JP2004202898A - Image forming apparatus and printing data generating program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a selection error when printing data for use in the formation of an image are selected from among a plurality of printing data which are stored in a storage means, and to make it unnecessary to perform high-load processing such as simplification of image data by using an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The printing data includes preview image data Dg2 wherein the image within the range of a maximum effective coordinate area Amax enabling the image to be formed by the image forming apparatus is simplified, and wherein a coordinate is set outside the range of the area Amax. In the image forming apparatus, a preview image (a reduced-size image wherein the image of image data Dg1 to be printed within the range of the area Amax is simplified) corresponding to each of the printing data is displayed in an as-is state in the selection of the printing data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
An image forming apparatus capable of selecting print data to be used for image formation from a plurality of print data stored in a storage unit to form an image, and a computer that performs processing for generating print data used in the image forming apparatus Related to a print data generation program to be executed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a print data storage unit such as a hard disk capable of storing a plurality of print data, and capable of selecting one of the print data stored in the print data storage unit to form an image. is there. Such an image forming apparatus usually includes an input unit for inputting a file name of print data or a display unit for displaying a file name of print data, and the user inputs or selects a file name of print data. The print data used for image formation can be designated (selected).
On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which output data (print data) is generated by simplifying output data (print data) before image output (image formation) by a printer, transmitted to a computer, and the computer displays a preview of the simplified data. Has been proposed.
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-163873 proposes a method in which a preview image generated by an image processing apparatus is subjected to processing such as rotation and displayed.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-301742 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-8-263675
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the user selects the print data, if the file name of the print data is used as the identification information, the user needs to store the correspondence between the file name of the print data and the image as its content. Therefore, there is a problem that resources and time are easily wasted because a user erroneously outputs (images) print data different from desired print data.
Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-163, the method of transmitting simplified data of print data to a computer is not practical when the printer and the computer are apart from each other, and the simplified data is transmitted to the printer side. Even if it is configured to display, it is necessary to mount a CPU or a memory capable of performing high-load processing such as simplification of image data (reduction of image, etc.) on the printer, and the configuration of the printer becomes complicated ( (High cost).
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a purpose thereof is to select print data used for image formation from a plurality of print data stored in a storage means. An image forming apparatus which can prevent errors and does not need to perform high-load processing such as simplification of image data, and print data generation for causing a computer to execute print data generation processing used in the image forming apparatus To provide a program.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a print data storage means capable of storing a plurality of print data, a print data selection means for selecting one of the print data stored in the print data storage means, An image forming device that forms an image based on the print data selected by the print data selecting device, wherein the print data selection device selects the print data and includes the print data. Wherein the image data within the range of the maximum effective coordinate area in which an image can be formed by the image forming means is simplified image data, and the simplified image data set in a coordinate area outside the range of the maximum effective coordinate area. And a simplified image display means for displaying an image based on the image forming apparatus.
As described above, when the print data is selected, a simplified image corresponding to each print data is displayed, so that the user erroneously outputs (images) print data different from the desired print data. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of waste.
Furthermore, since the print data includes the simplified image data set in a coordinate area outside the range of the maximum effective coordinate area, it is only necessary to display the simple image data as it is, and when the print data is selected, A high-performance (high-speed) CPU, memory, or the like is used without the need for the image forming apparatus to perform high-load processing of simplifying image data (image data within the range of the maximum effective coordinate area). No need.
As the simplified image data, image data of a reduced image of an image within the range of the maximum effective coordinate area in the print data can be considered. Of course, it is also conceivable to use a part of the image within the range of the maximum effective coordinate area.
[0006]
Further, the present invention may be regarded as a print data generation program for causing a computer to execute a process of generating the print data used in the image forming apparatus.
That is, in a print data generation program for causing a computer to execute a process of generating print data used when an image is formed by an image forming apparatus, the print data includes the maximum validity at which an image can be formed by the image forming apparatus. A print data generation program for causing a computer to execute a process of setting simplified image data obtained by simplifying image data in a range of a coordinate area and including the simplified image data in a coordinate area outside the range of the maximum effective coordinate area. It is.
It is also conceivable that the simplified image data is data of a reduced image of an image within the range of the maximum effective coordinate area in the print data.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to facilitate understanding of the present invention. The following embodiments are examples embodying the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
Here, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a print system X according to an embodiment of the present invention and a printer constituting the print system X, and FIG. 2 is contents of print data in the print system X according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an image corresponding to. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of print data in a print system X according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a print system X according to the embodiment of the present invention. Is a flowchart showing a procedure of print data generation / transmission processing executed by the host computer constituting the printer. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of print data selection / image formation processing in the printer constituting the print system X according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart showing the process.
[0008]
First, the configuration of a print system X according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the print system X is configured by connecting a host computer 10 as an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer and a printer 20 via a predetermined communication line 30. As the communication line 30, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, a communication line for one-to-one connection such as a Centronics cable or a serial cable can be considered, but a plurality of host computers 10 are connected to one printer 20. For connection, a LAN such as the IEEE802.3 standard may be used. Of course, it may be based on wireless communication.
