JP3724138B2 - Printing system, recording medium on which printing control program is recorded, and printing control apparatus used in printing system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing system that receives a plurality of print data to be printed and sequentially prints the print data based on a certain rule, a recording medium on which a print control program is recorded, and a print control apparatus used in the print system. In particular, the present invention relates to a printer that is capable of temporarily stopping printing in order to replace paper or ink appropriately or change environmental settings in response to a print request for each print data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, this type of printing system stores a plurality of print data on the printing apparatus side and sequentially prints them based on a certain rule. Various types of print data are mixed due to differences in purposes such as trial printing and formal printing, differences in paper size and quality to be output, and differences in printing contents such as monochrome and color. Some of them require the operator to manually change the ink / toner cartridge and paper of the printer provided in the printing apparatus, clean the inside of the print head and the printer, and adjust the density.
[0003]
In order to cope with such printing, a printing apparatus that stops the printer for manual operation as necessary and resumes printing in response to an instruction from an operator has already been put into practical use.
[0004]
For example, ink / toner replenishment / replacement, replacement with color ink ribbon, paper replenishment, request for paper of another size, etc. are displayed on the printer panel or host device side, printing is stopped, and waiting for replenishment / change. The printing is resumed by an instruction from the operator. These techniques are effective only in a limited range in which the printer can automatically detect a state requiring manual operation.
[0005]
However, in reality, there are cases where it is desired to specify complicated conditions such as paper quality, color, pattern, and combination of paper and ink, and these stop conditions cannot be detected automatically.
[0006]
This problem occurs when a document creation apparatus such as a word processor disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-235669 indicates a stop position and a message corresponding to the stop position in print data, and printing reaches the stop position. This is solved by the invention in which printing is stopped and a message corresponding to the position is displayed on the screen of the document creation apparatus.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the prior art, a message indicating the purpose of stopping printing is displayed on the host device side in order to notify an operator of the host device such as a word processor or personal computer. Therefore, in a printing system under a network environment, the host device and the printing device may be separated from each other, so that the actual work location and the location where the message describing the work content is displayed Will not be able to operate smoothly.
[0008]
Also, in such a network environment, the operator of the host device and the operator of the printing device are not necessarily the same. In this case, the display of the message is meaningless for the host operator, and the printing device The operator needs to contact the sender of the print data that has been stopped in some way to confirm the purpose. This also hinders smooth operations.
[0009]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and in a printing operation under a network environment, a message regarding a stop for manual operation of the printing apparatus is displayed on the printing apparatus side, thereby facilitating smooth printing. A printing system capable of performing the operation, a recording medium on which a printing control program is recorded, and a printing control apparatus used in the printing system.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, in the printing system according to claim 1, the instruction information input means provided in the data input means is associated with specific print data, respectively. Sending the print data Stop instruction information for instructing to temporarily stop printing and stop notification information displayed when printing is stopped by the stop instruction information, and print data with the stop instruction information printed When doing so, by the notification information display control means provided in the print control means, Sending the print data And the corresponding notification information at the time of stoppage In an apparatus provided with the printing means or an apparatus provided with the printing control means Display. And Sending the print data Is stopped by the time measuring means, and when the value counted by the time measuring means exceeds a predetermined value, the print resuming means outputs the next print data that can be printed with the current setting. Sending the print data Is automatically restarted.
[0011]
In this way, in print data units Sending the print data Can be stopped and the notification information at the time of stopping can be displayed, so that printing can be paused to change the optimum operating environment for each print data, and the intention of the stop intended by the operator who requests printing is Since the information can be accurately transmitted to the maintenance person, a smooth printing operation can be performed. Further, by resuming printing according to the passage of time after the stop, it is possible to perform a printing operation that does not cause a significant delay in subsequent printing due to forgetting manual operation, absence of an operator, or the like.
