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Control of distributed printing with multiple printers

a technology of distributed printing and printers, applied in the direction of digital output to print units, instruments, visual presentations, etc., can solve the problem of shortening the total time required for printing, and achieve the effect of good operation and favorable resulting prints

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-05-10
SEIKO EPSON CORP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a distributed printing control apparatus that solves problems in previous printing control apparatuses by ensuring good operatability and efficient printing. The apparatus includes a data allocation module that divides print data into pages and specifies information about which printers will print each page. A data output control module then outputs the print data to the multiple printers in a distributed manner. The apparatus also includes a printer speed performance detection module that detects the performance of each printer and specifies the pages to be allocated to each printer accordingly. This ensures that the printers are always ready for printing, and the total time required for printing is minimized. The invention also includes a distribution information setting module that allows the operator to set various pieces of information about the distribution of the print data, and an illustrated image display that visually informs the operator of the distributed form of printing. Overall, the invention improves the efficiency and ease of use of distributed printing control apparatuses.

Problems solved by technology

Compared with the prior art technique, this technique effectively shortens the total time required for printing.

Method used

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  • Control of distributed printing with multiple printers
  • Control of distributed printing with multiple printers
  • Control of distributed printing with multiple printers

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

first embodiment

A. First Embodiment

[0108] A1. General Hardware Structure

[0109] A2. Distributed Printing Process

[0110] A3. Virtual Printer Driver

[0111] A4. User Interface

[0112] A5. Computer Programs

[0113] A6. Effects of Embodiment

B. Second Embodiment

[0114] B1. User Interface

[0115] B2. Computer Programs

[0116] B3.Effects of Embodiment

C. Third Embodiment

[0117] C1. Distributed Printing Process

[0118] C2. Computer Programs

[0119] C3. Effects of Embodiment

A1. General Hardware Structure

[0120]FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the hardware structure of a computer system in a first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the computer system of the first embodiment includes a computer 10, which is connected with a plurality of printers 70, 80, . . . having substantial computer functions via a computer network 90 constructed as a Local Area Network (LAN). The computer network 90 is, however, not restricted to the LAN but may be any of diverse networks like the Inter...

second embodiment

B. Second Embodiment

B1. User Interface

[0215] The following describes a second embodiment of the present invention. The details of ‘A1. General Hardware Structure’, ‘A2. Distributed Printing Process’, and ‘A3. Virtual Printer Driver’ discussed in the first embodiment are adopted in the second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those of the first embodiment are expressed by the same numerals. The differences between the first embodiment and the second embodiment are part of the details of the user interface and part of the computer programs. The details of the user interface are discussed first.

[0216] Like the first embodiment, in the structure of the second embodiment, a dialog box ‘Distributed Printing Properties’ is provided as the user interface. FIG. 21 illustrates a dialog box WN12‘Distributed Printing Properties’. Like the first embodiment, two cards CD11‘Distribution Settings’ and CD12‘Printer’ are provided in the dialog box WN12‘Distributed Printing Pro...

third embodiment

C. Third Embodiment

C1. Distributed Printing Process

[0279] The following describes a third embodiment of the present invention. The details of ‘A1. General Hardware Structure’, ‘A2. Distributed Printing Process’, ‘A3. Virtual Printer Driver’, and ‘A4. User Interface’ discussed in the first embodiment are adopted in the third embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those of the first embodiment are expressed by the same numerals. The third embodiment has unique characteristics in the ‘Distributed Printing Process’.

[0280]FIG. 37 is a block diagram showing the functions of a distributed printing utility 120C in the third embodiment. As illustrated, the distributed printing utility 120C includes an intermediate print data input module 121, a property data input module 122, an allocation specification module 123, an output data control module 124, a printer setting module 125, an output command output module 126, a performance information input module 127, a final print ...

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PUM

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Abstract

A technique for distributed printing that ensures favorable operability within a sufficiently short time. The procedure first generates intermediate print data and executes the parallel rendering process by time sharing to sequentially convert page data on the first page of the intermediate print data into data adequate for the printers. Transmission of final print data converted for the first printer is carried out in parallel with the rendering process for the second printer. In a similar manner, transmission of converted final print data to the second printer and third printers is carried out in parallel with the rendering process for the next printer. The parallel rendering process sequentially converts page data on the second page of the intermediate print data into data adequate for the printers. Subsequently, the parallel rendering process sequentially converts page data on the third page of the intermediate print data into data adequate for the printers.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 980,111, filed Nov. 30, 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to a technique of outputting print data of interest, which are to be printed, to multiple printers in a distributive manner. BACKGROUND ART [0003] Recent advancement of the computer network enables a plurality of printers to be readily connected to one information processing apparatus like a personal computer. In the structure where one information processing apparatus connects with multiple printers, print data generated by the information processing apparatus may be output to the respective printers in a distributive manner. When there is a large mass of print data, it takes an undesirably long time to complete printing with only one printer. Output of the print data to multiple printers in a distributive manner desirably ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G06F3/12
CPCG06F3/1215G06F3/124G06F3/1245G06F3/1247
Inventor IWATA, FUMIHIKOASAKAWA, MASASHISATO, AKIHIROMOCHIDA, AKIRATOGASHI, KOKI
Owner SEIKO EPSON CORP
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