JP4631669B2 - Printing system and printing control program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing system and a printing control program for performing printing.

  As is well known, most of the printing devices on the market in recent years (devices that can perform printing such as printers, multifunction devices, etc.) operate in a mode that consumes less power (hereinafter referred to as power saving) unless print data is received for a certain period of time. It is a device (for example, refer to Patent Document 1) that starts an operation in a mode). In offices and schools, a system in which such a printing device and a plurality of computers are connected via a network (a system in which a printing device is connected to an in-house LAN or the like: hereinafter referred to as a printing system) is used. Yes.

JP 2000-326590 A

An object of the present invention is to provide a printing system capable of extending the time during which the printing apparatus operates in the power saving mode, and a printing control program capable of realizing such a printing system.

  In order to solve the above problems, a printing system according to the first aspect of the present invention, which includes a printing apparatus and a plurality of host devices having a function of supplying print data to the printing apparatus, includes: An apparatus capable of operating in a normal mode and a power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode, and having a status information transmission function for transmitting status information indicating whether printing is in progress to another device A first print data supply means for supplying the print data to the printing device when each host device is instructed to supply the print data to the printing device; When it is instructed that data should be supplied to the printing device, it is confirmed that the printing device is printing by using the status information transmission function, and then the print data is Configuration including a device and a second print data supply means for supplying data to the printing apparatus, has been employed.

  That is, the printing system according to the first aspect of the present invention provides the second print data supply means when the user of each host apparatus wants the printing apparatus to print the print data that does not require the printing result immediately. A system in which printing of print data (processing by a printing apparatus) that does not require a printing result immediately when it is used in the form of use is performed at the time of printing of print data supplied by the first print data supply unit of any of the host apparatuses As a function. Will be able to do that. If the two print data are processed continuously, there is an opportunity to shift to the power saving mode than when the two print data are not processed continuously (when the two print data are processed at different times). This printing system is a system that can increase the time during which the printing apparatus operates in the power saving mode (an average of the printing apparatuses). It can be said that this is a system that can function with low power consumption.

  When realizing the printing system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the second printing data supply means can confirm that the printing apparatus is printing when the time designated by the user comes. Even if not, it is desirable to provide means for supplying print data to the printing apparatus. This is because if the second print data supply means is not used as such means, it may occur that the print result cannot be obtained by the required time.

The printing control program of the present invention, computer, has become a first aspect the program can operate as a host device in the printing system of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<< First Embodiment >>
As schematically shown in FIG. 1, the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a system in which a printing apparatus 10 and a plurality of host apparatuses 30 are network-connected.

  The printing apparatus 10 used in this printing system has, as an operation mode, a normal mode (an operation mode in which processing of received print data can be started immediately) and a power saving mode (received less power consumption than the normal mode). And an operation mode in which processing of print data cannot be started immediately, and starts operation in the power saving mode when print data is not received for a predetermined time or longer. In addition, regardless of whether the printing apparatus 10 is operating in the normal mode or the power saving mode, when the status information request having a predetermined content is received, the status information request is not changed without changing the operation mode. This is a device that returns status information indicating the state of the device (whether printing is in progress, etc.) to the transmission source device.

  Each host device 30 is a computer in which a printer driver 20 developed for the printing apparatus 10 is installed.

  The printer driver 20 installed in each host device 30 is a program that displays the configuration shown in FIG. 2 as a print condition setting dialog box.

  A check box 26 provided on the print condition setting dialog box is an item for allowing the user to set (select) whether or not to perform shared printing. The check box 27 is an item for allowing the user to set (select) whether to designate a printing time. The print time setting text boxes 28 (two text boxes) are items for allowing the user who has checked the check box 27 to set (input) the print time.

  In the print condition setting dialog box, when the check box 27 is checked and the print time is not set in the print time setting text box 28, an “OK” button, an “Apply” button, a close button ( The upper right x) is a non-functional dialog box (a dialog box in which the print time must be set when the check box 27 is checked).

  The printer driver 20 performs the procedure shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 when an instruction to print a certain document is given (when an OK button or the like on the print dialog box displayed by the application program is pressed). It is a program that executes the process.

  That is, when an instruction to print a certain document is given, the printer driver 20 first determines whether or not it is designated to perform the shared printing (whether or not the check box 26 is checked) ( FIG. 3: Step S101).

  If it is not designated to perform the shared printing (step S101; NO), the printer driver 20 determines whether the printing time is designated (whether the check box 27 is checked) (step S101). S102).

