JP2006137077A - Printer, data conversion system, printing method, and data conversion method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a load on a memory, caused by the expansion of image data and reference data, in a printer which performs data conversion processing by using the image data and the reference data such as a color conversion table, transmitted from a terminal. <P>SOLUTION: In a printing system GH1, when printing instructions associated with a printing object image are given to the printer 20 from a personal computer 10 retaining three kinds of reference data S1-S3 for use in the data conversion processing, and RGB data presenting the printing object image, the printer 20 inputs the RGB data and the three reference data S3 from the personal computer 10 and generates CMY data, in the case where the kind of a printing condition specified on the side of the personal computer 10 is a third condition. In this case, the third reference data S3 are input in advance of the RGB data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for converting image data in a format that can be handled by a computer into print data in a format that can be printed by a printing apparatus using predetermined reference data.

  Color image data (hereinafter referred to as image data) handled by a computer is usually expressed by gradation values of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) colors. On the other hand, data used for color printing in a printer (hereinafter referred to as print data) is basically expressed by dot distribution of each color of C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow). Yes. As described above, since the color image representation methods are greatly different from each other, in order to print a color image displayed on the screen of a terminal such as a personal computer, it is necessary to first convert the image data into print data. is there. Such conversion processing of image data into print data (hereinafter referred to as data conversion processing) is a color conversion that defines the correspondence between gradation values of R, G, and B colors and gradation values of C, M, and Y colors. This is done by referring to reference data such as a table (LUT).

  Such data conversion processing is normally performed on the terminal side connected to the printing apparatus, but in recent years, a method of performing data conversion processing on the printing apparatus side has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Specifically, various types of color conversion tables necessary for data conversion processing are stored in advance on a server on the network, and the server receives the image data to be printed received from the personal computer as a color conversion table. At the same time, it was transferred to the printing apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-46339

  However, in the conventional method described above, image data to be printed and a color conversion table used for data conversion processing on the image data are transmitted to the printing apparatus at a time, so that a sudden load is applied to the memory of the printing apparatus that receives them. There was a problem that it would take. Such an abrupt load on the memory can cause factors such as interruption of the printing process in the subsequent printing apparatus, so there is room for improvement. Such difficulties become more conspicuous when trying to obtain a printed image with a fine image quality. This is because as the image quality to be obtained by printing becomes finer, the data amount of the image data and the color conversion table becomes larger, so that an amount of data exceeding the memory capacity may be developed in the memory at one time. On the other hand, in order to solve these problems, increasing the capacity of the memory installed in the printing apparatus in preparation for receiving a large amount of data causes another problem that the cost of the printing apparatus increases. Therefore, it was not preferable as a solution.

  In consideration of the above-described problems, the present invention provides a printing apparatus that performs data conversion processing using image data transmitted from a terminal and reference data such as a color conversion table, in a memory generated by development of image data and reference data. The following configuration was adopted for the purpose of reducing the load.

The printing apparatus of the present invention includes:
A printing apparatus that prints an image in response to a print instruction from a predetermined terminal,
Image data input means for inputting image data representing an image to be printed which is an image for which a print instruction has been made;
Reference data input means for inputting conversion reference data for converting the image data into print data in a printable format from the terminal prior to the input of the image data, and storing it in a memory;
The gist of the invention is that the printing apparatus includes a conversion unit that converts the input image data into the print data with reference to the conversion reference data input in advance when a print instruction is issued from the terminal.

In addition, the printing method of the present invention, which is performed using the same technology as the above printing apparatus,
A method for printing an image in response to a print instruction from a predetermined terminal,
Input image data representing an image to be printed, which is an image for which a print instruction has been issued,
Reference data for conversion for converting the image data into print data in a printable format is input from the terminal prior to the input of the image data, stored in a memory,
The gist is to convert the input image data into the print data by referring to the conversion reference data input in advance when a printing instruction is issued from the terminal.

  In the printing apparatus or the printing method of the present invention, when a printing instruction is given from a predetermined terminal, the printing apparatus performs image data representing an image to be printed and a process for converting the image data into print data (hereinafter referred to as data). Conversion reference data used for conversion processing). The input of the conversion reference data is performed prior to the input of the image data representing the print target image. Therefore, image data and conversion reference data used for the data conversion process are not expanded at once in the memory of the printing apparatus that performs the data conversion process, and the load on the memory of the printing apparatus can be reduced. . In addition, by inputting conversion reference data serving as a conversion reference prior to input of image data as a conversion target, a memory area for conversion reference data is preferentially secured. Therefore, the data conversion process can be executed accurately.

  Various developments can be considered for the above printing apparatus and printing method. Hereinafter, a printing apparatus will be described as an example, but almost the same development is possible as a printing method.

  A state detecting unit that detects at least the state of the memory when the reference data for conversion is input; and an input starting unit that starts input of image data representing a print target image based on the detected state of the memory. preferable. In this way, it is possible to cope with the start of input of image data after the conversion reference data is expanded in the memory, and the conversion reference data serving as a reference for conversion can be reliably held in the memory. .

  A specification in which a terminal that issues a print instruction to the printing apparatus specifies one conversion reference data from among a plurality of conversion reference data in accordance with the setting contents for a predetermined printing condition designated on the terminal side In the case of providing the means, the printing apparatus may be configured to input the conversion reference data specified by the specifying means. According to this configuration, the printing apparatus can receive the conversion reference data suitable for realizing the setting contents for the predetermined printing conditions designated on the terminal side, so that the limited memory area is effectively used. Can be used. For example, it is possible to prevent a situation in which up to conversion reference data irrelevant to the setting contents for the printing conditions is input to the printing apparatus and the memory area is consumed.

  Here, the printing condition is a condition considered when converting image data into print data. As individual elements constituting this printing condition, for example, the printing resolution, the type of printing object such as paper, the type of terminal for which a printing instruction is given, and the like can be considered.

  The specifying means may be a means for specifying the reference data for conversion in accordance with at least the setting contents for the printing conditions such as the printing resolution and the type of the printing object. In this way, the printing apparatus can input the conversion reference data specified in consideration of the degree to which the fineness of the dots required for the print data is realized on the print target.

  Execution subject determination in which the terminal determines the execution subject of the process of converting the image data into the print data based on the setting content for the predetermined printing condition specified on the terminal side. In the case of providing the means, when the execution subject is determined to be the printing device by the execution subject determination means, the printing device may be configured to input the conversion reference data. According to this configuration, when the execution subject of the data conversion process is determined to be the printing apparatus, the conversion reference data is input to the printing apparatus in consideration of the subsequent data conversion process performed by the printing apparatus. . Therefore, the conversion reference data is not input to the printing apparatus until the data conversion process is not performed in the printing apparatus, and the memory area of the printing apparatus is not occupied.

  The printing apparatus includes a holding unit that holds a predetermined type of conversion reference data in advance, and the terminal stores the conversion reference data specified by the specifying unit of the type that is stored in advance. In the case where a determination unit for determining whether or not the reference data is for conversion is provided, if the determination unit determines that the reference data for conversion is not a pre-stored type of conversion reference data, printing is performed. It is also preferable that the apparatus inputs the reference data for conversion specified by the specifying means. In this way, the same type of conversion reference data as the conversion reference data held in advance by the printing apparatus is not input to the printing apparatus, and waste of the memory area can be prevented.

