JP2010198151A - Printing system and language monitor program - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a printing system that improves convenience when a user cancels a print job, and a language monitor program installed in a computer constituting the printing system.
A printing system includes a computer and a printer. The printer 50 enters a JOB IN mode in response to a job start instruction from the computer 10 and enters an idle mode in response to a job end instruction from the computer 10. When canceling the job, the language monitor 34 of the computer 10 transmits EndJob to the printer 50. EndJob includes a null data string, a paper discharge instruction, and a job end instruction. The printer 50 distinguishes it from subsequent print data by a NULL data string. Further, the printer 50 discharges the paper held by the paper supply / discharge mechanism 53 based on the paper discharge instruction, and changes to the idle mode according to the job end instruction.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer, a printing system including a computer, and a language monitor program installed in the computer.

  Conventionally, a printing system in which a printer and a computer are connected is known. When print data or the like is transmitted from the computer, the printer performs printing on the paper fed by the paper feed / discharge mechanism using the print mechanism unit. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an invention related to such a printing system.

JP 2004-216893 A

  When a print job is executed in the printing system, the user may cancel the print job. In this case, since the printer stops processing while the print job is being executed, the printer may stop while holding the paper in the paper supply / discharge mechanism. In addition, when transmission of print data is interrupted in the middle of the printing system, the print data transmitted before the interruption may adversely affect the printing of the next print job. The present specification provides a printing system and a language monitor program that are convenient for the user.

  A printing system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a printer and a computer connected to the printer. The printer includes a printing unit, a paper supply / discharge unit, and a control unit. When the printer receives a job start command from the computer in the idle state, the printer enters a command reception state. When the printer is notified of the end of control related to the print job in the command reception state, the printer enters an idle state. The computer includes operation means and connection means, and includes a spooler, a printer driver, and a language monitor program. The language monitor program transmits a job start command to the printer when the start of a print job is notified from the printer driver via the spooler. The language monitor program transmits a job end command to the printer when the end of the print job is notified via the spooler. Even when a print job is canceled by the operation unit, the language monitor program transmits a job end command to the printer. The job end command includes a null data string, a paper discharge instruction, and a job end instruction.

Thus, even if the user cancels a print job (hereinafter referred to as job cancellation) in the printing system, the printer receives a job end command from the language monitor program. That is, according to the printing system, the printer can discharge the paper based on the paper discharge instruction even if the paper is held by the paper supply / discharge means due to the job cancellation. Thereby, the printing system can provide the user with convenience when canceling the job. Further, according to the printing system, the print data of the canceled print job is clarified as print data related to a new print job based on the null data string of the job end command, the discharge instruction, and the job end instruction. Are distinguished. Therefore, the printing system can eliminate the influence of cancellation of the print job by the user on the subsequent printing.
The language monitor program functions regardless of the type of connection means. Therefore, the printing system can provide convenience when canceling a job regardless of the type of connection means to which the printer is connected.

  In the printing system according to claim 2, the printer according to the printing system according to claim 1 is included in the command excluding the job start command and the job end command when the printer is in an idle state. Discard null data columns.

  According to the printing system, the printer does not perform printing based on the null data string, the paper discharge instruction, and the job end instruction on the paper. That is, the printing system can output the print result relating to the print job without being affected by the null data string or the like even when the print job is normally completed. As a result, the printing system can provide convenience during normal operation while providing convenience during job cancellation.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the language monitor program has the same effect as the printing system according to the first aspect in cooperation with a computer connected to the printer. The printer in this case includes a printing unit, a paper supply / discharge unit, and a control unit. In this case, the computer includes connection means and operation means, and includes a spooler, a printer driver, and a language monitor program.

