JPH11175268A - Information processing apparatus and retransmission data management method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To enable normal printing and data retransmission after an error occurrence even if the storage capacity is small according to the storage capacity. In an information processing apparatus connected to a printer device and retransmitting data to the printer device when an error occurs during printing, the information processing device includes a print data management unit for managing print data. Data management unit 42
Stores the print data of at least one page to be retransmitted to the printer device 6 in a storage device 5a, transmits the stored print data to the printer device 6, and, upon normal printing completion, the storage device 5a The next print data can be stored in the print data storage area for the normally completed print stored in the storage area.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for retransmitting print data to a printer when an error such as a paper jam occurs in the printer, and a retransmission data management method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to guarantee retransmission data when an error such as a paper jam occurs, a large amount of data storage disk capacity for storing all print data is required. In addition, the disk capacity is a fixed value, and normal printing cannot be performed unless there is a disk capacity specified by the information processing apparatus at the time of system setup or at the time of starting printing.

As a conventional example, in a printer system in which print data transmitted by a host is received by a reception buffer of a printer and printing is performed, one page of print data is developed into bitmap data, and a paper jam is detected. The storage device for holding the bitmap data until it is discharged without being provided in the host, the bitmap data transferred from the reception buffer is developed into data in units of lines, printing is performed, and printing of the printed page is performed. In some printers, a band buffer for sequentially erasing data is provided in the printer, and when a jam is detected, the bitmap data of the corresponding page held in the holding storage unit is transmitted to the printer again. (See Kaihei 8-258375)

[0004]

The above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. : A large storage capacity for data storage was required to guarantee retransmission data.

[0005] In the case where the storage means for holding the bitmap data is provided, the storage capacity is a fixed value and 1
It cannot respond to changes in print data for pages. The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and saves the amount of data to be retransmitted according to the storage capacity of the information processing apparatus, even if the storage capacity of the apparatus is small, after normal printing and after an error occurs. The purpose is to enable data retransmission.

[0006]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1a is an information processing device, 2a is print data creation means, 5a is storage means, 6 is a printer device,
Reference numeral 2 denotes a print data management unit.

The present invention has the following configuration to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems. (1): an information processing device connected to the printer device 6 and retransmitting data to the printer device 6 when an error occurs during printing, including a print data management unit 42 for managing print data, The data management unit 42 stores the print data for at least one page to be retransmitted to the printer device 6 in the storage unit 5a, transmits the stored print data to the printer device 6, and The next print data can be stored in a print data storage area for the normally completed print stored in the storage unit 5a.

(2): An information processing device connected to the printer device 6 and retransmitting data to the printer device 6 when an error occurs during printing is provided with a print data management section 42 for managing print data. When the printer device 6 notifies the number of pages that have been printed normally, the print data management unit 42 stores the print data of at least one page to be retransmitted to the printer device 6 in the storage unit 5.
a, and sends the stored print data to the printer device 6 and, based on the notification of the number of successfully printed pages, stores the print data of the number of successfully printed pages stored in the storage unit 5a. The following print data can be stored in the storage area.

(3): An information processing device connected to the printer device 6 and retransmitting data to the printer device 6 when an error occurs during printing is provided with a print data management section 42 for managing print data. When notifying the difference between the number of pages received by the printer device 6 and the number of pages that have been printed normally, the print data management unit 42 stores the print data of at least one page to be retransmitted to the printer device 6. The print data stored in the storage unit 5a is transmitted to the printer device 6, and the notification of the printer device 6 is used to transmit the print data of the number of the normally printed pages stored in the storage unit 5a. The next print data can be stored in the storage area.

(4): When an error occurs during printing, which is connected to the printer device 6, in the information processing device for retransmitting data to the printer device 6, all print data to be retransmitted is stored in the storage means 5a. If the print data cannot be stored, a print data management unit 42 that manages print data acquires a storage area for at least one page of the print data to be retransmitted to the printer device 6 in the storage unit 5a and stores the print data. The print data after the storage is transmitted to the printer device 6, and upon completion of the normal printing, the next print data can be stored in the storage area of the print data for the normally completed print stored in the storage unit 5a. The remaining print data stored in the storage unit 5a is subjected to a process of reacquiring a storage area and stored as a retransmission data management method for a printer device.

