JP3183862B2 - Information processing apparatus and data processing method of information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus and an output apparatus via a bidirectional interface, and a data processing method of the information processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a printing apparatus or a printing system capable of performing this type of processing analyzes output information input from a host computer and converts bitmap data as output data of a printer engine, for example, a laser beam printer. The laser beam is developed, and a laser beam modulated based on the developed data is scanned and exposed on a photosensitive drum to record an image.

Further, a recording apparatus capable of outputting data obtained by a host performing WYSIWYG processing based on page edit data, that is, developing bitmap data, has been put to practical use.

On the other hand, the resolution of a printer is 240 DPI.
As a result, the resolution has rapidly increased from 300 to 400 DPI, and as a result, it is impossible to develop all the print data for one page in the print memory of a predetermined capacity provided in the printer. Band recording processing has been proposed in which recording data is transferred to a printer engine while sequentially developing recording data in a band memory that can synchronize with the printing processing speed of the engine. In other words, the configuration is such that the setting of the full memory for one page and the setting of the band memory having a fixed capacity are switched in accordance with the setting of the printer memory capacity and the resolution, thereby enabling reliable printing processing. .

[0005]

However, switching to the conventional band memory only takes the capacity and resolution setting of the printer memory into consideration, so that the WYSIWY as described above is used.
When the G processing becomes complicated, that is, when printing of page edit data in which graphics, characters, tables, and images are mixed while being overlapped is performed, even if the memory capacity originally capable of storing the recording data for one page is actually provided, When recording data for output cannot be expanded for one page, for example, when font data, hatching data, image data, and page data relating to a print job are stored, and a work or the like for developing an outline font into a bitmap is secured, Frequently, recording data cannot be expanded for one page, so that there is a problem in that recording information cannot be output accurately, or a fixed-capacity band memory cannot be secured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain the memory capacity of a printer by an information processing apparatus and print data to be output to the printer in the printer. By judging whether or not processing is possible in consideration of the data capacity of output data and the like, and notifying the judgment result, before outputting the data to the printer, it is possible to judge whether or not the printing process is possible based on the memory capacity of the printer. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a data processing method of the information processing apparatus, which can timely determine whether an amount of data to be output is an appropriate amount.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus connected to a printer 1500 via a bidirectional interface (bidirectional interface 13 shown in FIG. 4). Acquiring means for acquiring the memory capacity of the printer connected via a directional interface (CPU 1 executes a program stored in ROM2, RAM3, hard disk 11, floppy disk 12, etc., and performs acquisition processing); Recognition means for recognizing the memory capacity acquired in (1)
M2, RAM 3, hard disk 11, floppy disk 12, etc., to execute a recognition process), and based on the recognition result, data to be output to the printer can be printed by the printer. Determination means for determining whether or not the
2, a program stored in the RAM 3, the hard disk 11, the floppy disk 12, etc., to execute the determination process), and a notifying unit for notifying the printer that the printing process cannot be performed by the determining unit. And

In a second invention according to the present invention, the recognizing means further recognizes a data capacity of data to be output to the printer, and the determining means determines the data capacity based on the memory capacity and the data capacity. This is to determine whether the printer can perform the printing process.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the determining means determines whether data to be output to the printer can be developed as one page of bitmap data in a printer memory.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the determination unit determines that the one-page bitmap data cannot be expanded by the printer, it determines whether printing is possible by band control. Things.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the determination means determines that the data to be output cannot be band-controlled, the data to be output is reduced, and the reduced data can be printed. Is to determine whether or not.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the determination means determines that the data to be output cannot be printed by the printer, the data to be output is expanded by the information processing apparatus. This is to determine whether printing is possible.

