JP3700367B2 - Print control device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, and more particularly to a print control apparatus that improves the efficiency of drawing processing by a plurality of processors.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to execute printing processing at high speed, a technique for causing a plurality of processors to generate a drawing image and outputting the drawing image generated by each processor to an image output terminal such as a printer is conventionally known.
[0003]
For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-263051, print data for one page of paper is divided into a graphic drawing portion and a character drawing portion, a graphic image and a character image are generated by respective dedicated processors, and these are combined. A technique for generating a drawing image for one page of paper is disclosed.
[0004]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-108567 discloses a technique for directly synthesizing a drawing image when a drawing image is received, in addition to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-263051.
[0005]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-263055 discloses a technique in which a memory for storing print data is divided into a plurality of areas, and the print data belonging to each of the divided areas is processed by a dedicated processor.
[0006]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-201077 discloses a technique in which drawing attribute parameters are set for a plurality of print data, and processing is sequentially performed by a plurality of processors from the print data for which the setting has been completed.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-263051, the graphic processor can only process graphics, and the character dedicated processor can only process characters, so the print data is only graphics or only characters. When one of the processors is configured, one of the processors is not used effectively, and the processing efficiency cannot be improved. This problem also occurs in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-108567.
[0008]
Further, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-263055, there is a case where the processing speed may be different between the respective areas, and thus a processor that has finished processing faster than other processors is in an unused state. That's a waste.
[0009]
Further, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-201077 is effective when print data for a plurality of pages is transmitted in a batch, but the print data is transmitted asynchronously page by page. In this case, a plurality of processors provided do not function effectively. Further, in the technique, when the processing of the second page is completed faster than the processing of the first page, the printing of the second page is executed first, so that there is a problem that the printing order is out of order. .
[0010]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a print control apparatus that improves the efficiency of drawing processing by a plurality of processors.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a print control apparatus that generates a drawing image from received print data, outputs the drawing image to a print execution unit, and executes printing of the drawing image. Print data storage means for storing received print data, print data management means for managing print data stored in the print data storage means, and generating a drawing image from the print data stored by the print data storage means A plurality of drawing image generation means, a print data output means for outputting the print data stored in the print data storage means to the drawing image generation means, and a drawing image generation executable among the plurality of drawing image generation means A notification means for notifying the print data output means, and a drawing generated by the drawing image generation means. A drawing image storage unit for storing an image; and a drawing image output unit for outputting the drawing image stored in the drawing image storage unit to the print execution unit, wherein the print data output unit is an output of the notification unit. The print data to be output to the drawing image generation means notified by the notification means is specified from the print data stored in the print data storage means with reference to the management information of the print data management means based on The specified print data is output to the drawing image generating means .
[0012]
The invention of claim 2 further comprises a plurality of paper discharge means for discharging the paper printed by the print execution means in the invention of claim 1, wherein the print data output means is the print data storage means. A paper discharge destination specifying means for specifying the paper discharge destination of the paper on which printing based on the print data is executed from the paper discharge destination included in the print data stored in the print data , and specified by the paper discharge destination specifying means Print data with the same paper discharge destination is output to the same drawing image generation means.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a print control apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0014]
First, the outline of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a print control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0015]
In the present invention, as shown in the figure, print data sent from a plurality of external devices 100 is accumulated in the print data accumulation unit 10, and a drawing image generation unit A13, a drawing image generation unit B14, and a drawing image generation unit C15. According to the executable notification indicating the processing state, the above-described problem is solved by outputting the accumulated data to an executable drawing image generating means for processing.
[0016]
Hereinafter, the contents of the present invention will be described in more detail.
[0017]
A print control apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is composed of blocks surrounded by dotted lines in the figure, and a plurality of external apparatuses 100 that generate print data and a print execution that prints a drawing image on paper. Connected to the unit 101.
