JPH1055254A - Device and method for image output - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the device and method for image output which can securely reflect an output format described in an indication data on image output when image data are received before indication data indicating the output format of the image data. SOLUTION: The image output device 1 comprises a reception part 2, a storage part 3, an expansion part 4, an output part 5, a memory part 6, a user interface (I/F) 7, a network interface 8, and a control part 9, and connected to work stations 10 through the network I/F 8 and a network 11. When an image is outputted, code image data are received unless received data is indication data, and stored temporarily in the storage part 3, and then the indication data is received. Thus, when the code image data is received before the indication data, the code image data is expanded into bit map image data and outputted on recording paper after the reception of the indication data is waited, so that the output format described in the indication data can securely be reflected on the image output.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image output apparatus and method for receiving code image data from an information processing apparatus, developing the code image data into printable bitmap image data, and performing print processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, as this type of image output apparatus, there has been known an apparatus which develops code image data received from an information processing apparatus into printable bitmap image data and prints it on recording paper. In recent years, as such an image output device, there has been a network printer connected to a network so that a plurality of information processing devices can share and use the same. For example, Lp of general SUN workstation
In the case of print processing by the d-printing protocol, image data from a plurality of workstations can be processed simultaneously, and print processing is performed after spooling. Here, the Lpd printing protocol is a communication protocol regarding a printing process between the workstation and the image output device, and is an RFC1179 Line Print.
r Daemon Protocol. Hereinafter, the printing process of the SUN workstation according to the Lpd printing protocol will be described.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a client and a server. The client and server are connected to the network, and the client is
1 (in the case of TCP / IP, 515 is reserved) to transmit a command (a, b, c). For example, when receiving the command from the client 1, the server establishes a session with the client 1 using another port 102 (a '). Similarly, when the server receives the command from the client 2, the server establishes a session with the client 2 using another port 103 (b ′).
To establish a session with the client 3 using (c)
´). The server can receive three commands from the client at the same time through the ports 102, 103, and 104 (three sessions).

In the Lpd printing protocol, when a session is established, the client then sends a first command. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the first command. FIGS. 1A and 1B show image output commands, which are commands for transmitting image data and instruction data indicating an output form thereof. FIGS. 3 (3) and 4 (4) show server status inquiry commands, and FIG. 5 (5) shows an image output processing cancel command. If the first command is the image output command (2), the client sends the second command. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the second command. FIG. 1A shows the cancellation of the first command,
(2) is a control file transmission command, and (3) is a data file transmission command. Here, the control file is instruction data for instructing an output form of image data, and describes various parameters required for image output. The data file is the image data itself.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing transmission and reception of an image output command between a client and a server. When the first command is output from the client (1), the server notifies a response corresponding to the command (2). Responses are ACK and NACK, and ACK indicates permission for the received request.
K indicates rejection of the received request. Subsequently, the client transmits the second command (data file transmission) (3), and the server notifies the response (4). The client receiving the response transmits the data file (5), and when the transmission is completed, transmits a message to that effect (6). In response, the server notifies a response (7).

Subsequently, the client similarly performs a procedure for transmitting the control file (8 to 12). Finally, the session is disconnected and the communication is terminated. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing transmission and reception of a status inquiry command between a client and a server. First, the client sends the first command (1), and when the server receives it, notifies the client of the state of the image output device (2), and thereafter disconnects the session and ends the communication. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing transmission and reception of an image output processing cancel command between the client and the server.
First, the client sends the first command (1), and when the server receives it, notifies the response (2),
After the corresponding processing is completed, the processing result is notified to the client (3). Thereafter, the session is disconnected and the communication is terminated.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-233028 discloses that when image data is received from an information processing apparatus,
The image processing is performed in parallel with the reception of the image data.However, when the memory is insufficient or during the image data expansion processing, the received image data is temporarily spooled, and the priority is added to the spooled image data. This indicates that the expansion processing is performed from the image data having the higher priority. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-28612 discloses a printer connected to a host computer. When the printer changes output information corresponding to instruction data of image data once received from the host computer, the printer outputs image data. It is shown that only the output information can be changed without canceling or resending the message.

