JP2001246791A - Print system, printer, and method for confirming print image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print system executing a preview function where an accurate preview image can be confirmed quickly and easily without requiring transmission/reception of a large volume of data. SOLUTION: The language analyzing section 23 of a printer 20 converts print data received from a host computer 10 through a data transmission line 30 into intermediate data which is then developed to print image data at a printer intermediate data analyzing section 25. In response to an input from an input unit 14, a host computer 10 sends back the intermediate data from the printer 20. The intermediate data is developed, at a host intermediate data analyzing section 31, to display image data and a preview image is presented on a display 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing system including, for example, a host computer and a printer connected via a bidirectional interface, a printing apparatus used in the printing system, and a printing system using the printing system or the printing apparatus. And a method for checking a print image in advance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a user prints print data such as a document created by a host computer before actually printing (outputting) it on a recording medium such as paper by a printing device (output device). When an image to be printed (print image) is to be checked in advance, a so-called preview function is used.

[0003] In this preview function, an MPU in a host computer simulates print image data used for print processing of a printing apparatus, outputs the print image data to a display device, and allows a user to print on the display device. This is to check the image. By using this function, it is not necessary to repeat the work of actually printing a print image on a recording medium such as paper and confirming it, and it is possible to reduce time and cost in printing a document or image. .

[0004] Here, since the image forming apparatus used as the above-mentioned printing apparatus has advanced in color and other advanced functions, it is necessary to easily confirm the entire contents of the actual printed image when creating a document or an image. Can not. Therefore, in the work of actually printing a document or an image, the importance of the preview function has been dramatically increased in recent years.

However, since the conventional preview function is to simulate print image data as described above, the preview image displayed on the display device may not match the actual print image. . In particular, as described above, under the current situation where the image forming apparatus as a printing apparatus is sophisticated, the difference between the preview image and the print image tends to increase.

Accordingly, as a technique for minimizing the difference between the preview image and the print image as much as possible, for example, a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-30410 has been proposed.

In this technique, when a printing apparatus is bidirectionally connected to a data source (such as a host computer), code information received from the data source is expanded as image data, and the expanded image data is printed as it is. On the other hand, the image data is returned to the data source to display a preview image. That is, in the above technology,
Instead of creating simulated print image data as in the past, return print image data used for actual printing from the printing device to the data source, and use this as display image data to display a preview image , The preview image can be made more accurate.

[0008]

However, as disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-30410,
The technique of displaying a preview image using print image data used for actual printing actually poses a problem that it is not possible to sufficiently cope with a higher function of an image forming apparatus as a printing unit. I have.

That is, since the printing speed and the image (printing) resolution have been improved due to the recent sophistication of the image forming apparatus, the actual amount of print image data has become very large. Therefore, returning such a large amount of data to a data source such as a host computer and displaying the data on a display means means that a large amount of data is transmitted and received between the host computer and the printing apparatus, and the speed of the preview function is reduced. This leads to problems such as a decrease in

[0010] Further, there is a point that it is not efficient to return the large amount of data to the host computer. For example, 600 DPI for one sheet of A4 size paper
The number of pixels when print image data is printed at the resolution of (DotPar Inch) is approximately 4700 × 7000 DPI, but the resolution of a typical CPT display which is a display device generally used at present is 800 × Since there are 600 pixels, even if the returned data is displayed as it is on the display device, it will not fit within the screen and will be unsuitable for display.

Moreover, it is also difficult to reduce the preview image to make the display device correspond to the display size, or to enlarge the preview image to check a part of the print image. This is because it is difficult to enlarge / reduce the preview image displayed based on the print image data with a simple operation because the data amount of the print image data is large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a preview capable of promptly and easily confirming an accurate preview image without requiring transmission and reception of a large amount of data. An object of the present invention is to provide an output device that performs a function, a preview system, and a method of checking an output image.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a printing system according to the present invention includes a host device and a printing device that are bidirectionally connected. The host device includes at least a display unit, an input unit, and a data conversion unit that converts data received from the host device into intermediate data, and a print data expansion unit that expands the intermediate data into print data. And display data expanding means for expanding the intermediate data into display data, wherein the intermediate data can be returned from the printing apparatus to the host apparatus by an input from the input means. It is characterized by.

According to the above configuration, the intermediate function (display list) having a small data amount is used for the preview function for confirming the image actually printed by the printing apparatus. , Data can be promptly transmitted and received for displaying a preview image, and development into display data can be performed easily and quickly. Since the intermediate data is developed into print data, the display data obtained by developing the intermediate data is also accurate corresponding to the print image. As a result, the user can quickly and surely confirm an accurate print image before executing the print processing.

In the printing system, it is preferable that the display data developing unit expands the intermediate data into display data based on an enlargement or reduction designation of a display image by an input from the input unit.

Since the amount of the intermediate data is smaller than the data for printing, the displayed preview image can be easily enlarged or reduced by a simple operation (eg, multiplication). Therefore, even if the display area of the display means is limited, the preview image can be easily enlarged and enlarged.
Since the image can be reduced, the user can easily and reliably check the print image.

In the above printing system, the printing apparatus can also return function data of the printing apparatus, and the display data expanding means in the host apparatus converts intermediate data based on the function data. It is preferable to develop the data for display.

Thus, the display data is expanded from the function data of the printing apparatus and the intermediate data, so that the substantial identity between the preview image and the actual print image can be further improved. .

