JP2006277271A - Printing instruction generating device, printer, and printing instruction generating method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress an increase of an interpretation time for a printing request when one printing request includes the printing request for a plurality of media. <P>SOLUTION: A printing request storage means 22 of this printing instruction generating device stores a printing request 31 in which a plurality of printing request information for printing to the plurality of media 4 are sequentially described in pages. A generating means 24 reads the printing request information for one page from the printing request storage means 22 to generate a printing instruction. A position information storage means 25 stores position information for a storage position in the printing request storage means 22 of one of information in a range from the ending of the printing request information read by the generating means 24 to the beginning of the next printing request information. A reading start position specifying means 24 reads the printing request 31 from the continuation of the printing request information used to generate the previous printing instruction in accordance with the position information stored in the position information storage means 25 after generating the first printing instruction and then allows the generating means 24 to generate the next printing instruction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print instruction generation apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a print instruction generation method.

  Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a direct printing system. In the direct printing system, a digital still camera and a printer are directly connected without using a personal computer. The digital still camera transmits a print request for the image file stored in the digital still camera to the printer. The printer interprets the print request, acquires the image file requested to be printed in the print request from the digital still camera, and prints the image of the image file.

“White Paper of CIPA DC-001-2003 Digital Photo Solutions for Imaging Devices (Japan)” Camera & Imaging Products Association, February 3, 2003.

  In the direct printing system described above, the digital still camera can describe a plurality of pieces of print request information for printing on a plurality of sheets in one print request. When such a print request for a plurality of sheets is received, the printer must interpret the print request received from the digital still camera every time printing is performed on each sheet.

  In addition, when a digital still camera includes a print request for a plurality of sheets in one print request, the amount of information of the print request is larger than a print request for requesting a print on a single sheet. .

  As a result, the printer must interpret a print request with a large amount of information each time printing is performed on each sheet. Interpretation time of the print request by the printer becomes long.

  The present invention provides a print instruction generation apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a print instruction generation method that suppress an increase in interpretation time of a print request when a single print request includes print requests for a plurality of media. Objective.

  The print instruction generation apparatus according to the present invention includes a print request storage unit that stores a print request in which a plurality of print request information to be printed on a plurality of media is sequentially described for each page, and a print request storage unit. A generation unit that reads the print request information and generates a print instruction, and a position of a storage position in the print request storage unit from the end of the print request information read by the generation unit to the beginning of the next print request information After the first print instruction is generated by the position information storage means for storing information and the generation means, the print request information used for the generation of the previous print instruction is based on the position information stored in the position information storage means. Read start position specifying means for reading the print request stored in the print request storage means and causing the generation means to generate the next print instruction.

  If this configuration is adopted, when a plurality of print request information to be printed on a plurality of media is described in one print request, the print request information for the second and subsequent pages is already used for a print instruction. The print request information is not read, and an increase in the interpretation time of the print request can be suppressed.

  In addition to the configuration of the above-described invention, the print instruction generation apparatus according to the present invention includes page delimiter information indicating the delimiter for each page provided at the beginning and / or end of print request information, or between two pieces of print request information. And a detecting unit that detects a break for each page of a plurality of print request information, and the generation unit reads print request information for one page based on the break detected by the detecting unit. is there.

  If this configuration is adopted, the generation unit can correctly read the print request information for one page in the print request as the print request information for one page as specified in the print request.

  In the print instruction generation apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the components of the above-described invention, the print request information for one page includes image file information.

  By adopting this configuration, even when file information of a plurality of images to be printed on a plurality of media is described in one print request, an image based on each file information is printed on each medium as requested. be able to.

  Another print instruction generation apparatus according to the present invention describes, in order, file information of a plurality of images to be printed on a plurality of media, sandwiched between page start information and page end information indicating a separation for each page. Print request storage means for storing the received print request, detection means for reading the print request information stored in the print request storage means in order from the head, and detecting page start information, and detected by the detection means Reads the file information described between the page start information and the page end information, generates a print instruction for specifying the file information, and generates the next file from the file information read by the generation unit. The position information storage means for storing the position information of the storage position in the print request storage means up to the beginning of the information, and the generation means After generating the first print instruction, the detection means stores in the print request storage means from the continuation read by the generation means when generating the previous print instruction based on the position information stored in the position information storage means. Reading start position designating means for reading a print request that has been made.

  If this configuration is adopted, when a plurality of print request information to be printed on a plurality of media is described in one print request, a print instruction is already issued when reading the print request information for each page from the second page onward. The file information, the page start information, and the page end information used in the above are not read by the detection unit and the generation unit, and an increase in the interpretation time of the print request can be suppressed. Even when information other than the print request information for each page is described in the print request, the generation unit can correctly read the print request information for each page and generate a print instruction.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a print execution unit that executes print processing for each page based on a print instruction, and a print stored in the print request storage unit for the print processing of each page by the print execution unit. And a print instruction generation device of each configuration according to the above-described invention for reading a request and generating a print instruction.

