JPH11191056A - Printing system, recording medium kind setting method therefor, and storage medium stored with computer-readable program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically set optimum printing conditions for a recording medium to a printer driver. SOLUTION: A recording medium is given a unique ID and a printer 102 reads in the recording medium kind ID by a recording medium kind code read part 109A and decides it; and then the printer 102 automatically decides the recording medium kind and sends it to a host computer 103 to inform the printer driver 116 of the recording medium kind.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a printing system capable of communicating between a printing apparatus and a data processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, a recording medium type setting method of the printing system, and a computer readable program. It relates to a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing system in which this type of printing apparatus and a host computer can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium, a user needs a printer driver in advance to perform printing appropriate for the type of recording medium. Thus, the type of the recording medium is input, the information is transmitted from the printer driver to the printer, and appropriate printing is performed on the recording medium.

[0003]

In the process of designating a recording medium in a conventional printing system, it is necessary for a user to sequentially input the type of recording medium to a printer driver, which takes time and effort. Also, due to a mistake in input,
There were problems such as not being able to perform proper printing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium with an ID for each recording medium, and a printing apparatus reads the recording medium type ID and determines the ID. By doing so, the printing apparatus automatically determines the recording medium type, transmits the recording medium type to the host computer and notifies the printer driver of the recording medium type, so that the optimum printing conditions for the recording medium can be automatically set in the printer driver. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing system excellent in operability, a method of setting a recording medium type of the printing system, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system in which a printing apparatus and a data processing apparatus can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium. Reading means for reading the type recording part, determining means for determining the type of the recording medium from the type recording part read by the reading means, and transferring the type of the recording medium determined by the determining means to the data processing device Transfer means for performing the transfer.

A second invention according to the present invention is a printing system in which a printing device and a data processing device can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the printing device can analyze a predetermined drawing command by the printing device. A printer driver that converts the information into information, a type display unit that obtains the type information of the recording medium transferred from the printing apparatus and displays the information on a display unit, and obtains the type information of the recording medium transferred from the printing apparatus. And a notifying means for notifying the printer driver.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the printer driver automatically sets a recording medium setting item based on the notified type information of the recording medium.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the type recording section recorded on the recording medium uses predetermined code information or predetermined cut information.

A fifth invention according to the present invention is a recording medium type setting method for a printing system in which a printing apparatus and a data processing apparatus can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium. A reading step of reading the type recording section by the reading section, a determining step of determining the type of the recording medium from the type recording section read in the reading step, and the data of the type of the recording medium determined in the determining step is the data. A transfer step of transferring to a processing device, a type display step of obtaining the type information of the recording medium transferred from the printing apparatus and displaying it on a display unit, and obtaining the type information of the recording medium transferred from the printing apparatus. Notification step of notifying a printer driver that converts a predetermined drawing command into print information that can be analyzed by the printing apparatus.

A sixth invention according to the present invention is a storage medium storing a computer readable program for controlling a printing system capable of communicating with a printing apparatus and a data processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium. A reading step of reading a type recording section recorded on a recording medium by a reading section, a determining step of determining the type of the recording medium from the type recording section read by the reading step, and the determining step being performed by the determining step. A transfer step of transferring the type information of the recording medium to the data processing apparatus; a type displaying step of acquiring the type information of the recording medium transferred from the printing apparatus and displaying the obtained information on a display unit; A notification unit that obtains type information of a recording medium and notifies a printer driver that converts a predetermined drawing command into print information that can be analyzed by the printing apparatus. And it has a door.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a system configuration to which a printing system according to the present invention can be applied.
3 (including the display unit 113) can communicate with each other via the bidirectional communication line 104.
Is provided with a recording medium 101 capable of identifying the type of the recording medium.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 105A denotes a recording medium type code recording unit, in which a code as an ID for discriminating the type of the recording medium of the recording medium 101 is recorded. That is, the recording medium 101 is a recording medium in which the recording medium type code recording unit 105A is added to a predetermined position in advance.

