JP2006069093A - Printer and information processor, printing method and printing control method, printing program and printing control program, and program recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to shorten the time for printing with a printer the document compiled with an information processor. <P>SOLUTION: Whenever predetermined trigger conditions such as an automatic saving of a document and user's indication is established, the document under being compiled with an application 12 is compared with the document under being stored in a printing-information data base 14 by a difference verification section 16a, and the portion for which some difference has been detected is converted into a printing data with a printer driver 13 and transmitted to the printer 20 via a network 7 or directly through a communication section 15, then the stored detail of the printing-information data base 14 is updated with the difference of the document transferred and re-stored. A receiving control section 27 of the printer 20 develops the printing data, which has been received in turn via a communication section 25, into a raster data for printing by an image processing section 27 according to the operation of a printing-data control section 26, and stored in a printing-developing information data base 24, and printed on recording papers via a printer engine 23 when receiving the printing indication from the information processor 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus, a printing method and a printing control method, a printing program and a printing control program, and a program recording medium.

  Conventionally, when printing a document created by an application on an information processing apparatus, the document data is sent from the application to the printer driver by executing a print command by the user, and the printing apparatus can be decoded by the printer driver. The print data is converted into a format such as a page description language, and transmitted to a printing apparatus directly connected or connected via a network. A printing apparatus such as a printer that has received print data in a format such as a page description language expands the print data into raster data composed of printable image images. The printing apparatus performs a printing process using the raster data.

As described above, there are many processes performed from when the user executes a print command to when an actual printed matter is output from the printing apparatus, and much time is required until the printed matter is output. In view of such a situation, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-57129 “Printing System that Performs Printing Using a Document Differential Printing Agent” disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-57129, a document that has been printed once is changed as a document differential printing agent. When printing is performed again, only a difference with respect to a previously printed document can be automatically printed, and a printing system that can shorten the printing time has been proposed.
JP 2000-57129 A

  However, in the printing method using the document differential printing agent of Patent Document 1, only the reprint after the change for the document that has been printed once is only a target of time reduction, and the first document printing is performed. With regard to, as before, there remains a problem that it takes a lot of time to output the printed matter.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and relates to a document that is being created even before the user issues a print instruction or an automatic print instruction by an application in the course of document creation. Printing apparatus and information processing apparatus, printing method and printing control method, printing capable of shortening printing time by transmitting print data (data consisting of description language interpretable by printing apparatus) to printing apparatus in advance An object is to provide a program, a print control program, and a program recording medium.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides print data related to a document created by an application executed on an information processing apparatus, an ID (identifier) for specifying the document and the print data, an update time, Based on a print information database (that is, a print information storage unit) for storing priority, etc. as print information, and a document currently being created based on an ID assigned to specify the document or print data, etc. Search for a document with the same ID stored as print information in the print information database, compare the document currently being created with the document with the corresponding print information stored in the print information database, and find the difference A differential agent that outputs print data for only the document part where the error occurs to the printer Replacing or adding stored contents of an information processing apparatus having a print function and a print development information database (that is, a storage unit for printing) in which received print data has already been saved by using only transmitted difference print data When a print execution instruction is issued, a printing apparatus that reads the data stored in the print development information database as the latest state and prints on the recording paper is provided. Is intended to be shortened.

  The first technical means is to convert a document created by an information processing apparatus connected via a network or directly connected to print data in a description language that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus. In the printing apparatus that receives the print data from the information processing apparatus and prints it on recording paper, when print data related to a document that is being created by the information processing apparatus is transmitted, the print data is A printing storage unit that can be received and stored, and print data stored in the printing storage unit is printed on a recording sheet based on a printing instruction from the information processing apparatus. To do.

  According to a second technical means, in the printing apparatus according to the first technical means, the printing related to the document stored in the storage unit for printing is received by the print data related to the document received subsequently from the information processing apparatus. It is characterized in that the contents of data can be updated and stored again.

  A third technical means relates to a document received from the information processing apparatus when one or a plurality of print data is stored in the printing storage unit in the printing apparatus according to the first or second technical means. When each print data is received with an identifiable ID, and the print data specified by the ID is not stored in the storage unit for printing, the received print data is the ID When the print data specified by the ID is stored in the print storage unit, the ID stored in the print storage unit is used. The specified print data is updated with the received print data and stored again.

  A fourth technical means is the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to third technical means, wherein the received print data is newly added to the print storage unit and stored when the print data is stored. When there is not enough free space in the storage unit, search for the priority related to the print data stored in the print storage unit, and delete the print data from the print storage unit in descending order of priority. Thus, an empty space is secured in the storage unit for printing.

  According to a fifth technical means, in the printing apparatus according to the fourth technical means, the priority related to the print data stored in the printing storage unit is the print data related to the document received from the information processing apparatus. And stored in the printing storage unit in association with the print data.

  A sixth technical means is the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to third technical means, wherein when the received print data is newly added and stored in the print storage unit, the print data If there is not enough free space in the storage unit, the update time related to the print data stored in the print storage unit is searched, and the print data is deleted from the print storage unit in order of the oldest update time. Thus, an empty space is secured in the storage unit for printing.

  Seventh technical means is the printing apparatus according to the sixth technical means, wherein the update time related to the print data stored in the storage unit for printing is print data related to the document received from the information processing apparatus. And stored in the printing storage unit in association with the print data.

  According to an eighth technical means, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to third technical means, when the received print data is newly added and stored in the print storage unit, the print When there is not enough free space in the storage unit, the priority for the print data stored in the print storage unit is searched, and the print data of the same level with the low priority is stored in the print storage unit. If there are a plurality of print data, search for update times related to the print data stored in the print storage unit, and delete the print data with the same priority from the print storage unit in the order of the oldest update time. Thus, an empty space is secured in the printing storage unit.

  According to a ninth technical means, in the printing apparatus according to the eighth technical means, the priority and the update time related to the print data stored in the printing storage unit are received from the information processing apparatus. The print data is received in a state attached to the print data and stored in the print storage unit in association with the print data.

  The tenth technical means receives the print apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth technical means, when the print data relating to the document received from the information processing apparatus is stored in the print storage unit. The printed data is expanded into raster data composed of printable image images and stored in the printing storage unit.

  In an eleventh technical means, in the printing apparatus according to the tenth technical means, when the raster data obtained by developing the print data is stored in the printing storage unit, only the raster data is used instead of the print data. The raster data can be stored, or the raster data can be stored together with the print data.

  The twelfth technical means converts the created document into data interpretable by the printing apparatus and transmits it to a printing apparatus connected via a network or directly connected to the recording paper In the information processing apparatus capable of printing, a print information storage unit capable of storing a document being created by an application as print information together with at least information for identifying the application is provided. When established, the document in the stage of being created by the application is converted into print data having a description language that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus, transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the print information storage unit And storing the print information together with information for identifying the application. To.

