JP4449398B2 - Printing apparatus, printing method, and program for printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a program for the printing apparatus.

Conventionally, as this type of printing apparatus, a printer system configured by a printer that analyzes and prints an SVG document and a formatting server that converts an HTML document into an SVG document has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . In this system, when an HTML document is received, the HTML document received by the formatting server is converted into an SVG document, and the converted SVG document is analyzed by a printer and printed.
JP 2002-91726 A (FIG. 1, page 5)

  However, since the above-described printer system is composed of a printer and a formatting server, the printer system is increased in size and is not suitable for installation in a limited space such as a living room. When an HTML document is received, it is converted into an SVG document by the formatting server and the converted SVG document is analyzed and printed. Therefore, it takes time for conversion and analysis, and rapid printing cannot be performed. Furthermore, when a printing paper of a different size is set in a printer with a print size set in advance, unexpected printing such as a part not being printed may be performed.

  An object of the printing apparatus and printing method of the present invention is to more appropriately print a description document in which objects such as an HTML document or an XHTML document obtained by extending the document are hierarchically described in a predetermined format. Another object of the printing apparatus and printing method of the present invention is to more quickly analyze and print a description document in which objects such as an HTML document and an XHTML document obtained by extending the document are hierarchically described in a predetermined format. One of them. An object of the program for a printing apparatus of the present invention is to cause the printing apparatus to analyze and print a description document hierarchically described in a predetermined format more appropriately and quickly.

  The printing apparatus, the printing method, and the program for the printing apparatus of the present invention employ the following means in order to achieve at least a part of the above object.

The printing apparatus of the present invention includes:
A printing apparatus that analyzes a description document in which printable objects are hierarchically described in a predetermined first format and prints it on a medium such as paper,
Size setting means for setting the size of the medium;
Data storage means for storing data;
A structure analysis means for analyzing a hierarchical tree structure of an object in a description document and storing the analyzed tree structure in the data storage means;
A form analyzing means for analyzing a form document described in a predetermined second form with respect to a form at the time of printing of the object, and storing the form data as the analysis result in the data storage means;
When a description document is designated, the structure analysis means is instructed to analyze the tree structure corresponding to the designated description document, and the form data corresponding to the form document described in the designated description document is analyzed. Instructing the style analysis means, an analysis instruction means for associating the analyzed tree structure with the analyzed style data;
When a layout creation instruction is given, an object is created based on the tree structure analyzed and stored in the data storage means, the style data associated with the tree structure, and the size of the medium set by the size setting means. Creating a layout for each page of the medium and storing the created layout for each page in the data storage means;
Print execution means for acquiring an object based on the layout for each page stored in the data storage means and performing layout printing when a print execution instruction is made; and
It is a summary to provide.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, when a descriptive document is designated, first, the tree structure corresponding to the designated descriptive document is analyzed and the form data corresponding to the form document described in the descriptive document is analyzed. The analyzed tree structure is associated with the analyzed style data. Subsequently, when the layout creation instruction is given, the object is analyzed based on the tree structure analyzed and stored in the data storage means, the style data associated with the tree structure, and the size of the medium set by the size setting means. A layout for each medium is created for each page. When a print execution instruction is issued, an object is acquired based on the layout for each page stored in the data storage means, and the object is laid out and printed. In this way, since the printing apparatus lays out and prints based on the size of the medium, an unexpected inconvenience that occurs when printing the layout based on the tree structure and style data as it is, for example, the page size is the size of the medium. It is possible to avoid the inconvenience that a part is not printed due to the larger size. As a result, printing can be performed more appropriately. Here, the description document may be described in a markup language such as XHTML language. Also, printable objects include text, images, tables and the like. As the printing apparatus, for example, a color ink jet printer can be used.

  In such a printing apparatus according to the present invention, the format data includes a page size, and the layout creating unit is configured to output the page size when the page size included in the format data is larger than the size of the medium set by the size setting unit. Instead of this, it may be a means for laying out using the set medium size. By doing so, it is possible to perform printing according to the layout according to the size of the medium.

  In this aspect of the printing apparatus of the present invention, the format data includes the size of an object, and the layout creating unit corresponds to the size of the medium in which the size of the object included in the format data is set by the size setting unit. When it is larger than the maximum object size, it may be a means for laying out using the maximum object size instead of the object size. In this way, the object can be laid out and printed according to the size of the medium.

  Further, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, when the description instruction is specified, the analysis instructing unit executes the print process when executing a print process for another description document specified before the specification document. Regardless of whether or not the structure analysis means instructs the structure analysis means to analyze the tree structure of the specified description document after the analysis of the tree structure in the other description document is completed. You can also. In this way, it is possible to analyze and print more quickly than when the analysis of the specified description document is started after the print processing of the other specified description document is completely completed.

