JP3209910B2 - Print control device and print control method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a print control device and a print control method for processing print data in page units generated based on print information from a host computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing apparatus provided with this type of printing control apparatus, there are registered data such as font data, macro data, and overlay, and they are classified into those used temporarily and those used permanently. Registration with the printing device. Then, the registration data can be inserted into the print data or transmitted to the printing apparatus separately from the print data.

[0003] Further, when an image development area is changed on a display panel in the printing apparatus in order to develop print data from the printing apparatus, the registered data may be deleted.

[0004]

However, the storage area in the printing apparatus is limited. If the number and amount of registered data are large, the storage area in the printing apparatus is squeezed and image data is generated from the print data. In the stage where the image data is expanded at the specified resolution, the area required to expand the image data is insufficient, and the image data must be expanded at a lower resolution, so that a printed matter cannot be obtained at the desired resolution. There was a point.

In order to expand print data from a printing apparatus, when a change of an image data expansion area is instructed on a display panel in the printing apparatus and the registered data that has already been registered is deleted, the host computer is informed of the fact. However, there is no problem in that the user cannot know which registered data has been deleted at all because the external device and the display panel in the printing device are not notified.

Further, in recent years, the printing resolution of a printing apparatus in an electrophotographic process has been increased, and the printing quality has been significantly improved. However, when developing high-resolution image data with the conventional configuration, there is a problem in that data processing that maximizes the functions of the printing apparatus cannot be performed in a limited memory area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a buffer area for storing print data in units of pages generated based on print information from a host computer. If the registration data is insufficient, it is determined whether the registration data stored in the registration data buffer area storing the registration data sent from the host computer can be deleted, and the registration data stored in the registration data buffer area is determined. When it is determined that the registration data can be deleted, the registration data stored in the registration data buffer area is deleted, and when it is determined that the registration data stored in the registration data buffer area cannot be deleted, the resolution is determined. By performing the conversion process, it is possible to prevent the registered data registered in the registered data buffer area from being randomly deleted. And while, to provide a print control apparatus and printing control method capable of reliably processing the print information received by the finite memory resources.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a buffer area for storing print data generated based on print information from a host computer, and a registration area for storing registration data sent from the host computer. A memory having a data buffer area, and a determining means for determining whether the registered data stored in the registered data buffer area can be deleted when the capacity of the buffer area is insufficient, and the determining means When it is determined that the registration data stored in the registration data buffer area can be deleted, the registration data stored in the registration data buffer area is deleted, and the registration data is stored in the registration data buffer area by the determination unit. Processing means for performing a resolution conversion process when it is determined that the registered data cannot be deleted. That.

A second invention according to the present invention has an image buffer memory for storing a dot pattern converted based on the print data.

A third invention according to the present invention has a printing means for performing printing based on the dot pattern in the image buffer memory.

In a fourth aspect according to the present invention, the determination means determines in accordance with the contents of a deletion flag of the registration data.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the registration data includes form data.

In a sixth aspect according to the present invention, the registration data includes font data.

[0014] In a seventh aspect of the present invention, the processing means, if the determination means determines that the registration data stored in the memory can be deleted, the registration data stored in the registration memory. It deletes the data and notifies the host computer of the deleted registered data name.

In an eighth invention according to the present invention, when the processing means determines that the registration data stored in the registration memory can be deleted by the determination means, the processing means stores the registration data in the registration memory. The registered data is deleted, and the name of the deleted registered data is displayed on the operation panel.

A ninth invention according to the present invention has a buffer area for storing print data generated based on print information from a host computer and a registration data buffer area for storing registration data sent from the host computer. A print control method using a memory, wherein, when the capacity of the buffer is insufficient, a determination step of determining whether registration data stored in the registration data buffer area can be deleted; and the determination step When it is determined that the registered data stored in the registered data buffer area can be deleted, the registered data stored in the registered data buffer area is deleted, and stored in the registered data buffer area by the determining step. When it is determined that it is not possible to delete the registered data, the resolution conversion process is performed. Those having a step.

