JPS6265127A - Virtual print control mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the productivity of software by providing a control part for virtual print to an application program and omitting a complicated job where the print control is needed for each type of the printer. CONSTITUTION:A print request given from an application program 18 contains one or both of the data and the virtual print control information. A control part 12 receives the print request and stores is temporarily in a saving area 13. Then the part 12 converts the virtual print control information stored in the area 13 into the desired control information for a printer 17 and also transfers the control information to an unused print area 14 or 15. If the printer 17 is not busy, the print data is delivered based on the control information converted for the printer 17. If the printer 17 is busy, the next printing request is kept waiting until the present printing operation is over. Then the print of data is started when the information on the end of printing is received.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a virtual print control mechanism, and particularly to a virtual print control mechanism that performs virtual print control in a computer printing device.

[Conventional technology]

In conventional printing systems, when a computer application program prints data on a printing device, the application program has built-in control that is compatible with the printing device.

Next, a conventional example will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional printing system.

Basically, an application program 19 stored in the main memory 16 operates the target printing device 17 by directly handling physical printing control information.

That is, the printing request issued by the application program 19 is accompanied by either or both of the data printing control information, and upon receiving this printing request, the printing device 17 temporarily stores the stored printing control information. -This may exist alone or may be inserted into the data.-Printing of data is started according to this. In this way, in the conventional printing system, the application program 1
9 directly controls the printing device 17.

Therefore, each time the characteristics of the printing device change, the printing control information changes, and a corresponding application program is required.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In other words, in the conventional printing system described above, the application program performs detailed printing control that corresponds to the printing device, so when that program attempts to print on a different type of printing device, the program must be modified. However, it has the disadvantage of poor software productivity.

[Means for solving problems]

The virtual printing control mechanism of the present invention includes a control section for performing virtual printing control without having the application program perform physical printing control, and data and control information received from the application program. The printer has a save area for temporarily storing data, and a plurality of print areas for storing format-converted data and control information corresponding to the printing device.

〔Example〕

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a printing system including an embodiment of the present invention.

In the printing system shown in FIG. 1, a virtual printing control mechanism 11 is connected between a main memory 16 and a printing device 17.

The virtual print control mechanism 11, which is an embodiment of the present invention, includes a control section 12, a save area 13 for storing data retrieved from the application program 1B stored in the main memory 16, and virtual print control information, and a corresponding print It is configured to include data print control information converted for the device 17 and print areas 14 and 15 for storing control procedures as necessary.

A print request issued by the application program 18 is accompanied by data, virtual print control information, or both, and upon receiving this print request, the control section 12 temporarily stores it in the save area 13. The control unit 12 operates asynchronously with the execution of the application program 18, and its purpose is to read the virtual printing control information stored in the save area 13, which may exist alone or may be inserted into the data. While converting into control information for the printing device 17,
It is transferred along with the data to any of the unused print areas 14 and 15. If the printing device 17 is not in use, the control section 12 outputs the print data transferred to either of the printing areas 14 or 15 based on the control information converted for the printing device 17. If printing is in progress, the printing waits until it is finished, and when the device receives a notification that printing has finished, the print area 14.
15 starts printing the data.

In this way, the 1 control unit 12 converts the virtual printing control information instructed by the application program 18 to the target printing device 17, and controls printing.

〔Effect of the invention〕

When the virtual hook printing control mechanism of the present invention is provided between the main memory and the printing device, the application program stored in the main memory can perform common printing control regardless of the type of printing device. This eliminates the complexity of controlling printing for each type of printing device, and has the effect of improving software productivity.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a printing system including an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional printing system. 11...Virtual print control mechanism, 12...Control unit, 13...Evacuation area, 14...Print area, 15...Print area, 16... Main memory, 1
8.19... Application program, 17;
...Printing device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a system that prints data with a printing device, there is a save area that stores print data and virtual print control information that receive print requests from application programs, and data that has been converted into a format for printing on the printing device. A virtual print control mechanism comprising: a plurality of print areas for storing control information; and a control unit for causing an application program to perform virtual print control.