(5): When an error occurs during printing,
A procedure for retransmitting data to the printer device 6, storing at least one page of print data to be retransmitted to the printer device 6 in the storage unit 5 a, transmitting the stored print data to the printer device 6, Computer for storing a program for executing a print data management procedure for enabling the next print data to be stored in the print data storage area for the normally completed print data stored in the storage means 5a upon completion of proper printing It is a readable recording medium.

(Operation) The operation based on the above configuration will be described. When an error occurs during printing, in an information processing apparatus that retransmits data to the printer device 6, a print data management unit 42 that manages print data controls the printing of at least one page to be retransmitted to the printer device 6. Data is stored in the storage unit 5a, and the stored print data is transmitted to the printer device 6, and upon completion of normal printing, a storage area for the normally completed print data stored in the storage unit 5a. Can store the next print data. Therefore, a printing operation including a paper jam can be performed without a large storage capacity.

When an error occurs during printing, an information processing apparatus that retransmits data to the printer device 6 manages print data when the printer device 6 notifies the number of pages that have been printed normally. In the print data management unit 42, at least one
The print data for the page is stored in the storage unit 5a, the stored print data is transmitted to the printer device 6, and the normal number stored in the storage unit 5a is notified by the notification of the number of pages that have been normally printed. The next print data can be stored in the print data storage area for the number of pages that have been printed. Therefore, pages that have been normally printed can be erased and stored, and a printing operation including a paper jam can be performed without a large storage capacity.

Further, if an error occurs during printing,
In the information processing apparatus that retransmits data to the printer device 6, when notifying the difference between the number of pages received by the printer device 6 and the number of pages that have been normally printed, the print data management unit 42 that manages print data Storing the print data of at least one page to be retransmitted to the printer device 6 in a storage unit 5a, transmitting the stored print data to the printer device 6, and storing the print data in response to the notification from the printer device 6. The next print data can be stored in the storage area of the print data of the number of pages that have been normally printed and stored in the means 5a. Therefore, a normally printed page obtained from the notification of the difference can be erased and stored, and a printing operation including a paper jam can be performed without a large storage capacity.

When an error occurs during printing, the information processing apparatus for retransmitting data to the printer 6 manages the print data when all the print data to be retransmitted cannot be stored in the storage unit 5a. The print data management unit 42 acquires a storage area for the print data of at least one page to be retransmitted to the printer device 6 in the storage unit 5a, stores the print data, and stores the print data after the storage in the storage unit 5a. The next print data is transmitted to the printer device 6 and, upon completion of normal printing, the next print data can be stored in the storage area of the print data corresponding to the normally completed print stored in the storage unit 5a and stored in the storage unit 5a. The remaining print data is stored after performing a process for reacquiring the storage area.
Therefore, the storage capacity can be automatically changed, and the print data can be retransmitted without being affected by the storage capacity and the print data amount.

Further, if an error occurs during printing,
A procedure for retransmitting data to the printer device 6, storing at least one page of print data to be retransmitted to the printer device 6 in the storage unit 5 a, transmitting the stored print data to the printer device 6, Computer for storing a program for executing a print data management procedure for enabling the next print data to be stored in the print data storage area for the normally completed print data stored in the storage means 5a upon completion of proper printing It is a readable recording medium. Therefore, by installing the program of the recording medium into a computer, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus capable of performing a printing operation including a paper jam even without a large storage capacity.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The print data management according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from a printer and having a function of retransmitting print data when an error such as a paper jam has occurred. System (hereinafter referred to as system)
If so, it is not particular about the hierarchy. FIG.
FIG. 4 to FIG. 4 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention. Less than,
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1): Description of Device Configuration FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a system configuration, and FIG. 2A is a description of an overall configuration. In FIG. 2A, a computer main body 1 which is an information processing device connected to a printer device 6
Is provided with an application 2, a print data conversion unit 3, a print management unit 4, and a storage unit 5.