  If this configuration is adopted, when generating a print request for the second page and thereafter, the print instruction is generated without reading the print request information already used for the print instruction, and printing on a plurality of media is efficiently performed. be able to.

  A print instruction generation method according to the present invention reads print request information for one page from a print request storage unit that stores print requests in which a plurality of print request information to be printed on a plurality of media is described in order for each page. The position information of the storage location in the print request storage means from the end of the print request information read for generating the print instruction to the beginning of the next print request information. After the step of storing in the information storage means and the first print instruction is generated, the print request is made from the continuation of the print request information used for generating the previous print instruction based on the position information stored in the position information storage means. Reading a print request stored in the storage means and generating a next print instruction.

  If this method is adopted, when a plurality of print request information to be printed on a plurality of media is described in one print request, the print request information for the second and subsequent pages is already used for a print instruction. The print request information is not read, and an increase in the interpretation time of the print request can be suppressed.

  Hereinafter, a printing instruction generation device, a printing apparatus, and a printing instruction generation method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The printing apparatus will be described using a printer as an example. The print instruction generation device will be described as a part of the printer. The print instruction generation method will be described as part of the operation of the printer.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a printer 1 as a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a DSC (Digital Still Camera) 2 connected thereto. The DSC 2 and the printer 1 are connected by a USB cable 3. The system that directly connects the DSC 2 and the printer 1 as described above is a type of direct printing system that performs printing without using a computer. In the direct printing system, the DSC 2 and the printer 1 may be connected to each other by a cable other than the USB cable 3 such as a printer-dedicated cable or an optical cable, a wireless communication line, or the like.

  The DSC 2 includes a semiconductor memory 11, a communication unit 12, a liquid crystal monitor 13, an input device 14 having operation buttons (not shown), and a print request unit 15.

  The semiconductor memory 11 is a flash memory or other data recording type memory. The card-shaped semiconductor memory 11 can be inserted and removed from the DSC 2. The semiconductor memory 11 stores a plurality of EXIF (EXchangeable Image File format) image files 16. The EXIF image file 16 has image data of an image captured by the DSC 2, for example. The image data of the EXIF image file 16 is image data compressed in JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format. The plurality of EXIF image files 16 have different file names.

  The communication unit 12 of the DSC 2 has a USB connector not shown. A USB cable 3 is connected to the USB connector. The communication unit 12 also includes, for example, a USB communication I / F (InterFace), a USB_SIC (USB Still Image Class) communication unit, a PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) communication unit, etc., not shown. When a signal is input from the USB connector, the USB communication I / F extracts received data from the signal and supplies it to the USB_SIC communication unit. When the received data instructing the USB_SIC communication unit to transmit file data is supplied, the PTP communication unit reads the instructed file data from the semiconductor memory 11 and supplies it to the USB_SIC communication unit. When data is supplied to the USB_SIC communication unit, the USB communication I / F outputs a signal based on the transmission data to the USB connector. As a result, the communication unit 12 of the DSC 2 transmits and receives data to and from another device (in this case, the printer 1) connected via the USB cable 3.

  The print request unit 15 selects an image to be printed and its print condition, generates a print request script as a print request for causing the printer 1 to print the image with the print condition, and supplies the print request script to the communication unit 12. Examples of printing conditions selected by the print request unit 15 include the size, type, and layout of the medium.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a print request script 31 generated by the print request unit 15. The print request script 31 has text data described in XML (extensible Markup Language). In the print request script 31, a print request value 32 corresponding to the print condition selected by the print request unit 15 and a file ID 33 corresponding to the image selected by the print request unit 15 are described by text data. The file ID 33 is file information, and is generated in one-to-one correspondence with the file name of the EXIF image file 16 having the image data of the image selected by the print request unit 15. In the print request script 31, each print request value 32 and each file ID 33 are described by being sandwiched between predetermined tags. Note that instead of the file ID 33, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) generated in a one-to-one correspondence with the file name of the EXIF image file 16 having the image data of the image selected by the print request unit 15 is used. Also good.

  The print request script 31 in FIG. 2 has three print request values 32. The character string “A4”, which is the print request value 32 that designates the size of the paper to be printed as A4, on the fifth line, and the print request value 32 that designates the paper type as plain paper on the sixth line “ A character string “Plain” and a character string “Exif / JPEG” that is a print request value 32 for designating the type of image to be printed on the seventh line. In the print request script 31 of FIG. 2, the three print request values 32 are commonly used in printing all pages based on the print request script 31.

