JPH11175286A - Print control system and method, storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To execute printing, an appropriate combination of a printer driver and print control software of a printing apparatus is required. However, in practice, management in which software is mutually associated is not managed. In many cases, it involves artificial and complicated work, and furthermore, there is a limit in management due to limitations on hardware. Therefore,
In a conventional print control system, a printer driver on a host computer side and a printer firmware on a printing apparatus side are managed as independent software. A combination of print execution software suitable for a print mode and a printer driver of a host computer is created by a determination unit for determining the type of software for executing print, and the determination is made on the printing apparatus side. to download. The printer driver is equipped with a plurality of types of print execution software, and by selecting the most appropriate one, it is possible to maintain and manage both software as a single unit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing control system and method including a host computer and a printing apparatus, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to execute printing, an appropriate combination of a printer driver and printing control software for a printing apparatus (hereinafter, "printer firmware") is required. Since these software are inseparable from each other, linked maintenance is desirable. However, in practice, the interrelated management between these pieces of software often involves artificial and complicated work. Therefore, in the conventional print control system, the printer driver of the host computer and the printer firmware of the printing apparatus are managed as independent software.

[0003]

However, there is a limitation on hardware as a factor which makes the related maintenance work more difficult in the conventional example. That is, since the printer firmware of the printing apparatus is stored in a non-rewritable non-volatile memory such as a mask ROM on the substrate, even if it is necessary to call up the printer firmware in order to cause a failure or improve the function, It was difficult because it was soldered to the board. Also, it is difficult to open the case even if it is a socket type that can be replaced,
Exchange by the user was not really possible.

[0004] On the other hand, in order to facilitate replacement, a mask ROM of the printing apparatus is replaced with a rewritable non-volatile memory such as a flash ROM. However, there is a problem that the user needs to perform a complicated operation when writing.

[0005] In addition, rewriting the printer firmware causes a problem of compatibility between the printer firmware and the driver. However, since the conventional dedicated download utility can perform the download independently of the printer driver on the host computer, the user has to separately download the firmware. There were problems such as the need to upgrade the printer driver and the need for the manufacturer to distribute the printer driver at the same time as the firmware upgrade at the time of distribution.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer driver and a printer firmware on a host side.
Further, a determination function for determining the type of the printer firmware on the printing apparatus side and a function for downloading the printer firmware to the printing apparatus side based on the result of the determination are provided, and the printer firmware according to the print instruction of the printer driver is provided. An object of the present invention is to appropriately execute a print command downloaded to a printing apparatus and created by a host. As a result, it is possible to simplify and optimize the upgrade or maintenance of the printer firmware and the upgrade or maintenance of the printer driver, which are conventionally performed independently. It is still another object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive printing apparatus and printing environment that has a high function and a low cost by adopting a configuration in which the size of the nonvolatile memory of the printing apparatus is suppressed.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present invention has the following arrangement.

That is, the print control system includes a print control unit storing software for printing control, a print execution unit storing software for executing printing,
Determining means for determining the type of software for performing printing stored in the printing performing means, print information generated by the software for performing printing control, and executing printing based on the determination; Transfer means for transferring software to the print execution means, the generated print information, and the software for print execution transferred based on the determination. Means, and the print execution means executes printing based on the result of the exchange.

The software for controlling the printing is a printer driver, and the software for executing the printing is a printer firmware.

The print control software stored in the print control means includes a plurality of types of software for executing print used by the print execution means.

The software for executing printing transferred based on the judgment is of an optimal type in combination with the software for controlling printing.

The transfer means downloads a printer firmware corresponding to a print mode of data to be printed to the print execution means based on a result of the determination.

Further, the print control system further includes a generation unit for generating a printer firmware according to a print mode of data to be printed, and the transfer unit transmits the generated printer firmware to the print execution unit. to download.

[0014] The print control method includes a print control step in which software for print control is stored, a print execution step in which software for print execution is stored, and a print control step. A determination step for determining a type of software for performing printing, print information generated by the software for print control, and software for performing printing based on the determination; And a transfer step for transferring the generated print information and the software for executing the print transferred on the basis of the determination. The printing execution step performs printing based on the printing.

