JP3854110B2 - Printing apparatus and print data processing system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a system for detecting and warning a difference between a print preview on a host apparatus and an output image of the printing apparatus in a printing apparatus connected to a host apparatus such as a personal computer or a workstation via a bidirectional communication cable. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when printing is performed by a printing apparatus, the host operator instructs the start of printing after confirming the print preview on the host apparatus side. However, when the graphic-related data such as the font that is referred to when creating the print preview screen on the host device side and the graphic-related data such as the font that is referenced when creating the image on the printing device side are not the same, The image actually printed from the printing device did not completely match. Further, due to a bug in the printer driver or the controller firmware of the printing apparatus, there is a case where a different one from the preview screen on the host apparatus side is printed when actually printing.
[0003]
In order to solve this problem, when the host device and the printing device are connected by a cable capable of bidirectional communication, the print data and the print data are developed from the host device side to the printing device. By sending a command instructing to send back the later developed image data to the host device, the printing device that has received the command develops the received print data into image data, and then sends the image data to the host device. It is known that a print result preview can be accurately confirmed on the host device side by replying.
[0004]
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-30410 discloses a printing apparatus that can transfer image data to a host apparatus after the print data is expanded for previewing by the printing apparatus. In such an apparatus, it is possible to prevent unnecessary printing mistakes by permitting actual printing after the operator of the host apparatus confirms the image data developed by the printing apparatus before printing. In addition, since the image data developed for actual printing on the printing device can be confirmed as a print preview, a more accurate print preview than when creating a print preview on the host device side as is conventionally done. It becomes.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above apparatus, the print data transmitted from the host apparatus is developed into image data by the printing apparatus, and then the data is returned to the host apparatus. Therefore, when the amount of print data is large, the print data is transmitted. It takes time to develop the image data in the printing apparatus, and to return the developed image data. In addition, when there are print processing waiting jobs in the printing apparatus, it takes a considerable time for the print preview to be developed and returned to the host device for waiting for image development processing.
[0006]
For this reason, there may be a case where the processing waiting time becomes long from when the operator of the host apparatus gives a print preview confirmation instruction until the print preview can actually be confirmed. That is, in the above apparatus, the operator needs to issue a print instruction again after confirming that there is no error in the print preview. Therefore, the operator waits for a considerable time until the print preview is displayed in order to complete the printing process. It will be.
[0007]
In the present invention, in consideration of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the check image data is simultaneously transmitted from the host device to the printing device together with the print data, and the difference between the data developed on the printing device side and the check image data is checked. By doing so, the problem of the data to be printed can be checked, so that the time required for the printing process can be shortened.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The printing apparatus according to the present invention executes printing by developing an image of print data such as a printer description language (PDL) transmitted from a host apparatus via a bi-directional communication cable, and printing the print data transmitted from the host apparatus. The configuration includes a determination unit that matches the corresponding preview data and the image data obtained by developing the print data, and determines whether the data is within an allowable range.
With the above-described configuration, even if there is a development error or the like when developing PDL data in the printing apparatus, a problem (inconsistency) can be found before printing by checking the consistency using the preview data.
[0009]
The printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a determination unit provided with a determination reference value for determining the alignment between the preview data and the image data obtained by developing the print data. When it is determined, warning processing means for outputting a warning signal to the host device is provided.
With the above-described configuration, the user can stop printing by giving a warning before printing, so that useless printing can be prevented.
[0010]
The determination means of the printing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the alignment determination reference value can be changed.
With the above configuration, the consistency determination reference value can be varied depending on the print data, so that in the case of a slight difference, setting can be made in accordance with the user's intention such as printing without stopping printing.
[0011]
The determination means of the present invention is characterized in that when it is determined that the developed image data is inconsistent as a result of determining the consistency of the print data, a warning is given so that the inconsistent portion can be identified.
With the above configuration, when a warning is issued to the user, it is possible to give a warning including what kind of problem there is.
[0012]
The print data processing system of the present invention connects a host device and a printing device via a bidirectional communication cable, and can transmit and receive data. The host device creates print data preview data and prints it. The preview data together with the data is transmitted as a check image to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus creates image data obtained by developing the received print data, determines consistency with the preview data, and determines the determination result. It has the structure which transmits to a host apparatus.
With the above configuration, the user can check the consistency with the developed data in the printing apparatus using the confirmed preview data before printing.