In the printing system, the function data further includes font data contained in the printing apparatus, recording medium data loaded in the printing apparatus, and capacity data of storage means mounted in the printing apparatus. It is preferable that at least one of

Since each of the above function data is important for expanding the intermediate data into display data, it is possible to further improve the substantial identity between the preview image and the actual print image. . For example, as font data, data stored in the host device can be used without transmitting and receiving substantial data. Therefore, it is not necessary to transmit and receive a large amount of data between the host device and the printing device, and the speed of the preview function can be further improved.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus bidirectionally connected to a data source, and a data conversion unit for converting data received from the data source into intermediate data. A storage device that temporarily stores the intermediate data and then outputs the intermediate data; a print data expanding device that expands the intermediate data into print data; and a control device that controls each of the above devices. The storage means is connected to the print data development means and the data source, and outputs intermediate data to the print data development means so as to synchronize the data development and the print processing operation under the control of the control means, or And outputting intermediate data to the data source based on a request from the data source.

For example, an electrophotographic laser printer has an intermediate data conversion process in order to synchronize the development of print data and the print processing operation. Since data is used, a quick and reliable preview function can be realized without providing an intermediate data conversion process in the printing apparatus.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for confirming a print image which is transmitted from a host device in a method for confirming a print image in a printer bidirectionally connected to the host device. Converting the converted data into intermediate data, returning the intermediate data to the host device, expanding the data into display data for display, and executing print processing on the printing device based on the displayed image. It is characterized by having a step of determining whether or not to perform the printing process and a step of executing the printing process by expanding the intermediate data into data for printing when it is determined that the printing process is to be performed.

According to the above method, since intermediate data having a small data amount is used for the preview function, data transmission / reception and development into data for display are easy and quick.
Since the intermediate data is developed into print data, the display data obtained by developing the intermediate data is also accurate corresponding to the print image. As a result, the user can quickly and surely confirm an accurate print image before executing the print processing.

It is preferable that the above-described method of checking a print image further includes a step of discarding the intermediate data when it is determined that the print processing is not to be performed.

Thus, the execution of the preview function does not directly discard print data determined to be inappropriate for print processing, but discards intermediate data having a small data amount. Therefore, it is possible to easily re-set the print processing and re-execute the preview function.

It is preferable that the above-mentioned method of checking a print image further includes a step of selecting whether to return the intermediate data to the host device or to develop the intermediate data into print data without returning it.

This eliminates the need to return intermediate data to the host device when the user determines that the preview function need not be executed. for that reason,
It is possible to provide a method of confirming a print image in accordance with a user's request.

[0029]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Note that the present invention is not limited to this.

According to the present invention, for example, in a printing system including a host device (data source) and a printing device (image forming device) connected in two directions, the created data is converted into intermediate data (for example, a display list). Converted,
The intermediate data is further developed into data to be printed by a printing device, and the intermediate data is further developed into data to be displayed on a display device.

That is, according to the present invention, instead of returning print image data from a printing device to a host device as in the prior art, intermediate data generated by the printing device is returned to the host device, and the intermediate data is stored in the host device. Is developed into display image data. Thus, an accurate print image can be confirmed before the execution of the print processing.

In the following description, data input in the host device is referred to as “input data”, and data created by editing the input data in the host device and transmitted to the printing device is referred to as “print data”. ". In addition, the print data obtained by temporarily converting the print data into the intermediate data and further expanding the print data is referred to as “print image data”, while the display data is expanded by expanding the intermediate data. Is “display image data”.

The printing system according to the present invention will be specifically described. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, there is a printing system including a host computer 10 as the host device and a printer 20 as the printing device. . The host computer 10 and the printer 2
0 is connected via the data transmission path 30. Of course, the printing system of the present invention may include other devices and the like.

The host computer 10 is, for example, a generally used personal computer, and includes a display device (display means) 11 and a host CPU.
(Control means) 12, a printer driver 13, an input device (input means) 14, an operation section (operation means) 15, and the like.

The display device 11 displays information relating to input of input data, creation and output of print data, and the like. For example, a CRT display or a liquid crystal display device is used. The host CPU 12 controls execution of various processes related to input of input data and creation / output of print data.

The printer driver 13 controls the transmission and reception of various data related to print processing with the printer 20, and functions as a control unit together with the host CPU 12. The various data related to the print processing include the print data, the intermediate data, and the printer 2.
0 function data (described later). The printer driver 13 includes a host intermediate data analysis unit 31 and a driver memory 32 for controlling transmission and reception of these data.

The host intermediate data analysis section (display data expanding means) 31 analyzes the intermediate data input via the printer driver 13 and expands the data into display image data. The driver memory 32 stores the function data of the printer 20 input via the printer driver 13 and outputs the function data to the host intermediate data analysis unit 31 when the display image data is expanded in the host intermediate data analysis unit 31. That is, the host intermediate data analysis unit 31 also uses the function data when developing the intermediate data into the display image data.

The input device 14 is for inputting input data, various instructions relating to creation of print data, instructions relating to print processing, and the like. For example, a keyboard, a scanner device (image reading device), a mouse, etc. Are used.

The arithmetic unit 15 executes an application program and performs various arithmetic processes on input data input from the input device 14 to create print data. Although not shown, the host computer 10 is also provided with a storage unit (storage unit) that stores the application program, a program for controlling the CPU, and various data such as function data of the printer 20. As the storage unit, for example, R
A built-in memory such as an AM or a ROM or an external memory such as a hard disk or a floppy (registered trademark) disk is preferably used, but is not particularly limited.

