JP3559779B2 - Information processing apparatus and data processing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a data processing method for transmitting print data that can be processed by a printing apparatus via a predetermined communication line.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printer system in which a printer is shared by a plurality of computers is realized by using a printer buffer having a plurality of input ports or constructing a LAN (Local Area Network) and introducing a printer server. I have. In any case, print requests from a computer are temporarily stored in a FIFO-type print queue and then processed sequentially. Even during a print process, a plurality of other print requests are accepted in the print queue. It is configured to be able to.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in a system that only sequentially processes print requests stored in the print queue as described above, a plurality of printed materials from a plurality of users are simply stacked in one place and discharged. However, there is a problem that the user takes time to find his or her own printed material, and it is difficult to print a highly confidential document. There is also a problem that it is not suitable for a case where special paper is to be used by hand.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and issues a print request to be output at any time or a print request to be held to a printing device in a format that the printing device can distinguish. After obtaining the identification information for identifying the print request to be held determined in the above, the print data to be held is transmitted, and the printing apparatus side inputs the identification information issued from the printing apparatus side to print the held print request. By processing the request as a print request to be output from time to time, the identification information determined by the printing device for the print request to be held is acquired, and the print request held by the printing device is determined based on the acquired identification information. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a data processing method that can process a print request that is output as needed.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, in an information processing apparatus for transmitting print data that can be processed by a printing apparatus via a predetermined communication line, a print request to be output at any time or a print request to be held is printed. Issuing means for issuing to the printing apparatus via the communication line in a format in which the apparatus can be distinguished, and identification information for identifying a print request to be held and issued by the issuing means determined in the printing apparatus. Acquiring means for acquiring from the printing apparatus via the communication line, and sending means for sending print data to be held to the printing apparatus after acquiring identification information for a print request to be held by the acquiring means. The printing apparatus should output a print request specified based on the input identification information in response to the input of the identification information for the print request to be held, as needed. Wherein the hold releasing unit to print output as printing request is provided.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the printing apparatus, further comprising: a repetition unit that repeatedly attempts to send the print data when the print data sent by the sending unit cannot be spooled; Is configured to acquire identification information for the print request to be held from the printing apparatus when the transmission of the print data is successful in response to the attempt of the repeating unit.
[0009]
A third invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the identification information for identifying the print request to be held is determined so as not to overlap.
[0010]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing method in an information processing apparatus for transmitting print data that can be processed by a printing apparatus via a predetermined communication line. Or an issuance step of issuing to the printing apparatus via the communication line in a format that can be distinguished by the printing apparatus, and a print request to be held issued by the issuance step determined in the printing apparatus. Obtaining the identification information from the printing apparatus via the communication line, and sending the print data to be held to the printing apparatus after obtaining the identification information for the print request to be held by the obtaining step In the printing device, in response to the identification information for the print request to be held is input, the input identification information Hazuki certain print request is, is characterized in that is provided with a hold releasing unit to print output as a print request to be output at any time.
[0011]
A fifth invention according to the present invention has a repeating step of repeatedly trying to send print data when spooling of the print data sent in the sending step in the printing device is impossible, and Is characterized in that when print data is successfully transmitted in response to the attempt in the repetition step, identification information for the print request to be held is acquired from the printing apparatus.
[0012]
A sixth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the identification information for identifying the print request to be held is determined so as not to overlap.
[0033]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0034]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to a case where two computers 1 and 2 and one printer 3 are connected by a network LAN.
[0035]
Note that, like the computer, the printer 3 also has an interface corresponding to the network LAN, and is directly connected to the LAN. The two computers 1 and 2 can issue a print request to the printer 3 at any time, and the printer 3 immediately sends the arrived print request to the job queue 201 (described later in detail) shown in FIG. And spools the corresponding actual print data to a file system on the printer 3. Then, independently of these processes, printing is performed by sequentially processing the print requests in the job queue in the order of storage. First, the structure of main data stored in a RAM or a file system on the printer 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0036]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the computers 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0037]
In the figure, reference numeral 150 denotes a print job sending computer main body, which performs document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets and the like) are mixed based on a document processing program and the like stored in a program ROM of the ROM 103. A CPU 101 is provided for execution, and the CPU 101 comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 104. Further, the program ROM of the ROM 103 stores a control program and the like of the CPU 101, the font ROM of the ROM 103 stores font data and the like used when performing the above document processing, and the data ROM of the ROM 103 stores Various data used for performing the above-described document processing and the like are stored.
