JP2002007101A - Information processor and information processing method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly realize printing processing. SOLUTION: This information processor is provided with a discriminating means (S601) for discriminating whether or not image data should be processed with any specific arithmetic operation and preparing means (S605, S606) for preparing print data in an RGB format when it is discriminated that the image data should be processed with the specific arithmetic operation by the discriminating means, and for preparing print data in a final format to be processed by a printer when it is judged that the image data should not be processed with any specific arithmetic operation by the discriminating means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for creating print data, an information processing method, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art First, a printing control method and a processing flow in a conventional printing system will be described.

In general, a host computer and a printing apparatus are connected via a parallel communication means such as a Centronics interface or a network communication means to constitute a printing system.

On the host computer side, application software (hereinafter abbreviated as an application) such as a word processor or a spreadsheet is provided by Windows (Micr, USA).
It operates on so-called basic software such as a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. When printing is performed with this application, the printing is performed using the function of the graphic subsystem among several subsystems provided by the basic software from the program. This graphic sub
The system, for example, in Windows (registered trademark),
GDI (Graphic Device Interf)
ace), and is responsible for processing image information for a display and a printer. The GDI dynamically links a module called a device driver to absorb the dependence of each device such as a display and a printer, and performs an output process for each device. This module for a printer is called a printer driver. In this printer driver, a DDI (Device) that is previously determined to be installed in a device driver in accordance with its capabilities and functions is determined.
It is necessary to prepare a function group called “Driver Interface”. Application API (Applic
ation Programming Interfac
e) The GDI performs a data conversion for the device driver for the call, and the DDI function group is appropriately called from the GDI to execute a predetermined print process. In GDI, print requests from an application are sequentially processed via a printer driver as described above.

[0005] The processing system of this printer driver is PDL.
They can be broadly divided into two types: image types and image types.

[0006] The PDL type means that the PDL is
(Printer Description Lang
u.g.), which is provided with a controller capable of processing a control command.
The process mainly converts DI into PDL commands.

On the other hand, in the image type, the printing device does not perform advanced drawing processing, but develops a print image on the printer driver side and sends the image to the printing device for printing.

For example, regarding the printing process of a multi-valued color image, regardless of the PDL type and the image type,
The image data body in the RGB color space format is passed from the DDI to the printer driver together with the drawing position coordinates and the drawing logical value. The PDL type printer driver generates a PDL command simply by adding information such as a drawing position and a drawing logical value to the image data body in the RGB color space, and sends it to the printer. In the printer, the PDL command is analyzed, converted to the YMCK color space of the device-dependent color space using the internal memory space of one band or full page, and the drawing process is realized by adding the halftoning process. I have. By using the RGB color space, the PDL command can handle the PDL command as data that does not depend on the model.

On the other hand, in the case of an image type driver,
The printer driver has a drawing memory of a band unit or a full page in the RGB color space or the YMCK color space depending on the device. The printer driver performs the designated drawing process using the memory area. When rendering processing for one band or a full page is completed, finally, image data in a color space depending on the device is generated and sent to the printing apparatus. The image data in the device-dependent color space described above indicates a data format that is finally passed to the printer engine, and a density value, which is a YMCK value, which indicates the toner color of the printing apparatus, is assigned to each color 1, 2, or In general, a method of suppressing the memory size by using 4 bits is used. The YMCK value from the RGB color space and the way of applying halftoning are matched to the characteristics of each model, so there is no compatibility.

[0010] As described above, the PDL mode and the image mode are the same memory size by performing drawing processing with 1, 2, or 4 bits for each color of YMCK without performing drawing processing in RGB (24 BPP). However, a method for securing a large band size is used for high-speed processing.

The PDL mode driver is effective when the frequently used character is the main page because the transfer data size is small and the processing time is short. However, there is an image mode driver because complicated drawing processing and logical operation processing on the assumption that the processing is performed in the RGB color space cannot be performed accurately.

Next, referring to the schematic diagram of FIG. 3, the RGB color space, which is performed inside the printer controller in the PDL mode or inside the image mode printer driver that uses the YMCK color space as a page or band memory, will be described. A method of converting luminance information having 8-bit gradation for each color into a device-dependent color space YMCK and 1, 2, or 4-bit gradation for each color will be described.

Reference numeral 301 denotes Red, G having a maximum value of 255.
It shows the reen and Blue values. In this case, Gre
It indicates that the values are larger in the order of en, Blue, and Red.

Reference numeral 302 denotes a color converted into CMYK values by a color conversion process.

