JP2006277272A - Printing instruction generating device, printer, and printing instruction generating method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress increase of time to be used for reading and interpreting a printing request when one printing request includes a plurality of by-page printing request information. <P>SOLUTION: A specifying means 24 of this printing instruction generating device reads all by-page printing request information in a lump from a printing request 31 in which a plurality of by-page printing request information are described corresponding to a plurality of pages and specifies a printing instruction value showing printing contents in each page. A printing instruction value storage means 25 stores the printing instruction value specified by the specifying means 24 in coordination with the page. A generating means 24 reads the printing instruction value stored in the printing instruction value storage means 25 for every page to generate a printing instruction for every page. <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 request printing on a plurality of pages by describing a plurality of page-specific print request information in one print request. When such a print request for a plurality of pages is received, the printer must read and interpret the print request received from the digital still camera each time printing is performed on each page.

  In addition, when the digital still camera includes print request information for multiple pages (information indicating print contents for one page) in one print request, the information amount of the print request is the amount of printing on one page. This is larger than the print request in the case of requesting.

  As a result, the printer has to read a print request with a large amount of information and interpret it by parsing it each time printing is performed on each page. The time used for reading and interpreting the print request by the printer becomes long.

  The present invention relates to a print instruction generation apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a print instruction that suppress an increase in time used for reading and interpreting a print request when a single print request includes print request information for each page. The purpose is to obtain a generation method.

  The print instruction generation apparatus according to the present invention reads all print request information for each page from a print request in which a plurality of print request information for each page corresponding to a plurality of pages is described, and indicates the print contents of each page A specifying means for specifying a print instruction value, a print instruction value storage means for storing the print instruction value specified by the specifying means in association with a page, and a print instruction value stored in the print instruction value storage means for each page And generating means for generating a print instruction for each page.

  If this configuration is adopted, the specifying unit is not limited to the generation processing for each page of the print instruction by the generation unit, and reads a plurality of print request information for each page described in the print request, and determines each page. The print instruction value corresponding to the print request information can be specified. As a result, print instruction values for all pages can be obtained collectively from the print request information for each page, so there is no need to repeatedly access the print request, and multiple print request information for each page is included in one print request. In this case, an increase in time used for reading and interpreting the print request can be suppressed.

  In the print instruction generation device according to the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the above-described invention, the print request is text data based on a predetermined syntax rule, and the specifying unit collectively parses the print request that is text data. For all pages, the print instruction value corresponding to the predetermined item indicating the print content is extracted, and the print instruction value storage means can read the print instruction value corresponding to the predetermined item without parsing. It is stored as data.

  By adopting this configuration, it is possible to collectively parse print requests described in text data based on a predetermined syntax rule, and to prevent subsequent syntax analysis.

  In addition to the components of the above-described invention, the print instruction generation apparatus according to the present invention includes a print instruction after the generation unit finishes specifying the print instruction value corresponding to all the print request information for each page by the specifying unit. Reading of the print instruction value from the value storage means is started.

  If this configuration is adopted, since the processing by the generation unit is started after the processing by the specifying unit is completed, the synchronization processing between these processings becomes unnecessary. The generation unit can read the print instruction values of a plurality of pages from the print instruction value storage unit and continuously generate a plurality of print instructions after the processing by the specifying unit.

  In the print instruction generation apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to each configuration of the above-described invention, the specifying unit is described together with a plurality of print request information for each page in a print request, and is commonly used for printing a plurality of pages. Read the print request information, specify the print instruction value corresponding to the common print request information, and the print instruction value storage unit stores the print instruction value specified by the specifying unit based on the common print request information The means reads, for each page, the print instruction value specified from the common print request information together with the print instruction value associated with the page, and generates a print instruction for each page.

  If this configuration is adopted, once the specifying unit specifies the print instruction value corresponding to the common print request information, the generation unit reads the print instruction value for each page and uses it for a print instruction for a plurality of pages. Can do. Therefore, it is not necessary to read the common print request information for each page, and the time used for reading and interpreting the print request can be suppressed.

  In addition to the components of the above-described invention, the print instruction generation apparatus according to the present invention is configured so that the generation unit corresponds to a request from a print execution unit that executes print processing for each page based on the print instruction. A print instruction for the page and subsequent pages is generated.

  If this configuration is adopted, it is possible to employ a print execution means for executing a print process based on a print instruction, which processes the print instruction for each page.

  A printing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a print instruction generation apparatus having each configuration according to the above-described invention; and a print execution unit that executes print processing for each page based on the print instruction generated by the print instruction generation apparatus. Is.