[0038]
An expandable RAM 102 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 101. A keyboard controller (KBC) 105 controls key input from a keyboard (KB) 110 or a pointing device (not shown). A disk controller (DKC) 107 controls access to an external memory 112 such as a hard disk (HD) storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, and the like, and a flexible disk (FD).
[0039]
In this embodiment, a print queue sending program for sending a print job from the print job sending computer 150 to the printer 3 is installed on the external memory 112.
[0040]
Reference numeral 108 denotes an external input unit interface, on which various types of expansion cards can be mounted. In the present embodiment, a network card (external input unit) 113 is connected to the network LAN. Reference numeral 109 denotes a printer controller (PRTC), which is normally connected to a printer by a printer cable, but is not used because a printer connected to a network is used in the present embodiment. Note that the CPU 101 executes, for example, a process of developing (rasterizing) the outline font in the display information RAM set on the RAM 102, and enables WYSIWYG on the CRT 111. Further, the CPU 101 opens various registered windows based on commands specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 111 and executes various data processing.
[0041]
Next, a laser beam printer (LBP) will be described as a printer 3 or the like suitable for applying the present embodiment, and the configuration thereof will be described with reference to FIG. The printer to which the present embodiment is applied is not limited to a laser beam printer, but has a memory sufficient for developing print data into a dot image by the printer, and has another printer of a printing method in which a printer language is installed. Or a printer that processes only dot image data.
[0042]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the printer 3 shown in FIG. 1, and corresponds to the case of a laser beam printer as described above.
[0043]
In the printer 3, a printer control unit 250 controls the entire LBP body 3 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the print server. Reference numeral 211 denotes a printer CPU that comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 214 based on a control program or the like stored in a program ROM of the ROM 213 and is connected via a printing unit interface 216. An image signal as output information is output to a printing unit (printer engine) 218.
[0044]
The program ROM of the ROM 213 stores a control program of the CPU 211 and the like. The font ROM of the ROM 213 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information. In the case of a printer having no external memory 219 such as a hard disk, And the like used in the application. The CPU 211 is capable of communicating with the computers 1 and 2 via the input unit 215, and is configured to be able to notify the computers 1 and 2 of information in the printer 3 and the like.
[0045]
Reference numeral 212 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 211, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an additional port (not shown). The RAM 212 is used for an output information development area, an environment data storage area, an NVRAM, and the like. The access to the external memory 219 such as a hard disk (HD) and an IC card is controlled by a disk controller (DKC) 217. The external memory 219 is connected as an option, and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like.
[0046]
Reference numeral 210 denotes an operation panel (operation unit) in which switches for operation, an LED or LCD display, and the like are arranged.
[0047]
The number of the external memory 219 is not limited to one, and at least one external memory may be provided so that a plurality of optional font cards can be connected in addition to the built-in fonts. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store the printer mode setting information from the operation panel 210.
[0048]
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the job queue 201 for storing the print request arriving at the printer 3 shown in FIG. 3. For example, the job queue 201 is stored in a memory resource such as the RAM 212 or the external memory 219 of the printer 3 shown in FIG. Is secured.
[0049]
As shown in this figure, the name of the file storing the actual print data is used as the print request 202 stored in the present embodiment. The job queue 201 operates in a FIFO format, and a print request is passed to a print process that performs actual print processing in the order of storage. The storage of the print request in the queue is performed by a spool process or a panel process described later.
[0050]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the pending job table 301 secured in the memory resources of the printer 3 shown in FIG.
[0051]
As shown in this figure, when the print request arriving at the printer 3 has a hold option, the print request is not added to the job queue 201 but is added to the hold job table 301. The hold job table 301 is an identifier of a hold print request. It is composed of a JOBID 303, a record consisting of the name 304 of the file storing the corresponding print data, and a job number 302 which is the number of records in the table and the number of pending print requests.
