the specific information to be searched. When searching for the specific information, the specific information of the type stored in the search type storage means is stored. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein a search is performed.