JPH11283006A - Data supplier, printing controller, data processor, data processing method for data processor, data processing method for data supplier, data processing method for printing controller and computer-readable program storing storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print perusal information with high quality while obtaining the information of different quality from a data supplier and reducing loads at the time of displaying data. SOLUTION: A data communication equipment 1 stores and manages the information of the quality different at the time of perusal display and at the time of printing, and when perusal is requested from a perusal display/printing instruction terminal 3, the information of the quality optimum for the perusal display is supplied to this data processor. When printing start is instructed from the perusal display/printing instruction terminal 3 to a printer 2 for the perusal displayed information, printing data generated based on the information obtained from the perusal display/printing instruction terminal 3 and image information specified from the obtained information are obtained from the data communication equipment 1 and united.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for acquiring information stored in a data supply device via a predetermined communication medium based on an instruction from a data processing device and performing a browsing process. A data supply device, a print control device, a data processing device, a data processing method of the data supply device, a data processing method of the print control device, and a computer-readable program for transferring a print process from the data supply device to the print control device It relates to a storage medium that stores the information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, WWW (World Wid) using a computer communication network as an image information communication system has been developed.
The de Web system has attracted attention due to the spread of the Internet. The WWW system uses TCP / IP as well as Internet applications such as e-mail.
Is a client / server system based on a communication protocol called WWW browser.
(Graphical User Interface) An information retrieval / browsing system realized by communicating not only image information but also data handled on a computer, such as text, audio, and moving images, between a client application having a (graphical user interface) and a WWW server application. It is developing as.

With the development of the WWW system, printing of information provided by an information retrieval / browsing system is performed in a background through a network, so that printing with higher definition is performed. Is becoming more desirable.

[0004]

However, the above W
In the case of printing information viewed by a WWW browser in a WW system, if a display image composed of a quality suitable for browsing and displaying is printed as it is, the resolution and color reproduction capability of the printing apparatus are insufficient. For this reason, there has been a problem that a satisfactory quality print image cannot be obtained.

[0005] In order to solve such a problem, for those capable of performing vector image processing such as text fonts and ruled lines, rasterization for generating print data in accordance with the resolution and color reproduction capability of the printing apparatus is performed at the time of printing processing. Has been attempted to improve print quality, but especially with bitmap data, there is a large gap in the amount of information between quality suitable for browsing and display and quality suitable for printing. Was difficult.

On the other hand, a method of preparing browsing display data in print quality, reading the print quality data, converting the data into a quality suitable for browsing display, and displaying the data is also conceivable. Since the information amount of the print quality data is extremely large, the load of the communication control and display processing of the browsing display terminal is significantly increased, and as a result, the performance of the browsing display itself is deteriorated. It is not a viable solution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a data processing apparatus which stores and manages information of different qualities between browsing display and printing. At the time of a browsing request, the information of the best quality for browsing and display is supplied to the data processing device, and when the data processing device instructs the print control device to start printing for the information being viewed and displayed, The print data generated based on the information obtained from the data processing device, and the image information specified from the obtained information are obtained from the data supply device and are subjected to the merging process, so that the browsing information supplied from the data supply device is processed. Obtain different quality information from the data supply device at the time of display and at the time of printing of the displayed browsing information, and reduce the load at the time of displaying the data. Data supply device, print control device, data processing device, data processing method of data processing device, data processing method of data supply device, data processing method of print control device, and storage medium storing computer readable program It is to be.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data supply device capable of communicating with a print control device and a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. A storage unit for storing image information of different image qualities; and a first unit for transferring browsing information including image information stored in the storage unit to the data processing device based on a data browsing request from the data processing device. A transfer unit; and a second transfer unit that reads out image information of quality designated based on a print data request from the print control device from the storage unit and transfers the read image information to the printing device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing device capable of communicating with a print control device and a data supply device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the browsing information stored in the data supply device is stored. Issuing means for issuing an acquisition request to the data supply device, browsing display means for displaying, on a display unit, browsing information transferred from the data supply device based on the acquisition request from the issuing means, and the browsing display means Means for issuing a print instruction for the browse information displayed on the display unit, and converting the browse information into print data in a predetermined data format that can be analyzed by the print control device based on the print instruction from the instruction means. And a transmitting unit for transmitting the print data of the predetermined data format converted by the converting unit to the print control device. .

A third invention according to the present invention is a print control device capable of communicating with a data supply device and a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, and analyzes print data acquired from the data processing device. First data generating means for generating a printable base image by the printing unit, and determining means for determining whether or not there is a composite print instruction for the base image generated by the first data generating means; An image requesting unit that requests transfer of print-quality image data corresponding to the base image from the data supply device when the determining unit determines that there is a combined print instruction; To obtain image data of print quality transferred from the data supply device, and combine the image data with the base image to generate combined print data to be printed by the printing unit. Those having a second data generation unit.

In a fourth aspect according to the present invention, the predetermined data format conforms to a hypertext language (HTML).

In a fifth aspect according to the present invention, the predetermined data format conforms to a hypertext language (HTML).

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the image requesting means includes a printed product corresponding to the base image based on additional information linked to location information of information resources issued to the data supply device by the issuing means. This automatically designates the transfer of image data to the data supply device.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the issuance unit issues an acquisition request for browsing information accumulated in the data supply device to the data supply device, the issuance request is stored in the accumulation unit. The display quality image data is designated as the image quality of the browsing information.

In an eighth aspect according to the present invention, the issuing means issues an acquisition request for browsing information stored in the data supply device to the data supply device together with location information of resource information. .

In a ninth aspect according to the present invention, the image request means designates to the data supply device transfer and supply of image data described by a tag indicating a link state of a hypertext language (HTML). is there.

In a tenth aspect according to the present invention, the first data generating means analyzes the print data obtained from the data processing device and converts a base image printable by a printing unit into a predetermined page description language or It is generated as a bitmap image.