  A thirteenth technical means is being created in the information processing apparatus according to the twelfth technical means, when the predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, at least when the passage of a predetermined time is detected. When the automatic saving by the application for the document in the stage is executed, and when the user gives an instruction to save the document in the stage of creation, the execution of printing for the document is automatically instructed by the application Or the case where the execution of printing for the document is instructed by the user.

  The fourteenth technical means is the information processing apparatus according to the twelfth or thirteenth technical means, wherein when the trigger condition is satisfied, the document currently being created by the application and the print information storage unit And converting only difference data having a difference with the document stored as the print information into print data having a description language interpretable by the printing apparatus, and transmitting the converted data to the printing apparatus. Features.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the fourteenth technical means, when the fifteenth technical means converts only the difference data into print data and transmits it to the printing apparatus, the fifteenth technical means stores the print information in the print information storage unit. Of the document stored as print information, the portion corresponding to the difference data is updated and stored again.

  In a sixteenth technical means, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the twelfth to fifteenth technical means, when one or more documents are stored as the print information in the print information storage unit, Whether or not the document that is being created by the application is assigned an ID that can identify each document is stored in the print information storage unit, and whether or not the trigger condition is satisfied for each document indicated by the assigned ID And when the trigger condition relating to the document indicated by the ID is satisfied, the document being created indicated by the ID or the ID stored as the print information in the print information storage unit Difference data between documents with the same ID is converted to print data in a description language interpretable by the printing apparatus. And then transmitted to the printing device together with the ID, and wherein the re-stored to update the documentation of the ID stored in the print information storage unit.

  In a seventeenth technical means, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the twelfth to sixteenth technical means, when the application that created the document is terminated, the printing related to the document corresponding to the application is performed. All of the information is deleted from the print information storage unit.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the seventeenth technical means, when an application is terminated, an eighteenth technical means notifies the printing apparatus that printing of a document corresponding to the application is to be stopped. It is characterized by doing.

  In the information processing apparatus according to any one of the twelfth to eighteenth technical means, a nineteenth technical means is predetermined for each application of the information processing apparatus or is designated by a user. , A priority indicating the priority order of each document can be assigned, and when the data is converted into print data relating to each document and transmitted to the printing apparatus, the priority is transmitted and the printing is performed. The priority is stored in the information storage unit in association with the document as the print information.

  The twentieth technical means is the information processing apparatus according to the nineteenth technical means, wherein when the document being created by the application is newly added and saved in the print information storage unit, the print information storage unit If there is not enough free space, the priority of the print information stored in the print information storage unit is searched, and the print information is deleted from the print information storage unit in the order of the low priority. Thus, an empty space is secured in the print information storage unit.

  The twenty-first technical means is the information processing apparatus according to any one of the twelfth to eighteenth technical means, wherein when the document is converted into print data relating to each document and transmitted to the printing apparatus, the document is the latest. Is transmitted with an update time indicating the updated time, and the update time is stored in the print information storage unit in association with the document as the print information.

  In a twenty-second technical means, in the information processing apparatus according to the twenty-first technical means, when the document being created by the application is newly added and saved in the print information storage unit, the print information storage unit If the free space is insufficient, the update time of the print information stored in the print information storage unit is searched, and the print information is retrieved from the print information storage unit in the order of the oldest update time. By deleting, an empty space is secured in the print information storage unit.

  In a twenty-third technical means, in the information processing apparatus according to the twenty-first or twenty-second technical means, a predetermined constant is obtained by referring to the update time of the print information stored in the print information storage unit. When a document that has not been updated at all during a period is detected, the print information corresponding to the document is deleted from the print information storage unit and printing of the document is stopped to the printing apparatus. Notification.

  In a twenty-fourth technical means, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the twelfth to eighteenth technical means, when the print data relating to each document is converted and transmitted to the printing apparatus, the priority of the document is given. The priority indicating the order and the update time indicating the latest updated time are transmitted, and the priority and the update time are associated with the print data as the print information in the print information storage unit. It is characterized by preserve | saving.

  The twenty-fifth technical means is the information processing apparatus according to the twenty-fourth technical means, wherein when the document being created by the application is newly added and saved in the print information storage unit, the print information storage unit If there is not enough free space, the priority of the print information stored in the print information storage unit is searched, and the same level of print information having the lower priority is searched for in the print information storage unit. If there are a plurality of print information, the update time of the print information stored in the print information storage unit is further searched, and the print information having the same priority is deleted from the print information storage unit in the order of the oldest update time. Thus, an empty space is secured in the print information storage unit.

  A twenty-sixth technical means is the information processing apparatus according to any one of the twelfth to twenty-fifth technical means, wherein the document being created by the application is stored as the print information in the print information storage unit. The document is converted into print data having a description language interpretable by the printing apparatus and stored.

  In a twenty-seventh technical means, in the information processing apparatus according to the twenty-sixth technical means, when the print data obtained by converting a document is saved in the print information storage unit, only the print data is saved instead of the document. Or the print data can be stored together with the document.

  In a twenty-eighth technical means, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the twelfth to twenty-seventh technical means, an updated part of the document that has been updated with respect to the document being created by the application is represented by the application itself. Is detected by the application without saving the document and / or the print data after conversion of the document as the print information to be stored in the print information storage unit. Only the updated part is converted into the print data and transmitted to the printing apparatus.

  According to a twenty-ninth technical means, after a document created by an information processing apparatus connected via a network or directly connected is converted into print data in a description language that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus In the printing method of a printing apparatus that receives the print data from the information processing apparatus and prints it on recording paper, when print data related to a document that is being created by the information processing apparatus is transmitted, A print method for receiving print data and storing the print data, and printing the print data stored in the print data storage step on a recording sheet based on a print instruction from the information processing apparatus; It is characterized by doing.

  The thirtieth technical means converts a created document into data interpretable by the printing apparatus and transmits it to a printing apparatus connected via a network or directly connected to the recording sheet. In a printing control method for an information processing apparatus capable of causing a document to be printed, a predetermined trigger is provided having a printing information storing step for storing a document being created by an application as printing information together with at least information for identifying the application When the condition is satisfied, the document being created by the application is converted into print data having a description language that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus, and is transmitted to the printing apparatus. In the storing step, the print information is combined with information for identifying the application. Characterized by a print control method for saving.

  The thirty-first technical means is characterized in that the printing method described in the twenty-ninth technical means is a printing program for executing as a computer program.

  The thirty-second technical means is characterized in that the print control method according to the thirty-third technical means is a print control program for executing as a computer program.

  A thirty-third technical means is a program recording medium for recording the printing program according to the thirty-first technical means on a computer-readable recording medium.

  A thirty-fourth technical means is a program recording medium for recording the print control program according to the thirty-second technical means on a computer-readable recording medium.