  The character string “A4” is sandwiched between medium size tags “<Size>” and “</ Size>” tags indicating that the character string is a paper size value for which printing is requested. The character string “Plain” is sandwiched between medium type tags “<Type>” and “</ Type>” indicating that the character string is the value of the type of paper for which printing is requested. The character string “Exif / JPEG” is sandwiched between file information tags “<File>” and “</ File>” indicating that this is the information value of the file of the image for which printing is requested. The three sets of print request values 32 and tags are sandwiched between job tags “<Job>” and “</ Job>” indicating that these are print requests related to the entire job.

  The print request script 31 in FIG. 2 has three file IDs 33. It has three character strings of file ID 33, “00000001” on the 10th line, “00000002” on the 13th line, and “00000003” on the 16th line. In the print request script 31 of FIG. 2, the three file IDs 33 are used for pages in each print based on the print request script 31.

  As shown in the tenth line, the character string “00000001” is sandwiched between file ID tags “<ImageFileID>” and “</ ImageFileID>” indicating that it is a file ID33. The character string of the file ID 33 and the file ID tag further include a page start tag “<Page>” 34 (line 9) indicating the start of the page and a page end tag “</ Page>” 35 indicating the end of the page. (11th line). The page start tag 34 is a page break tag as page break information and page start information. The page end tag 35 is a page break tag as page break information and page end information. Similarly, the character strings “00000002” and “00000003” of the file ID 33 are also sandwiched between the file ID tag and the page break tag. Note that the page start tag 34, the page end tag 35, and a portion sandwiched between them are print request information for one page. Therefore, the print request script 31 in FIG. 2 includes print request information for three pages.

  In the print request script 31 of FIG. 2, the character string of the above three print request values 32, the character string of the three file IDs 33, and various tags added thereto are further requests for the print request. Print request script tags “<Request> <PrintJob>” (2nd to 3rd lines) and “</ PrintJob> </ Request>” (18th to 19th lines). At the top (first line) of the script, there is a version tag “<? Xml version =“ 1.0 ”?>” Indicating that the script is described in conformity with XML version 1.0. Described.

  The print request script 31 in FIG. 2 prints the image of the EXIF image file 16 corresponding to the file ID “00000001” on A4 plain paper, and the image of the EXIF image file 16 corresponding to the file ID “00000002” to A4 plain paper. And the image of the EXIF image file 16 corresponding to the file ID “00000003” is requested to be printed on A4 plain paper.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a communication unit 21, a script memory 22 as a print request storage unit, a default setting memory 23, a generation unit, a reading start position designation unit, and a print request interpretation unit 24 as a detection unit. And an address memory 25 as a position information storage unit, an image processing unit 26 as a part of the print execution unit, and a print execution unit 27 as a part of the print execution unit.

  The image processing unit 26 is supplied with a print instruction page by page from the print request interpretation unit 24. When the print instruction is supplied, the image processing unit 26 generates print control data based on the print instruction and supplies the print control data to the print execution unit 27. After supplying the print control data to the print execution unit 27, the image processing unit 26 requests the print request interpretation unit 24 for the next print instruction.

  In the print instruction for each page to the image processing unit 26, print instruction values for all setting items necessary for the image processing unit 26 to print one page are instructed. In addition, a print instruction value for specifying an image to be printed is instructed. The number of setting items varies depending on the function of the printer 1 and the like, but is about 10 or more. Setting items include, for example, the size of the medium 4 to be printed (A4, B5, postcard, L plate, roll paper, etc.), the type of medium 4 to be printed (plain paper, glossy paper, matte paper, etc.), and the image of the medium 4 Printing range (with borders, no borders, centering, etc.), orientation of printing images on the medium 4 (vertical, horizontal, etc.), image printing methods (black and white, color, enlargement, reduction, etc.), image quality correction processing ( For example, there is necessity of APF (Auto Photo Fine) processing, etc., necessity of decoding processing of read image data, and the like.

  The print execution unit 27 includes a transport mechanism 28 that transports the medium 4 such as paper, and an ink discharge mechanism 29 that discharges ink of colors such as cyan, yellow, magenta, and black to the medium 4 transported by the transport mechanism 28. And a control unit 30 for controlling the operation of these mechanisms. The control unit 30 controls the operation of these mechanisms based on the print control data. The print execution unit 27 executes printing based on the print control data.

  Similar to the communication unit 12 of the DSC 2, the communication unit 21 of the printer 1 includes a USB connector, a USB communication I / F, a USB_SIC communication unit, a PTP communication unit, and the like not shown. As a result, the communication unit 21 of the printer 1 transmits and receives data to and from another device (DSC 2 here) connected via the USB cable 3.

