JP2005070878A - Data processor, data processing method, storage medium storing computer-readable program, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a printing result of high quality by outputting, in a state where a printer can selectively feed a plurality of kinds of storage mediums, print data obtained by performing the best image processing to drawing data on a selected storage medium. <P>SOLUTION: When the kind of drawing data delivered from an application is discriminated by a printer driver 610, and the kind of storage medium to be selected in the printer 601 is determined based on the discriminated kind of drawing data, image data generated from the drawing data are subjected to a predetermined image processing for every determined kind of storage medium. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention stores a data processing apparatus, a data processing method, and a computer-readable program for automatically determining the type of recording medium (paper) to be printed and automatically setting a print mode suitable for the paper. The present invention relates to a storage medium and a program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing system generally includes a color printer that enables color output, a host computer that controls the printer to generate print data, and a communication interface that connects both of them. Among color printers, inkjet printers use a variety of paper depending on the application. For example, for plain paper used in copiers, coated paper with a coating of silica etc. on the surface to prevent ink bleeding and improve color development, to form photographic images such as silver salt photographs There are various types of paper such as glossy paper used, OHP film for transparent originals, transfer paper for iron printing and back print film.
[0003]
When printing on those papers (media), the user selects the type of recording medium (paper) to be printed in advance in the print settings on the printer driver, and performs appropriate printing based on the settings. Was composed.
[0004]
Recently, a printer equipped with a sensor called a media sensor that automatically determines the type of paper has been considered.
[0005]
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recording medium type determination characteristic in a conventional printing apparatus, where the vertical axis indicates the specular reflection light intensity (V), and the horizontal axis indicates the diffuse reflection light intensity (V).
[0006]
In such a printer, as shown in FIG. 15, the types of paper to be classified are roughly divided into about five types (rectangular regions surrounded by broken lines in FIG. 15). In this example, the surface of the paper is irradiated with light, and the intensity of the reflected light (regular reflection light and diffuse reflection light) is used for discrimination.
[0007]
Note that Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a known document of this type.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 07-234767 A
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional techniques described above have the following problems.
[0010]
In a general ink jet printer not equipped with a media sensor, a user needs to select and set the type of paper to be printed on a print setting user interface (hereinafter abbreviated as UI) in advance. It was. Factors such as the complexity of selecting the desired paper type from a large number of options, misconfigurations that are different from the selection intention, and lack of sufficient knowledge of the paper on which the user is printing There was a case where printing suitable for the type could not be performed.
[0011]
In particular, when other than genuine paper of a printer manufacturer prepared as an option is used, it is necessary to associate desired paper with genuine paper. As a result, the user's hand is troubled, the printing result is extremely poor, the expensive media and ink are wasted, and the printing time is increased more than necessary. Could be.
[0012]
In order to solve a part of the above problems, Patent Document 1 proposes a printing system capable of comparing and confirming the type of paper set in the printer and the paper setting described in the print data. However, even in that case, the following became a problem.
[0013]
That is, it is only possible to select whether to continue or cancel printing based on the media determination result for the document to be printed.
[0014]
For example, if there are 10 pages of documents to be printed and one of them is an image page, but the remaining 9 pages are only text, it is determined that the paper in the printer is plain paper. In this case, 9 pages composed of text can be printed with the print setting for plain paper, but in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-234767, an appropriate print process can be performed on the page composed of images. Can not.
[0015]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a paper feed unit that transports different types of recording media to a printing unit, and a detection unit that detects characteristics of the recording medium. In the data processing apparatus capable of communicating with the printing apparatus, the type of the drawing data delivered from the application is determined, and the type of the recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus is determined based on the determined type of the drawing data In this case, the printing apparatus can select and feed a plurality of types of recording media by performing predetermined image processing on the image data generated from the drawing data for each of the determined types of the recording media. Print processing with excellent convenience that can output print data on which the best image processing has been performed from drawing data on a selected recording medium in order to obtain a high-quality print result Boundary to provide a storage medium, and program freely construct can data processing apparatus and data processing method and a computer storing readable program.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The data processing apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.
[0017]
A data processing apparatus capable of communicating with a printing apparatus comprising a paper feed unit for conveying different types of recording media to a printing unit and a detection unit for detecting characteristics of the recording medium, the data processing apparatus being obtained from the printing apparatus First discriminating means for discriminating types of the recording medium that can be selected by acquiring characteristic information of the recording medium, second discriminating means for discriminating the type of drawing data delivered from the application, and the second discriminating means Based on the type of drawing data determined by the means, a determination unit that determines the type of the recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus, and the generation of the recording medium determined for each type of the recording medium determined by the determination unit And image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on the image data to be processed.
[0018]
The data processing method of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.