An eleventh invention according to the present invention has storage means for storing the same image information according to a predetermined data format with different image qualities, and includes a print control device and a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. A first data processing method for a communicable data supply device, comprising: transferring browsing information including image information stored in a storage unit to the data processing device based on a data browsing request from the data processing device. A transfer step; and a second transfer step of reading out the image information of the quality specified based on a print data request from the print control device from the storage unit and transferring the read image information to the printing device.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to communicate with a print control device and a data supply device having storage means for storing the same image information according to a predetermined data format with different image quality via a predetermined communication medium. A data processing method of a data processing device, wherein the issuing step of issuing an acquisition request for browsing information stored in the data supply device to the data supply device, and based on the acquisition request from the issuance process, A browsing display step of displaying browsing information transferred from the data supply device on a display unit, an instruction step of giving a print instruction to the browsing information displayed on the display unit by the browsing display step, and a print instruction by the instruction step Converting the browsing information into print data of a predetermined data format that can be analyzed by the print control device based on The conversion print data of the predetermined data format has been those having a sending step of sending to the print control apparatus.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing method for a print control device capable of communicating with a data supply device and a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the printing control device acquires the print data from the data processing device. A first data generation step of analyzing the data to generate a base image printable by the printing unit, and determining whether or not there is a composite print instruction for the base image generated in the first data generation step A determining step, an image requesting step of requesting transfer of print-quality image data corresponding to the base image from the data supply device when it is determined in the determining step that there is a combined printing instruction; and the image requesting step. A print mark which is to be printed by the printing unit by acquiring print quality image data transferred from the data supply device in response to a request by And has a second data generation step of generating data.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined data format conforms to a hypertext language (HTML).

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined data format conforms to a hypertext language (HTML).

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image requesting step, the print product corresponding to the base image is generated based on additional information linked to location information of an information resource issued to the data supply device in the issuing step. This automatically designates the transfer of image data to the data supply device.

In a seventeenth aspect according to the present invention, in the issuance step, when the acquisition request of the browsing information stored in the data supply device is issued to the data supply device, the request is stored in the storage means. The display quality image data is designated as the image quality of the browsing information.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the issuing step, a request to acquire browsing information stored in the data supply device is issued to the data supply device with location information of resource information.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image requesting step, the data supply device specifies transfer and supply of image data described by a tag indicating a link state of a hypertext language (HTML). is there.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the first data generating step, the print data acquired from the data processing device is analyzed to convert a base image printable by a printing unit into a predetermined page description language or It is generated as a bitmap image.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage means for storing the same image information according to a predetermined data format with different image qualities, and a print control device and a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. A storage medium storing a computer readable program for controlling a communicable data supply device, wherein the browsing information including image information stored in the storage unit based on a data browsing request from the data processing device. A first transfer step of transferring to the data processing apparatus; and a second transfer step of reading out the image information of the quality specified based on a print data request from the print control apparatus from the storage unit and transferring the read image information to the print control apparatus. A computer-readable program having a transfer step is stored in a storage medium.

A twenty-second invention according to the present invention can communicate with a print control device and a data supply device having storage means for storing the same image information according to a predetermined data format with different image qualities via a predetermined communication medium. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a data processing device, wherein the issuance step of issuing to the data supply device a request to acquire browsing information stored in the data supply device; A browsing display step of displaying browsing information transferred from the data supply device on a display unit based on the acquisition request from a process, and issuing a print instruction for the browsing information displayed on the display unit in the browsing display step. An instruction step and a predetermined data format in which the print control device can analyze the browsing information based on a print instruction in the instruction step. A computer readable program stored in a storage medium having a conversion step of converting the print data into print data and a transmission step of transmitting the print data of the predetermined data format converted by the conversion step to the print control device. It is.

A twenty-third invention according to the present invention is a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a printing device capable of communicating with a data supply device and a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. A first data generating step of analyzing print data obtained from the data processing apparatus to generate a base image printable by a printing unit, and synthesizing the base image generated by the first data generating step A determination step of determining whether there is a print instruction; and when the determination step determines that there is a composite print instruction, the data supply device requests transfer of print-quality image data corresponding to the base image. An image requesting step, and acquiring image data of print quality transferred from the data supply device in response to a request from the image requesting step, Computer having a second data generation step of the printing unit synthesizes the scan image to generate a synthesized print data to be printed is obtained by storing the readable program storage medium.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined data format is such that a computer-readable program conforming to a hypertext language (HTML) is stored in a storage medium.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined data format is such that a computer-readable program conforming to a hypertext language (HTML) is stored in a storage medium.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image requesting step, a printed product corresponding to the base image is generated based on additional information linked to location information of an information resource issued to the data supply device in the issuing step. A computer readable program for automatically designating the transfer of image data to the data supply device is stored in a storage medium.

[0034] In a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the issuance step, when an acquisition request for browsing information stored in the data supply device is issued to the data supply device, the request is stored in the storage means. A computer-readable program for specifying display-quality image data as the image quality of the browsed information is stored in a storage medium.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the issuance step, a computer that issues a request to acquire browsing information stored in the data supply device to the data supply device together with location information of resource information is readable. Is stored in a storage medium.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image requesting step, the computer for designating the data supply device to transfer and supply image data described by a tag indicating a link state of a hypertext language (HTML) is provided. A readable program is stored in a storage medium.

According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, in the first data generating step, the print data acquired from the data processing device is analyzed to convert a base image printable by a printing unit into a predetermined page description language or A computer-readable program that generates a bitmap image is stored in a storage medium.

[0038]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1) corresponds to a case where a printing apparatus 2 having a printing control apparatus and a browsing display / print instruction terminal 3 functioning as a data processing apparatus are configured to be communicable by a predetermined protocol. In addition, regarding the network 4, each device communicates with a TCP / I via a communication control unit.
If connected by the P protocol, any line or protocol conversion may be performed on the way.

In the data communication device 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a CPU.
And gives an instruction to each control unit in the data communication device 1. Reference numeral 12 denotes a storage unit constituted by, for example, a hard disk or the like, which records image data recorded with a plurality of image qualities, other display objects, display control information, control programs, and the like in a file format.

A communication control unit 13 controls a network connection with the outside of the device, and the data communication device 1 realizes a network communication function by TCP / IP connection and a WWW server function by these control units. .

In the printing apparatus 2, reference numeral 21 denotes a CPU, which gives an instruction to each control unit inside the printing apparatus. A communication control unit 22 controls a network connection with the outside of the apparatus. The data in a predetermined format related to printing received via the communication control unit 22 is analyzed by the CPU unit 21 and after a part to be converted into print data is extracted, the data is transferred to the image conversion unit 23 and is converted into print data. Is converted.