  The reference data for conversion to be input to the printing apparatus may include at least color conversion data for converting the color information represented by the image data into color information that can be expressed by the printing apparatus. . As a result, the color conversion data used for the data conversion process can be input to the printing apparatus from the outside. Therefore, it is not necessary to store various types of color conversion data in advance on the printing apparatus side, and the cost of the printing apparatus can be reduced.

  The conversion reference data to be input to the printing apparatus may be supplied to the terminal or the printing apparatus via a communication line. In this way, it is possible to flexibly cope with the addition or change of the conversion reference data accompanying the future improvement in print image quality.

The data conversion system of the present invention includes:
In a predetermined terminal connected to the printing apparatus, when a print instruction is given for an image represented by image data in a format that can be handled by a computer, the terminal is a print target that is the image for which the print instruction is given Data conversion processing for outputting image data representing an image to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus that has input the image data converts the image data into printable format print data using predetermined conversion reference data. A data conversion system to perform,
The terminal
A setting content specifying means for specifying a setting content for a predetermined printing condition specified for the print target image when the printing instruction is made;
Reference data specifying means for specifying one conversion reference data from among the plurality of conversion reference data according to the specified setting content;
Output means for outputting the identified reference data for conversion to the printing apparatus prior to output of image data representing the image to be printed;
The gist of the printing apparatus is that the conversion reference data and the image data output by the output means are input in this order, developed in a memory, and the data conversion process is performed.

In addition, the data conversion method of the present invention made using the same technology as the above data conversion device,
In a predetermined terminal connected to the printing apparatus, when a print instruction is given for an image represented by image data in a format that can be handled by a computer, the terminal is a print target that is the image for which the print instruction is given Data conversion processing for outputting image data representing an image to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus that has input the image data converts the image data into printable format print data using predetermined conversion reference data. A method of performing,
The terminal is
When the print instruction is made, the setting content for the predetermined print condition specified for the print target image is specified,
In accordance with the specified setting content, one conversion reference data is specified from the plurality of conversion reference data,
The identified reference data for conversion is output to the printing apparatus prior to output of image data representing the image to be printed,
The gist of the invention is that the printing apparatus inputs the output reference data for conversion and image data in this order, expands them in a memory, and performs the data conversion process.

  In the data conversion system or data conversion method of the present invention, the terminal to which a print instruction is given specifies setting contents for a predetermined printing condition specified for the print target image, and a plurality of settings are made according to the specified setting contents. The conversion reference data used for converting the image data representing the print target image into the print data is identified from the conversion reference data of the image, and the identified conversion reference data is used as the image data representing the print target image. Is output to the printing device prior to output. On the other hand, the printing apparatus inputs the output conversion reference data and image data in this order, expands them in the memory, and performs data conversion processing. Therefore, image data and conversion reference data used for the data conversion process are not expanded at once in the memory of the printing apparatus that performs the data conversion process, and the load on the memory of the printing apparatus can be reduced. . In addition, by inputting conversion reference data serving as a conversion reference prior to input of image data as a conversion target, a memory area for conversion reference data is preferentially secured. Therefore, the data conversion process can be executed accurately.

  With regard to such a data conversion system and data conversion method, various developments similar to the above-described printing apparatus and printing method are possible. For example, in the above data conversion system, it is also possible to provide data supply means for supplying at least part of the data constituting the conversion reference data to a terminal or a printing apparatus via a communication line, so that the future print image quality is good. It is desirable in that it can flexibly cope with the addition and change of conversion reference data accompanying conversion.

In order to further clarify the configuration and operation of the present invention described above, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
A. Example A-1. Configuration of printing system GH1 A-2. Contents of data conversion processing A-3. Contents of shared printing process based on instructions from printing instruction terminal A-4. Effect B. Modified example

A. Example:
A-1. Configuration of the printing system GH1:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system GH1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system GH1 includes a printer 20 as a printing apparatus, and a print instruction terminal 1 that is connected to the input side of the printer 20 by wire or wirelessly and instructs the printer 20 to print an image. It is configured.

  The printer 20 is a color printer that prints color images on a printing object P such as various types of paper. In this embodiment, the printer 20 has six color dots C (cyan), LC (light cyan), M (magenta), LM (light magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) on the print target P. Inkjet printers are used to print color images by forming

  The print instruction terminal 1 sets various printing conditions when instructing the printer 20 to print an image. The printing conditions set in this way are automatically set according to the printing instruction set by the user of the printing instruction terminal 1 (for example, the printing resolution and the type of the printing object P). (For example, the type of the print instruction terminal 1 for which a print instruction has been given). The printer 20 is configured to be able to print an image to be printed (hereinafter referred to as a print target image) with various types of image quality in accordance with the print condition setting on the print instruction terminal 1 side.

  The print instruction terminal 1 handles a color image as image data (hereinafter referred to as RGB data) expressed by gradation values of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) colors for each pixel. Therefore, in order to print an image handled as RGB data in the print instruction terminal 1 by the printer 20, the RGB data representing the image to be printed is printed in a format that can be printed by the printer 20 using predetermined reference data. It is necessary to convert it into data (data representing dot distribution of each color of C, LC, M, LM, and Y, hereinafter referred to as CMY data). The reference data includes data representing the instruction content in resolution conversion (hereinafter referred to as resolution instruction data), a look-up table for color conversion (hereinafter referred to as LUT), and data representing the instruction content in halftoning (hereinafter referred to as gradation). Conversion instruction data). The reference data used for the conversion process of RGB data to CMY data (hereinafter referred to as data conversion process) needs to be finer as the image quality required for the printer 20 becomes higher. For this reason, the printing system GH1 of this embodiment prepares a large number of reference data corresponding to various image quality. In this embodiment, such a large number of reference data is classified into three types (first reference data S1, second reference data S2, and third reference data S3) in consideration of the image quality to be realized and the frequency of use. is doing.

  The reference data is generally incorporated into a printer driver together with a program representing the data conversion procedure and contents. This printer driver is usually stored in the control circuit 40 of the printer 20 or the PC control device 11 of the personal computer 10 so that the printer 20 or the personal computer 10 can execute data conversion processing. In the printing system GH1 of the present embodiment, the above three types of reference data are shared and stored in the personal computer 10 and the printer 20 of the printing instruction terminal 1 as part of the printer driver. Specifically, the printer 20 stores the second reference data S2, and the personal computer 10 stores the first reference data S1 and the third reference data S3. On the other hand, unlike the personal computer 10, the print instruction terminal 1 connected to the printer 20 does not have a processing capability for executing a printer driver, and thus a simple terminal 90 that cannot perform data conversion processing (for example, FIG. Mobile phone 91, portable information terminal 92, game device 93, digital still camera 94) shown in FIG. 1, and in this embodiment, such a simple terminal 90 does not store reference data.

  Such a printing system GH1 includes the following data conversion system. That is, when a print instruction is issued from the print instruction terminal 1 to the printer 20, the personal computer 10 to the printer 20 analyze the contents of the print instruction and set the type of print condition as the first condition and the second condition. , A third condition is determined, and based on the determination result, reference data to be used for the data conversion process (hereinafter referred to as conversion reference data) is referred to as first reference data S1, second reference data S2, second data The data conversion process is determined to be one of the personal computer 10 and the printer 20, and the data conversion process is performed according to the contents of these determinations.

