JPH0451317A - Specific paper printing control method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a method for printing document data created by a document creation device such as a Japanese word processor, and particularly when the printing machine is a high-performance printer such as a laser printer. The present invention relates to a print control method for a specific sheet of paper when a plurality of document creation devices share one printing device and print via a print control device in a page printer.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, if the printing device is an expensive device such as a laser printer capable of high-speed, high-definition printing, the time spent printing while fishing on a boat accounts for a small proportion of the total time spent using the document production device. For this reason, a method has been adopted in which one printing device is connected to a plurality of document creation devices.

A typical conventional example in which a plurality of document creation devices share one printing device as described above is described in a catalog published in 1988 regarding the Hitachi Japanese word processor "Laser Printer Network System."

In the case of the conventional example, the paper feed force cell 1 set in the printing device
-, it is common to install one cassette for a certain paper size, and there is no consideration when printing on specific paper such as a certain format. A problem occurs in which a print request document from the document creation device is printed.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the above conventional technology, when printing on specific paper,
There was no print control that allowed specifying whether or not to print on a specific paper. Therefore, if a print request for the same size paper is issued from another document creation device before a specific paper is set in the printing device and a print request is made, the print document requested by the other document creation device will be , there was a problem with printing on specific paper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the problems of the prior art described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a print control method that allows accurate printing on a specific sheet of paper.

[Means to solve the problem]

The above objects include a specific paper specifying means that can specify whether or not printing is to be performed on a specific paper when printing is requested from a document creation device; This is achieved by providing a message output means for requesting the setting of a specific paper at the time of printing, and a recognition means for recognizing completion of the setting of the specific paper.

[Effect]

The specific paper specifying means enables specification of whether printing is to be performed on a specific paper, and the determining means is used to determine whether or not printing is to be performed on a specific paper.

At this time, if printing is for a specific paper, the message output means requests a message display requesting the settings for the specific paper, and then the operator inputs information indicating completion of the specific paper settings from the input device. This is achieved by providing a recognition means that recognizes the completion of setting of a specific paper.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the general configuration of a document creation device and a printing device. In FIG. 2, 1 is a document creation device such as a Japanese word processor or a personal computer, 2 is a printing device for printing documents created by the document creation device, and 3 is a connection between document creation device 1 and printing device 2. This is a signal cable for.

The document creation device 1 includes an overall control device 11 that performs processing for document creation such as kana-kanji conversion, an input device 12 for inputting characters, a display device 13 that is a display section, and a floppy disk for storing created documents. It consists of an external storage device 14 for storing data on a disk or the like. The operator creates a target document using the document creation device 1 while recognizing it on the display device 13, registers it as a coded document in an external storage device 14 such as a floppy disk when saving it, and when printing it. An image document is printed using the printing bag W2. The printing device 2 includes a printing control bag [21] and a printer 22, which is a printing machine. The print control device 21 performs processing to develop coded data sent from the document creation device 1 into a print image, controls the printer 22, and the like. The signal cable 3 connects the document creation device 1 and the printing device 2 through serial communication, and includes at least one pair of signal lines.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the overall control device 11 shown in FIG. 2. In the overall control device 11, there is a CPU 41. Boot ROM4.2. consists of a non-volatile memory ROM and has a program executed when the power is turned on. Random access memory (R
AM) main memory consisting of 4.3. Create a screen display pattern according to instructions from CPU 4.1 Display device 1
A display circuit 47 that sends a video signal to 3. A flexible disk control circuit (FD
C)45. An input control section 44 that controls the input device 12 and sends an input signal from the input device 12 to the CPU 41. It includes a communication control unit 46 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the printing device 2, and the like. Here, the coded document data for printing that is temporarily stored in the main memory 43 is input to the communication control unit 4G in the form of parallel data in units of 8 bits or 16 bits. In the control unit 46, the input parallel data is converted into serial data, sent bit by bit to the signal cable 3, and finally transmitted to the printing device 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing details of the print control device 2 in the printing device 2 shown in FIG.