[0012]
Furthermore, in the printing system according to claim 2, in the printing system according to claim 1, when printing is stopped by the print control unit, the restart information input unit Sending the print data If resumption information for instructing resumption is input, the printing control unit can immediately resume the stopped printing upon receiving the resumption information.
[0013]
In this way, by immediately restarting printing, it is possible to perform a printing operation with no excess or deficiency during the stop time.
[0014]
A printing system according to claim 3 is the printing system according to claim 2, Sending the print data Is resumed by the resume information input means Sending the print data Or the value measured by the time measuring means exceeds a predetermined value. Sending the print data Is notified to the data input means side.
[0015]
Thus, by the restart information input means Sending the seal data It is possible for the data input means to know whether it is a restart or an automatic restart.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which the print data to which the stop instruction information is attached by the notification information display means. Sending the print data When is complete, Send next print data Is stopped and the second stop notification information is displayed.
[0017]
As described above, since the operation is stopped after printing, the operating environment changed during the stop before printing can be returned to the previous condition related to printing of the print data. Printing work can be performed.
The printing system according to claim 5 is the printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the data input unit includes a network connection unit, and the printing control unit includes the data In the network connection part of the input means Over the network Has an interface to be connected.
Thus, the data input means and the print control means are connected via the network.
[0018]
In order to achieve this object, a recording medium on which the printing control program according to claim 6 is recorded is attached to a computer functioning as the data input means in association with the specific printing data. Sending the print data To a computer functioning as the print control means, and enabling to input stop instruction information for instructing to temporarily stop and stop notification information to be displayed when printing is stopped by the stop instruction information, When printing print data with stop instruction information Sending the print data And the corresponding stop-time notification information To an apparatus provided with a computer functioning as the printing means or an apparatus provided with a computer functioning as the print control means Function as a notification information display control means to display, Sending the print data Function as time counting means for measuring the time during which the time is stopped, and when the value measured by the time measuring means exceeds a predetermined value, the next print data that can be printed with the current settings Sending the print data A program that functions as a print restarting unit that automatically restarts to perform the process is recorded.
[0019]
In this way, in print data units Sending the print data Can be stopped and the notification information at the time of stopping can be displayed, so that printing can be paused to change the optimum operating environment for each print data, and the intention of the stop intended by the operator who requests printing is Since the information can be accurately transmitted to the maintenance person, a smooth printing operation can be performed. Further, by resuming printing according to the passage of time after the stop, it is possible to perform a printing operation that does not cause a significant delay in subsequent printing due to forgetting manual operation, absence of an operator, or the like.
[0020]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium according to the sixth aspect, wherein the recording medium according to the sixth aspect is controlled by a computer functioning as the print control means. Sending the print data While the computer is stopped, Sending the print data A computer that functions as resumption information input means capable of inputting resumption information for instructing resumption and that functions as the print control means receives resumption information input by the computer that functions as the resumption information input means And immediately stopped Send print data A program is recorded that functions to resume the process.
[0021]
In this way, by immediately restarting printing, it is possible to perform a printing operation with no excess or deficiency during the stop time.
[0022]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium according to the seventh aspect, in the recording medium according to the seventh aspect, the computer functioning as the print control unit Sending the print data Is resumed by the resume information input means Sending the print data Or the value measured by the time measuring means exceeds a predetermined value. Sending the print data A program for notifying the data input means whether it is automatic restart is recorded.
[0023]
Thus, by the restart information input means Sending the print data It is possible for the data input means to know whether it is a restart or an automatic restart.
[0024]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, wherein the print data to which the stop instruction information is attached is added to a computer functioning as the print control means. Sending the print data When is complete, Send next print data And a program for displaying the second stop time notification information is recorded.
[0025]
As described above, since the operation is stopped after printing, the operating environment changed during the stop before printing can be returned to the previous condition related to printing of the print data. Printing work can be performed.