In the present embodiment, the printer 20
An electrophotographic laser printer, an interface unit (I / F unit, input / output unit) 21, a printer CPU
(Control unit) 22, Language analysis unit (Data conversion unit) 2
3, a buffer memory (storage unit) 24, a printer intermediate data analysis unit (print data expansion unit) 25, a printer engine 26, a storage unit (storage unit) not shown, and the like.

The I / F unit 21 is connected to the host computer 10
The printer transmits and receives various data related to print processing to and from the printer driver 13 in the host computer 10 via a data transmission path 30. The printer CPU 22 is connected to the host computer 1
The control unit controls print processing and processing related to a preview function, which will be described later, based on various types of data related to print processing received from 0. The language analyzer 23 analyzes print data transmitted from the host computer 10 and converts the print data into intermediate data. The buffer memory 24 temporarily stores and outputs the intermediate data. The buffer memory 24 adjusts the output timing of the intermediate data and returns the intermediate data to the host computer 10.

The printer intermediate data analysis unit 25 analyzes the intermediate data output from the buffer memory 24 and develops it into print image data. The storage unit (not shown) stores various data related to the printing process, and uses a ROM, a RAM, or the like.

In an electrophotographic printer such as the printer 20, the process of expanding the print data received from the host computer 10 into print image data needs to be performed in synchronization with the printing operation on paper (recording medium). There is.

Normally, in an electrophotographic printer or the like,
As a printing operation (image forming operation), an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoreceptor surface by a writing unit (exposure unit) such as a laser or a diode. In such a printing operation, since it is difficult to stop the operation in the middle, if the development to the print image data is not in time, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the print data is not formed, As a result, the image printed on the paper becomes meaningless.

Therefore, in the above-described electrophotographic printer or the like, the print data is temporarily converted into intermediate data, and the intermediate data is further expanded into print image data. Is synchronized with the expansion process.

In the printing system according to the present invention, the above-described intermediate data is used when confirming the print image before executing the printing process. This makes it possible to check the print image more reliably and smoothly. The function of confirming a print image is hereinafter referred to as a preview function.

Next, an outline of the intermediate data will be described. An electrophotographic laser printer such as the printer 20 described above is a page printer, and its operation cannot be stopped during printing. Therefore, at the time of printing a certain page, all the contents of the page need to be clear. In other words, the contents of the page to be printed are all stored in the printer 20.

At this time, as a method of storing the contents of a page, (a) a method of storing all image data of one page (hereinafter referred to as an “image data method”);
(B) There is a method of interpreting a data sequence transmitted from a host computer, converting the data sequence into intermediate data, and storing the intermediate data (hereinafter, referred to as “intermediate data method”). Each of these methods will be described below.

(A) Image Data Method In this method, print data transmitted from the host computer 10 is interpreted, and a bit image of a character to be printed is converted into a portion (C) in which the bit image of the character is stored.
G) is copied (transferred) from a reserved area (page memory). Then, when printing is actually started, the printer 20 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor by blinking the laser light source in synchronization with the main scanning and the sub-scanning of the contents of the page memory.

However, this image data method has a problem that the amount of calculation increases and the required memory increases. That is, in the image data method, the operation that transfers the bit image from the CG to the page memory occupies most of the calculation amount. Since this transfer operation is merely an operation for transferring data inside the printer 20, it is originally useless. Therefore, when this image data method is used, the printer 20
Therefore, the total amount of data in the memory increases, and the amount of memory increases accordingly, which increases the cost and makes it difficult to print at high speed.

At the present time, the standard resolution of 60
A4 size paper (210 mm x 290 m
m), the printer 20 performs
The print data of the image corresponding to the A4 size paper area must be stored. Here, in the image data method, for example, when one pixel is calculated as one bit, the total amount of the print data reaches about 4 Mbytes as shown in the following equation. Therefore, the printer 20 needs to be provided with a memory having a capacity of approximately 4 Mbytes. ｛(290 ÷ 25.4 × 600) × (210 ÷ 25.4 × 600)｝ ÷ 8 ≒ 4,247,
784 bytes

(B) Intermediate data method This method interprets a data string transmitted from the host computer 10 and sequentially stores character data to be printed.
Only the attributes of the characters to be printed are sequentially stored.
This character data is referred to as intermediate data and is a list (list) of display (display) data. Therefore, the character data is also generally referred to as a display list. Hereinafter, the intermediate data will be appropriately referred to as a display list.

The display list is rearranged in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction in the earlier order before printing is actually started. Then, when printing is actually started, the printer 2
0 blinks the laser light source in synchronization with the main scanning and sub-scanning directions to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor.

The attributes of the characters to be printed include: 1.
Data such as vertical position, 2. horizontal position, 3. character information (font number), and 4. character code (for alphabetic characters) are included. Here, it is assumed that printing is performed on A4 size paper at a resolution of 600 DPI in correspondence with the example described in the above image data method. If an image corresponding to this A4 size paper area is stored, a one-character display is used. Table 1 below shows the data amount of each of the data items 1 to 4 required to create the list.

[0055]

[Table 1]

Therefore, the total amount of data of the display list required to represent the attribute of one character is a total of 6 bytes, that is, the sum of the data amounts of the above-mentioned items 1 to 4. Here, the number of characters when printing characters on one side of A4 paper is, on average, about 80 characters per line and about 60 lines per sheet. Therefore, the total amount of display list data required to print characters on one page is about 28 kbytes as shown in the following equation.

