JPH1195956A - Device and method for controlling printing and storage medium storing computer-readable program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely avoid a printing defect caused by the lack of power by determining whether received print information can be printed or not at a suitable time corresponding to remaining battery driving power by determining whether printing can be executed or not by judging whether the received print information can be printed by the remaining power or not. SOLUTION: Based on the print information received from a host computer 3000 through an interface 23, printing processing at a printing part 17 driven by supplying power from a battery 22 is controlled. At such a time, a power source capacity detecting part (PD) 21 detects the remaining power of the battery 22 and calculates power to be consumed for printing the received print information at the printing part 17. When the print information is received, a CPU 12 discriminates whether the remaining power exceeds the calculated power consumption or not and based on the discriminated result, it is controlled whether the printing of print information can be executed or not. Therefore, when the power to be consumed for printing the received print information exceeds the remaining power, the execution of printing to be the printing defect can be avoided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing control apparatus for controlling a printing process of a printing unit driven by power supply from a battery, based on print information received from a data processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, and a printing apparatus. The present invention relates to a control method and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing apparatus driven by a battery measures the remaining amount of the battery and, when the remaining amount of the battery is almost exhausted, outputs a remaining amount signal to notify the state. Was configured to.

[0003]

However, since the remaining amount signal of the battery detection is performed irrespective of the operation of the output device, during the output operation of the output device, the signal is ignored or the output operation is not performed. Will be forcibly stopped.

For this reason, when the remaining amount signal is ignored,
In some cases, the output operation may not be performed normally due to the remaining power supply, and if the output operation is forcibly stopped, the printing operation ends in the middle.

As described above, in either case, there is a problem that a user cannot obtain a desired print result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to determine whether print processing of received print information can be performed with the remaining amount of electric power and determine whether to execute printing. By determining whether or not printing of the received print information can be executed in a timely manner according to the remaining power of the battery drive, it is possible to reliably avoid a printing failure due to insufficient power and to report the power remaining shortage state as data. A print control device, a print control method, and a computer-readable program capable of notifying a user of the data processing device and the printing device by notifying the processing device or the operation unit that the power remaining amount is in an insufficient state. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a storage medium having stored therein.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing process for a printing unit driven by power supply from a battery based on print information received from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. A print control device for controlling
Detecting means for detecting the remaining power of the battery; power calculating means for calculating the amount of power consumed for printing the received print information by the printing unit; and detecting the print information when receiving the print information. Determining means for determining whether or not the remaining amount of power read via the power calculating means exceeds the power consumption calculated by the power calculating means; and determining whether to execute the printing of the print information based on the determination result of the determining means. And control means for controlling the

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the control means determines that the remaining power is less than the power consumption, the control means changes the print power shortage state to the data processing device. Is to be notified.

In a third aspect according to the present invention, the control means displays a result of the determination by the determination means on an operation section.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the power calculation means calculates the amount of power consumed for printing the received print information by the printing unit in page units.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control method for controlling print processing of a printing unit driven by power supply from a battery based on print information received from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. A reading step of reading a remaining power amount of the battery via a detection unit, a power calculation step of calculating a power consumption amount consumed for printing the received print information by the printing unit, A determining step of determining whether the remaining amount of power read by the reading step exceeds the power consumption calculated by the power calculating step when receiving the information; and performing the printing based on a determination result of the determining step. And a determining step of determining whether to execute printing of information.

A sixth invention according to the present invention is a notifying step of notifying the data processing device of a print power shortage state when the remaining power is determined to be less than the power consumption in the determining step. It has.

A seventh invention according to the present invention has a display step of displaying a result of the judgment in the judgment step on an operation unit.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the power calculation step, the amount of power consumed to print the received print information by the printing unit is calculated in page units.