According to the print control apparatus of claim 10, a data input device for inputting print data and control information defining contents to be printed, and a memory capable of storing a plurality of the input print data and control information Means, a printing apparatus for printing the print data, and the control information Send print data to the printing device A printing control apparatus for controlling a printing system, which is used in a printing system that sequentially prints a plurality of print data stored in the storage unit based on a predetermined rule. Each of the print data input by the data input device is associated with the specific print data, Sending the print data When printing the print data with stop instruction information that instructs to pause Sending the print data Stop notification information to be displayed when printing is stopped by the stop instruction information. In the printing device or the printing control device Notification information display control means for displaying; Sending the print data Time measuring means for measuring the time during which the time is stopped, and when the value measured by the time measuring means exceeds a predetermined value, the next print data that can be printed with the current settings Sending the print data Printing restarting means for automatically restarting so as to perform printing.
In this way, in print data units Sending the print data Can be stopped and the notification information at the time of stopping can be displayed, so that printing can be paused to change the optimum operating environment for each print data, and the intention of the stop intended by the operator who requests printing is Since the information can be accurately transmitted to the maintenance person, a smooth printing operation can be performed. Further, by resuming printing according to the passage of time after the stop, it is possible to perform a printing operation that does not cause a significant delay in subsequent printing due to forgetting manual operation, absence of an operator, or the like.
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, a plurality of computers as data generation devices are connected via a data converter as a data conversion device (more specifically, for example, a computer serving as a print server). In the network system connected to a printer as a printing apparatus, the present invention is applied to output control when each printer is used jointly by each computer.
[0027]
First, the configuration of the network system of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 1, the network system W according to the embodiment includes four computers 1 to 4, a data converter 6, a switch 5 that connects the computers 1 to 4 and the data converter 6, and a printer. 7.
[0029]
In this configuration, each of the computers 1 to 4 generates print data to be printed out by the printer 7 using editing software or the like provided therein. Here, the print data is expressed in a well-known page description language such as “Postscript” of Adobe, for example.
[0030]
In addition, the computers 1 to 4 stop as stop instruction information for instructing the data converter 6 and the printer 7 to temporarily stop the operation related to printing for the purpose of manual operation of the printer necessary for actual printing. A command is input in association with the target print data. In addition, a stop message as stop notification information describing the contents of a manual operation to be performed and the like displayed on the data converter 6 at the time of the stop is also received and similarly associated with the target print data. That is, it has a function as instruction information input means. These print data, stop command, and stop message are output to the switch 5 as a set of output data.
[0031]
Further, the computers 1 to 4 are one of the above-described instructions for resuming the printing process, and can input time-out information that specifies the time elapsed from the stop of the printing process to the resumption and the printing resumption time. The input time-out information is output to the switch 5.
[0032]
The switch 5 includes a buffer unit that temporarily stores output data from each of the computers 1 to 4, and outputs the output data to the data converter 6 in a time division manner for each computer.
[0033]
First, the data converter 6 sequentially stores output data transmitted from the computers 1 to 4 via the switch 5 in a buffer called a spool, which will be described later. By storing a plurality of output data in this spool, it is possible to receive a plurality of print requests at the same time sent from the computers 1 to 4 via the network. For example, the print data included in the output data is read from the spool in accordance with a predetermined rule such as the oldest order of the reception time of the output data. The data is expanded into print output data (hereinafter referred to as print bitmap data) to be printed out by the printer 7 and output to the printer 7.
[0034]
In addition, when the data converter 6 detects a stop command included in the output data described above, the data converter 6 has a function as a notification information display control unit that stops printing and displays a corresponding stop message.
[0035]
Further, the data converter 6 has a function as a restart information input means for inputting a restart command as restart information instructing to immediately restart printing when manual operation or the like is completed while printing is stopped. Then, when receiving the input of the restart command or detecting the elapse of the time designated by the above-described timeout information prior to the input, it is accompanied by a function as a print control means for restarting printing.
[0036]
Then, the printer 7 performs the corresponding print output based on the print bitmap data output from the data converter 6.