The color conversion process is a conversion of a color space from RGB values as a standard color space to YMC values as a color element of a printing apparatus.
High-speed execution by interpolation processing. Usually, the printing device is Cy
Even if an, Magenta, and Yellow are mixed, black cannot be accurately expressed. Therefore, a method of expressing a mixture of Black toner and other colors by the following UCR processing is generally adopted.

The value of Magenta which is the minimum value of 302 is defined as a black value, and the remainder obtained by subtracting the value is defined as each value. 303

The value thus obtained has the number of gradations of 8 bits for each color. This is used for each color 1, which is the drawing memory space.
The number of gradations must be reduced to 2 or 4 bits.
In general, halftoning processing is used as a means for reducing the number of gradations and visually achieving the gradation expression. 8x8 or 1 as a major halftoning method
Some use a 6 × 16 dither pattern. Here, for simplicity, a method of converting each color into one bit (two gradations) will be described as an example. The multi-value data 303 determines 0 or 1 by comparing with the value of the dither pattern corresponding to the coordinates of the drawing destination. 304

The method of lowering the gray scale to 2,4 bits can also be handled by using a dither pattern for 2,4 bits.

Similarly, 305, 306, 307, 308
Indicates a conversion process when the RGB values are (0, 0, 0), that is, black.

Reference numeral 308 indicates that there are pixels that cannot be printed only with black toner even when expressing black, depending on the characteristics of the printing apparatus.

The pattern generated as described above can be directly developed in the image memory space when the pattern is overwritten (SRCCOPY) on the base.

Next, with reference to the YMCK color space and low gradation bit memory generated by the above-described method with reference to FIG.
A description will be given of a method of implementing a logical operation process on the assumption that the operation is performed in the GB color space.

Reference numeral 401 denotes a color information value of a drawing command passed from the application. In this example, the drawing destination is 40
It is assumed that an AND process is supported for 3 (1 bit for each color / pixel). Windows
ws defines the logical operation processing between the source having the color information of RGB24BPP and the destination.
Indicates that the arithmetic processing indicated by D, OR, and XOR is performed.

However, the drawing memory space 403 (destination) in the printer controller is YMCK.
The color space has only 1, 2 or 4 bit gradations for each color.
(Here, an example of 1 bit is shown.)

In such a case, the following measures are taken in order to obtain a result as close as possible to the logical operation result expected by Windows.

The source data value 401 is subjected to a color conversion process, and is converted into an 8-bit value for each YMCK color. on the other hand,
As for the destination value, on / off of the bit of each color is converted 404 into 256 gradations for each pixel. Black
If there is a component, the same level is added to YMC, and Bl
An inverse UCR process (RUCR) for setting the ack value to 0 is added to obtain 405.

Hereinafter, description will be made by taking the pixel at the upper left corner of 403 as an example.

The logical operation value defined by the luminance level is AND-OR, OR-A
Convert processing to ND. 406

Logic operation processing 40 for 402 and 405
407 is obtained by adding the processing of 6. U for each pixel
408 is obtained by adding CR processing. By performing the above processing for all pixels at the drawing destination, a logical operation processing result can be obtained in a pseudo manner.

However, in addition to the simple use of OR or AND as described above, the following means are often used as ROPs. This will be described with reference to FIG.

A rectangle 802 of red (RGB = ff, 0, 0) is XORed with respect to a destination 810 on a white background.
(DPx). As a result, the drawn rectangular part is RGB =
It is painted with 00, ff, ff. 803, white (RGB = ff, ff, ff) and black (RGB =
An AND (Dpa) process is performed on the pattern 804 of (0, 0, 0). 805

The same color (RG
A rectangle 806 of B = ff, 0,0) is also drawn by XOR.

A pattern in which the color of 802 is applied to the (0, 0, 0) portion of the pattern of 804 is generated.

In this processing, two XORs use a white (255, 255, 255) and black (0, 0, 0) pattern sandwiched between two XORs, not as color information but as a mask. Therefore, normal printing cannot be performed even by performing the drawing process using the above-mentioned inverse UCR process. Furthermore, UC
Since the R process took a long time, it could not be used.

Therefore, the following method is adopted in order to realize the above-mentioned drawing method at high speed even in a printer which performs drawing processing in the YMCK color space. 1) When the XOR drawing processing is found, the FOR described below will be used until the next XOR drawing processing of the same color is found at the same position.
A flag is set to indicate the transition to the akeROP state. (In the FakeROP state, the reverse UCR
Without processing, YMCK value of source and YMCK of drawing destination
The value is logically processed as it is. 2) The source data is converted to YMCK values, all the YMCK planes subjected to dither processing, and the Y of the destination
Perform DPx for all MCK planes. 3) The data for which AND drawing is specified in the FakeROP state is black (RGB = 0, 0, 0) as (YMCKff,
ff, ff, ff) and Y which has been dithered
All MCK planes and destination YMCK
Perform DPo for all planes (convert And into Or for density space). 4) Source data is converted to YMCK values, all YMCK planes subjected to dither processing, and Y of destination
Performs DPx for all MCK planes and clears the FaKEROP status flag

[0036]

However, the above conventional example has the following problems. 1) In the PDL mode, for a page including many high-resolution color images, the PDL command size is enlarged, and the transfer processing and the processing inside the printer are slowed down.