A ninth invention according to the present invention is directed to a computer which controls a printing process of a printing unit driven by power supply from a battery based on print information received from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. A storage medium storing a possible program, wherein a reading step of reading the remaining power of the battery via a detection unit and an amount of power consumed for printing received print information by the printing unit are calculated. A power calculating step for determining whether the remaining amount of power read in the reading step exceeds the power consumption calculated in the power calculating step when the print information is received, and the determining step. Determining whether or not to execute the printing of the print information based on the determination result of the above. One in which was stored in.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is a notifying step for notifying the data processing apparatus of a print power shortage state when the remaining power level is determined to be less than the power consumption amount in the determining step. Is stored in a storage medium.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a computer readable program having a display step of displaying a result of the determination in the operation section on an operation section is stored in a storage medium.

In a twelfth aspect according to the present invention, in the power calculation step, a computer readable program for calculating a power consumption consumed for printing received print information by the printing unit in page units. Is stored in a storage medium.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before describing the configuration of the present embodiment, the configurations of a laser beam printer and an ink jet printer suitable for applying the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The printer to which the present embodiment is applied is not limited to a laser beam printer and an ink jet printer, and it goes without saying that a printer of another printing method may be used.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a first output device to which the present invention can be applied, for example, in the case of a laser beam printer (LBP).

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1500 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores print information (character codes, etc.), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer, and stores these 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.

An operation panel 1501 includes switches for operation, an LED display, and the like. 1000
Is a printer control unit for controlling the entire LBP body 1500 and analyzing character information and the like supplied from the host computer.

The printer control unit 1000 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to a laser driver 1502. The laser driver 1502 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1503, and switches on / off a laser beam 1504 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1503 according to an input video signal. The laser beam 1504 is a rotary polygon mirror 1505
And scans and exposes the surface of the electrostatic drum 1506.

Thus, 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 provided around the electrostatic drum 1506, and then transferred to a recording sheet.
A cut sheet is used for the recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is a paper cassette 150 mounted on the LBP body 1500.
8 and feed roller 1509 and transport roller 1
By 510 and the transport roller 1511, it is taken into the device and supplied to the electrostatic drum 1506.

The LBP body 1500 has 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 font. .

FIG. 2 is an external view showing the configuration of a second output device to which the present invention can be applied, and shows, for example, the case of an ink jet recording device (IJRA).

In the figure, a spiral groove 5004 of a lead screw 5005 which rotates via driving force transmission gears 5011 and 5009 in conjunction with forward and reverse rotation of a driving motor 5013.
The carriage HC that engages with a pin (not shown)
And is reciprocated in the directions of arrows a and b via the guide rail 5006. An ink jet cartridge IJC having an ink jet head IJH and an ink tank IT is mounted on the carriage HC.

Reference numeral 5002 denotes a paper pressing plate, which presses the paper against the platen 5000 in the carriage moving direction. Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote photocouplers, which function as home position detection means for confirming the presence of the carriage lever 5006 in this region and switching the rotation direction of the motor 5013. A member 5016 supports a cap member 5022 for capping the entire surface of the recording head. Reference numeral 5015 denotes a suction unit that suctions the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the inkjet head IJH via the opening 5023 in the cap.

Reference numeral 5017 denotes a cleaning blade which can be moved in the front-rear direction by a member 5019. Reference numeral 5018 denotes a main body indicating plate which supports the cleaning blade 5017 and the member 5019. Reference numeral 5012 denotes a lever, which functions as a lever for starting suction for suction recovery, and moves with the movement of the cam 5020 that engages with the carriage HC;
The movement of the driving force from the driving motor 5013 is controlled by known transmission means such as clutch switching.

The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired operations can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage HC reaches the home position side area. What is necessary is just to be configured to perform the desired operation at the timing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the second output device shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 1700 denotes an interface for inputting a recording signal. 1701 is an MPU, ROM
The operation of each unit is controlled based on the control program stored in 1702. The MPU 1701 is stored in the ROM 1702.
Stores the control program to be executed, host print information, and the like. Reference numeral 1703 denotes a DRAM which stores various data (such as the recording signal and recording data supplied to the head).