  If the printing time is not designated (step S102; NO), the printer driver 20 performs a process (step S103) of generating print data of a document to be printed and transmitting it to the printing apparatus 10. Then, the process of FIG. 3 (and FIG. 4) is terminated.

  If the print time has been designated (step S102; YES), the printer driver 20 generates print data of the document to be printed and stores it in the host device 30 (step S104), and then the current time. A process of waiting (monitoring) that the time coincides with the print time (the time set in the print time setting text box 28) is started (step S105). If the current time coincides with the printing time (step S105; YES), the printer driver 20 performs a process (step S106) of transmitting the print data stored in the process of step S104 to the printing apparatus 10. Thereafter, the printer driver 20 performs a process of displaying a transmission completion notification dialog box for notifying the user that the print data has been transmitted on the display (step S107), and then the process of FIG. 3 (and FIG. 4). Exit.

  Further, when it is designated to perform the shared printing (step S101; YES), the printer driver 20 determines whether or not the printing time is designated (FIG. 4: step S110).

  If the printing time has been designated (step S110; YES), the printer driver 20 first performs processing for generating print data of a document to be printed and storing it in the host device 30 (step S111). Thereafter, the printer driver 20 periodically acquires status information from the printing apparatus 10 (steps S112, S114, S115; check time), so that the status of the printing apparatus 10 becomes “printing” (“printing”). And monitoring that the current time coincides with the print time (steps S112 to S115).

  When the status of the printing apparatus 10 is “printing” (step S113; YES), the printer driver 20 transmits the print data stored in the process of step S111 to the printing apparatus 10 (step S116) and the process of displaying the transmission completion notification dialog box on the display (step S117) are performed, and then the process of FIG. 4 (and FIG. 3) is terminated. Further, also when the current time coincides with the printing time (step S115; printing time), the printer driver 20 performs the processing of steps S116 and S117, and then ends the processing of FIG. 4 (and FIG. 3).

  If the printing time has not been designated (step S110; YES), the printer driver 20 first performs processing for generating print data of a document to be printed and storing it in the host device 30 (step S121). Thereafter, the printer driver 20 periodically acquires status information from the printing apparatus 10 (steps S122, S124, S125; YES), thereby monitoring that the status of the printing apparatus 10 is “printing” ( Steps S122 to S125) are started.

  Then, when the status of the printing apparatus 10 becomes “printing” (step S123; YES), the printer driver 20 performs the processing of steps S116 and S117, and then performs the processing of FIG. 4 (and FIG. 3). finish.

  As is clear from the above description, when the printer driver 20 used in the printing system according to the present embodiment is designated to perform shared printing, the printer 10 is printing ( This is a program that transmits print data to the printing apparatus 10 when it is confirmed that the printing apparatus 10 is processing the print data transmitted by the other printer driver 20). Further, the printer driver 20 performs the shared printing and the printing time (when the check boxes 26 and 27 are checked and the printing time is set in the printing time setting text box 28). When the printing time is reached without confirming that the printing apparatus 10 is printing, the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 10.

  For this reason, when the user of each host device 30 causes the printing device 10 to print a document whose printing result is not required immediately (a document that needs to be printed by a certain time), it is possible to specify the shared printing. If the printing system is operated, it is possible to cause the printing apparatus 10 to print a document whose print result is not required immediately (processing for print data related to the document) when printing another document. If the two print data are processed continuously, there is an opportunity to shift to the power saving mode than when the two print data are not processed continuously (when the two print data are processed at different times). The probability that the power saving mode is canceled is reduced.

  Therefore, this printing system is a system capable of extending the time during which the printing apparatus 10 operates in the power saving mode (a system capable of causing the printing apparatus 10 to function in a state where average power consumption is low). It can be said that.

<< Second Embodiment >>
First, an outline of a printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 2.

  As schematically shown in FIG. 5, the printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a system in which a printing device 40 and a plurality of host devices 60 are network-connected.

  Each host device 60 used in this printing system is a computer in which a printer driver 50 developed for the printing device 40 and a print completion notification dialog box display program (DB display program in the figure) 55 are installed. .

  The print completion notification dialog box display program 55 displays a print completion notification dialog box on the display for notifying the user that printing of print data has been completed when a print completion notification to be described later is transmitted from the printing apparatus 40. (A program that ends when the print completion notification dialog box is closed).

  The printer driver 50 generates a print condition setting dialog box (see FIG. 2) having the same configuration as the printer driver 20 for generating print data for the printing apparatus 40 (print data in a format that can be processed by the printing apparatus 40). This is a program to be displayed.