The software for controlling the printing is a printer driver, and the software for executing the printing is a printer firmware.

The print control software stored in the print control step includes a plurality of types of software for executing the print used in the print execution step.

Further, the software for executing printing transferred based on the determination is of an optimum type in combination with the software for controlling printing.

In the transfer step, a printer firmware corresponding to a print mode of data to be printed is downloaded before the print execution step based on a result of the determination.

Further, the print control method further includes a generation step for generating a printer firmware according to a print mode of data to be printed, and the transfer step includes transmitting the generated printer firmware before the print execution step. To download.

Further, a print control means storing software for print control, a print execution means storing software for executing print, and a print execution means stored in the print execution means for executing print. Determining means for determining the type of software, print information generated by the software for printing control, and software for executing printing based on the determination; And a transfer unit for transferring the generated print information and the software for executing the print transferred based on the determination, and a computer-readable program storing a program for causing the transfer unit to function. A storage medium is provided.

[0021]

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

<Transfer and Download of Print Instruction> FIG.
Shows a system configuration for performing printing, and FIG. 8 shows a memory map of a recording medium in the present embodiment. In the host computer 501, application software 401 is executed on an OS (operating system) 402.
(806 in FIG. 8) operates. The user inputs a print command to execute printing from the application software 401 (806 in FIG. 8). A print job is generated based on the input of the print command and the printer driver 403 (80 in FIG. 8)
1) starts.

The flow of data is as follows: a drawing command from the application software 401 (806 in FIG. 8)
Printer driver 403 (801 in FIG. 8) stored in the host computer 501
2 receives the drawing instruction. Printer driver 40
3 (801 in FIG. 8) creates a print command (print information) from the received drawing command and passes the data to a spooler (not shown) under the control of the OS 402.

The spooler spools print information. The spooled print information is sent by the data transfer module 803 to the I / F unit 405 of the printer 502 via the interface 404 (I / F) of the host. The data transfer module 803 is activated when the print information spooled in the spooler is registered as a queue. The printer control unit 406 receives the data transferred by the data receiving module 804 on the P-RAM 407 and reads out the print information one by one while
Is operated to perform printing.

FIG. 6 shows a system configuration at the time of downloading. The data transfer module 803 executes a process for transferring the printer firmware 802 to the printer 502. The command to start download is the keyboard 21
The input from the input means such as 1 starts. The printer firmware 802 is transferred to the printer-side I / F unit 405 via the host-side I / F 404. Printer control unit 4
06, once the received printer firmware 802 is received on the P-RAM 407, and after the end command is input, the printer firmware 802 is read while the printer firmware information is being read.
Write to Flash ROM 408.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the start of the write operation to the flash memory. After turning on the power of the recording apparatus, the apparatus is initialized in step S101. When the device is ready to receive data, a command is sent from the host to the printer in S102, and the version of the firmware in the flash memory written on the printer is returned. In S103, the printer driver compares the version number of its own firmware (S103). If the firmware in the flash memory written in the printer is an old version (S103-NO), the printer driver starts printing at the same time. Then, the mode is shifted to the write mode at the beginning, and the download is started (S104a).

That is, in S104a, the printer copies the transfer data receiving program to the P-RAM 303 and jumps to the top of the copied program, thereby transferring control to the transfer program in the P-RAM 303 (S104b). (S106-N)
o). This is because the flash memory cannot access another sector that is not rewritten during a write operation to a certain sector. The transfer data sent from the host is once copied to the P-RAM 303 (S
105), after completion of reception, written to flash memory. Completion of writing is based on a transmission end command from the host checked in S106. Upon completion of the transfer (S106-YES), in S107, the P-RAM 303
The flash write data copied to
-Write to Flash ROM 302.

After the end, the control is returned to the program transferred from the reception program on the P-RAM 303, and the printing operation is started.