In the printing apparatus 102, 110 is a CPU.
A control calculation unit configured to perform the calculation and control of print data and determines the recording medium type from the recording medium type ID read by the recording medium type code reading unit 109A. 10
Reference numeral 6 denotes a ROM in which various control programs to be executed by the arithmetic and control unit 110 are stored. Reference numeral 107 denotes a RAM, which mainly functions as a work memory of the arithmetic control unit 110. An ink cartridge unit 108 performs printing based on print data generated based on print information (including PDL data, bitmap data, intermediate data, and the like) received from the host computer 103 via the two-way communication interface 111. Do.

The bidirectional communication interface 111
Performs input and output of information with the host computer 103. The RAM 107 is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM or the like.

In the host computer 103, 11
Reference numeral 5 denotes an arithmetic control unit configured by an MPU or the like.
2 to the printer driver 11
Send to 6. A display unit 113 notifies a user of the current recording medium. Reference numeral 114 denotes a storage device including a RAM or the like, which stores various information. Reference numeral 112 denotes a two-way communication interface for inputting and outputting printing apparatus information through the printing apparatus 102 and the two-way communication line 104. The storage device 11
Reference numeral 4 includes a nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory, and the printer driver 116 is assumed to be installed in the nonvolatile memory or the like.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the recording medium type correspondence table TB1 created in the RAM 107 shown in FIG. 2, and the recording medium type code and the recording medium type are created and managed as a pair of data. . The recording medium type correspondence table TB1 may be stored in the ROM 106, or may be received through communication with the host computer 103 and constructed on the RAM 107.

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

The printing apparatus 102 and the data processing apparatus (the host computer 10) are connected via a predetermined communication medium (including a network and an interface) configured as described above.
3) is a printing system capable of communicating with the printing system, wherein a reading unit (a recording medium type code reading unit 109A or a recording medium type notch reading unit 109B described later) that reads a type recording unit recorded on a recording medium; And a transfer means (bidirectional interface 111) for transferring the type information read by the means to the data processing apparatus, so that the type of the recording medium can be automatically identified and notified to the data processing apparatus in a timely manner.

A printing system in which the printing apparatus 102 and a data processing apparatus (host computer 103) can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium (including a network and an interface), wherein a predetermined drawing command is transmitted to the printing apparatus A printer driver 116 that converts the print information into print information that can be analyzed by the printer, and a type display unit that obtains the type information of the recording medium transferred from the printing apparatus and displays the information on the display unit 113 (by the display function of the arithmetic control unit 115) And a notifying unit (by a notification function of the arithmetic control unit 115) for acquiring the type information of the recording medium transferred from the printing apparatus and notifying the printer driver 116 of the recording medium. The type information to be set in the printer driver can be notified in a timely manner based on the type information.

Further, the printer driver 116
Since the recording medium setting item is automatically set based on the notified recording medium type information, the item setting for the type of the recording medium for the printer driver can be automated.

The type recording section (recording medium type code recording section 105A, recording medium type notch recording section 105B) recorded on the recording medium uses predetermined code information or predetermined notch information. It is possible to reliably recognize the type of the recording medium.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the printing system according to the present invention. The operation procedure from when the printing apparatus detects a recording medium to when the type of the recording medium is notified to the printer driver. Corresponding to Note that (1) to (6) indicate each step.

First, when the printing apparatus 102 detects the recording medium 101, the code specific to each recording medium of the recording medium type code recording unit 105A is read by the recording medium type code reading unit 109.
A reads (1). Next, the arithmetic control unit 110 determines the type of the recording medium from the read recording medium type code with reference to the recording medium type table TB1 shown in FIG. 3 (2).

Then, the determined recording medium type data is transmitted to the host computer 103 via the bidirectional communication line 104 (3). The user is caused to select whether or not notification of the determined recording medium type to the user is required on the display unit 113 on the host side (4). If it is determined that “necessary” has been selected, the current recording medium type is displayed on the display unit 113 (5), the printer medium type is notified to the printer driver 116 (6), and the process is terminated. I do.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that the user does not need to notify the recording medium, the type of the recording medium is notified to the printer driver 116 (6), and the processing is performed. finish.