  When the printer driver 50 is instructed to print a certain document, the printer driver 50 immediately displays information indicating the states of the check boxes 26 and 27 and the print time setting text box 28 (hereinafter referred to as “carpool printing condition information”). This program generates print data including (notated) and transmits it to the printing apparatus 40. The printer driver 50 is a program that activates the print completion notification dialog box display program 55 when print data is generated / transmitted with either of the check boxes 26 and 27 checked. .

  As schematically illustrated in FIG. 6, the printing apparatus 40 includes an operation panel 41, a print execution unit 42, a print data reception unit 43, a print control unit 44, and a storage unit 45.

  An operation panel 41 included in the printing apparatus 40 is a unit including an LCD, a plurality of push button switches, a plurality of LEDs, and the like. The print execution unit 42 is a unit (so-called print engine) for printing on paper. The storage unit 45 is a unit for storing various data. The storage unit 45 includes an HDD for storing (storing) print data, a RAM for temporarily storing various data, and the like.

  The print data receiving unit 43 and the print control unit 44 are units realized by the same hardware (network interface circuit, CPU, ROM, etc.).

  The printing device 40 is a device in which the operation mode is controlled by the print control unit 44, and in the power saving mode, power is supplied to the print execution unit 42 (and power is supplied to the LCD of the operation panel 41). It is a device to be stopped.

  Based on the above, the configuration and operation of the printing system according to the present embodiment will be described more specifically below.

  The print data receiving unit 43 provided in the printing apparatus 40 is a unit that operates as shown in FIG.

  That is, the print data receiving unit 43 normally monitors whether print data is received (print data is transmitted from the host device 60) (step S201).

  When the print data is received (step S201; YES), the print data receiving unit 43 converts the received print data into the normal print data (check box 26) based on the shared print condition information included in the print data. , 27 are not checked, it is determined whether or not the print data is generated by the printer driver 50 (step S202).

  If the received print data is normal print data (step S202; YES), the print data receiving unit 43 performs a process of supplying the received print data to the print control unit (step S203), and then prints the print data. The process returns to the state where reception is monitored (the state where the process of step S201 is executed).

  On the other hand, when the received print data is not normal print data (step S202; NO), the print data receiving unit 43 stores (saves) the received print data in the storage unit 45 (HDD) (step S204). ), The shared printing condition information included in the received print data, the information indicating the position of the print data in the storage unit 45, and the IP address of the transmission source host device 60 of the print data A process of adding data information to a print data information list (structure for storing print data information) on the storage unit 45 (RAM) (step S205) is performed.

  Then, the print data receiving unit 43 performs a process of supplying a list update notification of predetermined contents (information for notifying the print control unit that the contents of the print data information list have been updated) to the print control unit (step S206). After that, the print data reception is monitored again.

  Further, the print control unit 44 provided in the printing apparatus 40 always executes the process of the procedure shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and when the operation mode is the normal mode, the process of the procedure shown in FIG. 10 is performed. A unit that also executes processing.

  In other words, the print control unit 44 normally receives the print data / list update notification (the print data / list update notification is supplied from the print data receiving unit 43) and the current time is the print time required ( It is monitored that the details coincide with those described later (step S301).

  Then, when a list update notification is input (steps S301 and S302; list update notification input), the print control unit 44 refers to the print data information list, and receives the print data (storage unit) received this time. It is determined whether or not the print data stored in (1) is print data designated to be subjected to the shared printing (hereinafter referred to as the shared print data) (step S303).

  If the print data received this time is the shared print data (step S303; YES), the print control unit 14 determines the number of shared print data stored in the storage unit 45 (the shared data included in the print data information list). It is determined whether or not the number of print data information relating to print data is equal to or greater than a set value relating to the number of shared print data (step S304). The use of the set value related to the number of shared print data (the reason why the determination in steps S303 and S304 exists) will be described later. The set value related to the number of shared print data can be changed by operating the operation panel 11 (initial value). Is “3”).

  When the number of shared print data stored in the storage unit 45 is less than the set value related to the number of shared print data (step S304), the print control unit 14 is the earliest stored in the print data information list. A process of storing the printing time (close to the current time) as the printing time required (step S310) is performed. The process of step S310 is a process of storing NULL as the required print time when no print time is set for any print data information in the print data information list.

  Further, the print control unit 14 also performs the process of step S310 even when the print data received this time is not the shared print data (step S303; NO). Then, the print control unit 14 that has finished the process of step S310 returns to a state in which input of print data or the like is being monitored (a state in which the process of step S301 is performed).