With this configuration, even if the user only upgrades the printer driver 801 and forgets to rewrite the printer firmware 802, the trouble can be solved. Since the printer firmware 802 can be upgraded at the same time when the printer firmware is upgraded, there is a merit that the time and labor required for the user to be involved is reduced by half.

As described above, if the firmware in the flash memory written on the printer side is not an old version (S
103-YES), printing is started as it is without downloading (S109).

Normally, there are several modes for printing.
There are monochrome printing, color printing, high-speed (thinning) printing, normal printing, high-definition printing, and the like (or a combination of color and high-definition printing). Depending on the user, the print mode is not changed frequently, or only the fixed print mode is used at all times, but until now, the printer must provide firmware that supports all print modes. did not become.
In the present embodiment, the printer driver 801 (FIG. 8)
By having a plurality of types of printer firmware 802 and having a configuration in which downloading is performed before printing is started, only when a printing mode is determined, downloading of a module according to the printing mode is started, so that an optimal user can be obtained. A printing environment can be provided. That is,
After the basic module of the printer firmware is downloaded, the required module is downloaded for the first time when the user determines the print mode, so that the time required for the download can be minimized.

The download module in the print mode includes, for example, mask data for high-definition printing. This is done by using a pattern generated in advance using random numbers or the like, using a pattern on the print data, masking it, and printing it over several times.
This method prevents unevenness at the line feed and obtains a clear print. However, conventionally, the data is stored in the printer firmware and is useless for a user who does not use the high definition mode.

In the present embodiment, these data are transferred to the printer driver side so that downloading is performed only when necessary.
Since a high-speed CPU with higher processing capability than the printer is used, this data is not only stored in the printer driver as mere data, but also in the form of a mask data program, and the print mode is By generating the data at a predetermined time and transmitting it to the printer, the capacity of the printer driver can be reduced. Here, the generation of the printer firmware is executed by the printer firmware generation module 807 shown in FIG.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a portable personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a personal computer) in which a host unit and a printer unit are integrated as an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is an external perspective view. is there.

1A includes an operating system (OS) 1302 and a CPU 1301.
3, a ROM 1304a, a RAM 1304b, a secondary storage device 1304c, a network interface 1305, a display device 1306, and a display control unit 13.
09, an input device 1307, and an external storage device 1308,
An output device 1310 is provided.

The input device 1307 is a general term for an input device for inputting data. Specifically, there are a mouse, a trackball, and the like in addition to the keyboard.

The display device 1306 is a device for displaying data (characters, graphics, numerical values, etc.) exchanged between computers on a screen. As a type of the display device, there is a liquid crystal display and the like. The display control unit 309 has a function of processing data to be displayed on a screen.

The output device 310 is a device that executes printing. As a type of the output device, there is a laser printer, an ink jet printer, or the like.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a portable personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a personal computer) in which a host unit and a printer unit according to an embodiment of the present invention are integrated.

The personal computer is composed of an apparatus main body 101, a keyboard 102, a display section 103, and each section of the printer unit 2.

The upper cover 104 is attached to the apparatus main body 101 so as to be rotatable about hinges 104a provided at both ends of the rear edge.

Thus, when the present apparatus 101 is used, the upper cover 104 is opened to a position where the display unit 103 is easy to see by rotation, and is closed when not in use to function as a cover.

The display device used for the display unit 103 uses a liquid crystal display device (LCD). For this reason, the display unit can be configured to be thin.

The liquid crystal display devices (103, 1306) are classified by a method of applying a voltage to the liquid crystal (active matrix, simple matrix, etc.) and classified by a twist angle of liquid crystal molecules (TN (Twisted Nematic) liquid crystal, ST).
N (Super Twisted Nematic) liquid crystal, NTN (Neutral
Optimized Super Twisted Nematic). In any case, the configuration of the display portion can be reduced in thickness. The printer unit 2 has an opening that can be opened and closed, and the printing head can be replaced through this opening.

Although not shown, the recording paper is inserted from a paper feed port 101a provided below the keyboard 102. The sheet is conveyed in a conveyance path (not shown) penetrating the inside of the apparatus main body 101 and is discharged from a sheet discharge port at the rear of the apparatus.