[0019]
A data processing method in a data processing apparatus communicable with a printing apparatus comprising a paper feed unit for conveying recording media of different types to a printing unit and a detection unit for detecting characteristics of the recording medium. A first determination step of determining characteristics of the recording medium to be acquired by acquiring characteristic information of the acquired recording medium; a second determination step of determining a type of drawing data delivered from an application; Based on the type of drawing data determined in the second determination step, a determination step for determining the type of recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus, and for each type of the recording medium determined in the determination step, An image processing step of performing predetermined image processing on the image data generated from the drawing data.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings.
[0021]
In the following description, USB is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus, which is a known interface capable of bidirectional communication, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0022]
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing system to which the data processing apparatus showing the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.
[0023]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 601 denotes an ink-jet color printer (printer) that forms an image, and forms an image based on print data generated by a PC 602 described later. The type of printer is not particularly limited, but here, an ink jet color printer is assumed.
[0024]
The printer 601 includes various functional blocks 604 to 608 and 650. A data processing device (PC) 602 generates print data and controls a connected printer 601. Here, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) is assumed. It also plays a role of receiving instructions and inputs from the user regarding print settings.
[0025]
The PC 602 includes various functional blocks 609, 610, 615 to 617. Although not shown in this figure, Microsoft Windows (registered trademark) XP is incorporated as an operation system (hereinafter abbreviated as OS) for controlling the PC 602, and various functional blocks are installed on this OS. Works.
[0026]
A communication interface 603 connects the PC 602 and the printer 601. Here, it is assumed that the USB is a serial interface, but besides this, there are a plurality of parallel interfaces such as IEEE1394, Ethernet (registered trademark), IrDA (registered trademark), IEEE802.11, power line, etc. However, any interface may be used regardless of wired / wireless as long as it realizes bidirectional communication.
[0027]
As described above, the printing system in the present embodiment is not a single device, but has a configuration in which the PC 602 and the printer 601 that performs image formation are connected by a specific bidirectional interface, but is not limited to this example. Alternatively, an apparatus-integrated printing system in which the functions of the PC and the printer are integrated may be used.
[0028]
It should be noted that functions that are not particularly necessary for the printer 601 and the PC 602 to explain the features of this embodiment are omitted.
[0029]
Reference numeral 604 denotes a paper recognition sensor (media sensor) that can obtain information for specifying the type and size of the recording medium 600 and employs a simple configuration capable of identifying a group as described later. . It is assumed that the recording medium 600 is stacked on a paper feed tray or a cassette provided in the printer 601.
[0030]
As a means for grasping the characteristic amount for discriminating the type of paper, means for marking the paper as a recording medium in advance and optically detecting the mark, means using a dedicated paper cassette, paper A means for embedding an IC card in a sheet, a means for optically detecting reflected light (regular reflection light and diffuse reflection light) of specific light irradiated on a paper, a means for directly or indirectly measuring surface roughness, There are a wide variety of devices such as means for measuring transmittance. In addition, there are realization means such as a means for picking up the weight, thickness, friction coefficient, dielectric constant, electric resistance value, water absorption rate, and two-dimensional image of the paper and discriminating from the feature amount.
[0031]
These detection means can realize a paper recognition function by a single unit or a combination of a plurality of units. Here, the principle and configuration of the media sensor are not particularly limited, but it is assumed that the media sensor has a function capable of discriminating at least the assumed paper type.
[0032]
Reference numeral 605 denotes a sense information storage unit that stores information (features) related to the paper grasped by the media sensor 604. A plurality of sense information may be stored together with the history. An I / F control unit 606 manages the interface function of the printer 601. Here, since the assumed interface is USB, it is assumed to be configured by a controller on the USB peripheral device side.
[0033]
The I / F control unit 606 performs transmission of paper information, reception of print data and control commands, and the like. Further, if there is a request regarding status information such as an error or a communication state occurring in the printer main body, it is returned to the PC 602.
[0034]
A print control unit 607 receives print data transmitted from the PC 602 and develops it in the printer engine. The print data transmitted from the PC 602 is data that has already undergone image processing on the PC 602 side based on print settings including the type and size of the paper. Here, the print data for print control included in the print data is used. The printer engine is controlled according to the command.
[0035]
Specifically, data composed of binary data for printing (in some cases, intermediate data before binarization) and various commands for controlling the ink ejection amount, the number of passes, the printing direction, and the paper conveyance amount. use.
[0036]
Reference numeral 608 denotes a printing unit (printer engine) that performs printing on the recording medium 600 based on the print data developed by the print control unit 607. Since the printer 601 is an ink jet printer, image formation is performed by ejecting ink.
[0037]
Reference numeral 650 denotes a paper feed selection unit composed of a cassette or the like storing a recording medium, from which the recording medium 600 is supplied. When the printer main body 601 has a plurality of paper cassettes, the paper feed selection unit 650 supplies the recording medium from a cassette in which an appropriate recording medium is stored.
