Control of distributed printing with multiple printers

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.

1 . A distributed printing control apparatus comprising: 
 a data allocation module that divides print data, which is generated by an application program and is an object to be printed, by page and specifies information representing pages allocated to multiple printers; and    a data output control module that outputs the print data in a distributive manner to the multiple printers according to the information specified by said data allocation module, said distributed printing control apparatus being capable of printing multiple copies of the print data according to a requirement,    wherein said data allocation module arranges pages included in each copy in a sequence of the pages, divides all the pages of the multiple copies into the number of the multiple printers specified as destinations of distribution, and allocates respective divisions to the multiple printers,    said data output control module carries out the distributive output of the print data to the multiple printers in a substantially parallel manner, each distributive output having a convert process and a transmit process by each page, the convert process converting the print data of each page, sequentially from a head page of each division, to a format suitable for each printer specified as a destination of distribution, the transmit process transmitting the converted print data, and    said data ouput control module carries out a transmit process for a first printer in parallel with a convert process for a next printer.    
   
   
       2 . A distributed printing control apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , said distributed printing control apparatus further comprising: 
 a virtual printer driver storage module that stores a virtual printer driver for specifying information on a virtual printer corresponding to the multiple printers; and    an intermediate print data generation module that executes the virtual printer driver and thereby obtains intermediate print data, which is adequate for the virtual printer, from an the application program that generates source data of the print data,    wherein the intermediate print data thus obtained is specified as the print data used in said data allocation module and said data output control module.    
   
   
       3 . A distributed printing control apparatus comprising: 
 a data allocation module that divides print data, which is an object to be printed, by page and specifies information representing pages allocated to multiple printers;    a data output control module that distributes the print data to each of the multiple printers according to the information specified by said data allocation module and outputs the distributed print data to each of the multiple printers via a printer driver corresponding to a type of each printer;    and a printer speed performance detection module that collects information with regard to performances of the multiple printers as destinations of distribution from the printer driver and decides a performance on a printing speed of each of the multiple printers from the collected information of performances of the multiple printers,    wherein said data allocation module specifies the pages allocated to the multiple printers according to the performance on the printing speed of each printer decided by said printer speed performance detection module.    
   
   
       4 . A distributed printing control apparatus in accordance with  claim 3 , said distributed printing control apparatus further comprising: 
 a distribution information setting module that causes an input window to be displayed on a display device and sets various pieces of information regarding distribution of the print data based on input data from an input device,    wherein said data allocation module specifies the pages allocated to the multiple printers, based on the various pieces of information set by said distribution information setting module, and    said distribution information setting module comprises a display control module that generates an illustrated image, which includes an arrangement of printing media and corresponds to the information specified by said data allocation module, based on the various pieces of information and causes the illustrated image to be displayed on said display device.    
   
   
       5 . A distributed printing control apparatus for printing print data to be printed in multiple sets comprising: 
 a setting module that receives instructions from a user and determines whether or not multiple printers should be prohibited from printing one copy or one set of identical pages in accordance with the user's instructions;    a data allocation module that, when the setting module determines that multiple printers should be prohibited from printing one copy or one set of identical pages in accordance with the user's instructions allocates the print data to be printed in multiple sets to a single printer; and    a data output control module that, when the setting module determines that multiple printers should be prohibited from printing one copy or one set of identical pages in accordance with the user's instructions, outputs the print data to be printed in multiple sets to the single printer such that each copy or each set of identical pages is printed with an identical printer.    
   
   
       10 . A distributed printing control method, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) dividing print data, which is generated by an application program and is an object to be printed, by page and specifying information representing pages allocated to multiple printers; and    (b) outputting the print data in a distributive manner to the multiple printers according to the information specified in said step (a), said distributed printing control method being capable of printing multiple copies of the print data according to a requirement,    wherein said step (a) arranges pages included in each copy in a sequence of the pages, divides all the pages of the multiple copies into the number of the multiple printers specified as destinations of distribution, and allocates respective divisions to the multiple printers, and    said step (b) carries out the distributive output of the print data to the multiple printers in a substantially parallel manner, each distributive output having a convert process and a transmit process by each page, the convert process converting the print data of each page, sequentially from a head page of each division to a format suitable for each printer specified as a destination of distribution, the transmit process transmitting the converted print data, and    said step (b) carries out a transmit process for a first printer in parallel with a convert process for a next printer.    
   