  As will be described later, when the conversion reference data is determined to be the third reference data S3, the execution subject of the data conversion processing is determined to be the printer 20, so that the printer 20 can perform the data conversion processing. In addition to the RGB data to be converted, the personal computer 10 outputs the third reference data S3 to be the conversion reference in addition to the RGB data to be converted. In this case, the present embodiment employs a configuration in which the third reference data S3 is output prior to the RGB data, and the RGB data is input after the printer 20 and the third reference data S3 are input.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the PC control device 11 provided in the personal computer 10. The PC control device 11 is built in the personal computer 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the PC control device 11 includes a CPU 11a, a ROM 11b, a RAM 11c, a disk drive controller 11d, an input controller 11f, a display controller 11g, a parallel input / output interface 11h, and a serial interface. Each unit includes an input / output interface 11i and the like. The ROM 11b stores in advance programs and data necessary for the CPU 11a to execute various arithmetic processes. The RAM 11c is a memory for temporarily storing various programs and data necessary for executing various arithmetic processes by the CPU 11a.

  A hard disk 11e as an external storage device is connected to the disk drive controller 11d. The hard disk 11e stores various programs that are loaded into the RAM 11c and executed, a printer driver that is a device driver for the printer 20, and the like. In the printer driver, a program representing the contents and procedure of processing related to image printing such as a sharing process A1 (FIG. 8) and a data conversion process (FIG. 5), which will be described later, and data used in executing this program are described. . The data includes the correspondence map TM (FIG. 6) referred to in the sharing process A1 (FIG. 8), the first reference data S1 and the third reference data S3 used in the data conversion process (FIGS. 5 and 8). include. The first reference data S1 is a generic name of reference data suitable for high-resolution printing among a large number of reference data (combination of resolution instruction data, LUT, and gradation conversion instruction data) corresponding to various image quality. Actually, it includes a plurality of reference data corresponding to each set value representing a high resolution. The third reference data S3 is a generic name for reference data belonging to a type other than the first reference data S1 and second reference data S2 described later. In the present embodiment, for the combination of the type of the print object P and the setting of the print resolution, the reference data of the type used for printing in the combination for the combination having low suitability and frequency of use is referred to the third reference. It belongs to the data S3.

  A display 14 capable of displaying a color image is connected to the display controller 11g, and an input device 15 such as a mouse or a keyboard is connected to the input controller 11f. The parallel input / output interface 11 h is connected to the I / F dedicated circuit 50 of the printer 20 via the connector 56. The serial input / output interface 11i is connected to the Internet IN, which is an external network, via a modem 87 and a public telephone line PNT.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the printer 20. As shown in the figure, the printer 20 includes a mechanism for transporting a print object P by a paper feed motor 22, a mechanism for reciprocating the carriage 30 in the axial direction of the platen 26 by a carriage motor 24, and a print mounted on the carriage 30. A mechanism for driving the head unit 28 to eject ink and forming dots and a control circuit 40 to which these mechanisms are connected are provided.

  The mechanism for conveying the printing object P includes a platen 26, a paper feed motor 22 that rotates the platen 26, a paper feed auxiliary roller (not shown), and a gear that transmits the rotation of the paper feed motor 22 to the platen 26 and the paper feed auxiliary roller. Train (not shown). The print object P supplied to the printer 20 is set so as to be sandwiched between the platen 26 and the paper feed auxiliary roller, and is fed by a predetermined amount according to the rotation angle of the platen 26. In the mechanism for reciprocating the carriage 30, an endless driving belt 36 is stretched between the carriage motor 24 and a sliding shaft 34 that slidably holds the carriage 30 that is installed in parallel with the axis of the platen 26. The pulley 38 and a position detection sensor 39 for detecting the origin position of the carriage 30 are configured.

  The print head unit 28 mounted on the carriage 30 includes a total of six ink ejection heads 61 to 66 for each of black, cyan, light cyan, magenta, light magenta, and yellow. In addition, six introduction pipes communicating with the respective ink ejection heads 61 to 66 are erected on the bottom of the carriage 30. When the black ink cartridge 70a and the color ink cartridge 70b are mounted on the carriage 30 from above, the introduction pipes are inserted into connection holes provided in the cartridges. As a result, the ink in the ink cartridge is sucked out through the introduction tube using the capillary phenomenon, and is guided to the ink ejection heads 61 to 66. Each of the ink ejection heads 61 to 66 is provided with 32 nozzles Nz for each color, and each nozzle is provided with an ink passage and a piezo element PE on the passage. As is well known, the piezo element PE is an element that transforms electro-mechanical energy at a very high speed because the crystal structure is distorted by application of a voltage. In the present embodiment, by applying a voltage having a predetermined time width between the electrodes provided at both ends of the piezo element PE, the piezo element PE expands for the voltage application time and deforms one side wall of the ink passage. As a result, the volume of the ink passage contracts according to the expansion of the piezo element PE, and the ink corresponding to this contraction becomes particles Ip and is ejected from the nozzle Nz at a high speed. The ink particles Ip soak into the printing object P mounted on the platen 26, whereby dots are formed on the printing object P and printing is performed.

  The control circuit 40 controls the printing operation by the paper feed motor 22, the carriage motor 24, and the print head unit 28 while exchanging signals with the operation panel 32 of the printer 20. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit 40. As shown in the figure, the control circuit 40 includes a CPU 41 and various programs necessary for executing various arithmetic processes in the CPU 41 and a P-ROM 43 preliminarily storing data required for executing various arithmetic processes in the CPU 41. RAM 44, a memory for temporarily storing data, character generator 45 storing character dot matrix, memory card controller (MCC) 47, wireless I / F circuit 48, interface with external motor, etc. It is configured as an arithmetic logic circuit in which an I / F dedicated circuit 50 or the like, which is a circuit to be connected to, is connected by a bus. A head drive circuit 52 that controls the drive of the print head unit 28 and a motor drive circuit 54 that controls the drive of the paper feed motor 22 and the carriage motor 24 are connected to the I / F dedicated circuit 50.

  The P-ROM 43 stores various programs that are loaded into the RAM 44 and executed, printer drivers, and the like. In the printer driver, a program representing the contents and procedure of processing related to image printing such as a sharing process B1 (FIG. 10) and a data conversion process (FIG. 5), which will be described later, and data used in executing this program are described. . This data includes the correspondence map TM (FIG. 6) referred to in the sharing process B1 (FIG. 10) and the second reference data S2 used in the data conversion process (FIGS. 5 and 10). The second reference data S2 is a generic name for reference data used under frequently used printing conditions among a large number of reference data corresponding to various image quality. The second reference data S2 includes reference data for plain paper suitable for printing when the combination of the type of print object P and the print resolution setting is “print object P: plain paper / print resolution: low”. S2a and photographic reference data S2b suitable for printing when the combination of the type of print object P and the print resolution setting is “print object P: photographic paper / print resolution: medium” are included. .

  The wireless I / F circuit 48 is connected to a Bluetooth (trademark) adapter 57 provided on the housing surface of the printer 20. When the Bluetooth adapter 57 receives a Bluetooth signal (2.4 GHz band radio wave) from the mobile phone 91 or the mobile information terminal 92 as the simple terminal 90, the RGB held in the mobile phone 91 or the mobile information terminal 92 is received. Data can be entered. The I / F dedicated circuit 50 incorporates a universal serial bus interface circuit, and this universal serial bus interface circuit is connected to a USB port 56 provided on the housing surface of the printer 20. When the game device 93 or the digital still camera 94 as the simple terminal 90 is connected to the USB port 56 via the USB cable 59, RGB data held in the game device 93 or the digital still camera 94 is input. Can do. In addition, by connecting a USB memory stick to the USB port 56 or inserting the memory card 81 into the memory card slot 58 connected to the memory card controller 47, the USB memory stick or the memory card 81 holds the memory card 81. RGB data can be input. Note that the form of the interface described above can be changed as appropriate in consideration of the ease of connection with peripheral devices.

