JP2003280857A - Print method and print system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print method and a print system for allowing a user to change not only input data but also a form file as an overlay. <P>SOLUTION: This print system for converting data described by a user into printer language and for printing the data, is provided with a default layout data storing means for storing default layout data or/and a default layout data inputting means for inputting the default layout data, a difference layout data inputting means for inputting difference layout data being text data specifying a difference with the default layout data, an input data inputting means for inputting input data constituting input information, and a converting means for merging the default layout data, the difference layout data, and the input data, and for converting the merge data into prescribed print language. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing method and a printing system for executing the printing method, and more particularly to a method and a printing system for converting text data described by a user into a printer language for printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a company network, a form management system for centrally managing various forms is being put to practical use. In such a form management system, form form data defining a form of a form and filling in the form are entered. The form input data to be stored in advance is stored in the server machine, the data is downloaded by the client machine, and various forms are printed on the client machine by merging the form format data and the form input data and converting to the printer language. It is possible. An example of a conventional form printing system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-130078, which is a form file as an overlay in which form form data defining a form of a form is described in a predetermined file format. The form input data that forms the optional input information in the form is set in advance in the server machine together with the data file that describes it in text format, and the form file and the data file are downloaded from the server machine by the access from the terminal, and the form file The form data in the file and the form input data in the data file are merged, the merged data is directly converted into the printer language corresponding to the specified printer, and the form is printed. Ray intended without being influenced A form of out as those that can be completely restored.

[0003]

However, in the above-described conventional form printing system, only the form input data forming the voluntary input information can be changed, and the form file as an overlay cannot be changed by the user. There is a problem that the degree of freedom of layout is limited. The present invention solves the problem that the degree of freedom of the form layout in such a form printing system cannot be obtained, and the printing method allows the user to change not only the input data but also the form file as the overlay. And a printing system.

[0004]

In order to achieve this object, the printing method according to claim 1 is a default method that defines default layout data in a method of converting data described by a user into a printer language and printing the data. Layout data, the difference layout data that is text data that defines the difference between the default layout data, and the input data that forms the input information are input, and the default layout data, the difference layout data, and the input data are merged, It is characterized in that the merge data is converted into a predetermined printer language and is printed by the printer. In this way, by using the data of the difference from the default layout as text data, a flexible printing method can be realized. The printing system according to claim 2 converts data described by a user into a printer language,
In a printing system for printing, a default layout data storage unit that stores default layout data and / or a default layout data input unit that inputs default layout data, and a differential layout that is text data that defines a difference between the default layout data A differential layout data input unit for inputting data, an input data input unit for inputting input data forming input information, the default layout data, the differential layout data, and the input data are merged, and the merge data is merged into a predetermined printer language. And a conversion means for converting to. As described above, by using the data of the difference from the default layout as text data, it is possible to provide a printing system capable of implementing a flexible printing method.

A printing system according to a third aspect is characterized in that, in addition to the printing system according to the second aspect, a conversion system including the default layout data storage means and the conversion means is provided. Therefore, the conversion system can be installed in either the host computer or the printer. By installing the conversion system in a device having a high-speed processing unit in the host computer or the printer and imposing a load on the device, the overall printing process can be speeded up. It will be possible. A printing system according to a fourth aspect is the printing system according to the third aspect, wherein the conversion system is incorporated in a host computer. When the host computer has a high-speed processing unit, the default layout data, the difference layout data, and the input data can be processed at high speed, and the printing process can be speeded up. A printing system according to a fifth aspect is the printing system according to the third aspect, wherein the conversion system is incorporated in a printer. When the printer has a high-speed processing unit, the default layout data, the difference layout data, and the input data can be merged at high speed, and the printing process can be speeded up. The printing system according to claim 6 is a printing system for printing data described by a user, which comprises a printer having a conversion system and a printer engine, differential layout data input means, and input data input means. The system includes a default layout data storage unit that stores default layout data, an input data analysis unit that analyzes the data input from the differential layout data input unit and the input data input unit, and the input data analysis unit analyzes the data. And a page memory generation unit that writes the output of the data merge unit to a page memory. In this way, the conversion system is installed in the printer, and the text data input in the conversion system is directly written to the page memory without being converted to the printer language, so that data is not passed within the printer and the printing process is further speeded up. can do.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a printing system for carrying out the printing method according to the present invention. Reference numeral 1 is a host computer, 2 is a printer, and the host computer 1 has a default layout data storage means 3 and a differential layout data input means 4 , And input data input means 5, and conversion means 6 for converting into a printer language,
The printer language converted by the conversion means 6 is supplied to the printer 2. The default layout data 3 may be directly input from the default layout data input means 7. The conversion means 6 inputs three data: data defining a default layout, difference layout data designating a difference between the default layout data, and input data forming input information. Here, the differential layout data and the input data are text data. Therefore, the user can easily describe and change the data. For example, if the default layout data is set as follows, the upper left coordinates (0,0) and the lower right coordinates (400
(0,6000) is drawn with a thickness of 4 and a black color. -Default layout data format: Layout command (parameter); Example: Frame ((0,0), (4000,6000), 4, black);