As one solution, when a multi-valued color image has a high resolution, a method of converting the image into a YMCK color space by a printer driver and applying a halftoning process to the number of output gradations to reduce the data size of the image. However, in the Fake ROP processing, black (0, 0,
Since 0) is used as a special mask pattern, improper printing results if color conversion processing and halftoning processing are added. Specifically, when the host converts the color into YMCK and performs the half-toning process, black becomes 30 in FIG.
8, the mask pattern can be omitted. Therefore, although 807 in FIG. 8 is originally printed in red, it is printed in pale red (pink) because the mask pattern can be removed.

[0038]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a determining means for determining whether image data is to be subjected to a specific calculation, and a specific calculation by the determining means. If it is determined that the image data is to be performed, print data in RGB format is created. If the determination means determines that the image data is not image data to be subjected to a specific operation, print data in a final format to be processed by the printer is created. And a creating means for performing the processing.

In the information processing method according to the present invention, a discriminating step of discriminating whether or not the data is image data to be subjected to a specific operation is performed. , RGB print data is created, and if it is determined in the determining step that the image data is not image data for performing a specific operation,
Creating print data of the final format to be processed by the printer.

The storage medium according to the present invention further comprises a determining step of determining whether or not the image data is for performing a specific operation; and determining that the image data is for performing the specific operation in the determining step. A step of creating print data in RGB format and, if it is determined in the determination step that the image data is not image data for performing a specific operation, creating print data in a final format to be processed by a printer. .

[0041]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before describing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of a color laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as "color LBP") responsible for printing of a printing system to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied. Will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 shows 600 dots / inch (dpi).
FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing a structure of a color LBP that has an image resolution and performs image recording based on multi-valued data in which each pixel of each color component is represented by 8 bits. In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a color LBP main body, which inputs and stores print data including print data (character codes, image data, and the like) and control codes supplied from an externally connected host computer and the like, This is a device that creates a corresponding character pattern, image, or the like according to the information and forms an image on a recording paper as a storage medium.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a formatter control unit which analyzes print information supplied from the host computer, performs print image generation processing, and controls the color LBP main body 100. Further, the formatter control unit 110
It is connected to an operation panel unit 120 in which a switch for operation by a user and notification of a state to the user, an LED display, and the like are provided. The panel unit is provided as a part of the exterior of the printing apparatus 100. I have. The final print image generated by the formatter controller 110 is output as a video signal by the output controller 130.
Is output to the optical unit 1 together with status inputs from various sensors (not shown) of the printing apparatus 100.
A control signal is output to the control unit 40 and various drive system mechanisms to control the printing process of the printing apparatus 100.