[0013]
The print data processing system of the present invention has a configuration based on a determination reference value that is set by a host device to determine the consistency of print data.
With the above configuration, since the determination reference value can be set on the host side, the setting can be changed for each print job.
[0014]
In the print data processing system of the present invention, when the consistency determination result in the printing apparatus is inconsistent in the developed image data, the printing apparatus transmits the contents to the host apparatus, and the host apparatus receives the inconsistency information received. The printer that has the function of correcting the inconsistency and displaying the correction information, transmits the corrected print data to the printing apparatus, and receives the correction information, has the function of reconstructing the print data based on the correction information.
With the above configuration, if the print data is different from what the user intended, not only can the printing be stopped, but after confirming which point is different, the problem can be corrected and printing can be resumed.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on a system configuration schematic diagram and a flowchart. FIG. 1 is a system diagram to which the present invention is applied. In this printing system, the host apparatus A or the host apparatus B is connected to the printing apparatus via a bidirectional communication cable. FIG. 1 shows only components necessary for explaining the present invention.
[0016]
Host devices A and B start operating systems (OS) or arbitrary applications such as word processors and CAD software to create images such as characters, pictures, and drawings as print data, and generate data to control the printing device A personal computer or workstation that can do.
[0017]
Here, the first embodiment will be described for the host device A100.
The host device A100 has a display unit 105 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal monitor that can display a print preview image, etc., and an input unit 104 such as a keyboard and mouse that can input a print instruction from the user or correction of print development data. Prepare.
The spooler 102 temporarily stores print data generated by an application as a spool file 103 in a format such as EMF (Windows (registered trademark) expanded metafile). The despooler 107 reads out and outputs data stored in the spool file. Data output from the despooler 107 is transmitted to the printing apparatus 300 via a printer interface (I / F) that controls communication with the printing apparatus 300 and a bidirectional communication cable 400.
The host apparatus A100 also includes a printer driver 106 that converts print data temporarily stored as spool data into a printer description language (hereinafter referred to as PDL) that can be decoded by the printing apparatus.
[0018]
The printer driver 106 includes a print data conversion unit 110 that converts print data from the application 101 into PDL, a preview image control unit 111 that generates preview image data from the same spool data 103, spool data, a display unit, The printer driver input / output control unit 109 controls data exchange with an input unit, a printer, and the like.
Further, the printer driver 106 generates a command for controlling the operation of the printing apparatus based on a user instruction, and transmits the command to the printing apparatus 300 together with the print data and the preview image data subjected to PDL conversion. Further, if there is a mismatch between the print data developed by the printing device and the preview image sent from the host device, the printer driver 106 has the difference data between the preview image and the developed print data from the printing device 300 and the developed data. It has a function for receiving print data and warning the user using the display unit 105, and a function for allowing the user to directly edit the data when a warning is displayed. And it has the function which can transmit to the printing apparatus 300 regarding the correction point after edit. These functions of the printer driver 106 are implemented as a program that operates on an operating system (OS).
[0019]
Whether the printing apparatus 300 performs printing by checking the inconsistency between the developed print data and the preview image data based on a host interface (I / F) 304 that performs bidirectional communication with the host apparatus 100 and an instruction from the host apparatus. Or a preview determination unit 303 that determines whether or not there is a mismatch in the host device, and print data (PDL data) transmitted from the host device into image data that can be printed by the engine 301. A print image generation unit 302 to be converted and an engine 301 for printing the image expanded data on paper.
The engine 301 may be any system such as a laser printer or an ink jet.
[0020]
The preview determination unit 303 includes a difference data generation unit 305 and a determination data generation unit 306. The preview determination unit 303 not only checks whether the developed print data and the preview image data completely match, but also needs to absorb a certain degree of mismatch. This is because the graphic data such as fonts that are referred to when creating a print preview screen on the host device side and the graphic data such as fonts that are referenced when creating an image on the printing device side are not the same. This is because the image actually printed from the printing apparatus does not completely match. As such a case, when print data is converted to PDL, there is a high possibility of inconsistency particularly in the case of graphic data. However, depending on the user, there may be a case where the graphic data such as the fill pattern may differ to some extent between the preview screen and the print result. Therefore, before starting printing on the host device side, the user sets how much difference is allowed as the print setting of the printer driver, and whether the preview determination unit 303 actually prints according to the determination reference value 307. Then, it is determined whether a warning is given to the host device side. The preview determination unit 303 performs a determination after preliminarily processing each data in the determination data generation unit 306 in order to absorb inconsistency between the developed print data and the preview image data to some extent. Further, when a warning is given to the host device side, the difference data generation unit 305 creates difference data between the developed print data and the preview image data, and transmits it to the host device together with the developed print data.
