JPH113191A - Print control apparatus, print control method, and storage medium storing computer-readable program - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] Even if print information has been received in advance, if the reception of the subsequent print information is completed before the reception is completed, the print information from which the print information has been received is completed. That is, analysis processing is performed in advance. SOLUTION: First and second host computers 112, 115 via first and second input / output units 105, 114.
While the print information received from the input / output units 105 and 114 is stored in the input buffers provided in the input / output units 105 and 114, the job recognition unit in each of the input / output units 105 and 114 determines the accumulation completion state of each print information. The print information stored in one of the input buffers based on the determination result is prior to the print information stored in the other storage means, and the PDL analysis unit
7 is characterized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a print control device and a print control method capable of communicating with a plurality of data processing devices via a predetermined communication medium, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing apparatus including this type of printing control apparatus, when performing printing processing by receiving data to be printed from an external or internal data source, an input / output unit in the printing apparatus is used. Print data analysis unit (P
DL processing) is performed to analyze received data.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the external data generation source data is generated even when the external data generation source is slow in generating data relating to printing, and even when the processing capability of the printing apparatus is sufficient. There is a problem that the processing time of the printing apparatus depends on the speed of the generation processing ability, and the high-speed processing ability of the printing apparatus cannot be sufficiently exhibited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for receiving a plurality of pieces of print information in parallel, based on a reception completion state of each print information. By changing the analysis order, even if the print information has been received earlier, if the reception of the subsequent print information is completed before the reception is completed, the print information that has been received It is an object of the present invention to provide a print control device and a print control method which can freely prepare a print processing environment for performing analysis processing and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of data processing apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium. A plurality of communication means for performing, a plurality of storage means for storing print information received from each data processing device via each communication means, an analysis means for analyzing each print information stored in each storage means, each storage means Determining means for determining whether or not the print information stored in the storage means has been completed, and printing the print information stored in one of the storage means in the other storage means based on the determination result of the determination means. And control means for causing the analysis means to analyze the information prior to the information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control device capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: a communication unit for communicating with the data processing device;
An identification unit for identifying a type of print data sequentially received from the data processing device via the communication unit; a plurality of storage units for storing the print data identified by the identification unit; Analysis means for analyzing each of the print data obtained, judgment means for judging the storage completion state of each print data stored in each storage means, and one of the storage means based on the judgment result of the judgment means. Control means for causing the analyzing means to analyze the print data stored in the other storage means prior to the print data being stored in the other storage means.

A third invention according to the present invention is a printing control method capable of communicating with a plurality of data processing devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a plurality of communication means for communicating with each data processing device are provided. A storage step of storing print information received from each data processing device via a memory resource via a memory resource; a determination step of determining a storage completion state of each print information stored in each memory resource; And analyzing the print information stored in one memory resource prior to the print information stored in the other memory resource.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a printing process by communicating with a plurality of data processing apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium. A storage step of storing print information received from each data processing device via a plurality of communication units respectively communicating with the data processing device in a memory resource, and determining a storage completion state of each print information stored in each memory resource A computer-readable process including a determining step of performing printing and an analyzing step of analyzing print information stored in one of the memory resources prior to print information stored in the other memory resource based on the determination result Is stored in a storage medium.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control method capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the printing control method sequentially receives from the data processing device via predetermined communication means. A storage step of allocating each print data to one of a plurality of memory resources while identifying a data type; a determination step of determining a storage completion state of each print data stored in each memory resource; And analyzing the print data stored in one of the memory resources prior to the print data stored in the other memory resource based on the result.

A sixth invention according to the present invention is a storage medium storing a computer-readable program capable of controlling a printing process by communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, A storage step of allocating each print data to one of a plurality of memory resources while identifying a type of the print data sequentially received from the data processing device via the communication unit; and storing each print data in each of the memory resources. A determination step of determining the storage completion state of print data, and an analysis of analyzing print data stored in one of the memory resources prior to print data being stored in the other memory resource based on the determination result And a computer-readable program including the steps of storing the program in a storage medium.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system to which a printing control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied. In particular, FIG. It is possible to connect a host computer. The case where the printer engine is a laser beam printer is shown.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a printer main body (LB).
And a CPU 102, which controls the LBP body 101 as a whole based on a control program stored in a memory resource described later. Reference numeral 103 denotes an expandable RAM, and a CP
It functions as a work area of U102. 104 is ROM
Here, an operation program of the CPU 102 and a work table are stored.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a first input / output unit for performing input / output from outside. A printing unit (engine unit) 106 performs a process of printing a bitmap image on a recording medium. 10
A PDL analysis unit 7 analyzes input data (PDL data) based on a page description language (PDL).