According to the present invention constituted by any one of the technical means as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
That is, in an information processing apparatus that creates a document by executing an application, even if a print instruction from a user or an automatic print instruction is not given by an application, a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied. Of the documents that are still in the process of being created, print data (data consisting of a description language that can be interpreted by the printing device) related to only the difference data that differs from the document that has already been sent to the printing device is automatically sent to the printing device. On the other hand, in the printing apparatus, the print data stored in the print development information database (printing storage unit) is updated using the difference data of the print data sequentially received from the information processing apparatus. Since the data can be expanded in advance, the printing instruction by the user is actually used. From there an automatic printing instruction by or application, it is possible to greatly reduce the time required for printing of the document is completed.

  Also, by limiting the processing target to be sent to the printing device to only print data related to document differences, the load on the line or network connecting the information processing device and the printing device is reduced, and further, the information processing device and printing It is also possible to reduce the processing load on the apparatus.

  In addition, as a predetermined trigger condition that triggers transmission of a document being created by the information processing apparatus to the printing apparatus, every time a predetermined period of time elapses, even if an application or user does not instruct printing. Alternatively, each time a document being created is saved in accordance with a save instruction from an application or a user, print data relating to the latest document is sent to the printing apparatus at that time, so that a print development information database (print storage Can be kept up to date, and when a printing instruction is given, the printing operation can be started quickly.

  In addition, even when an application or user print instruction is given, it is only necessary to send only print data relating to the difference from the transmitted document to the printing apparatus side, so that the time to start printing can be shortened, It is possible to reduce the load on the line and network connecting the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus, and reduce the processing load on the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus includes a print information database (print information storage unit), which stores a document that has been transmitted to the printing apparatus and print data related to the document, while a print development information database (for printing) is stored in the printing apparatus. Storage unit), and sequentially stores the print data received from the information processing apparatus. Therefore, when the difference data of the document being created is to be transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the printing apparatus, the application that is creating the document on the information processing apparatus side updates the document update information (that is, the difference) to be transmitted to the printing apparatus. Information) is automatically extracted from the saved contents of the print information database, and only the print data related to the difference data is transmitted to the printing apparatus. Then, based on only the received print data relating to the difference data, it is possible to always update the stored contents of the print development information database to the latest state. Furthermore, the information processing apparatus can also update the storage contents of the print information database to the latest state based only on the difference data transmitted to the printing apparatus side. The processing load on both apparatuses can be reduced and the printing time can be greatly shortened while keeping the transfer data amount to a minimum.

  In addition, an ID (identifier) that can identify each individual document being created can be assigned, and even when a plurality of documents are being created at the same time, the ID is assigned to each document and print data related to the document. In this state, the information can be stored in the print information database on the information processing apparatus side or the print development information database on the printing apparatus side. Therefore, when a trigger condition to be transmitted to the printing apparatus side regarding a certain document is satisfied, the ID is set. The stored contents related to the corresponding document can be searched for each of the print information database on the information processing apparatus side and the print development information database on the printing apparatus side, and the stored contents of the corresponding document are updated to the latest state. It is possible.

  In addition, the priority indicating the priority order and the latest update time can be given to each document, and the document and the print information database on the information processing apparatus side and the print development information database on the printing apparatus side are assigned to each document. Since document print data can be saved with priorities and update times assigned, when a new document to be saved is generated, sufficient free space cannot be secured in each database. However, by referring to the priority and update time assigned to the stored contents of each database, the free space is secured by deleting information about documents with low priority or old update time in order. It is possible to check information about new documents with high priority and update time. It can be stored in.

  In addition, when the execution of an application that created a document stored in the print information database on the information processing apparatus side or the print development information database on the printing apparatus side ends for some reason, the print information database on the information processing apparatus side Can be automatically deleted from each print development information database on the printer and the printing device side, preventing the problem that the storage area of the print information database and print development information database continues to be wasted. can do.

  Further, regarding documents stored in the print information database on the information processing apparatus side and the print development information database on the printing apparatus side, if the document is not updated at all even after a predetermined period of time, it relates to the corresponding document. The stored contents can be automatically deleted, and even when data to be deleted from the print information database or the print development information database remains for some reason, it can be deleted completely.

  Furthermore, if the application itself has an updated part regarding the difference from the document that has been transmitted to the printing device up to the previous time, the document or print data is stored in the print information database on the information processing device side. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the storage capacity of the print information database.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus, a printing method and a printing control method, a printing program and a printing control program, and a program recording medium according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiments, an exemplary configuration of the printing apparatus and the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail. Since the printing method and the printing control method according to the present invention can be easily understood based on the detailed description on the configuration example of the printing apparatus and the information processing apparatus, details of the printing method and the printing control method according to the embodiment of the present invention are described. I will omit the explanation. Also, an embodiment of a printing program and a printing control program that respectively execute the printing method and the printing control method as a computer program, and a program recording medium that records the printing program and the printing control program on a computer-readable recording medium. Detailed explanation is omitted because it can be easily understood.

FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printing system including a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
In FIG. 1, an example of a personal computer (PC) is shown as an example of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. However, it may be a workstation, a server, or the like, and may have an information processing function by a computer. Any form is acceptable. FIG. 1 shows the case where the connection between the printing apparatus and the information processing apparatus is performed via the network 7, but the present invention is not limited to the case of such a connection form. May be directly connected via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal, for example.

  In FIG. 1, PCs 1 to 3 to 3 are connected to printing apparatuses 1 to 34 to 6 via a network 7 such as a LAN. Any one of the printing devices 1 to 34 to 6 can select a printing device via the network 7 and print a document. The configuration is as follows. Note that a configuration in which a plurality of PCs (information processing devices) 1 to 3 and a plurality of printing devices 4 to 6 exist in a multiple-to-multiple relationship on the network 7 is shown as an example. Thus, even when the PC and the printing apparatus are directly connected in a one-to-one manner without going through the network 7 or are connected through the network, the correspondence relationship between the PC and the printing apparatus is 1 A configuration in which one-to-one, one-to-multiple, and multiple-to-one is possible.

  The circuit block configurations of the PCs 1 to 3 and the printing apparatuses 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 1 may be configured as shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram illustrating an example of a circuit block configuration of the printing apparatus and the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 also shows a case where a PC is used as an example of the information processing apparatus. 2 also shows a case where the PC 10 and the printing apparatus 20 are connected to the network 7 shown in FIG.

  The PC 10 which is one of information processing apparatuses according to the present invention includes at least an operation / display unit 11, an application 12, a printer driver 13, a print information database 14, a communication unit 15, and a difference agent unit 16. The difference agent unit 16 includes a difference verification unit 16a and a transmission control unit 16b.

  The operation / display unit 11 controls the interface with the user using a keyboard / display, and the application 12 executes a task for creating and editing a document. When the printer driver 13 transmits a document created by the application 12 to the printing apparatus 20, the printer driver 13 converts the document into print data expressed in a printing description language such as a page description language that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus 20. The print information database 14 is for creating print information in which the document and print data are associated with each other. The print information database 14 has various formats related to documents that have been transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 in the past, for example, in the format shown in FIG. The information is stored as print information in a form accessible to the storage device in the information processing apparatus 10, and so to speak, a print information storage unit for storing the print information is formed.