[0018]
The print control apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment generates a drawing image from the print data storage unit 10 that receives and stores print data from the external device 100 and the print data stored in the print data storage unit 10. The drawing image generation unit A13, the drawing image generation unit B14, the drawing image generation unit C15, and the print data stored in the print data storage unit 10 are transferred to the drawing image generation unit A13, the drawing image generation unit B14, and the drawing image generation unit C15. The print data output unit 11 for outputting to any of the above, the drawing image storage unit 16 for storing the drawing image generated by any one of the drawing image generation unit A13, the drawing image generation unit B14, and the drawing image generation unit C15, and the drawing The drawing image stored in the image storage unit 16 is output to the print execution unit 101. Composed from the image output unit 17.
[0019]
Here, the drawing image generation unit A13, the drawing image generation unit B14, the drawing image generation unit C15, and the print data output unit 11 include, in addition to the data lines for transmitting print data, each drawing image generation unit. A control line is provided for transmitting an executable notification indicating the processing status.
[0020]
The print data storage unit 10 is provided with a print data management table T1 for storing print data and managing the output of the print data, and the drawing image storage unit 16 has a drawing generated by the drawing image generation unit. A drawing image management table T2 for storing images and managing the output of the drawing images is provided.
[0021]
The print data output unit 11 and the drawing image output unit 17 can access the print data management table T1 and the drawing image management table T2, respectively. The print data output unit 11 outputs a drawing image generation unit that outputs print data. Is selected, the print data management table T1 is accessed, and the drawing image generation unit accesses the drawing image management table T2 when outputting the drawing image.
[0022]
That is, the print data management table T1 and the drawing image management table T2 manage the output of the print data and the drawing image as a queue, and effectively execute the generation of the drawing image by the drawing image generation unit and the printing by the print execution unit 101. .
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a print data management table provided in the print data storage unit 10 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the print data management table T1 includes a drawing image generation order storage field F1 for storing the generation order of drawing images, and a print data storage field F2 for storing the print data sent from the external device 100. The drawing image generation unit storage field F3 for storing information for specifying the drawing image generation unit for processing the print data stored in the print data storage field F2, and the information stored in the drawing image generation unit storage field F3. A drawing image generation processing execution state storage field F4 for storing the processing state of the drawing image generation unit, and each of which constitutes a record storing data as shown in FIG.
[0024]
In the drawing image generation order storage field F1, the generation order is stored in order from the first record, and the print data is stored in the print data storage field F2 from the first record in the order received from the external device 100.
[0025]
The drawing image generation unit storage field F3 stores an identifier for identifying the drawing image generation unit A13, the drawing image generation unit B14, and the drawing image generation unit C15. FIG. 2 shows an example in which “A”, “B”, and “C” are used as identifiers.
[0026]
In the drawing image generation process execution state storage field F4, “generation complete” indicating that the drawing image generation process has been completed, “generating” indicating that a drawing image is currently being generated, and no processing has been executed. One of “not generated” indicating “” is stored.
[0027]
For example, in the state shown in FIG. 2, print data A for generating a drawing image with the highest priority is stored in the top record, and the print image A is processed by the drawing image generation unit A13 shown in FIG. Yes, the drawing image generation unit A13 is in a state where the processing of the print data A has been completed.
[0028]
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a drawing image management table T2 provided in the drawing image storage unit 16 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the drawing image management table T2 is generated by the print order storage field F10 for storing the printing order by the print execution unit 101, the drawing image generation unit A13, the drawing image generation unit B14, and the drawing image generation unit C15. A drawing image storage field F11 for storing the drawn image and a print processing execution state storage field F12 for storing a print execution state of the print execution unit 101, and a record storing data as shown in FIG. To do.
[0029]
The print order storage field F10 stores the generation order in order from the first record, and the drawing image storage field F11 is generated by the drawing image generation unit A13, the drawing image generation unit B14, and the drawing image generation unit C15. Drawing images are stored in the order of generation from the first record.
[0030]
In the print processing execution state storage field F12, “print end” indicating that printing by the print execution unit 101 has ended, “printing” indicating that printing is currently being performed, and “unprocessed” indicating that printing has not been performed. "Is stored.