  In the printer 20 having the hardware configuration described above, printing is performed by rotating the platen 26 and other rollers by the paper feed motor 22 based on the CMY data generated by the data conversion processing in the personal computer 10 or the printer 20. While the object P is being conveyed, the carriage 30 is reciprocated by the carriage motor 24, and at the same time, the piezo elements PE of the ink ejection heads 61 to 66 of the print head unit 28 are driven to eject the respective color inks. A multicolor image is formed on the object P.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the printer 20 that ejects ink using the piezo element PE is used. However, a printer that ejects ink using another method may be used. For example, printing is performed by a printer that discharges ink by bubbles generated in the ink passage, a thermal transfer printer, a laser printer, a printer that performs only monochrome printing, and the like. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to any printer that requires image data conversion.

  In the present embodiment, in the print instruction terminal 1, the personal computer 10 having a printer driver has the user set the contents of the type of print object P and the print resolution when printing an image. Can be selected. The personal computer 10 that has input the print instruction designates the selected setting content for the type of print object P and the print resolution. If no selection is made by the user, the default setting “type of printing object P: plain paper / printing resolution: low” is automatically specified in accordance with the print instruction. . On the other hand, the simple terminal 90 that does not store the printer driver cannot specify the type or print resolution of the print object P when attempting to print an image. The setting content “Type: not specified / printing resolution: not specified” is automatically specified.

A-2. Contents of Data Conversion Process Next, the contents of the data conversion process executed by the personal computer 10 or the printer 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of the data conversion process. This process is executed on the personal computer 10 side by the CPU 11a of the PC control device 11 using a printer driver stored in the hard disk 11e. On the printer 20 side, the CPU 41 of the control circuit 40 is stored in the P-ROM 43. This process is executed using the printer driver.

  When printing the RGB data with the printer 20, first, resolution conversion processing (rasterizer) is performed (step S100). In the resolution conversion process, the resolution of the original image (the number of pixels per unit length) is changed from the resolution of the original image (the unit length of the printer) according to the size of printing the original image represented by the RGB data on the print object P. The number of dots formed per hit). In order to change the resolution of the original image, reference is made to resolution instruction data that is one of reference data provided in the printer driver, and the number of pixels of the original image is reduced by thinning out the pixels, or the number of pixels of the original image is reduced by interpolation. It is done by increasing.

  When the resolution conversion process is finished, the color conversion process is subsequently performed (step S102). The color conversion process is a process of replacing the color expression method using the gradation values of the R, G, and B colors with the color expression method using the gradation values of the C, M, and Y colors. Such replacement is performed using an LUT which is one of reference data provided in the printer driver. The LUT defines a correspondence relationship between a combination of R, G, and B gradation values and a combination of C, M, and Y gradation values in the form of a map or a conversion formula. In this color conversion process, undercolor removal is also performed. Under-color removal means that a K (black) component is extracted from a combination of C, M, and Y gradation values, and data represented by C, M, and Y gradation values is converted into C, M, Y, and This is a process of converting into data represented by a K gradation value.

  When the color conversion process is completed, a halftoning process is subsequently performed (step S104). The halftoning process is a process for converting data represented by 256 gradation values for each color of C, M, Y, and K into data represented by fewer gradation values. In the printer, the gradation of each color of C, M, Y, and K is basically expressed in two ways of forming / not forming dots on the printing paper, so there are few gradation values that can be expressed. is there. Such gradation conversion is performed with reference to gradation conversion instruction data which is one of reference data provided in the printer driver.

  When the halftoning process is completed, a pixel rearrangement process is subsequently performed (step S106). This process is a process of rearranging the image data converted into the format representing the presence or absence of dot formation by the halftoning process in the order to be transferred to the printer 20. That is, as described above, the printer 20 drives the print head unit 28 while repeating the main scanning and the sub scanning of the carriage 30 to form dots on the print target P. In the pixel rearrangement process, the data indicating the presence / absence of dots is rearranged so that the print head unit 28 forms the dots in consideration of the movement of the carriage 30. By such rearrangement, CMY data in a format printable by the printer 20 is generated.

A-3. Contents of shared printing processing based on instructions from the printing instruction terminal 1:
Next, in the printing system GH1, the content of shared printing processing, which is characteristic processing executed by the personal computer 10 and the printer 20 based on the printing instruction from the printing instruction terminal 1, will be described with reference to FIGS. I will explain.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the correspondence map TM referred to in the shared printing process. The correspondence map TM pays attention to the three conditions of the print object P type, the print resolution setting, and the print instruction device type among the various print conditions that can be specified on the print instruction terminal 1 side. The type of printing conditions is defined according to the contents of the conditions, and the main body that executes the data conversion processing and the reference data used for the data conversion processing are defined according to the type of printing conditions.

  As shown in the figure, in the correspondence map TM, when the print resolution is set to “high” and printing with high image quality is requested, the type of print condition is set regardless of the type of the print object P. The combination of the type of the print object P and the print resolution setting is “print object P: plain paper / print resolution: low” or “print object P: photo paper / printing”. When the frequency of use is high, such as “resolution: medium”, the type of printing condition is defined as “second condition”, and the type of printing object P other than these is a combination of the setting of the printing resolution. Defines the type of printing condition as “third condition”. Whether the print resolution setting is “high”, “medium”, or “low” is determined by the personal computer 10 or the printer 20 based on a specific setting value of the print resolution. For example, “low” is determined when the set value is less than 300 dpi, “medium” when the set value is 300 to 600 dpi, and “high” when the set value exceeds 600 dpi.

  Also, in the correspondence map TM, when the type of printing condition is the “first condition” for which printing with high image quality is required, considering that the content of the data conversion process becomes fine, The execution subject of the data conversion process is defined as “personal computer 10” having higher processing capability than the printer 20, and the reference data used for the data conversion process is stored in the “first reference data” stored in the hard disk 11e of the personal computer 10 itself. S1 ". On the other hand, when the type of the printing condition is “second condition” or “third condition”, the execution subject of the data conversion processing is defined as “printer 20” in both cases, In the case of “condition”, considering that the setting is frequently used, the reference data used for the data conversion process is stored in the “second reference data S2 (in detail, stored in the P-ROM 43 of the printer 20 itself). Reference data S2a for plain paper suitable for the combination “printing object P: plain paper / printing resolution: low”, or photo reference suitable for the combination “printing object P: photographic paper / printing resolution: medium” Data S2b) ”. On the other hand, when the type of the printing condition is the “third condition”, it is considered that the combination of the type of the printing object P and the setting of the printing resolution is low and the setting is less frequently used. The reference data used for the data conversion process is defined as “third reference data S3” stored in the hard disk 11e of the personal computer 10.

  Further, in the correspondence map TM, when the type of the print object P and the print resolution setting are “no designation”, the print instruction terminal 1 in which the print instruction is given is the simple terminal 90 that does not include the printer driver. Therefore, the type of printing condition is defined as “second condition”, and the printer 20 uses the second reference data S2 stored in its own P-ROM 43 instead of the simple terminal 90 with low processing capability (details). Defines that the data conversion processing is performed using the above-described plain paper reference data S2a).