[0037]
Next, the detailed configuration of each component constituting the network system W will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0038]
First, the configuration and operation of the computers 1 to 4 will be described with reference to FIG. Since each of the computers 1 to 4 executes the same configuration and operation, the computer 1 will be described as a representative in the following description.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 2, the computer 1 reads a program stored in the ROM 13 and executes the program, an instruction information input unit including a keyboard and a mouse, an input unit 11 as a restart information input unit, a network A connection unit 12, a ROM 13 as a recording medium, a RAM 14, and a display 15 made of CRT or liquid crystal are connected by a bus 16.
[0040]
In the above configuration, when the data required for processing in the computer 1 is input, the input unit 11 outputs the data to the CPU 10 or the like via the bus 16. Specifically, as described above, a stop command as stop instruction information, a stop message as stop notification information, and input of timeout information are received. That is, it functions as instruction information input means.
[0041]
The network connection unit 12 is connected to the switch 5 and performs a so-called interface operation on the output data output from the computer 1.
[0042]
Further, the ROM 13 stores a control program for the entire computer 1. The program is read at a predetermined timing under the control of the CPU 10.
[0043]
The RAM 14 stores temporarily generated data necessary for processing in the CPU 10, editing software, and the like. The data and editing software are read and written at a predetermined timing under the control of the CPU 10.
[0044]
Further, the display 15 performs display necessary for processing in the CPU 10 such as display of the status of the computer 1 and the status of the printer 7, and display for inputting a stop command, a stop message, and timeout information to the operator.
[0045]
The CPU 10 creates a document / graphic using the editing software stored in the RAM 14, generates print data, accepts a stop command, a stop message, input of timeout information, etc., and connects output data to the network. While outputting via the part 12, each component which comprises the computer 1 is controlled.
[0046]
Next, the configuration and operation of the printer 7 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 7 includes a CPU 21, a network connection unit 22, a ROM 23, a RAM 24, and an output engine 25, which are connected via a bus 26.
[0048]
In this configuration, the CPU 21 controls each component constituting the printer 7 and prints out the print bitmap data.
[0049]
The network connection unit 22 is connected to the data converter 6 and performs an interface operation for print bitmap data to be printed out and input to the printer 7.
[0050]
The ROM 23 is a read-only memory that stores a control program for the entire printer 7. The program is read at a predetermined timing under the control of the CPU 21.
[0051]
The RAM 24 stores temporary data necessary for the control of the CPU 21. The data and the like are read and written at a predetermined timing under the control of the CPU 10.
[0052]
Furthermore, the output engine 25 includes a printing unit such as an ink jet method or an electrophotographic method, and performs print output processing of actual print bitmap data under the control of the CPU 21.
[0053]
Finally, the configuration and operation of the data converter 6 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 4, the data converter 6 includes an interface 32a and 32b, a print stop unit that reads out a program stored in the ROM 34, and executes each command included therein, a restart information input unit, and a print restart unit. A CPU 33 as a recording medium, a ROM 34 as a recording medium, a RAM 35, a bitmap data generation unit 36, a conversion data ROM 37, an input unit 38 as a restart information input means such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display 39 made of CRT or liquid crystal. Each of which is connected by a bus 40.
[0055]
Further, the bitmap data generation unit 36 incorporates a logical operation circuit including a CPU 36a, a ROM 36b, and a RAM 36c. The ROM 36b stores a program for generating print bitmap data.
[0056]
Further, the conversion data ROM 37 converts font data 37a corresponding to the character code included in the print data and individual command codes in the print data described in the page description language to draw a figure or the like. The rule data 37b is stored.
[0057]
In this configuration, the interface 32a is for data from each of the computers 1 to 4 via the switch 5, and the interface 32b is data necessary for print processing in the printer 7, such as generated print bitmap data. For each, interface processing is performed.