  The communication unit 15 provides an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the printing apparatus 20 via the network 7. Although the details of the difference agent unit 16 will be described later, a difference between a document currently being created and a document that has been transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 is detected, and print data relating only to the document portion relating to the difference is sent to the printing apparatus 20. An agent unit is configured to control transmission.

  That is, the difference verification unit 16a of the difference agent unit 16 collates the document portion of the print information stored in the print information database 14 with the data related to the document currently created by the application 12, and sends the past information to the printing apparatus 20. The transmission control unit 16b of the difference agent unit 16 detects whether or not there is a difference from the document already transmitted to the document, and if a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, even if the user does not input a print command, Alternatively, even if the application 12 has not instructed printing, the printer driver 13 converts the difference regarding the data (document) being created by the printer driver 13 into print data expressed in a print description language. 20 via the network 7 and print information data And controls to update the stored contents of the over scan 14.

  On the other hand, the printing apparatus 20 prints print data received via the network 7 or directly received print data on a recording sheet, such as a printer using an inkjet or a laser, a facsimile printing apparatus, or a multifunction machine with a scanner. An operation / display unit 21, an image processing unit 22, a printer engine 23, a print development information database 24, a communication unit 25, a print data control unit 26, and a reception control unit 27. Yes.

  The operation / display unit 21 controls an interface with a user using an operation button, an LCD display, and the like, and the image processing unit 22 prints image data for printing received from the information processing apparatus such as the PC 10. The image data is converted into raster data and is subjected to image processing such as density adjustment. The printer engine 23 performs printing using printing raster data converted from the print data. The print development information database 24 includes print data received by the communication unit 25 via the network 7 and the print data. Either or both of the raster data obtained by developing the print data are associated with each other and saved as print development information in a form accessible to the storage device in the printing apparatus 20. A storage unit for printing for expanding and storing is formed.

  The communication unit 25 provides an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from an information processing apparatus such as the PC 10 via the network 7. Although the details of the print data control unit 26 and the reception control unit 27 will be described later, the print data control unit 26 relates to the print data received by the communication unit 25 whether it is new data or already received print data. It is determined whether the data is subsequent data, and the received print data is stored in the print development information database 24 in the data format as it is, or the data developed into raster data composed of image images for printing is used as the print development information. Switching control is performed to store in the database 24 or, depending on circumstances, whether to store both print data and raster data in the print development information database 24.

Here, among the print development information stored in the print development information database 24 forming the print storage unit, the print data is described in a print description language such as a page description language as described above, and the print data is printed. The raster data is data that can be interpreted by the apparatus 20, and the raster data is obtained by developing the print data into an image image that can be printed by the image processing unit 22.
In addition, the reception control unit 27 temporarily stores the print data received by the communication unit 25 in the print development information database 24 by the print data control unit 26 and then receives raster data when a print instruction is received from the PC 10. The data developed in (1) is transmitted to the printer engine 23 to execute printing.

  Note that the application 12 in the PC 10 is generally application software that operates as a program on the PC 10 and performs processing according to the purpose. In this embodiment, for example, a document composed of characters and figures is created. The document creation software is taken up as an example. When printing a document created by the application 12, as described above, the data relating to the document created by the application 12 is printed using a page description language or the like that can be interpreted by the printer 20 by the printer driver 13. The converted print data is transmitted from the communication unit 15 to the printing apparatus 20 via the network 7.

  In the printing apparatus 20 that receives the print data from the PC 10 via the network 7, the received print data composed of the page description language and the like is converted into raster data composed of the image image for printing, and then transmitted to the printer engine 23. Then, printing on recording paper is executed.

  Next, an example of the operation of the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus according to the present invention that can shorten the printing time using the PC 10 and the printing apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. I will explain. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the transmission control unit 16b of the PC 10 shown in FIG. 2 as an example of the operation related to the transmission control of the print data to the printing apparatus in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. As a document differential printing agent, the difference verification unit 16a detects a difference between a document currently being created and a document that has been sent to the printing apparatus 20, and transmits print data related to the document being created to the printing apparatus 20. Controls the start trigger.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the difference verification unit 16a of the PC 10 shown in FIG. 2 as an example of the operation related to the verification of the difference between documents transmitted to the printing apparatus in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. Yes, an operation for reducing print data to be transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 is performed by execution as an agent for document difference printing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the reception control unit 27 of the printing apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 2 as an example of operations related to storage and printing of print data in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. 20 stores print data received from the PC 10 via the network 7 and executes printing.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the print data control unit 26 of the printing apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 2 as an example of the operation related to the storage of print data in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. The print data received in step 1 is verified, and replacement of information to be stored in the print development information database 24 is controlled.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the operation related to the update of the stored print data in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, in which the print data already stored in the printing apparatus 20 is replaced or additionally stored by the received print data. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print data update operation, in which print data having the same ID (identifier that can specify a document or print data) as print data stored in the print development information database 24 of the printing apparatus 20 is stored in the PC 10. In this case, the contents stored in the print development information database 24 are controlled to be updated.

  On the other hand, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a new print data storage operation for newly storing received print data in the printing apparatus 20 as an example of an operation related to new storage of print data in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. When print data having an ID different from the print data stored in the print development information database 24 is transmitted from the PC 10, control is performed so that the print data is newly registered in the print development information database 24. It is.

  First, the operation of the transmission control unit 16b of the PC 10 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. Even if the user is in the process of creating a document on the application 12, the transmission control unit 16b sends print data related to the document being created to the printing apparatus 20 if a predetermined activation trigger condition is satisfied. A process of transmitting in advance is performed. Here, as predetermined activation trigger conditions, for example, when a predetermined period of time elapses, when a document being created as an application 12 is automatically saved in a storage device in the PC 10, a document being created by the user is stored in the PC 10 A predetermined significant condition is applied, such as when a storage instruction is issued to the storage device, when printing is automatically instructed by the application 12, or when a user instructs printing of the document. Is possible.

  In addition, when one or a plurality of documents are created simultaneously by one application 12 or a plurality of applications 12, it is possible to specify each document as to which document the activation trigger condition is satisfied. It can be determined using the ID.

  In FIG. 3, first, the transmission control unit 16b checks whether any of the above-described activation trigger conditions is satisfied (step S1). Unless the activation trigger condition is satisfied (NO in step S1), the process returns to step S1 and waits until it is satisfied. On the other hand, if any of the activation trigger conditions is satisfied (YES in step S1), the difference verification unit 16a is activated, and there is a document (print data related to the document) that has been transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 first. Whether or not there is a difference between the currently created document and the transmitted document, that is, the current transmission to the printing apparatus 20 It is verified whether there is a difference between the document and the document transmitted in the past (step S2).