  An outline of the shared printing process executed with reference to such a correspondence map TM is shown as a block diagram in FIG. As shown in the figure, when the type of printing condition is “first condition”, the personal computer 10 that has issued the printing instruction performs hard disk 11e for the RGB data representing the printing target image developed in the RAM 11c. Data conversion processing using the first reference data S 1 is performed, and the CMY data generated by the data conversion processing is transferred to the printer 20. On the other hand, when the type of printing condition is “second condition”, the personal computer 10 or 90 simple terminal 90 that has given the printing instruction transfers RGB data representing the image to be printed to the printer 20, and this RGB Upon receiving the data, the printer 20 performs data conversion processing using the second reference data S2 in the P-ROM 43 on the RGB data expanded in the RAM 44, and generates CMY data. Further, when the type of printing condition is “third condition”, the personal computer 10 that has issued the printing instruction reads out the third reference data S3 used in the data conversion process in this case from the hard disk 11e and reads it out. The third reference data S3 is transferred to the printer 20 together with the RGB data representing the print target image. The printer 20 that has received the third reference data S3 and the RGB data expands the two data in the RAM 44, performs a data conversion process using the third reference data S3 on the RGB data, and generates CMY data. The CMY data transferred from the personal computer 10 and the CMY data generated by the printer 20 are expanded in the RAM 44, and a multicolor image is formed on the print target P based on the expanded CMY data.

  The contents and procedure of the shared printing process are shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 as a shared printing process routine. In FIG. 8, the content of processing executed by the CPU 11a of the PC control device 11 on the personal computer 10 side in the shared printing processing is shown as a routine A1, and in FIG. 10, the CPU 41 of the PC control circuit 40 executes on the printer 20 side. The contents of the processing are represented as routine B1.

  Routine A1 on the personal computer 10 side shown in FIG. 8 is data (hereinafter referred to as a print instruction) that the personal computer 10 serving as the print instruction terminal 1 displays a print instruction for a certain image based on the operation of the input device 15 by the user. It is activated when data L) is input. The print instruction data L includes data representing a print process execution start command for the printer 20 (hereinafter referred to as start command data L1), and data representing various print conditions set for the print target image (hereinafter referred to as print). And condition data L2) and data representing the path of the image file representing the image to be printed (hereinafter referred to as path data L3).

  When the routine A1 is activated, the CPU 11a first activates the printer driver (step S300), and based on the path data L3 included in the input print instruction data L, RGB data representing the print target image is stored in the RAM 11c. (Step S310). Next, based on the printing condition data L2 included in the input printing instruction data L, the CPU 11a specifies the contents of two printing conditions, that is, the type of the printing object P and the setting of the printing resolution (Step S11). In step S320, the correspondence map TM is referred to for the contents of the two specified printing conditions, and the type of printing condition is determined as one of the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition (step S320). Step S330).

  After the type of printing condition is determined in this way, the CPU 11a executes data conversion processing according to the contents of the correspondence map TM defined for each type of printing condition (steps S340 to S375). Specifically, when it is determined in step S340 that the type of printing condition is the first condition, the CPU 11a stores the RGB data expanded in step S310 in the hard disk 11e. With reference to the first reference data S1, a process of converting to CMY data is performed (step S350), and the CMY data generated by this conversion process (hereinafter referred to as first CMY data) is expanded in the RAM 11c. Subsequently, the CPU 11a performs a process of outputting the set of the start command data L1, the print condition data L2, and the first CMY data to the printer 20 as data representing a print request to the printer 20 (hereinafter referred to as print request data LP). This is performed (step S355).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S340 that the type of printing condition is the second condition, the CPU 11a starts the start command data L1, the printing condition data L2, and the RGB data developed in step S310. A process of outputting the set as print request data LP to the printer 20 is performed (step S360). If the CPU 11a determines in step S340 that the type of printing condition is the third condition, the CPU 11a first defines third reference data defined as reference data used for data conversion processing in the correspondence map TM. A process of expanding S3 from the hard disk 11e to the RAM 11c is performed (step S370). Next, the CPU 11a uses, as print request data LP, a set of start command data L1, print condition data L2, third reference data S3 expanded in the process of step S370, and RGB data expanded in the process of step S310. Processing to output to the printer 20 is performed (step S355).

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the print request data LP as an example in which the third reference data S3 is included. As shown in the figure, the print request data LP is arranged in the order of start command data L1, third reference data S3, print condition data L2, RGB data, and footer part, with the header part at the top. Separation information indicating the start and end of each data is given between the different data in a format that can be recognized by the CPU 41 on the printer 20 side. With such a data structure, the third reference data S3 is output before the RGB data.

  After the output processing in step S355, step S360, and step S375 is performed in this way, the CPU 11a stops the printer driver (step S390) and ends this routine.

  Next, processing on the printer 20 side will be described. The routine B1 on the printer 20 side shown in FIG. 10 is output when the print request data LP output from the personal computer 10 as the print instruction terminal 1 is input, or from the simplified terminal 90 as the print instruction terminal 1. This is activated when data representing a print request for an image (hereinafter referred to as print request data MP) is input. The print request data MP is data generated by the simple terminal 90 based on the print instruction when a print instruction for an image on the simple terminal 90 is made by a user's operation. The print request data MP includes RGB data representing an image to be printed in addition to data representing a print processing execution start command for the printer 20 (hereinafter referred to as start command data M1).

  When the routine B1 is activated, the CPU 41 first activates the printer driver (step S500), and performs a process of sequentially inputting the print request data LP and MP output from the print instruction terminal 1 (step S510).

  Subsequently, based on the input print request data LP and MP, a process for determining the type of print condition is performed (step S520). The contents and procedure of this processing are shown in FIG. 11 as a printing condition type determination processing routine. In this embodiment, as a method for determining the type of printing condition on the printer 20 side, the above-described determination method by the personal computer 10 (steps S320 to S330 in FIG. 8: the printing object P specified based on the printing condition data L2). A method different from the method (referring to the correspondence map TM) is used for the content of the type and the print resolution. Specifically, in the print condition type determination process shown in FIG. 11, the type of print condition is determined by determining the type of data included in the input print request data LP and MP. That is, first, when the input print request data LP and MP includes reference data (third reference data S3 in the case of the present embodiment), the CPU 41 sets the type of print condition to the third. If it is determined that the condition is satisfied (steps S600 and S610), and the input print request data LP and MP include CMY data (first CMY data in this embodiment), the type of print condition Is the first condition (steps S620 and S630). If the input print request data LP and MP contain neither reference data nor CMY data, the CPU 41 determines that the type of print condition is the second condition (step S640). Therefore, when the print request data MP is input from the simple terminal 90, since the reference data and CMY data are not included in the print request data MP, it is determined that the type of print condition is the second condition. .