Overall control of the printing control device 21 is executed by a CPU 51 consisting of a program storage type computer unit. The boot ROM 52 consists of a ROM which is a non-volatile memory.
A program for operating the CPU 5 when the power is turned on and when performing common processing of the print control device 21 is stored. The program memory 53 is made up of a random access memory (RAM), and stores programs for controlling individual prints sent from the document creation device. Data regarding the contents of the program memory 53 is sent via communication when each document creation device executes printing. A signal cable 3 connected to the document creation device 1 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to a communication control section 54 in the print control device 21. The communication control unit 54 transmits print processing program data or print character data input in bit-by-bit serial format from the signal cable 3 to the CPU 5.
It has a function of converting parallel data into 8-bit or 16-bit 1 processing unit.

The print processing program data from the document creation device 1 converted into parallel data by the communication control unit 54 is stored in the program memory 53 as described above, and the print data is transferred to the RA.
It is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 55 which is M. C
In accordance with the print processing program in the program memory 53, the PU 51 reads a character pattern for printing corresponding to the content of the coded document data in the buffer memory 55 from the character generator CG56, and prints it in the form of a print image in units of one pill. The data is expanded to a bitmap memory area 57 consisting of RAM.

By repeating the above operation for all the characters on one page to be printed, bit data for one page is developed in the bitmap memory 57, and then the CPU 51
By sequentially sending the data in the bitmap memory 57 to the printer 22 via the printer control unit 58,
Finally, the printer 22 prints the document data. Note that the printer control unit 58 controls the printer 22.
In addition to controlling the transmission and reception of data to and from the printer 22, it also controls the driving of the printer 22.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing details of the communication control unit 46 on the document creation device side shown in FIG. 3, details of the communication control unit 54 on the printing device side shown in FIG. 4, and a connection configuration between the two. It is.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which two document creation devices and one printing device are connected. The communication control unit 46 on the document creation device side includes a universal synchronous receiver 1~transmitter (USRT) 61. which is a synchronous serial transmission LSI for interfacing with the CPU 41 in FIG. 3 for serial transmission. An encoding circuit 62 that performs processing to include a clock in data to logically unify transmission data and a clock, which is the basis of transmission timing, in order to perform long-distance transmission. An I lance 66 whose purpose is to send only normal mode signals to the signal cable 3 for long-distance transmission, and a driver for amplifying the signal output from the encoding circuit 62 and driving the transformer 66. 63, and transformer 6 when receiving
A receiver 65 detects the signal input to the receiver 65 and converts the level to the logic level for the next stage of decoding, and a decoder restores only the data from the received signal in which the data output from the receiver 65 and the synchronized clock are synthesized. It consists of a circuit 64. The data flow when transmitting data is USRT61
, encoding circuit 62. Driver 63. The signal is output to the signal cable 3 in the order of the transformer 66. Further, the flow of data when receiving data is that data enters the transformer 66 from the signal cable 3, the receiver 65. decoding circuit 64,
are input in the order of USRT61, and finally detected by CPU4]. Communication control unit 4 on the document creation device side shown above
6 has exactly the same configuration in the case of other document creation devices, and as shown in FIG.
6 can be connected. Further, the block configuration of the communication control unit 54 on the printing device side is also the same as that of the document creation device described above, including a USRT 81, an encoding circuit 82.
Driver 83. The decoding circuit 84 is composed of a receiver 85,1 to a lance 86.

Regarding the connection between the document creation device and the printing device, signals input and output from transformers 66 and 76 of the communication control section on the document creation device side and transformers 1 to 86 of the communication control section on the printing device side
Signals input and output from the two are connected by signal cables via connectors, respectively. The communication control unit on the document creation device side has two connectors 67, 68 and 77, respectively.
．． 78 connectors are provided, and two connectors 87 and 88 are similarly provided in the communication control section on the printing control device side. As mentioned above, since two connectors are installed in the document creation device and the printing control device, the connectors 68 and 77 are connected by the signal cable 3 as shown in Fig. Since it is possible to connect the connectors in sequence, it is possible to construct a printing system that connects a plurality of document creation devices and a plurality of printing devices.