  The script memory 22 stores the script received by the communication unit 21. In the script memory 22, for example, a print request script 31 shown in FIG. The print request script 31 is text data, and is stored in association with addresses in order from the head text data.

  The default setting memory 23 stores default values of all setting items that need to be set in order for the image processing unit 26 to print one page. The default value of the setting item stored in the default setting memory 23 is not limited to one. Further, the default values of the setting items vary depending on the function of the printer 1 and the like. For example, the default setting memory 23 stores “Necessary” as the default value of the APF process when printing on L glossy paper, and “Unnecessary” as the default value of the APF process when printing on A4 plain paper. Is memorized.

  Note that the default value stored in the default setting memory 23 may be set when the printer 1 is shipped, or may be set by the user after the printer 1 is shipped. For example, the user can set a default value by operating an input key (not shown) provided in the printer 1 or connect a computer (not shown) to the printer 1 and use the user interface of the computer. You can set a value.

  The print request interpreter 24 interprets the print request script 31 stored in the script memory 22, refers to the default setting memory 23 as necessary, and generates a print instruction according to the request of the print request script 31. The print request interpretation unit 24 supplies the generated print instruction to the image processing unit 26.

  The address memory 25 stores a value of an address pointer indicating any position in the print request script 31 stored in the script memory 22.

  Next, the operation of the direct printing system having the above configuration will be described.

  When the DSC 2 and the printer 1 are connected by the USB cable 3, the communication unit 12 of the DSC 2 and the communication unit 21 of the printer 1 start communication. Thereby, an endpoint for transferring data is generated based on the USB SIC, and the communication unit 12 of the DSC 2 and the communication unit 21 of the printer 1 can transmit and receive data to and from each other.

  The print request unit 15 of the DSC 2 selects an image file to be printed from the EXIF image files 16 stored in the semiconductor memory 11. Specifically, the print request unit 15 reads data such as the file name of the EXIF image file 16 from the semiconductor memory 11 and displays the file name on the liquid crystal monitor 13. The print request unit 15 selects an EXIF image file 16 to be printed based on input data output from the input device 14 in response to a user operation.

  After selecting the image file 16 to be printed, the print request unit 15 selects a print condition. Specifically, the print request unit 15 causes the liquid crystal monitor 13 to display a print condition selection screen. The printing conditions include, for example, the size of the medium 4 to be printed such as A4 and L plates, the type of the medium 4 such as plain paper and glossy paper, and the layout of the image to be printed on one medium 4 such as 1up and 2up. There is. The print request unit 15 selects a print condition based on input data output from the input device 14 in response to a user operation.

  Thereafter, the print request unit 15 generates a print request script 31 for printing the selected image under the selected print condition. For example, when printing the images of the three EXIF image files 16 one by one on the entire surface of A4 size plain paper, the print request unit 15 generates a print request script 31 as shown in FIG. The print request unit 15 supplies the generated print request script 31 to the communication unit 12 of the DSC 2.

  The communication unit 12 of the DSC 2 transmits the supplied print request script 31 to the communication unit 21 of the printer 1 via the USB cable 3. The communication unit 21 stores the received print request script 31 in the script memory 22 and requests the print request interpretation unit 24 to interpret it.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the interpretation process of the print request script 31 by the print request interpretation unit 24. FIG. 4 is a detailed flowchart of the print instruction value setting step ST2 based on the request for each page in FIG. FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart of the print instruction value setting step ST3 based on the request for the entire job in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the print request interpretation unit 24 first determines whether or not the communication unit 21 of the printer 1 has received a new print request script 31 (step ST1). Specifically, when there is a request for interpreting the print request script 31 from the communication unit 21, the print request interpreting unit 24 determines that the communication unit 21 of the printer 1 has received a new print request script 31.

  If it is determined that a new print request script 31 has been received, the print request interpretation unit 24 starts script analysis for each page. Specifically, the print request interpretation unit 24 sets a print instruction value based on the request for each page (step ST2), and then sets a print instruction value based on the request for the entire job (step ST3).

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the print instruction value setting process based on the request for each page, the print request interpreter 24 first sets the print instruction value for the first page of the new print request script 31. It is determined whether it is a setting process (step ST11). Then, in the case of the print instruction value setting process for the first page, the print request interpretation unit 24 uses the value of the head position of the text data of the print request script 31 stored in the script memory 22 as the address pointer (for example, That address) is substituted (step ST12). The address pointer is a variable and is stored in an internal memory area (not shown) of the print request interpretation unit 24.

  In the case of the print instruction value setting process for the second and subsequent pages, the print request interpretation unit 24 substitutes the value of the address pointer held in step ST18, which will be described later, for the address pointer (step ST19). The print request interpreter 24 reads a value stored in the address memory 25 and assigns it to the address pointer.