In the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the sheet P fed from the sheet cassette 161 has its leading end held by the gripper 1.
54f, and is held on the outer periphery of the transfer drum 154. The photosensitive drum 151 is provided by the optical unit 140.
The latent images of the respective colors formed thereon are developed by yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (B) color developing units Dy, Dm, Dc, and Db, and the outer periphery of the transfer drum is developed. Is transferred a plurality of times to a sheet of paper to form a multicolor image. Thereafter, the sheet P is separated from the transfer drum 154, is fixed by the fixing unit 155, and is discharged from the discharge unit 159 to the discharge tray unit 160. Here, the developing devices Dy, Dm, Dc, and Db of the respective colors have rotation support shafts at both ends thereof, and are held by the developing device selection mechanism 152 so that each can rotate around the shaft. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, each of the developing devices Dy, Dc, Db, and Dn has a rotating shaft 152a for selecting a developing device.
The structure is such that the posture can be maintained constant even when the rotation is made about the center. After the selected developing device is moved to the developing position, the developing device selecting mechanism 152 is integrated with the developing device to support the fulcrum 15.
The selection mechanism holding frame 153 is pulled in the direction of the photosensitive drum 151 by the solenoid 153a around the center 3b, moves in the direction of the photosensitive drum 151, and performs a developing process. Next, the photosensitive drum 151 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity by the charger 156. The print information developed as an image in the formatter control unit 110 is converted into a video signal of a corresponding pattern, output to a laser driver, and drives the semiconductor laser 141. The laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 141 is controlled on / off in response to the input video signal, and is further swung right and left by a polygon mirror 142 rotating at a high speed by a scanner motor 143.
4. Scan and expose the photosensitive drum 151 via the reflecting mirror 144. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of an image pattern is formed on the photosensitive drum 151. Next, for example, an M (magenta) color electrostatic latent image is developed by an M (magenta) color developing unit Dm, and the M (magenta) color electrostatic latent image is developed on the photosensitive drum 151.
A (magenta) color first toner image is formed. on the other hand,
The transfer paper P is fed at a predetermined timing, a transfer bias voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner (for example, a positive polarity) is applied to the transfer drum 154, and the first toner image on the photosensitive drum 151 is transferred to the transfer paper P. At the same time, the transfer paper P is electrostatically attracted to the surface of the transfer drum 154. Thereafter, the remaining M (magenta) toner of the photosensitive drum 151 is removed by the cleaner 157, and the photosensitive drum 151 is prepared for the next color latent image forming and developing process. Hereinafter, the same procedure is followed by C (cyan), Y (yellow), and Bk (black) in the order of
The transfer of the third and fourth color toner images is performed. However, the difference is that a higher bias voltage is applied to the transfer drum 154 at the time of transfer of each color. When the leading end of the transfer paper P on which the four color toner images are superimposed and transferred approaches the separation position,
The separation claw 158 approaches and its tip comes into contact with the surface of the transfer drum 154 to separate the transfer paper P from the transfer drum 154. The separated transfer paper P is transported to the fixing unit 155, where the toner image on the transfer paper is fixed, and is discharged onto the discharge tray 160. The color laser beam printer according to the present embodiment performs 600
An image is output at a resolution of dot / inch (dpi).
The printer to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the color LBP, but may be a color printer of another printing method such as an ink jet printer or a thermal printer.

Next, the formatter control section 110 in the printing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This format control unit is a unit usually called a PDL controller or the like, and is an interface (I / F) unit 1 which is a connection means with a host computer.
11, a reception buffer 1121 for temporarily storing and managing received data and the like, a transmission buffer 1122 for temporarily storing and managing transmission data and the like, a command analysis unit 113 for analyzing print data, and execution of print control processing. Part 11
4, a drawing processing execution unit 115, a page memory 116, an intermediate language storage memory 117, and the like.

An interface (I / F) unit 111 is a communication means for transmitting and receiving print data to and from the host computer 200, and uses IEEE-12 as a communication protocol.
This enables communication conforming to G.84. However, in the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this communication means, and may be a connection using various protocols via a network or a communication means conforming to IEEE-1394. The print data received through the interface unit 111 is sequentially stored in a reception buffer 1121, which is a storage unit that temporarily stores the data, and is read and processed by the command analysis unit 113 as necessary. The command analysis unit 113 is configured by a control program conforming to each PDL command system and a print job control language. The analysis result of print data related to drawing of character printing, graphics, images, and the like is obtained by a rendering processing execution unit called an intermediate language. The data 115 is converted into the data format immediately before the drawing processing, and is stored in the intermediate language storage memory 117.

Commands other than drawing, such as a paper feed selection and a reset command, are instructed to the print control processing execution unit 114 for processing.

The rendering process execution unit 115 is a renderer that sequentially develops each intermediate language of characters and images stored in the intermediate language storage memory 117 into the page memory 116. For the color LBP described above with reference to FIG.
It is necessary to send page data in the K-sequential order. However, in the standard state, not all the memory required for this is secured, and one plane (1 or 2 bits / pixel) is required.
Memory is secured as a fraction of a band area of l),
The image is processed in synchronization with the engine speed by reusing the band area. Normally, the page memory 116 is managed by the development processing by the YMCK renderer and the shipping of the video signal to the printer engine, that is, banding control. However, if there is sufficient memory, one page can be developed. May be secured. Generally, the formatter control unit 110 includes a central processing unit (CPU),
It is configured by a computer system using a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and the like. In addition, the processing of each unit may be processed in a time-sharing manner under a multitask monitor (real-time OS), or a dedicated controller / hardware may be prepared for each function to independently execute the processing. The configuration to be processed may be used.

The operation panel 120 is for setting and displaying various states of the printing apparatus as described above. The output control unit 130 converts the content of the page memory 116 into a video signal, and
The image is transferred to 50. The printer engine section 150 is a printing mechanism section for forming a received video signal into a permanent visible image on recording paper, and has been described above with reference to FIG.