[0021]
Next, the control of the present invention will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS.
Step ST1 First, the user of the host apparatus A100 uses the application 101 running on the host apparatus A100 to create a document to be printed and give a print instruction.
At this time, the user instructs in advance whether to check the consistency between the data developed on the printing apparatus side and the preview data transmitted from the host side during printing from the setting items of the printer driver. In the case of a confirmation instruction, the extent to which inconsistency is allowed is set as a reference value. As a setting item, the determination reference value 307 of the preview determination unit 303 is provided in several stages, and the determination reference value is set as a threshold value of the inconsistency determination result at the time of printing.
[0022]
Step ST2 When the user gives a print instruction to the application 101, the application creates print data and stores the print data in the EMF (Windows (registered trademark) expanded metafile) format or the like as spool data 103 by the spooler 102.
In step ST2, the print confirmation mode setting is determined.
[0023]
If the print confirmation mode is not set, the process proceeds to step ST12.
In step ST12, the print data stored in the spool data 103 is converted into a printer description language (PDL) readable by the printing apparatus 300 by the print data conversion unit 110 of the printer driver 106, and the print data is then despooled. The information is transmitted from the printer 107 to the printing apparatus 300.
In step ST13, normal printing processing is performed.
[0024]
If the print confirmation mode is set in step ST2, the process proceeds to step ST3.
In step ST 3, the printer driver 106 first develops the spool data 103 into a format that can be displayed on the display unit in the preview image control unit 111, and sends the data to the display unit 105 through the printer driver input / output control unit 109. After confirming the preview data, the user instructs the input unit 104 to execute printing in step ST4 or to cancel printing.
When printing is performed in step ST4, the process proceeds to step ST5, and when printing is stopped, the process ends there.
[0025]
In step ST <b> 5, the printer driver 106 converts the spool data 103 into a printer description language (PDL) that can be decoded by the printing apparatus 300 by the print data conversion unit 110. Thereafter, the preview data, the print confirmation command, and the determination reference value that have been created earlier are transmitted to the printing apparatus together with the print data.
In step ST <b> 6, the printing apparatus 300 first develops the received PDL print data into a form that can be output by the engine 301 by the print image generation unit 302.
In step ST7, a collation check is performed between the preview data and the developed print data in accordance with a print confirmation command.
[0026]
This data collation check will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows preview data, and FIG. 6 shows expanded print data.
A case will be described in which a figure 31 and a figure 32 are created as expanded print data for the rhombus figure 21 and the rectangular figure 22 as preview data.
[0027]
For the determination process in step ST7, first, each data is processed in the determination data generation unit 306 in step ST21. The preview data usually has a lower resolution than the print data. Since it is necessary to match the resolution in order to collate the preview data with the developed print data, the resolution of the developed print data is lowered by the same method as the preview data. Here, in the preview data and the expanded print data, each pixel is classified as white or black if each pixel is configured in units of 1 bit. Therefore, a process for converting pixels around the pixel classified into black into black is performed for each pixel. The range to be converted is variable depending on the criterion value set by the user. An increase in the range to be blacked out absorbs a fine difference between the preview data and the developed print data, and thus, a difference that issues a warning can be adjusted.
[0028]
FIG. 7 shows processed preview data subjected to such processing, and FIG. 8 shows processed expanded print data.
Also in the case of color data, first, when there is a color designation for each pixel, all the black conversion processing is performed. After this process, the above procedure can be performed.
[0029]
In step ST21, the difference between the preview data and the developed print data is checked.
First, the processed print data (see FIG. 8) figure 51 and figure 52 and preview data (see FIG. 5) figure 21 and figure 22 subjected to data processing are logically ANDed for each pixel. Further, exclusive OR of the data obtained by the logical product processing and the preview data is obtained, and if there is a certain difference or more, the range and image information are stored in order to issue a warning. At that time, the determination is made based on a determination reference value set by the user. In the case of the example shown in this drawing, it can be seen that the graphic 22 is missing from the print processed data.
