JPH064233A - Printer control method and control system thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically select an optimum printer driver by specifying the switching of a printer driver according to printer control language data and establishing and setting the driver environment of a host computer. CONSTITUTION:When the system consisting of a host computer 100 and a printer 1500 connected by a two-way interface 13 can use drivers for plural printer control languages, the CPU 1 of the host computer 100 obtain information regarding the printer control language from the ROM 15 of the printer 1500. According to information in a work area in the RAM in the host computer 100, the consistency between the printer driver and the control language system of the printer is checked and when the consistency is not obtained, the driver is switched to a printer driver matching the obtained information to obtain the consistency. Consequently, a user need not select and set any printer driver and printing operation by the proper printer driver is performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer system including a printer connected to a host computer through a bidirectional interface, and a printer control method and a control system for controlling the environment setting of the printer by the host computer. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a recording apparatus or recording system capable of executing this type of processing is constructed from a printer connected to a host computer via an interface (for example, Centronics interface), and is input from the host computer. The output information is analyzed, bit map data is expanded as output data of a printer engine, for example, a laser beam printer, and a laser beam modulated based on the expanded data is scanned and exposed on a photosensitive drum to record an image. It is configured.

Further, when the printer has an emulation function, it is configured to be able to process a plurality of printer control language systems, and executes print processing while switching between the emulation mode and the native mode according to the application executed by the user. The printer is provided with a switch for switching the control language of the printer and a card slot for issuing a switching instruction in advance.

[0004]

However, since there is no function to check the consistency of the language environment set in the printer before the printing process, the language environment set in the printer and the application set it. If the language environment is different and print data is transferred to the printer to start the print processing, an unexpected result may be printed.

In this way, under the print system environment in which the printer control language is selectively used in the printer control system (under the environment in which a plurality of print drivers can be selectively executed)
In, since the printer control language to be used will be determined depending on the hardware environment setting by the user,
When the printer control language environment specified by the host computer and the printer is inconsistent, there is no remedy for ensuring the consistency, so printing failure occurs, and the position where the printer is installed is changed from the host computer. When print data with a large number of pages is processed at a distant position, the state cannot be easily detected, resulting in waste of printing and waste of paper resources. Occurs.

Further, when the memory environment is released when switching the language environment as described above, the printer setting contents (form, external character,
Since each memory setting of RAM) is rewritten and lost, even if the environment is switched to the same language again, the information such as the above forms and external characters cannot be reproduced, and the memory map of RAM is also normally reproduced. Printing is not performed, and it is no longer possible to guarantee printing in the environmental state before switching.

On the other hand, if the memory environment is controlled so as to maintain the state before the environment switching, the memory space that can be used after the switching is considerably limited, so that the recording processing efficiency in the environment after the switching is significantly reduced. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and determines the consistency of the environment setting states of the host computer and the printer, and makes a printer driver compatible with the printer control language data on the printer side. Is automatically selected on the host computer side, and a printer control method and a control system thereof capable of matching the printer environments of a communicatively connected printer and the host computer are provided. By monitoring the environment switching status and registering and managing the printer environment information that is set in the printer memory so that it can be reset, the host computer can manage the printer environment once set for each language to the printer. Printer control method that can be managed and set with good reproducibility And to provide a prime mover control system.

[0009]

A first printer control method according to the present invention obtains printer control language data stored in a memory of a printer connected to a host computer through a bidirectional interface, The printer driver switching is designated based on the printer control language data, and the host computer printer driver environment is consistently set according to the switching designation.

A first printer control system according to the present invention is a printer control system including a printer connected to a host computer via a bidirectional interface, and is connected to the host computer via a bidirectional interface. First obtaining means for obtaining printer control language data stored in the memory of the printer, and designating means for analyzing the printer control language data obtained by the first obtaining means and designating switching of the printer driver; According to the switching designation by this designating means,
And environment setting means for setting the printer driver environment of the host computer in conformity.

A second printer control method according to the present invention is
The first printer environment data stored in the memory of the printer connected to the host computer via the bidirectional interface is acquired based on the printer environment switching state, and the first printer environment data is stored inside the host computer. It is registered as a file, and after this registration is completed, the second printer environment data corresponding to the second printer environment is set in the memory and registered in the internal file based on the print processing completion status corresponding to the second printer environment. The set first printer environment data is reset and set in the memory.