  Further, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, the analysis instruction means may be means for designating a tree structure stored in the data storage means and instructing the layout creation means to perform the layout creation. In this case, the layout creation means is a means for outputting a predetermined end signal to the analysis instruction means after completing the creation of the layout, and the analysis instruction means receives the predetermined end signal after receiving the predetermined end signal. It is also possible to designate the tree structure analyzed next to the tree structure related to the end signal of the above and to instruct the layout creation. In this way, a layout can be created by a layout creation instruction from the analysis instruction means.

  Alternatively, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, the layout creation means may be a means for giving the print execution instruction to the print execution means for each page for which layout creation has been completed. It may be a means for giving the print execution instruction to the print execution means when the creation of the layout is completed. In this way, a print execution instruction is given when the analysis for one page is completed, so that printing can be performed quickly.

  Further, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, the format analysis unit is a unit that stores identification information for identifying the format document for the analysis in the data storage unit in association with the format data obtained by analyzing the format document. When the analysis instruction means instructs the form analysis means to analyze the form data corresponding to the form document described in the specified description document, the form document described in the specified description document. It is determined whether or not form data corresponding to the form document is stored in the data storage means on the basis of the identification information, and when form data corresponding to the form document is not stored in the data storage means, The form document analysis is instructed to the form analysis means, and the form data analyzed based on the instruction is associated with the analyzed tree structure. It may be assumed to be a means for performing association with the style data and the analyzed tree structure having the corresponding when the style data corresponding to 該様 formula document data storage unit is stored. In this way, since the form document is not analyzed when the form information corresponding to the form document is stored in the data storage means, the analysis process can be completed more quickly than the case where the form document is always analyzed. Can do. As a result, printing can be executed.

The printing method of the present invention includes:
A printing method in a printing apparatus that has size setting means for setting the size of a medium such as paper, analyzes a description document in which printable objects are hierarchically described in a predetermined format, and prints on the medium. When a descriptive document is specified,
(A) Analyzing a hierarchical tree structure of objects in the specified description document;
(B) Analyzing the form document described in the designated description document to create form data when printing the object;
(C) associating the analyzed tree structure with the analyzed style data;
(D) When a layout creation instruction is given, the layout of objects on the medium is based on the analyzed tree structure, the style data associated with the tree structure, and the size of the medium set by the size setting means. For each page,
(E) When a print execution instruction is given, an object is acquired based on the created layout for each page, and the layout is printed.

  In the printing method of the present invention, when a descriptive document is designated, first, the tree structure corresponding to the designated descriptive document is analyzed, and the form data corresponding to the form document described in the descriptive document is analyzed. The analyzed tree structure is associated with the analyzed style data. Subsequently, when the layout creation instruction is given, the layout of the object on the medium is paged based on the analyzed tree structure, the style data associated with the tree structure, and the medium size set by the size setting means. Create each. When a print execution instruction is issued, an object is acquired based on the layout for each page stored in the data storage means, and the object is laid out and printed. As described above, since the layout is also printed based on the size of the medium, an unexpected inconvenience caused when printing the layout based on the tree structure and the style data as it is, for example, the page size is larger than the size of the medium. As a result, it is possible to avoid inconveniences such as a part not being printed. As a result, printing can be performed more appropriately.

The program for the printing apparatus of the present invention is:
A size setting unit for setting the size of a medium such as a loaded paper is provided. When a description document in which printable objects are hierarchically described in a predetermined format is specified, the specified description document is analyzed. A program used in a printing apparatus for printing on a medium,
(A) a module for analyzing a hierarchical tree structure of objects in the specified description document;
(B) a module for generating form data by analyzing a form document describing a form at the time of printing of an object described in the designated description document;
(C) a module for associating the analyzed tree structure with the analyzed and generated style data;
(D) Layout of objects on the medium based on the analyzed tree structure when the layout creation instruction is given, the style data associated with the tree structure, and the size of the medium set by the size setting unit A module that creates a page for each page,
(E) a module that acquires an object based on the created layout for each page when a print execution instruction is given, and lays out the printable layout;
It is a summary to provide.