In a seventh aspect according to the present invention, the data capacity is calculated by analyzing data output to the printer. In an eighth invention according to the present invention, when it is determined that the printer cannot perform the printing process, the notifying unit notifies the printer of the fact that the printing process cannot be performed, and urges expansion of a printer memory.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing method for an information processing apparatus connected to a printer via a bidirectional interface (bidirectional I / F 13). An acquisition step (step before step (1) in FIG. 6) for acquiring the memory capacity (capacity of the RAM 16) of the printer, and a recognition step for recognizing the memory capacity acquired in the acquisition step (step in FIG. 6) (1)) and a judging step of judging, based on the recognition result, whether data to be output to the printer can be printed by the printer (steps (4) and (7) in FIG. 6). And a notifying step for notifying the printer that the printing process cannot be performed in the determining step (step in FIG. 6). 10)) and those having a.

[0015] In a tenth aspect according to the present invention, the recognizing step further recognizes a data capacity of data to be output to the printer, and the judging step includes determining the data capacity based on the memory capacity and the data capacity. This is to determine whether the printer can perform the printing process.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the determination step (step (2) in FIG. 6), it is determined whether data to be output to the printer can be developed as one page of bitmap data in a printer memory. Is to judge.

In a twelfth aspect according to the present invention, the determination step (step (4) in FIG. 6) is performed by the printer.
If it is determined that the bitmap data of the page cannot be expanded, it is determined whether printing is possible by band control.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the determining step (step (6) in FIG. 6), when it is determined that band control of the data to be output cannot be performed, the data to be output is reduced. , To determine whether or not the reduced data can be printed.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the determining step, when it is determined that the data to be output cannot be printed by the printer, the data to be output is expanded by the information processing apparatus. This is to determine whether printing is possible.

In a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the data capacity is calculated by analyzing data output to the printer. In a sixteenth aspect according to the present invention, in the notifying step, when it is determined that the printer cannot perform the printing process, the notifying step notifies the user of the fact that the printing process of the data to be output cannot be performed.

[0021]

[0022]

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before describing the structure of this embodiment,
The configurations of a laser beam printer and an ink jet printer to which the present embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. The printer that provides this embodiment is
It is needless to say that the printer is not limited to the laser beam printer and the ink jet printer, but may be a printer of another printing method.

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

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1500 denotes an LBP main body (printer) which inputs and stores print information (character codes and the like), form information, macro commands, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer; A corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created according to the information, and an image is formed on a recording paper as a recording medium. 1501 is a switch for operation and L
An operation panel 1000 including an ED display and the like is a printer control unit 1000 for controlling the entire LBP body 1500 and analyzing character information and the like supplied from a host computer.

The printer control unit 1000 converts print information and the like supplied from the host computer 100 (FIG. 4) into a video signal of a corresponding bitmap pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1502. The laser driver 1502 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1503, and operates in accordance with the input video signal.
The laser beam 1504 emitted from the laser 1503 is turned on / off. The laser light 1504 is rotated by the polygon mirror 150.
At 5, it is swung in the left-right direction to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 1506.

As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1506. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1507 provided around the electrostatic drum 1506, and then transferred to a recording sheet.
A cut sheet is used for the recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is a paper cassette 150 mounted on the LBP body 1500.
8 and feed roller 1509 and transport roller 1
By 510 and the transport roller 1511, it is taken into the device and supplied to the electrostatic drum 1506.

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

In the figure, driving force transmitting gears 5011, 5010, 50 are linked with forward and reverse rotation of a driving motor 5013.
The carriage HC that engages with the spiral groove 5004 of the lead screw 5005 that rotates via 09 has a pin (not shown) and is reciprocated in the directions of arrows a and b.
An ink jet cartridge IJC having an ink tank IT and an ink jet head IJH is mounted on the carriage HC. Reference numeral 5002 denotes a paper holding plate, which feeds the paper P to the platen 50 in the carriage movement direction.
Press against 00.

Photocouplers 5007 and 5008 confirm the presence of the lever 5006 of the carriage HC in this area and function as home position detecting means for switching the rotation direction of the drive motor 5013 and the like. 50
16 is a cap member 5 for capping the entire surface of the recording head.
Reference numeral 5015, a member indicating 022, is suction means for sucking the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the recording head via the opening 5023 in the cap. Reference numeral 5017 denotes a cleaning blade which can be moved in the front-rear direction by a member 5019. Reference numeral 5018 denotes a main body support plate that supports the cleaning blade 5017 and the member 5019. Reference numeral 5012 denotes a lever for starting suction for suction recovery, and the carriage H
It moves with the movement of the cam 5020 engaging with C, and the driving force from the drive motor 5013 is controlled by a known transmission means such as clutch switching.

