JP3624686B2 - Printing system, printer, print data generation apparatus, and printing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing system, a printer, a print data generation apparatus, and a printing method that can perform printing of a plurality of copies.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when a plurality of copies of the same page is printed (hereinafter also referred to as copy printing), a printing system that transmits print data for one page from the host computer and prints the required number of copies on the printer side is known. For example, it is realized in a page printer such as a laser beam printer.
[0003]
Such a copy printing function can shorten the transmission time of the print data and can release the host computer at an early stage as compared with the case where the same print data is repeatedly transmitted from the host computer by the number of copies. Etc. are advantageous.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described conventional technology, copy printing can be performed by transmitting print data only once. However, if the amount of memory installed in the printer is smaller than the amount of memory required for copy printing, copy printing may fail. For example, when printing 10 pages of data from page 1 to page 10 in that order, copy printing may not be possible unless all the print data from page 1 to page 10 can be held on the printer side. In this case, in the conventional technique, after the message indicating that the copy printing has failed is displayed, for example, the same data must be transmitted again from the host computer nine times, which is very troublesome. There is.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to complete printing of a plurality of copies even when a memory shortage occurs during the printing of a plurality of copies, thereby improving usability. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing system, a printer, a print data generation apparatus, and a printing method.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the invention according to claim 1, in a printing system comprising a host computer and a printer that executes printing based on data received from the host computer, a copy that issues a copy command for printing a predetermined number of copies of the print data Command issuing means; storage means for storing print data to be printed by a predetermined number of copies by the copy command; copy printing control means for interpreting the copy command and executing the predetermined number of copies; and the predetermined number of copies. Determination means for determining whether print data to be printed can be stored in the storage means, and the determination meansButWhen it is determined that the print data cannot be stored in the storage unit, the copy command issuing unit transmits the print data to the printer by the number corresponding to the predetermined number of copies.
[0007]
As a result, even when copy printing cannot be executed with a single data transmission, printing for a predetermined number of copies can be performed, improving usability. The “number according to the predetermined number of copies” includes a case where the number is the same as the originally planned number of copies, but may be a value smaller than the initial number of copies. This is because when one copy is already printed by the first data transmission, it is only necessary to repeatedly transmit the print data by the number obtained by subtracting 1 from the initial number of print copies.
[0008]
In another form of the invention,The host computer may include the copy command issuing unit, and the printer may include the storage unit, the copy print control unit, and the determination unit.
[0009]
That is, the determination unit can be provided on the printer side.
[0010]
In another form of the invention,The host computer may include the copy command issuing unit and the determination unit, and the printer may include the storage unit and the copy print control unit.
[0011]
That is, the determination means can be provided on the host computer side.
[0014]
In another form of the invention,The copy command issuing unit positions and transmits the print data between a copy print start command and a copy print end command, and the storage unit stores the copy print end command at the end of the print data. You can also.
[0015]
By storing the copy print end command at the end of the print data, it is possible to detect the range to be copied and printed when the copy print end command is read from the storage means. Accordingly, it is possible to perform copy printing by detecting the range of data to be copied and printed without using an address counter or the like for detecting the final storage address of the print data.
[0016]
In another form of the invention,The determination unit can determine that the print data cannot be stored in the storage unit when the copy print end command cannot be stored in the storage unit.
[0017]
Since the copy print end command is located at the end of the print data, when the copy print end command is stored in the storage unit, it can be determined that all the print data to be copied and printed can be stored in the storage unit.
[0018]
In another form of the invention,The determination unit compares the storage capacity of the storage unit with the data amount of the print data, and when the storage capacity of the storage unit is smaller than the data amount of the print data, the print data is stored in the storage unit. It can also be determined that it cannot be stored.
[0019]
By comparing the storage capacity of the storage means and the data amount of the print data, it is possible to determine whether or not the print data related to copy printing can be transmitted at one time before transmitting or storing the print data. Printing speed can be improved. The storage capacity of the storage means may be registered in advance by the user in the determination means, or the storage capacity of the storage means may be inspected when executing copy printing.
[0020]
In another form of the invention,The storage capacity of the storage unit to be compared with the data amount of the print data may be an available free capacity.