[0017]

[0018]

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[0023]

[0024]

[0025]

[0026]

[0027]

[0028]

[0029]

[0030]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a printing system to which a printing control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. The printing system includes a printing control unit for controlling a printer engine unit. The information processing apparatus is connected to a device (including an input buffer memory 102, a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, and a printer I / F unit 108, which will be described later) via a predetermined interface.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a printing device (printer), which is an input buffer memory 102, a CPU 111,
It comprises an OM 112, a RAM 113, a printer I / F unit 108, and a printer engine unit 109. Reference numeral 101 denotes an information processing apparatus (host computer) which is connected to the printer 100 via a predetermined interface, and stores at least a character code, a control code for editing or controlling the output of the character code, and registered data such as font data and macro data. Is sent to the printer.

The input buffer memory 102 receives print data sent from the host computer 101 and temporarily stores the print data. The CPU 111 executes functions such as the data analysis function unit 103 and the output processing function unit 106 according to a program stored in the ROM 112 or another storage medium, and performs determination and processing shown in a flowchart described later.

The RAM 113 is a work area of the CPU 111 and has areas such as the page buffer memory 104, the registered data buffer memory 105, and the image buffer memory 107 therein. The data analysis function unit 103 inputs and analyzes the print data stored in the input buffer memory 102. The page buffer memory 104 stores print data analyzed by the data analysis function unit 103 in page units. Also, the registered data buffer memory 105
The registration data sent from the host computer 101 is stored.

The output processing function unit 106 converts the print data in the page buffer memory 104 into a corresponding dot pattern and outputs the converted dot pattern. In addition, based on the print data instruction input from the data analysis function unit 103, the output processing function unit 106 The data 104 is read and output to the printer interface (I / F) unit 108 and the like. The image buffer memory 107 stores print data converted into a dot pattern.

Printer interface (I / F) unit 10
8 transfers the dot pattern information of the image buffer memory 107 to the printer engine unit 109. A printer engine unit 109 is a printer unit for performing electrophotographic printing. Although not shown, a known recording medium transport mechanism, a semiconductor laser unit, a photosensitive drum, a developing unit, a fixing unit, a drum cleaning unit,
Printing is performed by an electrophotographic process including a separation unit and the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a method of managing registered data stored in the registered data buffer memory 105 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. It is assumed that a registered data deletion instruction code is prepared as a control code from the host computer 101 to the printer.

First, the registration data deletion command includes a deletion flag and a registration data name. The registration data is stored in the registration data buffer memory 105 inside the printer 100 on two headers of the deletion flag, the registration data name, and the registration data. It is managed as many as the number of entities that can be registered as a pair.
When the registration data is sent from the host computer 101, the data analysis function unit 103 in the printer 100 stores the registration data name and the registration data entity in the registration data buffer memory 105. At this time, the state of the deletion flag is undecided.

When a registration data deletion command is sent from the host computer 101, the data analysis function unit 103 in the printer 100 causes the registration data buffer memory 10
The registered data name in 5 is searched, and the value of “true / false” sent to the deletion flag corresponding to the registered data name is set.

When the data function analysis unit 103 is processing print data sent from the host computer 101, the page buffer memory 10
If the memory area of the registered data buffer memory 10 is determined to be insufficient, the data analysis process is continued.
The management status of the registered data in 5 is searched.

That is, the registered data buffer memory 105
Search for registered data whose deletion flag is “true” for each registered data managed by “1” and delete it preferentially.

At this time, the data analysis function unit 103 stores the name of the deleted registered data and the fact to that effect on the host computer 10.
Notify 1. Then, the memory area made available by the deletion is made available as a page buffer memory area.

[0042]

In the printing control device configured as described above, the data source (host computer 10
A print control apparatus configured to analyze print information received from 1) to generate print data for each page, and to store an output image expanded based on the generated print data in a memory resource, Registering means for registering registration data received from the memory resource (expandable RAM 113) in the memory resource (the CPU 111 registers in the RAM 113 based on a control program stored in the ROM 112 or loaded from a storage medium (not shown)); Setting means for setting management information indicating whether the registered data registered in the memory resource can be deleted or cannot be deleted in accordance with the input delete command (the CPU 111 responds to a registered data delete command input from the host computer 101 The host computer 1
When the registration data received from the registration data buffer 01 is registered in the registration data buffer memory 105 in the RAM 113, the CPU 111 can delete the registration data registered in the registration data buffer memory 105 according to an input deletion command. Set management information that indicates
It is possible to identify and set the registration data that can be deleted and the registration data that cannot be deleted.