The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired operations can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage HC comes to the home position side area. What is necessary is just to be configured to perform the desired operation at the timing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the second printing apparatus shown in FIG.

In the figure, 1700 is an interface for inputting a recording signal, 1701 is an MPU, 1702 is a program ROM for storing a control program executed by the MPU 1701, and 1703 is a DRAM. Recording data).

Reference numeral 1704 denotes a gate array which controls supply of print data to the print head 1708, and also controls data transfer between the interface 1700, the MPU 1701, and the DRAM 1703. Reference numeral 1710 denotes a carrier motor for transporting the recording head 1708; 1709, a transport motor for transporting the recording paper; 1705, a head driver for driving the recording head 1708; 1706, a motor driver for driving the transport motor 1709;
A motor driver 707 drives the carrier motor 1710.

In each of the recording apparatuses configured as described above, when a recording signal is input from a host computer 100 described later via the interface 1700, the recording signal is transmitted between the gate array 1704 and the MPU 1701 to the recording data for printing. Is converted to Then, the motor drivers 1706 and 1707 are driven, and the recording head 1708 is driven according to the recording data sent to the head driver 1705 to execute printing.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printer control system including an information processing device and an output device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, a laser beam printer (see FIG. 1) will be described as an example.

Note that, as long as the functions of the present invention are executed, a single device, a system including a plurality of devices, and a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a host computer having a CPU 1 for executing document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program stored in a ROM 2; Each device connected to the system bus 4 is generally controlled.

The ROM 2 stores a control program of the CPU 1 shown in the flowchart of FIG. Reference numeral 3 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 1. 5 is a keyboard controller (KB
C) controls key input from the keyboard (KB) 9. Reference numeral 6 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC) which controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 10. Reference numeral 7 denotes a disk controller (DKC), which is a hard disk (HD) for storing boot programs, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, and the like.
11. Access to the floppy disk (FD) 12 is controlled. 8 is a printer controller (PRTC),
It is connected to the printer 1500 via a predetermined interface 13 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1500.

The CPU 1 executes, for example, a process of developing (rasterizing) the outline font in the display information RAM set on the RAM 3, and executes the process on the CRT 10.
YSIWYG may be enabled. Also, the CPU 1
Various registered windows may be opened based on commands instructed by a mouse cursor or the like on the CRT 10 to execute various data processing. The document processing program is stored on the hard disk 11 or the floppy disk 12 and is
It may be configured to be loaded on the RAM 3 through the KC 7 and executed.

In the printer 1500, reference numeral 14 denotes a printer CPU (CPU), which comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 17 based on a control program stored in the ROM 15; An image signal VDO as print data is output to a printing unit (printer engine) 20 connected via a printing unit I / F 19. 16 is a RAM, C
It is used for the work area of the PU 14, storage of recording information, and the like. The RAM 16 is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown).

The printing unit interface 19 converts the print data into a form conforming to the mechanism of the printing unit 20,
This is a part for outputting, for example, performing processing such as converting parallel data to serial data.

The printing unit interface 19 is provided with a dedicated connector so as to be compatible with a plurality of interfaces (SCSI interface and Centronics interface).

Further, at least one or more card slots (not shown) may be provided so that an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language system can be connected in addition to the built-in fonts. Further, an NVRAM for storing printer mode setting information from an operation unit (not shown) may be provided.

In the printing system configured as described above, when the determining means determines the band memory size constructed on the memory of the printer 1500 by comparing the capacity data of the memory of the printer 1500 with the sending data capacity of the print job. The setting means obtains the determined band memory size data and dynamically sets the band memory of the determined size in the memory of the printer, so that the capacity of the band memory is fixed because the memory capacity of the printer is constant. Even if pressure is applied for storing other recording information, it is possible to effectively secure an optimum band memory for transmission data of a print job output from the host computer 100.