[0021]
For example, there is a case where a part of the storage means is already reserved by other data or the like, or a printer receives a plurality of copy print jobs incorporated in a network printing system. In these cases, even if the data amount of the print data is smaller than the maximum storage capacity of the storage unit, there is a possibility that copy printing cannot be performed by one data transmission. Therefore, the determination accuracy is improved by comparing the available free space of the storage means and the data amount of the print data.
[0022]
In another form of the invention,When the storage unit stores the print data, the determination unit can notify the copy command issuing unit of a predetermined number of copies printable information indicating that the predetermined number of copies can be printed.
[0023]
As a result, the copy command issuing means can confirm that copy printing is performed in one data transmission, and the process can be terminated.
[0044]
Another aspect of the present invention is:In a program recording medium recording a program for controlling a printer, a receiving function for receiving print data and a copy command for printing a predetermined number of copies of the print data, and interpreting the copy command and printing the predetermined number of copies A copy print control function to be executed and whether or not the print data can be stored in the storage means. If it is determined that the print data cannot be stored in the storage means, the print data is determined according to the predetermined number of copies. And a program recording medium in which a program for causing the computer to realize a determination function for requesting transmission of only a certain number is recorded in a form that the computer can read and understand.
[0045]
Here, various media such as a floppy disk, a compact disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, a hard disk, and a memory can be used as the recording medium. Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use a communication medium such as, for example, remotely downloading a program via a communication line.
[0048]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0049]
1. First embodiment
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the hardware configuration of the serial printer according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the printing system.
[0050]
The printer (printer) of the present embodiment has an existing structure. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 is connected to the host computer 1 via an interface (hereinafter abbreviated as “I / F”) 11. The input / output control device 12 is connected to the I / F 11. The printer 10 includes a printer controller 15 configured by a computer and a print engine 20 whose operation is controlled by the printer controller 15. Connected via / F13.
[0051]
Here, the printer controller 15 includes a CPU 16 that operates based on a control program or the like stored in the program ROM 17 and controls the printer 10 as a whole. The printer controller 15 has a RAM 18 and an auxiliary memory 19 for storing data from the host computer 1. The auxiliary memory 19 is configured as a large-capacity memory such as a single in-line memory module (SIMM), and stores data for copy printing described later. The printer controller 15 and the host computer 1 are connected via a communication line 14 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).
[0052]
The print engine 20 includes a print head 21 for executing printing, a carriage mechanism 22 for driving a carriage on which the print head 21 is mounted, and a paper feed mechanism 23 for feeding paper.
[0053]
Reference is made to the functional block diagram of FIG. The host computer 1 includes a printer driver 2 and an I / F 3. The printer driver 2 as a “print data generating device” converts, for example, document data input from document creation software or the like into print data, and the print data is transferred from the I / F 3 via the communication line 14 to the printer 10. To send to. The printer driver 2 includes a command issuing unit 4 as “copy command issuing means”. The command issuing unit 4 transmits print data to the printer 10 by a predetermined copy command at the time of copy printing, and performs copy printing. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the command issuing unit 4 places a copy start command (indicated as “copy start” in FIG. 2) as a “copy print start command” at the beginning of the print data, and prints A copy end command (indicated as “copy end” in FIG. 2) as a “copy print end command” is arranged at the end of the data and transmitted to the printer 10.
[0054]
As will be described later, the printer controller 15 includes an interpretation unit 31, a reception buffer 41, an output buffer 42, a copy command storage unit 43, and a copy buffer 44.
[0055]
The interpretation unit 31 reads the print data received from the host computer 1 and stored in the reception buffer 41 to generate image data for each line, and develops the image data in the output buffer 42. The image data written in the output buffer 42 is transmitted to the print engine 20 and printed by the print engine 20. Note that the reception buffer 41 and the output buffer 42 are formed in the RAM 18.
[0056]
The interpretation unit 31 is provided with a copy control unit 32. The copy control unit 32 includes a copy printing unit 33 as “copy printing control unit” and a determination unit 34 as “determination unit”. The copy printing unit 33 executes a predetermined number of copies by receiving one print data based on a predetermined copy command input from the command issuing unit 4 of the host computer 1. In order to execute this copy printing, the copy printing unit 33 uses a copy command storage unit 43 formed in the RAM 18 and a copy buffer 44 as a “storage unit” formed in the auxiliary memory 19. The determination unit 34 determines whether or not all print data related to copy printing has been stored in the copy buffer 44. If the print data has been stored in the copy buffer 44, the copy as “predetermined number of copies printable information” is performed. When the OK is notified to the command issuing unit 4 and the print data cannot be stored in the copy buffer 44, the command issuing unit 4 is notified of the copy NG as “predetermined number of copies non-printable information”.