The printing apparatus 100 has been described above. Next, the overall configuration of the printing system of this embodiment including the host computer 200 will be described. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 200 denotes a host computer, which prints information including print data and control codes to the printing apparatus 10.
0 is output. Host computer 200
Is a keyboard 210 as an input device and a mouse 211 as a pointing device,
It is configured as one computer system including a display monitor 220 as a display device. The host computer 200 is WindowsN
It is assumed that it is operated by a basic OS such as T. On the host computer side, focusing only on the functional parts related to the present invention and broadly classifying the functions on the basic OS, the application software 201, the graphic subsystem 202, the print information storage means, and the communication with the printing apparatus It is roughly divided into a spool subsystem 203 including means.

The application software 201 is
For example, it refers to application software that operates on basic software such as a word processor or a spreadsheet. The graphic subsystem 202 is a Graphic Device Interface which is a part of the function of the basic OS.
ce (hereinafter referred to as GDI) 2021 and a printer driver 2022 which is a device driver dynamically linked from the GDI. D
The dispatcher 2023 is a printer driver 20
22, a PDL translator 2024 and an image mode translator 2024 according to the graphics mode selected by the user.
25 to 2027 are switched and loaded, and a conversion process and a drawing process are executed. The image mode translators 2024 to 2026 include a band memory 2028
Is used to perform drawing processing.

When the result of the conversion or drawing is returned to the GDI 2029 again as a print command, the I / F 203
Through the printer 100.

The above-mentioned names and functional frameworks may slightly differ depending on the basic OS. However, as long as the modules can implement the technical means of the present invention, the names and frameworks of the present invention are different from those of the present invention. Not a big problem. In general, the host computer 200 including these functional modules includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), and various input / output controls. Under the hardware such as a unit (I / O), software called basic software controls the control, and under the basic software, each application software and sub-system process operate as a function module. It has become.

The components of the present invention have been described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Next, the operation of the present invention will be outlined with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. explain. FIG. 5 shows a color page created by general drawing application software. In this page, the high-resolution nature 502 is pasted on the lowest level,
On top of that, a graphic portion 503 and a character 504 are drawn by overwriting (SRCCOPY). In other words, 502 to 504 can be said to be drawing processing that does not require background information.

However, a transparent effect is provided by drawing a rectangular hatched pattern image 505 at the top with the OR of the source and destination.

In the conventional PDL mode printer driver, all the above data is generated by the PDL command in the RGB color space format, so that the uppermost shaded pattern image 5
05 was printed normally. However, a high-resolution image of a natural image to be pasted first becomes a drawing command with the same size as that of RGB24BPP, so that the data size is large.

However, when pasting first, SRCCO
Since PY is specified, no background value is required. That is, even if the printer driver performs color conversion processing in the YMCK color space, adds halftoning processing to the output gradation number, and sends the result to the printer, there is no difference in the printing result.

Therefore, when a logical operation that does not require a destination is performed, and the halftoning process performed by the host is smaller than sending the source data as it is, the process is performed. That is the outline of the present invention.

The method of obtaining the data size of the above-described multi-valued color image is as follows. Windows 9x
Image drawing processing DDI (printer driver and OS
StretchDI)
This will be described using Bits.

[0060]

[Table 1]

The above description will be made using parameters related to the present invention.

This function requests the printer driver from ScrX, ScrY, (upper left coordinates 0, 0) SrcX stored in the memory space pointed to by lpBits.
E, SrcXY (source image width, height), lpB
Bitmaps in the format described in itmapInfo are represented by DestX, DestY (coordinate value of upper left drawing destination),
This is to perform a drawing process in accordance with the dwROP value by adding a clip process indicated by lpClipRect to the area of DestXE and DestYE (drawing tip, height).

Transfer data size (SrcImgSize) when a print command is generated in the RGB color space format
Is obtained by the following equation.

When enlargement or reduction is designated, the source image cannot be subjected to the clip processing indicated by 1pCIipRect.
ze = area of source image (SrcXE × SrcY)
E) × bit / pixel (lpBitmapInfo
Described in

On the other hand, the data size when rendering to the device bitmap format by the printer driver is obtained by the following equation.

HostRendSize = drawing area (D
(estXE × DestYE) ∩clip area) × 4 (number of colors) × number of output gradations (number of bits per color) (Drawing area indicates an area obtained by applying CLIP processing to the extended area indicated by DestXE and DestYE) The above clip region means a rectangular region in the case of a rectangular clip, and a clip of a complicated figure means a circumscribed rectangular area of the figure. When SrcImgSize> HostRendSize is satisfied, YMCK color conversion and halftoning are performed in the printer driver.