The keyboard 102 is rotatably mounted via hinges 102a provided on both sides of the apparatus main body 101.

Since the recording paper conveyance path is provided below the keyboard 102, the keyboard 102 and the display unit 103 can be operated even when the recording paper is set.

<Internal Configuration of Host Computer> FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the host computer in FIG. 1B.

The main control of the host computer is executed by the central processing unit 201 (CPU). The control command is B
It is stored in the IOS ROM 202. Floppy disk (FD) which is a readable and writable storage device
D) The application program is read from the hard disk (HDD) 203 or 203 via the floppy disk controller 205 (FDC) or the hard disk controller 206 (HDC), and is expanded on the system main memory (MAIN RAM) 207. Further, the program is executed using the main memory 207.

At this time, the display unit 103 stores the video memory (VRAM) 2 in the liquid crystal (LCD) 209 using the video graphic array controller 208 (VGAC).
The characters and the like written in 10 are displayed. Key input from the keyboard 211 is executed via the keyboard controller 212.

Here, the numerical operation processor (FPU) 2
Reference numeral 13 denotes support for arithmetic processing for the CPU 201. Also, a real-time clock (RTC) 2
Reference numeral 14 denotes an elapsed time at the present time, which can be operated by the dedicated battery even when the power of the entire system is turned off. Real-time clock (RTC) 2
The SRAM 219 inside 14 stores system information such as the operation state of the system. The contents of this memory are retained by the dedicated battery even when the power is not turned on.

DMA controller 215 (DMAC)
Can perform direct and high-speed data transfer between memories, between memories and I / O, and between I / O and I / O without the intervention of a CPU. Interrupt controller 21
6 receives an interrupt from each I / O and performs processing according to the priority. The timer has a free running timer of several channels and performs various time management. This time management is controlled by the timer 230.

In addition, a serial interface 217 (SIO) connected to the outside and an expansion port 218 (POR)
T) and an LED 221 that informs the user of the operation status. These drive sources include an AC adapter 220 (rated voltage 20 [V], 54 [W]) and a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery 221 (rated voltage 12 [V], 2700 [mA /
h]).

The printer is provided with an extension port 2 for the host unit.
18. The host and the printer controller communicate with each other via a printer scanner block (not shown).
Status data, print, and scan data are transmitted and received at the register level of the I / O ports (218, 232).

<Printer Unit> FIG. 3 shows the main body of the printer unit 2. A detachable print recording head unit 3 and an image capturing scanner head unit 4 having the same shape as the print recording head unit 3 can be mounted on a carriage of the printer unit. The print recording head unit 3 can be mounted with two types, a monochrome print head unit having 128 ejection ports and a color print head unit having 136 ejection ports.

<Internal Configuration of Printing Apparatus> FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the printing apparatus of FIG. 1B (the output apparatus 1310 of FIG. 1A).

In this embodiment, a flash memory which can be erased and written while mounted on a substrate is used as an element for storing a printer control program and the like.

A printer control P-CPU (CPU on the printer side) 301, a printer control program, a printer emulation, and a P-Flass having a print font.
An hROM 302, a P-RAM (RAM on the printer side) 303 for storing expanded data for printing and data received from the host, and motor controllers 304 and 305 for driving motors are provided. Here, the motor controller 304 controls both the carrier motor 307 and the sheet feeding motor 308. Motor controller 305
Controls the paper feed motor 309. A printer control unit 3 for controlling memory access, transmitting and receiving data to and from a host computer, and transmitting control signals to a printer driver;
06.

The printer P-CPU 301 and printer control unit 306 communicate with three motors (a carrier motor 307 and a paper feed motor 30) via motor drivers 304 and 305 in accordance with a wholesale program in the P-Flash ROM 302.
8, paper feed motor 309), and four more sensors (home position detection, ASF position detection, paper feed detection, paper discharge detection) 310 to 313 (not shown);
Provides mechanical and electrical control of the scanner and print head. Further, a print command sent from the host to the interface unit 320 is transmitted to the interface controller 32.
2 is read from the I / O data register in the controller 2 and the control corresponding to the command is performed in the I / O register and I / O register in the controller.
Write to O port and read.