[0008]

However, in the case of the above-described conventional SUN workstation printing process using the Lpd printing protocol, the received data is always spooled once, so that the larger the image data is, the more it is necessary to output the first page. There is a problem that it takes time. In addition, a storage memory is required to perform spooling, and the cost required for the storage memory increases as the memory capacity increases. Further, since the instruction data is transmitted after the image data, even if the status inquiry request is received before the instruction data is received, the information regarding the image data being received is notified to the inquiry requesting workstation. could not.

In the image output apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 4-233028, image output processing is usually started in parallel with the reception of image data. Since it is transmitted subsequently, the output form described in the instruction data cannot be reflected in the image output,
An image was output with a preset specified value. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of such a conventional image output apparatus. First, the image output device determines whether the data received from the workstation is instruction data (step S31). If it is determined that the data is the instruction data, the instruction data is received (step S32), and subsequently, the image data is received (step S33). The received image data is expanded (step S34), and the expanded image data is output on recording paper (step S3).
5). In this case, since the workstation has received the instruction data before performing the image data expansion processing and the output processing, the workstation can output the image in the output form described in the instruction data.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S31 that the received data is not instruction data, image data is received (step S3).
6) Then, the received image data is expanded (step S37), and the expanded image data is output on recording paper (step S38). Thereafter, the instruction data is received (step S39). In this case, since the workstation receives the instruction data after performing the image data expansion processing and the output processing, the workstation cannot output the image in the output form described in the instruction data. Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-2861
In the image output device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. H08-209, printing can be performed in the output form described in the changed instruction data as far as possible until the end of the output. The later output form was not reflected.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an image output apparatus which can surely reflect an output form described in instruction data on an image output when the image data is received before instruction data indicating the output form of the image data. The aim is to provide a method. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image output apparatus and method capable of clearly responding to an information processing apparatus when a status inquiry request is received before receiving instruction data.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, an image output apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention provides an image output apparatus for expanding code image data transmitted from an information processing apparatus and performing output processing. A receiving means for receiving, from the information processing apparatus, code image data and instruction data indicating an output form of the code image data; and the code image received before the instruction data is received by the receiving means. Storage means for accumulating data, developing means for developing the stored code image data into bitmap image data, and output for outputting the developed bitmap image data in an output form instructed by the instruction data Means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output apparatus for expanding code image data transmitted from an information processing apparatus and performing an output process, wherein the image information is transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the code image data. Receiving means for receiving instruction data indicating an output form; developing means for expanding the code image data received before the instruction data is received by the receiving means into bitmap image data; A storage unit for storing bitmap image data, and an output unit for outputting the stored bitmap image data in an output form instructed by the instruction data.

The image output device is connected to the plurality of information processing devices, and receives a status inquiry command from another information processing device before the instruction data is received from the information processing device by the receiving means. In this case, it is preferable that the information processing apparatus further includes a notification unit that notifies the information processing apparatus that has made the inquiry that the instruction data has not been received. An image output method according to claim 4, wherein in the image output method in which the code image data transmitted from the information processing device is expanded and output processing is performed, a code image data receiving step of receiving the code image data from the information processing device; A developing step of expanding the received code image data into bitmap image data, a storing step of storing the expanded bitmap image data, and instruction data indicating an output form of the stored bitmap image data And an output step of outputting the stored bitmap image data in an output form specified by the received instruction data.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the image output apparatus and method of the present invention will be described.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image output apparatus according to a first embodiment. Image output device 1 and workstation (WS)
Reference numeral 10 is connected via a network 11, and constitutes an image system. The image output device 1 includes a receiving unit 2, a storage unit 3, a developing unit 4, an output unit 5, a memory unit 6, a user interface (I / F) 7, a network interface 8, and a control unit 9, and a network I / F 8
And a plurality of workstations 10 via a network 11.

The receiving section 2 receives image data including various commands from the workstation 10 via the network 11 and the network I / F 8. The various commands include a request for a status inquiry of the image output device 1.
The image data is generally code image data or bitmap image data, but in the present embodiment,
It is assumed that code image data that requires expansion processing is received, and when simply referred to as image data, it represents code image data. The receiving unit 2 can receive commands and image data from other workstations 10 in parallel.

The storage unit 3 stores the code image data received by the receiving unit 2 before receiving the instruction data, and uses a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, or the like. The expansion unit 4 expands the code image data received by the reception unit 2 into output bitmap image data. Generally, the image data received from the workstation 10 is not output bitmap image data but code image data described in a page description language such as PostScript. And store it in the memory unit 6.