  Thereafter, the print request interpreter 24 reads the text data from the position indicated by the value of the address pointer in the script memory 22 (step ST13), and determines whether or not the page start tag 34 is read based on the read text data (step ST13). Step ST14).

  In the print request script 31, the page start tag 34 is normally described in the latter half of the script as shown in FIG. Therefore, immediately after the reading of the print request script 31 is started, the print request interpretation unit 24 determines that the page start tag 34 has not been read. The print request interpretation unit 24 updates the value of the address pointer to a value indicating the next position (step ST15). Note that the amount of data that is read once from the print request script 31 is one character, one line, or the like. The print request interpreter 24 reads the text data from the updated address pointer address (step ST13), and determines whether the page start tag 34 has been read based on the read text data (step ST14).

  The print request interpretation unit 24 repeats the determination loop process in steps ST15, ST13, and ST14 until it is determined in step ST14 that the page start tag 34 has been read. The print request interpreter 24 repeats the determination loop process until the first page start tag 34 in the ninth line is read in the print request script 31 of FIG.

  When the page start tag 34 is read, the print request interpretation unit 24 reads the text data of the page (step ST16). The print request interpreter 24 sets a print instruction value based on the text data until the page end tag 35 is read (step ST17).

  In the case of the print request script 31 in FIG. 2, the text data (print request information) for the first page is from the first page start tag 34 on the ninth line to the first page end tag 35 on the eleventh line. . The print request interpretation unit 24 reads the text data until the page end tag 35 on the 11th line is read, and the character string “<ImageFileID> 00000001 </ ImageFileID” on the 10th line sandwiched between the page start tag 34 and the page end tag 35. > ”Is interpreted as the file ID 33, and the file ID 33 is set as a print instruction value for each page.

  After setting the print instruction value for each page, the print request interpretation unit 24 stores a value (for example, its address) indicating the next position at the end of the read page end tag 35 in the address memory 25 (step ST18). ). The address memory 25 holds the position (address) of the next character after the position (address) of the last text data “>” (close bracket) of the page end tag 35. When the interpretation of the first page is completed in the print request script 31 of FIG. 2, the address memory 25 stores the position (address) of the first text data “<” (open bracket) on the 12th line. The address memory 25 may store the position (address) of text data at the end of reading (here, “>” (close bracket address).

  Thereafter, the print request interpretation unit 24 ends the print instruction value setting process based on the request for each page (step ST2 in FIG. 3), and starts the print instruction value setting process based on the request for the entire job (FIG. 3). 3 step ST3).

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the print instruction value setting process based on the request for the entire job, the print request interpreter 24 first selects the first setting item of the print condition (step ST31).

  As described above, the print condition setting items include the size and type of the medium 4 to be printed, the range to print the image on the medium 4, the direction, the printing method of the image, the necessity of image quality correction processing, and the read image data. There is a necessity of decoding. The print request interpretation unit 24 may select any setting item from among the plurality of setting items as the first setting item. The print request interpretation unit 24 may select the setting items in any order with respect to the plurality of setting items. However, for example, in the default setting memory 23, “necessary” is stored as the default value of the APF process when printing on L glossy paper, and as the default value of the APF process when printing on A4 plain paper. For a setting item whose default value varies depending on the value of another setting item so as to store “unnecessary”, the other setting item is selected prior to the setting item. For example, the print request interpreter 24 may select the APF process as a setting item after selecting the size, type, and layout of the medium 4 as selection items.

  After selecting the setting item, the print request interpretation unit 24 substitutes a value indicating the head of the text data of the print request script 31 stored in the script memory 22 into the address pointer (step ST32).

  Thereafter, the print request interpreter 24 reads the text data from the position indicated by the value of the address pointer in the script memory 22 (step ST33), and has read the tag corresponding to the selected setting item based on the read text data? It is determined whether or not (step ST34). For example, when the selected setting item is a medium size, the corresponding tag is a medium size tag. In addition to this, for example, a medium type tag corresponds to a medium type, and a file information tag corresponds to necessity of decoding of read image data.

  If the tag corresponding to the selected setting item has not been read, the print request interpreter 24 further determines whether the print request script 31 has been read to the end (step ST35). The value of the address pointer is updated to the position of the next data (step ST36). The print request interpretation unit 24 reads the text data from the position indicated by the updated address pointer value (step ST33), and determines whether or not the tag corresponding to the selected setting item has been read based on the read text data. (Step ST34).

  The print request interpretation unit 24 determines the steps ST36 and ST33 until it is determined that the tag corresponding to the setting item selected in step ST34 has been read, or until it is determined that the tag has been read to the end of the print request script 31 in step ST35. , ST34 and ST35 are repeated.

  If it is determined that the tag corresponding to the setting item selected in step ST34 has been read, the print request interpretation unit 24 reads the text data sandwiched between the tags (step ST37), and sets the print instruction value based on the read data. Set (step ST38).

