JP2006137148A - Print display method, printing system/device and intermediate print data generation program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply perform the collating/acquisition of image data for display and the collective management of image data for printing, in a printing system which generates intermediate print data of such a format as to be read by a printer 30 from image data generated by a computer 10, then prints an image using the intermediate print data, and displays a thumbnail image based on the image data for display generated from the image data generated by the computer 10. <P>SOLUTION: In a printer driver 13 of the computer 10, the intermediate print data of such a format as to be read by the printer 30 including the image data and the image data for display are generated as one file. Next, the intermediate print data are stored in an intermediate print data storage part 34 of the printer 30, and a printing operation is performed based on the image data of the stored intermediate print data. Further, the thumbnail image is displayed based on the image data for display of the intermediate print data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention generates intermediate print data in a format readable by a printing apparatus based on image data generated by a computer or the like, and performs printing by the printing apparatus based on the intermediate print data. The present invention relates to a print display method, a printing system, a printing apparatus, and an intermediate print data generation program for generating display image data based on the image data and displaying image information based on the display image data.

  Conventionally, a printing system including a computer and a printer connected to the computer via a network has been proposed. In the printing system as described above, image data is generated by a computer document creation application, an illustration creation application, or the like, and the image data is converted into intermediate print data described in PDL by a printer driver and then output to a printer. In the printer, printing is performed based on the intermediate print data.

  As a printing system as described above, for example, a printing system is proposed in which intermediate print data output from a computer is stored in a printer, and a desired one is selected from the stored intermediate print data for printing. Has been.

  Here, in the printing system as described above, when desired intermediate print data is selected and printed, there are cases where it is desired to confirm the contents of the intermediate print data. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, for example, when intermediate print data is received on the printer side, image data is transmitted to the computer side, the intermediate print data is stored on the printer side, and the intermediate print data is stored on the computer side. A method has been proposed in which image data corresponding to intermediate print data stored in a printer can be displayed on a computer by storing corresponding image data.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-16486 JP-A-9-205510 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-174958

  However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to associate image data stored on the computer side with intermediate print data stored on the printer side, and data of another file in such a separate apparatus. Managing the URLs in association with each other is very complicated. For example, if image data saved on the computer side is deleted, the corresponding intermediate print data must also be deleted, but if no association is made, which intermediate print data is I don't know if I can delete it. Further, even if the intermediate print data is known, it is troublesome because it requires two deletion operations.

  Further, in order to avoid the association between the image data and the intermediate print data as in the method described in Patent Document 1, for example, in Patent Document 2, print data is generated on the computer side. In other words, a method has been proposed in which thumbnail data for displaying so-called thumbnail images is also generated and associated with the file name, extension, etc., and stored on the printer side.

  According to the method described in Patent Document 2, the association between the print data and the thumbnail data is not broken. However, in the method described in Patent Document 2, the information indicating the association between the print data and the thumbnail data, etc. Is stored in the information area, and these image data are stored in the data area as separate files. For example, the print data and thumbnail data can be deleted, renamed, copied, etc. In this case, it is necessary to refer to the information area and the data area, respectively, and it is necessary to access different files in the data area, so that the processing becomes complicated.

  Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a method in which intermediate print data is expanded into printable data on the printer side, thumbnail data is also generated at the time of expansion, and the expanded data and thumbnail data are stored in association with each other. Proposed. However, once it has been expanded into printable data as described in Patent Document 3, it is difficult to re-edit using the data, for example, and to print with another printer having a different resolution. And data reusability is poor. Further, if the data is expanded into printable data as described above, the data size becomes large and is not suitable for storage.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention can easily refer to and acquire display image data such as thumbnail data, and display image data and image data for printing corresponding to the display image data. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print display method, a printing system, a printing apparatus, and an intermediate print data generation program that can easily perform batch management.

  The print display method of the present invention generates image data representing image information, prints image information by a printing apparatus based on the generated image data, and generates display image data based on the image data. In the print display method for displaying image information based on the generated display image data, intermediate print data in a format readable by the printing apparatus including the image data and the display image data is generated as one file. The generated intermediate print data is stored, printed by the printing device based on the image data in the stored intermediate print data, and displayed based on the display image data in the stored intermediate print data. It is characterized by performing.

