JP2002062994A - Information processing system and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing system and an information processing method for optimizing a bit map expansion position so as to carry out high-quality printing at a high speed. SOLUTION: Via a user interface displayed on a host computer, user setting about the bit map expansion position for each of a plurality of drawing objects is received. On a printing demand, the bit map expansion position of the drawing object is specified according to the user setting, and data of the drawing object expanded in the bitmap expansion position are outputted from a printer device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an information processing system and an information processing method for developing print data into a bitmap in response to a print request from an application.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When printing vector data obtained from an application in a printer device, it is better to transmit bitmap data as bitmap data from a printer driver to a printer depending on the capability of the printer, thereby improving the printing quality and speed. There is.

Conventionally, in response to a print request from an application, a printer driver determines a location where a print data is developed into a bit map in accordance with the capability of the printer or the capability of a host on which the printer driver is installed. It is possible for the user to determine via the user interface whether to make the determination on the host or on the host side.

However, in this case, it is not performed to classify each drawing object such as a font and a vector, and to determine a bitmap development position for each drawing object.

[0005]

As described above, in the conventional method, it is possible to specify whether the bit map expansion of the entire print data is performed on the printer side or on the host side. There is a problem that a bitmap development position cannot be specified for each.

Further, there is a problem that the bitmap development capability of each drawing object is different depending on the capability of the printer or the operating system on the host side, the capability of the hardware, etc. is there.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system and an information processing system capable of optimizing a bitmap development position and performing high-speed, high-quality printing. Is to provide a way.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system and an information processing method capable of optimizing the print quality of a printer device having a print processing function in a printer driver program for issuing a printer control code for controlling the printer device. Is to provide a way.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an information processing system having a host computer and a printer connected to each other via a network interface. Means for displaying a user interface;
Means for receiving a user setting for a bitmap development position for each of a plurality of drawing objects via the user interface, and means for specifying a bitmap development position of the drawing object according to the user setting in response to a predetermined print request. Means for outputting, from the printer device, data of the drawing object developed at the specified bitmap development position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method in an information processing system having a host computer and a printer connected to each other via a network interface, wherein a predetermined user interface is displayed on the host computer. Receiving a user setting about a bitmap development position for each of a plurality of drawing objects via the user interface; receiving a predetermined print request via the user interface; An information processing method comprising: a step of specifying a bitmap development position of the drawing object according to the user setting; and a step of outputting data of the drawing object developed at the specified bitmap development position from the printer device. It is provided.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a system configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1
Reference numeral 01 denotes an information processing device such as a personal computer, and reference numeral 102 denotes a printer device. The information processing apparatus 101 and the printer device 102 are mutually connected via a network interface 103.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. As shown in FIG.
01 is a video memory (VRAM) 201 and a display unit (C
RT) 202, keyboard (KB) 203, pointing device 204, disk controller 205, hard disk (HD) 206, floppy (registered trademark)
Disk 207, central control unit (CPU) 208, RAM
209, ROM 210, and connection unit 211 are main components. And these elements are the system bus 2
The two are connected to each other via a line 12.

The CPU 208 controls the entire information processing apparatus. The RAM 209 stores a predetermined program as a main memory of the CPU 208, and has a temporary storage area for various data used as a work data area when the CPU 208 executes control.

A disk controller 205 controls access to external storage devices such as a hard disk device 206 and a floppy disk 207 as external memories. The hard disk device 206 and the floppy disk device 207 are devices for storing and reading / writing data in a magnetic storage medium on a disk.
A boot program of the information processing apparatus, an operating system (OS) that is a control program of the CPU 208, various application programs, a printer driver for controlling the printer device according to the present invention, and the like, which are downloaded and executed by the M209, are stored.

These storage media include, for example, a magnetic tape, a CD-ROM, an IC memory card,
VD and the like are also conceivable.

The display unit 202 displays various graphics such as bitmap data in the information processing apparatus, a user interface (UI) such as a command image of a command menu, and user messages on a screen.
It is composed of a CRT (cathode ray tube), LCD (liquid crystal) and the like.

The video memory 201 stores data to be displayed on the display unit 202. The keyboard 203 and the pointing device 204 are both operated by a user to input various data and commands. Then, the connection unit 211 executes a communication control process with another information processing apparatus (not shown) and a printer device via a predetermined interface 103.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer device 102 connected via the interface 103. The printer device shown in FIG. 1 includes a connection unit 301, a printing unit (printer engine) 302, an operation unit 303, an external memory 304 such as a hard disk, a CPU 305, and a RAM.
306 and ROM 307 are main components. These components are connected to each other via a system bus 308.