Reference numeral 108 denotes an image drawing unit, and the PDL analysis unit 10
Drawing is performed in accordance with the analysis contents of step 7. An image buffer 109 stores the bitmap image drawn by the image drawing unit 108 until the printing unit 106 prints the bitmap image. 11
Reference numeral 0 denotes a panel on which keys and a display for displaying the status of the LBP main body 101 or performing various settings are arranged.

Reference numeral 111 denotes an internal bus for exchanging data inside the LBP main body 101. A first host computer 112 creates print data. 113 is the first
Interface of the first host computer 112
And the LBP main body 101 are connected.

Reference numeral 114 denotes a second input / output unit for performing input / output from outside. A second host computer 115 creates print data. Reference numeral 116 denotes a second interface, which is connected to the second host computer 115 and the LBP main body 10.
1 is connected. Note that the second input / output unit 114 and the first input / output unit 105 have the same structure.

FIG. 2 shows the second input / output unit 11 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a fourth input / output unit and a first input / output unit.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 201 denotes the entire input / output unit, and reference numeral 202 denotes an input terminal which directly receives an input signal from a host computer. An input buffer 203 temporarily stores information input to the input terminal 202.

Reference numeral 204 denotes a job recognition unit.
Analysis is performed with reference to the contents of No. 03 to determine that all the print job data is stored. Reference numeral 206 denotes an internal bus.
The input terminal 202, the input buffer 203, and the job recognition unit 2 in the input / output unit 201 correspond to the internal bus 111 shown in FIG.
04 are configured to be accessible from the CPU 102.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show examples of print job data output from the first and second host computers 112 and 115 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes print job data corresponding to, for example, an image constituted by bitmap data.

Referring to FIG. 4, reference numeral 401 denotes print job data, which corresponds to document data composed of character codes.

Hereinafter, the characteristic structure of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

A print control device capable of communicating with a plurality of data processing devices (first and second host computers 112 and 115) via a predetermined communication medium configured as described above. A plurality of communication means (first and second input / output units 105 and 114) for respectively communicating with
A plurality of storage units (each input / output unit 105, 1) for storing print information received from each data processing device via each communication unit.
14 and an analyzing unit (PDL) for analyzing each print information stored in each storage unit.
An analysis unit 107) and a determination unit (each input / output unit 10) that determines the accumulation completion state of each print information stored in each storage unit
5, 114).
A control unit (CPU 102) that causes the analysis unit to analyze the print information stored in one of the storage units prior to the print information stored in the other storage unit based on the determination result of the determination unit. Control by executing a control program stored in the ROM 104 or a memory resource (not shown)). Therefore, even if the reception of print information is started via one of the communication means, the other communication means (each If the print information reception is started later through the input / output units 105 and 114) and the data reception time is lengthened due to the length of the preceding print information, the print start reception is started later. If the reception of the information has been completed, the analysis process is started from the print information for which the reception of the print information has been completed, that is, the analysis order of the print information is freely changed, and Can output print data efficiently.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing of the job recognition unit 204 shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step.

First, the CPU 102 monitors whether there is an input. Specifically, data is input to the first input / output unit 105 from the first host computer 112 through the first interface, and to the second input / output unit 114 from the second host computer 115 through the second interface 116. Monitor if it is. Note that the following description is based on the first and second input / output units 105,
Since 114 has the same configuration, description will be given also with reference to FIG.

First, the CPU 102 monitors whether a data signal is received at the input terminal 202 (1). If it is determined that data has not been received, this operation is repeated until data is received.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that data has been received, the CPU 102 temporarily stores the received data in the input buffer 203 (2).

Next, in step (3), the CPU 102 refers to the inside of the received data stored in the input buffer 203 to the job recognizing unit 204 to determine whether the input of the print job is completed (3). If it is determined that the input of the print job has not been completed, the process proceeds to step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the print job has been completed, the CPU 102 causes the PDL analysis unit 107 to refer to the contents of the input buffer 203 for the first time (4). Next, the CPU 102 analyzes the received data using the PDL analysis unit 107 (5).