  Here, a detailed description of the operation related to the difference verification unit 16a will be described later with reference to FIG. 4. However, if difference information exists, the difference verification unit 16a newly generates this time. The transmission flag indicating that the print data related to the document corresponding to the difference is to be transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 is set and returned. Therefore, the transmission control unit 16b next checks whether or not a transmission flag is set as information from the difference verification unit 16a (step S3). If the transmission flag is not set (NO in step S3), even if the activation trigger condition is satisfied, there is no print data to be transmitted to the printing apparatus 20, so the transmission control unit 16a operates. End and wait until the next start trigger condition is met.

  On the other hand, if the transmission flag is set (YES in step S3), it is confirmed whether or not the transmission destination printing apparatus 20 is in a transmittable state (IDLE state) (step S4). If it is not in the IDLE state but is currently in the printing state (NO in step S4), it waits in step S4 until the IDLE state is reached. When the IDLE state is entered (YES in step S4), print data corresponding to the difference created by the difference verification unit 16a (data expressed in a print description language such as a page description language) is transmitted to the communication unit. 15 is transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 via the network 7 via 15, and the operation of the transmission control unit 16 b is terminated (step S 5).

  Next, the operation of the difference verification unit 16a shown in FIG. 4 will be described. First, the difference verification unit 16a resets and initializes a transmission flag indicating that newly generated difference print data should be transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 (step S11). As described above, the transmission flag is the same ID (each document) in the print information stored in the print information database 14 as a document that has been transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 in the subsequent processing of the difference verification unit 16a. A document having the same ID as the document being created by the application 12 is printed. It is set as information indicating that it should be transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 when it does not exist in the information database 14 and is registered in the print information database 14 for the first time.

  Next, it is searched whether or not the print information corresponding to the document being created by the application 12 already exists in the print information database 14 (step S12). If it does not exist yet (NO in step S12). This corresponds to the case where a document being created by the application 12 is being stored in the print information database 14 for the first time, and an operation of registering new print information in the print information database 14 is executed. That is, as a new registration operation, first, it is confirmed whether or not there is enough space in the storage area of the print information database 14 to newly store the print information of the document (step S13).

  If there is no free space (NO in step S13), priority is given according to the priority included in each print information stored in the print information database 14 or the update time indicating the latest update time. The saved print information with a low frequency or the saved print information with an old update time and a long elapsed time is deleted in order (step S14). If the saved print information has a priority, it is deleted in order from the saved print information with the lowest priority, but there are multiple saved print information with the same level of priority even with the lower priority. In this case, the stored print information with the oldest update time and the longest elapsed time is the print information to be deleted.

  When the space is secured by deleting the saved print information, or when there is space from the beginning (YES in step S13), the document being created by the application 12 can be uniquely specified. An ID is assigned, a document name, a user name, priority information, an update time, and the like are added, and the print information is stored in the print information database 14 as new print information (step S15). In the present embodiment, as data to be stored in the print information database 14, the document being created can be a printer so that the printing time can be shortened and the difference search operation can be performed quickly. Although the case where the print data is saved together with the document after being converted into the print data expressed in the print description language such as the page description language by the driver 13 is illustrated, only one of the data is saved. It doesn't matter.

The print information stored in the print information database 14 forming the print information storage unit includes, for example, information as shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of print information stored in the print information database 14 of the PC 10 which is one of information processing apparatuses according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 9, the table of the print information database 14 includes a management ID 31, a document name (application name) 32, a user name 33, an update time 34, a priority 35, print data 36, and a document 37. Yes. The document name (application name) 32 is not limited to the document name or the application name itself, and may be any information as long as it is information that can identify the application that created the document. Application ID may also be used.

  The management ID 31 is a management number for specifying each document 37 to be stored, and is set to a unique number. The document name (application name) 32 is a job name being edited by the various applications 12, and is mainly a file name itself opened by the application 12 on the PC 10 (in the example of FIG. 9, “aaa.doc”, Often "bbb.ppt", "ccc.xls", etc.). The user name 33 is the name of a user who is creating a document using the application 12. The update time 34 is the time when the difference verification unit 16a performs the latest difference verification and updates the difference of the document 37 being stored. As described above, the space for registering new print information is the print information database 14. This is information that is referred to in order to check the elapsed time when it is insufficient.

  The priority level 35 indicates a priority order that is referred to in order to select a deletion target when the space for registering new print information is insufficient in the print information database 14 as in the case of the update time 34 described above. Either predetermined for each user being created, predetermined for each application, or specified by the user. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 9, priority is set in the order of A, B, and C, and the priority is higher in this order. That is, when deleting the stored print information, the priority is deleted in order from “bbb.ppt” with C priority.

  The print data 36 is data that is output from the printer driver 13 and is data that includes a description language for printing such as a page description language that can be interpreted on the printing device 20 side, and is data that is transmitted to the printing device 20 itself. The document 37 is a document that is being created by the application 12, and the document portion that has been transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 side is stored in the print information database 14. FIG. 9 shows an example in which the print data 36 and the document 37 are stored in association with each other. However, only the print data 36 is stored and stored in the difference verification unit 16a. When verifying the difference from the completed print information, the document being created may be converted into print data by the printer driver 13 and then compared with the saved print data, or only the document 37 may be saved. You may make it do.

  Next, returning to the flowchart of FIG. 4, if the print information corresponding to the document being created by the application 12 already exists in the print information database 14 (YES in step S <b> 12), the document is created by the application 12. In this case, the print information is stored in the print information database 14 for the second and subsequent times after the start, and the stored old print information is updated as necessary.

  First, the difference between the document in the print information stored in the print information database 14 and the document currently created by the application 12 is confirmed (step S16). At this time, if the document 37 is not stored in the print information database 14 but only the print data 36 is stored, as described above, the document currently being created is converted into print data by the printer driver 13. A difference from the print data 36 in the print information database 14 is confirmed.

  The application 12 itself detects an update part from the document 37 in the stored print information, that is, an update part from the print data transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 with respect to the document currently created by the application 12. If the notification can be made, it is not necessary to store the document 37 and / or print data 36 that has been transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 in the print information database 14, and the update information notified from the application 12 itself You can check the updated part of the document being created.

  In this way, when the difference between the document 37 in the print information database 14 and the document currently created by the application 12 is confirmed and a difference is recognized between them (YES in step S16), both Only the difference is replaced with the document 37 and / or print data 36 in the print information database 14, and when there is an additional page, the additional information and / or print data in the print information database 14 is replaced. The print information in the print information database 14 is updated (step S17). Finally, when print information is newly registered in the print information database 14 or when the print information in the print information database 14 is updated, the transmission flag is set to ON and the difference verification unit 16a This operation ends (step S18).

  Conversely, no difference is recognized between the document 37 in the print information database 14 and the document currently created by the application 12, and is stored in the print information database 14 as a document that has been transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 until the previous time. If the saved content and the document currently being created by the application 12 are recognized as the same content (NO in step S16), then the application 12 that has edited the document has already ended. If the application 12 has already ended (YES in step S19), the print information stored in the print information database 14 is discarded and the printing apparatus 20 is checked. The document corresponding to the application 12 And notified to stop, and terminates the operation of the difference verification unit 16a (step S21). Here, the printing apparatus 20 notified of the cancellation of printing deletes the print data related to the corresponding document from the print data stored in the print development information database 24.