[0052]
FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the configuration of a data file 401 for storing actual print data corresponding to each print request secured in the memory resources of the printer 3 shown in FIG.
[0053]
As shown in this figure, the data file 401 includes, in addition to the actual data 404, a data size 403 that can be read from the file at the present time and a flag 402 that indicates whether the addition of the print data to the file has been completed. Have been.
[0054]
In the printing system to which the present invention configured as described above can be applied, the computers 1 and 2 and the printer 3 are configured to be able to communicate via a predetermined communication medium (network LAN). Computers 1 and 2 as information processing devices issue issuing means for issuing either a print request to be output at any time or a print request to be held (CPU 101 is mapped to RAM 102 from ROM 103 or external memory 112 or a storage medium not shown). Executing the control program loaded in the area and issuing the first identification information or the second identification information notified from the printing apparatus in response to each print request issued to the printing apparatus from the issuing unit. Acquisition means for acquiring the identification information of the And executing the control program loaded from the storage medium into the area mapped to the RAM 102), and an identification display unit (CPU 101, CPU 101, The CRTC 106 executes a control program loaded from the ROM 103 or the external memory 112 or a storage medium (not shown) into an area mapped to the RAM 102 and displays the control program). Selectively adding and acquiring different identification information, first or second identification information notified from the printer 3 in response to the print request, and particularly, when acquiring the second identification information, The identification information of No. 2 is clearly indicated on the CRT 111, and the user is recognized as the hold release information.
[0055]
When the CPU 101 obtains the first identification information, the CPU 101 transfers the output information to be printed to the printer 3, waits for a notification of the completion of printing from the printer 3, and receives the notification to perform the printing process. finish.
[0056]
On the other hand, the printer 3 includes first holding means (job queue 201 secured on the RAM 212) for sequentially holding print requests to be output as needed from the computers 1 and 2, and a hold issued from the printer driver. The second holding unit (hold job table 301 secured in the RAM 212) for holding the print request to be held, and the print request issuing source held in the first holding unit or the second holding unit, respectively. A notifying unit for notifying the first identification information or the second identification information (the CPU 211 executes and notifies a control program loaded from the ROM 213 or the external memory 219 or a storage medium (not shown) to an area mapped to the RAM 212); An input unit (operation unit 210) for inputting the second identification information; Hold canceling means for holding the print request to be held held in the second holding means as the print request to be output to the first holding means as needed based on the identification information of the second holding means. The control program loaded from the memory 219 or a storage medium (not shown) into the area mapped to the RAM 212 is released), and the second identification information for the print request to which the hold option is added is stored in the operation unit of the printing apparatus. When the CPU 211 receives an input from the user, the CPU 211 additionally stores the print request held in the hold job table 301 in the job queue 201 which holds the print request as needed and processes the print request. After issuing the print request, keep the print request until it is convenient for the user to start printing. It is possible to keep.
[0057]
Request means for requesting output information from a print request issuer of a print request held in the job queue 201 (a control that the CPU 211 loads from the ROM 213 or the external memory 219 or a storage medium (not shown) into an area mapped to the RAM 212). When the program is canceled by executing the program), the storage unit (the CPU 211 stores the output information transferred from the print request issuing source in response to the request from the request unit in the memory (the RAM 212, the external memory 219, etc. A control program loaded from the memory 219 or a storage medium (not shown) into the area mapped to the RAM 212 is executed and accumulated), and the output information accumulated in the memory by the accumulation means is read out to the printing unit 218 as needed and printed. Print control means (CPU 211 13 or an external memory 219 or a control program loaded from a storage medium (not shown) to an area mapped to the RAM 212). By releasing the hold from 210, the request source can be identified from time to time to request the transfer of output information for the print request added to the end after the release (including the print request added at the end), and printing can be performed sequentially.