  Further, in the above print display method, one or a plurality of intermediate print data are stored, and any one of the stored one or a plurality of intermediate print data can be selected, and the display in the selected intermediate print data is performed. The image information can be displayed based on the image data for printing, and printing can be performed based on the image data in the selected intermediate print data.

  Also, one or a plurality of intermediate print data is stored, one or a plurality of image information is displayed based on the display image data in the stored one or a plurality of intermediate print data, and the displayed one or a plurality of image information is displayed. Any one of the image information can be selected, and printing can be performed based on the image data in the intermediate print data corresponding to the selected image information.

  A printing system of the present invention is a printing system including an image data generation device that generates image data representing image information, and a printing device that prints image information based on the image data generated by the image data generation device. In a printing system comprising a display image data generation unit that generates display image data based on image data and a display unit that displays image information based on display image data, the image data and display An intermediate print data generation unit that generates intermediate print data in a format that can be read by the printing apparatus including image data as one file, and an intermediate print data storage that stores the intermediate print data generated by the intermediate print data generation unit A printing device that performs printing based on the image data in the intermediate print data stored in the intermediate print data storage unit. With a Umono, wherein the display unit performs a display based on display image data in the intermediate print data stored in the intermediate print data storage unit.

  In the printing system, the intermediate print data storage unit stores one or a plurality of intermediate print data, and one of the stored intermediate print data can be selected. An intermediate print data selection unit is further provided, the display unit displays image information based on the display image data in the intermediate print data selected by the intermediate print data selection unit, and the printing apparatus is configured to display the intermediate print data. Printing can be performed based on the image data in the intermediate print data selected by the selection unit.

  The intermediate print data storage unit stores one or a plurality of intermediate print data, and the display unit stores one or a plurality of images based on the display image data in the stored one or a plurality of intermediate print data. An intermediate print data selection unit that displays information, and can select any one of one or a plurality of image information displayed by the display unit, and the printing apparatus includes the intermediate print data selection unit. Printing can be performed based on the image data in the intermediate print data selected by.

  Further, the image data generation device includes a display image data extraction unit that extracts display image data from the intermediate print data stored in the intermediate print data storage unit, and a display unit. Image information can be displayed on the display unit using the extracted display image data.

  Further, the printing apparatus includes a display image data extraction unit that extracts display image data from the intermediate print data stored in the intermediate print data storage unit, and a display unit, and is extracted by the display image data extraction unit. The display image data can be used to display image information on the display unit.

  A storage instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction as to whether or not to store the intermediate print data in the intermediate print data storage unit; and An instruction to store the intermediate print data in the storage instruction receiving unit, and the storage control unit receives the intermediate print data to the intermediate print data storage unit. Display image data can be generated only when is stored.

  A first printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus in the above-described printing system, and includes an intermediate print data storage unit that stores intermediate print data generated by an intermediate print data generation unit.

  The second printing apparatus of the present invention acquires image data representing image information, and generates display image data based on the image data in a printing apparatus that prints the image information based on the acquired image data. A display image data generation unit, an intermediate print data generation unit that generates intermediate print data in a format readable by a printing apparatus, including image data and display image data, and an intermediate print data generation unit; An intermediate print data storage unit for storing the generated intermediate print data, and performing printing based on image data in the intermediate print data stored in the intermediate print data storage unit.

  The second printing apparatus may include a display unit that displays image information based on display image data in the intermediate print data stored in the intermediate print data storage unit.

  In addition, the intermediate print data storage unit stores one or a plurality of intermediate print data, and an intermediate print data selection unit that enables selection of any one of the stored intermediate print data. Further, the display unit displays image information based on the display image data in the intermediate print data selected by the intermediate print data selection unit, and the intermediate print data selected by the intermediate print data selection unit The printing can be performed based on the image data.

  The intermediate print data storage unit stores one or a plurality of intermediate print data, and the display unit stores one or a plurality of images based on the display image data in the stored one or a plurality of intermediate print data. The information is displayed, and further includes an intermediate print data selection unit that enables selection of any one of one or a plurality of image information displayed by the display unit. The intermediate print data selection unit selects the information. Printing can be performed based on the image data in the intermediate print data.