  That is, the language monitor program according to the third aspect can provide the user with the convenience related to the paper discharge at the time of job cancellation by cooperating with the computer connected to the printer. Further, the language monitor program can eliminate the influence of the cancellation of the print job by the user on the subsequent printing, similarly to the printing system according to the first aspect. Further, the language monitor program can provide convenience at the time of job cancellation regardless of the type of connection means to which the printer is connected, as in the printing system according to claim 1.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the printing architecture of a printing system. It is a flowchart of the control program in the computer which comprises a printing system. FIG. 4 is a process sequence diagram between a printer driver, a language monitor, and a printer in a normal state. FIG. 6 is a process sequence diagram between a printer driver, a language monitor, and a printer when canceling a job. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a command “EndJob”.

Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying a printing system and a language monitor program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
First, a schematic configuration of the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The printing system 1 according to this embodiment includes a computer 10 and a printer 50. The computer 10 is an information terminal such as a personal computer. The printer 50 is connected to the computer 10.

  The computer 10 has a control unit 20. The control unit 20 plays a central role in controlling the computer 10. The control unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, and a RAM 23. The CPU 21 is a central processing unit that executes various control programs. The ROM 22 stores various control programs executed by the CPU 21 and permanent data. The RAM 23 temporarily stores the calculation result of the control program by the CPU 21.

  The computer 10 includes an output I / F 24, a display 25, an input I / F 26, a mouse 27, and a keyboard 28. The display 25 is connected to the control unit 20 via the output I / F 24. The display 25 displays various contents on the screen based on the control of the control unit 20. The mouse 27 and the keyboard 28 are connected to the control unit 20 via the input I / F 26.

  The computer 10 also includes a LAN I / F 40 and a USB I / F 41. The computer 10 is connected to the printer 50 via the LAN I / F 40 and the local area network N. The computer 10 is connected to the printer 50 via the USB I / F 41.

  The computer 10 has a storage device 30. As the storage device 30, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) can be used. The storage device 30 stores an application program 31, a print spooler 32, a printer driver 33, and a language monitor 34.

  The application program 31 is a program for executing processing for a specific purpose. The application program 31 includes various application programs such as a document creation program, a spreadsheet program, and a web browser program.

  The printer 50 includes a printer control unit 51, a printing unit 52, and a paper supply / discharge mechanism unit 53.

  The printer control unit 51 plays a central role in controlling the printer 50. The printer control unit 51 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. A control program (see FIG. 3) described later is stored in the ROM of the printer control unit 51 and is executed by the CPU of the printer control unit 51.

  Under the control of the printer control unit 51, the printing unit 52 performs printing based on print data on a recording medium such as paper. The printing unit 52 can employ various methods (for example, an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, etc.). Since the details of the printing unit 52 are already known, the description thereof is omitted.

  Based on the control of the printer control unit 51, the paper supply / discharge mechanism unit 53 supplies (feeds) paper to the printing unit 52 and discharges (discharges) paper from the printing unit 52. The paper supply / discharge mechanism 53 can discharge paper from the printing unit 52 in accordance with control of the printer control unit 51 based on reception of a paper discharge instruction (see FIG. 6) described later. Since the detailed configuration of the paper supply / discharge mechanism 53 is already known, a description thereof will be omitted.

  Further, the printer 50 has a LAN I / F 54 and a USB I / F 55. The printer 50 can print the print data from the computer 10 via the local area network N (see FIG. 1). Note that the printer 50 connected to the computer 10 via the LAN I / F 54 is referred to as a “network-connected printer 50”.

  The printer 50 can print the print data from the computer 10 connected via the USB I / F 55 on a sheet. The printer 50 connected to the computer 10 via the USB I / F 55 is referred to as a “locally connected printer 50”.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram relating to the printing architecture of the printing system 1.
When a print operation for print data is performed by operating the keyboard 28 or the like during execution of the application program 31, the printer driver 33 receives a print instruction based on the print operation. At this time, the print spooler 32 manages a print job based on the print instruction. The printer driver 33 then controls the printer 50 corresponding to the printer driver 33 based on the control of the print spooler 32.

  The language monitor 34 transmits / receives data to / from the printer 50 based on the control of the print spooler 32. The language monitor 34 performs status monitoring and error control when data is output to the printer 50.