The printer 20 includes a communication interface (I / F) 21 for controlling communication with the host computer 10, a liquid crystal touch panel, and the like, and a display / operation unit 22 for performing various displays and operation inputs (the print data selection unit and the A simple image display means), a data storage device 25 (an example of the print data storage means) such as a hard disk capable of storing a plurality of print data received from the host computer 10 via the communication I / F 21. , A CPU 24a, a ROM 24b, a RAM 24c, etc., a data processing unit 24 for performing various calculations and controls in the printer 20, and an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording sheet based on print data stored in the data storage unit 25. A unit 24 (an example of the image forming unit) is provided.
One of a plurality of print data stored in the data storage device 25 is selected by the operation of the display operation unit 22 so that the image forming unit 23 can form an image.
The printer 20 includes components included in a general printer in addition to the components shown in FIG. 1. However, since the printer 20 does not particularly feature the present invention, description thereof is omitted here.
[0009]
Next, the contents of print data generated by the host computer 10 and transmitted to the printer 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image corresponding to the content of print data used in the print system X. As shown in FIG. 2, the print data used in the printing system X includes a maximum effective coordinate area Amax (Xmax in the X-axis direction from the origin O and Ymax in the Y-axis direction) from which the image forming unit 23 can form an image. Area), and in addition to the print target image data Dg1 relating to a normal print target image to be formed on a recording sheet, a predetermined coordinate area Aout (hereinafter, referred to as the outside) of the maximum effective coordinate area Amax. , A preview image coordinate area) is included in the image data. The maximum effective coordinate area Amax is determined from the maximum size (for example, A3 size) of the recording sheet corresponding to the printer 20.
Here, the preview image data Dg2 is used to determine the resolution or the resolution of an image of a predetermined page (for example, the first page) of the print target image data Dg1 in accordance with the performance of the display operation unit 22 of the printer 20. This is data on a reduced image in which color information and the like have been simplified (an example of the simplified image data). When the user selects print data to be formed by the display operation unit 22, The image data is displayed on the operation unit 22. Since the preview image data Dg2 is set outside the range of the maximum effective coordinate area Amax, even if the image forming unit 23 forms an image of the print data, a recording sheet of the preview image data Dg2 is formed. Is not formed (ignored).
[0010]
FIG. 3 shows an example of the content of print data (print data in the print system X) corresponding to the image shown in FIG. The print data shown in FIG. 3 is configured as print data expressed in PDL (page description language) called PRESCRIBE (registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation, the same applies hereinafter).
In PRESCRIBE, the start of print data is indicated by a “! R!” Command, and the resolution (dpi) at the time of image formation is designated by a “STR” command. In the example of FIG. 3, it is set to 75 (dpi). Further, the unit of the dimension when specifying the coordinates is specified by the "UNIT" command. In the example of FIG. 3, it is set to use the unit of [cm] by designating “C”. Further, the “MAP” command designates a base point of coordinates for forming an image based on raster graphic data (image data) set thereafter, and uses the coordinates as a base point to execute a subsequent “RVRD” command (raster). An image corresponding to raster graphic data (number of data, data, data,...) Set between a command for declaring the start of transmission of graphic data) and an “ENDR” command (command indicating the end of raster graphic data) is displayed. It is formed on a recording sheet. The “PAGE” command and the “EXIT” command indicate the end of data to be subjected to image formation.
As shown in FIG. 3, the print data used in the print system X is allocated within the range of the maximum effective coordinate area Amax defined from the A3 size, which is the maximum size of the recording sheet corresponding to the printer 20 ( (The base point is (0 cm, 0 cm)) In addition to the print target image data Dg <b> 1, the preview assigned to the preview data coordinate area Aout (the base point is (100 cm, 0 cm)) outside the range of the maximum effective coordinate area Amax Image data Dg2 is included. As described above, the preview image data Dg2 is data on a reduced image of an image of a predetermined page (for example, the first page) in the print target image data Dg1.
[0011]
Next, the processing procedure of the host computer 10 for generating and transmitting the print data as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The process shown in FIG. 4 is a process performed by the host computer 10 executing a predetermined print data generation / transmission program. Hereinafter, S11, S12,... Represent the numbers of the processing procedures (steps).
When a predetermined start operation is performed from a predetermined input means (such as a keyboard) of the host computer 10, first, a process of selecting a data file to be transmitted to the printer 20 as an image forming target is performed (S11). . Here, one or a plurality of data files are selected from the data files stored in the host computer 10 that can be subjected to image formation such as, for example, a file of a word processing document.
Next, based on the data file selected in S11, the print target image data Dg1 that forms an image within the range of the maximum effective coordinate area Amax is generated (S12).
Further, the preview image data Dg2 corresponding to the reduced image of the image of the first page or the predetermined page specified by the user in the print control image data Dg1 is generated (S13). In the preview image data Dg2, coordinates of the preview data coordinate area Aout outside the range of the maximum effective coordinate area Amax are set.
Further, print data in which the data generated in S12 and S13 are combined is generated (S14), and the print data is transmitted to the printer 20 (S15). Then, the print data generation / transmission processing ends.