Further, the switching of the printer environment occurs along with the switching of the printer control language system.

A second printer control system according to the present invention includes a second acquisition means for acquiring the first printer environment data stored in the memory of the printer based on the printer environment switching state, and the second acquisition means. Registration means for registering the first printer environment data acquired by the acquisition means as an internal file of the host computer, and after completion of data registration by the registration means, the second printer environment data corresponding to the second printer environment is stored. And environment setting control means for resetting the first printer environment data registered in the internal file to the memory based on the print processing end state corresponding to the second printer environment. It is a thing.

[0014]

In the first printer control method of the present invention,
The printer control language data stored in the memory of the printer connected to the host computer through the bidirectional interface is acquired, the printer driver switching is designated based on this printer control language data, and the host is operated according to this switching designation. By matching the printer driver environment of the computer, even if the printer environment connected to the communicable printer does not match the printer environment of the host computer, the matching printer environment is set and the optimum printer driver is automatically selected. It is possible to do.

In the first printer control system of the present invention, the printer control language data stored in the memory of the printer in which the first acquisition means is connected to the host computer via the bidirectional interface at a predetermined timing. When the printer control language data obtained by the specifying means is analyzed, the printer control language data is analyzed and the printer driver switching is designated, and the environment setting means sets the printer driver environment of the host computer according to the switching designation to establish a communicable connection. Even if the printer environments of the registered printer and the host computer do not match, the matching printer environment can be automatically set.

In the second printer control method of the present invention, the first printer stored in the memory of the printer connected to the host computer via the bidirectional interface.
Printer environment data of the second printer environment corresponding to the second printer environment after registering the first printer environment data as an internal file of the host computer. By setting the data in the memory of the printer and resetting the first printer environment data registered in the internal file to the memory of the printer based on the print processing end state corresponding to the second printer environment, the printer environment It is possible to reliably reproduce the setting state of the memory for each environment due to the switching.

Further, since the switching of the printer environment occurs with the switching of the printer control language system,
It is possible to reliably reproduce the memory setting state for each environment accompanying the switching of the printer control language system.

In the second printer control system according to the present invention, the second printer control system is based on the printer environment switching state.
When the acquisition means acquires the first printer environment data stored in the memory, the registration means registers the acquired first printer environment data as an internal file of the host computer, and after the data registration by the registration means is completed,
The second environment setting control means corresponds to the second printer environment.
By setting the printer environment data of the first printer environment data in the memory, and resetting the first printer environment data registered in the internal file to the memory based on the print processing end state corresponding to the second printer environment. Even if the printer environment is frequently switched, it is possible to restore and set the data content of the memory for each environment with good reproducibility.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before describing the configuration of this embodiment, the configurations of a laser beam printer and an inkjet printer suitable for applying this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Needless to say, the printer to which the present embodiment is applied is not limited to the laser beam printer and the inkjet printer, and may be a printer of another printing method.

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

In the figure, reference numeral 1500 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores print information (character codes, etc.), form information, macro commands, etc. supplied from an externally connected host computer. A corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created in accordance with the above, and an image is formed on a recording paper, which is a recording medium.
Reference numeral 1501 is an operation panel on which switches for operation and LED indicators are arranged, and 1000 is an LBP main body 15
00 is a printer control unit for controlling the whole and analyzing character information and the like supplied from the host computer.
The printer control unit 1000 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs it to the laser driver 1502. The laser driver 1502 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1503, and turns on / off the laser light 1504 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1503 in accordance with the input video signal. The laser light 1504 is oscillated in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 1505 to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 1506. As a result, an electrostatic latent image having a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1506. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1507 arranged around the electrostatic drum 1506 and then transferred to a recording paper. A cut sheet is used as the recording sheet, and the cut sheet recording sheet is LBP15.
The paper is stored in a paper cassette 1508 mounted on paper No. 00, is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 1509, a conveyance roller 1510, and a conveyance roller 1511, and is supplied to the electrostatic drum 1506. Further, the LBP main body 1500 is provided with at least one or more card slots (not shown) so that an option card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language can be connected in addition to the built-in font.