The output unit 5 forms an image on a recording sheet based on the output bitmap image data developed by the developing unit 4 and discharges the image. There are various image forming methods, such as a thermal transfer method, an ink jet method, and a laser method. These methods are well-known techniques and do not directly relate to the present invention, and thus description thereof is omitted. The memory unit 6 includes a ROM in which a control program of the image output apparatus 1 and a specified value are stored,
And temporary variables and expansion unit 4 for program processing
And a RAM for storing output-capable bitmap image data developed by. User interface 7
Consists of an input unit such as a keyboard and buttons for receiving a request from the user, and a display unit such as a display and a liquid crystal panel for notifying the user of the state of the image output device. Also, the network interface 8
Data is transmitted to and received from the network 11.

The control unit 9 has a CPU (not shown) that manages each unit in addition to the receiving unit 2, the storage unit 3, the developing unit 4, the output unit 5, the memory unit 6, the user interface 7, and the network interface 8. The control unit 9 executes various processes in the image output device 1. Workstation 1
Numeral 0 creates code image data and outputs various commands to the image output device 1 such as an image output request, a status inquiry, and a job cancellation requesting an image output request. Various commands output from the workstation 10 are transmitted to the image output device 1 via the network 11.
In this embodiment, a workstation is shown as the information processing apparatus. However, a personal computer or a word processor may be used as long as it can transmit image data and various commands.

The network 11 is a data transfer path for exchanging data between the image output device 1 and the workstation 10, and generally includes Ethernet, token ring, and the like. Are not particularly limited as long as they can be connected. Next, the operation of the image output device 1 will be described. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the operation procedure of the image output device. First, when the image output apparatus 1 is activated, each unit performs an initialization process (step S1). The initialization processing is, for example, setting of various prescribed values and preparation for receiving image data and commands from the workstation 10.

When the initialization processing is completed, the image processing apparatus 1 waits for receiving various commands from the workstation 10 (step S2). Upon receiving various commands from the workstation 10, the image output device 1 establishes a connection with the workstation 10 (Step S3).
Subsequently, a command is obtained (step S4), and it is determined whether or not the command is a print request command (step S5). The head code of the received data is used to determine the command. The head code of the received data is, for example, the case of the Lpd protocol shown in the related art. If it is determined in step S5 that the received command is a print request, it is determined whether the received data is instruction data or image data (step S21). If it is determined that the data is not the instruction data, the image data is received and temporarily stored in the storage unit 3 (step S2).
2). Subsequently, instruction data is received (step S2).
3).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that the instruction data is the instruction data, the instruction data is received (step S21).
23). It is determined whether or not the image data has been received (step S24). If it is determined that the image data has been received, a process of expanding the command image data into bitmap image data is performed (step S26). Is output (step S2).
7). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S24 that the image data has not been received, the image data is received (step S24).
25) Subsequently, processing for expanding the received command image data into bitmap image data is performed (step S2).
6) Output the bitmap image data developed on the recording paper (step S27).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the received command is not a print request, it is determined whether this command is a status inquiry request command (step S6). If the command is a status inquiry request command, the information of the job currently being processed and the information of the device status are notified to the workstation 10 (step S7).
If it is determined in step S6 that the command is not a status inquiry request command, it is determined whether the command is an image output requested job deletion (cancel) command (step S8). If it is determined that the command is a cancel command, If the cancel request job matches the requested job, a cancel process is performed (step S9).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the command is not a cancel command, it is a command that cannot be processed by the image output device 1, and
Only K or NACK is notified (step S10).
Then, the workstation 10 is disconnected (step S11), and the process ends. As described above, according to the image processing apparatus in the present embodiment, when receiving image data before instruction data, the image data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 3, and after the reception of the instruction data, the code By developing the image data into bitmap image data and outputting it to recording paper, the output form described in the instruction data can be reliably reflected on the image output.

Further, even if a status inquiry request is received from the workstation 10 during reception of image data, it is possible to reliably notify the workstation 10 of the status inquiry that the image data is being received.

[Second Embodiment] An image output apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described. The hardware configuration of the image system to which the image output device and the workstation are connected according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the image output device according to the second embodiment. First, workstation 1
It is determined whether the data transmitted from 0 is instruction data (step S41). If it is determined that the data is not instruction data but image data, image data is received from the workstation 10 (step S45).