  Subsequently, the CPU 41 refers to the correspondence map for the determined type of printing condition, and executes data conversion processing according to the content of the correspondence map TM (steps S530 to S570). Specifically, when it is determined in step S520 that the type of printing condition is the third condition, the CPU 41 first performs processing for expanding the previously input third reference data S3 in the RAM 44. This is performed (step S530). Thereafter, when RGB data is input subsequent to the third reference data S 3, the CPU 41 expands the RGB data in the RAM 44 (steps S 535 and S 540), and this RGB data is expanded in the RAM 44 into the third reference. The data S3 is converted into CMY data with reference to the data S3 (step S545), and the CMY data generated by the data conversion processing (hereinafter referred to as third CMY data) is expanded in the RAM 44 (step S580).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S520 that the type of printing condition is the second condition, the CPU 41 first performs processing for developing the input RGB data in the RAM 44 (step S550). Next, the CPU 41 specifies the type of the printing object P and the setting contents of the printing resolution based on the input printing condition data L2 (step S560), and then creates a correspondence map TM for the contents of the two specified printing conditions. The process of referring to and determining the data used as the second reference data S2 is either the plain paper reference data S2a or the photo reference data S2b (step S565). In this case, as in the case of the print request data MP input from the simple terminal 90, if the print request data MP does not include print condition data, the CPU 41 refers to the correspondence map TM and print target P The setting type and print resolution are determined as “no specification”. Therefore, when the print request data MP is input from the simple terminal 90, the data used as the second reference data S2 is determined as the plain paper reference data S2a.

  Next, the CPU 41 reads the determined reference data from the P-ROM 43, and converts the RGB data developed in the process of step S550 into CMY data while referring to the read reference data (step S570). The CMY data generated by the conversion process (hereinafter referred to as second CMY data) is processed in the RAM 44 (step S580). If it is determined in step S520 that the type of printing condition is the first condition, the CPU 41 performs a process of developing the input first CMY data as it is in the RAM 44 without performing a data conversion process. This is performed (step S580).

  Subsequently, the CPU 41 registers a set of the CMY data expanded in the RAM 44 and the print condition data L2 as a print job, and performs a process for executing this print job (step S585). As a result, the print target image for which the print instruction has been issued in the print instruction terminal 1 is printed on the print target P in accordance with the print settings. After the execution of such a print job is completed, the CPU 41 stops the printer driver (step S590) and ends this routine.

  In the shared printing processing routine B1 in the above embodiment, the type of printing conditions is determined after the third reference data S3 and the first CMY data included in the print request data LP and MP are input (steps S510 to S510). S520) It is also possible to determine the type of printing condition prior to input of reference data, CMY data, and RGB data. Specifically, the print instruction terminal 1 describes information indicating whether or not the third reference data S3 or the first CMY data is attached to the header portion of the print request data LP and MP, and this print request The printer 20 to which the data LP and MP are input may be configured to read the information described in the header part. In this way, the printer 20 can immediately determine the type of printing condition without waiting for input of reference data, CMY data, and RGB data.

A-4. Effect:
In the printing system GH1 of the present embodiment described above, when the personal computer 10 instructed to print determines that the designated printing condition is the third condition, the printer 20 performs RGB representing the print target image. Data and the third reference data S3 used for conversion of the RGB data into CMY data are input as conversion reference data. The input of the third reference data S3 is performed prior to the input of RGB data. Therefore, the RGB data and the third reference data S3 used for the data conversion process are not expanded at once in the RAM 44 of the printer 20 that performs the data conversion process, and the load on the RAM 44 can be reduced. In addition, the input of the third reference data S3, which is the basis of conversion, is performed prior to the input of the RGB data as the conversion target, so that the development area for the third reference data S3 is preferentially displayed on the RAM 44. Secured. Therefore, the data conversion process can be accurately executed using the third reference data S3 that is not missing. In addition, the printer 20 can first prepare the third reference data S3 in the RAM 44 and prepare for conversion of RGB data, so that the data conversion process on the printer 20 side can be performed more smoothly.

  In the printing system GH1 of the present embodiment, the personal computer 10 that issues a print instruction to the printer 20 uses the three types of reference data S1 to S3 according to the set contents for the predetermined printing conditions designated on the personal computer 10 side. One type of reference data is specified as conversion reference data, and the printer 20 inputs the conversion reference data thus specified. Accordingly, the printer 20 can receive, as conversion reference data, reference data of a type suitable for realizing the setting contents for the predetermined printing conditions designated on the personal computer 10 side. The memory area can be used effectively. For example, it is possible to prevent a situation in which even reference data irrelevant to the setting contents for the printing conditions is input to the printer 20 and the storage area on the RAM 44 is consumed. Moreover, in the printing system GH1 of the present embodiment, the conversion reference data is specified in accordance with the setting contents of the printing conditions such as the printing resolution and the type of the printing object P, so the printer 20 is requested for the CMY data. Reference data specified in consideration of the degree to which the fineness of dots is realized on the print object P can be input as the conversion reference data.

  In the printing system GH1 of the present embodiment, the personal computer 10 determines the execution subject of the data conversion process as either the personal computer 10 or the printer 20 based on the setting contents for the predetermined printing conditions, and the execution subject is the printer. In the case where it is determined to be 20, the third reference data S3 as the conversion reference data is input to the printer 20 in consideration that the data conversion process is performed in the printer 20 thereafter. Therefore, the conversion reference data is not input to the printer 20 and the RAM 44 of the printer 20 is not occupied until the data conversion processing is not performed on the printer 20 side.

  In the printing system GH1 of the present embodiment, the printer 20 holds the second reference data S2 of the three types of reference data S1 to S3 in the P-ROM 43 in advance, and the personal computer 10 determines the predetermined printing conditions. It is determined whether or not the conversion reference data specified in accordance with the set contents is the second reference data S2 previously stored in the printer 20, and the specified conversion reference data is stored in the printer 20 in advance. If it is determined that the data has not been converted, the conversion reference data is output to the printer 20. In this way, the same type of reference data as the reference data held in advance by the printer 20 is not input to the printing apparatus as conversion reference data, and waste of the storage area on the RAM 44 can be prevented. it can.

  In this embodiment, the three types of reference data S1 to S3 used in the data conversion process include at least color information represented by R, G, B as C, M, Y color information that can be expressed by the printer 20. An LUT that is color conversion data to be converted is included. As a result, the LUT used for the data conversion process can be input to the printer 20 from the outside. Therefore, when many types of LUTs are required to realize various image quality, it is not necessary to store many types of LUTs in advance on the printer 20 side, and the cost of the printer 20 can be reduced.

B. Variations:
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described based on the examples, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course.

  For example, in the input process (step S510 in FIG. 10) of the print request data LP in the shared printing process (FIG. 10) on the printer 20 side in the above embodiment, the CPU 41 confirms the completion of the input of the third reference data S3. The input of RGB data may be permitted. The procedure and contents of such processing are shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, in addition to the processing flow, a schematic diagram showing the state of the RAM 44 corresponding to each processing step is shown. In this schematic diagram, the development area of the third reference data S3 and the development area of the RGB data on the RAM 44 are shown using hatched hatching and dot pattern hatching, respectively.

  As shown in the drawing, when the input of the print request data LP is started, the CPU 41 performs a process of starting detection of the state of the RAM 44 after the input (step S700). Such processing is performed by the CPU 41 executing a program for detecting the state of the RAM 44 stored in the P-ROM 43 in advance. By such processing, information on the area and capacity used (or not used) on the RAM 44 is obtained.