Reference numeral 1704 denotes a gate array.
Control of supply of output data to the 708 is performed. Further, the gate array 1704 includes the interface 1700, the MPU
It also controls data transfer between the DRAM 1701 and the DRAM 1703.

A carrier motor 1710 reciprocates the carriage HC via a motor driver 1707.
A head driver 1705 drives the recording head 1708. Reference numeral 1706 denotes a motor driver.
09 is driven to convey the recording paper P.

When input information is input from a host computer 3000 to be described later via the interface 1700 in the above-described recording apparatus, the input information is output between the gate array 1704 and the MPU 1701 to output output information for printing. Is converted to Then, the motor drivers 1706 and 1707 are driven, and the recording head 1708 is driven according to the output information sent to the head driver 1705 to execute printing.

It should be noted that the MPU 1701 is the interface 1
Communication processing with a host computer 3000 to be described later can be performed via the host computer 300, and memory information and resource data related to the DRAM 1703 and host print information in the ROM 1702 can be processed by the host computer
0 and can be notified to the host computer 3000 if the remaining power is low based on the result of the program for comparing the remaining power and the printing power.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printer control system to which the print control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied. Here, a laser beam printer (FIG. 1) will be described as an example. Note that, as long as the functions of the present invention are executed, the present invention is applicable to a single device, a system including a plurality of devices, and a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. It goes without saying that the invention can be applied.

Referring to FIG. 3, 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 recorded in a program ROM of the ROM 3. C
Each device connected to the system bus 4 includes the PU 1 and the CPU 1 controls the devices as a whole.

The program ROM of the ROM 3
CPU 1 as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
Of the font R in the ROM 3
The OM stores font data and the like used in the above document processing, and the data ROM of the ROM 3 stores various data used in the above document processing and the like (for example, printable area size due to mechanical restrictions). Is stored.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls a key input from a keyboard (KB) 9 or a pointing device (not shown). 6 is C
The display of the CRT display (CRT) 10 is controlled by an RT controller (CRTC).

7 is a disk controller (DKC),
It controls access to an external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy disk (FD) that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edited files, and the like.

8 is a printer controller (PRTC)
A predetermined bidirectional interface (interface)
The printer 1500 is connected to the printer 1500 via the MFP 23 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1500.

The CPU 1 executes a process of developing (rasterizing) an outline font in the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, for example, and
YSIWYG is possible. Further, the CPU 1
Various registered windows are opened based on a command specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the RT 10,
Perform various data processing.

In the printer 1500, a printer CPU (CPU) 12 stores a program RO
M or the external memory 1
4 to control overall access to various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program and the like stored in the printer 4 and output to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via a printing unit interface 16. An image signal as information is output.

The program RO in the ROM 13 is
M is a CPU as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
Twelve control programs and the like are stored. The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information, and stores the data RO in the ROM 13.
In the case of a printer having no external memory 14, such as a hard disk, M stores information used on the host computer 3000.

The CPU 12 is capable of communicating with the host computer 3000 via the input unit 18.
The information and the like in the printer 1500 are transferred to the host computer 30.
00 is configured to be notified. 19 is the CPU 1
RAM functioning as main memory, work area, etc.
The option RA connected to the expansion port (not shown)
The memory capacity can be expanded by M.

The RAM 19 has an output information development area,
Used for environmental data storage area, NVRAM, and the like. The access to the external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) and 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. Also, 150
Reference numeral 1 denotes an operation panel, and switches and LEDs for operation are provided.
An indicator and the like are provided.

The above-mentioned external memory is not limited to one, and at least one external memory is provided. In addition to the 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. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store the printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1501.

Further, reference numeral 22 denotes a power supply unit (BAT) for operating the printer, which in this embodiment is constituted by a rechargeable battery. However, it may be constituted by a non-rechargeable battery or the like. Reference numeral 21 denotes a power capacity detection unit (PD), BA
The power supply capacity indicating the remaining amount of T22 is detected, and the remaining capacity of the BAT 22 is digitized and given to the CPU 12.