[0038]
Reference numeral 609 denotes an I / F control unit that controls the interface function of the PC 602. It is configured by a USB host-side controller and has a function as a USB host. Some functions as a USB host are also configured by software such as an OS and a driver.
[0039]
A printer driver 610 is software for performing various settings for printing, print data generation, and printer control on the PC 602. Details of the printer driver 610 will be described later with reference to FIG.
[0040]
A central control unit 615 controls various functions of the PC 602. The function processing of the central control unit 615 corresponds to the function of the CPU. A print setting input operation unit 616 includes various input devices (keyboard, pointing device, display device, etc.) for reflecting the user's intention in the print settings.
[0041]
Reference numeral 617 denotes a setting information notification unit that notifies the user of print settings. As a notification method, a case where a display device such as a monitor is used or a voice notification is considered.
[0042]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the relationship between the printer driver 610 shown in FIG. 1 and application software.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 2, application software receives print data 12a, which includes drawing data such as text, graphics, and images.
[0044]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the printer driver 610 of the data processing apparatus 602 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG.
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 201 denotes a spool processing unit which stores and saves print data 12a received from the application software through the OS. Details of the spool processing unit 201 will be described later with reference to FIG.
[0045]
An object determination unit 202 receives drawing data and determines the contents (type) of the data. An object information storage unit 203 stores the result based on the object determination unit 202.
[0046]
Reference numeral 204 denotes a despooling unit that extracts data spooled by the spool processing unit 201. Reference numeral 205 denotes a paper type determination processing unit that determines which paper is suitable for each print page at the time of despooling. A print data generation processing unit 206 converts the print data into a data format that can be interpreted by the printer body at the time of despooling, and creates a print job.
[0047]
A special processing unit 207 performs data processing that is most suitable for the print medium that is currently being printed at the time of despooling. A comparison / determination processing unit 208 compares and collates the output result of the media sensor 604 with the print data, and performs data processing. Reference numeral 209 denotes a data communication processing unit. Print data of a print job created by the print data generation processing unit 206 is sent to the I / F control unit 609 via this data communication processing unit, and the print data is sent to the printer 601. Sent.
[0048]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the paper system that can be discriminated by the media sensor 604 shown in FIG. 1 and the paper included in the system.
[0049]
In FIG. 4, the group column treats each paper system as a group, and represents names divided into groups 1 to 6 identified as rectangular areas shown in FIG. 15, for example. The paper column represents the name of the paper included in each group, and these paper groups are associated with a paper group to be described later with reference to FIG.
[0050]
For example, group 3 is a group of glossy paper, and includes glossy paper, photographic paper, and high-quality photographic paper.
[0051]
As described above, a plurality of sheets are included in one group because the sheet recognition accuracy of the media sensor 604 is not so high, so that the group 1 to group 6 can be accurately determined, but included in a certain group. This is because the plurality of sheets to be printed cannot be accurately determined.
[0052]
Group 6 is a group representing a paper-out state when the media sensor 604 detects that the recording medium 600 is not set in the printer, and no paper belongs to this group. The contents of this table are stored in the paper type discrimination processing unit 205 shown in FIG.
[0053]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention. The printer driver 610 shown in FIG. 1 receives print data 12a through the OS and temporarily stores it ( Corresponds to the temporary storage processing (spool processing) procedure. S101 to S107 indicate each step.
[0054]
In the present embodiment, the temporary storage destination is stored in a storage area such as a hard disk or a memory (not shown) in the data processing device 602.
[0055]
First, it is determined whether there is data to be received by the printer driver 610 (S101). If it is determined that the data is present, it is determined by checking whether it is a page break (S103). If it is determined that the page breaks, in step S104, the spool data is advanced by one page and updated to the next page processing.
[0056]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S103 that the page is not a page break, the data 12a is received (S105). Then, the object type of the received data is determined (S106).
[0057]
Here, the object is a type of drawing data, and is generally classified into, for example, “text”, “graphics”, “image”, or the like.
[0058]
Further, as data included in “text”, there is a character drawing command. Data included in “graphics” includes vector graphics drawing commands such as “straight line”, “circle”, and “rectangle”.
[0059]
Furthermore, the data included in the “image” is the “image” itself, and corresponds to the case of drawing a photograph or the like. Of course, these classification and drawing commands are examples, and the types of drawing commands differ depending on the OS. The determination of the object information described above is performed by the object determination unit 202.
[0060]
If the object type of the received data is determined in step 106 as described above, it is stored in the object classification flag for each page (S107), and the process returns to step S101.
[0061]
As described in FIG. 9, this processing is a flag for determining whether or not three types of objects “text”, “graphics”, and “image” exist for each page.