[0058]
Thus, the user who has issued a print request, has moved to the printer 3 away from the computers 1 and 2 has issued an instruction to release the hold from the operation unit 210 of the printer 3, The user can instruct the start of printing in a state ready for printing on paper or a confidential document.
[0059]
Further, it is possible to programmably construct a process of issuing or outputting the print request or the output information by a printer driver (including a case of being supplied by a storage medium) stored in the computers 1 and 2.
[0060]
In addition, a printing system is constructed from the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus, a hold option is selectively added to the print request issued from the computers 1 and 2, and different identification information notified from the printer 3 to the print request, Acquiring the first or second identification information, and in particular, when acquiring the second identification information, explicitly indicating the second identification information on the CRT 111 to allow the user to recognize the information as hold release information; and When the second identification information for the print request to which the hold option is added is input by the user from the operation unit 210 of the printing apparatus, the CPU 211 processes the print request in the hold state held in the hold job table 301 as needed. Is stored in the job queue 201 that holds the print request, the print request is processed, and after the print request is issued, it is convenient for the user to start printing. Until good conditions, it is possible to execute to hold the print request as a series of processes.
[0061]
Next, a data processing method of the thus configured printer system will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0062]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the data processing procedure of the printer system shown in FIG. 1, and corresponds to the main routine after the power of the printer 3 is turned on. (1) to (4) show each step.
[0063]
First, in step (1), hardware and software are initialized. At this time, an empty job queue 201 in a work area secured in the memory resources of the printer, a pending job table 301 in which the number of jobs 302 is set to “0”, and the like are generated, and unnecessary data files on the file system are generated. Remove.
[0064]
Next, in step (2), a print process for controlling the actual printing operation is started, and subsequently, in step (3), a spool process for processing a print request from the computers 1 and 2 is started. In 4), a panel process for processing input / display on the operation panel 210 of the printer 3 is started, and the apparatus enters an idling state.
[0065]
These plurality of independent processes operate while being switched in response to various events such as various hardware interrupts in a printing operation, arrival of a print request, input from the operation panel 210, and time-division processing. Operate in parallel.
[0066]
The processes communicate with each other by a semaphore for controlling access to the job queue 201, the data file 401, and various types of data, and operate synchronously.
[0067]
When the print process in step (2) is started, the process waits for a print request 202 to be obtained from the job queue 201. When a file name is obtained as the print request, the print data 404 in the data file 401 with that name is deleted. Read and print. At this time, the print data is processed to the end while checking the readable data size 403 and whether the addition of the print data has been completed with the flag 402, and after the printing is completed, the data is deleted from the data file system. Then, the process returns to the step of waiting for a print request from the job queue 201 again, and the same processing is repeated.
[0068]
On the other hand, when a command to release the hold of the print request is input from the operation panel 210 of the printer 3, the panel process of step (4) stores the job IDs 303 of all the print requests held at that time into the hold job table 301. And displays it on the operation panel 210. When one of the displayed JOBIDs is designated, the data file name 304 corresponding to the designated JOBID is read from the pending job table 301, and the file name is added to the job queue 201 as a print request. Then, the record of the print request whose hold has been released is deleted from the hold job table, and the number of jobs 302 is updated.
[0069]
On the other hand, the spool process of step (3) operates with emphasis on a printer driver that operates on the computer 1 or the computer 2 to process a print request arrived from the computer 1 or 2 via the network LAN.
[0070]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of the spool process shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (5) indicate each step.
[0071]
First, when the spool process is started, it waits until a print request arrives in step (1), and when the print request arrives, in step (2), the print data sent together with the print request is sent. It is determined whether print data can be spooled from all sizes and the remaining capacity of the file system on the printer 3. If NO, the process returns to step (1). If YES, the result is returned to the computer 1 that issued the print request. 2 is notified to a printer driver resident in a memory area managed by the system during initialization processing.
[0072]
Next, in step (3), the name of the data file that stores the print data of the received print request is determined so as not to be duplicated, and the file name is stored in the hold job table if the print request has a hold option. 301, and if no hold option is added, the job is stored in the job queue 201. When adding to the pending job table 301, the JOBID 303 is determined and stored together with the file name so that there is no duplication, and the number of jobs 302 is updated.