  On the other hand, even if the application 12 that has edited the document has not yet ended (NO in step S19), the update time in the print information database 14 is referred to for a certain fixed period. In the meantime, it is confirmed whether or not the document has been updated (step S20). If the document has been updated for a predetermined period (YES in step S20), the document has not yet been updated from the document previously transmitted to the printing apparatus 20. Assuming that the document is still being created, the operation of the difference verification unit 16a is terminated. On the other hand, if the document has not been updated at all in a predetermined period (NO in step S20), the print information stored in the print information database 14 is discarded and the printing apparatus The side 20 is notified that printing of the corresponding document is to be stopped, and the operation of the difference verification unit 16a is terminated (step S21).

  The operation of step S19 and step S21 in FIG. 4 avoids unnecessary compression of the free space in the print information database 14 and the print development information database 24, and the print information that should originally be deleted is for some reason. Thus, even if it remains in the print information database 14 or the print development information database 24, it can be automatically deleted.

  Next, the operation of the reception control unit 27 on the printing apparatus 20 side illustrated in FIG. 5 will be described. The reception control unit 27 of the printing apparatus 20 receives print data transmitted in advance from the PC 10 via the network 7 in response to the establishment of a certain activation trigger condition, and the operation of the print data control unit 26. Together, in response to an instruction from the PC 10, the print data is stored as it is or raster data is stored in advance in the print development information database 24, and when there is a print instruction from the PC 10. The operation of executing printing by the printer engine 23 is controlled.

  In FIG. 5, first, when the reception control unit 27 receives the print data transmitted from the PC 10 via the communication unit 25 (step S31), the print data control unit 26 described later in FIG. By the operation of the print data control unit 26, the received print data and / or raster data obtained by developing the print data is temporarily stored in the print development information data database 24 in the printing apparatus 20 (step S31). Here, the print data control unit 26 interprets print data composed of a description language for printing such as a page description language, and develops and saves it as raster data of an image image that can be printed using the image processing unit 22. Whether to store the received print data as it is, or to store both data by associating the print data with the raster data based on an instruction command from the PC 10 and printing. Saved in the development information database 24.

  Here, when raster data is expanded and saved, when a print instruction is received from the PC 10, printing can be immediately executed by the printer engine 23, and the printing time can be shortened. When print data is stored, when subsequent print data is received from the PC 10, it is possible to quickly search for a difference from the stored content of the print development information database 24. Therefore, when the storage capacity of the print development information database 24 is large, both print data and raster data may be stored.

  After temporarily storing print data and / or raster data in the print development information database 24, it is confirmed whether or not a print command instructing execution of printing has been transmitted from the PC 10 (step S33), and instructing execution of printing. If a print command to be transmitted has been transmitted (YES in step S13), it is confirmed whether or not the data stored in the print development information data database 24 is printable raster data (step S34). .

  If the data stored in the development information data database 24 is not raster data (NO in step S34), the data stored in the development information data database 24 is obtained from a print description language such as a page description language. The image processing unit 22 develops the print data into raster data of a printable image image (step S35), and then drives the printer engine 23 to print the developed raster data on a recording sheet (step S35). Step S36). If the data stored in the development information data database 24 is raster data (YES in step S35), the stored raster data is read out, printed on recording paper using the printer engine 23, and received. The operation of the control unit 27 is finished (step S36).

Next, the operation of the print data control unit 26 on the printing apparatus 20 side shown in FIG. 6 will be described. The print data control unit 26 of the printing apparatus 20 is activated when the reception control unit 27 receives print data from the PC 10 as shown in FIG.
In FIG. 6, the print data control unit 26 first determines whether or not an ID indicating a job that can specify print data from the application 12 of the PC 10 already exists in the print development information database 24, that is, The ID assigned to the print data from the PC 10 and received as an ID for specifying the document to be transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 is stored in the print development information database 24 in association with the print data and / or raster data. It is confirmed whether or not the management ID is the same (step S41). That is, the management ID is transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 together with the print data from the PC 10 corresponding to the ID 31 stored in the print information database 14 on the PC 10 side shown in FIG. 9 as an example. In the printing apparatus 20, the received ID is stored in the print development information database 24 as a management ID in association with the print data received at the same time.

  When the same management ID already exists in the print development information database 24 (YES in step S41), the print data and raster data corresponding to the management ID stored in the print development information database 24 are updated (changed). Or the subsequent print data requiring addition) has been received, and the stored print data update operation shown in FIG. 7 to be described later is started and stored in the print development information database 24 in the printing apparatus 20. Update processing such as replacement or addition is performed on the print data or raster data according to the received print data, and the print data or raster data in the print development information database 24 is updated (step S42).

  On the other hand, when the same management ID does not exist in the print development information database 24 (NO in step S41), print data relating to a completely new document or a document being created by another application is newly received from the PC 10. If there is an empty space in the print development information database 24 in the printing apparatus 20, a print data new storage operation shown in FIG. 8 to be described later is started to print the received print data. This is a case where it is necessary to newly store the management ID in the print development information database 24 in the apparatus 20. Therefore, first, it is confirmed whether or not there is an empty space for storing new print data in the print development information database 24 (step S43).

  If there is no empty space in the print development information database 24 (NO in step S43), the print data with the lowest priority is sequentially ordered according to the priority of the print data stored in the print development information database 24. By deleting, an empty space for storing newly received print data is secured (step S44). Note that when print data is transmitted from the PC 10, it is also transmitted with priority and update time related to the print data as shown in FIG. 9, and the printing apparatus 20 uses the received print data as print development information. When saving in the database 24, the received priority and update time are added and saved.

  That is, the print data stored in the print information database 14 is configured to be stored with information on the management ID, the update time, and the priority, as in the print information database 14 shown in FIG. Unlike the print information database 14 on the PC 10 side, the print development information database 24 does not require a document name, a user name, or a document itself, and only print data, raster data obtained by developing the print data, or In some cases, the raster data is stored together with the print data.

  Therefore, in the printing apparatus 20 as well, in the same way as the priority control in the print information database 14 on the host PC 10 side, first, the priority related to the print data stored in the print development information database 24 or the update time is referred to. Thus, the print data with the lowest priority or the print data with the oldest update time are deleted in order. In addition, even if the priority is low, if multiple print data with the same level of priority are stored, the update time is referred to and the print data with the oldest update time is deleted in order. To do. Thereafter, the print data having a high priority to be newly stored is given the management ID, the priority, and the update time as described above, and is stored in the print development information database 24 (step S45).

Next, details of the stored print data update operation in step S42 of the print data control unit 26 on the printing apparatus 20 side shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
As described above, the ID assigned to the print data received by the reception control unit 27 of the printing apparatus 20 is the same as the management ID stored in the print development information database 24 and is stored in the print development information database 24. When the print data control unit 26 recognizes that the print data for updating (changing or adding) the print data corresponding to the management ID is received, the saved print data update unit shown in FIG. Is activated.