When the registration data received from the host computer 101 is registered in the registration data buffer memory 105 in the memory resource by the CPU 111, the CPU 111 operates the registration data buffer memory in accordance with the registration data deletion command input from the host computer 101. By setting management information indicating whether the registered data registered in 105 can be deleted or cannot be deleted, identification is made between registered data that can be deleted and registered data that cannot be deleted according to a delete command input from a data source. It is possible to set.

Further, a determination unit (the CPU 111 stores the ROM 112 or a storage medium (not shown) for determining whether the print data in page units can be stored in a buffer area (page buffer memory 104) allocated in the memory resource. (A determination process is performed based on a control program loaded from the CPU) and a control unit (CPU 11) that searches the management information set by the setting unit based on the determination result of the determination unit and deletes the registration data.
1 based on a control program stored in the ROM 112 or loaded from a storage medium (not shown)) to determine whether the page-based print data can be stored in a buffer area allocated in the memory resource. Based on the determination result, the CPU 111 retrieves the set management information, deletes the registered data, selectively deletes the registered data set to be deletable in the registered data, and deletes an empty area in the memory resource. It is possible to secure.

Also, predetermined form data (logo, data head, etc.) received from the data source by the registration means.
Is registered in the registration data buffer memory 105,
The setting means sets management information indicating whether the predetermined form data registered in the registered data buffer memory 105 can be deleted or cannot be deleted according to the input deletion instruction, and can delete the predetermined form data according to the input deletion instruction. It is possible to identify and set predetermined form data and predetermined form data that can be deleted.

Further, when predetermined download font data (predetermined font resources or the like) received from the data source is registered in the registered data buffer memory 105 by the registering means, the setting means operates the registered data buffer in accordance with the input delete command. By setting management information indicating whether the predetermined download font data registered in the memory 105 can be deleted or cannot be deleted, the predetermined download font data that can be deleted according to the input delete command and the predetermined download font data that cannot be deleted cannot be deleted. It is possible to identify and set download font data.

When the control means (by the CPU 111) retrieves the management information set by the setting means and deletes the registration data, the control means (by the CPU 111) notifies the management information of the deleted registration data. Resources (RAM 11
It is possible to specify the registration data to be deleted from 3).

Further, the control means (by the CPU 11) notifies the data source (host computer 101) of the management information of the deleted registration data, and notifies the data source (host computer 101) of the contents of the registration data deleted from the memory resources. It is possible to make it clear to the user.

Further, registration means (by CPU 111)
The registration data received from the data source (host computer 101) is stored in the memory resource (RAM 113).
When the registration data is registered in the memory resource, the setting means (by the CPU 111) deletes the registration data registered in the memory resource according to an input deletion command, and indicates a deletion flag indicating whether deletion is possible or not, and a registration data name (FIG. 2). Reference) is set, so that it is possible to reliably manage whether any registered data registered in the memory resource can be deleted.

Hereinafter, a registration data management method of the print control apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a registration data control procedure of the printing system according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (13) indicate each step.

The input buffer memory 10 of the printer 100
2 receives data from the host computer 101, in step (1), the data analysis function unit 103 determines whether the received data is registered data,
If it is determined that the data is registered data, the data analysis function unit 103 stores the received registered data in the registered data buffer memory 105. Next, in step (2), the data analysis function unit 103 determines whether a deletion instruction code has been received from the host computer 101,
If it is determined that the deletion instruction code has not been received, the process proceeds to step (4).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the deletion instruction code has been received, in step (3), the data analysis function unit 103 sets the deletion flag in the registered data buffer memory 1.
05 and proceed to step (4).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that the registration data has not been received, the data analysis function unit 103 determines in step (6) whether print data is being received. If it is determined that the reception is being performed, the process proceeds to step (2), and the reception of the deletion instruction code is monitored. On the other hand, if it is determined in step (6) that print data is not being received, the process proceeds to step (4).