[0057]
That is, when receiving the copy start command from the command issuing unit 4, the copy control unit 32 stores the command content such as the number of copies in the copy command storage unit 43 and also stores the subsequent print data in the copy buffer 44. The copy control unit 32 executes a predetermined number of copies by reading and interpreting the print data in the copy buffer 44. On the other hand, if the print data related to the copy printing cannot be stored in the copy buffer 44, the copy control unit 32 transmits a copy NG to the command issuing unit 4, and again prints the print data to be copied for the required number of copies. Only to send and execute copy printing.
[0058]
Next, the effect | action of this Embodiment is demonstrated based on FIGS. First, FIGS. 3 and 4 show flowcharts of copy printing processing executed on the printer 10 side. In the following description, step is abbreviated as “S”. 3 and 4, “YES” is abbreviated as “Y”, and “NO” is abbreviated as “N”.
[0059]
When the data transmitted from the host computer 1 is stored in the reception buffer 41, first, the data is extracted from the reception buffer 41 (S1), and the data is analyzed (S2). If the data is a command (S3: YES), it is subsequently determined whether it is a copy command (S4). Here, the copy command is a command to print a predetermined number of copies of the next print data, and specifically, a copy start command. Therefore, in the case of a copy command (S4: YES), data is taken out from the reception buffer 41 (S5), the number of copies Cn is set in the copy command storage unit 43 (S6), and a copy start flag (in the drawing, (Abbreviated as “copy F”) (F = 1) (S7), the process returns to S1, and the next data is taken out from the reception buffer 41.
[0060]
When print data is received following the copy command, the process proceeds from S3 to S8, and the print data is stored in the copy buffer 44 on condition that the copy start flag is 1 (F = 1) (S8: YES). If the copy buffer is not full (S10: NO), print data is further input to the output buffer 42 (S11). This process is continued until the output buffer is full. When the output buffer is full (S12: YES), the data accumulated in the output buffer is printed (S13), and the output buffer is initialized (S13). S14).
[0061]
Further, the above-described storage in the copy buffer 44 and the output buffer 42 and printing of the output buffer are continued as long as there is subsequent data. When the reception of the print data is finished and the copy end command is received, the process proceeds from S3 to S4. In this case, the copy start flag is 1 (F = 1) instead of the copy start command (S4: NO). Since there is (S15: YES), the copy end command is input to the copy buffer 44 (step S16). Thus, the copy end command is stored in the copy buffer 44 at the end of the print data. If the copy buffer 44 is not full (S17: NO), it is not a print command (S18: NO), but is a copy end command (S19: YES), the process proceeds to S21 shown in FIG.
[0062]
In S21, since print data related to copy printing (also referred to as copy data) can be stored in the copy buffer 44, a copy OK for notifying that copy printing can be executed (in the figure, “copy OK” is shown). ”) Is transmitted to the command issuing unit 4, and then (predetermined number of copies−1) is printed based on the print data in the copy buffer 44.
[0063]
That is, the copy buffer take-out pointer is initialized (S22), and data is taken out from the copy buffer 44 (S23). Next, the extracted data is analyzed (S24), and if it is not a command (S25: NO), it is input to the output buffer 42 (S26). The print data transfer process is performed until the output buffer 42 is full (S27: NO). When the output buffer 42 is full (S27: YES), data accumulated in the output buffer 42 is printed (S28), the output buffer 42 is initialized (S29), and the process returns to S23.
[0064]
The printing of the output buffer 42 described above is continued until the copy end command is read from the copy buffer 44. When the copy end command is taken out, it is a command (S25: YES), not a print command (S30: NO), and is a copy end command (S31: YES), so “1” is subtracted from the number of copies Cn (S32). ), The take-out pointer of the copy buffer 44 is initialized (S33). The above printing process in the copy buffer 44 is repeated until the number of copies Cn becomes “0”. When the number of copies Cn becomes “0” (S34: YES), copy printing of the designated number of copies ends. Accordingly, the copy buffer 44 is initialized (S35), the copy start flag is reset (F = 0) (S36), and the process returns to S1.