  According to the program for a printing apparatus of the present invention, when a description document is designated by being installed in the printing apparatus, the tree structure corresponding to the designated description document is first analyzed and described in the description document. The form data corresponding to the form document is analyzed, and the analyzed tree structure is associated with the analyzed form data. Subsequently, when the layout creation instruction is given, the layout of the object on the medium is paged based on the analyzed tree structure, the style data associated with the tree structure, and the medium size set by the size setting means. Create each. When a print execution instruction is issued, an object is acquired based on the layout for each page stored in the data storage means, and the object is laid out and printed. As described above, since the layout is also printed based on the size of the medium, an unexpected inconvenience caused when printing the layout based on the tree structure and the style data as it is, for example, the page size is larger than the size of the medium. As a result, it is possible to avoid inconveniences such as a part not being printed. As a result, printing can be performed more appropriately.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described using examples.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a color inkjet printer 20 as an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment is connected to a computer 10, a digital television 12, a digital camera 14, etc., and an input interface 22 that controls input of a digital image (hereinafter referred to as an image) Analyzing an XHTML document described in XHTML (eXtensible Hyper Text Markup Language) as a markup language by assigning an output destination of data based on the format of the input image, and as an element tree structure A DOM (Document Object Model) tree is created and written to the memory 50, and a CSS document described in CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is read to read the style object. An image and text as elements (objects) described in the XHTML document using the analysis unit 30 that creates a text and writes it to the flash memory 52, and the DOM tree and style object created by the analysis unit 30 for printing. A layout plug-in (hereinafter referred to as RPI) that renders an image for printing as RBG data using a layout 38 that is laid out for each page for printing and written to the memory 50 as a page box, and a page box obtained by layout by the layouter 38. 40), a color conversion unit 42 that converts a print screen of rendered RGB (Red Green Blue) data into CMYK (Cyan Magenta Yellow Black) data, and image processing such as error diffusion processing on the converted CMYK data The line The binarization unit 44 for binarization and the image buffer 46 for temporarily storing data for outputting the binarized CMYK data in units of bands to a print execution unit 48 having a print head (not shown). And an operation unit 60 for performing various settings.

  The signal processing unit 24 outputs the data to the image buffer 46 of the print execution unit 48 when the input signal is printable data that can be printed immediately, and the print screen storage area of the memory 50 when the input signal is RGB data. In the case of a file described in an XHTML document, it is output to the analysis unit 30.

  The analysis unit 30 includes a core 32 that creates a DOM tree by instructing analysis of an XHTML document, an XML parser 34 that analyzes an XHTML document based on an instruction from the core 32, and a link tag of the created DOM tree. The CSS plug-in (hereinafter referred to as CSSI) 36 for analyzing the CSS document requested by the initialization process of FIG.

  The operation unit 60 includes a liquid crystal display 61 arranged in front of the printer, two operation buttons 62 provided on the side, a CPU 63, a ROM 64, a display controller (hereinafter referred to as LCDC) 65 configured as one chip inside. , And a memory 66. The contents set by the operation unit 60 include, for example, the type and size of the loaded printing paper, the type of ink, and the setting is a processing program stored in advance in the ROM 64 based on the operation of the operation button 62. Is started according to the menu displayed on the liquid crystal display 61 by this processing program. For example, in the case of setting the paper size, the paper size is selected from the menu and is set by selecting from “A4 portrait”, “B5 portrait”, etc. displayed by being toggled on the liquid crystal display 61. The contents set in this way are written into the memory 66. In the embodiment, even if the setting by the operation unit 60 is not performed, as a default, for example, “plain paper” as the type of printing paper, “A4 portrait” as the paper size, and “pigment type” as the ink type. Etc. are set. Since the setting process by the operation unit 60 does not form the core of the present invention, further description is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the color ink jet printer 20 of the embodiment configured as described above, particularly the operation when printing an XHTML document will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the analysis layout instruction process executed by the analysis unit 30. This process is repeatedly executed every predetermined time (for example, every 8 msec). When the analysis layout instruction process is executed, first, it is determined whether or not a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for specifying an XHTML document is specified (step S100). If a URL is specified, the URL is stored in the memory. 50 is stored in the URL storage buffer area set in the area 50 (step S110), and if no URL is designated, the process proceeds to the next process. The URL designation is output to the color inkjet printer 20 from the digital television 12 when the operator selects an item to be printed by the color inkjet printer 20 among the printable items displayed on the digital television 12. Or by simply selecting a URL from the computer 10 and making a print request to the color inkjet printer 20. In the URL designation from the computer 10, the XHTML document can be analyzed, laid out, color converted, binarized, etc. by the computer 10, but the computer 10 does not perform such processing at all, and only the URL is colored. In this case, the data is transmitted to the ink jet printer 20.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the URL is stored in the URL storage buffer area of the memory 50 (step S120), and whether or not the XHTML document is currently being analyzed is determined (step S130). Whether or not the XHTML document is currently being analyzed is determined by determining whether or not the analysis unit 30 is confident in parallel with the analysis layout instruction processing, for example, at the start of analysis and at the end of analysis. If so, this can be done by checking the flag. When the URL is stored and the XHTML document is not currently being analyzed, the first URL stored in the URL storage buffer area of the memory 50 is read and analysis of the XHTML document specified by the URL is started ( In step S140, when the URL is not stored or when the XHTML document is currently being analyzed even if the URL is stored, the process proceeds to the next process. The analysis of the XHTML document is performed based on the analysis process illustrated in FIG. In this analysis process, the XHTML document specified by the URL is analyzed to create a DOM tree, the CSS document described in the XHTML document is analyzed to generate a style object, and the DOM tree ID is used as identification information for the DOM tree. Is stored in the DOM tree storage area of the memory 50, and the style object ID (in the embodiment, CSS document name) is added as identification information for the style object and stored in the flash memory 52. Details of the analysis processing will be described later.