  In addition, an intermediate print data output unit that outputs intermediate print data to a display device that displays image information based on display image data can be provided.

  Further, a storage instruction reception unit that receives an instruction as to whether or not to store the intermediate print data in the intermediate print data storage unit, and the intermediate print data to the intermediate print data storage unit based on the instruction received by the storage instruction reception unit An instruction to store the intermediate print data in the storage instruction receiving unit, and the storage control unit receives the intermediate print data to the intermediate print data storage unit. Display image data can be generated only when is stored.

  The intermediate print data generation program of the present invention includes a procedure for acquiring image data representing image information and a procedure for generating intermediate print data in a format readable by a printing apparatus that prints image information based on the image data. In the intermediate print data generation program to be executed by the computer, the procedure for generating the display image data based on the image data is further executed by the computer, and the procedure for generating the intermediate print data includes the image data and the display image data. This is a procedure for generating the intermediate print data including the file as one file.

  According to the printing display method, printing system, printing apparatus, and intermediate print data generation program of the present invention, intermediate print data including image data and display image data is generated as one file, and the generated intermediate print data is generated. The display image data such as thumbnail data can be referred to and acquired easily, and the display image data and the print image data corresponding to the display image data can be easily stored. Batch management can be performed easily.

  Further, since it is stored as intermediate print data, the capacity can be reduced as compared with the expanded bitmap format print data, and hardware resources can be used effectively.

  In addition, when the display image data is generated only when the intermediate print data is stored, for example, when the intermediate print data is generated in a computer and the intermediate print data is output to the printer. Unnecessary data transmission can be avoided.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a printing system of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 includes a computer 10 and a printer 30 connected to the computer 10 via a network 20.

  The computer 10 includes a CPU, a memory, a hard disk, an input device such as a keyboard, a VRAM, and a display device. As shown in FIG. 2, a general-purpose application 11, an application I / F 12, a printer driver 13, a printer I / F 14, and a dedicated application 15 are installed in the computer 10.

  The general-purpose application 11 is an application that generates image data representing an image to be printed, such as Word (registered trademark) or Photoshop (registered trademark). The image data generated by the general-purpose application 11 is output to the printer driver 13 via the application I / F 12.

  The printer driver 13 generates intermediate print data that can be read by the printer 30 based on the image data input via the application I / F 12. The intermediate print data is, for example, data described in PDL (Page Description Language). Examples of PDL include Postscript (Adobe), LIPS (Canon), and ESC / Page (EPSON).

  Further, the printer driver 13 in this printing system creates a thumbnail creation unit 13a that creates thumbnail data based on the input image data, and the presence / absence of a thumbnail that identifies whether the thumbnail creation unit 13a creates thumbnail data. And an identification unit 13b. The operations of the printer driver 13, the thumbnail creating unit 13a, and the thumbnail presence / absence identifying unit 13b will be described in detail later.

  The printer I / F 14 outputs intermediate print data generated by the printer driver 13 to the printer 30.

  The dedicated application 15 extracts thumbnail data from the intermediate print data generated by the printer driver 13 and outputs the thumbnail data to a display device.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 30 receives the intermediate print data output from the computer 10, analyzes the intermediate print data input via the printer I / F 31 and the printer I / F 31, and based on the analysis result. The intermediate print data is expanded to generate image data, or the intermediate print data is directly output to an intermediate print data storage unit 34 (to be described later). The printer command analysis unit 32 and the image data expanded in the printer command analysis unit 32 are A printing mechanism 33 that performs printing based on the input image data, an intermediate print data storage unit 34 that stores intermediate print data output from the printer command analysis unit 32, and an intermediate print stored in the intermediate print data storage 34 The intermediate print data management unit 35 for managing data and the intermediate print data management unit 35 And a display unit 36 for displaying a thumbnail image based on the thumbnail data.

  The printer 30 also includes an image reading unit 37 that reads a document image to be printed and outputs the read image data that has been read, and only performs printing based on the intermediate print data output from the computer 10. Instead, printing can be performed based on the image data read by the image reading unit 37. The printer 30 indicates whether to perform printing based on the read image data read by the image reading unit 37 or to store the image data in the intermediate print data storage unit 34 as intermediate print data. A print data processing condition setting unit 38 capable of setting print data processing conditions is provided.