Then, the CPU 102 operates the PDL analysis unit 10.
The image is drawn in the image buffer 109 using the image drawing unit 108 based on the analysis result of (7) (6). Next, CP
U102 is the content of the image buffer 109, for example, FIG.
Print data (image data) 301 and 401 shown in FIG.
Is transferred to the printing unit 106 to output an image (7), and the process ends. Here, the output image data 301 and 401 are compared.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the image data 301 is based on the image data, for example, one pixel is 4 bytes.
If the image size is 640 pixels horizontally and 480 pixels vertically, the amount of image data is 640 * 48
0 * 4 = 1,228,800 bytes ≒ 1.3 MB.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when the image data 401 is based on the text image data, the number of characters is 68, and the characters are in Japanese, so they are described by a 2-byte character code. Then, the data amount is 68 * 2 = 136 bytes, and when comparing the data amounts of both, the difference in the data amount is about 10,000 times.

Here, the first host computer 112
The data transfer rate between the host computer 115 and the second host computer 115 is 100 bytes / second, and the image data 301 of the image from the first host computer 112 and the image data 401 of the character image from the second host computer 115 are transmitted.
The first host computer 112
Starts the transfer first, and ten seconds later, the second host computer 115 starts the transfer. If the data processing is performed by the conventional print control apparatus, the print data 3
01, 1,228,800 ÷ 100 = 12,
It takes 288 seconds ≒ 3.5 hours.

On the other hand, to transfer the print data 401 of the second host computer 115, 136、１1
00 = 1.3 seconds.

It is only three and a half hours after the second host computer 115 prints the image of the print data 401 with a difference of only 10 seconds.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the first input / output unit 105 and the second input / output unit 114 each complete the PDL data analysis after the reception of the print job, the print data reception processing is started. A print job that takes a long time can be handled only by processing of one of the input / output units, and the printing apparatus can effectively utilize other than the input / output unit that is receiving data from each host computer.

In other words, while the first input / output unit 105 is performing the receiving process of the first host computer 112 for three and a half hours, the second input / output unit 114 is connected to the first host computer 115 at 1. After finishing the receiving process for 3 seconds, the printing process is shifted to the printing process promptly, which is different from the order of arrival of data reception, and a desired output result can be obtained in a short time.

Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration of the first embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG.

A printing control method capable of communicating with a plurality of data processing apparatuses (first and second host computers 112 and 115) via a predetermined communication medium configured as described above, or a predetermined communication method. A storage medium that stores a computer-readable program that controls print processing by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices (host computers 112 and 115) via a medium, and a plurality of programs that communicate with each data processing device. Communication means (first, second
Storage steps (steps (1) and (2) in FIG. 5) for storing print information received from each data processing device via the input / output units 105 and 114) in the memory resources; A determination step (step (3) in FIG. 5) for determining the storage completion state of each print information, and the print information stored in one of the memory resources is stored in the other memory resource based on the determination result. Since there is an analysis step (step (5) in FIG. 5) for analyzing prior to the print information,
Even if the printing information has been received via one of the communication means and the printing information has been received later via the other communication means, the data is received depending on the length of the preceding printing information. In the case where the time is long, if the reception of the print information which has been started later is completed, the analysis process is started from the print information which has been received, that is, the printing process is started. The information analysis order can be freely changed, and subsequent print information can be output efficiently.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
The case where two input / output units are provided has been described. However, one input / output unit is provided on the printer side, different print jobs are received simultaneously from one host computer, and each received print job is identified, and a plurality of input / output units are identified. A configuration may be adopted in which each can be received by an input / output buffer. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a printing system to which a printing control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention can be applied. In particular, FIG. Is provided with a plurality of job storage devices for storing print job data.

In the figure, reference numeral 601 denotes a printer main body (LB)
A CPU 602 controls the LBP main unit 601 based on a control program stored in a memory resource described later. Reference numeral 603 denotes an expandable RAM.
It functions as a work area of U602. 604 is ROM
Thus, an operation program of the CPU 602 and a work table are stored.