  By adopting this configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in time used for reading and interpreting a print request from a predetermined storage unit by the print instruction generation device, and to execute printing efficiently.

  The print instruction generation method according to the present invention reads all print request information for each page from a print request in which a plurality of print request information for each page corresponding to a plurality of pages is described, and indicates the print contents of each page. A step of specifying a print instruction value; a step of associating the specified print instruction value with a page and storing the print instruction value in the print instruction value storage unit; and reading the print instruction value from the print instruction value storage unit for each page; Generating a print instruction.

  If this method is adopted, the print instruction value specifying process based on the print request information for each page is not limited to the generation process for each page of the print instruction, and a plurality of print request information for each page described in the print request. The print instruction value corresponding to each page-specific print request information can be specified. As a result, print instruction values for all pages can be obtained collectively from the print request information for each page, so there is no need to repeatedly access the print request, and multiple print request information for each page is included in one print request. In this case, an increase in time used for reading and interpreting 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 / receives data to / 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 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. Note that a set of job tags and a portion sandwiched between them constitute common print request information for designating print conditions (print contents) common to all pages.

  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.

  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 and the page end tag 35 are page break tags. 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 the portion sandwiched between them serve as print request information for each page that specifies the print conditions (print contents) for one page. Therefore, the print request script 31 of FIG. 2 includes print request information for each page 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 print request interpretation unit 24 as a specifying unit and a generation unit, and a print instruction value storage unit. A print instruction buffer memory 25, 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 required 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 by syntax analysis or the like, refers to the default setting memory 23 as necessary, and prints content based on the description of the print request script 31. Specify the print instruction value for each item. The print request interpretation unit 24 stores the specified print instruction value in the print instruction buffer memory 25. The print request interpreter 24 reads the print instruction value stored in the print instruction buffer memory 25 to generate a print instruction, and supplies the print instruction to the image processing unit 26.

  The print instruction buffer memory 25 classifies and stores the print instruction values for each page of the print request script 31. The print instruction buffer memory 25 stores the print instruction value in a state where it can be read without parsing. In particular, when the print instruction value is a numerical value, the print instruction buffer memory 25 stores the print instruction value as numerical data instead of text data. The print instruction buffer memory 25 only needs to have a storage area for the maximum number of pages that the printer 1 can print based on the print request script 31, for example. The print instruction buffer memory 25 may store the print instruction value as a structure that associates a plurality of print instruction values for each setting item with each page, for example.

  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. When the print request script 31 is stored in the print instruction buffer memory 25, the print request interpreter 24 interprets the print request script 31.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of 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 the print request script 31 (step ST1).

  If it is determined that the print request script 31 has been received, the print request interpretation unit 24 starts script analysis for all pages. Specifically, the print request interpretation unit 24 reads the print request script 31 in the script memory 22, specifies the print instruction value based on the request for each page, and stores it in the print instruction buffer memory 25 (step ST2) Further, the print instruction value based on the request for the entire job is specified and stored in the print instruction buffer memory 25 (step ST3).

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the print instruction value specifying process based on the request for each page, the print request interpreter 24 first stores the text data of the print request script 31 stored in the script memory 22 in the address pointer. A value (for example, the address) of the head position is substituted (step ST11). The address pointer is a variable and is stored in an internal memory area (not shown) of the print request interpreter 24.

  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 ST12), and whether or not the end of the print request script 31 has been reached based on the read text data. Is determined (step ST13). In the case of the print request script 31 in FIG. 2, the print request interpretation unit 24 may determine that the print request script 31 has ended based on reading “</ PrintJob>” on the 18th line, for example. When it is determined that the reading of the print request script 31 has been completed, the print request interpretation unit 24 ends the print instruction value specifying process based on the request for each page (step ST2 in FIG. 3).

  If the reading of the print request script 31 has not been completed, the print request interpreting unit 24 further determines whether or not the page start tag 34 has been read based on the read text data (step ST14).

  If it is determined that the page start tag 34 has not been read, the print request interpreter 24 updates the value of the address pointer to a value indicating the next position (step ST15). The print request interpreter 24 reads the text data from the position indicated by the updated value of the address pointer (step ST12), and determines whether or not the print request script 31 is completed based on the read text data (step ST12). ST13) and a process for determining whether or not the page start tag 34 has been read (step ST14). 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 interpretation unit 24 loops through steps ST15, ST12, ST13 and ST14 until it is determined in step ST13 that the print request script 31 has been completed or until it is determined in step ST14 that the page start tag 34 has been read. Repeat the process.

  When reading the page start tag 34, the print request interpreter 24 reads the text data of the page (step ST16). The print request interpreter 24 specifies the print instruction value based on the text data until the page end tag 35 is read, and stores the specified print instruction value for each page in the print instruction buffer memory 25 (step ST17). ).