  Next, it is determined whether the layout is being performed by the layouter 38 (step S150). When the layout is not performed by the layouter 38, the DOM stored in the DOM tree storage area of the memory 50 is determined. The first DOM tree in the tree is designated using the DOM tree ID, and a layout start instruction is output to the layouter 38 (step S160). This analysis layout instruction processing is terminated, and the layout layout 38 is being executed. When it is in the middle, the analysis layout instruction process is terminated without outputting the layout start instruction. Here, whether or not the layout is being performed by the layouter 38 can be determined based on whether or not a layout end signal is input from the layouter 38. The reception of the layout end signal will be described in detail when the processing of the layout 38 is described.

  Since such an analysis layout instruction process is repeatedly executed as described above, every time the URL is specified in the analysis unit 30, the specified URL is stored in the memory 50 regardless of whether or not the XHTML document is being analyzed. Store in the URL storage buffer area. When a URL is stored in the URL storage buffer area of the memory 50, XHTML documents are sequentially analyzed regardless of whether the layout by the layouter 38 is being executed. Accordingly, a plurality of URLs may be stored in the URL storage buffer area of the memory 50, a plurality of DOM trees may be stored in the DOM tree storage area, and a plurality of style objects are stored in the flash memory 52. It may be stored. In the embodiment, a URL storage buffer area is set so that a plurality of URLs can be stored, and a DOM tree storage area is set so that a plurality of DOM trees can be stored. The capacity of the flash memory 52 is secured so that the style objects can be stored.

  Next, analysis processing executed by the analysis unit 30 will be described. The analysis process is performed based on the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 3 as described above. For ease of explanation, a specific example will be described using the XHTML document illustrated in FIG. FIG. 5 shows an example of five images stored as the JPEG format used by the XHTML document of this specific example. When a URL is specified by the analysis layout instruction process and an analysis start instruction is given, the XHTML document specified by the URL is read (step S200), and the read XHTML document is analyzed to create a DOM tree (step S210). . At this time, a DOM tree ID (for example, an ID created by adding a DOM to a URL) is assigned as identification information to the DOM tree to be created. Specifically, the XHTML document is read by the XML parser 34 when the core 32 designates a URL and requests an analysis to the XML parser 34. Specifically, the analysis of the XHTML document and the creation of the DOM tree are performed by the XML parser 34 analyzing the XHTML document from the beginning in order to create each element and register it in the DOM tree. The element is created for the core 32, and the element is registered by associating it with the DOM tree storage area of the memory 50. FIG. 6 shows a DOM tree created by analyzing the XHTML document illustrated in FIG.

  When the DOM tree is created in this way, it is searched whether or not a style object having the CSS document name specified in the XHTML document as the style object ID is stored in the flash memory 52 (step S220). When the style object is not stored, the CSS document designated as the XHTML document is read and analyzed to create a style object (step S250). Specifically, the CSS document 36 is read by the request in the initialization process in the link tag of the DOM tree. Specifically, the CSS document is analyzed and the style object is created by the CSSI 36 analyzing the CSS document in order from the beginning and storing each rule in the flash memory 52. At this time, the CSS document name is used as the style object ID, and the style object ID and the date and time when the style object is created are stored in association with the style object stored in the flash memory 52. FIG. 7 shows an example of a CSS document designated by a specific example XHTML document, and FIG. 8 shows an example of a style object created by analyzing the CSS document.

  On the other hand, when a style object whose style object ID is the CSS document name specified in the XHTML document is stored in the flash memory 52, it is determined whether or not the date and time when the style object is stored is within a predetermined period. (Step S240). Here, various periods such as one day, three days, one week, and one month can be used as the predetermined period. Thus, the reason why it is determined whether the date and time when the style object is stored is within a predetermined period is that the CSS document may be rewritten by updating or the like. When the date and time when the style object is stored is not within the predetermined period, if the style object is not stored, the CSS document specified in the XHTML document is read and analyzed to create a style object (step S250). At this time, since the created style object is stored in the flash memory 52 with the corresponding CSS document name as the style object ID, the style object stored in the flash memory 52 together with the same style object ID is newly analyzed. It will be overwritten by the style object.

  In this way, the style object is created, or when the corresponding style object stored within the predetermined period is stored in the flash memory 52, a process of associating the created DOM tree with the corresponding style object is executed (step S260). The URL to be analyzed is deleted from the URL storage buffer area (step S270), and the analysis process is terminated.

  Next, processing of the layouter 38 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a layout drawing instruction process executed by the layouter 38 when the analysis unit 30 designates a DOM tree and issues a layout start instruction. When the layout drawing instruction process is executed, the layouter 38 first starts layout based on the designated DOM tree (step S300). The layout is executed by the layout process illustrated in FIG. For convenience of explanation, layout processing will be described here.