6 × 80 × 60 = 288,000 bytes When the total data amount in the image data method is compared with the total data amount in the intermediate data method, the intermediate data method is about one hundredth of that of the image data method. Therefore, the intermediate data method can execute the printing process with a smaller storage capacity. In the present invention, since this intermediate data method is used, the host computer 1
0 and the amount of data transmitted and received between the printer 20 is reduced. Moreover, since the print image is confirmed using the display list, the print image can be confirmed more accurately on the display device 11, and the load on the data transmission path 30 can be reduced because the total amount of data is small. Can also.

The above description is a brief description of the intermediate data method, and a more detailed description of the display list (intermediate data) used in the intermediate data method will be described later.

The execution of the preview function in the printing system will be described in more detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the following description,
In order to describe the present invention more specifically and in detail, a case where the host computer 10 executes various arithmetic processing and printing processing in an environment of MS-Windows (manufactured by Microsoft) will be described as an example.

First, at the start of the printing operation, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11, as step 11 (hereinafter, step is abbreviated as S), the host computer 10
Is inquired about the function data of the printer 20. The inquiry about the function data will be described.

Various input data is input by the input device 14, and the application program is operated by the operation unit 15 to edit the input data, for example, to create one page of print data. The print data for one page is referred to as “document 1”. Specific examples of the application program include word processing software installed in the host computer 10, but are not particularly limited.

Here, when executing the printing process, it is necessary to select a printing device by the application program. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the printer 20 (printing apparatus) according to the present invention is selected by the application program (S111), the printer driver 13 in the host computer 10 is connected to the printer 20 (S112). .

Next, the printer driver 13 inquires the printer 20 about various function data of the printer 20 (S113). The printer 20 includes an I / F unit 21
Receives this inquiry via the printer CPU
Under the control of S22, these function data are read from the printer engine 26 or the storage unit (S114), and returned to the host computer 10 (S115). These function data are stored in the driver memory 32 inside the printer driver 13 (S116), and are used to develop the display list into display image data by a built-in development program described later.

The function data is not particularly limited, but includes, for example, font data contained in the printer 20, paper data such as the size of paper loaded in the printer 20, and data mounted on the printer 20. At least one, and preferably all, of the capacity data of the storage unit.

As described above, the function data is not particularly limited as long as it includes data necessary for confirming how the print data is actually printed. Therefore, the function data may include data relating to post-processing performed on paper after printing. For example, as data relating to a finisher (post-processing device) provided in the printer 20, data such as where the print-processed paper is stapled may be added.

When the inquiry of the function data to the printer 20 is completed, the print data created by the host computer 10 is converted into a language understood by the printer 20 in S12 as shown in FIG.

That is, the user inputs a print request from the input device 14 so as to print the “document 1” on the host computer 10. When this print request occurs in the application program executed by the arithmetic unit 15, the printer driver 13 refers to GDI (Graphical Device Interface) data (print data) of "Document 1" output from the application program. Is converted into a page description language (PDL) understood by the target printer 20. As a specific example of this PDL, for example, ES
Examples include P / P, PS (PostScript), and PCL, but are not particularly limited.

Next, as S13, the print data of “Document 1” converted into PDL is transmitted to the printer 20 via the printer driver 13 and the data transmission path 30. The printer 20 receives the print data of the “document 1” composed of PDL via the I / F unit 21. And S1
As 4, the language analysis unit 23 in the printer 20
The print data of the "document 1" is analyzed, and the "document 1" is generated by the PDL-display list conversion program (the print data is converted into the display list). Thereafter, the generated display list of “Document 1” is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 24. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the display list is abbreviated as DL.

Here, the user determines whether or not to confirm the contents of “document 1”, that is, whether or not to execute the preview function in the present invention. This determination corresponds to the determination of whether to return the display list in S15 on the printer 20 side.

That is, if the user determines that the content of “Document 1” is not confirmed by the preview function, the buffer memory 24 is controlled by the printer CPU 22.
Outputs a display list to the printer intermediate data analysis unit 25. Therefore, in FIG.
The determination in S15 is NO, and the process proceeds from S15 to S20. In S20, the printer intermediate data analysis unit 25
Expands the input display list into print image data. At this time, the timing at which the display list is output from the buffer memory 24 is controlled so that the development of the print image data in the printer intermediate data analysis unit 25 and the printing operation in the printer engine 26 are synchronized. Then, as S21, the printer engine 26 executes a printing process based on the print image data. Thus, a series of operations is completed.

On the other hand, if the user
If you enter a request to execute the preview function,
The host computer 10 sends a display list return request to the printer 20. In response to the return request, a display list is output from the buffer memory 24 to the printer driver 13 via the data transmission path 30 under the control of the printer CPU 22.

Accordingly, in FIG. 2, the determination at S15 is YES, and the process proceeds from S15 to S16, where the display list is returned from the printer 20 to the host computer 10 at S16. Since this display list is stored in a storage unit (not shown), the host computer 10 can develop high-resolution display image data as needed, as described later.

As described above, the preview function according to the present invention may include the step of selecting whether to return the display list to the host computer 10 or to develop the display list into print image data without returning it. preferable. Thus, execution of the preview function can be selected as desired by the user.

Here, the printer driver 13 is designed to be used corresponding to a specific printer 20. For this reason, as the function data used when the display list is converted into the display image data, various data included in the host computer 10 can be used. As a result, depending on the type of function data, there is no need to transmit and receive substantial function data between the host computer 10 and the printer 20.

For example, in the preview function according to the present invention, the display device 11 displays substantially the same image as the print image. Therefore, when developing from display list to display image data,
It is necessary to consider what font the characters included in the preview image have.