[0031]
For example, the state shown in FIG. 3 is a state in which a drawing image A for executing print processing with the highest priority is stored in the first record, and the drawing image A is already printed.
[0032]
Next, the operation of the printing control apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0033]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure of print data output processing executed by the print control apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. The processing shown in the figure is processing from when the print data storage unit 10 receives print data until it is output to the drawing image generation unit.
[0034]
First, when receiving print data from the external device 100 (YES in step S100), the print data storage unit 10 generates a new record in the print data management table T1 (step S101), and continues to the drawing image generation order storage field F1. The received print data is stored in the print data storage field F2 of the generated record (step S102). Thereafter, the process returns to step S100 again and waits for reception of print data.
[0035]
On the other hand, in parallel with the print data receiving process performed by the print data storage unit 10, the print data output unit 11 receives an executable notification from any one of the drawing image generation unit A13, the drawing image generation unit B14, and the drawing image generation unit C15. It is determined whether or not there is (step S110). This executable notification is a signal output from the drawing image generation unit that has completed the drawing image generation processing, and may be output simultaneously from the three drawing image generation units. Thus, when the executable notification is output at the same time, the drawing image generation unit A13 is prioritized.
[0036]
As a result of the determination, if there is an executable notification from any drawing image generation unit (YES in step S110), the drawing image generation unit storage field F3 of the print data management table T1 identifies the drawing image generation unit. Is stored (step S111).
[0037]
If there is a corresponding record as a result of this extraction (YES in step S112), the “generation in progress” of the record in which “drawing” is stored in the drawing image generation process execution state storage field F4 of the extracted record. "Is changed to" generation complete "(step S112). Subsequently, the first record in which “not generated” is stored in the drawing image generation process execution state storage field F4 is searched from the records extracted in step S111 (step S114), and stored in the searched record. Print data is read (step S115).
[0038]
On the other hand, if there is no corresponding record in step S112, the first record in which “not generated” is stored is searched from all the records (step S119), and stored in the record obtained as a result of the search. The printed data is read (step S115).
[0039]
The print data read in the above step is output to the drawing image generation unit indicated by the information stored in the drawing image generation unit storage field F3 (step S116), and the identifier of the drawing image generation unit that is the output destination of the print data Are stored in the same record as the print data (step S117).
[0040]
Thereafter, the value of the drawing image generation process execution state storage field F4 of the record is changed to “generating” (step S118), and the process returns to step S110 again to wait for reception of the executable notification.
[0041]
The processing described above will be described with reference to FIG. 2. For example, when an executable notification is received from the drawing image generation unit A13, the print data output unit 11 displays “A” in the drawing image generation unit storage field F3. Then, the fifth record in which “not generated” is stored in the drawing image generation processing execution state storage field F4 is accessed, and the print data E is output to the drawing image generation unit A13.
[0042]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure of a drawing image output process executed by the print control apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. The process shown in FIG. 10 is a process from when the drawing image storage unit 16 receives a drawing image until it is output to the print execution unit 101.
[0043]
First, when the drawing image storage unit 16 receives a drawing image from one of the drawing image generation units (YES in step S200), the drawing image storage unit 16 generates a new record in the drawing image management table T2 (step S201), and print order storage field F10. The received drawing image is stored in the drawing image storage field F11 of the generated record (step S202). Thereafter, the process returns to step S200 and waits for reception of a drawing image.
[0044]
On the other hand, in parallel with the drawing image reception process, the drawing image output unit 17 determines whether there is a printable notification from the print execution unit 101 (step S210). This executable notification is a signal output when the print execution unit 101 finishes the printing process.
[0045]
As a result of the determination, if there is a printable notification from the print execution unit 101 (YES in step S210), the record of “processing” is stored in the print processing execution state storage field F12 of the drawing image management table T2. The “processing” is changed to “printing completed” (step S211).