  When the number of the shared print data stored in the storage unit 45 is equal to or larger than the set value related to the shared print data number (step S304; YES), the print control unit 14 determines that the current operation mode is the power saving mode. It is determined whether or not there is (step S305).

  If the current operation mode is the power saving mode (step S305; YES), the print control unit 44 performs processing for changing the operation mode to the normal mode (requires power to the print execution unit etc.) in step S306. Process to start supply).

  Next, the print control unit 44 performs a process (step S307) of executing a print control process and an erasing process on each shared print data on the storage unit. Here, the print control process for the print data is a process for causing the print execution unit to print the content specified in the print data (the data in a predetermined format is generated by interpreting the print data). Process to be supplied to the print execution unit). Further, the erasing process for the print data on the storage unit is a process for erasing the print data from the storage unit.

  In addition, when the current operation mode is the normal mode (step S305; NO), the print control unit 44 performs the process of step S307 without performing the process of step S306.

  The print control unit 44 that has finished the process of step S307 transmits the processed carpool print data transmission source host device 60 (an apparatus having an IP address included in the print data information in the print data information list relating to each processed carpool print data) ) Is executed (step S308).

  As described above, the printer driver 50 activates the print completion notification dialog box display program 55 when print data is generated / transmitted with either of the check boxes 26 and 27 checked. The print completion notification dialog box display program 55 is a print completion notification dialog box for notifying the user that printing of print data has been completed when a print completion notification is transmitted from the printing apparatus 40. When the process of step S308 is performed, a print completion notification dialog box is displayed on the display of each host device 60 that has transmitted the shared print data to the printing device 40. It will be.

  Then, the print control unit 44 that has finished the process of step S308 deletes the print data information relating to the processed carpool print data from the print data information list (step S309) and the process of updating the required print time (step S309). After performing step S310), the process returns to the state of monitoring the input of print data and the like.

  When print data is input (steps S301 and S302; print data input), the print control unit 44 determines whether or not the current operation mode is the power saving mode (step S311).

  If the current operation mode is the power saving mode (step S311; YES), the print control unit 44 performs processing for changing the operation mode to the normal mode (step S312), and then prints the input print data. A control process is executed (step S313).

  Thereafter, the print control unit 44 refers to the print data information list to determine whether or not the shared print data is stored in the storage unit 45 (step S314), and the shared print data is stored in the storage unit 45. If not (step S314; NO), the process returns to the state of monitoring the input of print data. In addition, when some shared print data is stored in the storage unit 45 (step S314; YES), the print control unit 44 executes the processes of steps S307 to S310 already described, and then print data. It returns to the state of monitoring the input etc.

  If the current time and the required printing time match (steps S301 and S302; current time = required printing time), the print control unit 44 sets the current operation mode to the power saving mode, as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not (step S321).

  Then, if the current operation mode is the power saving mode (step S321; YES), the print control unit 44 performs a process (step S322) for changing the operation mode to the normal mode, and then stores it. Print control processing and erasure processing are executed for print data (hereinafter referred to as processing target print data) in which the print time set on the copy is set as the required print time (step S323). In short, the process of this step is to print the print data in which only the print time is specified, or to print the shared print data (the print time is specified) that remains on the storage unit without being printed. It is processing to do.

  Thereafter, the print control unit 44 refers to the print data information list to determine whether or not unprocessed carpool print data is stored in the storage unit 45 (step S324).

  When the unprocessed carpool print data is not stored in the storage unit 45 (step S324; NO), the print control unit 44 transmits the processed print data to the transmission source host device 60 (in this case, Processing to send a processing completion notification to the processing target print data transmission source host device 60 only) (step S326), and print data information on each processed print data from the print data information list (in this case, processing target print data) After performing the process (step S327) for deleting the print data information only (step S327) and the process for updating the printing time required (step S328), the process returns to the state of monitoring the input of print data.

  In addition, when some unprocessed carpool print data is stored in the storage unit 45 (step S324; YES), the print control unit 44 applies each unprocessed carpool print data on the storage unit. Then, a process for executing the print control process and the erasing process (step S325) is performed. Thereafter, the print control unit 44 transmits a process completion notification to the transmission source host device 60 of each processed print data (step S326), and print data information regarding each processed print data from the print data information list. After performing the process of deleting (step S327) and the process of updating the printing time required (step S328), the process returns to the state of monitoring the input of print data.