Hereinafter, the flow of a print job process of the recording system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a data processing path between the printer 1500 and the host computer 100 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a running application for performing, for example, a DTP process. A data analysis unit 102 analyzes and classifies the contents of a print job in page units or job units to calculate the memory capacity of font data, hatching data, image data, page data, and the like, and sends the result to the printer memory management unit 108. hand over.
The printer memory management unit 108 controls the host computer 1
The memory capacity of the printer is acquired by a definition file stored in advance on the printer or an inquiry to the printer 1500, and the printer memory is allocated (processed) based on the printer memory capacity and the memory capacity of each data calculated by the data analysis unit 102. A memory map such as a band size and a font registration area size is determined, and the determined allocation is returned to the data analysis unit 102.

The data analysis unit 102 outputs a command for setting the determined printer memory allocation to the page data synthesizing unit 106, and according to the determined allocation, the font 103 and the font rasterizer (which functions as a first rasterizer). ) 104, graphics rasterizer (functions as first rasterizer) 10
(5) Instruct the page data synthesizing unit 106 of each processing data. The page data synthesizing unit 106 includes the data analyzing unit 102,
The output data from the font 103, the font rasterizer 104, and the graphics rasterizer 105 are combined, and the combined page data is passed to the input / output handler 107.

Reference numerals 107 and 201 denote input / output handlers for controlling input / output between the printer 1500 and the host computer 100. Reference numeral 202 denotes a rasterizer that performs bitmap development processing based on vector graphics data and the like.
A font rasterizer 203 executes a font rasterizing process by referring to outline data or a memory 204 that stores outline font data in accordance with a received character code. A print control unit 205 controls transfer of bitmap data output from the rasterizer 202 to the print unit 20 (see FIG. 4). A to O indicate data processing paths.

As shown in this figure, the data analyzer 1
02, when the rasterizer 202 and the font rasterizer 203 of the printer 1500 are present as a result of the analysis of the print job, the rasterization of the font can be performed in a distributed manner according to the performance of the host computer 100 and the printer 1500. Certain fonts are transferred to the printer 1500 in a bitmap format by being subjected to rasterization processing of the host computer 100 (path C → path H → path J → path K), and the remaining fonts are transferred to the printer 1500 in an outline format ( Route D →
Path G → path J → path K), rasterization by the rasterizer 202 and the font rasterizer 203 is also possible. Further, the printer 1500 receives the command from the data analysis unit 102,
6, and the host computer 100
Process print data from. For example, printer 1
The band size is set to be small for a page having a lot of bitmap data and bit image data of a font to be downloaded to the 500.

On the other hand, if there is a band in which the memory used by the printer is smaller when the bitmap is developed on the host computer 100 side than when the fonts and hatching patterns are registered and processed in the printer 1500, The band is developed into a bitmap by the host computer 100, and the band size is ensured correspondingly large.

On the other hand, if a full bitmap memory can be secured in the printer 1500, the band size of the printer is set to one page. As a result, the printer memory can be efficiently used according to the print job, and more complicated print jobs can be processed with a small amount of printer memory.

Hereinafter, the printer control method of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the memory size determining method according to the present invention, and corresponds to the procedure of the memory size determining process by the host computer 100 shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (11) indicate each step.