Either the scanner head cartridge or the print head cartridge is configured to be detachable from the printer. The joining portion has a contact portion (electrode) in the carriage portion of the printer, and is connected by pressure when the unit is mounted.

The method of determining whether the head is a scanner head unit or a print head unit is as follows.
A part of a line connected to the contact portion 20 has a 2-bit head ID (317, 318: not shown),
After mounting, the head controller 319 reads the head ID, and determines whether it is a scanner head cartridge or a print head cartridge. Thereby, correspondence of the pin contents of the contact section 20 for transmitting and receiving the control signal can be achieved.

When it is recognized from the head ID that the cartridge is a print head cartridge, printing ink is discharged from the BJ head 323 via the head controller 319 to perform printing. When it is recognized that the cartridge is a scanner head cartridge, a scanning (reading) operation is performed by a method described later.

The P-CPU (central processing unit) 301 of the printer is connected to the host computer 1000 (FIG. 2) via the interface unit 320, and exchanges command data and character data from the host computer. The P-CPU 301 includes a control program for the P-CPU 301, fonts such as characters and symbols, and P-Flash 301.
h P-Flash ROM 302 storing a control procedure for erasing ROM 302 and a control procedure for writing program data received from host computer 1000;
A P-RAM 303 used as a work area of the P-CPU 301, a reception buffer, and the like is connected.

Normally, the P-CPU 301
In accordance with the procedure of the program stored in the hROM 302, the motor controllers 304 and 305 are based on the command data and recording data transferred from the host computer 1000 and the respective command signals input from various switches 321 provided on the operation panel. Control the rotation of the carrier motor 307, paper feed motor 309, etc.
The print data is output to the head (inkjet head) 3 (FIG. 3) via the head controller 319 to control the print operation.

When the program data is downloaded to the P-Flash ROM 302, the host computer 1000 reads the program data provided on the floppy disk 203 and transfers the read program data via a known interface such as a Centronics interface. On the recording device side, the transfer data is transmitted via the interface (3
20, 322) P-RAM which is a receiving buffer
303. The data stored in the P-RAM 303 is written into the P-Flash ROM 302 after erasing the memory contents by the erase / write control circuit 333. At this time, the +12 V program power input at the time of erasing and writing of the P-Flash ROM 302 is switched by the relay 334.

In this embodiment, the host computer 1000 (FIG. 2) functions as a print control unit. Further, the printing apparatus (2 (FIG. 3), FIGS. 4 and 1310 (FIG. 1)
A)) functions as a print execution unit. Further, a determination module for determining printer firmware information on the print execution unit functions as a determination unit, and a data transfer module for transferring the print information generated by the host computer 1000 or the printer firmware to the print execution unit. Reference numeral 803 functions as a transfer unit, and further transfers the transferred information to the printing apparatus side (2 (FIG. 3), FIG. 4, 1310).
(FIG. 1A)) a data receiving module for receiving functions as a transmitting / receiving means.

Further, a printer firmware generating unit 807 for generating a printer firmware according to the print mode functions as a generating unit.

In the present embodiment, the software for printing control is a printer driver, and the software for executing printing is a printer firmware.

[0069]

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine) Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or the apparatus.
Or MPU) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) Performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, The case where the CPU of the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing.

A laser beam printer may be used as a printing device. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a laser beam printer (hereinafter abbreviated as LBP) in this case. The LBP can input character pattern data or the like and print it on recording paper.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 940 denotes an LBP main body, which forms an image on a recording paper as a recording medium based on a supplied character pattern or the like. Reference numeral 900 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation and an LED display are arranged;
A printer control unit 01 controls the entire LBP 740 and analyzes character pattern information and the like. The printer control unit 901 mainly converts character pattern information into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 902.