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

In the figure, a spiral groove 5004 of a lead screw 5005 that rotates via driving force transmission gears 5011 and 5009 in association with forward and reverse rotations of a drive motor 5013.
The carriage HC that engages with is a pin (not shown)
And is reciprocated in the directions of arrows a and b. An inkjet cartridge IJC is mounted on the carriage HC. A paper pressing plate 5002 presses the paper against the platen 5000 in the carriage movement direction. Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote photocouplers, which function as home position detection means for confirming the presence of the carriage lever 5006 in this area and switching the rotation direction of the motor 5013. Reference numeral 5016 is a member that indicates a cap member 5022 that caps the entire surface of the recording head, and 5015 is a suction unit that sucks the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the recording head through the opening 5023 in the cap. 5017 is a cleaning blade, which is a member 5
019 enables movement in the front-back direction. Reference numeral 5018 denotes a main body support plate that supports the above 5017 and 5019. Fifty
Reference numeral 12 is a lever for starting suction for suction recovery, which moves with the movement of the cam 5020 that engages with the carriage, and the driving force from the driving motor is movement-controlled by a known transmission means such as clutch switching. .

The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured such that when the carriage comes to the home position side area, desired processing can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005. It suffices if it is configured so as to perform the desired operation.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the control arrangement of the second recording apparatus shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 1700 is an interface for inputting a recording signal, 1701 is an MPU, 1702 is a program ROM for storing a control program executed by the MPU 1701, and 1703 is a DRAM for supplying various data (the above-mentioned recording signal and head are supplied. Save the recorded data etc.). A gate array 1704 controls supply of print data to the print head 1708, and also controls data transfer between the interface 1700, the MPU 1701, and the DRAM 1703. Reference numeral 1710 is a carrier motor for conveying the recording head 1708, 1709 is a conveyance motor for conveying recording paper, 1705 is a head driver for driving the recording head, 1706 is a motor driver for driving the conveyance motor 1709, and 1707 is A motor driver for driving the carrier motor 1710.

In each of the recording devices thus configured, when a recording signal is input from the host computer via the interface 1700, the gate array 1704
And the MPU 1701 convert a print signal into print data for printing. Then, the motor driver 170
6, 1707 are driven, and the head driver 1
The print head is driven according to the print data sent to 705, and printing is executed.

The MPU 1701 is an interface 1
A printer capable of performing communication processing with a host computer via 700, configured to be able to notify the host computer 100 of memory information and resource data regarding the DRAM 1703, and further connected to the host computer 100 (described later) The printer environment is automatically determined by communicating with the printer and the printer environments that match each other are automatically set.

Further, the data set in the printer memory is transferred to the host computer 100 as a temporary registration file in accordance with the printer control language switching,
After the printer processing is completed after switching the printer control language, the temporary registration file is transferred back to the printer and resettable in order to restart the printer environment of the printer. [First Embodiment] FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a printer control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, a laser beam printer (FIG. 1) will be described as an example. As long as the functions of the present invention are executed, the present invention can be applied to a single device, a system including a plurality of devices, or a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. It goes without saying that the invention can be applied.

In the figure, reference numeral 100 is a host computer, which is provided with a CPU 1 for executing document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program stored in ROM 2. It controls each device connected to the system device 4 as a whole.

Further, this ROM 2 is stored in FIG. 6 and FIG.
The control program of the CPU 1 shown in the flowchart of FIG. A RAM 3 functions as a main memory and a work area of the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls key input from the keyboard 9. 6 is a CRT controller (CRTC), which is a CRT
The display of the display (CRT) 10 is controlled. 7 is a disk controller (DKC), which is a boot program,
Hard disk (H that stores various applications, font data, user files, edit files, etc.
D) 11 and floppy disk (FD) 12 access control. 8 is a printer controller (PRTC)
With a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface)
It is connected to the printer 1500 via 13 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1500. Interface circuits 8a and 18a control various command communication processes and print information processing between the printer 1500 and the host computer 100 via the interface 13.

