Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Communication
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-27
2002-06-18
Wallerson, Mark (Department: 2622)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Communication
C358S001120, C358S434000, C358S435000, C358S438000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06407823
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing device which performs data processing with respect to data which is printed by another printer, a network system which includes the information processing device, and an information memory medium to control the information processing device.
2. Description of Related Art
There are many cases where a printer may have a low processing ability. Because of this, the printer driver of the computer may perform processing, such as image processing or the like, to create printing data which is printable by the printer, and cause the printer to print the data.
However, since it is necessary to execute a program with a large amount of additional processing (as in the image processing) with a computer which has a low processing ability, there are problems such that image processing takes a long time and printing is often delayed.
Moreover, the speed at which the computer transmits the printing data to the printer is influenced by the printing speed of the printer. In other words, the computer cannot go on to the next operation until all the printing data has been sent to the printer. Therefore, the performance of the printing operation may be significantly deteriorated.
For example, while a laser printer has memory for printing of one page, an ink jet type printer only has memory for printing one line at a time. Because of this, when printing is performed with an ink jet type printer, there are problems such that the computer is not released from the transmission process for a period of time, the subsequent applications do not function well, and the reaction of the computer may be delayed.
Moreover, the command which the printer normally processes is fixed. Because of this, the computer has to prepare commands that will be recognized by the corresponding printer (e.g., ESC/P, Postscript, or the like, printing control commands, and page command). Accordingly, a computer cannot print on a printer which does not respond to unrecognized commands that the printer driver of a particular computer prepares.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an information processing device which supports the improvement of the functionality of a printer which has a low processing ability by causing an image processing device with a high processing ability that has a sufficient data processing execution environment to carry out data processing of data that is to be printed by another printer on the network. The purpose is also to provide recording medium in order to control the information processing device, and a network system to realize the effective discrete processings of a printer and the information processing device which are connected to the network.
The network system of the present invention system comprises a client printer that performs a data processing request and a server device that has an environment which can execute data processing that includes image processing that is requested by the client printer and/or processing relating to a printer language. The client printer comprises a data processing ability inquiry unit that inquires about ability information relating to data processing with respect to other devices that are connected to the network. The client processor determines the server device from which to request data processing based on the ability information that is sent from the other network devices, transmits printing data that is to be processed to the server device, and requests that the data be processed and transmitted from the server device. Printing controller controls both the reception of processed data from the server device, and printing. The server device comprises an ability information reply unit that replies with ability information relating to its own data processing in response to the inquiry for ability information from the client printer. A data processing server performs data processing of printing data that is received from the client printer and transmits the processed data back to the client printer in response to a transmission request from the client printer.
Moreover, the information processing device is structured so as to be connectable, by a network, to a plurality of devices that include a printer that performs a data processing request, and having an environment that can execute data processing that includes at least processing relating to image processing that is requested by the printer, and/or processing relating to a printer language. The information processing device comprises an ability information reply unit that replies with ability information relating to its own data processing in response to a request for ability information relating to data processing from the printer, a data processing server that performs data processing of printing data that is received from the printer, and transmits the processed data to the client printer in response to a transmission request from the client printer.
Moreover, the information memory medium of the present invention that is structured so as to be connectable, by a network, to a plurality of devices that include a printer that performs a data processing request, and which stores information to control an information processing device that has an environment that can execute data processing that includes at least image processing and/or processing relating to a printer language that is/are requested from the printer. The information memory medium comprises information for replying with ability information relating to its own data processing in response to the inquiry for ability information from a printer, the information for data processing printing data that is received from the printer, and the processed data to be transmitted to the client printer in response to a transmission request from the client printer.
Here, the ability information concerning data processing comprises the information concerning the existence or nonexistence of an environment which can execute the data processing, and of a program for data processing execution. An environment which can execute the data processing includes a memory capacity which is capable of executing the data processing program, OS environment, and the processing ability of the CPU.
Moreover, the image processing includes converting the RGB of the image data to CMYK, the rendering processing which develops the character and lines into a bitmap, and color converting processing which performs color conversion which corresponds to the specific type of printer.
The ability information relating to the image processing execution environment mainly refers to the environment for executing image processing, and includes the processing ability of the memory capacity that can execute the image processing program, the OS environment, and the processing ability of the CPU.
The processing related to the printer language includes at least a supporting printer language and a printer language conversion program.
According to the present invention, the printer can request data processing, which includes at least one of image processing of printing data to be printed by the printer itself and/or processing related to the printer language, by an information processing device that has the data processing execution environment. Therefore, even with a printer which has low hardware processing ability or a printer which does not have the necessary data processing execution environment, the same usage becomes possible as is possible with a printer which has a high hardware processing ability or a printer which has the data processing execution environment.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, the effective discrete processing of a printer which is connected to the network and the information processing device can be realized.
Moreover, the ability information reply unit of the network system of the present invention comprises a data processing program information inquiry unit that inquires about data processing program information, which includ
Seiko Epson Corporation
Wallerson Mark
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