Of these, the CPU 305 controls the entire printer device 102.
Transmits an image signal to the printing unit 302 from the printer control code (print data) received by the connection unit 301 based on a control program stored in the ROM 307 or the external memory 304.

The RAM 306 has, as a main memory of the CPU 305, a temporary storage area for various data used as a work data area when the CPU 305 executes control. The external memory 304 such as a hard disk
Various data such as font data, emulation programs, and form data are stored.

The ROM 307 is an internal memory of the printer device, and, like the external memory 304, stores various data and a printer device control program for controlling the printer device.

The printing unit 302 is a printer device engine, controlled by the CPU 305,
Alternatively, according to a control program stored in the external memory 304, an image signal output via the system bus 308 is received, and actual printing is performed.

The operation unit 303 includes an input unit such as an operation panel and operation switches, and a display unit such as an LED and a liquid crystal panel. The operation unit 303 receives an operation from a user and displays a result of the operation. The user can instruct and confirm the settings of the printer device 102 via the operation unit 303.

The connection unit 301 is connected to the interface 1 described above.
The information processing apparatus 101 is connected to the connection unit 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 via the control unit 03, and can receive a printer device control code (print data) and notify the internal state of the printer device.

Next, steps in the embodiment until the print processing mechanism operates will be described. The information processing apparatus 101 operates by the CPU 208 executing a basic I / O program, an operating system (OS), an application, and a printer driver program.

The basic I / O program is written in a ROM, and the operating system is written in a hard disk (or an external storage memory such as a floppy disk). Therefore, the information processing apparatus 101
Is turned on, the initial program loading (IPL) function in the basic I / O program
The operating system stored in the hard disk or the like is read into the RAM, and the operation of the OS is performed.

Next, when the user selects a command image or the like of a command menu displayed on the screen of the display unit with a keyboard or a pointing device and instructs execution of the application, the command image is stored in an external storage memory such as a hard disk. The application is read into the RAM, and the application operates.

When the user activates the above-mentioned application and instructs the application to print data, a printer driver program for controlling the printer device, which is stored in an external storage memory such as a hard disk, is read into the RAM, and this program is executed. The print processing system operates.

In this embodiment, the printer driver program and related data are stored on a hard disk. The printer driver program stored in the hard disk is loaded into the RAM through the disk controller and becomes operable.

FIG. 4 shows a memory map in a state where the printer driver program and the application are loaded into the RAM (209) and are executable in the information processing apparatus 101. Here, the printer driver is
The relevant data is stored in the area 401 and the related data is stored in the area 402.
Is stored in

The printer driver related data area 402 holds bitmap development position designation table data as shown in FIG. An area 501 in FIG. 5 stores a drawing object name, and an area 502 stores a position (rendering position) where the drawing object is bitmap-developed.

The printer driver displays a user interface as shown in FIG. 6 to the user through the display unit 202. Here, a drawing object is listed as an “object name” in an area 601, and an area 6
02 (“rendering position”) is an area for the user to set the position where each drawing object is developed into a bitmap. The position where the drawing object is rendered includes an operating system, a printer driver, a printer, and the like.

The value set by the user on the user interface shown in FIG.
It is stored internally as the table data of FIG.

In this embodiment, the information processing apparatus 10
1 and the printer device 102 are started in a state where the printable application and the printer driver program are operating by the above operation steps. Then, the user outputs print data from the application on the information processing apparatus 101 to the printer device 102.

FIG. 7 shows a data printing request made by the application to the printer driver in this embodiment. Here, reference numeral 701 denotes a character string "ABC" printed in a system font, and reference numeral 702 denotes a "*" mark drawn by a line object (vector data).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a detailed processing procedure for a data print request according to the present embodiment. In this flow, first, the user sets, via a user interface, where to develop a bitmap for each drawing object (in the present embodiment, a printer driver and a printer) (step S80).
1).

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the user sets the bitmap development position of the system font object to "printer driver" and the bitmap development position of the line object to "printer". And

Next, the printer driver stores the user settings in the table data of FIG. 5 (step S8).
02). At this time, the stored table data is as shown in FIG.
0. Then, in response to a print request from the application (step S803), a print request for a print object is received (step S804). At this time, the printer driver first receives a print request for the system font object "ABC".