  In the layout process, the layouter 38 first acquires the paper size set from the operation unit 60 (step S400), and also acquires the page size from the style object associated with the DOM tree (step S405). The paper size is compared with the page size (step S410). If the page size is larger than the paper size, it is determined that an appropriate layout is not possible, and the paper size is set as the page size (step S415). Then, the maximum size of elements that can be laid out is set from the paper size, and the size of the style object is limited to the set maximum size (step S425). The maximum size can be set, for example, as the vertical and horizontal sizes after taking the vertical and horizontal margins from the paper size. For example, when the “styleRule” “width” or “height” of the “StyleRule” shown in FIG. 8 exceeds the maximum size, the style object size is limited within the maximum size while maintaining the ratio between “width” and “height”. This is done by changing “width” and “height”. In this way, by maintaining the ratio, it is possible to avoid an unexpected deformation caused by limiting only the vertical direction or only the horizontal direction. When the paper size is greater than or equal to the page size in step 410, the page size is not set and the maximum element size is not limited. When the processing based on the paper size and page size is completed, an element box is created for each element of the DOM tree according to the characteristics of the element (step S430). For example, if the element is an image, an image box is created, and if the element is text, a text box is created. Subsequently, a page box corresponding to each page is created based on the page size (step S435), and the element box in the body tag is laid out in order until it becomes impossible to lay out under the page box (steps S440 to S450). In the case of an image box, the element box is laid out by creating a row based on the image size limited to the maximum size and registering the image box. When the image box cannot be laid out according to the image size, it is determined in step S445 that the layout is not possible, and a page box corresponding to the next page is created (step S435). If the element box is a text box, the layout of the element box creates a text box that fits in the line, registers it in the line, creates a line for the remaining text, and enters the created line. This is done by repeatedly creating and registering just a text box. Note that even if the text box is registered in the last line of the page, if all of the text cannot be registered, it is determined in step S445 that the layout is not possible, a page box corresponding to the next page is created, and the remaining text is similarly set. And register it in a line as a text box. FIG. 11 shows a page box of each page when laying out using a specific example DOM tree. When all the element boxes are laid out in this way, the designated DOM tree is deleted from the DOM tree storage area of the memory 50 (step S455), and the layout process is terminated. As described above, by deleting the DOM tree used when the layout process is completed from the DOM tree storage area of the memory 50, the state where the unnecessary DOM tree is stored in the DOM tree storage area is continued. Can be avoided. As a result, a storage area for a new DOM tree created by the analysis unit 30 can be secured.

  Returning to the description of the layout drawing instruction process (FIG. 9). When the layout is started, it waits for the layout of the first page to be completed (step S310), specifies the page for which the layout has been completed, and outputs a drawing start instruction to the RPI 40 (step S320). Whether or not the layout for the page has been completed can be determined based on whether or not the page box corresponding to the next page has been created and whether or not the layout processing has been completed when there is only one page. The RPI 40 instructed to start drawing executes the drawing process illustrated in FIG. 12, draws text and images as RGB data using the print image storage area of the memory 50 according to the page box (step S500), and the drawing ends. In this case, a color conversion instruction is output to the color conversion unit 42 (step S510), and a drawing end is output to the layouter 38. For image drawing, an image file is read and, depending on the file format, is developed and drawn. FIG. 13 shows an example of a print result of a specific example. The broken line in the figure indicates the area of the div tag in the body tag, and “12 cm” at the top and left side of the image indicates the image size described by the CSS document. It goes without saying that the area of the div tag and the image size are not displayed in the actual print result.

  After outputting the drawing start instruction, it waits for the drawing of the page to end (step S330), and deletes the page box corresponding to the page (step S340). In this way, by deleting the page box corresponding to the page every time drawing of the page is completed, it is possible to avoid the state where unnecessary page boxes are stored in the box storage area. . When the page box is deleted in this way, it is determined whether or not there is a next page (step S350). If there is a next page, the process returns to step S310. That is, it is determined whether or not the layout for the next page has been completed. If the layout has not been completed, the process waits until the layout is completed, specifies the page for which the layout has been completed, and outputs a drawing start instruction to the RPI 40. is there. When all pages are drawn in this way and there is no next page, the end of layout is output to the analysis unit 30 (step S360), and the layout drawing instruction processing is ended. In this way, by outputting a layout end signal from the layouter 38 to the analysis unit 30, the analysis unit 30 can determine whether the layout by the layouter 38 is in progress.

  According to the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment described above, when the page size in the style object obtained by analyzing the CSS document is larger than the paper size set by the operation unit 60, the paper size is set as the page size. The size of the style object is limited by the maximum size of the required element, and the layout can be printed using the set page size or the limited size. As a result, it is possible to avoid inconveniences that occur when the page size is larger than the print size, for example, inconveniences in which part of the content to be printed is not printed. Therefore, the XHTML document can be printed more appropriately.