  If it is determined that the tag corresponding to the selected setting item is not described in the print request script 31 and the end of the print request script 31 is read in step ST35, the print request interpreting unit 24 corresponds to the selected setting item. The default value to be read is read from the default setting memory 23 (step ST39). When a plurality of default values corresponding to the setting item are stored in the default setting memory 23, one default value that can be printed when selected with the print instruction value set so far is selected. The print request interpretation unit 24 sets the default value read from the default setting memory 23 as the print instruction value of the selected setting item (step ST38).

  After setting the print instruction value of the selected setting item, the print request interpretation unit 24 determines whether or not the setting for all the setting items has been completed (step ST40). If the settings for all the setting items have not been completed, the print request interpretation unit 24 selects the next setting item (step ST41), and executes the setting process for the print instruction value of the setting item (steps ST32 to ST32). ST39).

  In this way, the print request interpretation unit 24 searches the print request script 31 in order one by one for all the setting items that need to be set in order for the image processing unit 26 to print one page. Set the print instruction value. The print request interpreter 24 searches the print request script 31 repeatedly for the number of print items, and sets a print instruction value.

  If it is determined in step ST40 that the print instruction values for all setting items have been set, the print instruction value setting process based on the request for the entire job is terminated (step ST3 in FIG. 3). As a result, the print request interpretation unit 24 ends the script analysis for generating one print instruction. The print request interpreter 24 generates a print instruction including all the selected print instruction values, and supplies it to the image processor 26 (step ST4 in FIG. 3).

  Thereafter, the print request interpretation unit 24 determines whether or not a print instruction for the last page of the print request script 31 has been supplied (step ST5 in FIG. 3). For example, the print request interpreter 24 reads the text data from the address held in step ST18 in FIG. 4 and if the subsequent text data is “</ PrintJob>”, the print request script 31 It may be determined that the print instruction for the last page has been supplied.

  When the print instruction for the last page is supplied, the print request interpretation unit 24 returns to step ST1 and waits to receive a new print request script 31.

  If the print instruction for the last page is not supplied, the next page interpretation request wait state is entered (step ST6 in FIG. 3). If there is an interpretation request for the next page, the print request interpretation unit 24 repeats the processing from step ST2 to ST6 in FIG. 3 until it determines that the print instruction for the last page has been supplied in step ST5 in FIG. Execute.

  The image processing unit 26 is supplied with a print instruction once for each page from the print request interpreting unit 24 operating as described above. When a print instruction is supplied, the image processing unit 26 starts generating print control data in accordance with the print instruction.

  The image processing unit 26 first acquires the image data of the EXIF image file 16 having the file ID 33 specified by the print instruction. Specifically, the image processing unit 26 generates a request instruction for image data specifying the file ID 33 and supplies the request to the communication unit 21 of the printer 1. The communication unit 21 of the printer 1 transmits an image data request instruction to the communication unit 12 of the DSC 2 via the USB cable 3. When receiving the image data request instruction, the communication unit 12 of the DSC 2 specifies the EXIF image file 16 corresponding to the file ID 33 included in the request instruction, reads the image data of the EXIF image file 16 from the semiconductor memory 11 and reads it. The image data is transmitted to the communication unit 21 of the printer 1 via the USB cable 3. The communication unit 21 of the printer 1 supplies the received data to the image processing unit 26.

  When the image data of the file ID 33 specified by the print instruction is acquired, the image processing unit 26 prints an image based on the image data on the medium 4 specified by the print instruction under the conditions specified by the print instruction. Generate a print image to do. For example, when printing conditions for printing one image without a border on A4 plain paper are specified, the image processing unit 26 generates a print image for printing an image based on the acquired image data in A4 size.

  After generating the print image, the image processing unit 26 performs color conversion processing for converting the color component of the generated print image into the ink color component of the printer 1 and whether or not each ink color image is printed in dot units. Print control data is generated by executing halftone processing for conversion into data and interlacing processing such as rearranging printing presence / absence data in dot units in the order of ink ejection from the carriage. The image processing unit 26 supplies the generated print control data to the control unit 30.

  When the print control data is supplied, the control unit 30 starts printing based on the print control data. First, the control unit 30 controls the transport mechanism 28 to start transporting the medium 4. The controller 30 controls the ink ejection mechanism 29 based on the print control data while conveying the medium 4. As a result, the image of the EXIF image file 16 selected for printing in the DSC 2 is printed on the medium 4 on the predetermined medium 4 selected in the DSC 2 under the printing conditions selected in the DSC 2.