Reference numeral 605 denotes a first input / output unit for performing input / output from outside. A printing unit (engine unit) 606 performs a process of printing a bitmap image on a recording medium. 60
A PDL analysis unit 7 analyzes input data (PDL data) based on a page description language (PDL).

Reference numeral 608 denotes an image drawing unit.
Drawing is performed in accordance with the analysis contents of step 7. An image buffer 609 stores a bitmap image drawn by the image drawing unit 608 until the printing unit 606 prints the bitmap image. 61
Reference numeral 0 denotes a panel on which keys and a display for displaying the status of the LBP main body 601 or performing various settings are arranged. 61
2 is a host computer.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of input / output unit 605 and host computer 612 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 701 denotes an input / output unit, which corresponds to the input / output unit 605 shown in FIG. Reference numeral 702 denotes the entire host computer, and the host computer 61 shown in FIG.
Corresponds to 2.

An input terminal 703 receives print job data from the host computer 702. A job distribution device 704 distributes print job data received by the input terminal 703 to an input buffer for each print job.

A first input buffer 705 receives print job data from the job distribution device 704 and temporarily stores the print job data. Reference numeral 706 denotes a first input completion recognition unit which determines whether the reception of the print job data in the first input buffer 705 has been completed.

Reference numeral 707 denotes a second input buffer which receives print job data from the job distribution device 704 and temporarily stores it. Reference numeral 708 denotes a second input completion recognition unit which determines whether the reception of the print job data in the second input buffer 707 has been completed. An internal bus 709 corresponds to the internal bus 611 shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 710 denotes a first print job storage device, which stores print job data in the host computer 702. A second print job storage device 711 stores print job data in the host computer 702. Numeral 712 denotes a job mixing device, which receives print job data simultaneously from each of the first print job storage device 710 and the second print job storage device 711 and adds information for separating the print job data again in the printing device. I do. An output terminal 713 transmits an input from the job mixing device 712 to the outside of the host computer 702.

FIG. 8 shows the job blending device 71 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the structure of print information transferred from a printer 2;

Hereinafter, a characteristic configuration of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

A printing control device capable of communicating with the data processing device via the predetermined communication medium configured as described above, comprising: a communication unit (input / output unit 605) for communicating with the data processing device; Identification means for identifying the type of print data (see FIG. 8) sequentially received from the data processing device via the communication means (the job distribution device 7 in the input / output unit 605)
04) and a plurality of storage means (first and second input buffers 705 and 70 provided in the input / output unit 605) for storing each print data identified by the identification means.
7), an analysis unit (PDL analysis unit 607) that analyzes each print data stored in each storage unit, and a determination unit (input / output unit) that determines the accumulation completion state of each print data stored in each storage unit The first and second input completion recognizing units 706 and 708 provided in the storage unit 605 and the print data stored in one of the storage units based on the determination result of the determination unit are being stored in the other storage unit. Control means (CPU 6
02 executes and executes a control program stored in the ROM 604 or a memory resource (not shown)). Therefore, when print information of different types can be individually received via one communication unit, the preceding is performed. In the case where the data reception time becomes longer due to the length of the print information, if the reception of the print information that has been started later has been completed, the analysis process is performed from the print information that has been received. When started, that is, by freely changing the analysis order of the print information, the subsequent print information can be output efficiently.

In FIG. 8, reference numerals 801 to 806 denote transfer data, a tag TG indicating a job, and print job data JOB.
It is composed of The job mixing device 712 shown in FIG. 7 transfers print job data mixed from the output terminal 713 to the input terminal 703.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the data processing procedure by the CPU 602 shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (6) indicate each step.

First, if it is determined that the data has been received, the CPU 602 recognizes the received data in the job distribution device 704 by the tag TG using the tag TG, and outputs the first and second input buffers. 705, 70
7 is temporarily stored (1). Next, in step (2), the CPU 602 sets the first and second input buffers 705 and 70
7 is referred to by the first and second input completion recognition units 706 and 708 to determine whether the input of the print job is completed (2), and the input of the print job is completed. Step (1) if you do not
Move on to

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the print job has been completed, the CPU 602 causes the PDL analysis unit 607 to refer to the contents of the first and second input buffers 705 and 707 for the first time (3). Next, the CPU 602 sets P
The received data is analyzed using the DL analysis unit 607 (4).