Next, the printer driver refers to the table data set by the user shown in FIG. 10 (step S805). In a succeeding step S806, it is determined whether or not the rendering position is the printer driver. In this case, since the bitmap development position of the system font is the printer driver, the system font print data is bitmap developed in the printer driver (step S807). Then, a bitmap drawing command, which is a printer control code, is issued (Step S).
808).

Next, the printer driver receives a request to print a line object with a "*" mark (step S80).
4). Then, reference is made to the table data set by the user (step S805). In this embodiment, since the bitmap development position of the line object is set in the printer, the printer driver issues a vector drawing command, which is a printer control code, to the printer (step S809).

At this time, the print data transmitted to the printer by the printer driver is as shown in FIG. Here, the printer control code WriteImage # 110
Reference numeral 1 denotes a command for causing the printer to draw a bitmap image, and WriteVector # 1102 denotes a printer control code for causing the printer to draw vector data.
Specifically, reference numeral 1101 denotes a system font "ABC" which is bitmap-expanded in a printer driver, and then is transmitted to the printer as image data. Reference numeral 1102 denotes a vector data "*" which is transmitted to the printer. Means rendered within.

If it is determined that the print request from the application has been completed (YES in step S810), the data shown in FIG. 11 is transmitted to the printer and printed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a drawing object as an object name and a position where each drawing object is developed into a bitmap are displayed as a rendering position in a user interface. By enabling the specification of the development position for each drawing object,
For example, the bitmap development position can be optimized according to the capabilities of the printer, operating system, hardware, and the like, and high-speed, high-quality printing can be performed.

<Second Embodiment> A second embodiment according to the present invention will be described below. The basic processing according to the second embodiment is the same as the processing disclosed as the first embodiment. Therefore, only the difference from the first embodiment will be described here.

In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the application requests the printer driver to print data as shown in FIG. Again, 7
01 is a character string "AB printed in a system font"
“C”, 702 is a “☆” mark drawn with a line object.

The details of the processing procedure according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this flow, first, the user is set, via a user interface, where a bitmap is to be developed for each drawing object (in the present embodiment, a printer driver and a printer) (step S801).

In this embodiment, if a system font object and a line object are defined as drawing objects, the printer driver displays a user interface as shown in FIG. FIG. 12 shows an example in which the user sets the bitmap development position of the system font object to "printer driver" and the bitmap development position of the line object to "printer driver".

Next, the printer driver stores the above user settings in the table data shown in FIG. 5 (step S802). At this time, the stored table data is as shown in FIG. Then, in response to a print request from the application (step S803), a print request for a print object is received (step S804). At this time, the printer driver first receives a print request for the system font object "ABC". The printer driver refers to the table data set by the user shown in FIG. 13 (step S805).

In this case, the rendering position of the system font is the "printer driver" (step S8).
If YES in step 06, the system font is developed into a bitmap in the printer driver (step S807), and a bitmap drawing command is issued (step S808).

Next, the printer driver receives a request to print a line object with a "*" mark (step S80).
4). Then, it refers to the table data set by the user (step S805). In this embodiment, since the bitmap development position of the line object is set to “printer driver”, the printer driver performs bitmap development of the “☆” mark inside the printer driver (step S807), and A map drawing command is issued (step S808).

At this time, the print data transmitted to the printer by the printer driver is as shown in FIG. In the figure, the printer control code WriteImage ｛｝
Is a command to cause the printer to draw bitmap data. When the print request from the application ends (step S810), the data in FIG. 14 is transmitted to the printer and printed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user interface is displayed so that the user can specify the bitmap development position for each drawing object. The bitmap development position can be optimized according to the capabilities of hardware and the like, and high-speed, high-quality printing can be performed.

Third Embodiment A third embodiment according to the present invention will be described. Since the basic processing in the present embodiment is the same as the processing in the first embodiment, here, the first embodiment will be described.
The difference will be described.

In this embodiment, the application issues a data print request to the printer driver as shown in FIG. 7, as in the first embodiment. here,
701 is a character string "AB printed in a system font"
“C”, 702 is a “☆” mark drawn with a line object.

Therefore, a detailed processing flow in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In this flow, first, the user is set, via a user interface, where a bitmap is to be developed for each drawing object (in the present embodiment, a printer driver and a printer) (step S801).