The application 2 can create a print document such as word processing software. The print data conversion unit 3 converts the data into a data format according to the printer device 6. The print management unit 4 manages print data. The storage unit 5 is storage means for storing data such as a disk device.

The arrow line in FIG. 2 shows the flow of processing when print data is directly transmitted and received to and from the printer device 6. The print data created by the application 2 is sent to the print data conversion unit 3. The print data conversion unit 3 sends the print data converted into a data format corresponding to the printer device 6 to the print management unit 4. The print management unit 4 stores the print data in the retransmission data storage area of the storage unit 5 and transmits the stored print data to the printer device 6.

(2) Description of Print Management Unit FIG. 2B is a description of the print management unit. 2B, the print management unit 4 includes a print data reception unit 41, a print data management unit 42, and a printer communication unit 43.

The print data receiving section 41 transmits and receives print data to and from an upper layer (here, the print data converting section 3). The print data management unit 42 stores print data in the storage unit 5 in page units, and adds / updates a page management queue. The printer communication unit 43
The transmission and reception of print data with the printer device 6 are performed.

(3): Description of Print Data Page Management Processing A page management queue (PageQue), which is a storage location in units of pages, for recovery is secured in the storage unit 5, and when there are many print pages, this page management is performed. The queue is used cyclically.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of page management processing of print data. In FIG. 3, as the queue management information, a recovery page management queue (PageQue), a queue next registerable ID (identifier) (SetQID), an ID currently being stored (ACTQID), a queue next drawable ID (WrtQI)
D), and a queue recovery head ID (RTopQID).

The management size of PageQue is up to the maximum value that can be stored in the printer device. In the example of FIG. 3, page management queues 1 to n are shown. Note that PageQue
“[]” Indicates an array. For example, “1” of PageQue, as shown in FIG. 3, is composed of page information including a storage location head position, which is a storage address of a disk or the like, a page number, and print data for one page.

SetQID indicates the position registered in the page management queue until now, and in the example of FIG. 3, indicates “4”. This is to update (+1) SetQID after storing the current page information at the SetQID position.

The ACTQID indicates a position currently stored in the page management queue. In the example of FIG. 3, “3” (the fourth page) is shown. WrtQID indicates the position where data was transmitted to the printer device, and in the example of FIG. 3, indicates “2”. This is to update (+1) the WrtQID after transmitting data to the printer device based on the information indicated by the WrtQID.

The RTopQID indicates a page position stored for recovery. If an error occurs during printing, the page is retransmitted from the indicated page position. In the example of FIG. 3, “0” is shown. This is to update (+1) the RTopQID at the time of receiving the print completion from the printer device. The data before the page whose RTopQID is updated will be deleted.

As described above, the initial values of SetQID, WrtQID, and RTopQID are all “0” (first page).
When updated to "n", it becomes "0" again. (4): Description of print management processing The capacity of the disk, which is the storage unit 5 acquired first, is minimized, and the storage area for retransmission data is automatically extended in accordance with the amount of print data. Also, even when expansion becomes impossible, it is possible to retransmit print data without being affected by the disk capacity of the system and the amount of print data by waiting for the occurrence of disk space due to the completion of the printing operation. is there.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the print management process. Hereinafter, description will be given according to the processing S1 to the processing S11 in FIG. S1: The print data management unit 42 acquires a disk of the default page size (minimum disk capacity, for example, one A4 sheet), and proceeds to processing S2.

S2: The print data management unit 42 stores the storage destination head position in the page management queue (SetQID position),
Move to processing S3. S3: The print data management section 42 is the print data reception section 41
It is determined whether or not the print data received in is completed. If the print data received in this determination is completed, the process is terminated. If not completed, the process proceeds to step S4.