At the same time, the CPU unit 21 extracts data of a predetermined format relating to image data to be combined with the print data generated by the image conversion unit 23 from the data of the predetermined format relating to the printing, and It requests image data from the data communication device 1 via the communication control unit 22.

The data communication device 1 transfers the image data meeting the request to the printing device 2 via the respective communication control units 13, and this image data is generated by the image conversion unit 23. Image synthesis unit 2 with print data
In step S4, the print data is synthesized as new print data and printed in the print processing unit 25.

Next, the network print system according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a general format of a URL used in a WWW system applicable to the printing system according to the present invention. For example, “resource_type:
// host. domain / path ".

Here, resource_type is
This indicates a protocol or service to be used, and in this embodiment, http is specified.

Further, host. domain indicates the address of the WWW server to be accessed on the Internet, and is specified in the form of an IP address or a domain name. In the present embodiment, the IP address given to the data communication device 1 is specified. I do. And p
“ath” indicates the position of the file on the server. For example, it is shown in the data format shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the path of the URL shown in FIG.

In the figure, for example, the location of the HTML file is indicated by a path P.

The location of the image display data read by the HTML file is described by the notation using the HTML tag shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the location notation of the image display data read by the HTML file.

In the figure, the extension of an image file generally uses a compressed image file format such as “.GIF” or “.JPG”.

The method of giving the URL to the WWW browser is not limited to the method of directly inputting the URL to the browser, and the method of providing the URL to the browser.
Various methods such as a method using the hyperlink function of the ML and a method provided from an external program are available.
In the present embodiment, any method may be used.

In the present embodiment, the URL given by the operator is used to read image data suitable for browsing display from among image data stored in the storage unit 12 of the data communication device 1 with a plurality of image qualities. Is an information resource (for example, an HTML file) that specifies

The location of image data stored at a quality suitable for print processing separately from image data to be browsed and displayed is explicitly described in the information resource itself or an information resource linked thereto. Or by implicit location.

For example, the method described in the information resource itself can be realized by defining a unique tag TAG as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a unique tag in the printing system according to the present invention.

In the drawing, TAG (indicated by a symbol in the drawing) represents a tag that is specially defined to indicate the location of image data stored with quality suitable for printing processing.

In this example, TTT (indicated by a symbol in the figure)
The image data stored at a quality suitable for the printing process stored under the file name is shown.

A method of explicitly writing in another information resource that has a link relationship with an information resource that specifies reading of image data suitable for browsing and display is also performed by using the tag TAG that has been specially defined. It is obvious that the HTML file represented by the above can be described by a tag indicating a link in the ordinary HTML.

For the method of implicitly specifying the location, for example, a method of simply preparing a directory path corresponding to each predetermined image quality and storing each image data as a file with the same name is used. It is feasible.

Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

A printing control device (printing device 2) via a predetermined communication medium (network 4) configured as described above.
A data supply device (data communication device 1) capable of communicating with a data processing device (browsing display / print instruction terminal 3) and accumulating the same image information in a different image quality according to a predetermined data format. Storage means (storage unit 12) for performing the reading and the browsing information including the image information stored in the storage means based on a data browsing request from the data processing apparatus; The CPU 11 performs a transfer process based on a control program stored in a memory resource (not shown)), and reads out image information of a quality designated based on a print data request from the print control device from the storage means, and A second transfer unit (the CPU unit 11 performs a transfer process based on a control program stored in a memory resource (not shown)) for transferring to the printing apparatus. Since, it transfers distributes the data of optimal quality to the print control device requesting print data to the data processing device for browsing request to the stored information.

A predetermined communication medium (network 4)
Print control device (controller unit of printing device 2)
And a data processing device (browsing display / print instruction terminal 3) communicable with the data supply device (data communication device), and issues to the data supply device a request to acquire browsing information stored in the data supply device. Issuing means (executing a control program stored in a memory resource in the browsing display / print instruction terminal 3 and issuing processing via a communication control unit by a CPU, not shown), and the acquisition request from the issuing means. A browsing display means for displaying browsing information transferred from the data supply device on the display unit based on the control program stored in a memory resource in the browsing display / print instruction terminal 3 to be displayed by a CPU (not shown). Process),
Instruction means for issuing a print instruction for the browse information displayed on the display unit by the browse display means, executes a control program stored in a memory resource in the browse display / print instruction terminal 3 and executes a user interface (not shown). And a conversion unit that converts the browsing information into print data in a predetermined data format that can be analyzed by the print control device based on the print instruction from the instruction unit. A control program (including a printer driver) stored in a memory resource in the viewing / printing instruction terminal 3 is executed to execute a CP (not shown).
U unit performs a conversion process) and a sending unit (stored in a memory resource in the browsing display / print instruction terminal 3) for sending the print data of the predetermined data format converted by the converting unit to the print control device. A control program (including a printer driver) to be executed and a CPU unit (not shown) performs transmission processing), so that at the time of browsing and displaying, the acquired information can be displayed with appropriate quality without imposing any data processing load. It is possible to generate base information to be transferred to the print control device from the displayed information, excluding information to be obtained from the data supply device when a print instruction is issued for the displayed information.

A print control device capable of communicating with a data supply device (data communication device 1) and a data processing device (browsing display / print instruction terminal 3) via a predetermined communication medium (network 4). A first data generation unit (CPU unit 21) that analyzes print data acquired from the data processing apparatus and generates a base image printable by the printing unit
Executes a control program stored in a memory resource (not shown) to generate base image information as shown in FIG. 7), and synthesizes the base image generated by the first data generation unit with the base image. Judgment means for judging whether there is a print instruction (CPU unit 21 executes and processes a control program stored in a memory resource not shown)
And an image requesting unit for requesting transfer of print-quality image data corresponding to the base image from the data supply device when the determination unit determines that there is a combined printing instruction (a memory not shown in the CPU unit 21). Requesting by executing a control program stored in a resource), acquiring print quality image data transferred from the data supply device in response to a request from the image requesting unit, and synthesizing the acquired image data with the base image. A second data generating means for generating composite print data to be printed by the printing unit (the CPU unit 21 executes a control program stored in a memory resource (not shown) to generate and generate a composite print data on an internal memory); Therefore, print data instructed by the data processing device and print quality information supplied to the data supply device and obtained by combining the print data are optimally checked. Information can be printed on high-quality than the quality at the time of the viewing display.