  Further, according to the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment, every time a URL is specified, the specified URL is stored in the URL storage buffer area of the memory 50 regardless of whether the XHTML document is being analyzed. be able to. Further, when the URL is stored in the URL storage buffer area of the memory 50, the XHTML document can be sequentially analyzed regardless of whether the layout is being executed by the layouter 38 or not. As a result, regardless of whether the layout is being executed by the layouter 38, the designation of the URL can be stored, and the XHTML document specified by the URL can be read and analyzed. Therefore, each time printing is completed, the XHTML document specified by the URL is read, analyzed, and printed more quickly than when it is printed.

  Further, according to the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment, the style object having the CSS object name specified in the XHTML document as the style object ID is stored in the flash memory 52, and the date and time when the style object is stored is predetermined. When it is within the period, the subsequent processing is executed without creating a style object by analyzing the CSS document. Therefore, the analysis process can be performed more quickly than the case where the style object is always created by analyzing the CSS document. Can be finished. As a result, it is possible to print quickly. Moreover, even if the style object is stored in the flash memory 52, the style object is created by analyzing the CSS document when the date and time when the style object is stored exceeds the predetermined period. Printing with objects, ie old style objects, can be avoided.

  Here, in the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment, the operation unit 60 corresponds to the size setting unit, the memory 50 and the flash memory 52 correspond to the data storage unit, the XML parser 34 corresponds to the structure analysis unit, and the CSSI 36 Corresponding to the style analysis means, the core 32 corresponds to the analysis instruction means, the layouter 38 corresponds to the layout creation means, the RPI 40, the color conversion section 42, the binarization section 44, the image buffer 46, and the print execution section 48. This corresponds to the print execution means.

  In the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment, when the page size in the style object analyzed from the CSS document is larger than the paper size set by the operation unit 60, the paper size is set as the page size and the maximum size of the elements obtained from the paper size is set. However, the size of the style object may not be restricted by the maximum size of the element.

  In the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment, when the URL is stored in the URL storage buffer area of the memory 50, the XHTML document is used regardless of the number of DOM trees stored in the DOM tree storage area of the memory 50. However, when the number of DOM trees stored in the DOM tree storage area of the memory 50 is a predetermined number, the analysis of the next XHTML document may be suspended until the number becomes less than the predetermined number. For example, a value of 2 can be used as the predetermined number. In this way, the storage area for the DOM tree in the memory 50 can be reduced.

  In the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment, when the URL is stored in the URL storage buffer area of the memory 50, the analysis of the XHTML document is immediately performed upon completion of the analysis of the XHTML document. After the analysis is completed, the next XHTML document may be analyzed at any timing.

  In the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment, every time a URL is specified, the specified URL is stored in the URL storage buffer area of the memory 50 regardless of whether the XHTML document is being analyzed or not. When the URL is stored in the URL storage buffer area, the XHTML document is sequentially analyzed regardless of whether the layout is being executed by the layouter 38. However, the printing process such as the execution of the layout is performed. During execution, the XHTML document may not be analyzed. In this case, the URL may be accepted when the printing process is completed.

  In the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment, even if the style object is stored in the flash memory 52, when the date and time when the style object is stored exceeds a predetermined period, the CSS document is analyzed to create the style object, Although it is assumed that the stored style object is overwritten, the style object stored in the flash memory 52 before the predetermined period may be searched and deleted at a predetermined timing such as when the power is turned on. . In this case, if the style object is stored in the flash memory 52, the style object stored in the flash memory 52 is determined without determining whether the date and time when the style object is stored is within a predetermined period. The association process with the analyzed DOM tree may be performed.

  In the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment, the number of style objects stored in the flash memory 52 is not limited at all. However, the number of style objects stored in the flash memory 52 is, for example, five or ten. In this way, a restriction may be provided. In this case, when a new style object is stored in a state where a limited number of style objects are stored, the stored style object having the oldest stored date and time may be deleted.

  In the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment, a style object having the CSS document name specified in the XHTML document as the style object ID is stored in the flash memory 52, and the date and time when the style object is stored is within a predetermined period. Although the subsequent processing is executed without creating a style object by analyzing the CSS document, it is also possible to always analyze the CSS document specified in the XHTML document.

  In the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment, an XHTML document described in XHTML is analyzed and printed as a description document. However, a description document described in another markup language may be analyzed and printed. Good. In addition, a document described in a language other than the markup language may be analyzed and printed.

  In the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment, the computer 10, the digital television 12, the digital camera 14, and the like are described as devices connected to the input interface 22, but any device may be connected.

  In the embodiment, a color inkjet printer is used as the printing apparatus of the present invention for analyzing and printing an XHTML document. However, various printers such as a color laser printer, a monochrome inkjet printer, and a laser printer may be used.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course, it can be implemented in the form.