Conventionally, a font entity (screen font) has been transmitted from the printer 20 to the host computer 10 as function data for developing display image data. As a result, there has been a problem that the amount of data transmitted and received between the printer 20 and the host computer 10 is further increased.

However, in the present invention, if the type of the font contained in the printer 20 is known in the host intermediate data analysis unit 31, the font entity held in the printer driver 13 is used accordingly. It is possible to Therefore, it is only necessary to return the font data contained in the printer 20 as function data in advance without having to return the font entity from the printer 20 to the host computer 10. This eliminates the need to transmit and receive a large amount of data between the host computer 10 and the printer 20.

Similarly, when expanding the display list into the display image data, for example, when it is desired to determine the correspondence between the print image and the paper loaded in the printer 20, the data is loaded into the printer 20 as the function data. What is necessary is just to return the paper data, such as the size of the paper which is present. When print data is transmitted from the host computer 10 to the printer 20, capacity data of the storage unit such as how much capacity of the storage unit of the printer 20 remains can be returned as function data.

As described above, the data transmitted / received between the host computer 10 and the printer 20 may be only the display list and the function data which cannot be specified only by the model name of the printer 20.

Next, at S17, a preview image is displayed based on the display list and the function data, and the user determines whether or not printing is possible.
This S17 will be described in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 3, based on the function data of the printer 20 stored in the driver memory 32,
The display conditions such as the magnification of the preview image and the paper size are set (S171). Next, the host intermediate data analysis unit 31 extracts the received display list one by one (172), and expands the display image data from the display list by the built-in expansion program (S173).
The display image data has substantially the same contents as the print image data generated inside the printer 20. The display device 11 displays a preview image on the display device 11 based on the display image data (S174).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not there is still a display list, that is, whether or not the display list for which the display of the preview image is requested remains (S10).
175). If it remains, the display list is taken out again (return to S172), and a series of preview image display operations (S172 to S174) are repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no display list, after the display operation is terminated (S 176), the user visually checks the contents of the displayed preview image, and It is determined whether the data (for example, “Document 1”) can be printed, that is, whether the print data that is the basis of the display list is sufficiently suitable for the printing process (S177).

For example, when the size of the sheet 8 does not correspond to the “document 1”, the print magnification, the size of the sheet 8,
The user specifies desired display conditions (S181), and further sets display conditions such as a preview image magnification and paper size based on the specified display conditions (specified conditions) and the function data of the printer 20. (S182), the display of the preview image is repeated.

On the other hand, if the content of the preview image is sufficient to determine whether or not printing is possible, it is next determined whether or not to execute the printing process again (S178). If the printing process is to be executed (YES), an instruction indicating that printing is possible is input by the input device 14 or the like and transmitted to the printer 20 (S179). If the printing process is not to be executed, the fact that printing is not possible is input to the printer 20 and transmitted (S180).

The confirmation of the preview image by the user will be described more specifically. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, it is assumed that the above-mentioned “document 1” for one page is composed of several paragraphs in a horizontally written sentence. In the preview image, as shown in FIGS. 5B to 5D, the “document 1” and the size and direction of the paper 8 selected at that time (based on the longitudinal direction of the paper 8) Are appropriately compared.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the paper 8 is too small for the “document 1”, or as shown in FIG.
Even if the sheet 8 has a sufficient area to print the “document 1”, if the longitudinal direction of the sheet 8 does not match the developing direction of the “document 1”,
The user selects the paper 8 of the optimum size and direction from the plurality of types of papers 8 set in the printer 20, and reliably prints the "document 1" on the paper 8 as shown in FIG. To be done. The display of the sheet 8 is based on the sheet data of the above-described function data.

Here, the specific contents of the display list vary depending on the type of print image data.
In the present embodiment, as a type of print image data, in the case of printing characters, in the case of printing in which a square is filled,
And three types of printing a bit image will be described with examples. It goes without saying that the types of print data are not limited to these three types.

In the case of printing characters In this case, for example, the font type such as Mincho or Gothic, the character size such as the number of points, for example, "A", "A" or "A" The character information and character codes (3 and 4. in Table 1) and the positions of the characters to be printed (1 and 2. in Table 1) constitute a display list.

In the case of printing in which a square is painted, for example, a line segment is subjected to a printing process as the painting of a rectangular area. Therefore, the coordinates of the four vertices that define the rectangular area and the data of the pattern (color, pattern, etc.) that fills the rectangular area become a display list.

When printing a bit image A bit image is executed as a copy of a rectangular area.
Therefore, data indicating the coordinates of the four vertices of the rectangular area and the location (address) of the original area to be transferred (transferred) is a display list.

As described above, the display list as described above needs to be developed into print image data in synchronization with the printing operation. Therefore, the display list has a structure suitable for high-speed conversion to print image data as compared with PDL which is print data, and the data amount is smaller than PDL. Therefore, the data amount of the display list per page is smaller than the PDL.

Therefore, when the display list is used for the preview function for grasping the actual printing status, the transmission and reception of data for displaying a preview image between the printer 20 and the host computer 10 can be performed quickly. This can be easily and quickly performed on the display image data.

Moreover, the display list has a small data amount, unlike print image data (bit image data) used for actual printing. Therefore, the display image data can be generated (developed) from the display list so that the preview image actually displayed is enlarged or reduced by a simple operation (for example, multiplication). Therefore, even in the display device 11 having a limited display area, the preview image can be easily enlarged or reduced, so that the user can easily and reliably check the print image.

