Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Communication
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-27
2002-04-09
Wallerson, Mark (Department: 2722)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Communication
C358S404000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06369907
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a printer that requests another device on a network to process printing data that will be printed by itself, and a network system that includes the printer, and an information memory medium to control the printer.
2. Description of Related Art
Usually, there are many cases that a printer has a low processing ability. Because of this, there are many cases that a printer driver of a computer performs processing, such as image processing, or the like, creates printing data that is printable by the printer, and allows the printer to print the printing data.
However, because the computer needs to implement a program for image processing, which has a high processing requirement, the computer has a large processing load. Because of this, a computer with a low processing ability takes more time for image processing and printing does not start immediately.
Furthermore, the speed at which the computer transmits printing data to the printer is affected by the printing speed of the printer. That is, there are problems such that a subsequent operation will not start until the computer sends all the printing data to the printer, or that the performance of the subsequent operation significantly deteriorates.
For example, a laser printer has printer memory for one page, while an ink jet printer only has printing memory for one line. Because of this, when printing is performed by an ink jet printer, there were problems such that the computer cannot be immediately released from the transmission processing, the subsequent applications cannot be smoothly operated, and the response of the computer is delayed.
Moreover, the command(s) which a printer can process is/are usually fixed. Because of this, a computer has to prepare a command (a command or a page command to control printing such as ESC/P, Postscript, or the like) according to the particular printer. Therefore, data cannot be printed to a printer which does not correspond to a command which a printer driver of the computer can prepare.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
By reflecting upon these problems, the present invention connects a printer to one network, and by so doing, significantly improves the printer's functionality as compared to the state in which it is used without being connected. Specifically, the present invention provides a network system, printer and an information recording medium to control a printer, which can shorten the transmission time of printing data, increase the releasing speed of computer, relieve the processing of the printer driver of the computer, allow rapid printing even with a computer with a low processing ability, and respond to various kinds of printer commands.
The network system of the present invention includes a printer which can receive printing commands of a computer, and at least one other device. The printer has an ability information inquiry unit to inquire concerning ability information including at least one of memory capacity, a processing relating to a printer language, image processing, and an image processing execution environment, from other devices which are connected to the network, a virtual printer information determination unit which determines whether another or at least one other device is available to support a functional upgrade of the printer itself based upon the ability information which was transmitted from the other devices connected to the network in response to the inquiry for the ability information, and determines its printer's own virtual printer information, and a virtual printer information disclosing unit which discloses the virtual printer information to the computer. The other device includes an ability information reply unit that replies with ability information including at least one of the memory capacity of the machine, processing relating to a printer language, image processing, and image processing execution environment, to the printer.
Furthermore, the printer of the present invention is a printer which can receive printing commands of a computer which is connected to a network system including at least one other device, and has an ability information inquiry unit which inquires concerning ability information including at least one of memory capacity, processing relating to a printer language, image processing, and image processing execution environment, from other devices which are connected to the network. The printer also includes a virtual printer information determination unit which determines whether another device is available to support a functional upgrade of the printer itself, based upon the ability information which was transmitted from other devices which are connected to the network in response to the inquiry for the ability information, and determines its own virtual printer information, and a virtual printer information disclosing unit which discloses the virtual printer information to the computer.
Furthermore, the information memory medium of the present invention is an information recording medium on which is recorded information to control a printer which can receive printing commands of a computer and which is connected to a network system that includes at least one other device. The recorded information includes information for inquiring about ability information including at least one of memory capacity, processing relating to a printer language, image processing, and image processing execution environment, from other devices which are connected to the network, information to determine whether another device is available to support a function upgrade of the printer itself based upon the ability information which was transmitted from the other devices determine its own virtual printer information, and virtual printer information to disclose to the computer.
The printer discloses virtual printer information, showing how it operates on the network, to the computer. This virtual printer information is information which incorporates the ability of other devices which are connected to the network in addition to the original ability of the machine. Therefore, the computer can request printing processing to a printer with an improved ability. Because of this, it has an effect of reducing the limitations on when the computer sends printing data to the printer.
Here, image processing includes processing to convert the RGB components of the image data to CMYK, rendering processing to develop characters and lines into a bit map, and color conversion processing to convert colors in response to printing to various printers. The image processing ability includes the ability relating to the environment and execution program that executes processing to convert the RGB components to CMYK, rendering processing, and color conversion processing.
The ability relating to the image processing execution environment mainly refers to an environment for executing image processing and includes a memory capacity, which can execute an image processing program, OS environment, and CPU processing ability. The processing relating to the printer language includes at least one of a supporting printer language and printer language conversion program.
In the network system or the virtual printer information determination unit of the present invention, when another device which is connected to the network has a conversion function to convert at least one of a printer language and a given printer command into at least one of a printer command and a printer language that can be processed by the printer, virtual printer information is determined that indicates that at least one of the given printer command and printer language, can be processed. The virtual printer information disclosing unit then discloses the determined virtual printer information to the computer.
Thus, a printer can disclose the virtual printer information indicating that it can process another printer language, as well as its own executable printer language, to the computer. Because of this, the computer will have more
Seiko Epson Corporation
Wallerson Mark
LandOfFree
Network system, printer, and information memory medium does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Network system, printer, and information memory medium, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Network system, printer, and information memory medium will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2910519