The CPU 1 executes the rasterizing process of the outline font on the display information RAM set on the RAM 3, for example, and the W on the CRT 10 is executed.
It enables YSIWYG. Further, the CPU 1 is C
Various windows registered based on commands designated by the mouse cursor or the like on the RT 10 are opened, and various data processes are executed.

In the printer 1500, 14 is a printer CPU, which comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 17 based on a control program stored in the ROM 15 and the like, and through a printing unit interface 19. Connected printing unit (printer engine)
An image signal (VDO) as print data is output to 20. Further, the CPU 14 can perform communication processing with the host computer via the input unit 18, and the RAM
The memory information, resource data, etc. regarding 16 can be notified to the host computer 100. Reference numeral 16 denotes a RAM, which is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown).

Further, at least one card slot (not shown) is provided so that an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language system can be connected in addition to the built-in font. Further, the operation panel 150 has an NVRAM (not shown).
The printer mode setting information from 1 is stored.

In the printer control system thus configured, the memory (ROM1) of the printer 1500 in which the acquisition means (CPU1) is connected to the host computer via the bidirectional interface 13 at a predetermined timing.
When the printer control language data stored in 5) is acquired, the specifying unit (CPU1) analyzes the acquired printer control language data to specify the switching of the printer driver, and the environment setting unit (CPU1) according to the switching specification.
Sets the printer driver environment of the host computer 100 so as to automatically set the matching printer environment even if the printer environment connected between the communicatively connected printer and the host computer does not match.

Specifically, the bidirectional interface 1
Host computer 100 and printer 1 connected by 3
In the system 500, when a driver for a plurality of printer control language systems (corresponding to various printers) can be used, the CPU 1 of the host computer 100 prints information related to the printer control language (identification information identifying the printer control language) It is acquired from the ROM 15 of 1500, and the consistency between the printer driver and the control language system of the printer is checked based on the above information in the work area of the RAM 3 in the host computer 100. If no match is found, the acquired information is matched. Switch to the printer driver that you want to use for consistency. As a result, the user can print with an appropriate printer driver without making a selection setting for the printer driver. Note that the timing for acquiring the information related to the printer control language is
This is when the system is started up (when the power is turned on) or when printing is started.

Hereinafter, the printer environment matching setting processing operation in the printer control system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the printer environment matching setting between the host computer 100 and the printer 1500 shown in FIG. 4, and the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, 11a is a printer driver file which stores various printer drivers PRD1 to PRDN corresponding to drivable printer control languages, and is registered in the hard disk 11, for example.
Then, the printer driver PRD1 to PRDN can be appropriately switched based on the information about the printer control language acquired from the printer to execute the print processing.

Reference numeral 16a denotes, for example, a first language environment data section, which includes form (ruled line data) data, external character data, and RA.
The RAM data is composed of M data and the like, and the RAM data contains information relating to the current printer control language (eg PRCL1).
Is set. Reference numeral 1501 denotes an operation panel, which is provided with keys for setting various modes, keys for error recovery, and the like. S is a card slot for the printer 1
It is assumed that the control card C that is connected when the emulation 500 is activated is mounted, and when this control card C is mounted, "PRCL1" is set in the RAM data.

However, when a plurality of emulation control information is stored in advance, for example, the operation panel 1
According to the selection instruction from 501, the corresponding printer control language information is set in the RAM data.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of a printer environment matching setting processing procedure showing the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that S601 to S605 indicate each step.

First, in step S601, the CPU 1 gives a command to the printer 100 as a printer control language information acquisition request as inquiry information for confirming the type of control language. Here, the instruction of the acquisition request is performed, for example, when the system is started up (for example, when the power is turned on) or when a print start command is issued. In response to this instruction, in step S602, the host computer 100
The CPU 1 acquires the printer control language information from the ROM 15 of the printer 1500, and in step S603, acquires whether the printer driver currently selected by the host computer 100 matches the control language currently set in the printer 1500. The printer control language information and the corresponding information of the plurality of printer drivers stored in the ROM 2 in the host computer 100 (identification information identifying the corresponding printer control language, etc.) are referred to in the work area on the RAM 3 for determination.