[0062]
If even one of these objects exists in the page, the flag of the corresponding object managed for each page is set to ON (here, “1”) as shown in FIG. This classification flag is stored in the object information storage unit 203. The data storage device 602 stores the storage destination in a storage area such as a hard disk or a memory (not shown). These object determination processes are performed for each page.
[0063]
The object determination results received thereafter are also stored in the second page flag in the table shown in FIG.
[0064]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S101 that all data has been received, the spool process is terminated (S102). Then, the process proceeds to the following despooling process.
[0065]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an object flag table stored in the object information storage unit 203 illustrated in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, an object included in each page in one print information (job) is displayed. It is managed with an object flag for each page.
[0066]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the despooling processing procedure by the printer driver 610 shown in FIG. S201 to S206 indicate each step.
[0067]
First, when the despooling process is started (S201), the spool data temporarily stored as described in the process shown in FIG. 5 is taken out, and it is checked whether the page is completed (S202), and it is determined that the page exists. If so, page object information is extracted from the spool data (S203). The object information here is an object flag for each page stored in the object information storage unit 203, created in step S107 shown in FIG. 5, and shown in FIG.
[0068]
In step S204, information obtained by the media sensor 604 of the printer main body is received on the data processing apparatus 602 side via the I / F 603. This is performed by the data communication processing unit 209 of the printer driver 610. Details of step S204 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0069]
Next, the object information for each page of the spool data retrieved in the despool process is compared with the media information of the recording medium 600 of the printer main body 601 obtained in step S204 (S205). In order to repeat this for each page, the process returns to step S202.
[0070]
In this process, the type of media sensed on the printer side and the media to be printed out on the driver side are compared for each page. A data flag, such as the data flag shown in FIG. 6, is created in the object information storage unit 203 by examining what objects are included in each page.
[0071]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S202 that the last page has been reached, the despooling process is terminated (S206).
[0072]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention, and media detection processing in the despooling process by the printer driver 610 shown in FIG. 1 (in step S204 shown in FIG. 5). This corresponds to the detailed procedure of (Process). S301 to S306 indicate each step.
[0073]
When there are a plurality of cassettes in the printer 601, the paper type determination processing unit 205 determines the paper types of all the cassettes from information acquired by the data communication processing unit 209 from the printer 601 (S301). If it is determined, the media of the cassette is sequentially determined (S302), and the next cassette is checked (S303), and the process returns to step S301.
[0074]
If it is determined in step S301 that all cassettes have been checked, it is determined by checking whether the medium designated on the printer driver 610 side exists (S304), and it is determined that no medium exists. If so, a warning to that effect is displayed (S305). When it is detected that the cancel button 502 has been instructed, a print canceling process is performed. When it is detected that the OK button 501 has been instructed, image processing corresponding to the type of media sensed and the type of object is performed. I do. The warning may be displayed as a message on a display device (not shown) of the data processing device 602 via a UI as shown in FIG. 9 or may be displayed on a display device (not shown) provided in the printer 601.
[0075]
In step S306, the corresponding sheet group is fed and printed, and the process ends.
[0076]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a warning dialog displayed on the display device provided in the print setting input operation unit 616 of the data processing device 602 shown in FIG.
[0077]
In FIG. 9, this warning is displayed when the medium designated for printing and the recording medium 600 provided in the printer main body 601 do not match.
[0078]
Here, when the print continuation button 401 is clicked, the printing process is continued. If a cancel button 402 is clicked, the print job is canceled and printing is stopped.
[0079]
The processing described in FIG. 8 is performed for each page in this embodiment (S204). However, the media on the cassette provided in the printer 601 may be sensed only once at the beginning. .
[0080]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention, corresponding to the recording medium selection processing procedure of the printer driver 610 shown in FIG. 1, and the steps shown in FIG. This corresponds to the detailed procedure of the process of S306. In addition, S401-S411 shows each step.
[0081]
2 is created in the object information storage unit 203 shown in FIG. 2, and the object determination unit 202 determines whether or not the text of the page object to be printed is included (S401). If it is determined that Text is included, the media that is most suitable for printing the page is determined as a Text sheet group (S402).
[0082]
Next, if there is a Text paper group in the media type set in the printer body in advance, a message dialog as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display device of the data processing device 602.
[0083]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a message dialog displayed on the display device provided in the print setting input operation unit 616 of the data processing device 602 shown in FIG.
[0084]
Then, the message dialog shown in FIG. 11 is used to inquire the user whether or not to perform special processing for Text (S403). If it is determined that the OK button 501 has not been pressed, the processing ends and the OK button If it is determined that the user presses 501, the data processing optimum for the set medium is performed (S 404), and the process is terminated.
[0085]
Note that the processing in step S404 means that special data processing is performed to print the text on the Text paper group. As an example, a binarization process for improving the quality of black characters constituting text can be considered.