[0073]
Next, in step (4), if the print request is stored in the hold job table 301 in step (3), the job ID is set to “0” if the print request is stored in the job queue 201, and “0” is set as the job request. To the printer driver of each of the computers 1 and 2 which perform the communication.
[0074]
Next, in step (5), the actual print data is received from the printer driver via the network LAN, and a data reception process is started to store the data in the data file having the name determined in step (3). Then, the process returns to step (1) again, and immediately responds to the arrival of another print request. When the data reception process has received all the print data and stored it in the data file 401, the data reception process sets the data size 403 and the flag 402, and ends the operation. A plurality of the data receiving processes are started depending on the state, and operate in parallel.
[0075]
Next, an operation when the printer driver incorporated in the computer 1 and the computer 2 receives a print request from a host application will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.
[0076]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure by the printer driver stored in the memory resources of the computers 1 and 2 illustrated in FIG. Note that (1) to (9) indicate each step.
[0077]
First, when the printer driver stored in the memory resources of the computers 1 and 2 receives a print request from a higher-level application, the printer driver issues a print request to the printer 3 in step (1). In step (2), if the printer 3 responds to the print request and notifies whether or not the print data can be spooled, the process proceeds to step (3) if possible based on the notification, and to step (6) if impossible. ).
[0078]
Then, when the process proceeds to step (3), the JOBID is received from the printer 3, and the print data is sent to the data receiving process of the printer 3 in step (4). When all the print data has been sent, the result is displayed in step (5), and the process ends. The result display indicates that the transmission of the print data was successful when the JOBID received in step (3) was “0”, and when the JOBID was other than “0” , Is displayed on the CRT 111 of each of the computers 1 and 2 as a reserved print identification code. The user can release the hold by designating the identification code on the operation panel 210 of the printer 3.
[0079]
On the other hand, if the print data cannot be spooled in step (2) and the process proceeds to step (6), a predetermined delay process (interval) is executed until a predetermined time elapses before spooling becomes possible. Steps (1), (2), (6), and (7) are looped (the print request is repeated).
[0080]
On the other hand, if a predetermined time has elapsed in step (6), that is, if the print request is repeated in the above loop and spooling is not possible even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the step (6) branches to step (6). The process proceeds to 5), and the fact that the transmission of the print data has failed is displayed on the CRT 111, and the process ends.
[0081]
Hereinafter, with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the hold / release processing of the print job of the print system according to the present invention will be described.
[0082]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a print job hold / hold release processing procedure of the print system according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing on the information processing apparatus side. In addition, (1) to (3) indicate each step.
[0083]
When a print request from a host application is received via a printer driver stored in the memory resources of the computers 1 and 2, a normal print request (a print request for processing a job as needed) or a print request with a hold option added Is issued to the printer 3 (1). Next, the first or second identification information corresponding to the print request notified from the printer 3 is acquired (2), and if the acquired identification information is the second identification information, the second identification information is replaced with the second identification information. The information is displayed on the CRT 111 of each of the computers 1 and 2 (3), and the process ends.
[0084]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print job hold / hold release processing procedure of the print system according to the present invention, and corresponds to processing on the printing apparatus side. Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step.
[0085]
First, when a print request is received from the computer 1 or 2, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the print request is an arbitrary print request without holding from the addition state of the hold option (1), and if YES, adds the optional print request to the job queue 201. It is stored (2), and the first identification information (JOBID = 0) is notified to the print request source (3).
[0086]
On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines in step (1) that the received print request has a hold option, the print request is additionally stored in the hold job table 301 (4), and the print request issuer Is notified of the second identification information (JOBID # 0) (5).
[0087]
Next, it is determined whether or not the user requesting the hold option from the operation unit 210 has input the second identification information displayed on the CRT 111 of the computer 1 or 2 (6). If YES, the print request matching the second identification information is deleted from the print requests additionally stored in the pending job table 301, and additionally stored in the job queue 201 (7), and the process is terminated.
[0088]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the data processing program that can be read by the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the memory maps shown in FIGS.