A specific example of the above calculation formula will be described with reference to FIG.

A high resolution RGB24 BPP image (1000 × 1700) of 901 is represented by 902 as shown in FIG.
00 × 2900) and the portion 903 (1700)
× 360) and output by clipping: SrcImgSize = 1000 × 1700 × 24 = 4
0800000 bits (= 5100000 bytes) For YMCK 1 bit output, HostRendSi
ze = 1000 × 360 × 4 = 11440000 bits
(= 180000 bytes) In YMCK 2-bit output, HostRendSi
ze = 1000 × 360 × 8 = 2880000 bits
(= 360000 bytes) Even at the time of high gradation output, the data size is smaller when developed by the host (developed by YMCK) in the printer driver. Therefore, in this case, the image data is transmitted to the printer as a YMCK image. Basically, when the YMCK image is sent to the printer as PDL, since the enlargement and clip processing have been completed, the YMCK image and the development position are sent to the printer. Conversely, in the case of enlargement without clips,
If the data size is larger when the host is expanded,
The image is transmitted to the printer as a GB image. Basically, when sending an RGB image to a printer as PDL,
The B image, the enlargement ratio, the clip information, and the development position are sent to the printer.

Next, the processing when the DDI function relating to the drawing processing is called in the printer driver of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The program related to the flowchart of FIG. 6 is stored in the memory of the host computer 200 and executed by the CPU.

S601: If the logical operation requires a base, the process proceeds to S606; if not (the source data is overwritten), the process proceeds to S602. S602: The drawing area when the half-toning process and the clip process are performed inside the printer driver is obtained, and H
Find ostRendSize. Proceed to S603. S603: If the size obtained in step 602 is smaller than the size when the source data is sent in the RGB color space, the process proceeds to S604; otherwise, the process proceeds to S60.
Proceed to 6. S604: YMCK from RGB color space passed from OS
The color space is converted, and the process proceeds to S605. S605: A halftoning process is performed using the dither pattern matched to the drawing position. Cuts the area with the specified clip rectangle and generates a drawing command. S606: A drawing command is generated in the RGB color space that is the color space passed from the OS.

Next, the flow of processing when processing a PDL command in the printer controller to realize the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The program according to the flowchart of FIG.
And is executed by the CPU.

S701: Printer reception buffer 1121
Is acquired, one command analysis is executed at 113, and the process proceeds to S702. S702: If it is a drawing command in which color information is described in the device-dependent YMCK color space, the process proceeds to S704, and if it is described in the RGB color space, the process proceeds to S703. S703: RGB24BPP to device-dependent color space Y
The process proceeds to the color conversion processing S704 for converting the MCK value (each color is 8 BPP). S704: Daytime data is generated and registered in the intermediate data storage memory 117. S705: If analysis of the PDL command for one page has been completed, the process proceeds to S706; otherwise, the process proceeds to 701. S706: The drawing processing execution unit 115 reads the registered data from the intermediate data storage memory 117. S70
Proceed to 7. S707: S708 if the logical operation processing requires a base
The process proceeds to step S709 if not necessary. S708: Calculate the background area necessary for executing the drawing processing, and calculate the corresponding color information (YM
CK value). A logical operation of the YMC value obtained by the RUCR process and the YMC value obtained from the color information of the source is executed. Proceed to S709. S709: The drawing process is executed on the page memory while the half-toning process is performed. The process proceeds to S710. S710: If all of the registered intermediate language drawing processes have been completed, the process ends; otherwise, the process proceeds to S706.

(Embodiment of Second Invention) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the second invention in the present invention will be described. In the embodiments of the present invention, the description of the embodiment and the configuration of the first invention is omitted.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, whether or not to execute YMCK color conversion and half-toning processing in the printer driver is determined at the time of drawing processing (at the time of source overwriting processing) in which no background value is required. Only went, but F
It may be executed at all times except during the And process called during akeROP.

(Embodiment of Third Invention) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the third invention in the present invention will be described. In the embodiments of the present invention, the description of the embodiment and the configuration of the first invention is omitted.

In the embodiment of the first invention, whether or not to execute the YMCK color conversion and the halftoning processing in the printer driver is determined by comparing the PDL command size. However, the intermediate language data to be converted inside the printer is determined. You can also compare the sizes of

For example, a multi-valued color image is converted to RGB24
When BPP is sent to the printer as it is, YM
A case where the image is converted into an 8-bit image for each color of CK and used as an intermediate language. When the print command is generated in the RGB color space format, the size (SrcImgSize) of the intermediate language is obtained by the following equation.

SrcImgSize = 8 (bit) × 4
(Plane) × data area (SrcXE × SrcY)
E).