[0058]
Further, the CPU 33 receives the output data transmitted from the computers 1 to 4 by storing it in a spool in the RAM 35 (to be described later) according to the program stored in the ROM 34, and a plurality of output data stored in the spool. As a result, in accordance with a predetermined rule such as the one with the old reception time, the data are sequentially read out, and the printing process shown in the flowchart described later is performed, and the entire components of the data converter 6 are controlled.
[0059]
Further, the ROM 34 stores a program for controlling the entire data converter 6 (including a print processing program described later). The program is read at a predetermined timing under the control of the CPU 33.
[0060]
The RAM 35 is a spool (not shown) capable of storing a plurality of output data from the computers 1 to 4 input to the data converter 6, a page memory (not shown) for storing print bitmap data in units of pages, A working memory (not shown) that temporarily stores data necessary for processing in the CPU 33 is included.
[0061]
Further, the bitmap data generation unit 36 reads the output data from the spool in the RAM 35, converts the print data included therein into print bitmap data for printing out by the printer 7, and outputs it to the page memory of the RAM 35. To do. That is, the command code and the character code in the print data described in the page description language are read out, and the corresponding font data 37a or conversion rule data 37b is read out and stored in the page memory in the RAM 35. The figure corresponding to 1 and the character shape corresponding to the character code are stored in the bitmap format.
[0062]
Further, the input unit 38 functions as a restart information input unit that receives an input of the restart command as the above-mentioned immediate restart information for canceling the printing process, which will be described later.
[0063]
Further, the display 39 displays a stop message as the above-mentioned stop notification information while stopping a print process, which will be described later, and displays a prompt to input a restart command.
[0064]
Next, an embodiment of a printing process executed in the data converter 6 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.
[0065]
When the CPU 33 selects the oldest output data stored in the spooler in the RAM 35, the printing process is started.
[0066]
First, the above selected output data is read from the spooler in the RAM 35 (S51; S represents a step, the same applies hereinafter), and the print data included in the output data is printed by the bitmap data generation unit 36. Conversion into bitmap data (S52). Next, printing is stopped and restarted as necessary by the print stop process (S53). Details of this process will be described later. When the print stop process (S53) ends, the generated print bitmap data is transmitted to the printer 7, that is, the printer performs printing (S54). Finally, printing is stopped and restarted as necessary by the printing stop process again (S55).
[0067]
During the stop of the printing stop process of S53 described above, the printer 7 is manually changed to the printer 7 as necessary, and the printer 7 is changed and the ink / toner cartridge is changed, and the format is changed. Thus, printing under desired conditions can be performed smoothly.
[0068]
In addition, during the stop in the print stop process of S55 described above, the setting change made to the printer 7 in S53 is operated to return to the original state, so that smooth printing that does not hinder the subsequent printing is performed. It can be performed. It should be noted that when performing print processing for a print data group in which output data is special and settings must be frequently changed, the setting is assumed to be changed every time in the print stop processing in S53. A print process in which the print stop process of S55 is not performed at all is also conceivable.
[0069]
Next, the printing stop process described above will be described in detail with reference to the follow chart shown in FIG.
[0070]
First, it is determined whether there is a stop command in the output data read from the spool in the RAM 35 (S61). This stop command is input from the computers 1 to 4 through the input unit 11 as described above, and is transmitted from the computers 1 to 4 to the data converter 6 as part of output data. is there. If it is determined that there is a stop command (S61; YES), stop processing in S62 to S63 is performed. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no stop command (S62; NO), the processing is ended as it is, and the processing after S54 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is performed without stopping printing.
[0071]
In the following, processing when there is a stop command (S61; YES) will be described.
[0072]
First, a stop message is displayed on the display 39 (S62). As described above, this stop message is input from the computers 1 to 4 via the input unit 11 as in the case of the stop command, and the data converter as a part of the output data from the computers 1 to 4. 6 is transmitted. The stop message is a message issued by the host operator to the printer maintenance personnel. “Change the paper to high-quality paper”, “Change the paper to A0 size”, “Change the ink to fluorescent ink” Request "," Please clean the head ", etc., and the reason for stopping the printing process. When this message is displayed, the print stop process waits for a restart instruction, and the process is actually stopped (S63). There are two waiting resumption instructions, one is detection of a resumption command, and the other is timeout.