In step S603, if the control language of the printer 1500 and the printer driver of the host computer 100 match, the matching process ends, while if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S604.

In step S604, a printer driver matching the control language of the printer is searched for. If a matching printer driver exists, the process proceeds to step S605, and if not, the process ends.

In step S605, the printer driver switching is designated based on the acquired printer control language information, the printer driver environment of the host is consistently set according to the switching designation, and the process is terminated.

As described above, the host computer 100
The printer control language data (printer control language information) stored in the memory (ROM 15 in this embodiment) of the printer 1500 connected to the printer control language data (printer control language data) is acquired. By specifying the printer driver switching based on the (Language information), and setting the printer driver environment of the host according to this switching specification, the printer environment of the communicably connected printer and the printer environment of the host computer do not match. Also, it is possible to set a matching printer environment and automatically select an optimum printer driver.

Although the case where the host computer 100 automatically determines the matching of the printer environments has been described, the printer is detected by detecting the control language switching instruction from the operation panel 1501 of the printer 1500 or the attachment / detachment state of the control card C. The environment matching process may be automatically started.

Further, when searching for a combination in which the printer driver and the printer control language match, priority may be given to a plurality of printer drivers in the host computer 100. Further, in the printer control system of the above embodiment, the laser beam printer 1500 is used for description, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the inkjet printers shown in FIGS.

In the above embodiment, the case where the printer environments of the printer 1500 and the host computer 100 are matched and set has been described, but in order to effectively use the memory (RAM 16) of the printer 1500 for each printer control language, It is desirable to release all the memory (RAM 16) of the printer 1500 each time the language is switched, but the contents already registered will be lost with the release, so that the memory can be effectively used and already registered. It is necessary to control so that the contents of the existing memory are set with good reproducibility. Therefore, the above processing operation will be described based on the following second embodiment. [Second Embodiment] In the block diagram for explaining the configuration of the printer control system shown in FIG. 4, the first acquisition means (CPU1) is stored in the RAM 16 of the printer 1500 based on the printer environment switching state. When the printer environment data is acquired, the registration means (by the functional processing of the CPU 1) registers the acquired first printer environment data as an internal file of the host computer 100, for example, on the hard disk 11, and after the data registration by this registration means is completed. The environment setting control means (due to the communication control function with the CPUs 1 and 14) sets the second printer environment data corresponding to the second printer environment in the RAM 16 and ends the print processing corresponding to the second printer environment. First printer registered in the internal file based on status By recursive set the boundary data in the RAM 16, and allows the printer environment switching is also set reproducibly restored printer environment data contents for each environment RAM 16 and frequently.

Specifically, the bidirectional interface 1
Host computer 100 and printer 1 connected by 3
In the system 500, when a plurality of printer control language systems can be used, when the command mode is switched from the first printer environment (first language system) to the second printer environment (second language system), the first 1500 printer environment data (registration form data, external character data, etc.)
From the RAM 16 to the host computer 100,
Files are stored on the hard disk 11, for example, on the host computer side. The printer 1500 is RA
Release the first printer environment data storage area of M16,
When the print processing corresponding to the second printer environment is performed and then the command mode is returned from the second printer environment to the first printer environment, the first printer environment data saved in the host computer 100 is transferred to the printer 15.
00 to reset the printer 1500 to the state before the switching to the second printer environment, and at the time of print processing for the second printer environment, the printer memory (RA
The resources of M6) are effectively used, and further, the printer environment data in the RAM 16 can be automatically returned to the state before the processing after the completion of all the print processing.

The printer memory resource release processing operation associated with the environment switching in the printer control system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining the environment setting switching process between the host computer 100 and the printer 1500 shown in FIG. 4, and the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 16a denotes, for example, a first language environment data storage area, which stores form (ruled line data) data, external character data, and printer-specific setting items.
It is composed of AM data and the like. Reference numeral 16b is a recording data expansion area for storing bitmap data at the time of printing processing and used as a work area or the like. Further, there is an NVRAM that stores printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1501 described later.

The operation panel 1501 is provided with keys for setting various modes and keys for error recovery.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a memory map of the RAM 16 shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the environment setting switching processing procedure showing the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that S901 to S906 indicate each step.