S4: The print data management unit 42 determines whether the previously acquired disk is full. If the disc is full, the process proceeds to step S5. If not, the process proceeds to step S8.

S5: The print data management section 42 performs a disk reacquisition process (automatically expands a storage area for retransmission data), and proceeds to processing S6. S6: The print data management unit 42 determines whether the reacquisition of the disk has failed. If the reacquisition of the disk has failed in this determination, the process proceeds to step S7, and if successful, the process proceeds to step S8.

S7: The print data management unit 42 determines whether or not there is a free space on the disk. If there is a free space in the disc in this determination, the process proceeds to step S8, and if there is no free space, the process waits until a free space occurs (the free space of the disc due to the end of printing).

S8: The print data management section 42 stores the print data on the disk, and proceeds to step S9. S9: The print data management unit 42 determines whether the page break information has been detected. If the page break information is detected in this determination, the process proceeds to step S10, and if not, the process returns to step S3.

S10: The print data management unit 42 performs a print activation process, and proceeds to the process S11. S11: The print data management unit 42 updates SetQID (+
1) Then, the process returns to the processing S2.

(Explanation of the print start process in the process S10) S10.1: The print data management unit 42 transfers the print data from the printer communication unit 43 to the printer device 6, and executes the process S
Move to 10.2.

S10.2: The print data management section 42 reads the print completion page information of the printer device 6 from the printer communication section 43, and proceeds to processing S10.3. S10.3: The print data management unit 42 updates (+1) the RTopQID. As a result, free space is generated on the disk.

When the print completion page information is read in step S10.2, any notification means may be used as long as the printing state of the printer device can be grasped. For example, as a notification unit from the printer device, a notification of an elapsed completion page, which is a notification of the number of pages that the printer device has normally completed printing, and a notification of a difference between the number of pages received by the printer device and the elapsed completion page. There is a return page. For this return page,
In the print data management unit 42 of the system, it is necessary to update the RTopQID to obtain the completed page.

(5): Description of Installation of Program The application 2, the print data conversion unit 3, and the print management unit 4 (the print data reception unit 41, the print data management unit 42, and the printer communication unit 43) can be configured by programs. It is executed by the main control unit (CPU) and stored in the main memory. These programs are general,
It is processed by a data processing device (computer) such as a personal computer and a workstation.
These computers are configured by hardware such as a main control unit, a main memory, a file device such as a hard disk, a display device, and an input device such as a keyboard.

The program of the present invention is installed on this computer. In this installation, these programs are stored in a portable storage medium such as a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, or the like, and the storage medium provided in the computer is accessed via a drive device for accessing the storage medium, or Via a network such as a LAN,
It is installed in a file device provided in the computer. Then, program steps necessary for processing are read out from the file device to the main memory, and are executed by the main control unit.

[0042]

As described above, the present invention has the following effects. (1): If an error occurs during printing, in an information processing apparatus that retransmits data to a printer, a print data management unit that manages print data is used to print at least one page to be retransmitted to the printer. The data is stored in a storage unit, and the stored print data is transmitted to the printer device. When the normal printing is completed, the next print data stored in the storage unit is stored in the storage area of the normally completed print data. Since print data can be stored, a printing operation including a paper jam can be performed without a large storage capacity.

(2): When an error occurs during printing,
In an information processing apparatus that retransmits data to a printer, when the printer notifies the number of pages that have been printed normally, a print data management unit that manages print data includes at least one page to be retransmitted to the printer. Storing the print data in the storage means, transmitting the stored print data to the printer device, and notifying the number of successfully printed pages in response to the notification of the number of normally printed pages, and storing the normally printed pages stored in the storage means. Since the next print data can be stored in the storage area for the number of print data, normally printed pages can be erased and stored, and even if there is not a large storage capacity, printing operations including paper jams can be performed. Become.