  It should be noted that the print data received from the PC 10 includes the print data as it is when the print data in the print development information database 24 is updated (replaced or added) with the print data and stored again, as described above. A storage format designation command for instructing whether to save the print data and the raster data, or to save the print data and the raster data is also received together.

  Accordingly, when the saved print data update unit in FIG. 7 is activated, first, a save format designation command is read from the PC 10 to confirm whether or not it is an instruction to save the print data in the format as it is (step S51). . If the print data is specified to be saved (YES in step S51), the contents of the print data saved by the received print data are updated, and the print development information database 24 is kept in the print data format. Save (step S53).

  On the other hand, if the print data is not specified to be saved (NO in step S51), the contents of the print data saved by the received print data are updated, and further, the raster data of the printable image image is displayed. Since it is specified that the raster data should be stored after being developed, the content of the stored print data is updated based on the specification, and the updated print data is then processed by the image processing unit 22. Further, raster data is developed (step S52) and stored in the print development information database 24 (step S53).

  In general, in the case of saving in the format of raster data consisting of image images as compared with the case of saving in the format of print data, although the storage capacity required for the print development information database 24 increases, the execution of printing is performed. When instructed, raster data is not required to be expanded, and the printer engine 23 can be driven to perform printing immediately, thereby improving the printing speed and greatly shortening the printing time. Is possible.

  Note that when storing raster data in the print development information database 24, the storage format designation command from the PC 10 is not an instruction to save raster data instead of print data, but the storage capacity of the print development information database 24 is not enough. If there is, it may be instructed to save the raster data together with the print data. Accordingly, it is possible to quickly search for an update location of the print data in the print development information database 24, and it is possible to further speed up the operation of updating the print data and raster data in the print development information database 24. .

Next, the details of the print data new storing operation in step S45 of the print data control unit 26 on the printing apparatus 20 side shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
As described above, the ID assigned to the print data received by the reception control unit 27 of the printing apparatus 20 is different from the management ID stored in the print development information database 24, and the received print data is stored in the print development information database. When the print data control unit 26 recognizes that a new storage is to be performed in 24 and an empty space is secured in the print development information database 24, the operation of the new print data storage unit illustrated in FIG. It is activated.

  Note that the print data received from the PC 10 includes print data exactly the same as the operation of the saved print data update unit shown in FIG. 7 when the print data is newly saved in the print development information database 24. A storage format designation command that indicates whether to save the data as it is, to save it after raster data is saved, or to save both print data and raster data is also received and received. Yes.

  Therefore, when the print data new storage unit shown in FIG. 8 is activated, first, a storage format designation command is read from the PC 10, and it is confirmed whether or not it is an instruction to store in the format of the print data (step S61). . If it is specified to store the print data as it is (YES in step S61), the print data is newly stored in the print development information database 24 in the format of the received print data (step S63).

  On the other hand, if the print data is not specified to be stored (NO in step S61), it is specified that the received print data should be expanded into printable raster data and the raster data should be stored. Based on the designation, the print data is developed into raster data by the image processing unit 22 (step S62), and is newly stored in the print development information database 24 (step S63).

  When raster data is stored in the print development information database 24, raster data is used instead of print data as a storage format designation command from the PC 10 as in the case of the operation of the stored print data update unit in FIG. If the storage capacity of the print development information database 24 is not an instruction to save, the raster data may be instructed to be saved together with the print data. Accordingly, it is possible to quickly search for an update location of the print data in the print development information database 24, and it is possible to further speed up the operation of updating the print data and raster data in the print development information database 24. .

1 is a network configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printing system including a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a block configuration diagram illustrating an example of a circuit block configuration of a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a transmission control unit of the PC shown in FIG. 2 as an example of an operation related to transmission control of print data to a printing apparatus in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a difference verification unit of the PC shown in FIG. 2 as an example of an operation related to verification of a difference between documents transmitted to the printing apparatus in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a reception control unit of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 as an example of an operation related to storage and printing of print data in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a print data control unit of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 as an example of an operation related to storage of print data in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. As an example of the operation related to the update of the stored print data in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, an example of the stored print data update operation for replacing or additionally storing the print data already stored in the printing apparatus by the received print data It is a flowchart to show. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a new print data storage operation for newly storing received print data in the printing apparatus as an example of an operation related to new storage of print data in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. It is a table block diagram which shows an example of the printing information preserve | saved in the printing information database of PC which is one of the information processing apparatuses which concern on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 3 ... PC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ... Printing devices 1, 2, 3, 7 ... Network, 10 ... PC, 11 ... Operation / display section, 12 ... Application, 13 ... Printer driver, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Print information database, 15 ... Communication part, 16 ... Difference agent part, 16a ... Difference verification part, 16b ... Transmission control part, 20 ... Printing apparatus, 21 ... Operation / display part, 22 ... Image processing part, 23 ... Printer Engine, 24 ... Print development information database, 25 ... Communication unit, 26 ... Print data control unit, 27 ... Reception control unit, 31 ... ID, 32 ... Document name (application name), 33 ... User name, 34 ... Update time, 35 ... priority, 36 ... print data, 37 ... document.

Claims (34)