For example, for one sheet of A4 size paper,
The number of pixels when print image data is printed at a resolution of 600 DPI (Dot Par Inch) is approximately 4700 × 700
Although the resolution is 0 DPI, the resolution of a typical CPT display currently generally used as the display device 11 is 800 × 600 pixels. Therefore, even if the returned print image data is displayed on the display device 11 as it is, it does not fit on the screen. In addition, if the user tries to check the entire print image on the display device 11, the details are crushed and become invisible.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, if the desired print image is a figure 9 in which a circle is arranged in a square and each side of the circle is in contact with the side of the square. I do. Here, assuming that the printing accuracy is 600 DPI as described above, and the display accuracy is, for example, 72 DPI, the preview image on the display device 11 displays the entire sheet 8 as shown in FIG. In this case, the details of the print image are lost, and the state of contact between the circle and the side in FIG. 9 cannot be determined.

On the other hand, in the present invention, since the display list having a small data amount is used to generate the display image data, it is possible to easily control the roughness of the display image data by multiplication or the like. Become. therefore,
If the magnification of the preview image is appropriately designated by the input device 14 or the like, display image data suitable for display can be quickly generated. Therefore, the graphic 9 in the preview image is determined as shown in FIG. It can be easily and quickly expanded to the possible level. Therefore, the preview image corresponding to the user's request can be promptly displayed, and the part which the user wants to confirm most in the print image can be easily and surely confirmed.

Further, in the display of the preview image, by sequentially displaying the display images created from the individual display lists, it is possible for the user to confirm from which display list the print screen is generated. Become. This point will be specifically described in embodiments described later.

Note that, in the present invention, the fact that the preview image and the printed image are substantially the same means that, when these images are compared side by side, they are almost the same except for the display size and display options. Is shown. As described above,
The preview image can be customized by the user, for example,
As shown in FIGS. 5B to 5D, since the information of the paper 8 is displayed and the display size is changed, the preview image and the print image are completely the same. Not be. However, since the development of the display image data from the display list also refers to the function data of the printer 20, except for the display size and display options (such as the image of the paper 8), the preview image of the "document 1" and the print It is almost the same as the image.

Through the above-described steps (S17), the user determines whether or not to finally print the print image displayed in the preview image (determination of whether or not printing is possible). Then, in S18, the determination result of the print permission is transmitted to the printer 20. In S19, the printer 20 that has received the determination result determines whether to execute the printing process.

If the result of the determination is inappropriate for printing (N
O), the printer CP as S22
Under the control of U22, the display list stored in the buffer memory 24 is discarded.

This display list has a small data amount and is not print image data or print data itself. Therefore, even when it is determined that the print process is inappropriate, the data can be discarded, the print process can be reset, and the preview function can be easily re-executed.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination is that the printing is suitable for printing (YES), the process proceeds to S20 in which the printing start program (control of the printer CPU 22) executes
From buffer memory 24 to printer intermediate data analyzer 25
Output the display list to print image data, and in synchronization with this, the printing operation is executed by the printer engine 26 in S21. Thus, “Document 1” is printed on the paper, and a series of operations is completed.

As described above, the printing system, the printing apparatus, and the method of checking a print image according to the present invention use a display list having a smaller data amount than print image data such as bitmap data used for actual print processing. ing.

This display list is often used in an electrophotographic printer or the like in order to synchronize print processing and development of print image data.
Although the data amount is small, the data has been analyzed, so that it is accurate data for print processing. This display list is developed into data of a suitable size for display and printing by a host computer or a printer.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when the preview function is executed, the display list is transmitted and received, so that it is not necessary to exchange large data between the host computer and the printer, and the preview function can be executed smoothly and reliably. Becomes

The printing apparatus according to the present invention does not need to be connected to the host apparatus (host computer 10) bidirectionally, but only needs to be connected to a data source capable of transmitting print data. At this time, a display device or the like for executing the preview function does not need to be integrated with the data source.

For example, in FIG. 1, the data source for transmitting print data is input device 14 such as a scanner device.
Or the computing unit 15 that executes the application program.
May be configured separately from these. Therefore, the print data may be transmitted from the data source to the printer 20, and the display list may be separately transmitted from the printer 20 to the display device 11.

Further, in the present embodiment, an electrophotographic laser printer has been described as an example of the printing apparatus (printer 20). Since this laser printer has a display list conversion process in order to synchronize the development of print data and the print processing operation, it is possible to divert this display list for executing the preview function. there were.

However, the present invention is not applied only to a printing system equipped with such a display list conversion process. The display list conversion process can be easily installed in a printing system that does not have this process. In other words, it goes without saying that it is sufficiently possible to construct a printing system that can execute the preview function according to the present invention using the display list even in a printer that does not use the display list.

EXAMPLES Next, the present invention will be described in more detail based on examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the following description, a printing operation for forming individual characters is referred to as “printing”. In addition, A4 paper is used as the paper, and the longitudinal direction of the paper is defined as a vertical direction (vertical direction), and a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is defined as a horizontal direction (horizontal direction).

In this embodiment, PCL5 (Hewlett-Packard), which is one type of PDL used in a general laser printer, is used.
ett-Packard). As a specific image at this time, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, “GHI” as the seventh to ninth characters in the first line,
“ABC” as the first to third characters in the second line, fourth in the third line
An example in which “DEF” is printed as up to six characters will be described. In the following description, steps corresponding to the above-described flowchart of FIG. 2 are performed.