First, the CPU 1 is connected to the host computer 10.
The print job (the capacity of the page data, the capacity of the download font, the capacity of the hatching pattern, etc.) stored in the RAM 3 is analyzed to calculate the data capacity to be sent to the printer 1500 (1). Next, the acquired total capacity of the printer memory of the printer 1500 (corresponding to the RAM 16 in this embodiment) is compared with the data capacity to be transmitted, and the bitmap of one page is stored in the printer memory as shown in FIG. Is determined (2). If YES, the CPU 1 issues a band designation (command instruction) to the CPU 14 to secure a full-page bitmap memory in the RAM 16 (11), and after step (9). move on.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (2) is NO, the CPU 1 calculates the band memory size to be secured on the RAM 16 (3), and determines whether the band size is smaller than the minimum band size that can be secured (4). ), If NO, then C corresponds to the band size calculated in step (3).
The PU 1 issues a band designation (command instruction) to the CPU 14 to secure a bit map memory of a predetermined size in the RAM 16 of the printer 1500 as shown in FIG. 8A or FIG. Proceed to (9) and thereafter.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (4) is YES, the possibility of reducing the used memory is evaluated (6), that is, the font data and the image data are independent, for example, as shown in FIG. In the case of overlapping printing, the host computer 100 processes the font in advance as image data, thereby reducing the amount of font data to be transmitted and determining whether the allocatable band size is smaller than the minimum band size. (7) If NO (that is, the band memory can be secured), the memory to be used is reduced as shown in FIG. 9 (in this embodiment, the font data is reduced by taking in the font data into the image data). (8) The print data for executing the print job is sent to the printer 1500 (9), To terminate the management.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (7) is YES, the user is notified that the recording process is not possible (10), the expansion of the printer memory is urged, and the process is terminated.

As described above, by dynamically switching and setting the memory map of the printer memory, that is, when the bit map is developed on the host computer 100 side, fonts, hatching patterns, and the like are registered and processed in the printer. If there is a band that requires less memory for the printer, the band is expanded into a bitmap by the host computer 100 to secure a larger band size (see FIG. 9).

As described above, the printer memory capacity data of the printer 1500 connected to the host computer 100 is obtained, the memory capacity data is compared with the print job sending data capacity, and the print job The memory map of the printer memory is determined while varying the band memory size on the printer memory, and band memories of different sizes are dynamically secured in the printer memory of the printer according to the determined memory map.

On the other hand, if a full bitmap memory can be secured in the printer 1500, the band size of the printer is set to one page (see FIG. 7).

As a result, the printer memory can be efficiently used according to the print job, and more complicated print jobs can be processed with a small amount of printer memory.

On the other hand, when it is necessary to reduce the memory used, as shown in FIG. 9, when the band memory is smaller than the minimum band size, the font data is image-combined, that is, the font data amount is reduced. (For example, when font data is originally superimposed on image data (hatched pattern) as shown in FIG. 10, the font data is combined with the image data to compress the amount of font data sent to the printer 1500. Thus, a band memory having at least the minimum band size can be secured on the RAM 16.

According to the above-described embodiment, the printer memory capacity data of the printer connected to the host computer is obtained, the memory capacity data is compared with the print job transmission data capacity, and the print job capacity is determined based on the comparison result. Determines the memory map of the printer memory while changing the band memory size on the printer memory every time or for each page in the job, and dynamically secures the band memory of the determined size in the printer memory according to the determined memory map With such a configuration, it is possible to effectively secure a band memory capable of recording processing while dynamically switching and setting a memory map optimal for the print memory capacity according to the send data capacity of the print job.

When the determining means determines the band memory size constructed on the printer memory by comparing the capacity data of the printer memory with the sending data capacity of the print job, the setting means converts the determined band memory size data. Since it is configured to dynamically set the band memory of the determined size in the acquired printer memory, since the capacity of the printer memory is constant, the band memory capacity is squeezed for storing other recording information. Also, it is possible to effectively secure an optimal band memory for print job transmission data output from the host.

In the above embodiment, when calculating the transmission data amount, by setting an arbitrary band size in consideration of the resolution condition, it is possible to secure a bitmap memory having an optimum band size suitable for the resolution. Needless to say.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the band size is reduced at the fixed ratio when securing the band size has been described. However, a configuration in which the band size is reduced at a desired ratio may be used.

[0069]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, an information processing device connected to a printer via a bidirectional interface, wherein the obtaining unit obtains a memory capacity of the printer connected via the bidirectional interface, Recognizing means for recognizing the acquired memory capacity; determining means for determining whether data to be output to the printer is printable by the printer based on the recognition result; and A notification unit for notifying the printer that the printing process cannot be performed, so that the user can recognize that the data capacity of the data to be output exceeds the memory capacity of the printer. it can.