  The present invention is applicable to the printing equipment industry.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a color inkjet printer 20 according to an embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of an analysis layout instruction | indication process. The flowchart which shows an example of an analysis process. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the XHTML document of a specific example. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the image described in the XHTML document of a specific example. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the DOM tree of a specific example. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the CSS document of a specific example. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the style object of a specific example. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a layout drawing instruction process. The flowchart which shows an example of a layout process. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the page box of a specific example. The flowchart which shows an example of a drawing process. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the printing result of a specific example.

Explanation of symbols

  10 computers, 12 digital televisions, 14 digital cameras, 20 color inkjet printers, 22 input interfaces, 24 signal processing units, 30 analysis units, 32 cores, 34 XML parsers, 36 CSSPIs, 38 layouters, 40 RPIs, 42 color conversion units, 44 binarization unit, 46 image buffer, 48 print execution unit, 50 memory, 52 flash memory, 60 operation unit, 61 liquid crystal display, 62 operation buttons, 63 CPU, 64 ROM, 65 display controller (LCDC), 66 memory.

Claims (13)

A printing apparatus that analyzes a description document in which printable objects are hierarchically described in a predetermined first format and prints it on a medium such as paper,
Size setting means for setting the size of the medium;
Data storage means for storing data;
URL storage means for determining whether or not a URL for specifying the descriptive document is specified every predetermined time, and when specified, URL storage means for storing the specified URL in the data storage means;
A structure analysis means for analyzing a hierarchical tree structure of an object in a description document and storing the analyzed tree structure in the data storage means;
Analyzing a form document described in a predetermined second form with respect to the form at the time of printing the object , storing the form data as the analysis result in the data storage means, and identifying information for identifying the form document for the analysis, Form analysis means for storing the date and time when the form data is stored in the data storage means in association with the form data ;
When a descriptive document is designated with the designation of the URL, when the print processing is executed for another descriptive document designated before the designation, the structure analyzing means is executed regardless of the end of the print processing. After the analysis of the tree structure in the other description document according to is completed, the structure analysis means is instructed to analyze the tree structure for the specified description document and corresponds to the form document described in the specified description document. Analyzing the form data to be instructed to the form analyzing means, and analyzing instruction means for associating the analyzed tree structure with the analyzed form data;
When a layout creation instruction is given, an object is created based on the tree structure analyzed and stored in the data storage means, the style data associated with the tree structure, and the size of the medium set by the size setting means. Creating a layout for each page of the medium and storing the created layout for each page in the data storage means;
Print execution means for acquiring an object based on the layout for each page stored in the data storage means and performing layout printing when a print execution instruction is made; and
Equipped with a,
The URL storage means is means for storing the designated URL in the data storage means regardless of whether or not the description document is being analyzed by the structure analysis means,
When the analysis instruction unit instructs the form analysis unit to analyze the form data corresponding to the form document described in the specified description document, the analysis instruction unit stores the form document described in the specified description document. Based on the identification information, it is determined whether or not form data corresponding to the form document is stored in the data storage means. When it is determined that the form data is stored, the date and time when the form data is stored is within a predetermined period. It is determined whether or not the form document corresponding to the form document is stored in the data storage means, or the analysis of the form document is performed when the date and time when the form data is stored is not within the predetermined period. An instruction is given to the form analysis means, the form data analyzed based on the instruction is associated with the analyzed tree structure, and the form is stored in the data storage means. Printing apparatus is a means for association with the analyzed tree structure and該様formula data when and該様formula data formatted data is stored corresponding to the write is stored in the predetermined period. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
The format data includes a page size,
The layout creating means is means for laying out using the set medium size instead of the page size when the page size included in the format data is larger than the medium size set by the size setting means. There is a printing device. The printing apparatus according to claim 2,
The format data includes the size of the object,
The layout creation means uses the maximum object size instead of the object size when the size of the object included in the format data is larger than the maximum object size corresponding to the size of the medium set by the size setting means. A printing device that is a means for layout. It said analysis instructing means, said data storage means to specify a stored tree structure the claims 1 is means for performing layout creation instruction to the layout generation unit 3 printing apparatus according to any one. The printing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein
The layout creation means is means for outputting a predetermined end signal to the analysis instruction means after completing the creation of the layout,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the analysis instruction means designates a tree structure analyzed next to a tree structure related to the predetermined end signal after receiving the predetermined end signal, and issues the layout creation instruction. It said layout generation means, the printing apparatus in accordance with claim 1, which is a means for performing the printing execution instruction for each page to create the layout has been completed to said print execution means 5. Said layout generation means, one page of the printing apparatus of a means for performing the print execution instruction to said print execution means when the creation is completed is claims 1 to 6, wherein any layout. The description document claims 1 becomes described by a markup language 7 printing apparatus according to any. The printing apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the markup language is an XHTML language. The object, text, images, printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 comprising at least one table. Color claims 1 to an ink jet printer to 1 0 the printing apparatus according to any. A size setting unit configured to set a size of a medium such as paper and a data storage unit configured to store data; a description document in which printable objects are hierarchically described in a predetermined first format is analyzed and the medium is stored in the medium; A printing method in a printing apparatus for printing ,