  After storing the print instruction value in the print instruction buffer memory 25, the print request interpretation unit 24 updates the address value of the address pointer to a value indicating the next position (step ST15). The print request interpretation unit 24 reads text data from the position indicated by the updated address pointer value (step ST12), and determines whether or not the print request script 31 has ended based on the read text data. (Step ST13) and a process for determining whether or not the page start tag 34 has been read (Step ST14) are executed.

  As described above, the print request interpreter 24 reads the print request script 31 in order from the head in specifying the print instruction value based on the print request information for each page for each page (step ST2). When reading the page start tag 34, the print request interpretation unit 24 selects a print instruction value based on the text data up to the page end tag 35, and stores the print instruction value in the print instruction buffer memory 35 for each page. When the print request interpretation unit 24 has read the end of the print request script 31, the print request value setting process based on the request for each page ends.

  The print request script 31 in FIG. 2 has page start tags 34 on the 9th, 12th, and 15th lines. In this case, the print request interpretation unit 24 first reads from the first line to the ninth line of the print request script 31 and determines that the first page start tag 34 has been read when the ninth line is read. Thereafter, the print request interpretation unit 24 reads the first page of text data (print request information for each page of the first page) up to the page end tag 35 on the 11th line, and the file ID “00000001” on the 10th line. Is stored in the print instruction buffer memory 25 as a print instruction value of an item for designating the image file of the first page.

  When the selection of the print instruction value for the first page is completed, the print request interpretation unit 24 starts reading the print request script 31 from the twelfth line. The print request interpretation unit 24 determines that the page start tag 34 of the second page has been read when the 12th line is read. Thereafter, the print request interpretation unit 24 reads the text data for one page up to the page end tag 35 on the 14th line (print request information for each page on the second page), and sets the file ID “00000002” on the 13th line to The print instruction value is stored in the print instruction buffer memory 25 as the print instruction value of the item for designating the image file of the second page.

  When the selection of the print instruction value for the second page is completed, the print request interpretation unit 24 starts reading the print request script 31 from the 15th line that follows. The print request interpretation unit 24 determines that the page start tag 34 of the third page has been read when the 15th line is read. Thereafter, the print request interpretation unit 24 reads the text data for one page up to the page end tag 35 on the 17th line (print request information for each page on the 3rd page), and sets the file ID “00000003” on the 16th line, The print instruction value is stored in the print instruction buffer memory 25 as the print instruction value of the item specifying the third page image file.

  When the selection of the print instruction value for the third page is completed, the print request interpretation unit 24 starts reading the print request script 31 from the 18th line that follows. Then, for example, when the 18th line is read, the print request interpretation unit 24 determines that the print request script 31 has ended, and ends the print instruction value setting process based on the request for each page.

  After completing the print instruction value specifying process for each page (step ST2 in FIG. 3), the print request interpreter 24 starts the print instruction value specifying process for the entire job, that is, all pages (step ST3 in FIG. 3). ).

  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 interpreter 24 substitutes a value indicating the head position 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 interpretation unit 24 reads the text data from the position indicated by the value of the address pointer in the script memory 22 (step ST33), and whether or not the tag corresponding to the selected setting item is read based on the read text data. Is determined (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 interpreter 24 reads the text data sandwiched between the tags (step ST37). The print request interpretation unit 24 specifies the print instruction value of the selection item based on the read data. The print request interpretation unit 24 stores the specified print instruction value in the print instruction buffer memory 35 (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 selects the default value read from the default setting memory 23 as the print instruction value of the selected setting item, and stores it in the print instruction buffer memory 35 (step ST38).

  After storing the print instruction value of the selected setting item in the print instruction buffer memory 25, the print request interpreter 24 determines whether or not the specification of the print instruction value for all the setting items has been completed (step ST40). . If the specification of the print instruction value for all the setting items has not been completed, the print request interpretation unit 24 selects the next setting item (step ST41), and executes the process for setting the print instruction value of the setting item. (Steps ST32 to 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. A print instruction value is selected and stored in the print instruction buffer memory 25. The print request interpretation unit 24 repeatedly searches the print request script 31 by the number of print items, and stores the print instruction values of all the print items in the print instruction buffer memory 25.

  If it is determined in step ST40 that the print instruction values for all setting items have been set, the print instruction value specifying process 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 all pages. At this time, the print instruction buffer memory 25 stores print instruction values for the number of pages requested to be printed in the print request script 31.

  When the script analysis for all pages is completed, the print request interpreter 24 reads the print instruction value of the first page from the print instruction buffer memory 25 as shown in FIG. A print instruction including the print instruction value is generated and supplied to the image processing unit 26 (step ST4).