[0086]
The printer driver transmits a command for selecting a text sheet group and text-processed print data for text to the printer. The printer to which the command and the print data are transmitted selects the paper for text and feeds it to print the print data.
[0087]
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S401 that no text is included, in step S405, the object determination unit 202 determines whether or not Grafix is included, and when it is determined that Grafix is included. Then, the media that is most suitable for printing the page is determined as the Grafix sheet group (S406).
[0088]
Next, if there is a Grafix sheet group in the media type set in the printer 601, a message dialog as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display device of the data processing device 602 (for example, the print setting input operation unit 616 shown in FIG. 1). Display on the display device) and inquire the user whether or not to perform special processing for Grafix (S407). If it is determined that the OK button 501 has not been pressed, the processing is terminated, and OK. If it is determined that the button 501 has been pressed, data processing that is optimal for the set media is performed (S408), and the processing is terminated.
[0089]
Note that the processing in step S408 means that special data processing is performed in order to print the graphics on the Grafix paper group.
[0090]
An example is color matching processing that matches the tone of gradation data.
[0091]
The printer driver transmits a command for selecting a graphics sheet group and print data subjected to graphics image processing to the printer. The printer to which the command and the print data are transmitted selects the paper for graphics and feeds it to print the print data.
[0092]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S405 that Grafix is not included, the object determination unit 202 determines that the page includes Image, and is most suitable for printing the page. The medium to be determined is determined to be an Image sheet group (S409).
[0093]
Next, if there is an Image paper group in the media type set in the printer 601 in advance, a message dialog as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display device of the data processing device 602, and special processing for Image is performed. The user is inquired whether or not to perform the process (S410). If it is determined that the OK button 501 has not been pressed, the process ends. If it is determined that the OK button 501 has been pressed, it is set. Data processing that is most suitable for the medium being used is performed (S411), and the processing is terminated.
[0094]
Note that the processing in step S411 means that special data processing is performed in order to print the image on the image paper group. As an example, there may be processing such as performing image data correction to remove image jaggy (jagged edges) or to make the color vivid.
[0095]
The printer driver transmits a command for selecting an image paper group and print data subjected to image processing for an image to the printer. The printer to which the command and the print data are transmitted selects the image paper and feeds it to print the print data.
[0096]
The specific contents of the special data processing such as steps S404, S408, and S411 shown in FIG. 10 do not matter here.
[0097]
In addition, it is possible to automatically perform data processing corresponding to the type of paper without providing the discrimination processing of S403, S407, and S410.
[0098]
[Second Embodiment]
An object determination method different from the processing described in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is also conceivable.
[0099]
In other words, each combination of Text, Grafix, and Image is stored and held in advance in a table, and by using this table, a comparison is made as to which object each page is, and a paper group is determined according to the table. . In this case, the table is stored in advance in a memory holding area (not shown) in the data processing device 602. The paper group is determined by the combination of Text, Grafix, and Image.
[0100]
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a combination table of Text, Grafix, and Image managed by the data processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of this invention. Note that the table shown in FIG. 12 is an example, and there may be paper groups determined as a result of the combination of Text, Grafix, and Image other than those listed here. This table is held in a storage area (not shown) in the data processing device 602, and these processes are performed by the paper type discrimination processing unit 205.
[0101]
[Third Embodiment]
Further, the third embodiment can be considered as follows.
[0102]
In other words, this is a method of determining the paper group of the corresponding page based on the ratio of the amount of objects for each page. In this method, the amount of each object of Text, Grafix, and Image constituting a page is measured by a predetermined analysis process, and the object having the largest amount is determined as a paper group of the page.
[0103]
For example, in FIG. 5, after obtaining the object passed to the driver in step 105 during spooling, the object type is determined in step 106. After that, the object classification flag for each page is stored in step 107. In the third embodiment, this is changed as follows.
[0104]
In this embodiment, in step 107, the numerical value (initial value 0) belonging to the determined type is incremented by 1. At the time of page break, in step 104, the numerical value of each object is examined, and the type having the largest numerical value is determined as the object of the corresponding page. For example, if the configuration data of a certain page is Text = 10, Grafix = 100, and Image = 20, it can be determined that the page has the largest amount of Grafix, so it is determined as Grafix.
[0105]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the function of the printer driver 110 shown in FIG. 1 as a module, and corresponds to a memory map when stored in a predetermined recording medium (details will be described later).
[0106]
In FIG. 13, the same components as those in FIG. However, the function processing is stored as a module in a storage medium described later.
[0107]
The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the data processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.
[0108]
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by the data processing apparatus according to the present invention.
[0109]
In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include an FD (floppy (registered trademark) disk), a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD-RAM, a DVD + RAM, and an optical disk such as an MO. Non-volatile memory cards such as magneto-optical disks, magnetic tapes, and flash memories, ROMs, and the like are applicable, and these can be used. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is also included.