Further, since the predetermined data format in the data supply device conforms to the hypertext language (HTML), the stored information can be transmitted from the data supply device side to a data processing device capable of starting a browser via various communication media. Can construct a database consisting of multimedia information that can be browsed.

Further, since the predetermined data format in the data processing device conforms to the hypertext language (HTML), various information stored in the data supply device can be browsed easily by starting a browser.

The image requesting means transmits and supplies print-quality image data corresponding to the base image based on additional information linked to the location information of the information resource issued to the data supply device by the issuing means. Since the data is automatically specified to the data supply device, the data processing device does not require any processing for requesting image data to the data supply device, and a simple operation of simply instructing the start of printing is performed. It is possible to reliably obtain information that requests the print quality for the existing information from the data supply device.

Further, when the issuance unit issues a request to acquire the browsing information stored in the data supply device to the data supply device, the issuance unit displays as an image quality of the browse information stored in the storage unit. Since the high-quality image data is specified, it is possible to surely acquire from the data supply device information that provides appropriate image quality, which reduces the data processing load on the browsing display.

Further, the issuing means issues to the data supply device an acquisition request for the browsing information stored in the data supply device together with the location information of the resource information, so that information for guaranteeing the display quality is stored. The intended location can be obtained by specifying the location of the product.

Further, the image requesting means specifies the transfer and supply of image data described by a tag indicating a link state of the hypertext language (HTML) to the data supply device. It is possible to reliably specify the stored location and obtain information of intended quality.

The first data generating means analyzes the print data obtained from the data processing device and generates a base image printable by the printing unit as a predetermined page description language or a bitmap image. Optimal print data that can be printed by the printing unit can be generated.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the printing system according to the present invention. The operator of the network printing system searches and browses the data through the browsing display / print instruction terminal 3. , Corresponds to a processing procedure until a print instruction is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2. In addition, (1) to (5) indicate each step.

First, in step (1), the operator starts a data search browser. In the present embodiment, a WWW browser is used as the data search browser. As described above, the WWW browser uses http (Hy
per Text Transfer Protocol
l) is a client application of the WWW system that communicates with the WWW server via the protocol l), is a powerful image display engine, and is HTML
(Hyper Text Markup Langua
ge) to provide an interactive application as an interpreter for a markup language.

Next, in step (2), the operator
URL (Uniform Resource L) indicating the location of data on the network to the browser
requesting display of data to be browsed by specifying a URL. URL
Indicates information resources on the Internet in a unified manner. URLs used in the WWW system are described below.
Is shown in FIG.

Next, the WWW browser provided with the URL in step (2) receives the data requested from the WWW server provided by the data communication device 1 via the above-mentioned http protocol, and displays the data as a display image on the display device. Displayed above, the operator confirms this.

Next, proceeding to step (3), the operator who has confirmed the display image on the screen judges whether or not to perform the printing process. If the printing process is not to be performed, the process proceeds to step (2). ) And browse the next data.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the printing process is to be performed, the process proceeds to step (4) and the printing apparatus 2
To generate data in a predetermined format related to a print process for instructing a print job.

The data in the predetermined format relating to the printing process is generated based on the information resources received from the WWW server in step (2), and the details will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the correspondence between the browse image on the browse display / print instruction terminal 3 shown in FIG. 1 and the print image printed by the printing device 2.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 41 denotes a browse display image, which is displayed on the display screen of the browse display / print instruction terminal 3 shown in FIG. Reference numeral 42 denotes image information transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 and converted by the image conversion unit 23.

Reference numeral 43 denotes image data, that is, image data of a quality suitable for the printing process recorded in the storage unit 12 received from the data communication device 1 based on the print instruction. Reference numeral 44 denotes a print image, which corresponds to a print image obtained by combining the base image 42 and the image data 43 with the image combining unit 24.

Next, in step (4) shown in FIG.
Print instruction data is generated. Specifically, the generated data of a predetermined format (printing instruction data) relating to the printing process for instructing printing is stored in the plurality of display objects while maintaining the layout of each display object embedded in the browsing display image 41. The data of a predetermined format for converting each object excluding the image stored at the image quality of the image data into the base image 42 and the location of the image data stored at a quality suitable for the printing process separately from the browsed and displayed image data 41 And information indicating a combining position in the image combining process. Here, the data in a predetermined format to be converted into the base image 42 is described in a format that allows the image conversion unit 23 to convert each display object such as a text font, a ruled line, or a bitmap image embedded in the browsing display image 41. Raster image data,
Alternatively, it is composed of a page description language for print processing.

The location of the image data 43 stored at a quality suitable for the printing process is described by the above-mentioned URL.

Next, in step (5), the data of the predetermined format relating to the printing process generated in step (4) is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 and the process is terminated.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the printing system according to the present invention. After the printing apparatus 2 receives data of a predetermined format regarding the printing processing, it analyzes the data. To the end of the printing process. Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step.

First, in step (l), the CPU 21 analyzes the received data in a predetermined format relating to the printing process, and converts the received data into a base image composed of objects excluding the images stored with the plurality of image qualities. The data of a predetermined format is extracted, and then the process proceeds to step (2), where the extracted data is converted into print data by the image conversion unit 23,
The print data such as the base image 42 shown in FIG. 7 is generated.

Next, the process proceeds to step (3) to determine whether or not data (synthesis instruction data) relating to the location of the image data stored at a quality suitable for print processing to be synthesized as described later can be extracted from the received data. When it is determined that the data is not extracted, or when it is determined that the data does not exist, the process proceeds to step (7),
The printing process is executed, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the data is extracted in step (3), the process proceeds to step (4), where the data is stored in the data communication device 1 via the communication control unit 22 at a quality suitable for print processing. Requesting image data.

In this case, the request for the image data is as follows.
Based on the URL indicating the location of the extracted data,
This may be performed via the above-mentioned http protocol, or FTP (File Transfer Prot
ocol).