[0089]
FIG. 12 is a memory map of a storage medium that stores programs corresponding to the steps of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 11.
[0090]
FIG. 13 is a memory map of a storage medium for storing a program corresponding to the steps of the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0091]
Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, and the like are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons and the like may also be stored.
[0092]
Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.
[0093]
The functions shown in FIGS. 7 to 11 in the present embodiment may be performed by the present system by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is also applied to a case where a group of information including a program is supplied to the system from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.
[0094]
In the system configured as described above, that is, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of information processing apparatuses (computers 1 and 2) and a printing apparatus (printer 3) are connected via a predetermined communication medium (network LAN). In the data processing method of the printing system capable of communicating with the printer, an issuing step (step (1) in FIG. 10) for issuing either a print request to be output at any time or a print request to be held; An acquisition step (step (2) in FIG. 10) of acquiring the first identification information or the second identification information notified from the printing apparatus in response to each of the obtained print requests, and the acquired second An identification display step (step (3) in FIG. 10) for displaying the identification information on the display unit (CRT 111) is executed, and the CPU 101 shown in FIG. The control program (according to the flowchart in FIG. 10) is executed from the memory 112 or another external storage medium to the mapped area of the RAM 102 to selectively add the hold option to the print requests issued from the computers 1 and 2. The different identification information notified from the printer 3 in response to the print request, the first or second identification information is acquired. In particular, when the second identification information is acquired, the second identification information is transmitted to the CRT 111. Explicitly make the user recognize as hold release information.
[0095]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a data processing method of a printing system in which a plurality of information processing apparatuses (computers 1 and 2) and a printing apparatus (printer 3) can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium (network LAN). A first holding step (steps (1) and (2) in FIG. 11) for sequentially holding a print request to be output from time to time issued from the information processing apparatus in a first holding area of a memory resource; A second holding step (steps (1) and (4) in FIG. 11) for holding a print request to be held issued from a processing device in a second holding area of the memory resource, and the first holding area. Alternatively, a notification step (steps (3) and (5) in FIG. 11) for notifying the print request issuer held in the second holding area of the first identification information or the second identification information, respectively, and Said second knowledge A detecting step (step (6) in FIG. 11) for detecting information; and a print request to be held held in the second holding area based on the detected second identification information. A holding release step (step (6) in FIG. 11) of holding the print area as a print request to be output as needed in the holding area is executed, and for example, the CPU 211 shown in FIG. The control program (according to the flowchart of FIG. 11) is executed from the storage medium to the mapped area of the RAM 212, and the second identification information for the print request to which the hold option is added is input by the user from the operation unit 210 of the printing apparatus. Then, the CPU 211 holds a print request for processing the print request in the hold state held in the hold job table 301 as needed. Add storage to 201 side to process the print request after the print request issued to start printing for the user until convenient a good situation, and it can be kept pending print request.
[0096]
Further, an issuance step (step (1) in FIG. 10) for issuing either a print request to be output at any time or a print request to be held, and the print request issued to the printing apparatus An acquisition step (step (2) in FIG. 10) for acquiring the first identification information or the second identification information notified from the printing apparatus, and displaying the acquired second identification information on the display unit (CRT111). And a storage medium storing a computer-readable program including an identification display step (step (3) in FIG. 10) to be performed. That is, an embodiment in which the program code corresponding to the process illustrated in FIG. 10 is stored in an external storage medium or an internal storage resource to be described later, and the CPU 101 reads and executes the program code from the storage medium storing the program code is also an embodiment of the present invention. Included.
[0097]
A first holding step (steps (1) and (2) in FIG. 11) for sequentially holding a print request to be output from time to time issued from the information processing apparatus in a first holding area of a memory resource; A second holding step (steps (1) and (4) in FIG. 11) for holding a print request to be held issued from a processing device in a second holding area of the memory resource, and the first holding area. Alternatively, a notification step (steps (3) and (5) in FIG. 11) for notifying the print request issuer held in the second holding area of the first identification information or the second identification information, respectively, and A detecting step (step (6) in FIG. 11) of detecting the second identification information to be performed, and suspending the information stored in the second storage area based on the detected second identification information. Print request to be issued to the first holding area at any time Is held as should do a print request including the hold releasing step (step of FIG. 11 (6)), it is to a storage medium storing a program which a computer can read. That is, an embodiment in which the program code corresponding to the process illustrated in FIG. 11 is stored in an external storage medium or an internal storage resource to be described later, and the CPU 211 reads and executes the program code from the storage medium storing the program code is also an embodiment of the present invention. Included.