[0046]
Thereafter, the first record in which “unprocessed” is stored in the print processing execution state storage field F12 is searched (step S212), and the drawing image stored in the drawing image storage field F11 of the searched record is read (step S213). .
[0047]
Then, the read drawing image is output to the print execution unit 101 (step S214), and the value of the print processing execution state storage field F12 is changed to “printing” (step S215). After that, the process returns to step S210 again to wait for a printable notification.
[0048]
Explaining the processing described above with reference to FIG. 3, the drawing image output unit 17 changes “printing” in the third record shown in FIG. 3 to “printing complete” and stores it in the fourth record. The drawing image D is output to the print execution unit 101, “unprocessed” is changed to “processing”, and a printable notification is again waited.
[0049]
As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the print data waiting to be processed can be preferentially output to the executable drawing image generation unit, so that the drawing image generation processing is efficiently executed. be able to.
[0050]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0051]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the print control apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The print control apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment shown in the same drawing, in addition to the configuration of the print control apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. A paper discharge destination specifying unit 20 is provided that specifies the print data stored in the print data storage unit 10.
[0052]
Here, the discharge destination of the sheet printed by the print execution unit 101 corresponds to, for example, a plurality of trays provided in a copying machine, a network printer connected on a network, and the like.
[0053]
In FIG. 6, three discharge destinations of a paper discharge destination A200, a paper discharge destination B201, and a paper discharge destination C202 are provided as the discharge destinations of the printed paper. At 100. If the paper discharge destination is a tray, the designation of the discharge destination is automatically executed by the print execution unit 101 based on the paper size.
[0054]
The print control apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment takes into consideration that the order of discharged sheets does not get out of order even when the drawing image generation processing speed differs for each drawing image generation unit. It is.
[0055]
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the print data management table T1 provided in the print data storage unit 10 shown in FIG. In addition to the configuration of the print data management table T1 shown in FIG. 2, the print data management table T1 shown in the figure is provided with a paper discharge destination storage field F5 for storing the paper discharge destination. For example, since “A” is stored in the paper discharge destination storage field F5 of the record in which the print data A is stored, when the print data A is printed, it is discharged to the paper discharge destination A200. .
[0056]
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the drawing image management table T2 provided in the drawing image storage unit 16 shown in FIG. Also in the drawing image management table T2 shown in the figure, a paper discharge destination storage field F5 is provided as in the print data management table T1.
[0057]
The operation of the printing control apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
[0058]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure of print data output processing executed by the print control apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the print data output process shown in the figure, the process of step S300 is executed after step S102 of the process executed by the print data storage unit 10 shown in FIG. The process of step S300 is a process of outputting the print data received by the print data storage unit 10 to the paper discharge destination specifying unit 20.
[0059]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure of the paper discharge destination specifying process executed by the paper discharge destination specifying unit 20 shown in FIG. The processing shown in the figure is processing for reserving processing of print data in a drawing image generation unit that is processing print data of the same paper discharge destination.
[0060]
First, when receiving the print data from the print data storage unit 10 (YES in step S310), the paper discharge destination specifying unit 20 extracts the paper discharge destination included in the print data (step S311). Then, a record having the same sheet discharge destination is searched from the print data management table T1 (step S312).
[0061]
If there is a corresponding record as a result of the search (YES in step S313), an identifier stored in the drawing image storage field F11 of the record is acquired (step S314), and the acquired identifier is acquired in step S310. It is stored in the same record as the received print data (step S315). Further, the paper discharge destination extracted in step S311 is stored in the record (step S316).
[0062]
On the other hand, if there is no corresponding record in step S313, the paper discharge destination extracted in step S311 is stored in the same record as the print data received in step S310 (step S316).