Next, in step (5), a response to the request to the data communication device 1 is waited. When the requested image data is completely received, in step (6), the received image data and the generated image data are generated in step (2). The print data such as the base image 42 shown in FIG. 7 is extracted from the data of a predetermined format relating to the print processing for instructing the print by the image synthesis unit 24 based on the information indicating the synthesis position in the image synthesis processing. The combining processing is performed to generate combined print data such as a combined image 44.

Next, in step (7), the print processing unit 25 executes the print processing of the print data, and ends the processing.

[Second Embodiment] A program code for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment in an apparatus or a computer connected to the various devices so that the various devices operate to realize the functions of the above-described embodiment. The present invention is also included in the scope of the present invention in which the present invention is implemented by operating a computer of the apparatus according to a stored program to operate each of the devices.

In this embodiment, in the printing apparatus 2, the media processor performs the extraction processing function of the information relating to the image synthesis, the communication control function, the image conversion function, the image synthesis function, and the print processing function. It is characterized in that processing is executed in parallel.

Here, a description of the media processor will be added. The media processor has enhanced the function of processing image processing, digital signal processing and communication control in parallel and at high speed in addition to the functions of a conventional processor. Since it is a high-performance device, each function that has been realized using a dedicated device can be realized by program processing, it has a feature that each function in the printing apparatus can be realized at a small size and at low cost. .

Hereinafter, the characteristic structure of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

A storage means (storage section 12) for storing the same image information according to a predetermined data format configured as described above with different image quality is provided, and print control is performed via a predetermined communication medium (network 4). A data processing method of a data supply device (data communication device 1) capable of communicating with a device and a data processing device (browsing display / print instruction terminal 3),
Alternatively, a computer having storage means for storing the same image information according to a predetermined data format with different image qualities, and controlling a data supply device capable of communicating with a print control device and a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium is read out. A storage medium storing a possible program, wherein a first transfer step of transferring browsing information including image information stored in the storage unit to the data processing apparatus based on a data browsing request from the data processing apparatus. (Between step (1) in FIG. 6 and not shown), and reads out the image information of the quality specified based on the print data request from the printing device from the storage means and transfers the image information to the printing device. Since it has a second transfer process (between step (2) and step (3) in FIG. 6 and not shown), the stored information is checked. It can be transferred distributes the data of optimum quality for the requested data processing apparatus and a printing control apparatus which requests the print data.

Also, a predetermined communication medium (network 4)
A data processing method of a data processing device capable of communicating with a print control device and a data supply device having storage means for storing the same image information in accordance with a predetermined data format with different image qualities, or a predetermined communication medium A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-readable program that controls a data processing apparatus capable of communicating with a data supply apparatus including a print control apparatus and a storage unit that stores the same image information in accordance with a predetermined data format with different image quality A medium for issuing an acquisition request for browsing information stored in the data supply device to the data supply device (steps (1) and (2) in FIG. 6); A browsing display step of displaying browsing information transferred from the data supply device on the display unit based on the acquisition request (step (FIG. 6) )), An instruction step for giving a print instruction to the browse information displayed on the display unit in the browse display step (step (3) in FIG. 6), and the browse information based on the print instruction in the instruction step. A conversion step (step (4) in FIG. 6) for converting the print data in the predetermined data format that can be analyzed by the print control apparatus, and the print control apparatus converting the print data in the predetermined data format converted in the conversion step. 6 (step (5) in FIG. 6), the acquired information can be displayed with appropriate quality without imposing any data processing burden at the time of browsing display, and the displayed information can be printed. At the time of instruction, except information to be obtained from the data supply device,
Based on the displayed information, base information to be transferred to the print control device can be generated.

Further, a data processing method of a print control device capable of communicating with a data supply device (data communication device 1) and a data processing device (browsing display / print instruction terminal 3) via a predetermined communication medium (network 4). Or a storage medium storing a computer readable program for controlling a printing apparatus capable of communicating with a data supply apparatus and a data processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, the printing medium being obtained from the data processing apparatus. A first data generation step (steps (1) and (2) in FIG. 8) for analyzing data and generating a base image printable by the printing unit; and a base image generated in the first data generation step. A determination step (step (3) in FIG. 8) for determining whether or not there is a composite printing instruction for the image forming apparatus; If the request is made, an image requesting step (step (4) in FIG. 8) for requesting transfer of print-quality image data corresponding to the base image from the data supply device, and A second data generation step of obtaining print quality image data transferred from the data supply device and synthesizing the image data with the base image to generate synthetic print data to be printed by the printing unit (step (5) in FIG. 8) , (6)), the print data instructed to be printed from the data processing device and the print quality information supplied to the data supply device and acquired are combined to obtain optimal browsing information during browsing display. Printing can be performed with higher quality.

Since the predetermined data format conforms to the hypertext language (HTML), the stored information can be browsed by the data processing device capable of starting a browser from the data supply device via various communication media. A database consisting of multimedia information can be constructed.

Further, since the predetermined data format conforms to the hypertext language (HTML), various information stored in the data supply device can be browsed easily by starting a browser.

The image requesting step includes transferring and supplying print quality image data corresponding to the base image based on additional information linked to information resource location information issued to the data supply device in the issuing step. Since the data is automatically specified to the data supply device, the data processing device does not require any processing for requesting image data to the data supply device, and a simple operation of simply instructing the start of printing is performed. It is possible to reliably obtain information that requests the print quality for the existing information from the data supply device.

Further, in the issuing step, when an acquisition request for the browse information stored in the data supply device is issued to the data supply device, the request is displayed as the image quality of the browse information stored in the storage means. Since the high-quality image data is specified, it is possible to surely acquire from the data supply device information that provides appropriate image quality, which reduces the data processing load on the browsing display.

In the issuance step, a request for acquiring the browse information stored in the data supply device is issued to the data supply device together with the location information of the resource information. Therefore, information for guaranteeing the display quality is stored. The intended location can be obtained by specifying the location of the product.

Further, in the image requesting step, the transfer supply of the image data described by the tag indicating the link state of the hypertext language (HTML) is specified to the data supply device. It is possible to reliably specify the stored location and obtain information of intended quality.

The first data generating step analyzes the print data obtained from the data processing apparatus and generates a base image printable by the printing unit as a predetermined page description language or a bitmap image. Optimal print data that can be printed by the printing unit can be generated.