  Print data relating to the print job is written to the printer 50 connected to the network via the port monitor 35 and the LAN I / F 40. Similarly, the print data is written to a locally connected printer via the port monitor 35 and the USB I / F 41.

  Here, the port monitor 35 monitors the input / output state of data to the printer port by the printer driver 33. The printer port corresponds to the printer 50 connected to the network and the printer 50 connected locally.

  Then, the printer 50 sequentially prints the print data (raster data) written in the printer port on the paper by the printing unit 52. When executing printing, the printer 50 supplies the paper to the printing unit 52 by the paper supply / discharge mechanism unit 53. When the printing is completed normally, the paper is discharged outside the printer 50 by the paper supply / discharge mechanism unit 53.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the control program for the printer 50. As shown in FIG. 3, in S1, a determination process is performed based on whether or not a JOB IN flag described later is set in the RAM. If currently in the “JOB IN mode” (S1: YES), the process proceeds to S5. On the other hand, if not (S1: NO), the process proceeds to S2.

  Here, the “JOB IN mode” is a state in which a print job based on print data from the computer 10 is being executed. In this “JOB IN mode”, the printer control unit 51 performs control in accordance with all instructions (including control commands and the like) transmitted from the computer 10. This point will be described later.

  The printer 50 according to the present embodiment is in the “idle mode” when not in the “JOB IN mode”. In this “idle mode”, the printer 50 discards all instructions and data except for a job start instruction to be described later. This point will also be described later.

  In S2, it is determined whether or not a job start instruction is received from the computer 10. If a job start instruction has been received (S2: YES), the process proceeds to S4. Otherwise (S2: NO), the process proceeds to S3.

  In S3, since it is in the “idle mode”, all data and control commands received from the computer 10 are discarded.

  In S4, with the reception of the job start instruction (S2: YES), the JOB IN flag is set in the RAM of the printer control unit 51.

  On the other hand, in S5 in which the printer 50 is in the “JOB IN mode”, it is determined whether or not a job end instruction indicating the end of the print job performed immediately before has been received. If a job end instruction is received (S5: YES), the process proceeds to S7. On the other hand, if not (S5: NO), the process proceeds to S6.

  In S6, command processing based on various control commands is executed. For example, when a drawing command for raster data constituting print data is received, the printing unit 52 and the like are controlled according to the drawing command to draw and print the raster data on a sheet. Thereafter, the control program ends.

  In S7, the JOB IN flag is cleared based on the reception of the job end instruction.

  Here, the job end instruction is included in both “DrvEndDoc” notified from the printer driver 33 via the language monitor 34 and “EndJob” notified from the language monitor 34.

As shown in FIG. 6, “EndJob” includes the job end instruction, a NULL data string composed of 1000 bytes of NULL data, and a paper discharge instruction.
In S7 when “EndJob” is received, it is understood from the null data string that the print data related to the print job being executed at the time of receiving “EndJob” has ended, and is distinguished from subsequent print jobs. Further, by controlling the paper supply / discharge mechanism 53 in accordance with the paper discharge instruction, the paper being printed by the paper supply / discharge mechanism 53 is discharged to the outside of the printer 50.

Next, a processing sequence among the printer driver 33, the language monitor 34, and the printer 50 when the print job from the computer 10 is normally completed (normal time) will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
In the following description, it is assumed that the printer 50 is in the “idle mode” at the start of the processing sequence.

  When the user performs a printing operation on the computer 10, the language monitor 34 notifies the printer 50 of “StartJob” based on the control of the print spooler 32. “StartJob” means the start of processing related to the print job.

  Thereafter, the language monitor 34 reads “WritePort” based on the control of the print spooler 32. “WritePort” means writing various data and control instructions (for example, raster data and control commands) to a specific printer port.