[0063]
Next, a construction example of the print control apparatus according to the present invention as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
[0064]
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a construction example in the case where the print control apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 is configured. The print control apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes an input interface 302 that realizes a connection function with a computer 300 and a CAD 301 that are external apparatuses 100, a hard disk 307 that functions as the print data storage unit 10 and the drawing image storage unit 16, and print data. A master processor 303 that functions as the output unit 11, a first slave processor 304 that functions as the drawing image generation unit A13, a second slave processor 305 that functions as the drawing image generation unit B14, and a first that functions as the drawing image generation unit C15. 3 slave processors 306, a RAM 308 that provides a work area for each processor, a ROM 309 that stores the processing shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as a program, and an output interface 31 that functions as the drawing image output unit 17. It is constituted are connected on a system bus or network, is connected to a printer 311 functioning as a computer 300, CAD301 and printing unit 101.
[0065]
In the above embodiment, the drawing image is generated from the print data. However, the print data is converted into a control code used in the print control apparatus, and the drawing image is generated from the control code. May be.
[0066]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a print control apparatus that improves the efficiency of drawing processing by a plurality of processors.
[0067]
Further, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, print data waiting for processing can be output with priority over an executable drawing image generation unit, so that drawing image generation processing can be executed efficiently. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a print control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a print data management table provided in the print data storage unit 10 shown in FIG.
3 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a drawing image management table T2 provided in the drawing image storage unit 16 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure of print data output processing executed by the print control apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure of a drawing image output process executed by the print control apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a print control apparatus 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a print data management table T1 provided in the print data storage unit 10 shown in FIG.
8 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a drawing image management table T2 provided in the drawing image storage unit 16 shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure of print data output processing executed by the print control apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure of paper discharge destination specifying processing executed by the paper discharge destination specifying unit 20 shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of construction when the print control apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is configured.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Print control apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment, 2 ... Print control apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, 10 ... Print data storage part, 11 ... Print data output part, 13 ... Drawing image generation part A, 14 ... Drawing image generation unit B, 15 ... Drawing image generation unit C, 16 ... Drawing image storage unit, 17 ... Drawing image output unit, 20 ... Paper discharge destination specifying unit, 100 ... External device, 101 ... Print execution unit, 200 ... Paper Discharge destination A, 201 ... paper discharge destination B, 202 ... paper discharge destination C, 300 ... computer, 301 ... CAD, 302 ... input interface, 303 ... master processor, 304 ... first slave processor, 305 ... second slave processor, 306 ... 3rd slave processor, 307 ... hard disk, 308 ... RAM, 309 ... ROM, 310 ... output interface, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printer, F1 ... Drawing image generation order storage field, F2 ... Print data storage field, F3 ... Drawing image generation part storage field, F4 ... Drawing image generation process execution state storage field, F5 ... Paper discharge destination storage field, F10 ... Print order storage field, F11... Drawing image storage field, F12... Print processing execution state storage field, T1... Print data management table, T2.

Claims (2)

In a print control apparatus that generates a drawing image from received print data, outputs the drawing image to a print execution unit, and executes printing of the drawing image;
Print data storage means for storing the received print data;
Print data management means for managing print data stored in the print data storage means;
A plurality of drawing image generation means for generating a drawing image from the print data stored by the print data storage means;
Print data output means for outputting the print data stored in the print data storage means to the drawing image generation means;
A notifying unit for notifying the print data output unit of a drawing image generating unit executable among the plurality of drawing image generating units ;
Drawing image storage means for storing the drawing image generated by the drawing image generation means;
A drawing image output means for outputting the drawing image stored in the drawing image storage means to the print execution means;
Comprising
The print data output means includes
Print data to be output to the drawing image generation means notified by the notification means out of the print data stored in the print data storage means with reference to the management information of the print data management means based on the output of the notification means A print control apparatus characterized by specifying and outputting the specified print data to the drawing image generating means . A plurality of paper discharge means for discharging the paper printed by the print execution means;
The print data output means includes
Paper discharge destination specifying means for specifying the paper discharge destination of the paper on which printing based on the print data has been executed from the paper discharge destination included in the print data stored in the print data storage means;
The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein print data having the same paper discharge destination specified by the paper discharge destination specifying unit is output to the same drawing image generation unit.

Images