This makes it possible to automatically notify the printer driver 116 of the type of recording medium that can be printed by the printing apparatus and to automatically notify the printer driver 116 of the type, thereby reducing the burden on the user of setting the recording medium. can do.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
Although the case where the recording medium type code recording unit 105A on the recording medium is read to automatically identify the type of the recording medium has been described, the recording medium type notch formed in advance on the recording medium is read to identify and determine the recording medium type. hand,
It may be configured to notify the host computer.
Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a printing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the drawing, reference numeral 105B denotes a recording medium type notch recording unit, which has a notch which is an ID for discriminating the type of the recording medium of the recording medium 101. That is, the recording medium 101 is a recording medium in which the recording medium type cut recording unit 105B is formed at a predetermined position in advance.

In the printing apparatus 102, 110 is a CPU
An arithmetic control unit configured as described above determines the recording medium type from the recording medium type ID read by the calculation and control of print data and the recording medium type notch reading unit 109B.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of the recording medium type correspondence table TB2 created in the RAM 107 shown in FIG. 5, and the recording medium type notch (for example, pattern) and the recording medium type are paired as data. Created and managed.
The recording medium type correspondence table TB2 is stored in the ROM 10
6, or may be received through communication with the host computer 103 and constructed on the RAM 107.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the printing system according to the present invention. The flowchart is from the time when the printing apparatus detects the cut of the recording medium to the time when the recording medium type is notified to the printer driver. It corresponds to the operation procedure. Note that (1) to (6) indicate each step.

First, when the printing apparatus 102 detects the recording medium 101, the recording medium type cut recording unit 105B reads the recording medium type cut recording unit 105B (1). Next, the arithmetic control unit 110 determines the type of the recording medium from the read recording medium type notch with reference to the recording medium type table TB2 shown in FIG. 6 (2).

Then, the determined recording medium type data is transmitted to the host computer 103 via the bidirectional communication line 104 (3). The user is caused to select whether or not notification of the determined recording medium type to the user is required on the display unit 113 on the host side (4). If it is determined that “necessary” has been selected, the current recording medium type is displayed on the display unit 113 (5), the printer medium type is notified to the printer driver 116 (6), and the process is terminated. I do.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that the user does not need to notify the recording medium, the type of the recording medium is notified to the printer driver 116 (6), and the processing is performed. finish.

Thus, the type of recording medium that can be printed by the printing apparatus can be clearly notified to the user, and the type can be automatically notified to the printer driver 116, thereby reducing the burden on the user of setting the recording medium. can do.

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

The printing apparatus 102 and the data processing apparatus (the host computer 10) are connected via a predetermined communication medium (including a network and an interface) configured as described above.
3) is a method of setting a recording medium type of a printing system capable of communication, or a computer-readable program for controlling a printing system capable of communication between a printing apparatus and a data processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium. A reading step (step (1) in FIG. 3 and FIG. 7) of reading the type recording section recorded on the recording medium by the reading section; A determining step of determining the type of the recording medium (step (2) in FIGS. 3 and 7) and a transferring step of transferring the type information of the recording medium determined in the determining step to the data processing apparatus (FIG. 3, (Step (3) in FIG. 7)
A type display step (step (5) in FIGS. 3 and 7) of acquiring the type information of the recording medium transferred from the printing apparatus and displaying it on the display unit; A notification step (step (6) in FIG. 3 and FIG. 7) for notifying a printer driver that acquires type information and converts a predetermined drawing command into print information that can be analyzed by the printing apparatus. The item setting for the type of recording medium of the printer driver can be automated based on the type of recording medium identified and timely notified on the side, and the setting burden on the user can be greatly reduced.

The configuration of a data processing program readable by the printing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by the printing system 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, etc. is also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, the program is 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. 3 and 7 in this embodiment may be performed 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 code of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment 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 instructions 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 instructions 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.

[0050]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, there is provided a printing system in which a printing device and a data processing device can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a reading unit that reads a type recording unit recorded on a recording medium, A determination unit that determines the type of the recording medium from the read type recording unit; and a transfer unit that transfers the type of the recording medium determined by the determination unit to the data processing device. The data processing device can be automatically identified and timely notified.