First, the host computer 10 inquires the printer 20 about the function data of the printer 20 (S11). And the host computer 1
The print data shown in FIG.
0 is understood, in this case it is converted to PCL5 (S
12). At this time, the PCL5 corresponding to the image shown in FIG.
Is as shown in the following code (1).

[0114]

(Equation 1)

However, the non-print control codes LF, E
[] Is added to SC and FF. The following briefly describes these non-printing control codes: LF (line feed) indicates control for “moving the print position downward”, and ESC (escape) indicates control for “start of printer command”. , FF (form feed) indicate the control of “perform one-sheet printing”.

Further, in the present embodiment, the movement of the printing position after printing one character is 60 dots (1/10) in the right direction.
Inches). That is, the spacing between characters is 6
0 dots. Further, the printing position moved by the LF is 100 dots (1/6 inch) downward from the base point.
The printing position moved by the ESC is 60 dots downward from the base point, or 120 dots (1
/ 5 inch).

Next, the data string (print data) of the code (1) is transmitted to the printer 20 via the data transmission path 30 (S13). The firmware of the printer 20 (in this case, the PCL5-display list conversion program) sequentially interprets the contents of the data string of the code (1), and if it is a printer command, updates the held print position; If it is a print character, a 6-byte display list is generated using the print position at that time (S14).

Table 2 shows a display list of 9 characters for printing the image shown in FIG. 7 generated from the data string of the code (1). However, the format of the display list is the format shown in Table 1 above.

[0119]

[Table 2]

When the printing operation is performed, the display list in Table 2 is sorted according to the vertical position (vertical position) or the horizontal position (horizontal position), and the printing position shown in FIG. The display list of each character is rearranged in ascending order so as to correspond to. Table 3 shows the order of the rearranged display lists.

[0121]

[Table 3]

Here, the user determines whether or not to execute the preview function in the present invention (S1).
5). If the user determines not to execute the preview function, a display list is output from the buffer memory 24 to the printer intermediate data analysis unit 25,
The display list rearranged as shown in Table 3 is developed into print image data (S20).

The printer 20 blinks the laser light source in synchronization with the main scanning and sub-scanning directions according to the rearranged order of Table 3 in accordance with the developed print data, and causes the electrostatic latent on the photosensitive member. Form an image. Then, a series of printing operations are performed, and the image shown in FIG. 7 is formed on the A4 size paper 8 (S21).

On the other hand, when the user requests execution of the preview function, the display list is returned to the host computer 10 via the data transmission path 30 (S16). On the host computer 10 side. Based on this display list, high-resolution display image data is developed as necessary and displayed on the display device 11. Note that specific display control of the preview image has been described above with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Here, when trying to print the print data created by a specific application program, there are cases where abnormally long time is required and cases where printing cannot be performed at all.
There are various causes for the occurrence of this phenomenon. One of them is that a display list of a specific character is not normally generated (hereinafter, DL generation failure).

Therefore, when the printing failure is encountered, one of the solutions is to delete or change the portion where the DL generation failure occurs with an application and try the printing process again. Therefore, as described above, in displaying the preview images, the display images created from the individual display lists are sequentially displayed to specify the problem part.

For example, in the image shown in FIG. 7, a case where DL generation failure occurs in the character “D” will be described as an example. If a preview image is displayed on the display device 11 based on the display list when the display list is generated from the print data of the code (1), the characters “A”, “B”, and “C” are displayed on the preview image. Is stopped when "is displayed. Therefore, the user can confirm that the character “D” is the cause of the failure, and can take appropriate measures to execute printing.

In the present embodiment including the above-described embodiment, the example of the display list is given as the intermediate data, but the present invention is not limited to this. The display list is particularly preferable intermediate data when printing characters on paper, but the format of the intermediate data can be appropriately selected or set according to the type of image to be printed. It is. That is, the intermediate data in the present invention may be any data that is present intermediately in the process of converting print data into print image data and that has a smaller data amount than the print data and the print image data.

[0129]

As described above, in the printing system according to the present invention, the printing apparatus converts the data received from the host apparatus into intermediate data, and expands the intermediate data into print data. A print data developing unit, the host device includes at least a display unit,
Input means, and display data expanding means for expanding the intermediate data into display data, wherein the intermediate data can be returned from the printing apparatus to the host apparatus by an input from the input means. Configuration.

Therefore, in the above configuration, since intermediate data having a small data amount is used for the preview function, transmission and reception of data for displaying a preview image between the host device and the printing device can be quickly performed. At the same time, development into display data becomes easy and quick. Since the intermediate data is developed into print data, the display data obtained by developing the intermediate data is also accurate corresponding to the print image. As a result, there is an effect that the user can quickly and surely confirm an accurate print image before executing the print processing.

In the printing system, it is preferable that the display data expanding unit expands the intermediate data into display data based on the enlargement or reduction of the display image input by the input unit.

Since the data amount of the intermediate data is smaller than that of the print data, the displayed preview image can be easily enlarged or reduced by a simple operation (for example, multiplication). Therefore, even if the display area of the display means is limited, the preview image can be easily enlarged and enlarged.
Since the size can be reduced, the user can easily and reliably check the print image.

In the printing system, further, the printing device can return function data of the printing device, and the display data expanding means in the host device converts intermediate data based on the function data. It is preferable to develop the data for display.

As a result, the display data is developed from the function data of the printing apparatus and the intermediate data, so that the substantial identity between the preview image and the actual print image can be further improved. This has the effect.