In the printer control system configured as described above, when print data is received via the interface 23, the CPU 12 calculates a black portion of the data and further calculates the complexity of the data. By means, the power consumption during printing is estimated.

When the contents of the PD 21 are read to obtain the remaining battery capacity, the estimated power consumption is compared with the detected battery capacity, and if the remaining capacity indicates that printing is not possible due to the remaining capacity, The printing operation is stopped and the host computer 300
0 is notified that printing has been stopped.

Hereinafter, a characteristic configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Data processing device (host computer 3000) via the predetermined communication medium configured as described above
A print control device for controlling the printing process of the printing unit 17 driven by the power supply from the battery 22 based on the print information received from the printer 22. A detection unit (PD21) for detecting the remaining power of the battery 22; Power calculating means for calculating the amount of power consumed for printing the received print information by the printing unit (calculated by the CPU 12 executing a control program stored in the ROM 13 or another memory resource (not shown)); Determining means for determining whether the remaining amount of electric power read through the detecting means at the time of receiving the print information exceeds the power consumption calculated by the power calculating means (the CPU 12 determines whether the power consumption is equal to or less than the ROM 13 or other And executing the control program stored in the memory resource that does not perform the determination), and performing the printing based on the determination result of the determination unit. Control means (the CPU 12 executes and controls a control program stored in the ROM 13 or another memory resource not shown) for controlling whether or not to execute printing of the report, so that the print information is detected at the timing of receiving the print information. Whether the printing process can be executed can be determined by comparing the remaining power of the battery with the power consumed by printing the received print information, and the power consumed by printing the received print information is smaller than the remaining power. When the number is small, the printing result can be as normal as possible.
When the amount of power consumed by printing the received print information exceeds the remaining power, it is possible to avoid printing that causes printing failure.

When the CPU 12 determines that the remaining power is lower than the power consumption, the CPU 12 notifies the data processing apparatus of a print power shortage state. The state of insufficient power remaining in the battery 22 of the printing apparatus can be recognized in a timely manner.

Further, the CPU 12 displays the determination result on the operation panel 1501, so that it is possible to reliably notify whether the received print information can be printed with the current remaining power of the battery.

Further, since the CPU 12 calculates the amount of power consumed for printing the received print information by the printing unit on a page basis, even if the print information amount of each page increases or decreases, the CPU 12 calculates the power consumption of each page. Power consumption can be calculated precisely.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.
(1) to (8) indicate each step.

In step (1), the LBP main body 1500
Receives the print data from the host computer 3000. In step (2), the power consumption is estimated by analyzing the print data for one page.

As an example of the estimation method, the laser is turned on in order to obtain black pixels in the LBP body 1500, so that more power is required and printing time is required for complicated data. Do.

In step (3), this information is obtained from the PD 21 measuring the remaining power of the battery 22. Note that the PD 21 can estimate the remaining power of the battery 22 by measuring the internal resistance of the battery 22 or the like.

In step (4), the CPU 12 compares the processing results of steps (2) and (3) to determine whether or not printing of one page can be performed without delay. , Proceeding to step (8), and if not possible, proceeding to step (5).

In step (5), the host computer 3000 is notified via the interface 23 that printing is not possible.

On the other hand, in step (6), the CPU 12
Displays a message indicating that the battery is insufficient, for example, a message such as "battery charge" to the user on the LCD display of the operation panel 1501.

Then, in step (7), the CPU 1 receiving the notification outputs a message such as "Please charge the battery" or "Please replace the battery". Next, in step (8), normal printing is executed.

Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment will be further described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The printing process of the printing unit 17 driven by the power supply from the battery 22 is performed based on the printing information received from the data processing device via the predetermined communication medium (the interface 23 or the network) configured as described above. A print control method for controlling, or a computer-readable program for controlling, based on print information received from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, print processing of a printing unit driven by power supply from a battery And a reading step (step (3) in FIG. 5) for reading the remaining power of the battery via a detection unit, and a printing process for printing the received print information by the printing unit. A power calculating step of calculating the power consumption (step (2) in FIG. 5), and the reading step when the print information is received. A determining step (step (4) in FIG. 5) for determining whether or not the remaining amount of power to be read exceeds the power consumption calculated in the power calculating step; and performing the printing based on a determination result of the determining step. Since there is a determining step (either from step (4) to step (8) in FIG. 5 or from step (4) to step (5) in FIG. 5) for determining whether or not information can be printed, print information is received. The power remaining amount of the battery detected at the timing of the detection is compared with the amount of power consumed by printing the received print information, so that it is possible to determine whether or not to execute the printing process, and the power consumed by printing the received print information. If the amount is smaller than the remaining power, the normal printing result can be obtained as much as possible, and the amount of power consumed by printing the received print information exceeds the remaining power. If that is, it is possible to avoid a print execution to be printed failure.

If it is determined in the determination step that the remaining power is lower than the power consumption, a notification step of notifying the host computer 3000 of a print power shortage state (step (5) in FIG. 5). Therefore, it is possible to timely recognize the state of insufficient power remaining in the battery of the printing apparatus output by the user of the data processing apparatus.

Further, since there is a display step (step (6) in FIG. 5) for displaying the result of the judgment on the operation panel 1501, whether the received print information can be printed with the current remaining power of the battery or not. Can be reliably notified.

The power calculator (step (2) in FIG. 5) calculates the amount of power consumed for printing the received print information by the printing unit in page units. Even if the print information amount increases or decreases, the power consumption amount of each page can be calculated precisely.

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

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by a printing system to which the present invention can be applied.

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, 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. 5 in this embodiment may be executed 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 embodiment is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or 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.

Further, 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 instruction 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.

[0081]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, there is provided a print control device that controls a printing process of a printing unit driven by power supply from a battery based on print information received from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, Detecting means for detecting the remaining power, power calculating means for calculating the amount of power consumed to print the received print information in the printing unit, and when the print information is received, via the detecting means Determining means for determining whether the remaining power amount to be read exceeds the power consumption amount calculated by the power calculating means,
And control means for controlling whether or not to execute the printing of the print information based on a result of the determination by the determination means. Can determine whether or not to execute the printing process by comparing with the amount of power consumed by the printer. If the amount of power consumed by printing the received print information is smaller than the remaining power, a normal printing result is obtained as much as possible. In addition, when the amount of power consumed by printing the received print information exceeds the remaining power, it is possible to avoid printing that causes printing failure.

According to the second invention, the control means notifies the data processing device of a print power shortage state when the determination means determines that the remaining power is lower than the power consumption. Therefore, it is possible to recognize in a timely manner the state of insufficient power remaining in the battery of the printing apparatus output by the user of the data processing apparatus.

According to the third aspect, the control means displays the result of the determination by the determination means on the operation unit, so that it is possible to make sure that the received print information can be printed with the current remaining power of the battery. Can be notified.

According to the fourth aspect, the power calculation means calculates the amount of power consumed for printing the received print information by the printing unit in page units. , The power consumption of each page can be calculated precisely.

According to the fifth and ninth aspects of the invention, print control for controlling a printing process of a printing unit driven by power supply from a battery based on print information received from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. A method or a storage storing a computer readable program for controlling a printing process of a printing unit driven by power supply from a battery based on printing information received from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. A medium, a reading step of reading the remaining power of the battery via a detection unit, a power calculation step of calculating the amount of power consumed to print the received print information by the printing unit, Upon receiving print information, determine whether the remaining power amount read in the reading step exceeds the power consumption amount calculated in the power calculation step. And a determining step of determining whether or not to execute the printing of the print information based on the determination result of the determining step. It is possible to determine whether or not to execute the printing process by comparing with the power consumption consumed by printing the received print information, and as much as possible when the power consumption consumed by printing the received print information is smaller than the remaining power. A normal printing result can be obtained, and when the amount of power consumed by printing the received print information exceeds the remaining power, it is possible to avoid printing that causes printing failure.