The received code image data is developed into bitmap image data (step S46), and the developed bitmap image data is stored in the memory unit 6 (step S47). When the bitmap image data is stored in the memory section 6, the bitmap image data may be compressed and stored, and the capacity of the stored bitmap image data can be reduced. On the other hand, if the data received from the workstation 10 at step S41 is the instruction data, after receiving the instruction data (step S42), the image data is received (step S43). A process of expanding the received code image data into bitmap image data is performed (step S44).

It is determined whether or not the instruction data has been received (step S48). If it is determined that the instruction data has been received, the bitmap image data is printed on the recording paper in accordance with the instruction of the received instruction data. Is output (step S
50). On the other hand, when it is determined in step S48 that the instruction data has not been received, the instruction data is received (step S49), and the bitmap image data is output on the recording sheet according to the received instruction data (step S50).
As described above, in parallel with the reception of the image data, the image data is developed into bitmap image data and stored in the memory unit 6, and after receiving the instruction data indicating the output mode of the image data, recording is performed according to the contents. By outputting on paper, the output form described in the instruction data can be reliably reflected on the image output. Therefore, the paper size, the color paper specification, the tray specification, the number of copies, and the like are finally reflected on the output of the recording paper. Further, since the image data is stored after being developed into bitmap image data, the time from receiving the instruction data until printing the first page of the image data can be reduced.

[Third Embodiment] An image output apparatus according to a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image output device according to the third embodiment. As in the first and second embodiments, the image output device and the workstation are connected to a network and constitute an image system. The same components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

If the notifying unit 12 receives the status inquiry command from the workstation 10 before receiving the instruction data via the receiving unit 2, the notifying unit 12 reports via the network interface 8 and the network 11 that the instruction data has not been received. To the workstation 10. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the operation procedure of the image output device according to the third embodiment. The same processing steps as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same step numbers. When the image output apparatus 1 is activated, each unit performs an initialization process (step S).
1).

When the initialization process is completed, it waits for various commands from the workstation 10 (step S2). When a command is received from the workstation 10, a connection with the workstation 10 is established (step S3). A command is acquired (step S4), and it is determined whether the acquired command is a print request command (step S5). If it is determined in step S5 that the received command is a print request command, it is determined whether the received data is instruction data or image data (step S21). If it is not the instruction data, the image data is received and temporarily stored in the storage unit 3 (step S22). Subsequently, instruction data is received (step S23).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that the instruction data is the instruction data, the instruction data is received (step S21).
23). It is determined whether or not the image data has been received (step S24). If the image data has been received, processing for expanding the received code image data into bitmap image data is performed (step S26), and the processing is expanded on recording paper. The output bitmap image data is output (step S27). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S24 that the image data has not been received, the image data is received (step S25), a process of expanding the received code image data into bitmap image data is performed (step S26), and the recording is performed. Output bitmap image data developed on paper (step S2)
7).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the received command is not a print request command, it is determined whether this command is a status inquiry request command (step S6). If it is determined that the command is a status inquiry request command, an inquiry process (step S
Go to (50). FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the inquiry processing procedure in step S50. First, it is searched whether or not the job corresponding to the inquiry request is stored in the image output device 1 (step S51). When the corresponding job is stored in the image output apparatus 1, the instruction data of the stored image data is searched, the workstation name, the job number, etc. described therein are obtained, and the job corresponding to the inquiry request is retrieved. Is created (step S52).

On the other hand, if the corresponding job is not stored in the image output device 1 in step S51, it is determined whether image data is being received and the instruction data has not been received yet (step S53). When it is determined that there is such a job, it is determined whether or not the job corresponds to the inquiry request (step S54). In this case, since the instruction data has not been received, the determination is made based on the information about the inquirer that can be obtained. If it is determined in step S54 that the job is applicable, notification information 2 relating to the data being received is created (step S55). For example, the notification information 2 is a character string such as "data is being received from the host xxx, but detailed information is not known because the instruction data has not been received."

It is determined whether or not there is created notification information (step S56). If there is no notification information, the fact that there is no corresponding job is created as notification information 3 (step S5).
7). Then, the created notification information 1, 2, and 3 are notified to the inquiring workstation 10 (step S58). On the other hand, if the command is not a status inquiry request command in step S6, it is determined whether or not the command is an image output requested job delete (cancel) command (step S8). If the command is a cancel command, the cancel request job is requested. If the job matches the completed job, a cancellation process is performed (step S9).