The laser driver 902 is a semiconductor laser 90
3 for driving the laser light 9 emitted from the semiconductor laser 903 in accordance with the input video signal.
04 is turned on / off. The laser light 904 is swung right and left by a rotary polygon mirror 905 to scan on an electrostatic drum 906. Thus, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 906. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 907 around the electrostatic drum 906,
Transferred to recording paper. A cut sheet is used as the recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 908 corresponding to a plurality of types of paper mounted on the LBP 940, and is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 909 and transport rollers 910 and 911. In rare cases, it is supplied to the electrostatic drum 906.
The printing apparatus according to the present embodiment has been described using a laser beam printer as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to an ink jet printer described below. FIG. 10 shows an inkjet recording apparatus IJ.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an RA. Referring to FIG.
3 and the driving force transmission gears 5011 and 50
The carriage HC that engages with the spiral groove 5004 of the lead screw 5005 that rotates via the pin 09 has a pin (not shown), and is reciprocated in the directions of arrows a and b. The carriage HC includes an inkjet cartridge IJ.
C is mounted. Reference numeral 5002 denotes a paper pressing plate, which presses the paper against the platen 5000 in the moving direction of the carriage. Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote home position detecting means for confirming the presence of the carriage lever 5006 in this area and switching the rotation direction of the motor 5013. Reference numeral 5016 denotes a member that supports a cap member 5022 that caps the front surface of the recording head. Reference numeral 5015 denotes suction means that suctions the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the recording head through an opening 5023 in the cap. 5017 is a cleaning blade.
Reference numeral 019 denotes a member which allows the blade to move in the front-rear direction, and these members are supported by the main body support plate 5018. It goes without saying that the blade is not limited to this form and a known cleaning blade can be applied to this example. or,
Reference numeral 5021 denotes a lever for starting suction for suction recovery. The lever 5021 moves with the movement of the cam 5020 that engages with the carriage, and the driving force from the driving motor is controlled by a known transmission means such as clutch switching. . The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are performed when the carriage comes to the home position side area.
Although the desired processing can be performed at those corresponding positions by the operation of 5, any method can be applied to this example if the desired operation is performed at a known timing.

Next, a control configuration for executing the recording control of the above-described apparatus will be described with reference to a block diagram shown in FIG. In the figure showing the control circuit, 170
Reference numeral 0 denotes an interface for inputting a print signal, 1701 denotes an MPU, 1702 denotes a program ROM for storing a control program executed by the MPU 1701, and 1703 stores various data (such as the print signal and print data supplied to the head). It is a dynamic ROM. 1
A gate array 704 controls supply of print data to the print head 1708.
00, data transfer control between the MPU 1701 and the RAM 1703 is also performed. Reference numeral 1710 denotes a carrier motor for transporting the recording head 1708, and reference numeral 1709 denotes a transport motor for transporting the recording paper. Reference numeral 1705 denotes a head driver for driving the head, and 1706 and 1707 denote transport motors 1 respectively.
709, a motor driver for driving the carrier motor 1710;

The operation of the above control configuration will be described. When a recording signal enters the interface 1700, the gate array 1
The recording signal is converted into recording data for printing between the 704 and the MPU 1701. And the motor driver 1
The printheads 706 and 1707 are driven, and the printhead is driven according to the print data sent to the head driver 1705 to perform printing.

The components of the present invention can be incorporated into the above-described control structure of the ink jet printer, and it is apparent that the present invention can be applied not only to the laser beam printer but also to the above ink jet printer and the like.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the above-described flowcharts. Each module shown will be stored in a storage medium. That is, the program codes of the printer driver 801, printer firmware 802, data transfer module 803, data reception module 804, determination module 805, application 806, and printer firmware generation module 807 may be stored in a storage medium.

[0083]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Printing can be executed under an optimal combination of a printer driver and a printer firmware.

More specifically, when a problem occurs in the printer driver or the printer firmware, or when the version is changed, the printer firmware can be corrected and provided only by providing the printer driver on a medium such as a floppy disk. It becomes possible. As a result, there is a secondary effect that the service cost can be significantly reduced.