  On the other hand, the print spooler 32 calls “DrvStartDoc” of the printer driver 33. “DrvStartDoc” means that preparation for transmission of data necessary for execution of the print job is completed. When “DrvStartDoc” is called, the printer driver 33 returns information including a job start instruction to the print spooler 32. When the information based on “DrvStartDoc” including the job start instruction is received, the print spooler 32 calls “WritePort” of the language monitor 34.

  As a result, information based on “DrvStartDoc” is notified to the printer 50 via “WritePort” of the language monitor 34. When the information based on the “DrvStartDoc” is notified (S2: YES), the printer 50 is changed from “idle mode” to “JOB IN mode” (S4).

  Next, the print spooler 32 reads “DrvStartBanding” of the printer driver 33 and notifies the language monitor 34 of “DrvStartBanding”. Also in this case, “DrvStartBanding” is notified to the printer 50 via “WritePort” of the language monitor 34. The “DrvStartBanding” means a drawing instruction for the first part of image data (raster data) constituting print data related to a print job. Therefore, the printer 50 prints the portion written in the printer port on the paper (S6).

  Thereafter, the print spooler 32 reads “DrvNextBand” from the printer driver 33 and notifies the language monitor 34 of it. Similarly, “DrvNextBand” is notified to the printer 50 via “WritePort” of the language monitor 34. The “DrvNextBand” means a drawing instruction for a portion following the printed portion of the image data (raster data) constituting the print data relating to the print job. Accordingly, the printer 50 prints the remaining portion of the print image on the paper (S6).

  The process related to “DrvNextBand” is repeated until all the image data constituting the print data is written to the printer port. In FIG. 4, although the aspect repeated twice is described, it is not limited to this aspect.

  Subsequently, the print spooler 32 calls “DrvEndDoc” from the printer driver 33. “DrvEndDoc” means that transmission of data necessary for processing the print job has been completed. When “DrvEndDoc” is called, the printer driver 33 returns information including a job end instruction to the print spooler 32. When the information based on “DrvEndDoc” including the job end instruction is received, the print spooler 32 calls “WritePort” of the language monitor 34. As a result, information based on the “DrvEndDoc” is notified to the printer 50 via “WritePort” of the language monitor 34.

  When the information based on the “DrvEndDoc” is received (S5: YES), the printer 50 is changed from the “JOB IN mode” to the “idle mode” (S7). At this time, since the printer 50 has completed printing for the print job, the paper supply / discharge mechanism 53 discharges the printed paper to the outside of the printer 50.

  Thereafter, the language monitor 34 notifies the printer 50 of “EndJob” based on the control of the print spooler 32.

  In this regard, in the case shown in FIG. 4, the printer 50 is in the “idle mode” when “EndJob” is notified. Accordingly, even when the “EndJob” is notified, the printer 50 reads and discards the “EndJob” (S3).

  Next, a processing sequence among the printer driver 33, the language monitor 34, and the printer 50 when a print job is canceled will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  As in the case of FIG. 4, it is assumed that the printer 50 is in the “idle mode” at the start of the processing sequence. Further, the processing sequence until the user cancels the print job in the computer 10 is the same as the processing sequence in the normal state, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the case illustrated in FIG. 5, job cancellation is performed when “DrvStartDoc”, “DrvStartBanding”, and the first “DrvNextBand” are notified to the printer 50 via “WritePort” of the language monitor 34. Therefore, the printer 50 executes the printing process based on the user operation up to an intermediate stage. That is, an image based on user-desired print data is printed on the paper up to an intermediate stage.

  Here, when the user performs a print job cancel operation using the keyboard 28 or the like, the language monitor 34 ends “WritePort” in accordance with the control of the print spooler 32. When job cancellation is performed, subsequent data and the like are not written to the printer port via the “WritePort” of the language monitor 34 and are not transmitted to the printer 50.

  Also in this case, the print spooler 32 calls “DrvNextBand” and “DrvEndDoc” for the second time from the printer driver 33 and notifies the language monitor 34 of them. However, at this time, the language monitor 34 has finished “WritePort”. Therefore, the “DrvNextBand” and “DrvEndDoc” are not written to the printer port and are not transmitted to the printer 50 via the language monitor 34.