[0065]
On the other hand, when the copy buffer 44 becomes full while the copy data is being stored in the copy buffer 44 (S10: YES; and S17: YES), a copy NG (shown as “copyNG” in the figure) is displayed. The command is issued to the command issuing unit 4 (S37), the copy start flag is reset (F = 0) (S38), and the copy buffer 44 is initialized (S39). After this, normal printing is performed, but since the copy start flag is reset, input to the copy buffer 44 is not performed after the determination of S8 and S15.
[0066]
Further, when there is no copy command or when another command is included in the copy data, the process proceeds from S18 to S41, and when there is a parameter (S41: YES), from the reception buffer 41. Data is extracted (S42), and this is repeated while there are parameters (S43: YES). After there are no parameters (S43: NO), command processing is performed (S44), and the process returns to S1. Further, when such a command is present in the copy data, it is processed even when data is taken out from the copy buffer 44. Since it is determined that the command is not a copy command in S31, the same processing is performed in S45 to S48. .
[0067]
Next, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing driver processing executed on the printer driver 2 side.
[0068]
At the time of copy printing, first, a copy command (copy start command) is transmitted (S51), and then copy data for copy printing is transmitted to the printer 10 (S52). When the transmission of the copy data is completed, a copy end command is transmitted (S53), and the process waits until a notification from the printer 10 is received (S54).
[0069]
If the copy OK is received from the printer 10 (S55: YES), the process is terminated. If the copy is not OK, that is, if the copy NG is received (S55: NO), the print data is transmitted. The number of times Cn1 is set (S56), "1" is subtracted from Cn1 (S57), and copy data is repeatedly transmitted until Cn1 becomes "0" (S58: NO) (S59). By repeating these steps S56 to S59 for the number of copies, a predetermined number of copies are printed by the printer 10. If only one copy is executed at the time of the first copy data transmission, the number of transmissions Cn1 is set as a number obtained by subtracting “1” from the initial number of copies Cn. On the other hand, if printing is not performed when the first copy data is transmitted, Cn1 is set to the same value as Cn.
[0070]
According to the present embodiment configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
[0071]
First, when copy data can be stored in the copy buffer 44 by one data transmission, copy printing can be executed by reading the copy data stored in the copy buffer 44 by the number of copies. If all of the copy data cannot be stored in the copy buffer 44, a predetermined number of copies can be completed by further receiving the required number of additional copy data from the host computer 1.
[0072]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a data flow between the host computer 1 and the printer 10 in such a copy printing process. FIG. 6A shows a case where copy printing is executed by one data transmission. FIG. 6B shows a case where data transmission is performed a plurality of times due to insufficient capacity of the copy buffer 44. Each data flow is assigned the step number being processed as described above, and the copy command shows an example in which the number of copies is three.
[0073]
Therefore, in the printing system according to the present embodiment, since copy printing can be performed by one data transmission from the host computer 1, the print data transmission time can be shortened and the printing speed can be improved. The host computer 1 can be opened early. Further, when the print data sent once cannot be stored in the copy buffer 44, the host computer 1 is requested to send the print data, so that the printer 10 side always has a memory shortage. Copy printing can be completed, improving usability.
[0074]
Second, since the copy end command is stored in the copy buffer 44 at the end of the print data, the copy data range can be detected by reading the copy end command. That is, the range of data to be copied and printed can be reliably detected without using an address counter or the like that counts the storage address of the copy data.
[0075]
Third, when all the copy data can be stored in the copy buffer 44, the host computer 1 is notified of the copy OK, and the host computer 1 can end the process by receiving this copy OK notification. .
[0076]
Examples of copy printing include, for example, printing three copies of one page, three copies of two pages, three copies of three pages, and three copies of pages one to three in that order.
[0077]
An example of the former printing is shown in FIG. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 7A, when printing three pages of “ABC”, three pages of “Ayan”, and three pages of “123”, first, copy When the command and the print data of “ABC” are transmitted and one copy is printed, the “ABC” page break and copy end command are stored in the copy buffer 44, and then the copy data stored in the copy buffer 44 is used. Two more copies are printed. Similarly, three copies of “A” are printed, and three copies of “123” are printed. This can be realized even if the copy buffer 44 is not so large.