  The printer command analysis unit 32 is set in the intermediate print data analysis unit 32a that analyzes the intermediate print data output from the computer 10 and the read image data and print data processing condition setting unit 38 output from the image reading unit 37. Based on the print data processing conditions, the thumbnail data generation unit 32b that generates thumbnail data, the intermediate print data is generated based on the thumbnail data generated in the thumbnail data generation unit 32b and the read image data, and the intermediate print An intermediate print data generation unit 32c that outputs data to the intermediate print data storage unit 34; The operation of each unit in the printer 30 will be described in detail later.

  Next, the operation of the printing system 1 will be described.

  The printing system 1 can perform printing and storage of intermediate print data based on image data generated by the computer 10 or read image data read by the image reading unit 37 provided in the printer 30. First, the operation of printing and storing intermediate print data based on the image data generated by the computer 10 will be described. FIG. 3 shows a flowchart for explaining the above operation.

  First, after image data to be printed is generated by the general-purpose application 11 in the computer 10, an instruction to output the image data to the printer 30 is given, and printing is performed based on the image data, or intermediate printing is performed. A print data processing condition indicating whether the data is stored is set (S10).

  The image data and print data processing conditions output from the general-purpose application 11 are output to the printer driver 13 via the application I / F 12. The printer driver 13 determines whether the input image data is image data representing characters, image data representing an illustration, or image data representing a photograph (S12), and each image data is determined according to the determination result. Character image processing, illustration image processing, or photographic image processing is performed (S14, S16, S18). Then, image data that is raster data is generated based on the image data that has undergone the image processing (S20).

  Also, the print data processing condition output from the application I / F 12 is input to the thumbnail presence / absence identifying unit 13b, and the thumbnail presence / absence identifying unit 13b identifies whether to create thumbnail data based on the print data processing condition ( S22). Specifically, the thumbnail presence / absence identifying unit 13b identifies that thumbnail data is not generated when the print data processing condition indicates that image data is to be printed. On the other hand, when the print data processing condition indicates that image data is stored as intermediate print data, it is identified that thumbnail data is to be generated.

  When the thumbnail presence / absence identifying unit 13b identifies that thumbnail data is to be generated, the image data is input to the thumbnail creating unit 13a, and thumbnail data is generated based on the image data (S24).

  Here, as a method for generating thumbnail data, for example, it is only necessary to perform binary multi-value conversion of 8 blocks of pixels in the image data to generate gray scales of about 100 pixels. Note that any known conversion method may be used for the binary multi-value conversion method. If the image data is composed of a plurality of pages of data, it is desirable to generate thumbnail data for each page. For example, when the printer 30 performs two-color stencil printing, it is desirable to generate thumbnail data for each plate.

  In the printing system 1, raster data is generated based on the image data output from the general-purpose application 11 as described above, and thumbnail data is generated in the printer driver 13 based on the raster data. For example, when the general-purpose application 11 creates thumbnail data based on the image data in advance and the thumbnail presence / absence identifying unit 13b identifies that the thumbnail data is to be created, the printer driver 13 creates the thumbnail data in the general-purpose application 11. You may make it go for the received thumbnail data.

  Then, after the thumbnail data is generated as described above, the thumbnail data and the image data are PDL converted (S26), and intermediate print data including the thumbnail data and the image data described in PDL is generated. .

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate print data is generated in a data structure including header information, thumbnail data, and image data in one file. The header information includes, for example, information such as the print data processing condition, an address at which thumbnail data is allocated in the file, and an address at which image data is allocated in the file. If the image data is composed of data of a plurality of pages, it is desirable to generate header information, thumbnail data, and image data for each page and assign them in the file in the order of the pages. The image data in the intermediate print data may be bitmap format data, vector format data, or other encoded or compressed data.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S24 that the thumbnail presence / absence identifying unit 13b does not generate thumbnail data, the printer driver 30 performs PDL conversion on the image data without generating thumbnail data, and is described in PDL. Intermediate print data including image data is generated. The intermediate print data also includes header information, and the header information includes the print data processing conditions.