Then, the CPU 602 controls the PDL analysis unit 60.
An image is drawn in the image buffer 609 using the image drawing unit 608 based on the analysis result of (7) (5). Next, CP
U602 is the content of the image buffer 609, for example, FIG.
Print data (image data) 301 and 401 shown in FIG.
Is transferred to the printing unit 606 to output an image (6), and the process ends.

As described above, the CPU 602 processes the contents of the first input buffer 705 by the first input completion recognition unit 706 and the contents of the second input buffer 707 by the second input completion recognition unit 708 by time division processing. The processing is performed at the same time while making the judgment.

Further, the transfer print job data is the same as that of the first embodiment, the size of one divided print job data is 100 bytes, and job 1 shown in FIG. , 800 byte data transfer, job 2 is 136 byte print job data 40
If the transfer of job 1 is divided and transferred alternately, the data transfer of job 1 requires division of 12288 times, but the data transfer of job 2 is completed in two times. Print output can be completed during data transfer.

Hereinafter, a characteristic configuration of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

A printing control method capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium configured as described above, or controlling a printing process by communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program, the print data being sequentially received from the data processing device via a predetermined communication unit while identifying the type of the print data. And a determination step (step (2) in FIG. 9) of determining the storage completion state of each print data stored in each memory resource. Based on the result, an analysis step of analyzing print data stored in one of the memory resources prior to print data stored in the other memory resource (see FIG. 9). Since Tsu and a flop (4)), 1
If print data of different types can be individually received via two communication means, and if the length of the preceding print information increases the data reception time, the reception of print information that has started receiving later Is completed, the analysis process is started from the print information for which the reception of the print information has been completed,
That is, the analysis order of the print information can be freely changed, and the subsequent print information can be output efficiently.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by the print control apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator and the like are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is stored in the storage medium. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIGS. 5 and 9 in this embodiment may be executed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. And in that case, CD-ROM, flash memory, FD
The present invention is applicable even when a group of information including a program is supplied to an output device from a storage medium such as the above or from an external storage medium via a network.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) 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 novel function of the present invention, 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, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and 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 the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform 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 instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0074]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, a print control device capable of communicating with a plurality of data processing devices via a predetermined communication medium, a plurality of communication means for communicating with each data processing device, and A plurality of storage means for storing print information received from each data processing device; an analysis means for analyzing each print information stored in each storage means; and a storage completion state of each print information stored in each storage means. Determining means for determining;
Control means for analyzing the print information stored in one of the storage means based on the determination result of the determination means by the analysis means prior to the print information stored in the other storage means, Even if the reception of the print information has been started via one of the communication means, if the reception of the print information has been started later via the other communication means,
If the data reception time becomes longer due to the length of the preceding print information, if the reception of the print information that has been started later is completed, the analysis is performed from the print information that has been received. By starting the process, that is, by freely changing the analysis order of the print information, the subsequent print information can be output efficiently.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control device capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the communication device communicates with the data processing device; An identification unit for identifying a type of print data sequentially received from the data processing device, a plurality of storage units for storing each print data identified by the identification unit, and an analysis of each print data stored in each storage unit Analyzing means for determining whether or not the print data stored in each storage means has been stored, and determining the print data stored in one of the storage means based on the determination result of the determination means. A control unit for causing the analysis unit to analyze the print data prior to the print data stored in the storage unit, so that print information of mixed types can be individually received via one communication unit If such, when the data reception time is longer by the length of the preceding print information has been received print information that starts reception after completion of words,
The analysis process can be started from the print information for which the reception of the print information has been completed, that is, the analysis order of the print information can be freely changed, and the subsequent print information can be output efficiently.

According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, there is provided a print control method capable of communicating with a plurality of data processing apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium, or a plurality of data processing apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program that controls print processing by communicating with the data processing apparatus, and print information received from each data processing apparatus via a plurality of communication units that respectively communicate with each data processing apparatus. A storage step of storing the print information in a memory resource, a determination step of determining a storage completion state of each piece of print information stored in each memory resource, and a print information stored in one of the memory resources based on the determination result. And an analysis step of analyzing the print information prior to the print information stored in the memory resource of the printer. If the print information reception is started later through the communication means, and the data reception time is lengthened due to the length of the preceding print information, the reception of the print information which is started later is not performed. If completed,
The analysis process can be started from the print information for which the reception of the print information has been completed, that is, the analysis order of the print information can be freely changed, and the subsequent print information can be output efficiently.