[0110]
Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU of the expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0111]
When the present invention is applied to the above-described storage medium, the storage medium includes the printer driver 610 shown in FIG. 3, the various tables shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 6, and FIGS. Program codes corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 are stored. Briefly describing it, each module shown in FIG. 13 is stored in a storage medium. That is, at least the spool unit 201, the object determination unit 202, the object information storage unit 203, the despooling unit 204, the paper type determination processing unit 205, the print data generation processing unit 206, the special processing unit 207, the comparison determination processing unit 208, and the data communication processing Each program code of the unit 209 may be stored in a storage medium.
[0112]
As described above, even if the configuration that realizes the function is a storage medium storing program code that can be read by a computer and software that is the program code itself, printing on inappropriate paper is avoided. On the other hand, a printing system excellent in user operability can be provided.
[0113]
Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS is not limited.
[0114]
As another program supply method, a browser of a client computer is used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is stored on a recording medium such as a hard disk from the homepage. It can also be supplied by downloading. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.
[0115]
In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.
[0116]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0117]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0118]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.
[0119]
Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will recognize that the spirit and scope of the present invention are not limited to the specific descriptions in the present specification, but the following embodiments. Needless to say, is also included. Hereinafter, Embodiments 1 to 19 will be described.
[0120]
[Embodiment 1]
A data processing apparatus capable of communicating with a printing apparatus comprising a paper feed unit for conveying different types of recording media to a printing unit and a detection unit for detecting characteristics of the recording medium, the data processing apparatus being obtained from the printing apparatus First discriminating means (corresponding to the function processing of the printer driver 610 shown in FIG. 1) for obtaining the recording medium characteristic information and discriminating the types of the recording media that can be selected, and the type of drawing data delivered from the application Based on the second determining means for determining (corresponding to the function processing of the printer driver 610 shown in FIG. 1) and the type of drawing data determined by the second determining means, the recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus For each type of recording medium determined by the determining means (corresponding to the function processing of the printer driver 610 shown in FIG. 1) for determining the type, the drawing The data processing apparatus characterized by having an image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on the image data generated from over data (corresponding to the function processing of the printer driver 610 shown in FIG. 1).
[0121]
[Embodiment 2]
2. The data according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines, for each page, a type of a recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus based on a type of drawing data determined by the second determining unit. Processing equipment.
[0122]
[Embodiment 3]
The image processing means performs predetermined image processing on image data generated from the drawing data, and processes the image processed image data into intermediate data developed by the printing apparatus. The data processing apparatus described.
[0123]
[Embodiment 4]
Provided with a reference table (see the table shown in FIG. 12) for determining a medium type when there are a plurality of types of drawing data in a page.
The determining unit determines a type of a recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus based on the reference table when it is determined that there are a plurality of types of drawing data determined by the second determining unit. The data processing device according to embodiment 1, wherein
[0124]
[Embodiment 5]
A reference table (according to the table reference shown in FIG. 12) in which a priority order for determining a medium type when a plurality of types of drawing data exists in a page is set by the user; The type of recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus is determined based on the reference table when it is determined that there are a plurality of types of drawing data determined by the second determining unit. The data processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
[0125]
[Embodiment 6]
The determining unit determines a type to be selected from page occupation states of various types of drawing data when it is determined that there are a plurality of types of drawing data determined by the second determining unit. The data processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
[0126]
[Embodiment 7]
2. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second determination unit can determine the type of drawing data delivered from the application as one of text, image, and graphics.
[0127]
[Embodiment 8]
A data processing method in a data processing apparatus communicable with a printing apparatus comprising a paper feed unit for conveying recording media of different types to a printing unit and a detection unit for detecting characteristics of the recording medium. A first determination step (step S304 shown in FIG. 8) for acquiring the characteristic information of the recording medium to be acquired and determining a selectable type of the recording medium, and a type of drawing data delivered from the application A determination step for determining a type of a recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus based on a second determination step (steps S105 to S107 shown in FIG. 5) and the type of drawing data determined by the second determination step. (Steps S401, S402, S405, S406, and S409 shown in FIG. 10) and the above-described determination step. Data processing method characterized in that for each type of the recording medium, and an image processing step of performing predetermined image processing on image data generated from the drawing data (step S404, S408, S411 shown in FIG. 10).
[0128]
[Embodiment 9]
The data according to claim 8, wherein the determining step determines a type of recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus for each page based on the type of drawing data determined in the second determining step. Processing method.
[0129]
[Embodiment 10]
The image processing step performs predetermined image processing on the image data generated from the drawing data, and processes the image processed image data into intermediate data developed by the printing apparatus. The data processing method described.