[0078]
On the other hand, FIG. 8 shows an example of the latter, that is, so-called book printing. As shown in FIG. 8A, when three copies of “ABC”, “Ayan”, and “123” are printed in this order, a copy command and print data of “ABC”, “Ayan”, and “123” are transmitted. At the same time as one copy is printed, “ABC” page break, “Any” page break, “123” page break and copy end command are stored in the copy buffer 44, and then the data stored in the copy buffer 44 is stored. Two more copies are printed. Such printing cannot be realized unless the copy buffer 44 is large.
[0079]
Therefore, in the case of book printing, conventionally, print data has been transmitted for the required number of copies from the beginning. However, in the present embodiment, for the time being, an attempt is made to perform copy printing with a single data transmission. If possible, copy printing can be completed without repeated transmission. On the other hand, even when copy printing cannot be executed due to memory shortage or the like, the required number of copies can be transmitted from the host computer 1 to complete copy printing, improving usability.
[0080]
2. Second embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following embodiments, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. A feature of the present embodiment is that by comparing the free capacity of the copy buffer 44 with the data amount of copy data, it is determined whether or not copy printing is possible with one data transmission, and the host computer 1 is notified. There is. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the copy start command from the host computer 1, in addition to the number of copies Cn, the data amount DS of copy data is stored in advance.
[0081]
The printer 51 according to the present embodiment is provided with a memory amount detection unit 52 for detecting the available free space MS of the copy buffer 44. The memory amount detection unit 52 detects the remaining memory capacity MS available in the copy buffer 44 and outputs it to the determination unit 53 of the copy control unit 32. The determination unit 53 compares the data amount DS of the copy data with the free capacity MS of the copy buffer 44, and notifies the copy OK when the data amount DS of the copy data is equal to or less than the free capacity MS of the copy buffer 44. It has become.
[0082]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing determination processing of the printing system according to this embodiment. The copy printing instruction is monitored (S71), and when copy printing is instructed, the data amount DS of the copy data is detected (S72). Next, the free space MS of the copy buffer 44 is detected from the memory amount detection unit 52 (S73), and it is determined whether or not the data amount DS of the copy data is less than or equal to the free space MS of the copy buffer 44 (S74). If the data amount DS of the copy data is less than the free space MS of the copy buffer 44, copy copy can be performed with one data transmission, so copy OK is notified to the host computer 1 (S75). On the other hand, if the data amount DS exceeds the free space MS, copy NG is notified because there is a possibility that reception of copy data may fail (S76).
[0083]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the printing process. First, it is determined whether or not to perform copy printing (S81). If copy printing is to be performed, the number of copies Cn is set (S82), and the print data is read from the copy buffer 44 (S83). Then, the read print data is interpreted to generate image data for printing (S84), and printing is performed by the print engine 20 (S85), and the number of copies Cn is decremented by 1 (S86). The processes of S82 to S87 are repeated until the number of copies Cn reaches 0 (S87). On the other hand, when copy NG is notified and print data corresponding to the number of copies is repeatedly transmitted, it is determined as “NO” in S81 and the process proceeds to S88 to determine whether or not the normal print processing is performed. . In the case of normal printing, the received print data is interpreted to generate image data (S89), and printing is performed (S90). Therefore, when the print data is transmitted from the host computer 1 a plurality of times by the copy NG notification, the processing of S88 to S90 is repeated for the number of copies, and the copy printing is completed. In the case of normal printing, for example, when a printer status inquiry command or the like is received, normal processing is performed according to the contents of each command (S91).
[0084]
Also in the present embodiment configured as described above, the same processing as in the first embodiment described above can be performed. In addition, in this embodiment, since the copy data amount and the free capacity of the copy buffer 44 are compared to notify the copy OK and NG, before storing the print data in the copy buffer 44, Judgment can be made.
[0085]
Alternatively, the maximum storage capacity of the copy buffer 44 may be registered in the memory detection unit 52 without detecting the free capacity, and the storage capacity may be compared with the data amount of the copy data. This is because in the case of the printer 51 that does not accept a plurality of print jobs, the free capacity and the maximum storage capacity are substantially equal.
[0086]
3. Third embodiment
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. A feature of this embodiment is that the host computer determines whether or not to perform copy printing by one data transmission before transmitting copy data.