  The intermediate print data generated as described above is transmitted from the printer I / F 14 of the computer 10 (S28), and is received by the printer I / F 31 of the printer 30 via the network 20 (S30). The intermediate print data received by the printer I / F 31 is input to the intermediate print data analysis unit 32a of the printer command analysis unit 32 and subjected to PDL analysis processing (S32). Specifically, the intermediate print data analysis unit 32a analyzes the contents of the header information in the input intermediate print data. If the print data processing condition included in the header information indicates that the intermediate print data is to be stored, the intermediate print data is output and stored in the intermediate print data storage unit 34 (S34, S36). ). On the other hand, if the print data processing condition included in the header information indicates that printing is to be performed, the intermediate print data is again developed into raster data, and the image data of the raster data is output to the printing mechanism 33. A printing process is performed in the printing mechanism 33 based on the raster data (S38).

  Next, the operation of printing and storing intermediate print data based on the read image data generated by the image reading unit 30 of the printer 30 will be described. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart for explaining the above-described operation.

  First, a document image is read by the image reading unit 37 to generate read image data, and the print data processing condition setting unit 38 performs printing based on the read image data or stores it as intermediate print data. Is set (S70).

  The read image data and print data processing conditions output from the image reading unit 37 are output to the printer command analysis unit 32. Then, the printer command analysis unit 32 identifies whether to create thumbnail data based on the print data processing conditions (S72). Specifically, if the print data processing condition indicates that the read image data is to be printed, the printer command analysis unit 32 identifies that thumbnail data is not generated. On the other hand, when the print data processing condition indicates that the read image data is stored as intermediate print data, it is identified that thumbnail data is to be generated.

  If the printer command analysis unit 32 identifies that thumbnail data is to be generated, the read image data that is raster data is output to the thumbnail generation unit 32b, and the thumbnail generation unit 32b generates thumbnail data (S74). ). The method for generating thumbnail data is the same as described above.

  Then, the thumbnail data and the read image data generated by the thumbnail generation unit 32b are output to the intermediate print data generation unit 32c, PDL converted by the intermediate print data generation unit 32c, and the thumbnail data and image data described in PDL. Intermediate print data including is generated (S76). The data structure of the intermediate print data is the same as described above. The intermediate print data generated as described above is output to and saved in the intermediate print data storage unit 34 (S78).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S72 that the printer command analysis unit 32 does not generate thumbnail data, the read image data, which is raster data, is output to the printing mechanism 33, and printing is performed by the printing mechanism 33 based on the raster data. Processing is performed (S80).

  In the printing system 1, thumbnail images can be displayed based on one or more intermediate print data stored in the intermediate print data storage unit 34 as described above. The thumbnail image can be displayed using a display device in the computer 10 or can be displayed on the display unit 36 in the printer 30. First, the operation of the computer 10 when displaying using a display device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When displaying a thumbnail image using the display device of the computer 10, first, the dedicated application 15 in the computer 10 is activated, and the intermediate print data in the printer 30 is started from the dedicated application 15 via the printer I / Fs 14 and 31. A signal requesting a list of intermediate print data stored in the intermediate print data storage unit 34 is output to the management unit 35 (S40). The intermediate print data management unit 35 refers to the intermediate print data storage unit 34 in response to the request signal, and acquires the file name of the intermediate print data stored in the intermediate print data storage unit 34. Then, the acquired file name is transmitted to the dedicated application 15 via the printer I / Fs 31 and 14 (S42). The dedicated application 15 displays the received intermediate print data file names (for example, file 1.psd, file 2.psd, and file 3.psd) as a list as shown in FIG. Then, using the input device in the computer 10, any one file name in the list is selected by the user (S44). In FIG. 7, the file 1. psd is selected.

  When one of the file names is selected as described above, the dedicated application 15 sends a signal requesting thumbnail data of the selected file name to the intermediate print data management unit 35 in the printer 30 via the printer I / Fs 14 and 31. (S46). When the intermediate print data management unit 35 receives the request signal, the intermediate print data management unit 35 refers to the intermediate print data storage unit 34, reads the intermediate print data file having the received file name, extracts thumbnail data from the intermediate print data file, The thumbnail data is transmitted to the dedicated application 15 via the printer I / Fs 31 and 14 (S48).

  The dedicated application 15 acquires thumbnail data of the file name selected as described above, and displays a thumbnail image as shown in FIG. 6 based on the thumbnail data (S50).