On the other hand, the printer driver uses YMCK
If it is assumed that the data is stored as an intermediate language, HostRendSize = drawing area ((DestXE
× DestYE) ∩clip area) × 4 (number of colors) × number of output gradations (number of bits per color) (The drawing area indicates an area obtained by applying CLIP processing to the extended area indicated by DestXE and DestYE. ).

When the obtained result is SrcImgSize> HostRendSize, it is determined that the expansion processing is performed in the printer driver.

(Other Embodiments of the Invention) The present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), and is constituted by a single device. The present invention may be applied to an apparatus (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc.).

An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a software program code called a printer driver for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or a computer) of the system or the apparatus. It is needless to say that the present invention is also achieved when a CPU or an MPU reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code read out from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of a storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk,
A D-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, and the like can be used.

Further, when the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize 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, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to a storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.

[0088]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The size of print data including color images can be reduced,
Normal printing can be performed at high speed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a structure of a laser beam color printer to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an entire printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a color conversion method required for a conventional drawing process.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a logical operation process required for a conventional drawing process.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a sample for describing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the printer driver of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the printer controller of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a FaKE ROP process.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating comparison of image sizes.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 printing device (LBP) 110 formatter control unit 111 interface 1121 reception buffer 1122 transmission buffer 113 PDL analysis unit 114 print control processing execution unit 115 drawing processing execution unit (renderer) 116 page memory 117 intermediate language storage memory 120 operation panel 130 output Control unit 131 Laser driver 140 Printer engine unit 141 Semiconductor laser 142 Laser beam 143 Polygon mirror 144 Electrostatic drum 145 Developing unit 146 Paper feed cassette 147 Paper feed roller 148 Transport roller 149 Transport roller 200 Host computer 201 Application software 202 Graphic software Subsystem 2021 GDI 2022 Printer driver 2023 Dispatcher 2024 DL translator 2025 monochrome renderer 2026 high-speed color renderer 2027 high definition color renderer 2028 band memory 2029 GDI 203 interface 210 keyboard 211 mouse 220 display monitor

Claims (30)