According to the second invention, the recognizing means further recognizes the data capacity of the data to be output to the printer, and the determining means determines the data capacity of the printer based on the memory capacity and the data capacity. Since it is determined whether or not the printing process is possible, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the data capacity of the data to be output exceeds the memory capacity of the printer, and allow the user to recognize the determination result.

According to the third aspect, the determining means determines whether or not the data to be output to the printer can be expanded as one-page bitmap data in the printer memory. It is determined whether or not the capacity can be expanded as one page of bitmap data with the memory capacity of the printer, and the result of the determination can be recognized by the user.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the determination means determines that the printer cannot perform the one-page bitmap data expansion processing, it determines whether or not printing is possible by band control. If the amount of data to be output cannot be printed with the printer's memory capacity,
It is possible to determine whether or not printing is possible by the band development control, and to make the user aware of the determination result.

According to the fifth aspect, when the determination means determines that the data to be output cannot be band-controlled, the data to be output can be reduced and the reduced data can be printed. If the data capacity to be output cannot be printed with the memory capacity of the printer, it is possible to determine whether or not printing is possible by reducing the data capacity, and the user can be made aware of the determination result. .

According to the sixth aspect, when the determination unit determines that the data to be output cannot be printed by the printer, the determination unit expands the data to be output by the information processing apparatus and then prints the data. If the data capacity to be output cannot be printed with the printer's memory capacity, the data processing device determines whether or not printing is possible by rasterizing, and recognizes the result to the user. Can be done.

According to the seventh invention, the data capacity is:
Since the calculation is performed by analyzing the data to be output to the printer, it is possible to accurately calculate the amount of print data generated on the printer side based on the data to be output. According to the eighth aspect, when it is determined that the printer cannot perform the printing process, the notifying unit notifies the user of the fact that the printing process cannot be performed. it can.

According to a ninth aspect, there is provided a data processing method for an information processing apparatus connected to a printer via a bidirectional interface, wherein the memory capacity of the printer connected via the bidirectional interface is obtained. Acquisition step, and a recognition step of recognizing the memory capacity acquired in the acquisition step, based on the recognition result,
A judging step of judging whether data to be output to the printer can be printed by the printer, and a notifying step of notifying the printer that the printing process cannot be performed by the judging step. Therefore, the user can be made to recognize that the data capacity of the data to be output exceeds the memory capacity of the printer.

According to the tenth aspect, the recognizing step further recognizes a data capacity of data to be output to the printer, and the determining step determines the data capacity of the printer based on the memory capacity and the data capacity. Since it is determined whether or not the printing process is possible, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the data capacity of the data to be output exceeds the memory capacity of the printer, and allow the user to recognize the determination result.

According to the eleventh aspect, the determining step determines whether or not data to be output to the printer can be developed as one-page bitmap data in a printer memory. It is determined whether or not the capacity can be expanded as one page of bitmap data with the memory capacity of the printer, and the result of the determination can be recognized by the user.

According to the twelfth aspect, in the determining step, when it is determined that the one-page bitmap data cannot be expanded by the printer, it is determined whether printing is possible by band control. When the data capacity to be output cannot be printed by the memory capacity of the printer, it is possible to determine whether or not printing is possible by band expansion control, and allow the user to recognize the determination result.

According to the thirteenth aspect, in the determining step, when it is determined that the data to be output cannot be band-controlled, the data to be output is reduced, and the reduced data can be printed. Therefore, if the data capacity to be output cannot be printed by the memory capacity of the printer, it is possible to determine whether or not printing is possible by reducing the data quantity, and the user can be made aware of the determination result. .

[0081] According to the fourteenth aspect, when the data to be output is determined not to be printable by the printer, the data to be output is expanded by the information processing apparatus, and then the determination is performed. If the data capacity to be output cannot be printed with the printer's memory capacity, the data processing device determines whether or not printing is possible by rasterizing, and recognizes the result to the user. Can be done.

According to the fifteenth aspect, since the data capacity is calculated by analyzing the data to be output to the printer, the amount of print data generated by the printer on the basis of the data to be output can be accurately determined. It can be calculated well. According to the sixteenth aspect, in the notifying step, when it is determined that the printing process cannot be performed in the printer, the notifying step notifies the user that the printing process of the data to be output cannot be performed. it can.