  Then, after displaying the thumbnail image as described above, when printing the thumbnail, the print button in FIG. 7 is selected. Then, the print instruction signal is output to the intermediate print data management unit 35 via the printer I / Fs 14 and 31, and the intermediate print data management unit 35 receives the printer command analysis from the intermediate print data storage unit 34 according to the print instruction signal. The unit 32 is caused to output intermediate print data. Then, in the printer command analysis unit 32, the intermediate print data is developed again into raster data, the image data of the raster data is output to the printing mechanism 33, and printing processing is performed in the printing mechanism 33 based on the raster data (S52). ). When the file name selected on the screen shown in FIG. 6 is deleted, the deletion instruction signal is output to the intermediate print data management unit 35 via the printer I / Fs 31 and 14, and the intermediate print data management is performed. The unit 35 deletes the intermediate print data in the intermediate print data storage unit 34 in response to the print instruction signal (S52).

  In the above description, the dedicated application 15 acquires the file name of the intermediate print data stored in the intermediate print data storage unit 34 from the intermediate print data management unit 35, displays the file name, and displays this file name. The intermediate print data to be printed is selected by selecting any one of the file names. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the dedicated application 15 receives the intermediate print data from the intermediate print data management unit 35. Obtain thumbnail data of all or part of intermediate print data stored in the storage unit 34, display thumbnail images based on the thumbnail data, and select one thumbnail image from the displayed thumbnail images Thus, intermediate print data to be printed may be selected.

  Next, the operation of displaying thumbnails using the display unit 36 in the printer 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When displaying a thumbnail using the display unit 36 in the printer 30, first, the intermediate print data management unit 35 refers to the file name of the intermediate print data stored in the intermediate print data storage unit 34, and the file name is displayed. (For example, file 1.psd, file 2.psd, and file 3.psd) are displayed on the display unit 36 of the printer 30 as shown in FIG. Then, any one file name is selected from the list by the user (S60). When the file name is selected as described above, the intermediate print data management unit 35 calls the intermediate print data of the selected file name from the intermediate print data storage unit 34, and the thumbnail data from the called intermediate print data. Is extracted (S62).

  Then, the intermediate print data management unit 35 performs binarization processing and reduction processing on the extracted thumbnail data (S64). Then, the binarized and reduced thumbnail data is output to the display unit 36, and the binarized and reduced thumbnail image is displayed as shown in FIG. 10, for example (S66).

  Then, after displaying a thumbnail image as described above, when printing image data corresponding to the thumbnail image, a print button (not shown) in the printer 30 is pressed. Then, the print instruction signal is output to the intermediate print data management unit 35, and the intermediate print data management unit 35 causes the intermediate print data storage unit 34 to output the intermediate print data to the printer command analysis unit 32 in accordance with the print instruction signal. . Then, in the printer command analysis unit 32, the intermediate print data is expanded again into raster data, and the image data of the raster data is output to the printing mechanism 33, and printing processing is performed in the printing mechanism 33 based on the raster data (S68). ). When the delete button is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 10, the delete instruction signal is output to the intermediate print data management unit 35. Then, in response to the deletion instruction signal, the intermediate print data management unit 35 refers to the intermediate print data in the intermediate print data storage unit 34 corresponding to the thumbnail image displayed on the display unit 36 and deletes the intermediate print data. (S68).

  In the above description, the intermediate print data management unit 35 acquires the file name of the intermediate print data stored in the intermediate print data storage unit 34, displays the file name on the display unit 36, and displays the file name. The intermediate print data to be printed is selected by selecting any one of the file names. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the intermediate print data management unit 35 stores the intermediate print data in the intermediate print data storage unit 34. The thumbnail data of all or part of the intermediate print data that has been displayed is acquired, the thumbnail image is displayed based on the thumbnail data, and printing is performed by selecting any one thumbnail image from the displayed thumbnail images. Intermediate print data to be selected may be selected.

  In the printing system 1, the printer 30 includes the image reading unit 37. However, the printer 30 does not necessarily include the image reading unit 37. In this case, the reading read by the image reading unit 37 is not necessary. Constituent elements relating only to the action of printing based on image data and storing intermediate print data may not necessarily be provided.