Further, since an appropriate printer firmware is selectively downloaded in accordance with the print mode, it is not necessary to save a large amount of printer firmware information on the printing apparatus side, and it is possible to largely save a storage area. In addition, even when the options of the apparatus are changed, such as when a user-replaceable head or ink in an ink jet recording apparatus is upgraded, the printer firmware can be easily switched, so that optimal print control can be performed. it can.

Further, even when the size of the flash memory on the printer side is limited, it is possible to provide a high-performance printer by downloading only necessary objects.

[0087]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram showing a printer-type personal computer embodying the present invention.

FIG. 1B is an external perspective view showing a printer-type personal computer embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a host computer.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the printer unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a printer unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a host computer and a printer during printing according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration at the time of downloading a printer driver from a host computer to a printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a write operation to a flash memory according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a memory map of a recording medium in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a laser printer.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an inkjet printer.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of the printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host computer (PC) 2 Printer unit 3 Recording head 4 Scanner head 101 Main unit 101a Paper feed port 102 Keyboard 103 Display unit 104 Top cover 104a Hinge 201 CPU 301 P-CPU 302 P-Flash ROM 304 Motor controller 305 Motor controller 306 Printer control unit 307 Carrier motor 308 Feed motor 309 Paper feed motor 401 Application 402 OS 403 Printer driver 1303 CPU 1304a ROM 1304b RAM 1304c Secondary storage device 1305 Network interface 1306 Display device 1307 Input device 1308 External storage device 1309 Display control device 1310 Output device

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A print control system, comprising: print control means for storing software for print control; print execution means for storing software for print execution; Determining means for determining the type of software for performing printing, print information generated by the software for printing control, and software for performing printing based on the determination, A transfer unit for transferring to the print execution unit; and a transfer unit for transferring the generated print information and the software for print transfer transferred based on the determination. A print control system, wherein the print execution unit executes printing based on a result. 2. The print control system according to claim 1, wherein the software for controlling the printing is a printer driver, and the software for executing the printing is a printer firmware. 3. The printing control software stored in the printing control means includes a plurality of kinds of software for executing printing used by the printing executing means. Item 2. The print control system according to Item 1. 4. The print execution software transferred based on the determination is of an optimal type in combination with the print control software. Printing control system. 5. The print control system according to claim 2, wherein the transfer unit downloads a printer firmware corresponding to a print mode of data to be printed to the print execution unit based on a result of the determination. 6. The print control system further includes a generation unit for generating a printer firmware according to a print mode of data to be printed, and the transfer unit transmits the generated printer firmware to the print execution unit. The print control system according to claim 1, wherein the print control system is downloaded. 7. A print control method, comprising: a print control step in which software for print control is stored; a print execution step in which software for print execution is stored; A determination step for determining the type of software for performing printing, print information generated by the software for print control, and software for performing printing based on the determination, A transfer step for transferring to the print execution step; and a transfer step for transferring the generated print information and the software for print execution transferred based on the determination. A print control method, wherein the print execution step executes printing based on a result. 8. The print control method according to claim 7, wherein the software for printing control is a printer driver, and the software for executing printing is a printer firmware. 9. The print control software stored in the print control step includes a plurality of types of software for print execution used in the print execution step. Item 7. The print control method according to Item 7. 10. The printing execution software transferred based on the determination is of an optimal type in combination with the printing control software. Print control method. 11. The print control method according to claim 8, wherein in the transfer step, a printer firmware corresponding to a print mode of data to be printed is downloaded before the print execution step based on the result of the determination. . 12. The print control method further includes a generation step for generating a printer firmware according to a print mode of data to be printed, and the transfer step includes the step of transferring the generated printer firmware before the print execution step. 8. The print control method according to claim 7, wherein the download is performed. 13. A print control unit storing software for print control, a print execution unit storing software for print execution, and a print execution unit stored in the print execution unit. Determining means for determining the type of software, print information generated by the software for print control, and software for executing printing based on the determination are transferred to the print executing means. Transfer means for transferring the generated print information and the software for executing the print transferred based on the determination; and Storage medium.