If it is not a cancel command in step 8,
Since the command cannot be processed by the image output device 1, only ACK or NACK is notified to the workstation 10 (step S10). After the notification, the workstation 10 is disconnected (step S11), and the process ends. As described above, according to the image output apparatus of the present embodiment, when there is a corresponding job in response to an inquiry request, notification information 1 is created, and there is a corresponding job for which image data is being received and instruction data has not been received In case, notification information 2
Is created, and when there is no corresponding job, by creating and notifying the notification information 3, the status of the apparatus can be clearly replied to the workstation 10 that has issued the inquiry request.

[0038]

According to the image output apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when code image data is received before the instruction data is received by the receiving means, the code image data is temporarily stored, and the bit map is received after the instruction data is received. When the instruction data is received first while the output processing is performed while developing the image data, the output processing is performed together with the reception of the code image data.
The output form described in the instruction data can be reliably reflected on the image output. According to the image output device according to the second aspect, when the code image data is received before the instruction data is received by the receiving unit, the code image data is expanded into bitmap image data, temporarily stored, and thereafter stored. Output processing is performed according to the received instruction data, so that the output form described in the instruction data can be reliably reflected in the image output, and the first page of the image data is output by being developed and accumulated in bitmap image data. The time required to do so can be reduced. Further, since the received code image data need not be temporarily stored in the memory, the memory capacity can be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a status inquiry command is received from another information processing apparatus before the instruction data is received by the receiving means, an inquiry is made to the effect that the instruction data has not been received. Since the original information processing apparatus is notified, it is possible to clearly know whether there is no corresponding image data in the apparatus, or whether the image data is being received but the instruction data has not been received. According to the image output method of the fourth aspect, when the code image data is received before the instruction data is received, a process of expanding the bitmap image data is performed, then temporarily stored, and thereafter received. Since the output process is performed according to the data, the output form described in the instruction data can be reliably reflected in the image output, and the output form is stored in the bitmap image data and stored until the first page of the image data is output. You can save time. Further, since the received code image data need not be temporarily stored in the memory, the memory capacity can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image output device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the image output apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the image output device following FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the image output device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image output device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the image output device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the image output device continued from FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an inquiry processing procedure in step S50.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a client and a server.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a first command.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a second command.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing transmission and reception of an image output command between a client and a server.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing transmission and reception of a status inquiry command between a client and a server.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing transmission and reception of an image output processing cancel command between a client and a server.

And FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of a conventional image output device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image output device 2 Receiving part 3 Storage part 4 Expansion part 5 Output part 9 Control part 10 Workstation 11 Network 12 Notification part

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image output device for expanding code image data transmitted from an information processing device and performing an output process, wherein the information processing device transmits code image data and instruction data indicating an output form of the code image data. Receiving means for receiving; storing means for storing the code image data received before the instruction data is received by the receiving means; developing means for expanding the stored code image data into bitmap image data And an output means for outputting the developed bitmap image data in an output form instructed by the instruction data. 2. An image output apparatus for developing code image data transmitted from an information processing apparatus and performing an output process, wherein the information processing apparatus transmits code image data and instruction data indicating an output form of the code image data. Receiving means for receiving; expanding means for expanding the code image data received before the instruction data is received by the receiving means into bitmap image data; storage for storing the expanded bitmap image data Means for outputting the stored bitmap image data in an output form instructed by the instruction data. 3. If the status inquiry command is received from another information processing apparatus before the instruction data is received from the information processing apparatus by the receiving unit, the instruction data is connected to the plurality of information processing apparatuses. 3. A notifying means for notifying the information processing apparatus of the inquiry source that the message has not been received.
The image output device as described in the above. 4. An image output method for expanding and outputting code image data transmitted from an information processing apparatus, comprising: a code image data receiving step of receiving code image data from the information processing apparatus; A developing step of expanding the image data into bitmap image data; a storing step of storing the expanded bitmap image data; and instruction data receiving instruction data indicating an output form of the stored bitmap image data. An image output method, comprising: a receiving step; and an output step of outputting the stored bitmap image data in an output form indicated by the received instruction data.