The print data transmitted in this manner is received by the communication I / F 21 of the printer 20 and stored in the data storage device 25. The file name of the data stored here is the file name transmitted from the host computer 10.
[0012]
Next, the procedure of the selection and image formation processing of the print data stored in the data storage device 25 in the printer 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The process shown in FIG. 5 is controlled by the data processing unit 24.
First, when a predetermined start operation of print data selection is input from the display operation unit 22 (S21), a predetermined initialization process (variable i ← 1, etc.) is executed by the data processing unit 24 (S22). ).
Next, among the print data sequentially stored in the data storage device 25, the file name of the i-th print data and the preview image based on the preview image data Dg2 are displayed on the display operation unit 22 ( S23). Here, the extraction of the preview image data Dg2 from the print data is performed by checking for the presence of image data whose coordinates (the base point) specified in the print data exceed the range of the maximum effective coordinate area Amax. It is done by doing.
Then, it is checked whether or not a predetermined display switching operation has been performed from the display operation unit 22 (S24). If the display switching operation has been performed, the operation specifies "display of next print data". If the operation is to perform the operation, the variable i is counted up (i ← i + 1). If the operation is to designate “display of the previous print data”, the variable i is counted down (i ← i−1) (S26). Returning to S23, the file name and the preview image for the next or previous print data (i-th print data) are displayed, and the process is repeated.
[0013]
On the other hand, if the display switching operation has not been performed and the operation of selecting the print data being currently displayed has not been performed (N side of S25), the process returns to S14 and the process is repeated. Here, if a predetermined operation (operation for confirming the selection) of selecting the print data in which the file name and the preview image are currently displayed is performed from the display operation unit 22 (Y side of S25), After an image based on the print data is formed on the recording sheet by the image forming unit 22 (S27), the print data selection / image forming process ends. Here, since the preview image data Dg2 is set outside the range of the maximum effective coordinate area Amax, even if the image forming unit 23 forms an image of the print data, the preview image data Dg2 Is not formed on the recording sheet (disregarded).
As described above, when the print data is selected, the image corresponding to each print data (the image within the range of the maximum effective coordinate area Amax, that is, the image of the print target image data Dg1) is a simplified reduced image. Since the preview image is displayed, it is possible to prevent the user from erroneously outputting (image forming) print data different from the desired print data.
Further, since the print data includes the preview image data Dg2 whose coordinates are set outside the range of the maximum effective coordinate area Amax, it is only necessary to display the preview image data Dg2 as it is. It is not necessary to perform high-load processing such as reduction of the image of the target image data Dg1, and it is not necessary to use a high-performance (high-speed) CPU or memory for the data processing unit 24.
Even if the print data used in the print system X is image-formed by an image forming apparatus such as a conventional printer, the preview in which coordinates are set outside the range of the maximum effective coordinate area Amax is used. Since the image data Dg2 is ignored, it has no effect.
[0014]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when print data is selected, a simplified image of the print image of each print data is displayed, so that the user mistakenly differs from the desired print data. It is possible to prevent waste of output of print data (image formation).
In addition, since the print data includes data of a simplified image whose coordinates are set outside the range of the maximum effective coordinate area of the image forming apparatus, the data may be displayed as it is when selecting the print data. It is not necessary for the image forming apparatus to perform a high-load process of simplifying the process, and it is not necessary to use a high-performance (high-speed) CPU or memory in the image forming apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a print system X according to an embodiment of the present invention and a printer constituting the print system X.
FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of an image corresponding to the content of print data in a print system X according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of the content of print data in a print system X according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print data generation / transmission processing executed in a host computer configuring the print system X according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print data selection and image forming processing in a printer constituting the print system X according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Host computer 20 Printer (image forming apparatus)
21 communication interface 22 display operation unit (print data selection means, simplified image display means)
23 ... Image forming unit (image forming means)
24 data processing unit 25 data storage device (print data storage means)
Amax: maximum effective coordinate area Dg1: print target image data Dg2: preview image data (simplified image data)
S11, S12,... Processing procedure (step)

Claims (4)

Print data storage means capable of storing a plurality of print data, print data selection means for selecting one of the print data stored in the print data storage means, and print data selected by the print data selection means An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image based on
When the print data is selected by the print data selection unit, the image data included in the print data and within the range of the maximum effective coordinate area in which the image can be formed by the image forming unit is simplified image data. And a simplified image display means for displaying an image based on the simplified image data set in a coordinate area outside the range of the maximum effective coordinate area. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the simplified image data is image data of a reduced image of an image within the range of the maximum effective coordinate area in the print data. In a print data generation program for causing a computer to execute a process of generating print data used when an image is formed by an image forming apparatus,
In the print data, simplified image data obtained by simplifying image data within the range of the maximum effective coordinate area in which an image can be formed by the image forming apparatus is set and included in a coordinate area outside the range of the maximum effective coordinate area. A print data generation program characterized by causing a computer to execute processing. 4. The print data generation program according to claim 3, wherein data on a reduced image of an image within the range of the maximum effective coordinate area in the print data is used as the simplified image data.

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