  As a result, since the subsequent “DrvNextBand” cannot be received, the printer 50 is in a state in which printing related to the print job is interrupted halfway. That is, the paper on which printing is performed remains in the vicinity of the printing unit 52 without being completely discharged to the outside of the printer 50.

  Further, since “DrvEndDoc” is not received, the printer 50 cannot grasp the end of the print job and cannot discharge paper based on “DrvEndDoc”. Furthermore, since “DrvEndDoc” cannot be received, the printer 50 cannot distinguish between data related to the print job and data related to the next print job, which may cause printing problems.

  When the job is canceled, the language monitor 34 notifies the printer 50 of “EndJob” based on the control of the print spooler 32 as in the case of FIG.

  Since the printer 50 is in the “JOB IN mode”, when “EndJob” is received (S5: YES), the printer 50 is changed from the “JOB IN mode” to the “idle mode” (S7).

  At this time, the printer 50 can grasp that the print data related to the print job has ended from the NULL data string included in “EndJob”. Accordingly, even when a subsequent print job is started, the printer 50 does not cause a printing failure due to a mixture of data related to the preceding and succeeding print jobs.

  Further, at this time, the printer 50 controls the paper supply / discharge mechanism 53 in accordance with the paper discharge instruction included in “EndJob”, and discharges paper that has not been discharged due to the interruption of printing to the outside of the printer 50. To do. Thus, even when the user cancels the job, the user does not need to go to the printer 50 to remove the paper. That is, the printing system 1 can provide the user with convenience when canceling a job.

  As described above, according to the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment, even when there is a job cancellation, the printer 50 receives “EndJob” from the language monitor 34. That is, according to the printing system 1, the printer 50 discharges a sheet in accordance with a sheet discharge instruction included in “EndJob”. As a result, according to the printing system 1, the printer 50 can reliably discharge the paper even when the paper remains held in the paper supply / discharge mechanism 53 due to the job cancellation. It is possible to provide convenience when canceling a job.

  Also, according to the printing system 1, the print data related to the canceled print job is the print data related to the new print job based on the NULL data string, the paper discharge instruction, and the job end instruction included in “EndJob”. And is clearly distinguished. Therefore, according to the printing system, it is possible to eliminate the influence of the user job cancellation on the subsequent print job.

  The language monitor 34 functions regardless of the type of connection interface such as LAN I / F or USB I / F. Therefore, the printing system 1 can provide convenience when canceling a job regardless of the type of connection interface to which the printer 50 is connected.

  Further, according to the printing system 1, the printer 50 is changed to “idle mode” in response to a job end instruction of “DrvEndDoc” transmitted before “EndJob” in a normal state. In the “idle mode”, the printer 50 accepts only a job start instruction included in “DrvStartDoc”, and reads and discards other control commands and data (S3). That is, under normal conditions, the printer 50 does not perform printing based on the NULL data string, the paper discharge instruction, and the job end instruction on the paper according to “EndJob” notified in the “idle mode”. As a result, the printing system 1 can output the printing result relating to the print job without being affected by the null data string or the like even when the print job is normally completed. As a result, the printing system 1 can provide convenience during normal operation while providing convenience during job cancellation.

  The language monitor 34 has the same effect as the printing system 1 by being executed by another computer connected to the printer 50. That is, the language monitor 34 can provide the user with the convenience related to the paper discharge at the time of job cancellation by cooperating with the computer. In this case, the language monitor 34 can eliminate the influence of the cancellation of the print job by the user on the subsequent printing. Furthermore, the language monitor 34 can provide convenience when canceling a job regardless of the type of connection interface to which the printer 50 is connected.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, “EndJob” is composed of a NULL data string, a paper discharge instruction, and a job end instruction, but is not limited to this mode. That is, according to the present invention, “EndJob” can include other control instructions in addition to the NULL data string, the paper discharge instruction, and the job end instruction.