In this embodiment, if a system font object and a line object are defined as drawing objects, the printer driver displays a user interface as shown in FIG. FIG. 15 shows an example in which the user sets the bitmap development position of the system font object to "printer" and sets the bitmap development position of the line object to "printer".

Next, the printer driver stores the above user setting in the table data of FIG. 5 (step S).
802). The stored table data is as shown in FIG. In response to a print request from the application (step S803), the printer driver receives a print request for a print object (step S804). At this time, the printer driver first receives a print request for the system font object "ABC". The printer driver refers to the table data set by the user shown in FIG. 16 (step S805).

In this case, since the bitmap development position of the system font is "printer" (step S8).
(NO at 06), a vector drawing command is issued using the system font as vector data (step S80).
9).

Next, the printer driver receives a request to print a line object with a "*" mark (step S80).
4). Then, it refers to the table data set by the user (step S805). In the present embodiment, since the bitmap development position of the line object is set to "printer", the printer driver issues a vector drawing command using the "*" mark as vector data (step S809).

At this time, the print data transmitted to the printer by the printer driver is as shown in FIG. When the print request from the application ends (YES in step S810), the data in FIG. 17 is transmitted to the printer. With this data, all print data is sent to the printer as vector data,
Rendering is performed in the printer.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can specify the bitmap development position for each drawing object via the user interface display. Printer,
Bitmap development positions can be optimized according to the capabilities of the operating system, hardware, etc., and high-speed, high-quality printing can be performed.

<Other Embodiments> 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.). For example, a copier,
Facsimile machine, etc.).

Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) recording software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer of the system or the apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by (or a CPU or an MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May, of course, include some or all of the actual processing, and the processing implements 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 card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion card 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 the above storage medium,
The storage medium stores the program code corresponding to the flowchart described above (for example, shown in FIG. 8).

[0068]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By enabling the user to set the bitmap development position for each of a plurality of drawing objects via the user interface, the bitmap development position can be optimized according to the capabilities of the printer device, operating system, hardware, etc. And high-speed, high-quality printing can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the printer device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a memory map on the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing table data held in printer driver related data.

FIG. 6 illustrates a user interface displayed by a printer driver.

FIG. 7 illustrates print request data performed by an application.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a user interface described by a printer driver according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating table data held by a printer driver according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer control code output by a printer driver according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a user interface displayed by a printer driver according to the second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating table data held by a printer driver according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer control code output by a printer driver according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates a user interface displayed by a printer driver according to the third exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating table data held by a printer driver according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer control code output by a printer driver according to the third embodiment.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An information processing system having a host computer and a printer device mutually connected via a network interface, wherein: a means for displaying a predetermined user interface on the host computer; Means for receiving a user setting regarding a bitmap development position for each drawing object; means for specifying a bitmap development position of the drawing object according to the user setting in response to a predetermined print request; Means for outputting, from the printer device, data of the drawing object developed at a position. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the host computer and the printer are individually designated for each of the drawing objects, and the bitmap development position can be set by a user. 3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the display of the user interface is performed by a printer driver mounted on the host computer. 4. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the printer driver holds a bitmap development position for each drawing object set by the user in internal table data. 5. An information processing method in an information processing system having a host computer and a printer device mutually connected via a network interface, wherein a step of displaying a predetermined user interface on the host computer; Receiving a user setting for a bitmap development position for each of a plurality of drawing objects via an interface; receiving a predetermined print request via the user interface; and responding to the print request according to the user setting. An information processing apparatus comprising: a step of specifying a bitmap development position of a drawing object; and a step of outputting, from the printer device, data of the drawing object developed at the specified bitmap development position. Method. 6. The information processing method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of individually specifying the host computer and the printer device for each of the drawing objects, and performing a user setting of the bitmap development position. Method. 7. A storage medium storing a program code for performing information processing in an information processing system having a host computer and a printer device mutually connected via a network interface, wherein a predetermined user interface is provided on the host computer. A code for receiving a user setting about a bitmap development position for each of a plurality of drawing objects via the user interface; and a code for receiving a predetermined print request via the user interface. In response to the print request, a code for specifying a bitmap development position of the drawing object in accordance with the user setting, and the data of the drawing object developed at the specified bitmap development position are Storage medium characterized by comprising a code step of outputting from the printer device. 8. The storage according to claim 7, further comprising a code of a step of individually specifying the host computer and the printer device for each of the drawing objects and performing a user setting of the bitmap development position. Medium.