(3): When an error occurs during printing,
In the information processing apparatus for retransmitting data to the printer, when notifying the difference between the number of pages received by the printer and the number of pages that have been printed normally, a print data management unit that manages print data uses the printer. The print data of at least one page to be retransmitted to the device is stored in a storage unit, the stored print data is transmitted to the printer device, and the notification of the printer device stores the normally stored data in the storage unit. Since the next print data can be stored in the print data storage area of the number of printed pages, the normally printed pages obtained from the notification of the difference can be erased and stored, and there is no large storage capacity. Also,
A printing operation including a paper jam can be performed.

(4): When an error occurs during printing,
In an information processing apparatus that retransmits data to a printer, if all print data to be retransmitted cannot be stored in the storage unit, a print data management unit that manages the print data,
A storage area for at least one page of the print data to be retransmitted to the printer device is acquired in the storage unit, the print data is stored, and the print data after the storage is transmitted to the printer device, and normal printing is performed. Upon completion, the next print data can be stored in the storage area of the print data for the normally completed printing stored in the storage unit, and the remaining print data stored in the storage unit is subjected to the reacquisition processing of the storage area. Since the storage is performed and stored, the storage capacity can be automatically changed, and the print data can be retransmitted without being affected by the storage capacity and the print data amount.

(5): When an error occurs during printing,
A procedure for retransmitting data to the printer, storing at least one page of print data to be retransmitted to the printer in a storage unit, transmitting the stored print data to the printer, and completing the normal printing. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing a print data management procedure for enabling the next print data to be stored in a storage area of the normally completed print data stored in the storage unit. Therefore, by installing the program of the recording medium into a computer, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus capable of performing a printing operation including a paper jam even without a large storage capacity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a system configuration according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a page management process of print data in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a print management process according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a Information processing device 2a Print data creation means 5a Storage means 6 Printer device 42 Print data management unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus connected to a printer device for retransmitting data to the printer device when an error occurs during printing, comprising: a print data management section for managing print data; The unit stores the print data of at least one page to be retransmitted to the printer device in a storage unit, transmits the stored print data to the printer device, and stores the print data in the storage unit upon normal completion of printing. An information processing apparatus characterized in that the next print data can be stored in a print data storage area for the normally completed print. 2. An information processing device connected to a printer device and retransmitting data to the printer device when an error occurs during printing, comprising: a print data management section for managing print data; When notifying the number of pages that have been normally printed, the print data management unit stores the print data of at least one page to be retransmitted to the printer device in a storage unit, and stores the stored print data in the printer device. And transmitting the next print data to the storage area of the print data of the number of normally printed pages stored in the storage unit by transmitting the notification of the number of pages that have been normally printed. Information processing device. 3. An information processing device connected to a printer device and retransmitting data to the printer device when an error occurs during printing, comprising: a print data management section for managing print data; When notifying the difference between the number of received pages and the number of pages that have been printed successfully, the print data management unit stores the print data of at least one page to be retransmitted to the printer device in a storage unit, and stores the print data. The print data is transmitted to the printer device, and the notification of the printer device allows the next print data to be stored in the storage area of the print data of the number of successfully printed pages stored in the storage unit. An information processing apparatus characterized in that: 4. An information processing apparatus which is connected to a printer device and which retransmits data to the printer device when an error occurs during printing, when all print data to be retransmitted cannot be stored in the storage means, A print data management unit that manages data, acquires a storage area for at least one page of the print data to be retransmitted to the printer device in the storage unit, stores the print data, and stores the print data after the storage. The next print data can be stored in the storage area of the normally completed print data stored in the storage unit by transmitting to the printer device and completing the normal printing, and the remaining print data stored in the storage unit can be stored. A retransmission data management method for a printer device, wherein print data is stored after reacquiring a storage area. 5. A procedure for retransmitting data to a printer when an error occurs during printing, storing at least one page of print data to be retransmitted to the printer in a storage unit, and storing the stored print data. A print data management procedure for transmitting data to the printer device and, upon normal printing completion, enabling the next print data to be stored in a storage area of the print data corresponding to the normally printed data stored in the storage unit. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program to be executed.