  Then, when the operation mode is the normal mode while executing the processing of such contents, the print control unit 44 performs the process of the procedure shown in FIG. 10, that is, the process after the completion of the print control process. When the time exceeds the specified time (step S401; YES), the unit executes processing for changing the operation mode to the power saving mode (step S402).

  As described above, in the printing apparatus 40 used in the printing system according to the present embodiment, the received print data is the shared print data (print data that is designated to perform the shared print). In this case, the carpool print data is stored internally, and printing of each saved carpool print data is performed when normal print data is printed or print data with a specified print time (carpool print data / non-print data). This is a device that is used when printing carpooling print data).

  For this reason, when the user of each host device 60 causes the printing device 40 to print a document whose printing result is not required immediately (a document that needs to be printed by a certain time), the user can specify the shared printing. If the printing system is operated, it is possible to cause the printing apparatus 40 to print a document whose print result is not required immediately (processing for print data related to the document) when printing another document. If the two print data are processed continuously, there is an opportunity to shift to the power saving mode than when the two print data are not processed continuously (when the two print data are processed at different times). The probability that the power saving mode is canceled is reduced.

  Therefore, this printing system is a system capable of extending the time during which the printing apparatus 40 is operating in the power saving mode (a system capable of causing the printing apparatus 40 to function in a state where average power consumption is low). It can be said that.

  Further, as a result of receiving the shared print data, the printing apparatus 40, when the number of shared print data stored in the storage unit 45 is equal to or greater than the set value related to the shared print data number (step S304; YES), This is a device for printing carpool print data.

  Therefore, it can be said that the printing system according to the present embodiment is a system in which the average time until the shared print data is printed is shorter than the printing system according to the first embodiment.

<Deformation>
The printing system according to the first and second embodiments described above can be variously modified. For example, the printing system of each embodiment can be modified to one that cannot perform time-designated printing (one that can perform normal printing and carpool printing).

  In the printing system (printing device 10 and printer driver 20) according to the first embodiment, the printer driver 20 instructed to perform the shared printing transmits information indicating the fact to the printing device 10 and receives the information. A system in which print data is transmitted by the printer driver 20 when information indicating that printing has started is transmitted from the printing apparatus 10 (if information indicating that shared printing is instructed is received, printing is performed. It is also possible to change to a system using a printing apparatus 10 that returns information indicating that printing has started to the transmission source device of the information when it is started.

  In addition, the configuration of the dialog box for setting printing conditions displayed by the printer drivers 20 and 50 may be different from that described above, and the printing system according to the first and second embodiments may be used as each device. It goes without saying that the specific processing procedure in may be modified to a system different from that described above.

1 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a print condition setting dialog box displayed by the printer driver according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart of processing executed by the printer driver according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart of processing executed by the printer driver according to the first embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the structure of the printing system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the structure of the printing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 9 is a flowchart of processing executed by a print data receiving unit in a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart of processing executed by a print control unit in a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart of processing executed by a print control unit in a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart of processing executed by a print control unit in a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment in a normal mode.

Explanation of symbols

10, 40 Printing device 20, 50 Printer driver 26, 27 Check box 28 Print time setting text box 30, 60 Host device 55 Print completion notification dialog box display program

Claims (3)

A printing system including a printing device and a plurality of host devices having a function of supplying print data to the printing device,
The printing device is
An apparatus capable of operating in a normal mode and a power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode, and having a status information transmission function for transmitting status information indicating whether printing is in progress to another device And
Each of the plurality of host devices is
First print data supply means for supplying print data to the printing apparatus when it is instructed to supply certain print data to the printing apparatus;
When it is instructed that certain print data should be supplied to the printing apparatus, it is confirmed that the printing apparatus is printing by using the status information transmission function, and then the print data A printing system, comprising: a second print data supply unit that supplies the printing apparatus to the printing apparatus. The second print data supply means comprises:
It is means for supplying the print data to the printing device even when it is not confirmed that the printing device is printing when the time designated by the user is reached. The printing system according to claim 1. A network for a printing apparatus having a status information transmission function for transmitting status information indicating whether printing is in progress to another device, which can operate in a normal mode and a power saving mode with lower power consumption than the normal mode. Connected computers
First print data supply means for supplying print data to the printing apparatus when it is instructed to supply certain print data to the printing apparatus;
When it is instructed that certain print data should be supplied to the printing apparatus, it is confirmed that the printing apparatus is printing by using the status information transmission function, and then the print data And a second print data supply means for supplying the printing apparatus to the printing apparatus.