  After converting a document created by an information processing apparatus connected via a network or directly connected to print data in a description language that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus, the information processing apparatus In a printing apparatus that receives print data and prints it on recording paper, when print data relating to a document that is being created by the information processing apparatus is transmitted, the print data may be received and stored. A printing apparatus comprising: a printing storage section capable of printing print data stored in the printing storage section on recording paper based on a printing instruction from the information processing apparatus.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data related to the document stored in the print storage unit is updated and stored again with print data related to the document received subsequently from the information processing apparatus. A printing apparatus, characterized in that   3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when one or a plurality of print data is stored in the print storage unit, an ID for identifying each print data related to a document received from the information processing apparatus is assigned. If the print data specified by the ID is not stored in the print storage unit, the received print data is newly stored in the print storage unit together with the ID. On the other hand, when the print data specified by the ID is stored in the print storage unit, the print data specified by the ID stored in the print storage unit is received. A printing apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus is updated and stored again.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the received print data is newly added and stored in the print storage unit, there is not enough free space in the print storage unit. Includes searching for priorities related to the print data stored in the print storage unit and deleting the print data from the print storage unit in order of increasing priority, thereby freeing up space in the print storage unit. A printing apparatus characterized by securing   5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the priority relating to the print data stored in the storage unit for printing is received in a state of being given to the print data relating to the document received from the information processing apparatus, and A printing apparatus stored in a printing storage unit in association with print data.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the received print data is newly added and stored in the print storage unit, there is not enough free space in the print storage unit. In this case, an update time relating to the print data stored in the print storage unit is searched, and the print data is deleted from the print storage unit in the order of the oldest update time. A printing apparatus characterized by securing a space.   The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the update time related to the print data stored in the printing storage unit is received in a state of being added to the print data related to the document received from the information processing apparatus, A printing apparatus stored in a printing storage unit in association with print data.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the received print data is newly added and stored in the print storage unit, there is not enough free space in the print storage unit. If a priority for print data stored in the print storage unit is searched and a plurality of print data of the same level having a low priority exists in the print storage unit, the print storage Further searching for update times related to the print data stored in the copy, and deleting print data with the same priority from the print storage in the order of the oldest update time, free space is left in the print storage. A printing apparatus characterized by securing.   9. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the priority and the update time relating to the print data stored in the printing storage unit are added to the print data relating to the document received from the information processing apparatus. A printing apparatus received and stored in the print storage unit in association with print data.   10. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when print data relating to a document received from the information processing apparatus is stored in the storage unit for printing, the received print data is an image image that can be printed. A raster printing apparatus comprising: rasterizing the raster data and storing the raster data in the storage unit for printing.   11. The printing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when the raster data obtained by developing the print data is stored in the printing storage unit, only the raster data is stored instead of the print data, or the raster data is stored as the raster data. A printing apparatus capable of storing together with the print data.   Information that allows a created document to be converted into data that can be interpreted by the printing device and sent to a printing device that is connected via a network or directly connected to be printed on recording paper A processing apparatus includes a print information storage unit capable of storing a document being created by an application as print information together with at least information for identifying the application, and when the predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the application Information that identifies the application in the print information storage unit after converting the document in the stage of creation into print data of a description language that can be interpreted by the print device and transmitting the print data to the print device. And an information processing apparatus storing the print information as the print information.   13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when the predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, at least when a predetermined period of time has been detected, automatic processing by the application for a document in the stage of creation is performed. When saving is executed, when the user gives an instruction to save the document in the stage of creation, when the application automatically instructs the execution of printing for the document, or when the user prints the document An information processing apparatus characterized in that the information processing apparatus is any one of the following cases.   14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when the trigger condition is satisfied, a document currently being created by the application and a document stored as the print information in the print information storage unit An information processing apparatus, wherein only difference data having a difference between them is converted into print data having a description language interpretable by the printing apparatus and transmitted to the printing apparatus.   15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein only the difference data is converted into print data and transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the document is stored as the print information in the print information storage unit. An information processing apparatus, wherein a portion corresponding to the difference data is updated and stored again.   16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein one or more documents can be identified by the application when one or more documents are stored as the print information in the print information storage unit. The document is stored in the print information storage unit in a state where an ID is assigned, and the trigger condition can be detected for each document indicated by the assigned ID, and the document indicated by the ID can be detected. Difference data between the document being created indicated by the ID or the document having the same ID as the print information stored in the print information storage unit when the trigger condition is satisfied Is converted into print data having a description language interpretable by the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus together with the ID The information processing apparatus characterized by against and transmitted, re-save and update the documentation of the ID stored in the print information storage unit.   17. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when the application that created the document is terminated, all the print information related to the document corresponding to the application is deleted from the print information storage unit. An information processing apparatus characterized by:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein when the application ends, the information processing apparatus notifies the printing apparatus that printing of a document corresponding to the application is to be stopped.   19. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the priority is predetermined for each application of the information processing apparatus or specified by a user to indicate a priority order of each document. When the data is converted into print data relating to each document and transmitted to the printing apparatus, the priority is given and transmitted, and the print information is stored in the print information storage unit as the print information. An information processing apparatus that stores the priority in association with each other.   20. The information processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein when a document being created by the application is newly added and saved in the print information storage unit, the print information storage unit has insufficient free space. Retrieves the priority of the print information stored in the print information storage unit, and deletes the print information from the print information storage unit in the descending order of priority, thereby storing the print information in the print information storage unit. An information processing apparatus that secures an empty space.   19. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein an update time indicating the latest update time of the document is added when the print data is converted to print data relating to each document and transmitted to the printing apparatus. The information processing apparatus stores the update time in association with the document as the print information in the print information storage unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein when a document being created by the application is newly added to the print information storage unit and saved, the print information storage unit has insufficient free space. The print information storage unit searches for the update time of the print information stored in the print information storage unit and deletes the print information from the print information storage unit in the order of the oldest update time. An information processing apparatus characterized in that an empty space is secured.   23. The information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein a document that has not been updated at all during a predetermined period with reference to the update time of the print information stored in the print information storage unit. When detected, the information processing apparatus deletes the print information corresponding to the document from the print information storage unit, and notifies the printing apparatus that printing of the document is stopped. .   19. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when the data is converted into print data relating to each document and transmitted to the printing apparatus, the priority indicating the priority order of the document and the latest update are made. An update time indicating the received time is transmitted, and the priority and the update time are stored in the print information storage unit in association with the print data as the print information. .   25. The information processing apparatus according to claim 24, wherein when a document being created by the application is newly added and saved in the print information storage unit, the print information storage unit has insufficient free space. Retrieves the priority of the print information stored in the print information storage unit, and when there are a plurality of print information of the same level having a low priority in the print information storage unit, the print information By further searching for the update time of the print information stored in the storage unit, and deleting the print information having the same priority from the print information storage unit in the order of the oldest update time, the print information storage unit An information processing apparatus that secures an empty space.   26. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when the document being created by the application is stored as the print information in the print information storage unit, the print apparatus can interpret the document. An information processing apparatus, wherein the data is converted into print data composed of a description language and stored.   27. The information processing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein when the print data converted from a document is stored in the print information storage unit, only the print data is stored instead of the document, or the print data is stored in the print information storage unit. An information processing apparatus that can be stored together with a document.   28. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when the application itself can detect an updated part of the document updated with respect to the document being created by the application, As the print information to be saved in the print information storage unit, only the updated portion detected by the application is converted into the print data without saving the document and / or the print data after conversion of the document. And transmitting the information to the printing apparatus.   After converting a document created by an information processing apparatus connected via a network or directly connected to print data in a description language that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus, the information processing apparatus In a printing method of a printing apparatus that receives print data and prints on recording paper, when print data related to a document that is being created by the information processing apparatus is transmitted, the print data is received and stored A print data storage step, and printing the print data stored in the print data storage step on a recording sheet based on a print instruction from the information processing apparatus.   Information that allows a created document to be converted into data that can be interpreted by the printing device and sent to a printing device that is connected via a network or directly connected to be printed on recording paper In the printing control method of the processing apparatus, the printing apparatus has a print information storing step of storing a document being created by an application as print information together with at least information for identifying the application, and when a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, The document in the stage of being created by the application is converted into print data having a description language interpretable by the printing apparatus, transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the application is stored by the printing information storing step. The print information is stored together with the identification information. Printing control method for.   A printing program for executing the printing method according to claim 29 as a computer program.   A print control program for executing the print control method according to claim 30 as a computer program.   32. A program recording medium, wherein the printing program according to claim 31 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.   33. A program recording medium, wherein the print control program according to claim 32 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

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