[0030]
In step ST23, contrary to step ST22, the processed preview data figure 41 and figure 42 shown in FIG. 7 processed in step ST21 and the developed print data, figure 51 and figure 52 shown in FIG. Perform a logical product with. Further, an exclusive logical sum of the data subjected to the logical product processing and the developed print data is calculated, and if there is a certain difference or more, the range and image information are stored in order to issue a warning. At that time, the determination is made based on a determination reference value set by the user. In the case of the example shown in the drawing, it can be seen that the figure 52 is the developed print data and is an extra figure.
[0031]
In step ST24, the difference between the preview data (see FIG. 5) and the developed print data (see FIG. 6) is directly slid. If there is a certain difference or more, the range and image information are displayed to issue a warning. Remember. At that time, the determination is made based on a determination reference value set by the user. By directly collating the preview data with the expanded print data, it is possible to find out a small difference in the figure fill pattern and the like that was not found in steps ST22 and ST23. In the example shown in the drawing, it can be seen that the fill pattern of the graphic 21 shown in FIG. 5 and the graphic 31 of FIG. 6 are different.
[0032]
In step ST8, if the collation check results in steps ST22 and ST23 are OK, the process proceeds to step ST9, and if it is NG, the process proceeds to a warning process (step ST10).
In step ST9, if the collation check result in step ST24 is OK, the process proceeds to a printing process (step ST13), and if it is NG, the process proceeds to a warning process (step ST10).
In step ST10, the user is notified that there is a problem with the developed print data, and processing such as correction processing is performed.
[0033]
The correction process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In step ST31, first, the printer notifies the printer driver of the host device that there is a problem with the print development data. At that time, the developed print data developed by the printing apparatus, the (allowable) range of inconsistent data stored in steps ST22, ST23, and ST24 and the image information thereof are transmitted to the host apparatus.
In step ST32, an image is created in a form in which the developed print data sent to the printer driver and the difference data of the problem are superimposed, and the problem is confirmed by the user through the display unit. In the example of FIG. 9, by emphasizing each of the graphics 61, 62, and 63 with a color, the user can easily understand the problematic part. With regard to coloring, colors are classified for each of the developed print data that is missing, extra, or different in the fill pattern.
[0034]
In step ST33, the user corrects each figure while looking at the screen displayed in step ST32. For example, the figure 62 in FIG. 9 is deleted. Then, input whether to perform print processing.
In step ST34, in accordance with the information input in step ST33, a command for determining whether to perform printing and, in the case of performing printing, the corrected item points are also transmitted to the printing apparatus.
In step ST11, when printing is performed, the process proceeds to step ST13, and when printing is stopped, the process is terminated.
In step ST13, print data is generated again based on the correction information sent from the printing apparatus, and the engine performs print processing.
[0035]
Embodiment 2
Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 10 as an example using the host device B200. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the same part as 1st Embodiment here.
[0036]
In addition to the print data generation unit 209 that generates print data, the application 203 of the host apparatus B 200 includes a preview image control unit 210 that can generate print preview data and can confirm printing to the user through the display unit 202. In addition, when there is a mismatch between the print data developed by the printing apparatus 300 and the preview image sent from the host apparatus, the preview image control unit 210 makes a difference between the preview image and the developed print data from the printing apparatus. A function for receiving data and expanded print data, and using the display unit 202 to warn the user that there was a mismatch, and a function that allows the user to directly edit the data when a warning is displayed, It has a function that can send the corrected points to the printing apparatus 300 after editing.
[0037]
On the other hand, in the printer driver 208, a print data conversion unit 212 that converts print data from the application 203 into PDL, and a printer driver input / output control unit 211 that controls data exchange between the spool data 205 and the print data conversion unit 212. Consists of. Also, the preview data sent from the application 203 is processed separately from the print data, and the print data having the PDL conversion and the preview data are transmitted without being subjected to PDL conversion and transmitted to the printing apparatus as they are.
Although the printing apparatus 300 has the same function as that of the first embodiment, in this embodiment, a target to which a warning message is transmitted is the preview image control unit 210 in the application 203.
[0038]
Details will be described below based on the flowchart of FIG.
In step ST41, first, the user of the host apparatus B200 creates a document to be printed and gives a preview instruction using the application 203 running on the host apparatus B200. In response to the preview instruction, the preview image control unit 210 generates preview data from the document data, and sends the data to the display unit 202. At this time, the user confirms the preview, and at the time of printing, confirms the consistency between the data developed on the printing apparatus side and the preview data transmitted from the host side, and if so, to what extent the inconsistency is confirmed. Set whether to allow. As a setting item, several stages of determination reference values 307 are provided, and the determination reference value 307 is set as a threshold value of the inconsistency determination result at the time of printing.