  Thereafter, the CPU 41 performs a process of determining whether or not the input of the third reference data S3 has been started (step S730). This determination is realized, for example, by including delimiter information (hereinafter referred to as start end information) indicating the start of the third reference data S3 in the print request data LP, and the CPU 41 recognizes the start end information. Can do. When it is determined that the input of the third reference data S3 has been started, a process for determining whether the input of the third reference data S3 has been completed is performed (step S740). This determination is realized, for example, by including delimiter information (hereinafter referred to as end information) indicating the end of the third reference data S3 in the print request data LP, and the CPU 41 recognizes this end information. Can do. Further, the print request data LP includes the total amount data representing the total capacity of the third reference data S3 in addition to the above end information, and the capacity represented by the input third reference data S3 and the total amount data. If the two match, it may be determined that the input of the third reference data S3 is complete.

  If it is determined that the input of the third reference data S3 has ended, the CPU 41 performs a process of securing a non-use area of the RAM 44 as an RGB data development area (step S750), and then permits the input of RGB data. The process is performed (step S760). Thereafter, when the CPU 41 determines that the input of the print request data LP including the RGB data is finished, the CPU 41 finishes the detection process of the state of the RAM 44 (step S790) and proceeds to the next process (step S520 in FIG. 10). Move. By performing such processing, input of RGB data is started after the third reference data S3 is expanded in the RAM 44. Therefore, the third reference data S3 that is a standard for conversion into CMY data can be reliably held in the RAM 44.

  In the print condition type determination process (FIG. 11) in the above embodiment, the type of print condition is determined based on whether or not the input print request data LP and MP include reference data and CMY data. The type may be determined based on whether reference data or RGB data is included in the print request data LP and MP.

  In the print condition type determination process in the above embodiment, the type of print condition is determined by determining the type of data included in the input print request data LP and MP. The type of printing conditions may be determined by other methods, and the type of printing conditions may be determined by combining the method based on the determination of the type of data included in the print request data LP and MP with another method. It is also safe to judge. As such another method, for example, the printer 20 performs the same process as steps S320 to S330 shown in FIG. 8 instead of the print condition type determination process shown in FIG. Based on L2, the type of the printing object P and the setting contents of the printing resolution are specified, and by referring to the correspondence map TM for the contents, the types of printing conditions are changed to the first condition, the second condition, and the second condition. A method for determining one of the three conditions can be considered. In this way, reference data suitable for the number of dots required for the CMY data can be determined on the printer 20 side in consideration of the degree to which the fineness of dots is realized on the print object.

  Further, in the correspondence map TM referred to by the printer 20, when the print resolution setting is “high”, the type of the print condition is “first condition”, and the execution subject of the data conversion process is “personal computer 10”. For other types of printing conditions in which the printer 20 executes the data conversion process, the combination of the type of print object P and the print resolution setting is “print object P: plain paper”. / Printing resolution: Low ”or“ Printing object P: Photo paper / Printing resolution: Medium ”, the type of printing condition is defined as“ second condition ”. In the case of a combination of the type of print object P and the print resolution setting, the type of print condition is defined as “third condition”. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the conversion process to CMY data having a large amount of information on the printer 20 side, and among the conversion processes to CMY data having a small amount of information on the printer 20 side, the print resolution and The conversion process in the case where the type of the print object is compatible can be quickly performed using the reference data (second reference data S2) held in advance.

  In the printing system GH1 of the above-described embodiment, among the printing conditions set on the printing instruction terminal 1 side, based on the three conditions of the printing resolution, the type of the printing object P, and the type of the printing instruction terminal 1 on which the printing instruction is given. Although the type of printing condition is determined, the type of printing condition may be determined based on printing conditions other than the above three conditions. The following can be considered as such other printing conditions. For example, as the printing conditions related to the printer 20, in addition to the above printing resolution and the type of the printing object P, the model of the printer 20, the type of ink used for printing, and the like can be considered. In addition to the type of the print instruction terminal 1 described above, the image data format (for example, RGB, YCbCr, etc.) can be considered as the print condition for the print instruction terminal 1.

  In the shared printing process in the above embodiment, the printer 20 can simplify the print instruction terminal 1 to which a print instruction has been given when the print request data MP does not include any of the reference data, CMY data, and print condition data. Although it is determined that the terminal 90 is used, it is also possible to determine whether or not the terminal 90 is a simple method. For example, consider a configuration in which data representing a print instruction from the print instruction terminal 1 includes an ID unique to the terminal, and the printer 20 decodes this ID to identify whether or not the terminal 90 is a simple terminal. Can do.

  Further, without providing means for the printer 20 to recognize such a print instruction from the simple terminal 90, the above-described printing system GH1 can be converted into a data converter such as the personal computer 10 and the printer 20 in the above-described embodiment. It is also possible to limit the processing to be performed between devices having processing capabilities. In the case of such a limitation, both the PC control device 11 of the personal computer 10 and the control circuit 40 of the printer 20 can be grasped as data conversion devices that perform conversion processing from RGB data to CMY data.

  In the above-described embodiment, the reference data used for the data conversion process is divided into three types, and two types of reference data (first reference data S1 and third reference data S3) are provided to the personal computer 10 side. Reference data (second reference data S2) was stored in advance on the printer 20 side. The number of reference data divisions can be changed as appropriate in consideration of the types of image quality that can be realized in the printer 20. For example, reference data divided into four or more types can be used as the personal computer 10 and the printer. The reference data divided into two types may be stored in the personal computer 10 and the printer 20 and stored.

  In the above embodiment, the reference data (first reference data S1, second reference data S2, third reference data S3) used for the data conversion process is stored in the personal computer 10 or the printer 20 in advance. It can also be provided to the personal computer 10 or the printer 20 by loading from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a memory card, or by downloading from a server placed on the network. It can also be provided to the printer 20. Such a configuration example is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 as a first modification and a second modification, respectively.

  FIG. 13 is a configuration example of the printing system GH2 when the personal computer 10 is connected to a network. As shown in the figure, the first reference data S1, the second reference data S2, and the third reference data S3 are stored in advance in a server SV on the Internet IN. The personal computer 10 downloads at least one of the first reference data S1, the second reference data S2, and the third reference data S3 via the modem 87 as necessary for data conversion processing, and stores it in the RAM 11c and the hard disk 11e. At the same time, the second reference data S 2 and the third reference data S 3 are transferred to the printer 20. In such a configuration, when the printer 20 is connected to the network, the printer 20 can download the second reference data S2 and the third reference data S3. According to such a first modification, even if the type of reference data used for the data conversion process is added or changed, the reference data corresponding to the addition or change is stored in the server SV. The reference data corresponding to the addition or change can be supplied to the personal computer 10 or the printer 20 via the network. Therefore, in the future, when an improvement that further improves the printing image quality is made for the printer 20, it is possible to flexibly cope with the addition or change of the reference data accompanying the improvement.