[0130]
[Embodiment 11]
The determining step is for determining a medium type when there are a plurality of types of drawing data in a page when it is determined that there are a plurality of types of drawing data determined in the second determining step. The data processing method according to claim 8, wherein a type of a recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus is determined based on a reference table.
[0131]
[Embodiment 12]
The determining step is for determining a medium type when there are a plurality of types of drawing data in a page when it is determined that there are a plurality of types of drawing data determined in the second determining step. 9. The data processing method according to claim 8, wherein the type of recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus is determined based on a reference table in which a priority is set by a user.
[0132]
[Embodiment 13]
The determining step determines the type to be selected from the page occupation states of various types of drawing data when it is determined that there are a plurality of types of drawing data determined by the second determining step. The data processing method according to embodiment 8.
[0133]
[Embodiment 14]
9. The data processing method according to claim 8, wherein in the second determining step, the type of drawing data delivered from the application can be determined as any of text, image, and graphics.
[0134]
[Embodiment 15]
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for realizing the data processing method according to any one of Embodiments 8 to 14.
[0135]
[Embodiment 16]
A program for realizing the data processing method according to any one of embodiments 8 to 14.
[0136]
[Embodiment 17]
Determination means for determining the object type (steps S401 and S405 shown in FIG. 10) and determination means for determining the medium according to the object type determined by the determination means (steps S402, S406 and S409 shown in FIG. 10). ), Processing means for performing data processing according to the type of object determined by the determination means (steps S404, S408, S4011 shown in FIG. 10), a command for selecting the medium determined by the determination means, A data processing apparatus comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the print data processed by the processing unit to a printer.
[0137]
[Embodiment 18]
A determination step (steps S401 and S405 shown in FIG. 10) for determining the object type, and a determination step (steps S402, S406 and S409 shown in FIG. 10) for determining the medium according to the object type determined by the determination step. ), A processing step (steps S404, S408, S4011 shown in FIG. 10) for performing data processing according to the type of object determined in the determination step, and a command for selecting the medium determined in the determination step; A data processing method comprising: a transmission step of transmitting the print data processed in the processing step to a printer.
[0138]
[Embodiment 19]
A determination step (steps S401 and S405 shown in FIG. 10) for determining the object type, and a determination step (steps S402, S406 and S409 shown in FIG. 10) for determining the medium according to the object type determined by the determination step. ), A processing step (steps S404, S408, S4011 shown in FIG. 10) for performing data processing according to the type of object determined in the determination step, and a command for selecting the medium determined in the determination step; A computer-readable program comprising: a transmission step of transmitting print data processed by the processing step to a printer.
[0139]
In order to describe a data processing apparatus which is one of the components of a printing system as a feature of the present invention, a PC is assumed in the embodiment, but nothing has a function unique to the PC. The individual devices and apparatuses are not limited as long as the total functions of the printing system are satisfied.
[0140]
In the embodiment of the present invention, Windows (registered trademark) XP is used as an OS as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this OS, and can be realized in any OS by adopting the same configuration.
[0141]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the USB interface is used as the interface between the PC 602 and the printer 601. However, the present invention is not limited to this interface, and it can be realized in any interface by adopting the same configuration. it can.
[0142]
The printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention is not a single device, but has a configuration in which the PC 602 and the printer 601 are connected through a specific bidirectional interface. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. An apparatus-integrated printing system in which the functions of the PC and the printer are integrated may be used.
[0143]
According to the above embodiment or the embodiment, since the paper set in the printer can be accurately determined, the print result with the highest print quality can be obtained by performing the printing process using the optimum print setting for the paper. Can be obtained.
[0144]
In addition, according to the type of drawing data passed to the printer driver, an optimal sheet can be selected from the sheets set in the printer to obtain a print result.
[0145]
Further, in printing a document composed of a plurality of pages, it is possible to obtain an optimal print result together with selection of an optimal sheet for each page.
[0146]
Further, special processing according to the characteristics of the drawing data can be performed for each page.
[0147]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the type of drawing data delivered from the application is determined and the type of the recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus is determined based on the determined type of drawing data. Since predetermined image processing is performed on the image data generated from the drawing data for each determined type of the recording medium, a plurality of types of recording media can be selected and fed by the printing apparatus. On the selected recording medium, it is possible to freely construct a convenient print processing environment that can output print data that has been subjected to the best image processing from drawing data and obtain a high-quality print result. There is an effect.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which a data processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the relationship between the printer driver and application software shown in FIG.
3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer driver of the data processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
4 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a sheet system that can be discriminated by the media sensor illustrated in FIG. 1 and a sheet included in the system. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention.
6 is a diagram showing an example of an object flag table stored in the object information storage unit shown in FIG. 3. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention.
9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning dialog displayed on a display device provided in a print setting input operation unit of the data processing device illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention.