Accordingly, there is an excellent effect that before the data is output to the printer, it is possible to determine whether or not the printing process is possible based on the memory capacity of the printer and to determine in a timely manner whether the amount of data to be output to the printer is appropriate. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a second printing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system including an information processing device and an output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a data processing path between the printer shown in FIG. 4 and a host computer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a memory size determination method according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a memory map of a printer memory of the printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a memory map of a printer memory of the printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a memory map of a printer memory of the printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a reduction processing state of data transmitted to a printer according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

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

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshifumi Okamoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Toshiya Mitsuhashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon (72) Inventor Satoshi Nagata 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Masaki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Takanori Nishijima 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/12

Claims (16)

(57) [Claims] 1. An information processing device connected to a printer via a bidirectional interface, wherein the obtaining unit obtains a memory capacity of the printer connected via the bidirectional interface; Recognizing means for recognizing the memory capacity obtained, determining means for determining whether or not data to be output to the printer can be printed by the printer based on the recognition result; and And a notifying unit for notifying that it is determined that the printing process cannot be performed. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the recognizing unit further recognizes a data capacity of data to be output to the printer, and the determining unit can perform a printing process in the printer based on the memory capacity and the data capacity. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the information processing is performed. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether data to be output to the printer can be expanded as one-page bitmap data in a printer memory. apparatus. 4. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit is configured to output one page by the printer.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein when it is determined that the rasterization processing of the bitmap data cannot be performed, whether or not printing is possible by band control is determined. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines the data to be output.
The when a decision is made not possible band control, to reduce the data to be the output, the information processing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that it is determined whether the printable least eliminated data. 6. The printer according to claim 1, wherein
If it is determined that it can not print to be force data, after the data to be the <br/> output and developed with the information processing apparatus, according to claim 1, characterized in that it is determined whether the printable Or the information processing apparatus according to 2 . 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data capacity is calculated by analyzing data output to the printer. 8. The printer according to claim 1 , wherein
Notifies when it is determined that print processing cannot be performed
Requesting expansion of the printer memory
Item 8. The information processing device according to any one of Items 1 to 7. 9. A printer via a bidirectional interface
A data processing method for an information processing apparatus connected to the
Obtaining the memory capacity of the printer, and recognizing the memory capacity obtained in the obtaining step
A recognition step, and data to be output to the printer based on the recognition result.
Data can be printed by the printer
And a printing process in the printer by the determining step.
Notification when it is determined that it is not possible
And a data processing method for an information processing apparatus, comprising:
Law. 10. The method according to claim 10, wherein the recognizing step further comprises:
Recognizing the data capacity of the data to be output to the memory, and determining the memory capacity and the data capacity.
Print processing is possible in the printer based on the
It is determined whether or not to determine
A data processing method for an information processing device. 11. The printer according to claim 11, wherein the determining step includes :
One page of data to be output to printer memory
To determine whether the data can be deployed as data map data
11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein:
Data processing method. 12. The method according to claim 12, wherein the determining step is performed by the printer.
Unable to expand bitmap data of one page
If determined, whether printing is possible by band control
12. The information according to claim 11, wherein it is determined whether
A data processing method of the processing device. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining step includes outputting the data.
If it is determined that data cannot be band-controlled,
Reduce the data to be input and mark the reduced data
Claims for determining whether printing is possible
Item 13. The data processing method of the information processing device according to Item 12. 14. The method according to claim 14, wherein the determining step is performed by the printer.
When it is determined that the data to be output cannot be printed
The data to be output is expanded by the information processing device.
And then determine whether it is printable
The data processing of an information processing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10,
Method. 15. The data capacity is output to the printer.
Is calculated by analyzing the input data.
The information processing according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein
Device data processing method. 16. The method according to claim 16, wherein the notifying step includes :
If it is determined that the printing process cannot be
Inform and prompt printer memory expansion
A data processing device according to claim 9.
Data processing method.