FIG. 6 is an example of data encoding in FIG. 5, and is a diagram showing waveforms at each stage when data is sent from the CPU 41 in the communication control unit 46 of the document creation device 1. From the CPU 4.1, a data string of "01001.100 J" is sent as parallel CPU data to the USRT 61 as an example of encoded print data. From the USRT 61, O is L level and 1 is H level. Data A is serially sent to the encoding circuit 62 as
is entered as . Communication path 3 via encoding circuit 62
Communication path data C sent to a and 3b is data A
The signal waveform shown in FIG. 6 is obtained by adding a component of the basic clock B to the signal. In this way, by combining the synchronized clock and data, which are the basic components of transmission, in the form of a single signal, communication is possible with at least one pair of signal lines, and by connecting multiple document creation devices and printing devices, transmission distances can be extended. Even in the case where the cable is small, it can be easily connected using a cable with a small wire diameter.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing system configured with three document creation devices and one printing device. 7th
The figure shows an example in which a printing device 2 consisting of a printer 22 and a print control device 21 is placed at the end.

FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b) are flowcharts showing the flow of printing software processing in the present invention.

In the present invention, there are cases in which the print control device is provided with a determination means for determining whether or not printing is on a specific paper, and there are cases in which the document creation device is provided with the determination means. The flow of software processing in case of preparation will be explained. (a) outlines the processing on the print control device side, and (b) outlines the processing on the document creation device side.

As shown in FIG. 7, a total of three Japanese word processors WP-A, WP-B, and WP-c, which are document creation devices, and a laser printer 22 are used for printing, which is controlled by a print control device 21, as shown in FIG. This is an example when device 2 is connected.

In the case of the process on the print control device side shown in FIG. Send confirmation. Then, in process 91.92.93,
Each WP-A.

The print request signal from B and C is received, and one of W
If there is a print request from P, the process 94 is executed. If there is no print request from any of the WPs, the process returns to step 90 and returns to each WP-A again.

Check whether there is a print request for B or C. As described above, the print control device 21 loops in the print request waiting state until a print request is received from any WP. When there is a print request, the print control device 21 that received the print request in process 94 determines whether the printer 22 connected to the print control device 21 is currently
A WP other than the print requesting WP indicates that the print process is being executed.
to avoid generating new print requests.

Next, in process 95, it is determined whether printing is to be performed on a specific sheet of paper. If it is not a specific paper print request, the process moves to process 97, and sends a message indicating that the print request has been accepted to the print request wp.
The process moves to process 100. If it is a specific paper print request, the process moves to process 96, and a notification that the print request has been accepted is sent to the print request WP. Next, in process 98, the operator sends a message to the print request reception WP to display a message on the display screen requesting specific paper settings for the printer, as can be seen by looking at the display screen. After that, in process 99, after receiving the specific paper setting completion information from the print request reception wp,
The process moves to process 100.

Next, in OO, the print control device accepts the print request W
Requests P to send the print processing program and print data. In process 101, the print control device accepts the print request WP
The print processing program sent from the printer is received and stored in the program memory.

In process 102, print data is received from the print request reception wp and is temporarily stored in the buffer memory.

In process 103, according to the contents of the print processing program received in process 101, the print data received in process 102 is developed into a print image in the PIP memory area, and specific print processing is executed, such as causing the printer to execute printing. do. When all printing processing is completed, in step 104, the wp that requested printing is notified that printing has been completed.

Thereafter, the print control device returns to process 90 and checks whether there is a print request for each wp.