Next, in step (4), the print data is received. In step (5), the data analysis function unit 103 determines whether the print data reception is completed, and determines that the reception is not completed. In this case, the process returns to step (1) to monitor the reception of the registration data.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (5) that the reception of the print data has been completed, in step (7), the data analysis function unit 103 performs output control processing of the input print data. During this output control, in step (8), the page buffer memory 1
The data analysis function unit 103 determines whether or not the capacity of the storage unit 04 is insufficient.
If it is determined that the capacity is insufficient, in step (9), to expand the page buffer memory 104, it is possible to delete registered data or to search a registered data deletion flag. Data analysis function unit 10
3. If it is determined that the registration data can be deleted,
In step (10), the data analysis function unit 103 deletes the registered data from the registered data buffer memory 105, and increases the area of the page buffer memory 104.

Thus, the page buffer memory 104
Avoid running out of space. When the registered data is deleted, in step (11), the data analysis function unit 10
Reference numeral 3 notifies the host computer of the name of the deleted registered data and the fact, and also displays it on the display panel in the printer. Next, in step (12), the output processing function unit 106 generates dot data, and ends the processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (9) that the registered data cannot be deleted (there is no registered data that can be deleted), then in step (13), the data function Is converted to a lower value, that is, resolution conversion processing is performed, thereby eliminating the area shortage in the page buffer memory 104. Then, in step (12), the output processing function unit 106
Generates dot data and ends the process.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (8) that the capacity of the page buffer memory 104 is not insufficient, in step (12), the output processing function unit 106 generates dot data and ends the processing. .

[0061]

In an example of the print control method in the print control apparatus configured as described above, the print information received from the data source (host computer 101) is analyzed to generate print data in page units. In a registration data management method in a print control device for storing an output image expanded based on generated print data in a memory resource (RAM 113), a registration step of registering registration data received from the data source in the memory resource ( Step (1) of FIG. 3) and a setting step (3) of setting management information indicating whether the registered data registered in the memory resource can be deleted or cannot be deleted according to an input delete command. Whether the page-based print data can be stored in a buffer area allocated in the memory resource A judging step (step (8) in FIG. 3) and a deleting step (steps (9) and (10) in FIG. 3) for retrieving management information set based on the judgment result and deleting the registered data. ) And a notification step of notifying management information of the deleted registration data (step (1) in FIG. 3).
1)) to identify and set the registration data that can be deleted and the registration data that cannot be deleted, and selectively delete the registration data that has been set to be deleted in the registration data and store it in the memory resource. It is possible to secure a free area and to specify registered data to be deleted from a memory resource.

As described above, the host computer 101
The registration data registered in the printer 100 is selectively deleted based on the deletion instruction code from the printer 100, and a print data processing area can be secured. , And printing can be performed with high-resolution print quality by using the limited memory as much as possible.

In addition, it is possible to select and delete registered registration data, and to delete important registration data carelessly and to make it unnecessary to use it as a printing resource, or to re-register frequently used registration data. By avoiding this, it is possible to manage the registered data on a user basis.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, only the case where the delete command is transferred from the host computer 101 as a control code has been described. Regardless of the above, a configuration equivalent to the control code with the host computer 101 (setting of a deletion flag) may be performed. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described. The hardware configuration is the same as that of FIG.

[0066]

In the printing control apparatus configured as described above, registration means (the CPU 111 executes and registers a control program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 112).
The registration data received from the data source (host computer 101) is stored in the memory resource (RAM 113).
After the registration, the setting means (the CPU 111 executes the control program stored in the storage medium such as the ROM 112 to set) in accordance with the delete command input from the operation panel. Management information indicating whether data can be deleted or not can be set, and registration data that can be deleted and registration data that cannot be deleted are set in accordance with a deletion command instructed from the operation panel. .

Further, the control means (CPU 111
M112) executes the control program stored in the storage medium and notifies the operation panel of the management information of the deleted registration data, and notifies the recording device of the contents of the registration data deleted from the memory resources. It is possible to clearly indicate to the user who operates.