[0073]
The restart command is information input from the input unit 38 of the data converter 6 and is input by the printer maintenance person. In the present embodiment, a stop message is displayed on the display 39 as well as a prompt message for prompting it, and at the same time the restart command can be received. The printer maintenance person views the stop message, performs an operation such as changing the setting desired by the host operator, and then inputs a restart command. When the restart command is detected, the print process stop is canceled, and if the print stop process is downstream, for example, in S53, the process after S54 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is performed.
[0074]
Further, the time-out is that the time-out information input from the computers 1 to 4 via the input unit 11 is transmitted to the data converter 6 and refers to it and has elapsed since the printing process was stopped. When the time or time is specified by the time-out information, the print processing stop is automatically canceled and downstream processing is performed.
[0075]
Canceling the stop of S63, that is, resuming printing, by means of a resume command, tells the end of manual operation of the printer, etc., and immediately printing, and if it is timed out, forgetting manual operation of the printer, etc. In the case where the printer maintenance personnel is absent, it is possible to prevent a significant delay in the subsequent printing process (printing what is stored in the spool in the RAM 35).
[0076]
As described above, the intention of the operator of the computers 1 to 4 during the stop, that is, the operator who requested printing is displayed on the printer side (data converter 6) as a stop message. This makes it possible for the printer operator to check the contents at the actual manual operation, and even if the computer operator and the printer maintainer are different, this stop message enables smooth information transmission. As a result, a smooth printing operation is possible.
[0077]
As described above, when two or more print stop processes are included in the print process, the stop command input from the computers 1 to 4 via the input unit 11 is turned on / off for each stop timing. It can also be configured to be specifiable. In addition, a stop message can be input (or designated) at each stop timing. These are merely additions of data input from the input unit 11 of the computers 1 to 4 and output data.
[0078]
Further, as described above, when the print stop process is sandwiched before and after printing by the printer (S53 and S55 in FIG. 5), the designated stop message is displayed and printed at the stop before printing (S53 side). In the subsequent stop (S55 side), it is also possible to display a fixed message such as “Return to original” instead of individually specifying a stop message.
[0079]
In the print stop process, especially when the setting is not properly changed in the stop before printing (S53) and the print process is restarted due to time-up, the received output data is temporarily held and the current output data is suspended. It is preferable to control to select and receive the next-stage output data that can be printed by setting and to perform the printing process.
[0080]
Further, when the printing process is restarted, it is preferable to notify the computer on the host side whether it is restarting after an appropriate setting change or restarting due to time-up.
[0081]
In addition, from the computer 1 to 4 side, for example, it is possible to instruct to resume printing from the input unit 11.
[0082]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, the display 39 for displaying the stop message is provided in the data converter 6, but may be provided in the printer 7. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the data converter 6 and the printer 7 have been described as independent devices. However, in addition to this, the printer 7 itself can have the function as the data converter 6. It is.
[0083]
In the above-described embodiment, the time-out information is input from the computers 1 to 4. However, in addition to this, the time-out information is directly input from the data converter 6 side or a predetermined value is set in advance. Is also possible.
[0084]
Furthermore, the program relating to the operation of the above-described embodiment may be recorded on a flexible disk or the like as a recording medium, and may be stored and used in a hard disk device that constitutes a RAM in the computer as necessary.
[0085]
In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0086]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, in a printing operation under a network environment, a message regarding a stop for manual operation of the printing apparatus is displayed from the host side to the printing apparatus side, thereby enabling smooth operation. It is to provide a printing system capable of performing work. In particular, the stop / restart of print processing can be designated for each job, and the reason for stopping such as a request for changing the setting according to each job can be notified appropriately.