  In the printing system 1, it is determined whether or not to generate thumbnail data according to the contents of the print data processing conditions. However, whether or not thumbnail data is created is determined according to other configurations instead of the print data processing conditions. You may make it indicate.

    Further, in the printing system 1 described above, either printing or storage of intermediate print data is selected. However, it is not always necessary to select one of the two, and printing and intermediate printing are performed. Data may be stored. Specifically, for example, in the computer 10, it is possible to set a print data processing condition indicating that both printing and storage of intermediate print data are performed, and when the print data processing condition is set, the processing starts from S24. The process up to S30 is performed, the intermediate print data is received by the printer 30, the received intermediate print data is stored in the intermediate print data storage unit 34, and the raster data is expanded again in the printer command analysis unit 32, and the raster The printing mechanism 33 may perform printing processing based on the data. Further, for example, when the print data processing condition setting unit 38 of the printer 30 can set a print data processing condition indicating that both printing and storage of intermediate print data are performed, and the print data processing condition is set. Performs the processing from S74 to S78 and stores it in the intermediate print data storage unit 34, and outputs the read image data to the printing mechanism 33, and performs the printing process in the printing mechanism 33 based on the read image data. It may be.

  In the printing system 1, the printing process and the deletion process have been described as the processes for the intermediate print data stored in the intermediate print data storage unit 34. However, not only these processes but also a rename process or a copy process for changing the file name. Other processing such as processing may be performed on the intermediate print data.

  In the printing system 1, the thumbnail data is generated by the printer driver 13. However, the thumbnail data is not necessarily generated by the printer driver 13, and the thumbnail data may be generated by other modules. Further, a module for making image data and thumbnail data into one file may be provided separately from the printer driver 13.

  In the printing system 1, the intermediate print data storage unit 34 is provided in the printer 30. However, the intermediate print data storage unit 34 may be provided separately from the printer 30.

Schematic configuration diagram of a printing system of the present invention Functional block diagram of the printing system of the present invention Flowchart for explaining the operation of printing and storage of intermediate print data in the printing system of the present invention The figure which shows the data structure of the intermediate print data produced | generated in the printing system of this invention Flowchart for explaining other actions of printing and storage of intermediate print data in the printing system of the present invention Flowchart for explaining the operation of displaying thumbnail images in the printing system of the present invention The figure which shows an example of display screens, such as a list of file names of intermediate print data displayed on a computer, and thumbnail images Flowchart for explaining other operations of displaying thumbnail images in the printing system of the present invention The figure which shows an example of the list of the file name of the intermediate print data displayed on the display part of a printer The figure which shows an example of the thumbnail image displayed on the display part of a printer

Explanation of symbols

1 Printing System 10 Computer 30 Printer

Claims (18)