The configuration of a data processing program readable by a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described below with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator and the like are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is stored. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. And in that case, CD-ROM, flash memory, FD
The present invention is applicable even when a group of information including a program is supplied to an output device from a storage medium such as the above or from an external storage medium via a network.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program code of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the readout program codes, and the OS (Operating System) running on the computer is executed based on the instructions of the program codes. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

According to the above embodiment, image data of quality suitable for browsing display and quality suitable for print processing are prepared in advance, and an image of quality suitable for browsing display is adapted for browsing display. In addition to adapting an image of quality suitable for print processing, print data generated from a display object excluding the image data used for the browsing display and an image of quality suitable for the print processing obtained from the data communication device By combining and printing based on information extracted from data in a predetermined format related to print processing for instructing the print, print processing can be performed with satisfactory quality without lowering browsing display performance. Can be provided.

[0118]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, there is provided a data supply device capable of communicating with a print control device and a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, and a storage unit for storing the same image information according to a predetermined data format with different image quality. A first transfer unit configured to transfer browsing information including image information stored in the storage unit to the data processing device based on a data browsing request from the data processing device; and a print data request from the print control device. A second step of reading out the image information of the quality specified based on the storage means from the storage means and transferring the image information to the print control apparatus;
And transfer means of optimal quality can be distributed to a data processing device that requests viewing of stored information and a print control device that requests print data.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing device capable of communicating with a print control device and a data supply device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a request for acquiring browsing information stored in the data supply device is provided. Issuing means for issuing to the data supply device, browsing display means for displaying browse information transferred from the data supply device based on the acquisition request from the issuing means on a display unit, and Instructing means for issuing a print instruction for the browse information displayed on the display unit, and converting means for converting the browse information into print data of a predetermined data format that can be analyzed by the print control device based on the print instruction by the instruction means And transmission means for transmitting the print data of the predetermined data format converted by the conversion means to the print control device. In addition, the acquired information can be displayed with appropriate quality without imposing any data processing burden, and at the time of a print instruction for the displayed information, information to be acquired from the data supply device is excluded, and print control is performed from the displayed information. Base information to be transferred to the device can be generated.

According to the third invention, there is provided a print control device capable of communicating with a data supply device and a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, the print control device analyzing print data acquired from the data processing device and performing printing. First data generating means for generating a base image printable by the unit, determining means for determining whether or not there is a composite printing instruction for the base image generated by the first data generating means; Means for requesting transfer of print-quality image data corresponding to the base image from the data supply device when it is determined by the means that there is a combined printing instruction; and responding to the request by the image requesting means. A second step of acquiring print-quality image data transferred from the data supply device and combining the image data with the base image to generate combined print data to be printed by the printing unit; Data generating means, the print data instructed by the data processing device and the print quality information supplied to the data supply device are combined to obtain optimal browsing information based on the quality at the time of browsing display. Can be printed with high quality.

According to the fourth aspect, since the predetermined data format in the data supply device conforms to the hypertext language (HTML), the stored information can be transmitted from the data supply device to the browser via various communication media. It is possible to construct a database composed of multimedia information that can be browsed by a bootable data processing device.
According to the fifth aspect, the predetermined data format in the data processing device conforms to the hypertext language (HTML), so that various types of information stored in the data supply device can be easily browsed by starting a browser. Can be.

[0122] According to the sixth aspect, the image requesting means determines the print quality of the print image corresponding to the base image based on the additional information linked to the location information of the information resource issued to the data supply device by the issuing means. Since the transfer supply of the image data is automatically specified to the data supply device, a simple process of simply instructing the start of printing without any processing for requesting the image data from the data processing device to the data supply device is involved. By the operation, the information requesting the print quality for the viewed information can be reliably acquired from the data supply device.

According to the seventh aspect, when the issuance unit issues a request to acquire the browse information stored in the data supply device to the data supply device, the issuance unit stores the browse information stored in the storage unit. Since the image quality of the display quality is specified as the image quality of the information, it is possible to reliably obtain the information having the appropriate image quality that reduces the data processing load for the browsing display from the data supply device.

According to the eighth aspect, the issuing means issues to the data supply device an acquisition request for browsing information stored in the data supply device together with the location information of the resource information, so that the display quality is guaranteed. It is possible to reliably specify the location where the information to be stored is stored, and obtain information of the intended quality.

According to the ninth aspect, the image requesting means specifies to the data supply apparatus the transfer and supply of image data described by a tag indicating a link state of the hypertext language (HTML), so that the print quality is improved. Can reliably specify the location where the information that guarantees the information is stored, and obtain the intended quality information.

According to the tenth aspect, the first data generating means analyzes the print data obtained from the data processing device and converts the base image printable by the printing unit into a predetermined page description language or bitmap. Since the print data is generated as an image, it is possible to generate optimum print data that can be printed by the printing unit.

According to the eleventh and twenty-first inventions, there is provided a storage means for storing the same image information according to a predetermined data format with different image qualities, and a print control device and a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. A data processing method of a data supply device capable of communicating with a printing control device and a data control device via a predetermined communication medium, the storage device storing storage of the same image information according to a predetermined data format with different image qualities. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program that controls a data supply device capable of communicating with a processing device, the storage medium including image information stored in the storage unit based on a data browsing request from the data processing device. A first transfer step of transferring browsing information to the data processing apparatus; and a designation step based on a print data request from the print control apparatus. A second processing step of reading out the image information of the order from the storage means and transferring the read image information to the print control apparatus, so that the data processing apparatus requests viewing of the stored information and the print control apparatus requests print data. Data of the most appropriate quality can be distributed and transferred.

According to the twelfth and twenty-second inventions, a communication is provided between a print control device and a data supply device having storage means for storing the same image information according to a predetermined data format with different image qualities via a predetermined communication medium. A data processing method of a possible data processing device, or a communication with a data supply device comprising a print control device and a storage means for storing the same image information according to a predetermined data format with different image quality via a predetermined communication medium A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a possible data processing device, wherein the issuance step of issuing to the data supply device a request to acquire browsing information stored in the data supply device; A browsing table for displaying browsing information transferred from the data supply device on a display unit based on the acquisition request from the issuing step A step of giving a print instruction to the browse information displayed on the display unit by the browse display step; and predetermined data that allows the print control device to analyze the browse information based on the print instruction in the instruction step. A print data of the predetermined data format converted by the conversion process to the print control device. Without being compelled, the acquired information can be displayed with appropriate quality,
At the time of a print instruction for the displayed information, it is possible to generate base information to be transferred to the print control device from the displayed information, excluding information to be acquired from the data supply device.