   
       11 . A distributed printing control method that is capable of printing multiple copies of print data according to a requirement, said distributed printing control method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) dividing the print data, which is an object to be printed, by page and specifying information representing pages allocated to multiple printers;    (b) distributing the print data to each of the multiple printers according to the information specified in said step (a) and outputting the distributed print data to each of the multiple printers via a printer driver corresponding to a type of each printer; and    (c) collecting information with regard to performances of the multiple printers as destinations of distribution from the printer driver and deciding a performance on a printing speed of each of the multiple printers from the collected information of performances of the multiple printers,    wherein said step (a) specifies the pages allocated to the multiple printers according to the performance on the printing speed of each printer decided in said step (c).    
   
   
       12 . A distributed printing control method for printing print data to be printed in multiple sets, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving instructions from a user and determining whether or not multiple printers should be prohibited from printing one copy or one set of identical pages in accordance with the user's instructions.    when it is determined that multiple printers should be prohibited from printing one copy or one set of identical pages in accordance with the user's instructions, allocating the print data to be printed in multiple sets to a single printer; and    when it is determined that multiple printers should be prohibited from printing one copy or one set of identical pages in accordance with the user's instructions, outputting the print data to be printed in multiple sets to the single printer such that each copy or each set of identical pages is printed with an identical printer.    
   
   
       13 . A computer readable recording medium in which a computer program used in a distributed printing control apparatus is recorded, said computer program causing print data, which is an object to be printed, to be distributed to and printed with multiple printers, and said computer program including program instructions for causing a computer to perform the functions of: 
 (a) dividing print data, which is generated by an application program and is an object to be printed, by page and specifying information representing pages allocated to multiple printers; and    (b) outputting the print data in a distributive manner to the multiple printers according to the information specified by said function (a),    wherein said function (a) arranges pages included in each copy in a sequence of the pages, divides all the pages of the multiple copies into the number of the multiple printers specified as destinations of distribution, and allocates respective divisions to the multiple printers,    said function (b) carries out the distributive output of the print data to the multiple printers in a substantially parallel manner, each distributive output having a convert process and a transmit process by each page, the convert process converting the print data of each page, sequentially from a head page of each division, to a format suitable for each printer specified as a destination of distribution, the transmit process transmitting the converted print data, and    said function (b) carries out a transmit process for a first printer in parallel with a convert process for a next printer.    
   
   
       14 . A computer readable recording medium in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said computer program includes program instructions that further causes the computer to perform the functions of: 
 (c) providing in advance in a storage device a virtual printer driver for specifying information on a virtual printer corresponding to the multiple printers; and    (d) executing the virtual printer driver and thereby obtaining intermediate print data, which is adequate for the virtual printer, from an the application program that generates source data of the print data,    the intermediate print data obtained by said function (d) being specified as the print data used for said functions (a) and (b).    
   
   
       15 . A computer readable recording medium in which a computer program used in a distributed printing control apparatus is recorded, said computer program causing print data, which is an object to be printed, to be distributed to and printed with multiple printers, said computer program including program instructions for causing a computer to perform the functions of: 
 (a) dividing the print data, which is an object to be printed, by page and specifying information representing pages allocated to multiple printers;    (b) distributing the print data to each of the multiple printers according to the information specified by said function (a) and outputting the distributed print data to each of the multiple printers via a printer driver corresponding to a type of each printer; and    (c) collecting information with regard to performances of the multiple printers as destinations of distribution and deciding a performance on a printing speed of each of the multiple printers from the collected information of the performances of the multiple printers,    wherein said function (a) specifies the pages allocated to the multiple printers according to the performance on the printing speed of each printer decided by said function (c).    
   
   
       16 . A computer readable recording medium in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein said computer program includes program instructions that further causes the computer to perform the function of: 
 (d) causing an input window to be displayed on a display device and setting various pieces of information regarding distribution of the print data based on input data from an input device,    said function (a) specifies the pages allocated to the multiple printers, based on the various pieces of information set by said function (d), and    said function (d) comprises:    the function of generating an illustrated image, which includes an arrangement of printing media and corresponds to the information specified by said function (a), based on the various pieces of information and causing the illustrated image to be displayed on said display device.    
   
   
       17 . A computer readable recording medium in which a computer program used in a distributed printing control apparatus for printing print data to be printed in multiple sets is recorded, said computer program including program instructions for causing a computer to perform the functions of: 
 receiving instructions from a user and determining whether or not multiple printers should be prohibited from printing one copy or one set of identical pages in accordance with the user's instructions,    when it is determined that multiple printers should be prohibited from printing one copy or one set of identical pages in accordance with the user's instructions, allocating the print data to be printed in multiple sets to a single printer; and    when it is determined that multiple printers should be prohibited from printing one copy or one set of identical pages in accordance with the user's instructions, outputting the print data to be printed in multiple sets to the single printer such that each copy or each set of identical pages is printed with an identical printer.    
   