  After supplying the print control data to the control unit 30, the image processing unit 26 requests the print request interpretation unit 24 for a print instruction for the next page. When the first print instruction is supplied based on the print request script 31 in FIG. 2, the print request interpretation unit 24 is in a waiting state for the next page interpretation request in step ST6 in FIG. When the next print instruction is requested from the image processing unit 26, the print request interpreting unit 24 starts script analysis processing for each page (steps ST2 and ST3).

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the print instruction value setting process based on the request for each page in the next print instruction request, the print request interpreter 24 performs the setting process at the beginning of the new print request script 31. It is determined that this is not the print instruction value setting process for the current page (step ST11). The print request interpreter 24 substitutes the address stored in the address memory 25 in step ST18 of FIG. 4 during the previous print instruction generation process in the address pointer (step ST19). Accordingly, the print request interpretation unit 24 starts reading the text data from the address held at the end of the previous print instruction (step ST13).

  When the interpretation of the first page is completed in the print request script 31 of FIG. 2, the print request interpretation unit 24 stores the position of the first text data “<” on the 12th line in the address memory 25. Accordingly, when the first and next print instruction is requested from the image processing unit 26, the print request interpreting unit 24 starts reading the text data in order from the first text data “<” on the 12th line. The print request interpretation unit 24 determines that the page start tag 34 has been read in step ST14 when the page start tag 34 in the twelfth line has been read.

  The print request interpreter 24 reads the text data up to the next page end tag 35 (the text data on the 12th to 14th lines in the case of the print request script 31 in FIG. 2) (step ST16), and the read data The print instruction value is set based on the above (step ST17).

  After setting the print instruction value, the print request interpreter 24 stores a value indicating the position of the next data of the page end tag 35 in the address memory 25 (step ST18). In the print request script 31 of FIG. 2, when the setting of the second page is completed, the position of the first text data on the 15th line is stored.

  The print request interpretation unit 24 ends the print instruction value setting process based on the request for each page (step ST2 in FIG. 3), and as illustrated in FIG. 3, the print instruction value setting process based on the request for the entire job. (Step ST3) is executed. Thereafter, the print request interpretation unit 24 generates a print instruction for the next page and supplies the print instruction to the image processing unit 26 (step ST4).

  If it is not determined in step ST5 in FIG. 3 that the print instruction for the last page has been supplied, the print request interpreter 24 waits for an interpretation request for the next page (step ST6 in FIG. 3).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST5 that the print instruction for the last page has been supplied, the print request interpreter 24 returns to step ST1 and waits to receive a new print request script 31.

  Note that the print request interpretation unit 24 does not immediately start the print instruction generation process even if the next print instruction is requested from the image processing unit 26 when waiting for the reception of the new print request script 31. . When the print request interpreter 24 receives a new print request script 31 after requesting the next print instruction, the print request interpreter 24 generates a print instruction for the first page of the new print request script 31 and prints the first page. Is supplied to the image processing unit 26 as a print instruction corresponding to the request for the next print instruction.

  Through the above processing, the print request interpreter 24 interprets the first to eleventh lines when receiving the print instruction value setting process based on the request for each page for the print request script 31 of FIG. Then, the first print instruction is generated. The print request interpretation unit 24 interprets the 12th to 14th lines based on the first request from the image processing unit 26 and generates a second print instruction. Based on the second request from the image processing unit 26, the print request interpreting unit 24 interprets the 15th to 17th lines and generates a third print instruction.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the print request interpretation unit 24 performs the print instruction value setting processing based on the request for each page when generating the print request for the second page and thereafter. Text data is read from the continuation of the page end tag 35 already read when the print instruction is generated. Therefore, when a plurality of file IDs 33 to be printed on the plurality of media 4 are described in one print request script 31, the print request interpretation unit 24 uses the file ID 33, the page start tag 34, and the page end tag 35 of the same page. Is not read more than once. As a result, the interpretation time of the print request script 31 by the print request interpreter 24 is equivalent to the time when a print request for each page is received as a separate print request script 31, and printing on a plurality of media is efficiently performed. can do.

  On the other hand, for example, in order to specify the file ID 33 for each page of the print request script 31 shown in FIG. 2, the print request is interpreted from the top of the print request script 31 every time a print instruction is generated. The section reads the first to eleventh lines of the print request script 31 shown in FIG. 2 when generating the print instruction for the first page, and generates the print instruction for the second page as shown in FIG. When the first to 14th lines of the print request script 31 shown are read and the print instruction for the third page is generated, the first to 17th lines of the print request script 31 shown in FIG. 2 are read. Become.

  In the case of this comparative example, the print request interpreter reads the first to eleventh lines of the print request script 31 three times and reads the twelfth to sixteenth lines twice. Therefore, as the number of pages requested to be printed by one print request script 31 increases, the time required for reading and interpreting the print request script by the print request interpretation unit increases dramatically.