11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message dialog displayed on a display device provided in a print setting input operation unit of the data processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a combination table of Text, Grafix, and Image managed by the data processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
13 is a diagram illustrating functions of the printer driver illustrated in FIG. 1 as modules. FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs readable by the data processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recording medium type determination characteristic in a conventional printing apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
600 recording media
601 Printer
602 Data processing device (PC)
603 Communication interface
604 Media sensor
605 sense information storage unit
606 I / F control unit
607 Print control unit
608 Printing Department (Printer Engine)
609 I / F control unit
610 Printer Driver
615 Central control unit
616 Print setting input operation section
617 Setting information notification unit

Claims (19)

A data processing apparatus capable of communicating with a printing apparatus including a paper feed unit that conveys recording media of different types to a printing unit, and a detection unit that detects characteristics of the recording medium,
First determination means for acquiring characteristic information of the recording medium acquired from the printing apparatus and determining a type of the recording medium that can be selected;
A second discriminating unit for discriminating the type of drawing data delivered from the application;
Determining means for determining a type of a recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus based on the type of drawing data determined by the second determining means;
Image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on image data generated from the drawing data for each type of the recording medium determined by the determination means;
A data processing apparatus comprising: 2. The data according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines, for each page, a type of a recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus based on a type of drawing data determined by the second determining unit. Processing equipment. The image processing means performs predetermined image processing on image data generated from the drawing data, and processes the image processed image data into intermediate data developed by the printing apparatus. The data processing apparatus described. A reference table for determining a medium type when a plurality of types of drawing data exist in a page,
The determining unit determines a type of a recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus based on the reference table when it is determined that there are a plurality of types of drawing data determined by the second determining unit. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1. A reference table in which a priority order for determining a medium type when a plurality of types of drawing data exists in a page is set by a user;
The determining unit determines a type of a recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus based on the reference table when it is determined that there are a plurality of types of drawing data determined by the second determining unit. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1. The determining unit determines a type to be selected from page occupation states of various types of drawing data when it is determined that there are a plurality of types of drawing data determined by the second determining unit. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second determination unit can determine the type of drawing data delivered from the application as one of text, image, and graphics. A data processing method in a data processing apparatus capable of communicating with a printing apparatus comprising a paper feeding unit for conveying recording media of different types to a printing unit and a detection unit for detecting characteristics of the recording medium,
A first determination step of acquiring characteristic information of the recording medium acquired from the printing apparatus and determining a type of the recording medium that can be selected;
A second determination step of determining the type of drawing data delivered from the application;
A determination step of determining a type of a recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus based on the type of drawing data determined in the second determination step;
An image processing step for performing predetermined image processing on image data generated from the drawing data for each type of the recording medium determined by the determining step;
A data processing method characterized by comprising: 9. The data according to claim 8, wherein the determining step determines a type of a recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus for each page based on the type of the drawing data determined in the second determining step. Processing method. 9. The image processing step of performing predetermined image processing on image data generated from the drawing data, and processing the image processed image data into intermediate data developed by the printing apparatus. The data processing method described. The determining step is for determining a medium type when there are a plurality of types of drawing data in a page when it is determined that there are a plurality of types of drawing data determined in the second determining step. 9. The data processing method according to claim 8, wherein a type of a recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus is determined based on a reference table. The determining step is for determining a medium type when there are a plurality of types of drawing data in a page when it is determined that there are a plurality of types of drawing data determined in the second determining step. 9. The data processing method according to claim 8, wherein a type of a recording medium to be selected by the printing apparatus is determined based on a reference table in which a priority order is set by a user. The determining step determines the type to be selected from the page occupation states of various types of drawing data when it is determined that there are a plurality of types of drawing data determined by the second determining step. The data processing method according to claim 8. 9. The data processing method according to claim 8, wherein in the second determination step, the type of drawing data delivered from the application can be determined as any of text, image, and graphics. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for realizing the data processing method according to claim 8. The program which implement | achieves the data processing method in any one of Claims 8-14. A determination means for determining the type of the object;
Determining means for determining a medium according to the type of object determined by the determining means;
Processing means for performing data processing according to the type of object determined by the determination means;
A data processing apparatus comprising: a command for selecting a medium determined by the determining means; and a transmitting means for transmitting print data processed by the processing means to a printer. A determination step for determining an object type;
A determination step of determining a medium according to the type of the object determined by the determination step;
A processing step for performing data processing according to the type of object determined in the determination step;
A command for selecting the medium determined in the determination step, and a transmission step for transmitting the print data processed in the processing step to a printer;
A data processing method. A determination step for determining an object type;
A determination step of determining a medium according to the type of the object determined by the determination step;
A processing step for performing data processing according to the type of object determined in the determination step;
A command for selecting the medium determined in the determination step, and a transmission step for transmitting the print data processed in the processing step to a printer;
A computer-readable program comprising:

Images