   
       18 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . A computer program product for use in a distributed printing control apparatus that causes print data, which is an object to be printed, to be distributed to and printed with multiple printers, said computer program product comprising: 
 a recording medium having program code recorded therein, said program code including    (a) program code for dividing print data, which is generated by an application program and is an object to be printed, by page and specifying information representing pages allocated to multiple printers; and    (b) program code for outputting the print data in a distributive manner to the multiple printers according to the information specified by said program code (a),    wherein said program code (a) arranges pages included in each copy in a sequence of the pages, divides all the pages of the multiple copies into the number of the multiple printers specified as destinations of distribution, and allocates respective divisions to the multiple printers,    said program code (b) carries out the distributive output of the print data to the multiple printers in a substantially parallel manner, each distributive output having a convert process and a transmit process by each page, the convert process converting the print data of each page, sequentially from a head page of each division, to a format suitable for each printer specified as a destination of distribution, the transmit process transmitting the converted print data, and    said program code (b) carries out a transmit process for a first printer in parallel with a convert process for a next printer.    
   
   
       23 . A computer program product for use in a distributed printing control apparatus that causes print data, which is an object to be printed, to be distributed to and printed with multiple printers, said computer program product comprising: 
 a recording medium having program code recorded therein, said program code including    (a) program code for dividing-the print data, which is an object to be printed, by page and specifying information representing pages allocated to multiple printers;    (b) program code for distributing the print data to each of the multiple printers according to the information specified by said program code (a) and outputting the distributed print data to each of the multiple printers via a printer driver corresponding to a type of each printer; and    (c) program code for collecting information with regard to performances of the multiple printers as destinations of distribution from the printer driver and deciding a performance on a printing speed of each of the multiple printers from the collected information of performances of the multiple printers,    wherein said program code (a) specifies the pages allocated to the multiple printers according to the performance on the printing speed of each printer decided by said program code (c).    
   
   
       24 . A computer program product for use in a distributed printing control apparatus for printing print data to be printed in multiple sets said computer program product comprising: 
 a recording medium having program code recorded therein, said program code including    program code for receiving instructions from a user and determining whether or not multiple printers should be prohibited from printing one copy or one set of identical pages in accordance with the user's instructions,    program code for allocating the print data to be printed in multiple sets to a single printer when it is determined that multiple printers should be prohibited from printing one copy or one set of identical pages in accordance with the user's instructions: and    program code for outputting the print data to be printed in multiple sets to the single printer such that each copy or each set of identical pages is printed with an identical printer when it is determined that multiple printers should be prohibited from printing one copy or one set of identical pages in accordance with the user's instructions.    
   
   
       25 - 54 . (canceled)  
   
   
       55 . A computer program product for use in controlling distributed printing, comprising: 
 a recording medium having program code recorded therein, said program code including    (a) program code for specifying multiple printers as destinations of distribution;    (b) program code for outputting print data, which is an object to be printed, to the multiple printers specified by said program code (a) in a distributive manner,    (c) program code for causing a data input box for setting a predetermined condition relating to a printing performance of each printer to be displayed on a display device, receiving input data into the data input box from an input device, and setting the predetermined condition based on the input data;    (d) program code for collecting performance information with regard to the predetermined condition from each of the multiple printers specified by said program code (a); and    (e) program code for restricting the input data in the data input box according to the performance information of each printer collected by said program code (d),    wherein said program code (e) specifies a set of performance information, which includes all the performance information of the respective printers collected by said program code (d), and restricts the input data in the data input box within a range of the specified set of performance information.    
   
   
       56 - 65 . (canceled)  
   
   
       66 . A computer program product, comprising: 
 a recording medium having program code recorded therein, said program code including    (a) program code for specifying multiple printers as destinations of distribution;    (b) program code for setting paper information with regard to paper used for printing; and    (c) program code for processing externally input print data based on the specification by said program code (a) and the setting by said program code (b) and outputting plural divisions of the print data, which satisfy the paper information, to the multiple printers specified as the destinations of distribution,    wherein the plural divisions of the print data output by said program code (c) are supplied to the multiple printers via printer drivers provided for the respective printers,    said program code further including:    (d) program code for receiving information with regard to an unprintable area included in a paper area in each of the multiple printers specified by said program code (a); and    (e) program code for computing a printable area in the paper area, which is printable with any of the multiple printers, from the information of the respective printers received by said program code (d),    wherein said program code (c) further includes:    (c1) program code for causing the plural divisions of the print data to be fit to the printable area computed by said program code (e).