On the other hand, if the differential layout data is set as follows, the color of the frame line defined by the default layout data is changed to blue. -Differential layout data format: Layout command (parameter); Example: FrameColor (blue); Furthermore, by setting the following as input data, it is possible to specify the date, title, background, etc. -Input data format: Data number to be input = parameter; Example 1: Date = 2002/1/1 ... Example 2: Date is set to 1/1/2002 Example 2: Title = Title 1, Mincho, 16pt ...・ The font in the title field is Mincho, the size is 16 points, and title 1 and drawing example 3: Wallpaper = image.bmp ... ・ Image.bmp is drawn in the background, that is, not only the input data that makes the optional input information,
A form file as an overlay can be input as differential layout data, and the conversion means 6 can generate a printer language of information in which the default layout data, the differential layout data, and the input data are merged. Even if there is, the degree of freedom of the layout can be secured, and since the differential layout data is text data, it is possible to perform flexible printing with the minimum necessary description. As mentioned above,
As the format of the input data, a data format in which an actual drawing position is determined by a conversion program as a list of numerical data such as form input data, or a data format in which actual drawing designation such as characters and images can be used.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the printing system according to the present invention. The difference from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is that the host computer 1 does not include the default layout data storage means and the differential layout is used. The point is that only the data input means 4 and the input data input means 5 are provided, and the conversion system 8 including the conversion means 6 and the default layout data storage means 3 is provided. In the printing system configured as described above, the differential layout data and the input data are input from the host computer 1 to the conversion unit 6 of the conversion system 8 and the default layout data stored in the default layout data storage unit 3 of the conversion system 8 are input. And the difference layout data and the input data are merged, and the merged data is converted into a printer language, whereby printing can be performed. Also in this embodiment, since the differential layout data is text data, flexible printing can be performed with the minimum necessary description, and since the conversion system 8 is provided with the default layout data storage means, the conversion system 8 can be used as a printer. Can be installed on. The conversion system 8 may be incorporated in either the printer or the host computer 1. That is, by mounting the conversion system 8 on a device having a high-speed processing unit in the host computer 1 or the printer, it is possible to perform high-speed printing processing as a whole.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a form in which the conversion system 8 shown in the second embodiment is installed in a printer, and the printer 2 is provided with a conversion system 8 and a printer engine 12. The conversion system 8 includes a conversion unit 6 and a default layout data storage unit 3, and the conversion unit 6 further includes an input data analysis unit 9 and a data merge unit 1.
0 and a page memory generation unit 11. The input data analysis unit 9 analyzes the data received from the differential layout data input unit 4 and the input data input unit 5 such as a host computer, and generates an image to be printed from a command included in the data. Further, the data merge unit 10 combines (merges) the print image generated by the input data analysis unit 9 with the default layout data received from the default layout data storage unit 3, and the page memory generation unit 11 causes the data merge unit 10 to merge. The image generated in step S1 is written in the page memory, and the printer engine 12 is driven by the data written in the page memory generator 11. By mounting the conversion system 8 on the printer in this way, it is possible to write directly to the page memory without converting it to the printer language by the conversion system 8, and to convert the input text data into the printer language without changing the printer language. There is no need to transfer data in, and the printing process can be speeded up. Although the default layout data input means 7 is omitted in the second and third embodiments, the default layout data input means 7 may be provided in the host computer or the printer if necessary. Further, the example in which the host computer is provided with the differential layout data input means and the input data input means has been described, but the printer may be provided with the function or the printer may be provided with an input section from these data input means. Good.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the invention, a flexible printing method can be realized by using the data of the difference from the default layout as text data. According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing system capable of implementing a flexible printing method by using the data of the difference from the default layout as text data. According to the invention described in claim 3, the conversion system can be mounted on either the host computer or the printer, and the conversion system can be mounted on a device having a high-speed processing unit in the host computer or the printer, and the mounted device can be loaded. This makes it possible to speed up the entire printing process. According to the invention described in claim 4, when the host computer is provided with a high-speed processing unit, the default layout data, the difference layout data, and the input data can be processed at high speed, and the printing process can be speeded up. It will be possible. According to the invention described in claim 5, when the printer is provided with the high-speed processing unit, the default layout data, the difference layout data, and the input data can be processed at high speed, and the printing process can be speeded up. Becomes According to the invention described in claim 6, the conversion system is mounted on the printer, and the text data input in the conversion system is directly written into the page memory without being converted into the printer language. It is possible to further speed up the printing process.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a printing system that executes a printing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another embodiment of a printing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another embodiment of a printing system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Host computer 2 printer 3 Default layout data storage means 4 Difference layout data input means 5 Input data input means 6 conversion means 7 Default layout data input means 8 conversion system 9 Input data analysis unit 10 Data merge section 11 page memory generator 12 Printer engine

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A method for converting data described by a user into a printer language and printing the data, a default layout data defining default layout data, and a differential layout which is text data defining a difference between the default layout data. Inputting data and input data forming input information, the default layout data, the differential layout data,
A printing method comprising merging input data, converting the merge data into a predetermined printer language, and printing with the printer. 2. A default layout data storage means for storing default layout data and / or a default layout data input means for inputting default layout data in a printing system for converting data described by a user into a printer language and printing the data. A differential layout data input means for inputting differential layout data which is text data defining a difference from the default layout data, an input data input means for inputting input data forming input information, the default layout data, differential layout A printing system comprising: a conversion unit that merges data and input data and converts the merged data into a predetermined printer language. 3. The printing system according to claim 2, further comprising a conversion system including the default layout data storage unit and the conversion unit. 4. The printing system according to claim 3, wherein the conversion system is incorporated in a host computer. 5. The printing system according to claim 3, wherein the conversion system is incorporated in a printer. 6. A printing system for printing data described by a user, which comprises a printer having a conversion system and a printer engine, a differential layout data input means, and an input data input means, the conversion system being a default system. A default layout data storage unit that stores layout data; an input data analysis unit that analyzes data input from the differential layout data input unit and the input data input unit;
It has a data merge unit for merging the print image analyzed by the input data analysis unit and the data from the default layout data storage unit, and a page memory generation unit for writing the output of the data merge unit into a page memory. And printing system.