The fifth and sixth inventions are a print control method capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, or a print control method by communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-readable program, which stores a plurality of memory resources while identifying a type of print data sequentially received from the data processing device via predetermined communication means. A storage step of distributing and storing the print data, a determination step of determining the storage completion state of each print data stored in each memory resource, and the print data stored in one of the memory resources based on the determination result. And analyzing the print data prior to the print data being stored in the other memory resource. If the data can be received individually and the data reception time becomes longer due to the length of the preceding print information, if the reception of the print information that has been started later has been completed, the reception of the print information The analysis process is started from the completed print information, that is, the analysis order of the print information is freely changed, and the subsequent print information can be output efficiently.

Therefore, even if the print information has been received earlier, if the reception of the subsequent print information is completed before the completion of the reception, the analysis is performed earlier than the print information for which the print information has been received. This has the effect that the print processing environment for processing can be freely maintained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which a print control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of first and second input / output units illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of print job data output from first and second host computers illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of print job data output from the first and second host computers illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which a print control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an input / output unit and a host computer shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a structure of print information transferred from the job mixing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the print control device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 102 CPU 103 RAM 104 ROM 105 First input / output unit 106 Second input / output unit 107 PDL analysis unit 108 Image drawing unit 109 Image buffer 110 Panel 112 First host computer 113 Second host computer

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A print control device capable of communicating with a plurality of data processing devices via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: a plurality of communication means for communicating with each of the data processing devices; A plurality of storage means for storing print information received from each data processing device, an analysis means for analyzing each print information stored in each storage means, and a storage of each print information stored in each storage means A determination unit for determining a completion state; and the analysis unit precedes the print information stored in one of the storage units based on the determination result of the determination unit and the print information stored in the other storage unit. And a control means for performing analysis. 2. A print control device capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: communication means for communicating with the data processing device; and sequentially from the data processing device via the communication means. Identification means for identifying the type of print data to be received; a plurality of storage means for storing each print data identified by the identification means; an analysis means for analyzing each print data stored in each of the storage means; Determining means for determining a storage completion state of each print data stored in each of the storage means; storing the print data stored in one of the storage means in the other storage means based on the determination result of the determination means; A control unit for causing the analysis unit to analyze the print data prior to the print data in the print control unit. 3. A print control method capable of communicating with a plurality of data processing devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein each of the data processing devices is communicated via a plurality of communication units respectively communicating with the respective data processing devices. A storage step of storing print information received from a storage resource in a memory resource; a determination step of determining a storage completion state of each print information stored in the memory resource; and storing the print information in one of the memory resources based on the determination result. An analysis step of analyzing stored print information prior to print information being stored in the other memory resource. 4. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a printing process by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the computer communicates with each of the data processing devices. A storage step of storing print information received from each data processing device via a plurality of communication means in a memory resource, a determination step of determining a storage completion state of each print information stored in each memory resource, Analyzing the print information stored in one of the memory resources based on the result prior to the print information stored in the other memory resource. A storage medium that stores programs. 5. A print control method capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: storing print information received from the data processing device via a predetermined communication unit in a memory resource. A storage step of allocating each print data to one of a plurality of memory resources while identifying a type of the print data sequentially received from the data processing device via the communication unit; and storing the print data in each of the memory resources. A determination step of determining the storage completion state of each of the print data to be performed; and based on the determination result, the print data stored in one of the memory resources precedes the print data being stored in the other memory resource. A printing control method, comprising: 6. A storage medium storing a computer readable program for controlling a printing process by communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the storage medium stores a program readable from the data processing device via a predetermined communication means. A storage step of storing print information to be received in a memory resource; and allocating each print data to one of a plurality of memory resources while identifying a type of the print data sequentially received from the data processing device via the communication unit. An accumulating step of accumulating; a judging step of judging an accumulation completion state of each print data accumulated in each of the memory resources; and a print data stored in any one of the memory resources based on the judgment result. A computer-readable program, comprising: an analysis step of performing analysis prior to print data stored in resources. Storing a storage medium.