In the printing system, further, the function data includes font data contained in the printing apparatus, recording medium data loaded in the printing apparatus, and capacity data of storage means mounted in the printing apparatus. It is preferable that at least one of

Since each of the above function data is important for expanding the intermediate data into display data, the substantial identity between the preview image and the actual print image can be further improved. This has the effect. For example, as font data, data stored in the host device can be used without transmitting and receiving substantial data. Therefore, there is no need to send and receive a large amount of data between the host device and the printing device,
This also has the effect that the speed of the preview function can be further improved.

Further, in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, as described above, the storage means is connected to the print data development means and the data source, and the data development and print processing operation are controlled by the control means. The configuration is such that the intermediate data is output to the print data development unit so as to be synchronized, or the intermediate data is output to the data source based on a request from the data source.

For example, an electrophotographic laser printer has an intermediate data conversion process in order to synchronize the development of print data with the print processing operation. According to the above configuration, the intermediate function is added to the preview function. Since data is used, there is an effect that a quick and reliable realization of the preview function can be realized without newly providing an intermediate data conversion process in the printing apparatus.

As described above, the print image confirmation method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: converting the data transmitted from the host device to intermediate data; returning the intermediate data to the host device; Developing and displaying the data, and determining whether or not to execute the printing process on the printing device based on the displayed image, and printing the intermediate data when it is determined that the printing process is to be performed. Developing print data and executing print processing.

Therefore, in the above method, since intermediate data having a small data amount is used for the preview function, transmission / reception of data and development into display data are easy and quick. Since the intermediate data is developed into print data, the display data obtained by developing the intermediate data is also accurate corresponding to the print image. As a result, there is an effect that the user can quickly and surely confirm an accurate print image before executing the print processing.

It is preferable that the above-described method of checking a print image further includes a step of discarding the intermediate data when it is determined that the print processing is not to be performed.

As a result, the execution of the preview function does not directly discard print data determined to be inappropriate for print processing, but discards intermediate data having a small data amount. Therefore, there is an effect that the resetting of the print processing and the preview function can be easily re-executed.

It is preferable that the above-described method of checking a print image further includes a step of selecting whether to return the intermediate data to the host device or to develop the intermediate data into print data without returning the intermediate data.

This eliminates the need to return the intermediate data to the host device when the user determines that the preview function need not be executed. for that reason,
There is an effect that a method of confirming a print image that meets the user's desire can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing control of a preview function in the printing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing control of inquiry of function data in the control of the preview function shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control of a preview image display and a printability determination among the controls of the preview function shown in FIG. 2;

5A is an explanatory diagram showing a preview image of only document 1 in the preview image display and the control of printability determination shown in FIG. 4, and FIGS. 5B to 5D are diagrams illustrating FIGS.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a preview image of a comparison relationship between a document 1 shown in FIG.

6A is an explanatory diagram showing a figure serving as a criterion for determination in the preview image display and the control of printability determination shown in FIG. 4; FIGS. 6B and 6C are diagrams illustrating FIGS. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a preview image including the graphic shown.

FIG. 7 is used to explain an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example of a print image formed on a sheet.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 host computer (host device / data source) 11 display device (display means) 12 host CPU (control means) 13 printer driver (control means) 14 input device (input means / data source) 15 arithmetic unit (calculation means / data source) ) 20 printer (printing device) 22 printer CPU (control means) 23 language analysis section (data conversion means) 24 buffer memory (storage means) 25 printer intermediate data analysis section (print data expansion means) 30 data transmission path 31 host intermediate data Analysis unit (display data expansion means)

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A printing system comprising a host device and a printing device connected bidirectionally, wherein the printing device converts data received from the host device into intermediate data, and converts the intermediate data into intermediate data. The host device includes at least a display unit, an input unit, and a display data expanding unit that expands the intermediate data into data for display. And a printing system wherein the intermediate data can be returned from the printing apparatus to the host apparatus by an input from the input means. 2. The printing method according to claim 1, wherein said display data expanding means expands the intermediate data into display data based on an enlargement or reduction designation of a display image by an input from an input means. system. 3. The printing apparatus is capable of returning function data of the printing apparatus, and the display data expanding means of the host apparatus expands intermediate data into display data based on the function data. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing is performed. 4. The function data includes at least one of font data contained in the printing apparatus, recording medium data loaded in the printing apparatus, and capacity data of storage means mounted in the printing apparatus. The printing system according to claim 3, wherein 5. A data conversion means which is bidirectionally connected to a data source, converts data received from the data source into intermediate data, storage means for temporarily storing the intermediate data and outputting the intermediate data, In a printing apparatus comprising: a print data expanding unit that expands data into data for printing; and a control unit that controls each of the units, the storage unit is connected to the print data expanding unit and a data source. Under the control of the control means, the intermediate data is output to the print data developing means so as to synchronize the data development with the print processing operation, or the intermediate data is output to the data source based on a request from the data source. A printing device characterized by the above-mentioned. 6. A method for confirming a print image in a printing device bidirectionally connected to a host device, comprising the steps of: converting data transmitted from the host device into intermediate data; and returning the intermediate data to the host device. After that, a step of developing and displaying the data for display, a step of determining whether or not to execute the print processing in the printing apparatus based on the displayed image, and a step of determining whether to execute the print processing, Developing the intermediate data into print data and executing print processing. 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of discarding the intermediate data when it is determined that the printing process is not to be executed. 8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of selecting whether to return the intermediate data to the host device or to develop the intermediate data into print data without returning the intermediate data.
Or the method of confirming the printed image described in 7.