According to the thirteenth and twenty-third aspects, there is provided a data processing method for a print control device capable of communicating with a data supply device and a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, or via a predetermined communication medium. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program that controls a printing device capable of communicating with a data supply device and a data processing device, wherein a printing unit can analyze print data obtained from the data processing device and print the data. First to generate a simple base image
A data generating step, a determining step of determining whether or not there is a composite printing instruction for the base image generated by the first data generating step; and An image requesting step for requesting transfer of print quality image data corresponding to the base image from the data supply device; and print quality image data transferred from the data supply device in response to a request by the image requesting process. And synthesizing the base image with the base image to generate synthetic print data to be printed by the printing unit.
Data generation step, the print data instructed to be printed from the data processing apparatus and the print quality information supplied to the data supply apparatus and obtained by combining the print data with the optimum browsing information from the quality at the time of browsing display. Can be printed with high quality.

According to the fourteenth and twenty-fourth aspects, the predetermined data format conforms to the hypertext language (HTML), so that the stored information can be transmitted from the data supply device to the browser via various communication media. It is possible to construct a database consisting of multimedia information that can be browsed by a possible data processing device.

According to the fifteenth and twenty-fifth aspects, the predetermined data format conforms to the hypertext language (HTML), so that various kinds of information accumulated in the data supply device can be easily browsed by starting a browser. can do.

According to the sixteenth and twenty-sixth aspects, the image requesting step corresponds to the base image based on additional information linked to the location information of the information resource issued to the data supply device in the issuing step. Since the transfer supply of the image data of print quality is automatically designated to the data supply device, the print start is simply instructed without any process of requesting the image data from the data processing device side to the data supply device side. With such a simple operation, the information for requesting the print quality for the viewed information can be reliably acquired from the data supply device.

According to the seventeenth and twenty-seventh aspects, in the issuing step, when the acquisition request for the browse information stored in the data supply device is issued to the data supply device, the request is stored in the storage means. Since the image quality of the display quality is designated as the image quality of the browsing information, the information with the appropriate image quality for reducing the data processing load for the browsing display can be reliably acquired from the data supply device.

According to the eighteenth and twenty-eighth aspects, in the issuance step, a request to acquire browsing information stored in the data supply device is issued to the data supply device together with location information of resource information. It is possible to reliably specify the location where the information whose quality is guaranteed is accumulated, and to obtain the information of the intended quality.

According to the nineteenth and twenty-ninth aspects, the image requesting step specifies to the data supply apparatus transfer and supply of image data described by a tag indicating a link state of the hypertext language (HTML). In addition, it is possible to reliably specify the location where the information that guarantees the print quality is stored, and acquire the information of the intended quality.

According to the twentieth and thirtieth aspects, the first aspect
In the data generation step, the print data obtained from the data processing device is analyzed to generate a base image printable by the printing unit as a predetermined page description language or a bitmap image. Print data can be generated.

Therefore, information of different quality is obtained from the data supply device when displaying the browse information supplied from the data supply device and when the displayed browse information is printed, thereby reducing the load at the time of data display. In addition, there is an effect that browsing information can be printed with high quality.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a WWW applicable to a printing system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a general format of a URL used in the system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a path of the URL illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a location notation of image display data read by an HTML file.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a unique tag in the printing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the printing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the correspondence between the browse image in the browse display / print instruction terminal shown in FIG. 1 and the print image printed by the printing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the printing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which a print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 data processing device 2 printing device 3 browsing display / print instruction terminal 4 network 11 CPU unit 12 storage unit 13 communication control unit 21 CPU unit 22 communication control unit 23 image conversion unit 24 image synthesis unit 25 print processing unit

Continued on front page (54) [Title of the Invention] Data supply device, print control device, data processing device, data processing method of data processing device, data processing method of data supply device, data processing method of print control device, and computer Storage medium storing data readable programs

Claims (30)