[0098]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when printing is performed by a printer shared by a plurality of computers via a LAN, even if document creation on the computers is completed and a print command is issued, When it is convenient for the user to start printing, instead of starting printing, directly operate the output destination printer to release the print hold and start printing. Can be freely constructed.
[0099]
As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved by reading and executing the program code thus obtained.
[0100]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0101]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, or the like may be used. it can.
[0102]
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0103]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.
[0104]
Further, the present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices or to an apparatus including a single 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. .
[0105]
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 enjoy the effects of the present invention. .
[0106]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, identification information determined by a printing apparatus for a print request to be held is obtained, and the print request held by the printing apparatus is output as needed based on the obtained identification information. This has the effect of being able to process as a print request.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a computer shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the printer illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a job queue for storing a print request arriving at the printer illustrated in FIG. 3;
5 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a pending job table secured in a memory resource of the printer illustrated in FIG. 3;
6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a data file that stores actual print data corresponding to each print request secured in a memory resource of the printer illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure of the printer system illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a detailed procedure of a spool process illustrated in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure by a printer driver stored in a memory resource of the computer illustrated in FIG. 2;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print job hold / hold release processing procedure of the print system according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print job hold / hold release processing procedure of the print system according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a memory map of a storage medium for storing a program corresponding to the steps of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 11;
FIG. 13 is a memory map of a storage medium for storing a program corresponding to the steps of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 computer
2 Computer
3 Printer
101 CPU
102 RAM
103 ROM
210 Operation unit
211 CPU
212 RAM
213 ROM

Claims (6)

In an information processing apparatus that sends print data that can be processed by a printing apparatus via a predetermined communication line,
A print request to be output at any time, or a print request to be held, an issuing unit for issuing to the printing device via the communication line in a format that the printing device can distinguish;
Acquiring means for acquiring identification information for identifying a print request to be held and issued by the issuing means determined by the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus via the communication line;
Sending means for sending print data to be held to the printing apparatus after acquiring identification information for the print request to be held by the obtaining means,
The printing apparatus includes a holding release unit that prints out a print request specified based on the input identification information in response to input of the identification information for the print request to be held as a print request to be output as needed. the information processing apparatus characterized by being In a case where spooling of the print data to be sent out by the sending unit is impossible in the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus has a repeating unit that repeatedly tries to send the print data,
2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the obtaining unit obtains identification information for the print request to be held from the printing apparatus when the transmission of the print data is successful in response to the attempt of the repeating unit. Information processing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information for identifying the print request to be held is determined so as not to overlap . In a data processing method in an information processing device that sends print data that can be processed by a printing device via a predetermined communication line,
A print request to be output from time to time, or a print request to be held, an issue step of issuing to the printing device via the communication line in a format that the printing device can distinguish;
An acquiring step of acquiring identification information for identifying a print request to be held and issued by the issuing step determined by the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus via the communication line;
Sending the print data to be held to the printing device after obtaining the identification information for the print request to be held by the obtaining step,
The printing apparatus includes a holding release unit that prints out a print request specified based on the input identification information in response to input of the identification information for the print request to be held as a print request to be output as needed. A data processing method characterized by being performed. In the case where spooling of the print data to be sent out by the sending step in the printing device is impossible, the printing device has a repeating step of repeatedly trying to send out the print data,
The method according to claim 4, wherein the acquiring step acquires identification information for the print request to be held from the printing apparatus when the transmission of the print data is successful in response to the attempt in the repeating step. Data processing method. 6. The data processing method according to claim 4, wherein the identification information for identifying the print request to be held is determined so as not to overlap.

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