(A) It is determined whether or not a URL for specifying the descriptive document is specified every predetermined time, and when specified, the specified URL is stored in the data storage means,
(B) When a tree structure analysis instruction is given, the hierarchical tree structure of the object in the description document is analyzed, and the analyzed tree structure is stored in the data storage means;
(C) When an instruction to analyze the form data is given, the form document described in the predetermined second form with respect to the form at the time of printing the object is analyzed, and the form data as the analysis result is stored in the data storage means. The identification information for identifying the form document to be analyzed and the date and time when the form data is stored are stored in the data storage means in association with the form data,
(D) When a descriptive document is designated with the designation of the URL, when a print process is executed for another descriptive document designated before the designation, the print process is executed regardless of the end of the print process. Instructs analysis of the tree structure for the specified description document and analysis of form data corresponding to the format document described in the specified description document after the analysis of the tree structure in another description document is completed. And associating the analyzed tree structure with the analyzed style data,
(E) When a layout creation instruction is given, the tree structure analyzed and stored in the data storage means, the style data associated with the tree structure, and the size of the medium set by the size setting means Creating a layout of the object on the medium based on each page and storing the created layout for each page in the data storage means;
(F) When a print execution instruction is given, an object is acquired based on the layout for each page stored in the data storage unit, and the object is laid out and printed.
In the step (a), the specified URL is stored in the data storage means regardless of whether or not the description document in the step (b) is being analyzed.
In the step (d), when instructing the analysis of the form data corresponding to the form document described in the specified description document, the identification information of the form document described in the specified description document is used. It is determined whether or not form data corresponding to the form document is stored in the data storage means, and if it is determined that the form data is stored, whether or not the date and time when the form data is stored is within a predetermined period. When the form data corresponding to the form document is not stored in the data storage means, or when the date and time when the form data is stored is not within the predetermined period, the form document is instructed and analyzed. The form data analyzed based on the form is associated with the analyzed tree structure, and the form data corresponding to the form document is stored in the data storage means. Printing methods are and該様expression data for performing the association between the tree structure that is the analysis and該様expression data when stored within the predetermined period. And a data storage means for storing size setting means and the data to set the size of the medium such as paper, by a printable object predetermined first format by analyzing the description document was described hierarchically the medium Printing device to print on
URL storage means for determining whether or not a URL for specifying the descriptive document is specified every predetermined time, and when specified, URL storage means for storing the specified URL in the data storage means;
A structure analysis means for analyzing a hierarchical tree structure of an object in a description document and storing the analyzed tree structure in the data storage means;
Analyzing a form document described in a predetermined second form with respect to the form at the time of printing the object, storing the form data as the analysis result in the data storage means, and identifying information for identifying the form document for the analysis, Form analysis means for storing the date and time when the form data is stored in the data storage means in association with the form data;
When a descriptive document is designated with the designation of the URL, when the print processing is executed for another descriptive document designated before the designation, the structure analyzing means is executed regardless of the end of the print processing. After the analysis of the tree structure in the other description document according to is completed, the structure analysis means is instructed to analyze the tree structure for the specified description document and corresponds to the form document described in the specified description document. Analyzing the form data to be instructed to the form analyzing means, and analyzing instruction means for associating the analyzed tree structure with the analyzed form data;
When a layout creation instruction is given, an object is created based on the tree structure analyzed and stored in the data storage means, the style data associated with the tree structure, and the size of the medium set by the size setting means. Creating a layout for each page of the medium and storing the created layout for each page in the data storage means;
Print execution means for acquiring an object based on the layout for each page stored in the data storage means and performing layout printing when a print execution instruction is made; and
With
The URL storage means is means for storing the designated URL in the data storage means regardless of whether or not the description document is being analyzed by the structure analysis means,
When the analysis instruction unit instructs the form analysis unit to analyze the form data corresponding to the form document described in the specified description document, the analysis instruction unit stores the form document described in the specified description document. Based on the identification information, it is determined whether or not form data corresponding to the form document is stored in the data storage means. When it is determined that the form data is stored, the date and time when the form data is stored is within a predetermined period. It is determined whether or not the form document corresponding to the form document is stored in the data storage means, or the analysis of the form document is performed when the date and time when the form data is stored is not within the predetermined period. An instruction is given to the form analysis means, the form data analyzed based on the instruction is associated with the analyzed tree structure, and the form is stored in the data storage means. Is a means for association with the analyzed tree structure and該様formula data when and該様formula data formatted data is stored corresponding to the write is stored in the predetermined period
A program that causes a printer to function .

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