[0087]
That is, according to the printing system according to claim 1, To a device equipped with a printing means or a device equipped with a printing control means By displaying the stop notification information at the time of stop, the operator's intention to stop printing can be accurately transmitted to the printing apparatus side, so that a smooth printing operation can be performed. Further, by resuming printing according to the passage of time after the stop, it is possible to perform a printing operation that does not cause a significant delay in subsequent printing due to forgetting manual operation, absence of an operator, or the like.
[0088]
Further, according to the printing system of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the printing operation can be performed without any excess or shortage in the stop time by immediately restarting the printing.
[0089]
According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the effect of claim 2, the restart information input means Sending the print data It is possible for the data input means to know whether it is a restart or an automatic restart.
[0090]
According to the invention of claim 4, in addition to the effects of claims 1 to 3, in each job, Sending the print data By stopping before printing, manual operation related to the printing becomes possible. Sending the print data By stopping after this, it becomes possible to undo the change of the conditions made for printing the job, so that a smoother printing operation can be performed.
According to the printing system of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effects of the first to fourth aspects, the data input means and the print control means are connected via a network.
[0091]
According to a recording medium on which the printing control program according to claim 6 is recorded, To an apparatus provided with a computer functioning as a printing means or an apparatus provided with a computer functioning as a printing control means By displaying the stop notification information at the time of stop, the operator's request to stop printing can be accurately transmitted, so that a smooth printing operation can be performed. Further, by resuming printing according to the passage of time after the stop, it is possible to perform a printing operation that does not cause a significant delay in subsequent printing due to forgetting manual operation, absence of an operator, or the like.
[0092]
Further, according to the recording medium of the seventh aspect, in addition to the effect of the sixth aspect, it is possible to perform a printing operation without any excess or shortage in the stop time by immediately restarting the printing.
[0093]
Furthermore, according to the recording medium of claim 8, in addition to the effect of claim 7, the restart information input means Sending the print data It is possible for the data input means to know whether it is a restart or an automatic restart.
[0094]
Furthermore, according to the recording medium of the ninth aspect, in addition to the effects of the fifth to seventh aspects, the manual operation related to the printing can be performed by stopping before the printing, and after the printing. By stopping it, it becomes possible to undo the change of the condition by the manual operation related to the printing, so that a smoother printing operation can be performed.
[0095]
[0096]
According to the printing control apparatus of the tenth aspect, For printing device or printing control device By displaying the stop notification information at the time of stop, the operator's intention to stop printing can be accurately transmitted to the printing apparatus side, so that a smooth printing operation can be performed. Further, by resuming printing according to the passage of time after the stop, it is possible to perform a printing operation that does not cause a significant delay in subsequent printing due to forgetting manual operation, absence of an operator, or the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a data converter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a printing process in the data converter of the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a print stop process in the data converter according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 2, 3, 4 computer
5 change over device
6 Data converter
7 Printer
10, 21, 33 CPU
11, 38 Input section
12, 22 Network connection
13, 23, 34 ROM
14, 24, 35 RAM
15,39 display
16, 26, 40 buses
25 output engine
36 Bitmap data generator
37 Data conversion ROM

Claims (10)

Data input means for inputting print data and control information defining contents to be printed, storage means for storing a plurality of the input print data and control information, printing means for printing the print data, A printing control unit that controls transmission of print data to the printing unit based on control information, and sequentially prints a plurality of print data stored in the storage unit based on a predetermined rule.