  In this embodiment, the NULL data string indicates the end of the previous print data, and is configured to be distinguishable from the next print data by the NULL data string. However, the present invention is not limited to this mode. Absent. As long as the data can distinguish the previous print data and the next print data, various modes can be adopted.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the job start instruction is notified to the printer 50 based on the call of “DrvStartDoc”. However, the present invention is not limited to this mode, and various modes are adopted. obtain. For example, the present invention may employ a configuration in which a job start instruction is notified to the printer 50 on condition that the print spooler 32 calls “DrvStartBanding”. The present invention can also employ a configuration in which the print spooler 32 notifies the printer 50 of a job start instruction when the first “DrvNextBand” is called.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing system 10 Computer 20 Control part 27 Mouse 28 Keyboard 32 Print spooler 33 Printer driver 34 Language monitor 40 LAN I / F
41 USB I / F
50 Printer 51 Printer Control Unit 52 Printing Unit 53 Feed / Discharge Mechanism Unit 54 LAN I / F
55 USB I / F
N Local area network

Claims (3)

Printing means for performing printing based on print data on paper;
Paper supply / discharge means for feeding and discharging paper to the printing means;
A control unit that controls the printing unit and the paper supply / discharge unit, and performs control related to printing of print data;
Operation means used for canceling a print job based on the print data;
A computer comprising: connection means for communicably connecting various information including print data to and from the printer;
In a printing system having
The printer is
When a job start command indicating that the print control related to the print job is started is received in the idle state waiting for the print control related to the print job based on the print data, the control unit receives the job start command from the computer. Switching to a command accepting state for executing control on the printing unit and the paper supply / discharge unit based on the received command,
In the command reception state, when notified of the end of print control related to the print job, the control means switches to the idle state,
The computer
A spooler that accepts multiple print jobs and manages the processing order of each print job;
A printer driver for controlling the printer connected to the connection means;
A language monitor program for transmitting and receiving data to and from the printer based on the control of the spooler;
The language monitor program is
When the start of a print job is notified from the printer driver via the spooler, the job start command is transmitted to the printer,
When the end of the print job is notified via the spooler, a null data string indicating the end of the image data related to the print job, and a paper discharge instructing paper discharge in the paper supply / discharge means of the printer A job end command including an instruction and a job end instruction indicating the end of the print job in the printer, and notifies the printer of the end of the print control related to the print job.
When a print job is canceled based on the operation unit, the job end command is transmitted to the printer, and the printer is notified of the end of print control relating to the print job. The printing system according to claim 1,
The printer is
When in the idle state,
A printing system, wherein a null data string included in a command excluding the job start command and the job end command is read and discarded. A printing unit that performs printing based on print data on a sheet, a sheet feeding / discharging unit that feeds and discharges the sheet with respect to the printing unit, and a printer that controls the printing unit and the sheet feeding / discharging unit, and Connecting means for connecting various information including print data so as to be communicable between a control means for performing control and a printer comprising:
Operation means used for canceling a print job based on the print data;
A spooler that accepts multiple print jobs and manages the processing order of each print job;
A printer driver for controlling the printer connected to the connection means;
In a language monitor program for a computer having a language monitor program for transmitting and receiving data to and from the printer based on the control of the spooler,
The language monitor program is
When the start of a print job is notified from the printer driver via the spooler, the print start is transmitted to the printer by indicating to the printer that the print control related to the print job is started. Switching the printer in the idle state waiting for the print control related to the job to a command reception state for executing control on the printing unit and the paper supply / discharge unit based on a command received from the computer,
When the end of a print job is notified via the spooler, a null data string indicating the end of the image data related to the print job, and a paper discharge instruction for instructing paper discharge in the paper supply / discharge means of the printer And a job end command including a job end instruction indicating the end of the print job in the printer,
When the print job is canceled based on the operation means, the job end command is transmitted to the printer, and notification of the end of print control related to the print job is sent to the printer. A language monitor program for switching a printer to the idle state.

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