[Claims] 1. A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not it is image data for performing a specific operation, and when the discriminating means determines that the image data is for performing a specific operation, print data in RGB format is created. An information processing apparatus comprising: a creating unit that creates print data in a final format to be processed by a printer when the determining unit determines that the image data is not image data for performing a specific operation. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific operation includes an operation using a background. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific calculation includes a calculation process using a black and white pattern sandwiched by two XORs as a mask. 4. When the determination means determines that the image data is not image data to be subjected to a specific operation, whether the processing time in the RGB format print data is shorter than the processing time in the final format print data processed by the printer. A determination unit configured to determine whether the processing time in the RGB format print data is shorter than a processing time in the final format print data processed by the printer by the determination unit. If the print data in RGB format is created, and the determination unit determines that the processing time in the print data in RGB format is not shorter than the processing time in the print data in the final format to be processed by the printer, 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein print data in a final format to be processed is created. 5. When the determining means determines that the image data is not image data for performing a specific operation, it is determined whether or not the print data size of the RGB format is smaller than the print data size of the final format processed by the printer. Means for generating, when the determination means determines that the print data size in the RGB format is smaller than the print data size in the final format to be processed by the printer,
Format print data, and RGB data
2. The information according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the print data size of the format is not smaller than the print data size of the final format processed by the printer, the print data of the final format processed by the printer is created. Processing equipment. 6. When the determination means determines that the image data is not image data for performing a specific operation, the intermediate data size based on the print data in the RGB format is larger than the intermediate data size based on the print data in the final format processed by the printer. Determining means for determining whether the intermediate data size is smaller than the intermediate data size based on the final format print data to be processed by the printer; Is determined, the print data in RGB format is created, and the determination unit determines that the intermediate data size based on the print data in RGB format is not smaller than the intermediate data size based on the print data in the final format processed by the printer. Created, the final form of print data to be processed by the printer The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data includes a PDL. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data in the final format processed by the printer includes data in a YMCK format. 9. The creating means converts the data in RGB format into a device-dependent format, performs halftoning,
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein print data in a final format to be processed by the printer is created. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printing unit that receives the print data and performs printing based on the received print data. 11. A discriminating step of discriminating whether or not the image data is for performing a specific operation, and if it is determined in the discriminating step that the image data is for performing a specific operation, print data in RGB format is created. And a creating step for creating print data in a final format to be processed by the printer, when the image data is determined not to be image data for which a specific operation is performed in the determining step. 12. The information processing method according to claim 11, wherein the specific operation includes an operation using a base. 13. The specific operation is two XORs,
12. The information processing method according to claim 11, further comprising an arithmetic process using a sandwiched black and white pattern as a mask. 14. When it is determined in the determining step that the image data is not image data for performing a specific operation, RGB
A determining step of determining whether a processing time of the print data of the format is shorter than a processing time of the print data of the final format to be processed by the printer. If it is determined that the processing time for the data is shorter than the processing time for the final format print data to be processed by the printer, print data in the RGB format is created, and the processing time for the print data in the RGB format is determined by the determination step. 12. The information processing method according to claim 11, wherein when it is determined that the processing time is not shorter than the processing time of the final format print data processed by the printer, the final format print data processed by the printer is created. . 15. When it is determined in the determining step that the image data is not image data for performing a specific operation, RGB is used.
Determining whether or not the print data size of the format is smaller than the print data size of the final format to be processed by the printer; If it is determined that the print data size is smaller than the print data size of the final format, the print data of the RGB format is created, and the print data size of the RGB format is not smaller than the print data size of the final format processed by the printer in the determination step. 12. If it is determined, print data in a final format to be processed by the printer is created.
The information processing method described. 16. When it is determined in the determining step that the image data is not image data for performing a specific operation, RGB
Determining whether the intermediate data size based on the print data in the final format is smaller than the intermediate data size based on the print data in the final format to be processed by the printer.
When it is determined that the intermediate data size based on the print data in the B format is smaller than the intermediate data size based on the print data in the final format processed by the printer, the print data in the RGB format is created, and the determination step includes the step of creating the print data in the RGB format. When it is determined that the intermediate data size based on the print data is not smaller than the intermediate data size based on the final format print data processed by the printer, the final format print data processed by the printer is created. The information processing method according to claim 11. 17. The information processing method according to claim 11, wherein said print data includes PDL. 18. The information processing method according to claim 11, wherein the print data in the final format processed by the printer includes data in a YMCK format. 19. The method according to claim 11, wherein said creating step converts the data in the RGB format into a device-dependent format, performs halftoning, and creates print data in a final format to be processed by a printer. Information processing method. 20. The information processing method according to claim 11, further comprising a printing step of receiving the print data and performing printing based on the received print data. 21. A discriminating step of discriminating whether or not the image data is for performing a specific operation, and if the discriminating step determines that the image data is for performing a specific operation, print data in RGB format is created. A storage medium storing a program having a creation step of creating print data of a final format to be processed by a printer when the determination step determines that the image data is not image data for performing a specific operation. 22. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein the specific operation includes an operation using a base. 23. The specific operation is two XORs,
22. The storage medium according to claim 21, further comprising an arithmetic processing using a sandwiched white and black pattern as a mask. 24. When it is determined in the determining step that the image data is not image data for performing a specific operation, RGB
A determining step of determining whether a processing time of the print data of the format is shorter than a processing time of the print data of the final format to be processed by the printer. If it is determined that the processing time for the data is shorter than the processing time for the final format print data to be processed by the printer, print data in the RGB format is created, and the processing time for the print data in the RGB format is determined by the determination step. 22. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein when it is determined that the processing time is not shorter than the processing time of the final format print data processed by the printer, the final format print data processed by the printer is created. 25. When it is determined in the determining step that the image data is not image data for performing a specific operation, RGB
Determining whether or not the print data size of the format is smaller than the print data size of the final format to be processed by the printer; If it is determined that the print data size is smaller than the print data size of the final format, the print data of the RGB format is created, and the print data size of the RGB format is not smaller than the print data size of the final format processed by the printer in the determination step. 22. If it is determined, print data in a final format to be processed by the printer is created.
The storage medium according to the above. 26. When it is determined in the determining step that the image data is not image data for performing a specific operation, RGB
Determining whether the intermediate data size based on the print data in the final format is smaller than the intermediate data size based on the print data in the final format to be processed by the printer.
When it is determined that the intermediate data size based on the print data in the B format is smaller than the intermediate data size based on the print data in the final format processed by the printer, the print data in the RGB format is created, and the determination step includes the step of creating the print data in the RGB format. When it is determined that the intermediate data size based on the print data is not smaller than the intermediate data size based on the final format print data processed by the printer, the final format print data processed by the printer is created. The storage medium according to claim 21. 27. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein said print data includes PDL. 28. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein the print data in the final format processed by the printer includes data in the YMCK format. 29. The method according to claim 21, wherein said creating step converts the data in RGB format into a device-dependent format, performs halftoning, and creates print data in a final format to be processed by a printer. Storage medium. 30. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein said program includes a printer driver program.