According to the sixth and tenth aspects, when the determination step determines that the remaining power level is lower than the power consumption, a notification for notifying the data processing apparatus of a print power shortage state is provided. Since the method includes the steps, it is possible to timely recognize the state of power shortage of the battery of the printing apparatus output by the user of the data processing apparatus.

According to the seventh and eleventh aspects, since the display step of displaying the result of the determination in the determination step on the operation unit is provided, it is determined whether the received print information can be printed with the current remaining power of the battery. Can be reliably notified.

According to the eighth and twelfth aspects, in the power calculating step, the amount of power consumed for printing the received print information by the printing unit is calculated in page units. Even if the print information amount increases or decreases, the power consumption amount of each page can be calculated precisely.

Accordingly, whether or not printing of the received print information can be executed is determined in a timely manner in accordance with the remaining power of the battery, so that the printing failure due to the power shortage is reliably avoided and the state of the remaining power is insufficient. Can be notified to the user of the data processing device side and the printing device side.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an external view showing a configuration of a second output device to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a second output device illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system to which a print control device according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 12 CPU 13 ROM 19 RAM 21 PD 22 BAT 23 Interface 1500 LBP main body 3000 Host computer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G06F 1/28 G06F 1/00 333C

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A printing control device for controlling a printing process of a printing unit driven by power supply from a battery based on print information received from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: Detecting means for detecting the remaining amount; power calculating means for calculating the amount of power consumed for printing the received print information in the printing unit; reading the print information via the detecting means when receiving the print information Determining means for determining whether or not the remaining power amount exceeds the power consumption amount calculated by the power calculating means; control for controlling whether or not to execute the printing of the print information based on the determination result of the determining means And a printing control device. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit notifies the data processing apparatus of a print power shortage state when the determination unit determines that the remaining power level is lower than the power consumption amount. The print control device according to claim 1. 3. The printing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays a result of the determination by the determining unit on an operation unit. 4. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power calculation unit calculates the amount of power consumed for printing the received print information by the printing unit on a page-by-page basis. 5. A printing control method for controlling a printing process of a printing unit driven by power supply from a battery based on print information received from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, the printing control method comprising: A reading step of reading a remaining amount via a detection unit, a power calculation step of calculating an amount of power consumed for printing the received print information by the printing unit, and a reading step of receiving the print information. A determination step of determining whether the remaining power amount read by the power consumption exceeds the power consumption amount calculated in the power calculation step; and determining whether to execute printing of the print information based on a determination result of the determination step. A print control method, comprising: 6. A notifying step for notifying the data processing device of a print power shortage state when the remaining power level is determined to be lower than the power consumption amount in the determining step. Item 6. The print control method according to Item 5. 7. The print control method according to claim 5, further comprising a display step of displaying a result of the determination in the determination step on an operation unit. 8. The print control method according to claim 5, wherein in the power calculation step, the amount of power consumed for printing the received print information by the printing unit is calculated in page units. 9. A storage medium storing a computer readable program for controlling a printing process of a printing unit driven by power supply from a battery based on printing information received from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. A reading step of reading a remaining power amount of the battery via a detection unit; a power calculation step of calculating a power consumption amount consumed for printing the received print information by the printing unit; A determination step of determining whether the remaining amount of power read by the reading step exceeds the power consumption amount calculated by the power calculation step when receiving the information; and the printing based on a determination result of the determination step. And a determining step of determining whether or not to execute printing of the information. Media. 10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a notification step of notifying the data processing apparatus of a print power shortage state when the power remaining amount is determined to be lower than the power consumption amount in the determination step. Item 10. A storage medium storing the computer-readable program according to Item 9. 11. The display device according to claim 9, further comprising a display step of displaying a result of the determination in the determination step on an operation unit.
A storage medium storing the computer-readable program according to the above. 12. The computer-readable computer according to claim 9, wherein in the power calculating step, the amount of power consumed for printing the received print information by the printing unit is calculated in page units. Storage medium storing various programs.