  The above embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the page start tag 34 and the page end tag 35 are used as page break information indicating the page break in the print request script 31. In addition, for example, in the print request script 31, only one of the page start tag 34 and the page end tag 35 may be used as the page break information indicating the page break. In this case, the print request interpretation unit 24 may interpret, for example, a page request from the page start tag 34 to the next page start tag 34 as a print request for one page, and set a print instruction value.

  In the above embodiment, the script memory 22, the default setting memory 23, and the address memory 25 are provided separately. In addition, for example, the script memory 22, the default setting memory 23, and the address memory 25 may be a single memory.

  In the above embodiment, the communication unit 12 of the DSC 2 and the communication unit 21 of the printer 1 have a USB still image class communication unit and a PTP communication unit. In addition, for example, the communication unit 12 of the DSC 2 and the communication unit 21 of the printer 1 may have a USB mass storage class communication unit. In the case of this modification, the print request interpretation unit 24 recognizes the semiconductor memory 11 of the DSC 2 as one storage. Therefore, the print request unit 15 may specify the file name of the EXIF image file 16 to be printed as file information in the print request.

  In the above embodiment, the print request interpreter 24 and the like are provided in the printer 1 connected to the DSC 2 and read the data of the EXIF image file 21 stored in the semiconductor memory 13 of the DSC 2. In addition to this, for example, the print request interpreter 24 is provided in the printer 1 connected to a digital movie camera, a card reader, a semiconductor memory, a portable terminal, a computer, etc., and reads image data stored in these. There may be.

  The present invention can be used in, for example, a printer that is connected to a digital camera and prints an image based on an image file stored in the digital camera.

It is a figure which shows the printer and DSC which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the print request script which a print request part produces | generates. It is a flowchart which shows the interpretation process of a printing request interpretation part. It is a detailed flowchart of step ST2 in FIG. It is a detailed flowchart of step ST3 in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer (printing apparatus), 4 media, 22 Script memory (print request storage means), 24 Print request interpretation part (Detection means, production | generation means, reading start position designation means), 25 Address memory (position information storage means), 26 Image processing section (part of print execution means), 27 Print execution section (part of print execution means), 31 Print request script (print request), 33 File ID (print request information, file information), 34 Page start tag (Page break information, Page start information), 35 Page end tag (Page break information, Page end information)

Claims (6)

Print request storage means for storing a print request in which a plurality of print request information to be printed on a plurality of media is described in order for each page;
Generation means for reading print request information for one page from the print request storage means and generating a print instruction;
Position information storage means for storing position information of a storage position in the print request storage means from the end of the print request information read by the generation means to the start of the next print request information;
After the first print instruction is generated by the generation unit, the continuation of the print request information used to generate the previous print instruction is stored in the print request storage unit based on the position information stored in the position information storage unit. A read start position designating unit that reads the stored print request and causes the generation unit to generate a next print instruction;
A print instruction generation apparatus comprising: By reading page delimiter information indicating the delimiter for each page provided between the first and / or the end of the print request information or between two print request information, the delimiter for each page of the plurality of print request information is determined. Having detection means for detecting,
The print instruction generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit reads print request information for one page based on the break detected by the detection unit.   3. The print instruction generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print request information for one page includes image file information. Print request storage means for storing print requests in which file information of a plurality of images to be printed on a plurality of media is described in order sandwiched by page start information and page end information indicating a separation for each page; ,
Detection means for detecting the page start information by reading the print request information stored in the print request storage means in order from the head;
Generation means for reading file information described between the page start information detected by the detection means and the page end information, and generating a print instruction specifying the file information;
Position information storage means for storing the position information of the storage position in the print request storage means from the file information read by the generation means to the beginning of the next file information;
After the first print instruction is generated by the generation unit, the generation unit reads the previous print instruction when generating the previous print instruction based on the position information stored in the position information storage unit. Reading start position specifying means for reading the print request stored in the print request storage means,
A print instruction generation apparatus comprising: Print execution means for executing print processing for each page based on a print instruction;
5. The printing according to claim 1, wherein the printing instruction is generated by reading a printing request stored in the printing request storage unit for printing processing of each page by the printing execution unit. An instruction generation device;
A printing apparatus comprising: Reading one page of print request information from a print request storage means for storing a print request in which a plurality of print request information to be printed on a plurality of media are described in order for each page; and generating a print instruction;
Storing the position information of the storage position in the print request storage means from the end of the print request information read for generating the print instruction to the start of the next print request information in the position information storage means When,
After the first print instruction is generated, it is stored in the print request storage means from the continuation of the print request information used for generating the previous print instruction based on the position information stored in the position information storage means. Reading the print request and generating a next print instruction;
A print instruction generation method comprising:

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