An item for designating registration data deletion is provided in the panel display (non-display) setting of the operation panel provided in the printer, and the deletion flag corresponding to the registration data name in the registration data buffer memory 105 is set to “true / false”. "Value. Then, when the registration data is deleted, the CPU 111 proceeds to step (1) in the flowchart shown in FIG.
In 1), the registered data name and the fact
Is displayed on a display panel (not shown).

As described above, during the processing of the print information received from the host computer 101, the user can set a delete command by a panel operation instruction from the user.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the registered data is deleted when the print data amount is large and the storage area is insufficient is described. However, the registered data is deleted when the print data amount is large and the storage area is insufficient. Or to the host computer 101 to print at a reduced resolution,
The user may be configured to make a selection.

As described above, it is possible to prevent unnecessary deletion of registered data by selecting whether to delete the registered data or to perform printing with a reduced print resolution according to the importance of the print data. .

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the case where the deletion flag is provided in the registered data has been described.
When the user selects whether or not to delete registered data on the host computer 101, a configuration may be adopted in which a registered data name having a higher deletion priority is displayed to allow the user to select the deleted data.

As described above, when the user deletes the registered data, the user selects the data to be deleted according to the importance of the registered data. Therefore, it is possible to delete the registered data in ascending order of importance.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function unit performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

Further, by downloading and reading out a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a database on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can be
It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0082]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the ninth aspect, when the capacity of the buffer area for storing the print data in units of pages generated based on the print information from the host computer is insufficient, the registration data for storing the registration data sent from the host computer It is determined whether or not the registration data stored in the buffer area can be deleted.If it is determined that the registration data stored in the registration data buffer area can be deleted,
When the registration data stored in the registration data buffer area is deleted, and it is determined that the registration data stored in the registration data buffer area cannot be deleted, a resolution conversion process is performed. The present invention has an effect that print information received within a limited memory resource can be surely processed while preventing registered registration data from being randomly deleted.

[0083]

[0084]

[0085]

[0086]

[0087]

[0088]

[0089]

[0090]

[0091]

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[0093]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which a print control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining management information of registered data stored in a registered data buffer memory shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a registration data management method of the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 printing device (printer) 101 information processing device (host computer) 102 input buffer memory 103 data analysis function unit 104 page buffer memory 105 registered data buffer memory 106 output processing function unit 107 image buffer memory 108 printer interface (I / F) unit 109 Printer engine unit 111 CPU 112 ROM 113 RAM

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] A buffer area for storing print data generated based on print information from a host computer;
To register the registration data sent from the
A memory having a recording data buffer area and the registered data when the capacity of the buffer area is insufficient.
Discriminating means for discriminating whether it is possible to delete the registration data stored in Tabaffa area, if the deletion of the registered data stored in the registration data buffer area is determined to be possible by said judgment means deletes the registered data stored in the registration data buffer area, the registration data buffer by said determination means
And a processing unit for performing a resolution conversion process when it is determined that the registration data stored in the key area cannot be deleted. 2. The print control device according to claim 1, further comprising an image buffer memory for storing a dot pattern converted based on the print data. 3. The printing control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printing unit that performs printing based on a dot pattern in the image buffer memory. 4. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said determination means makes a determination according to the contents of a deletion flag of the registration data. 5. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the registration data includes form data. 6. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the registration data includes font data. 7. The processing unit deletes the registration data stored in the registration memory when the determination unit determines that the registration data stored in the memory can be deleted. 2. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the data name is notified to a host computer. 8. The processing unit deletes the registration data stored in the registration memory when the determination unit determines that the registration data stored in the registration memory can be deleted, and deletes the registration data. 2. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the registered data name is displayed on an operation panel. 9. A buffer area for storing print data generated based on print information from a host computer, and a buffer area for storing print data.
To register the registration data sent from the
A print control method using a memory having a recording data buffer area, if the capacity of the buffer is insufficient, the registration data bus
A determining step of deleting the registered data stored in the Ffa area determines whether it is possible, the determination if the deletion of the registered data stored in the registration data buffer area is determined to be in step Deleting the registration data stored in the registration data buffer area, and performing the registration
And a processing step of performing a resolution conversion process when it is determined that the registration data stored in the buffer area cannot be deleted.