According to the second invention, there is provided a printing system in which a printing device and a data processing device can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a predetermined drawing command is converted into print information which can be analyzed by the printing device. A printer driver for conversion processing;
A type display unit for acquiring the type information of the recording medium transferred from the printing apparatus and displaying the information on the display unit; and a notifying unit for acquiring the type information of the recording medium transferred from the printing apparatus and notifying the printer driver. Therefore, the type information to be set in the printer driver can be notified in a timely manner based on the type information of the recording medium transferred from the printing apparatus.

According to the third aspect, the printer driver automatically sets the recording medium setting items based on the notified recording medium type information, so that the item setting for the recording medium type for the printer driver is automated. can do.

According to the fourth aspect, since the type recording section recorded on the recording medium uses the predetermined code information or the predetermined notch information, it is possible to reliably recognize various types of the recording medium. it can.

According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium type setting method for a printing system in which a printing apparatus and a data processing apparatus can communicate via a predetermined communication medium. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a printing system capable of communicating with a printing apparatus and a data processing apparatus via a computer, wherein a reading unit reads a type recording unit recorded on the recording medium by a reading unit A determining step of determining the type of the recording medium from the type recording unit read in the reading step, a transfer step of transferring the type information of the recording medium determined in the determining step to the data processing device, A type display step of acquiring the type information of the recording medium transferred from the printing apparatus and displaying the information on the display unit, and a type of the recording medium transferred from the printing apparatus And a notifying step of notifying the printer driver of converting the predetermined drawing command into print information that can be analyzed by the printing apparatus. Item settings for the type of recording medium of the printer driver can be automated based on the type, and the setting burden on the user can be greatly reduced.

Therefore, the present invention has the effect that the optimum printing conditions for the recording medium can be automatically set in the printer driver.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration to which a printing system according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a recording medium type correspondence table TB1 created in a RAM shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the printing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a recording medium type correspondence table TB2 created in a RAM shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the printing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the printing system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 recording medium 105A recording medium type code recording unit 105B recording medium type notch recording unit 102 printer 104 bidirectional communication line 109A recording medium type code reading unit 109B recording medium type notch reading unit 110 arithmetic control unit 111 bidirectional communication interface 112 both Communication interface 115 arithmetic control unit 116 printer driver

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A printing system in which a printing device and a data processing device can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: a reading unit for reading a type recording unit recorded on a recording medium; And a transfer unit configured to transfer the type of the recording medium determined by the determination unit to the data processing device. . 2. A printing system capable of communicating between a printing device and a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: a printer driver for converting a predetermined drawing command into print information that can be analyzed by the printing device; A type display unit for acquiring the type information of the recording medium transferred from the printing apparatus and displaying it on a display unit; a notification for acquiring the type information of the recording medium transferred from the printing apparatus and notifying the printer driver And a printing system. 3. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the printer driver automatically sets a recording medium setting item based on the notified type information of the recording medium. 4. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the type recording section recorded on the recording medium uses predetermined code information or predetermined cut information. 5. A recording medium type setting method for a printing system in which a printing apparatus and a data processing apparatus can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a type recording section recorded on the recording medium is read by a reading section. A reading step; a determining step of determining the type of the recording medium from the type recording unit read in the reading step; and a transferring step of transferring the type information of the recording medium determined in the determining step to the data processing device. A type display step of acquiring the type information of the recording medium transferred from the printing apparatus and displaying it on a display unit; acquiring the type information of the recording medium transferred from the printing apparatus and printing a predetermined drawing command. A notification step of notifying a printer driver that converts the print information into print information that can be analyzed by the apparatus. 6. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a printing system capable of communicating with a printing apparatus and a data processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, the program being recorded on a recording medium. A reading step of reading the type recording section by a reading section; a determining step of determining the type of the recording medium from the type recording section read in the reading step; and the data of the type information of the recording medium determined in the determining step. A transfer step of transferring to the processing device; a type display step of obtaining the type information of the recording medium transferred from the printing apparatus and displaying it on the display unit; and obtaining the type information of the recording medium transferred from the printing apparatus. And a notifying step of notifying a printer driver that converts a predetermined drawing command into print information that can be analyzed by the printing apparatus. Storage medium from which a computer stores a readable programs that.