  FIG. 14 is a configuration example of the printing system GH3 when the simple terminal 90 and the printer 20 are connected to the network. As shown in the figure, the second reference data S2 is stored in advance in a server SV on the Internet IN. The printer 20 downloads the second reference data S2 as necessary for data conversion processing, and stores it in a storage device such as the RAM 44. Also according to the second modification, it is possible to flexibly cope with the addition or change of reference data accompanying the future improvement in print image quality. In the case of the second modification, various timings can be considered for the timing of downloading the second reference data S2 to the printer 20. For example, the download may be started when the printer 20 inputs the print request data MP from the simple terminal 90. Further, the server SV that receives the print request from the simple terminal 90 via the Internet IN interprets the print request as a request from the printer 20 and transmits the second reference data S2 to the printer 20 via the Internet IN. It is good to do.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the simple terminal 90 and the printer 20 are connected to the Internet IN, the RGB data representing the image to be printed and the reference data S1 to S3 are stored in the server SV on the Internet IN. It can be stored in advance. Such a configuration example is shown in FIG. 15 as a third modification. In the printing system GH4 of the third modification, the server SV that has received a print request from the simple terminal 90 via the Internet IN interprets the print request as a request from the printer 20 and then includes the print request in the print request. The reference data for conversion is specified from the reference data S1 to S3 based on the printing conditions that are set, and the reference data for conversion is transmitted to the printer 20 via the Internet IN together with the RGB data representing the image to be printed. To do. In this case, the conversion reference data is transmitted to the printer 20 prior to the RGB data representing the image to be printed, as in the case of the above embodiment, so the printer 20 has input the third reference data S3. Later, RGB data will be input. Therefore, according to the printing system GH4 of the third modified example, the load on the RAM 44 can be reduced as in the case of the above embodiment, and accurate data conversion using the reference data for conversion without missing is possible. Processing can be executed smoothly. In addition, when printing with the printer 20, the simplified terminal 90 holds RGB data representing an image to be printed, or an interface dedicated to the simplified terminal 90 is provided on the printer 20 side so that the RGB data can be received. Therefore, the degree of freedom and versatility of printing using the simple terminal 90 can be improved.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of printing system GH1 which is an Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of PC control apparatus 11 with which the personal computer 10 is provided. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit 40. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of a data conversion process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the correspondence map TM. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of shared printing processing. It is a flowchart which shows the sharing process routine A1 performed by the personal computer 10 side. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the data structure of the print request data LP. 4 is a flowchart showing a sharing process routine B1 executed on the printer 20 side. It is a flowchart which shows a printing condition kind judgment processing routine. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of input processing of print request data LP. It is explanatory drawing which shows a 1st modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows a 2nd modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows a 3rd modification.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Printing instruction terminal 10 ... Personal computer 11 ... PC control device 11a ... CPU
11b ... ROM
11c ... RAM
11d ... disk drive controller 11e ... hard disk 11f ... input controller 11g ... display controller 11h ... parallel input / output interface 11i ... serial input / output interface 14 ... display 15 ... input Device 20 ... Printer 22 ... Motor 24 ... Carriage motor 26 ... Platen 28 ... Print head unit 30 ... Carriage 32 ... Operation panel 34 ... Slide shaft 36 .. .Drive belt 38 ... pulley 39 ... position detection sensor 40 ... control circuit 41 ... CPU
43 ... P-ROM
44 ... RAM
45 ... Character generator 47 ... Memory card controller 50 ... I / F dedicated circuit 52 ... Head drive circuit 54 ... Motor drive circuit 56 ... Connector 58 ... Memory card slot 61- 66 ... Ink discharge head 70a ... Black ink cartridge 70b ... Color ink cartridge 81 ... Memory card 87 ... Modem 90 ... Simple terminal 91 ... Mobile phone 92 .. . Mobile information terminal 93 ... Game device 94 ... Digital still camera GH1-4 ... Printing system IN ... Internet Ip ... Particle LP, MP ... Print request data Nz ... Nozzle P ... printed object PE ... piezo element S1 ... first reference data S2 ... second reference data S2a ... plain paper reference data S2b ... photo reference data S3 ... first 3 Reference data SV ... Server TM ... Support map

Claims (12)

A printing apparatus that prints an image in response to a print instruction from a predetermined terminal,
Image data input means for inputting image data representing an image to be printed which is an image for which a print instruction has been made;
Reference data input means for inputting conversion reference data for converting the image data into print data in a printable format from the terminal prior to the input of the image data, and storing it in a memory;
A printing apparatus comprising: a conversion unit that converts the input image data into the print data by referring to the conversion reference data input in advance when a printing instruction is issued from the terminal. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
State detecting means for detecting a state of the memory at least when the reference data for conversion is input;
A printing apparatus comprising input start means for starting input of image data representing the image to be printed based on the detected state of the memory. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The terminal includes a specifying unit that specifies one conversion reference data from among a plurality of conversion reference data according to a setting content for a predetermined printing condition designated on the terminal side,
The reference data input unit is a unit that inputs conversion reference data specified by the specifying unit.   The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the specifying unit is a unit that specifies the reference data for conversion in accordance with at least setting contents for the printing conditions such as a printing resolution and a type of a printing object. The printing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein
Execution in which the terminal determines the execution subject of the process of converting the image data into print data as either the terminal or the printing device, based on the setting contents for the predetermined printing condition specified on the terminal side With subject determination means,
The reference data input means is a means for inputting the reference data for conversion when the execution subject is determined to be the printing device by the execution subject determination means. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
Holding means for holding in advance the reference data for conversion of a predetermined type;
The terminal includes determination means for determining whether or not the conversion reference data specified by the specifying means is the type of conversion reference data held in advance.
The reference data input means inputs the conversion reference data specified by the specifying means when the determination means determines that the conversion reference data is not the type of conversion reference data held in advance. Printing device that is means.   The conversion reference data to be input to the printing apparatus includes at least color conversion data for converting color information represented by the image data into color information that can be expressed by the printing apparatus. Item 7. The printing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 6.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion reference data to be input to the printing apparatus is supplied to the terminal or the printing apparatus via a communication line. In a predetermined terminal connected to the printing apparatus, when a print instruction is given for an image represented by image data in a format that can be handled by a computer, the terminal is a print target that is the image for which the print instruction is given Data conversion processing for outputting image data representing an image to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus that has input the image data converts the image data into printable format print data using predetermined conversion reference data. A data conversion system to perform,
The terminal
A setting content specifying means for specifying a setting content for a predetermined printing condition specified for the print target image when the printing instruction is made;
Reference data specifying means for specifying one conversion reference data from among the plurality of conversion reference data according to the specified setting content;
Output means for outputting the identified reference data for conversion to the printing apparatus prior to output of image data representing the image to be printed;
A data conversion system in which the printing apparatus inputs the reference data for conversion and the image data output by the output means in this order, expands them in a memory, and performs the data conversion process.   The data conversion system according to claim 9, further comprising a data supply unit configured to supply at least part of data constituting the conversion reference data to the terminal or the printing apparatus via a communication line. A method for printing an image in response to a print instruction from a predetermined terminal,
Input image data representing an image to be printed, which is an image for which a print instruction has been issued,
Reference data for conversion for converting the image data into print data in a printable format is input from the terminal prior to the input of the image data, stored in a memory,
A printing method for converting the input image data into the print data by referring to the conversion reference data input in advance when a print instruction is issued from the terminal. In a predetermined terminal connected to the printing apparatus, when a print instruction is given for an image represented by image data in a format that can be handled by a computer, the terminal is a print target that is the image for which the print instruction is given Data conversion processing for outputting image data representing an image to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus that has input the image data converts the image data into printable format print data using predetermined conversion reference data. A method of performing,
The terminal is
When the print instruction is made, the setting content for the predetermined print condition specified for the print target image is specified,
In accordance with the specified setting content, one conversion reference data is specified from the plurality of conversion reference data,
The identified reference data for conversion is output to the printing apparatus prior to output of image data representing the image to be printed,
A data conversion method in which the printing apparatus inputs the output conversion reference data and image data in this order, expands them in a memory, and performs the data conversion process.

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