[Claims] 1. A data supply device capable of communicating with a print control device and a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: storage means for storing the same image information according to a predetermined data format with different image qualities; A first transfer unit that transfers browsing information including image information stored in the storage unit to the data processing device based on a data browsing request from the data processing device; and a print data request from the print control device. And a second transfer unit that reads out the image information of the quality designated based on the storage unit from the storage unit and transfers the read image information to the printing device. 2. A data processing device capable of communicating with a print control device and a data supply device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the data processing device sends a request for acquiring browsing information stored in the data supply device to the data supply device. Issuing means for issuing, browsing display means for displaying browsing information transferred from the data supply device based on the acquisition request from the issuing means on a display section, and displaying on the display section by the browsing display means. Instructing means for issuing a print instruction for the browsing information that is present, converting means for converting the browsing information into print data of a predetermined data format which can be analyzed by the print control device based on the print instruction by the instructing means, Sending means for sending the converted print data of the predetermined data format to the print control device;
A data processing device comprising: 3. A print control device capable of communicating with a data supply device and a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the base unit is configured to analyze print data acquired from the data processing device and print by a printing unit. First data generating means for generating an image, determining means for determining whether or not there is a synthetic print instruction for the base image generated by the first data generating means; When it is determined that there is, from the data supply device, an image requesting unit that requests transfer of print-quality image data corresponding to the base image, and transferred from the data supply device in response to a request from the image requesting unit. Second data generating means for acquiring image data of print quality to be combined with the base image to generate combined print data to be printed by the printing unit; Print control apparatus characterized by having a. 4. The data supply device according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined data format conforms to a hypertext language. 5. The data processing device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined data format conforms to a hypertext language. 6. The image requesting means transfers and supplies print-quality image data corresponding to the base image based on additional information linked to information resource location information issued to the data supply device by the issuing means. 4. The print control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the print control apparatus automatically specifies the data supply apparatus. 7. The issuance unit, when issuing an acquisition request for browsing information stored in the data supply device to the data supply device, displays the image as the image quality of the browse information stored in the storage unit. 3. The data processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein quality image data is specified. 8. The data processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the issuing unit issues an acquisition request for browsing information stored in the data supply device to the data supply device together with location information of resource information. apparatus. 9. The print control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said image requesting means specifies to said data supply apparatus transfer and supply of image data described by a tag indicating a link state of a hypertext language. . 10. The first data generating means analyzes print data acquired from the data processing apparatus and generates a base image printable by a printing unit as a predetermined page description language or a bitmap image. The print control device according to claim 3, wherein 11. A data supply device which has storage means for storing the same image information according to a predetermined data format with different image quality, and which can communicate with a print control device and a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. A processing method, comprising: a first transfer step of transferring browsing information including image information stored in the storage unit to the data processing apparatus based on a data browsing request from the data processing apparatus; A second transfer step of reading image information of a quality specified based on a print data request from the storage unit and transferring the read image information to the print control device. . 12. A data processing method of a data processing device capable of communicating with a data supply device having a print control device and a storage means for storing the same image information according to a predetermined data format with different image qualities via a predetermined communication medium. An issuing step of issuing an acquisition request for browsing information stored in the data supply apparatus to the data supply apparatus; and a browsing transferred from the data supply apparatus based on the acquisition request from the issuance step. A browse display step of displaying information on a display unit; an instruction step of giving a print instruction to the browse information displayed on the display unit by the browse display step; and the printing of the browse information based on a print instruction by the instruction step. A conversion step of converting the data into print data in a predetermined data format that can be analyzed by the control device; and the predetermined data converted by the conversion step. A sending step of sending the print data of data format to the print control apparatus,
A data processing method for a data processing device, comprising: 13. A data processing method of a print control device capable of communicating with a data supply device and a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the print unit analyzes print data acquired from the data processing device and prints the data. A first data generating step of generating a printable base image, a determining step of determining whether or not there is a synthetic print instruction for the base image generated by the first data generating step; An image requesting step for requesting transfer of print-quality image data corresponding to the base image from the data supply device when it is determined that there is a composite printing instruction; and supplying the data in response to a request by the image requesting step. A second step of acquiring print quality image data transferred from the apparatus and combining the image data with the base image to generate combined print data to be printed by the printing unit; Data processing method for a printing control apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a data generating step. 14. The data processing method according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined data format conforms to a hypertext language. 15. The data processing method according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined data format conforms to a hypertext language. 16. The image requesting step includes transferring and supplying print quality image data corresponding to the base image based on additional information linked to location information of an information resource issued to the data supply device in the issuing step. 14. The data processing method for a print control device according to claim 13, wherein the designation is automatically made to the data supply device. 17. The issuing step displays, as an image quality of the browse information stored in the storage means, when issuing a request to acquire the browse information stored in the data supply device to the data supply device. 13. The data processing method for a data processing device according to claim 12, wherein quality image data is specified. 18. The data processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein in the issuing step, a request to acquire browsing information stored in the data supply device is issued to the data supply device with location information of resource information. Device data processing method. 19. The print control apparatus according to claim 13, wherein in the image requesting step, a transfer supply of image data described by a tag indicating a link state of a hypertext language is specified to the data supply apparatus. Data processing method. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the first data generating step analyzes the print data obtained from the data processing apparatus and generates a base image printable by a printing unit as a predetermined page description language or a bitmap image. 14. The data processing method for a print control device according to claim 13, wherein: 21. A data supply device which has storage means for storing the same image information according to a predetermined data format with different image quality, and which can communicate with a print control device and a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-readable program, the method comprising: transferring browsing information including image information stored in the storage unit to the data processing device based on a data browsing request from the data processing device. 1) a second transfer step of reading image information of quality designated based on a print data request from the print control device from the storage unit and transferring the read image information to the print control device. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program as a feature. 22. A computer for controlling a data processing device capable of communicating with a print control device and a data supply device having storage means for storing the same image information according to a predetermined data format at different image qualities via a predetermined communication medium. Is a storage medium storing a readable program, wherein: an issuance step of issuing an acquisition request for browsing information stored in the data supply apparatus to the data supply apparatus; based on the acquisition request from the issuance step A browsing display step of displaying browsing information transferred from the data supply device on a display unit, and an instruction step of giving a print instruction to the browsing information displayed on the display unit by the browsing display step. A conversion that converts the browsing information into print data of a predetermined data format that can be analyzed by the print control device based on a print instruction. A step, a sending step of sending the print data of the predetermined data format has been converted by said conversion step to the print control apparatus,
A storage medium storing a computer-readable program, comprising: 23. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a printing apparatus capable of communicating with a data supply apparatus and a data processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, the program being obtained from the data processing apparatus. A first data generation step of analyzing the print data to generate a base image that can be printed by the printing unit; and determining whether there is a combined print instruction for the base image generated in the first data generation step. A requesting step for requesting transfer of print-quality image data corresponding to the base image from the data supply device when it is determined in the determining step that there is a combined printing instruction; and Acquiring print quality image data transferred from the data supply device in response to a request by a process, synthesizing the image data with the base image, Storage medium from which a computer stores readable program characterized by having a second data generation step of printing unit to generate combined print data to be printed, the. 24. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein the predetermined data format conforms to a hypertext language. 25. The storage medium according to claim 22, wherein the predetermined data format conforms to a hypertext language. 26. The image requesting step includes transferring and supplying print-quality image data corresponding to the base image based on additional information linked to location information of an information resource issued to the data supply device in the issuing step. The storage medium according to claim 23, wherein the program is automatically designated to the data supply device. 27. The issuance step includes displaying, as an image quality of the browse information stored in the storage unit, a request to acquire the browse information stored in the data supply device when the request is issued to the data supply device. 23. The storage medium storing a computer-readable program according to claim 22, wherein quality image data is designated. 28. The computer according to claim 22, wherein in the issuing step, a request to acquire browsing information stored in the data supply device is issued to the data supply device together with location information of resource information. A storage medium storing a readable program. 29. The computer-readable medium according to claim 23, wherein in the image requesting step, the data supply device specifies transfer and supply of image data described by a tag indicating a link state of a hypertext language. A storage medium that stores possible programs. 30. The first data generating step includes analyzing print data obtained from the data processing device and generating a base image printable by a printing unit as a predetermined page description language or a bitmap image. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program according to claim 23.