The data input means is associated with each specific print data, and is displayed when stop instruction information for instructing to temporarily stop transmission of the print data and when printing is stopped by the stop instruction information. Provided with instruction information input means capable of inputting stop notification information,
When printing the print data to which the stop instruction information is attached, the print control means stops the transmission of the print data and sends the corresponding stop notification information to the apparatus including the print means or the print control Notification information display control means to be displayed on the apparatus provided with means, time measuring means for measuring the time when transmission of the print data is stopped, and when the value measured by the time measuring means exceeds a predetermined value, A printing system comprising: a print resuming unit that automatically resumes transmission of the print data to the next print data that can be printed by setting. Resumption information input means capable of inputting resumption information for instructing resumption of transmission of the print data when transmission of the print data is stopped by the print control means, and the print control means includes the resumption information 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system resumes the transmission of the print data that has been stopped immediately upon receiving the resume information input by the input unit. Said print control means when the transmission of the print data is resumed, the whether the resume information input means by the transmission of the print data resumption, due to the fact that value the time measuring means measures exceeds a predetermined value the The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the data input means side is notified of whether or not the transmission of print data is automatically resumed. When the transmission of the print data of the print data to which the stop instruction information is attached is completed, the notification information display means again stops transmission of the next print data and displays the second stop notification information. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: 5. The data input unit includes a network connection unit, and the print control unit includes an interface connected to the network connection unit of the data input unit via a network. The printing system according to any one of the above. Data input means for inputting print data and control information defining the contents to be printed, storage means for storing a plurality of the input print data and control information, and printing of the print data for a computer included in the system The printing unit and a print control unit that controls transmission of print data to the printing unit based on the control information, and a plurality of print data stored in a computer functioning as the storage unit In a recording medium on which a print control program for sequentially printing is recorded based on
Stop instruction information attached to the computer functioning as the data input means in association with each specific print data and instructing to temporarily stop transmission of the print data, and transmission of the print data by the stop instruction information Can be input when the stop stops and the notification information at the time of stoppage to be displayed, and
A computer that functions as the printing control means, and that stops transmission of the print data when printing the print data to which the stop instruction information is attached, and that functions the corresponding notification information at the time of the stop as the printing means. Or a notification information display control means for displaying on a device provided with a computer or a computer functioning as the print control means, and function as a time measuring means for measuring the time when transmission of the print data is stopped, A print control program that functions as a print resuming unit that automatically resumes transmission of the print data to the next print data that can be printed with the current setting when the value measured by the time measuring unit exceeds a predetermined value A recording medium on which is recorded. A program that causes a computer constituting a system to function as resumption information input means capable of inputting resumption information instructing resumption of transmission of the print data while suspension of transmission of the print data under the control of the computer functioning as the print control means Including, and
7. The computer functioning as the print control unit causes the computer to function so as to immediately resume transmission of the print data that has been stopped when resumption information input by the computer functioning as the resume information input unit is received. A recording medium on which the printing control program described above is recorded. When transmission of the print data is resumed to the computer functioning as the print control unit, whether the transmission of the print data is resumed by the resume information input unit, or the value measured by the timing unit exceeds a predetermined value The recording medium according to claim 7, wherein the print control program according to claim 7 is recorded so as to function to notify the data input means whether the transmission of the print data is automatically restarted. When the transmission of the print data of the print data to which the stop instruction information is attached is completed to the computer functioning as the print control means, the transmission of the next print data is again stopped and a second stop notification is issued. 9. A recording medium on which the print control program according to claim 6 for recording information is recorded. A data input device for inputting print data and control information defining the contents to be printed; a storage means capable of storing a plurality of the inputted print data and control information; a printing device for printing the print data; A printing control apparatus that controls transmission of print data to the printing apparatus based on control information, and is used in a printing system that sequentially prints a plurality of print data stored in the storage unit based on a predetermined rule A printing control device,
The print control device is a print data input by the data input device, attached in association with the specific print data, and with stop instruction information for instructing to temporarily stop transmission of the print data Notification information display control means for causing the printing apparatus or the print control apparatus to display stop-time notification information that is displayed when printing is stopped by the stop instruction information while stopping transmission of the print data when printing a counting means for counting the time the transmission of the print data is stopped, when a value in which the time measuring means measures exceeds a predetermined value, the relative next print data printable by the current setting A print control apparatus for use in a printing system, comprising: a print resumption unit that automatically resumes transmission of print data .

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