[0087]
The printer driver 61 of the host computer 1 is provided with a memory amount storage unit 62 in which the storage capacity MS1 of the copy buffer 44 is stored in advance, and a determination unit 63. For example, the storage capacity MS1 is registered in advance in the memory amount storage unit 62 by inquiring the storage capacity MS1 of the copy buffer 44 from the host computer 1 to the printer 71 or by manually inputting the memory size by the user. be able to. At the time of copy printing, the determination unit 63 compares the data amount DS of the copy data with the storage capacity MS1 of the copy buffer 44, and notifies the command issuing unit 4 of the determination result as copy OK, NG. The command issuing unit 4 selects whether to transmit the copy data once or to repeatedly transmit the number of copies according to the determination result.
[0088]
As shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, since the determination unit 63 is provided in the printer driver 61, the copy control unit 72 of the printer 71 is not provided with a determination unit.
[0089]
Based on the flowchart of FIG. 13, the driver side processing according to the present embodiment will be described.
[0090]
First, it is determined whether or not two or more copies are to be printed, that is, whether or not copy printing is to be performed (S100). If copy printing is to be performed, the data amount DS of copy data is detected (S101). Next, the storage capacity MS1 of the copy buffer 44 registered in advance in the memory amount storage unit 62 is read (S102), and it is determined whether or not the data amount DS of the copy data is less than or equal to the storage capacity MS1 of the copy buffer 44 ( S103).
[0091]
When the data amount DS is equal to or less than the memory amount MS1, since copy printing can be performed by one data transmission, after the copy start command is transmitted (S104), the copy data is transmitted (S105), and finally A copy end command is transmitted to (S106). On the other hand, if the data amount DS is larger than the storage capacity MS1, copy printing cannot be performed with one data transmission, so the number of copies Cn is set (S107) until the number of copies Cn reaches zero. The print data to be copied is repeatedly transmitted (S108 to S110). When only one copy is to be printed, “NO” is determined in S100, the process proceeds to S107, and “1” is set to the number of print copies Cn.
[0092]
In the present embodiment configured as described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, in this embodiment, the storage capacity MS1 of the copy buffer 44 is registered in advance on the printer driver 61 side, and the transmission mode is set by comparing the storage capacity MS1 and the data amount DS of the copy data. Therefore, the optimum transmission mode can be determined before transmitting the copy data.
[0093]
4). Fourth embodiment
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The feature of the present embodiment is that the host computer inquires the printer about the free capacity of the copy buffer 44 and checks it, and compares the checked free capacity with the data amount of the copy data to select the transmission mode. In the point.
[0094]
The determination unit 82 of the printer driver 81 according to the present embodiment inquires of the printer 91 about the free space MS of the copy buffer 44 at the time of copy printing. By comparing with the data amount DS, the copy OK / NG determination is made.
[0095]
As in the third embodiment, the copy control unit 92 of the printer 91 is not provided with a determination unit. However, the printer 91 is provided with a memory amount detection unit 93 for detecting the free space MS of the copy buffer 44 in response to a request from the host computer 1 and notifying the free space MS to the host computer 1 side. This is different from the third embodiment.
[0096]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing driver-side processing according to this embodiment, and this processing includes steps S100, S101, and S103 to S110 shown in FIG.
[0097]
In this embodiment, S121 and S122 are newly provided in place of S102 in FIG. That is, after detecting the data amount DS of the copy data (S101), the memory amount detection unit 93 of the printer 91 is inquired about the free capacity MS of the copy buffer 44 (S121). When the free capacity MS of the copy buffer 44 is input from the printer side (S122), the free capacity MS is compared with the data amount of the copy data (S103) to determine the copy data transmission mode.
[0098]
Also in the present embodiment configured as described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained. In addition to this, in this embodiment, before sending copy data, the free capacity MS of the copy buffer 44 is inquired, and the free capacity MS of the copy buffer 44 is compared with the data amount DS of the copy data, The copy data transmission mode is selected. Therefore, even in the case where the printer 91 can receive and process a plurality of print jobs from a plurality of host computers as in the network printing system, the optimum copy data is determined based on the free space MS currently remaining in the copy buffer 44. The appropriate transmission mode can be determined.