First, in step S901, the CPU 1 determines whether or not an instruction to change the printer settings is given by operating the keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). If NO in step S901, the flow advances to step S903 to perform normal print processing.

On the other hand, if YES, C in step S902.
The PU 1 instructs the CPU 14 to send the contents (for example, the first printer environment data) of the printer environment data storage area 16a of the RAM 16 to the host computer 100.

In response to this, in step S902, the CPU 14 of the printer 1500 reads the contents of the printer environment data storage area 16a, and obtains the set value (for example, the first printer environment data) before the change from the host computer 100.
And store it in an internal file. Then, in step S903, after the printer environment data storage area 16a is released so that the printer environment (second printer environment) after the environment switching can effectively use the memory (RAM 16) to the maximum extent, the recording is performed by a known communication process. Print processing such as receiving information and performing bitmap expansion is executed. In this way, when the print job dependent on the printer environment after the environment switching is completed in step S904, whether the CPU 1 has registered the setting information (for example, the first printer environment data) of the printer 1500 as an internal file in step S905. Determine whether Step S9
If NO in 05, the process ends; if YES, the registration file is read out in step S906, and the printer 1
The data is transferred to the CPU 14 of 500, the printer environment data storage area 16a of the RAM 16 is reset, the contents of the RAM 16 are reproduced and set to the state before the environment switching (the first printer environment), and the process ends.

As described above, the first printer environment data stored in the memory (RAM 16) of the printer 1500 connected to the host computer 100 via the bidirectional interface 13 is obtained based on the printer environment switching state. The first printer environment data is registered as an internal file of the host computer 100, and after the registration is completed, the second printer environment data corresponding to the second printer environment is set in the memory of the printer, and the second printer environment data is set.
By resetting the first printer environment data registered in the internal file to the memory of the printer based on the print processing end state corresponding to the printer environment of
It is possible to reliably reproduce the setting state of the memory for each environment when the printer environment is switched.

Further, since the switching of the printer environment occurs along with the switching of the printer control language system,
It is possible to reliably reproduce the memory setting state for each environment accompanying the switching of the printer control language system.

In the above embodiment, when a request for switching the printer control language is made from the keyboard 9 of the host computer 100, the printer environment data of the printer 1500 is read to the host computer 100 and registered as a temporary file. I explained,
As shown in FIG. 10, the operation panel 15 of the printer 1500
In response to a switching instruction from 01, the current printer environment is transferred to the host computer 100, and the RAM 3
The individual registration files 3-1 to 3-3 are registered on the hard disk 11 or on the hard disk 11, and according to the registration file call from the printer 1500, the individual registration files 3-1 to 3-3 are registered in the order of the earliest registration. To the printer environment data storage area 16a of the RAM 16
It may be configured to reproduce.

In the above embodiment, the case where the printer setting change condition is the occurrence of the printer control language system switching occurrence on the single host computer 100 has been described, but a plurality of host computers and printers are used. The present invention can be applied even when the system is shared by. Further, as described above, the instruction from the operation panel 1501 by the user may be used as the switching condition, and a plurality of environment mode setting files by the same language and the same user are enabled and the instruction for calling the desired environment mode setting file is switched. As a condition, the above R
The configuration may be such that desired printer setting information is reproduced in the printer environment data storage area 16a of the AM 16. In the printer control system of the above embodiment, the laser beam printer 1500 is used for description, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the inkjet printers shown in FIGS.

[0065]

As described above, according to the first printer control method of the present invention, the printer control language data stored in the memory of the printer connected to the host computer through the bidirectional interface is acquired. Then
The printer driver switching is designated based on the printer control language data, and the printer driver environment of the host computer is configured to be matched according to the switching designation. Even if the environments do not match, it is possible to set a matching printer environment and automatically select the optimum printer driver.

In the first printer control system of the present invention, the printer control language data stored in the memory of the printer in which the first acquisition means is connected to the host computer through the bidirectional interface at a predetermined timing. When the printer control language data obtained by the specifying means is analyzed, the printer control language data acquired by the specifying means is designated, and the printer driver switching is designated, and the environment setting means is configured to match the printer driver environment of the host computer according to the switching designation. Even if the printer environment of the connected printer and the host computer is inconsistent,
A matching printer environment can be set automatically.