[0039]
In step ST42, after confirming the preview, the user instructs the input unit 201 to execute printing or to cancel printing.
If printing is to be executed (ST42: Yes), the process proceeds to step ST43. If printing is to be stopped (ST42: No), the process ends there.
[0040]
In step ST43, if there is a print instruction in the application 203, the application creates print data, and the print data is stored in the spooler 204 in the EMF (Windows (registered trademark) expanded metafile) format or the like as spool data. At this time, if the print confirmation mode is not set in step ST43 (ST43: No), the process proceeds to step ST12. In step ST12, the print data stored in the spool data 205 is converted into a printer description language (PDL) readable by the printing apparatus 300 by the print data conversion unit 212 of the printer driver 208, and the print data is then despooled. In step ST13, normal printing processing is performed.
[0041]
If the print confirmation mode is set in step ST41 (ST43: Yes), the process proceeds to step ST5. In step ST <b> 5, the printer driver 211 transmits the preview data created by the application 203, the print confirmation command, and the determination criteria thereof to the printing apparatus 300 together with the print data subjected to PDL conversion.
Step ST6 and subsequent steps are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment, and are therefore omitted.
[0042]
As described above, the printing apparatus described in the above embodiment can check the consistency using the preview data for check even if there is a development error when developing PDL data, and the problem can be understood before printing. .
In addition, the user can be warned before printing, and the user can stop printing by the warning, so that useless printing can be prevented.
In addition, by setting an allowable range based on the judgment reference value, it is possible to make settings that match the user's intention, such as printing without stopping printing if there is a slight difference, and what kind of problems are present Can be warned to the user.
In addition, the preview data processing system can check the developed data before printing using the preview data confirmed by the user, and can set a determination reference value on the host side, thereby allowing an acceptable range of consistency determination for each print job. You can change the settings.
Further, when the print data is different from what the user intended, not only can the printing be stopped, but also after confirming which point is different, the problem can be corrected and printing can be resumed.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, print data and check image data are simultaneously transmitted from the host device to the printing device, and printing is performed by checking the difference between the data developed on the printing device side and the check image data. Since the problem of the data to be checked can be checked, the time required for the printing process can be shortened.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system block diagram illustrating an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining developed print data.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing warning processing.
FIG. 5 is preview data created by the host device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is print data developed by the printing apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 shows preview data processed for determination in the embodiment.
FIG. 8 shows expanded print data processed for determination in the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a warning screen displayed on the host device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
100, 200 Host device
101, 203 application
104, 201 Input section
106,202 display unit
106,208 Printer driver
302 Print image generation unit
303 Preview determination unit
305 Difference data generation unit
306 Data generation unit for determination
307 criterion value

Claims (7)

In a printing apparatus that prints image data by developing print data such as a printer description language (PDL) transmitted from a host device via a bidirectional communication cable.
A printing apparatus, comprising: a determination unit configured to determine consistency between preview data corresponding to print data transmitted from a host device and image data obtained by developing the print data. The determination unit of the printing apparatus has a determination reference value for determining the alignment between the preview data and the image data obtained by developing the print data. When the determination unit determines that the allowable range is not less than a predetermined determination reference value, 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising warning processing means for outputting a warning signal to the host device. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit is capable of changing an alignment determination reference value. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, as a result of determining the consistency of the print data, the determination unit issues a warning so that the inconsistent portion can be identified when it is determined that the developed image data is inconsistent. . In a printing system that connects a host device and a printing device via a bidirectional communication cable and can send and receive data,
The host device creates print data preview data, transmits the print data together with the print data as a check image to the printing device, and the printing device creates image data obtained by developing the received print data. A print data processing system configured to determine consistency with preview data and to transmit a determination result to a host device. 6. The print data processing system according to claim 5, wherein the determination of the consistency of the print data is based on a determination reference value set by a host device. When the consistency judgment result in the printing device is inconsistent in the developed image data, the printing device sends the contents to the host device, and the host device displays the received inconsistency information and corrects the inconsistency. 6. The printing according to claim 5, wherein the printing apparatus having the function of transmitting the corrected print data to the printing apparatus and receiving the correction information has a function of reconstructing the print data based on the correction information. Data processing system.

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