[0099]
A person skilled in the art can make various additions and modifications within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the above embodiments. For example, the present invention can be realized by recording a predetermined program on the recording medium MM shown in FIGS. 9 and 14 and loading the program into a printer or a host computer. As the recording medium, for example, various media such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, and a memory card can be employed.
[0100]
Further, in the second embodiment, the case where the copy start command is transmitted together with the copy data and the copy end command including the data amount DS of the copy data is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example, At the time of copy printing, first, the host computer 1 notifies the printer 51 only of the data amount of the copy data, and the result of comparing this data amount and the free space is input from the printer 51 to the host computer, so that the copy data is received. It is also possible to determine a transmission mode in which transmission is performed once or repeated transmission is performed for the number of copies.
[0101]
Further, in each of the above embodiments, the serial printer has been described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to various printers such as a laser printer.
[0102]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when printing a predetermined number of copies, in order to determine whether or not the print data can be stored on the printer side, the print data is transmitted once or repeated for a predetermined number of copies. It is possible to determine whether to transmit, and usability is improved.
[0103]
In addition, when the print data can be stored on the printer side, a predetermined number of copies can be printed by one transmission of the print data, so the print data transmission time can be shortened and the print speed can be improved. The host computer can be released early. On the other hand, when the print data cannot be stored on the printer side, the transmission mode is changed, and the print data is repeatedly transmitted by a predetermined number of copies, so a plurality of copies are printed regardless of the amount of installed memory on the printer side. be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an outline of a hardware configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a printing system.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of print processing executed by a printer.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a printing process following FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating printer driver processing executed on the host computer side.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams showing a data flow between a host computer and a printer. FIG. 6A shows a case where copy printing is possible with a single transmission of print data, and FIG. This shows a case where copy printing is performed by transmitting data for the number of copies.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of copy printing.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of copy printing.
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a printing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a determination process.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process.
FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of a printing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing driver side processing;
FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of a printing system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing driver side processing;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Host computer
2 Printer driver
4 Command issuing part
10 Printer
11 I / F
15 Printer controller
20 Print Engine
31 Interpreter
32 Copy control unit
33 Copy printing section
34 judgment part
41 Receive buffer
42 Output buffer
43 Copy command storage
44 Copy buffer
51 printer
52 Memory amount detector
53 Judgment part
61 Printer Driver
62 Memory storage unit
63 Judgment part
71 Printer
72 Copy control unit
81 Printer driver
82 Judgment part
91 Printer
92 Copy control unit
93 Memory amount detector

Claims (21)

In a printing system comprising a host computer and a printer that executes printing based on data received from the host computer, copy command issuing means for issuing a copy command for printing a predetermined number of copies of the print data, and the copy command Storage means for storing print data to be printed by a predetermined number of copies, copy print control means for interpreting the copy command and executing printing of the predetermined number of copies, and print data to be printed by the predetermined number of copies Determination means for determining whether or not the data can be stored in the storage means,
When the determination unit determines that the print data cannot be stored in the storage unit, the copy command issuing unit transmits the print data to the printer by the number corresponding to the predetermined number of copies. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the host computer includes the copy command issuing unit, and the printer includes the storage unit, the copy printing control unit, and the determination unit. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the host computer includes the copy command issuing unit and the determination unit, and the printer includes the storage unit and the copy printing control unit. The copy command issuing means positions and transmits the print data between a copy print start command and a copy print end command, and the storage means stores the copy print end command at the end of the print data. The printing system according to claim 1 . The printing system according to claim 4 , wherein the determination unit determines that the print data cannot be stored in the storage unit when the copy print end command cannot be stored in the storage unit. The determination unit compares the storage capacity of the storage unit with the data amount of the print data, and when the storage capacity of the storage unit is smaller than the data amount of the print data, the print data is stored in the storage unit. the system according to any one of the determined can not be stored claim 1 or claim 4. The printing system according to claim 6 , wherein a storage capacity of the storage unit to be compared with a data amount of the print data is an available free capacity. Said determining means, when said storage means stores the print data, the copy command said issuance means a predetermined number of copies of printing is notified of the predetermined number of copies of printable