In the second printer control method according to the present invention, the first printer environment data stored in the memory of the printer connected to the host computer through the bidirectional interface is based on the printer environment switching state. And register the first printer environment data as an internal file of the host computer, and after the registration, set the second printer environment data corresponding to the second printer environment in the printer memory, Since the first printer environment data registered in the internal file is set again in the memory of the printer based on the print processing end state corresponding to the printer environment of The setting state of can be reliably reproduced.

Further, since the printer environment switching is configured to occur with the printer control language system switching, the printer memory setting state for each environment accompanying the printer control language system switching is reliably reproduced. can do.

In the second printer control system according to the present invention, the second printer control system is based on the printer environment switching state.
When the acquisition means acquires the first printer environment data stored in the memory of the printer, the registration means registers the acquired first printer environment data as an internal file of the host computer, and the registration means ends the data registration. After that, the environment setting control means sets the second printer environment data corresponding to the second printer environment in the memory and is registered in the internal file based on the print processing end state corresponding to the second printer environment. Since the first printer environment data that is present is set again in the memory, it is possible to restore and set the data content of the printer memory for each environment with good reproducibility even if the printer environment switching frequently occurs.

Therefore, even if the host computer can be connected to various printers having different control language systems and the printer environments of the communicatively connected printer and the host computer are inconsistent, a matching printer environment is created. Since automatic setting is possible, even if the operator makes a mistake in printer environment setting, it is possible to obtain a normal print result without a recording error. In addition, since printer setting information that depends on a desired printer environment that resides in a finite memory can be reconfigurablely managed, the printer memory allocated to the printer control language system after the printer environment is switched. This has the effect of maximizing the area and realizing print processing with high processing efficiency.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a first recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

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

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a second recording apparatus illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an environment setting switching process between the host computer and the printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an environment setting switching processing procedure showing an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a block diagram illustrating an environment setting switching process between the host computer and the printer illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a memory map of the RAM shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of an environment setting switching processing procedure showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating another environment setting switching process between the host computer and the printer shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 ROM 3 RAM 14 CPU 15 ROM 16 RAM 100 Host computer 1500 Printer

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Yoshifumi Okamoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Toshiya Mitsuhashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Incorporated (72) Inventor Satoshi Nagata 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Maki Ushii 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Takanori Nishijima 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A printer control language data stored in a memory of a printer connected to a host computer through a bidirectional interface is acquired, and switching of a printer driver is designated based on the printer control language data. A printer control method characterized in that the printer driver environment of a host computer is set consistently in accordance with the switching designation. 2. A printer control system comprising a printer connected to a host computer via a bidirectional interface, wherein the printer control stored in the memory of the printer connected to the host computer via the bidirectional interface. First to obtain language data
Acquisition means, specification means for analyzing the printer control language data acquired by the first acquisition means, and specifying the switching of the printer driver, and the printer driver environment of the host computer is consistently set according to the switching specification by the specification means. A printer control system, comprising: 3. The first printer environment data stored in the memory of the printer connected to the host computer via the bidirectional interface is acquired based on the printer environment switching state, and the first printer environment data is acquired. As an internal file on the host computer,
After this registration is completed, the second printer environment corresponding to the second printer environment is
The printer environment data of No. 1 is set in the memory, and the first printer environment data registered in the internal file is restarted in the memory based on the print processing end state corresponding to the second printer environment. Printer control method. 4. The printer control method according to claim 3, wherein the switching of the printer environment occurs in accordance with the switching of the printer control language system. 5. A printer control system comprising a printer connected to a host computer via a bidirectional interface, wherein first printer environment data stored in a memory is acquired based on a printer environment switching state. 2 acquisition means, registration means for registering the first printer environment data acquired by the second acquisition means as an internal file of the host computer, and after completion of data registration by the registration means, a second printer environment is set. The corresponding second printer environment data is set in the memory, and the first printer environment data registered in the internal file is restarted in the memory based on the print processing end state corresponding to the second printer environment. A printer control system characterized by comprising an environment setting control means for setting. Tem.