Image data representing image information is generated, the image information is printed by a printing device based on the generated image data, display image data is generated based on the image data, and the generated display In a print display method for displaying the image information based on image data for use,
Generating intermediate print data in a format readable by the printing apparatus, including the image data and the display image data, as one file;
Storing the generated intermediate print data;
The printing is performed by the printing apparatus based on the image data in the stored intermediate print data, and the display is performed based on the display image data in the stored intermediate print data. Display method. Storing one or more intermediate print data;
One of the stored intermediate print data or a plurality of intermediate print data can be selected,
2. The image information is displayed based on the display image data in the selected intermediate print data, and the printing is performed based on the image data in the selected intermediate print data. The printing display method described. Storing one or more intermediate print data;
Displaying one or more image information based on the display image data in the stored one or more intermediate print data;
One of the displayed image information or a plurality of image information can be selected,
The print display method according to claim 1, wherein the printing is performed based on the image data in the intermediate print data corresponding to the selected image information. A printing system comprising: an image data generation device that generates image data representing image information; and a printing device that prints the image information based on the image data generated by the image data generation device, In a printing system comprising: a display image data generation unit that generates display image data based on data; and a display unit that displays the image information based on the display image data.
An intermediate print data generation unit that generates intermediate print data in a format readable by the printing apparatus, including the image data and the display image data;
An intermediate print data storage unit for storing the intermediate print data generated in the intermediate print data generation unit;
Intermediate printing data in which the printing apparatus performs the printing based on the image data in the intermediate printing data stored in the intermediate printing data storage unit, and the display unit stores the intermediate printing data storage unit. A printing system, wherein the display is performed based on the display image data. The intermediate print data storage unit stores one or a plurality of the intermediate print data;
An intermediate print data selection unit that enables selection of any one of the stored intermediate print data or a plurality of intermediate print data;
The display unit displays the image information based on the display image data in the intermediate print data selected by the intermediate print data selection unit;
The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the printing apparatus performs the printing based on the image data in the intermediate print data selected by the intermediate print data selection unit. The intermediate print data storage unit stores one or a plurality of the intermediate print data, and the display unit includes one or more based on the display image data in the stored one or more intermediate print data. The image information of
An intermediate print data selection unit that enables selection of any one of one or a plurality of image information displayed by the display unit;
The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the printing apparatus performs the printing based on the image data in the intermediate print data selected by the intermediate print data selection unit.   The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the printing apparatus includes the intermediate print data storage unit.   The image data generation device includes a display image data extraction unit that extracts the display image data from the intermediate print data stored in the intermediate print data storage unit, and the display unit, and the display image data extraction unit 8. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the image information is displayed on the display unit using the display image data extracted by the above.   The printing apparatus includes a display image data extraction unit that extracts the display image data from the intermediate print data stored in the intermediate print data storage unit, and the display unit, and the display image data extraction unit extracts the display image data. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the image information is displayed on the display unit using the displayed image data for display. A storage instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction as to whether or not to store the intermediate print data in the intermediate print data storage unit;
A storage control unit that controls storage of the intermediate print data in the intermediate print data storage unit based on the instruction received in the storage instruction reception unit;
Only when the display image data generation unit receives an instruction to store the intermediate print data in the storage instruction reception unit and the storage control unit stores the intermediate print data in the intermediate print data storage unit. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the display image data is generated. A printing apparatus in a printing system according to any one of claims 4 to 10,
A printing apparatus comprising: an intermediate print data storage unit that stores the intermediate print data generated by the intermediate print data generation unit. In a printing apparatus that acquires image data representing image information and prints the image information based on the acquired image data.
A display image data generation unit that generates display image data based on the image data;
An intermediate print data generating unit that generates intermediate print data in a format readable by the printing apparatus, including the image data and the display image data, as a single file;
An intermediate print data storage unit for storing the intermediate print data generated in the intermediate print data generation unit;
A printing apparatus that performs the printing based on the image data in the intermediate print data stored in the intermediate print data storage unit.   13. The printing apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a display unit that displays the image information based on the display image data in the intermediate print data stored in the intermediate print data storage unit. The intermediate print data storage unit stores one or a plurality of the intermediate print data;
An intermediate print data selection unit that enables selection of any one of the stored intermediate print data or a plurality of intermediate print data;
The display unit displays the image information based on the display image data in the intermediate print data selected by the intermediate print data selection unit;
The printing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the printing is performed based on the image data in the intermediate print data selected by the intermediate print data selection unit. The intermediate print data storage unit stores one or a plurality of the intermediate print data, and the display unit includes one or more based on the display image data in the stored one or more intermediate print data. The image information of
An intermediate print data selection unit that enables selection of any one of one or a plurality of image information displayed by the display unit;
The printing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the printing is performed based on the image data in the intermediate print data selected by the intermediate print data selection unit.   13. The printing apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising an intermediate print data output unit that outputs the intermediate print data to a display device that displays the image information based on the display image data. A storage instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction as to whether or not to store the intermediate print data in the intermediate print data storage unit;
A storage control unit that controls storage of the intermediate print data in the intermediate print data storage unit based on the instruction received in the storage instruction reception unit;
Only when the display image data generation unit receives an instruction to store the intermediate print data in the storage instruction reception unit and the storage control unit stores the intermediate print data in the intermediate print data storage unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the printing image data is generated. Intermediate print data generation for causing a computer to execute a procedure for acquiring image data representing image information and a procedure for generating intermediate print data in a format readable by a printing apparatus that prints the image information based on the image data In the program
Further causing the computer to execute a procedure for generating display image data based on the image data,
An intermediate print data generation program characterized in that the step of generating the intermediate print data is a procedure of generating the intermediate print data including the image data and the display image data as one file.

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