In the case of the process on the document creation device side shown in FIG. 1(b), first, before sending a print request to the print control device 21 in process 110, print conditions such as the number of copies to be printed and whether or not the print request is for a specific paper are determined. Configure settings. Next, in process 111, if the print request is not for a specific paper, the process moves to process 116, where the print request is sent to the print control device 21, and after receiving a signal indicating that the print request has been approved in process 117, process 1
Move on to 18. If the request is for a specific sheet of paper, the process moves to step 112, where the print request is sent to the print control device 21, and after receiving a signal indicating that the print request has been approved at step 113, the process moves to step 114. In process 114, a request to display a specific paper setting message is received from the print control device 21, and the message is displayed on the display screen. Process next]
In step 15, after setting the specific paper, the operator inputs information indicating completion of the setting from the input device 12, and transmits the completion of setting to the print control device 21. Thereafter, in accordance with the request from the print control device, the print processing program is transmitted (process 118), the print data is transmitted (process 119), and in process] 20,
Receive print end information and end printing.

As described above, when a print request is made from a document creation device, the print request is made by setting whether or not to print on a specific paper as one of the print condition settings, and the print control device receives the print request from the document creation device. After receiving the message, it sends a message indicating that printing is in progress to a document creation device other than the document creation device that accepts the print request, and after determining that printing is on a specific paper by the determination means, displays a message for setting the specific paper to the document creation device that accepts the print request. request. Thereafter, when the printing device receives information from the document creation device indicating that the settings for the specific paper have been completed, it requests a print processing program and print data, and after receiving them, starts printing.

Furthermore, if the determination means is provided on the document creation device side, processes 95 to 99 surrounded by broken lines in FIG. .

That is, after setting printing on a specific paper, the document creation device determines that printing is on a specific paper using the determining means. After that, a print request is sent to the print control device. After receiving the print request from the document creation device, the print control device sends a message that printing is in progress to a document creation device other than the document creation device accepting the print request, and requests a print processing program and print data from the document creation device accepting the print request. do. When the document creation device receives a print request, it outputs a message requesting the setting of a specific paper. After that, when the recognition means recognizes that the setting of the specific paper is completed, it starts sending the print processing program and print data to the printing device.

By performing the above processing, when the print control device receives a print request from one document creation device, it will not accept print requests from other document creation devices, and the document creation device that received the print request will not be able to operate the document creation device. This makes it possible for a person to confirm the acceptance of a print request and set a specific paper, thereby making it possible to prevent erroneous printing on the specific paper.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, in a printing system in which a plurality of document creation devices share one printing device, when printing is performed on a specific sheet of paper, a print document from another document creation device is erroneously printed. This has the effect of preventing such problems and enabling accurate printing on specific paper.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1(a) is a flowchart showing software processing on the printing control device side according to the present invention, FIG. 1(b) is a flowchart showing software processing on the document creation device side, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing software processing on the document creation device side and printing. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the general configuration of the device, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration inside the main body of the document creation device in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the print control device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing details of the communication control unit on the document creation device side and the communication control unit on the printing device side, and the connection configuration between the two.
A block diagram showing the configuration of the print control device, FIG. 6 is a timing diagram showing an example of data encoding in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is an arrangement block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the document creation device and the printing device. It is. ]... Document creation device, 2... Printing device, 3... Signal cable, 21... Printing control device, 22... Printer,
46.54... Communication control unit, 59... Printing device identification number: 1 = 150

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a printing system in which a plurality of document creation devices share one printing device, a specific paper specifying means capable of specifying whether or not printing is to be performed on a specific paper; It is possible to print on a specific paper by providing a discriminating means for discriminating whether or not to print, a message outputting means for requesting the setting of a specific paper when printing on a specific paper, and a recognition means for recognizing when the setting for a specific paper is completed. A specific paper printing control method characterized by: 2. In a printing device that can be shared by multiple document creation devices, a determination unit that determines whether or not printing is on a specific paper, a message output unit that requests setting of a specific paper when printing on a specific paper, and a specific paper A printing device characterized by comprising a recognition means for recognizing completion of setting. 3. In a document creation device that can share one printing device, a specific paper specifying unit that can specify whether or not printing is to be performed on a specific paper; a determining unit that determines whether or not printing is to be performed on a specific paper; What is claimed is: 1. A document creation device comprising: a message output unit for requesting setting of a specific paper when printing on a specific paper, and a recognition unit for recognizing completion of setting of the specific paper.