information indicating that the variable claims 4 to wherein Item 8. The printing system according to any one of Items 7 . In a printer that executes printing based on data received from a host computer, receiving means for receiving print data and a copy command for printing a predetermined number of copies of the print data, and printing the predetermined number of copies by interpreting the copy command A copy printing control means for executing the print data, a storage means for storing the print data, and a determination means for determining whether or not the print data can be stored in the storage means. When it is determined that data cannot be stored in the storage unit, the printer requests the host computer to transmit the print data in a number corresponding to the predetermined number of copies. The copy command includes a copy print start command positioned at the beginning of the print data and a copy print end command positioned at the end of the print data, and the storage unit stores the copy print at the end of the print data. The printer according to claim 9 , wherein an end command is stored. It said determining means, wherein when the copy print end command can not be stored in the storage means, according to the print data to claim 1 0 determines not be stored in the storage unit printer. The determination unit compares the storage capacity of the storage unit with the data amount of the print data, and when the storage capacity of the storage unit is smaller than the data amount of the print data, the print data is stored in the storage unit. the printer according to claim 9 or claim 1 0 judges that can not be stored. The storage capacity of the storage means is compared with the data amount of the print data, the printer according to claim 1 2 which is the free space available. A print data generation device for generating print data to be transmitted to a printer, further comprising copy command issuing means for issuing a copy command for printing a predetermined number of copies of the print data, wherein the copy command issuing means is configured to print the predetermined number of copies. When it is notified that the print data to be stored cannot be stored on the printer side, the print data generation apparatus transmits the print data to the printer in a number corresponding to the predetermined number of copies. And determining means for comparing the storage capacity on the printer side with the data amount of the print data, wherein the determination means transfers the print data to the printer when the storage capacity is smaller than the data amount of the print data. print data generating apparatus according to claim 1 4 for notifying the copy command issuing means determines that the can not be stored on the side. Wherein the storage capacity is compared with the data amount of the print data, the print data generating apparatus according to claim 1 5, which is a free space available. In a printing method for sending print data generated by a host computer to a printer for printing, a first step for generating print data to be printed by a predetermined number of copies, and a second step for transmitting the print data to the printer side A third step for receiving the print data and storing it in the storage means, a fourth step for determining whether or not the print data is stored in the storage means, and the print data is stored in the storage means. If it is determined that the print data has not been received, a request is made to send the print data in a number corresponding to the predetermined number of copies, and it is determined that the received print data has been printed and the print data has been stored in the storage means. If it is in a fifth step of printing by the predetermined number of copies from the storage means reads out the print data, to comprise the Printing method and butterflies. In a printing method in which print data generated by a host computer is transmitted to a printer for printing, a first step of generating print data to be printed by a predetermined number of copies, and the print data can be stored in storage means on the printer side A second step of determining whether or not the print data can be stored in the storage means, and determining that the print data cannot be stored in the storage means when the print data is transmitted to the printer If so, the method includes a third step of transmitting the print data to the printer in a number corresponding to the predetermined number of copies, and a fourth step of performing printing based on the transmitted print data. A printing method characterized by the above. In a program recording medium recording a program for controlling a printer, a receiving function for receiving print data and a copy command for printing a predetermined number of copies of the print data, and interpreting the copy command and printing the predetermined number of copies A copy print control function to be executed and whether or not the print data can be stored in the storage means. If it is determined that the print data cannot be stored in the storage means, the print data is determined according to the predetermined number of copies. A program recording medium on which a program for causing the computer to realize a determination function for requesting transmission of a predetermined number of programs is recorded in a form that the computer can read and understand. In a program recording medium recording a program for generating print data to be transmitted to a printer, a copy command for printing a predetermined number of copies of the print data is issued, and the print data to be printed by the predetermined number of copies is sent to the printer side The computer can read and understand a program for causing the computer to execute a copy command issuing function for sending the print data to the printer by the number corresponding to the predetermined number of copies. Program recording medium recorded in various forms. In a printing method for a printing system, comprising: an input unit for inputting print data generated by a print image data generation unit; and a storage unit for storing the print data input from the input unit. A first step of generating print data to be generated and, if the print data can be stored in the storage means, based on the stored print data; If the predetermined number of copies are printed and the print data cannot be stored in the storage means, the print data is transmitted to the input means in a number corresponding to the predetermined number of copies, and the transmitted print data is included in the transmitted print data. And a second step of printing the predetermined number of copies on the basis of the printing method.

Images