  Thereafter, the print request interpretation unit 24 determines whether a print instruction for the last page stored in the print instruction buffer memory 25 has been supplied (step ST5). 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.

  When the print instruction for the last page is not supplied, the print request interpreter 24 waits for a print instruction request for the next page (step ST6). When there is a print instruction request for the next page, the print request interpretation unit 24 reads the print instruction value of the next page of the last supplied page from the print instruction buffer memory 25 and all the print instructions of the read page. A print instruction including the value is generated and supplied to the image processing unit 26 (step ST7).

  Thereafter, the print request interpretation unit 24 again determines whether or not a print instruction for the last page stored in the print instruction buffer memory 25 has been supplied (step ST5). If the print instruction for the last page is not supplied, the print request interpretation unit 24 waits for a print instruction request for the next page (step ST6). The print request interpretation unit 24 repeatedly executes the processes of steps ST6, ST7, and ST5 of FIG. 3 until it determines that the print instruction for the last page has been supplied in step ST5 of FIG.

  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 next print instruction is requested from the image processing unit 26, the print request interpreting unit 24 reads the print instruction value of the requested page from the print instruction buffer memory 25, generates a print instruction, and sends it to the image processing unit 26. Supply. Accordingly, the image processing unit 26 receives print instructions from the print request interpreting unit 24 one by one in order, and generates print control data for each page in order.

  In the case of the print request script 31 of FIG. 2, the print request interpretation unit 24 stores the print instruction values for three pages in the print instruction buffer memory 25. Thereafter, the print request interpretation unit 24 reads the print instruction value for the first page from the print instruction buffer memory 25 and supplies the first print instruction to the image processing unit 26. The image processing unit 26 generates print control data based on the first print instruction, supplies the print control data to the print execution unit 27, and then requests the next print instruction from the print request interpretation unit 24.

  Based on the first request from the image processing unit 26, the print request interpreting unit 24 reads the print instruction value for the second page from the print instruction buffer memory 25 and supplies the print instruction for the second page to the image processing unit 26. To do. The image processing unit 26 generates print control data based on the print instruction for the second page, supplies the print control data to the print execution unit 27, and then requests the next print instruction from the print request interpretation unit 24.

  Based on the second request from the image processing unit 26, the print request interpreting unit 24 reads the print instruction value for the third page from the print instruction buffer memory 25 and supplies the print instruction for the third page to the image processing unit 26. To do. The print request interpretation unit 24 that has supplied the print instruction for the third page to the image processing unit 26 waits to receive a new print request script 31. The image processing unit 26 generates print control data based on the print instruction for the third page, supplies the print control data to the print execution unit 27, and then requests the print request interpretation unit 24 for the next print instruction.

  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.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when receiving the print request script 31, the print request interpreter 24 first interprets the script 31 and prints the print instruction values of all pages requested to be printed. Save in the buffer memory 25. After the processing, the print request interpretation unit 24 reads the print instruction value of each page from the print instruction buffer memory 25 in response to a request from the image processing unit 26 and the like, and prints the print instruction of each page page by page. 26.

  Therefore, even when a plurality of print request information for each page to be printed on a plurality of media 4 is described in one print request script 31, the print request interpretation unit 24 continuously reads the file ID 33 for each page at a time. In order to specify the print instruction value based on the print request information for each page for each page, the file ID 33, the page start tag 34, and the page end tag 35 of the same page described in the print request script 31 are set a plurality of times. No need to read.

  On the other hand, for example, when data is read from the top of the print request script 31 every time a print instruction is generated in order to specify the file ID 33 for each page of the print request script 31 shown in FIG. When interpreting the print request for each page, the interpreter 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. 2 is read from the first line to the 14th line of the print request script 31 shown in FIG. 2, and when the print instruction for the third page is generated, the print request script 31 shown in FIG. The first to 17th lines are read.

  In the case of this comparative example, the print request interpretation unit reads the first line to the eleventh line 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 print request interpretation unit 24 reads a common print request value common to print requests for a plurality of pages, and once identifies the corresponding print instruction value, the print request value for the plurality of pages is determined. It can be read and used repeatedly in print instructions. As a result, it is possible to reduce the total time required for reading and interpreting print request values common to those pages as compared with the case where each page-specific print request information is individually described by separate print request scripts 31. .

  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 print instruction buffer memory 25 are provided separately. In addition, for example, the script memory 22, the default setting memory 23, and the print instruction buffer 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. It 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, 24 Print request interpretation part (specification means, production | generation means), 25 Print instruction buffer memory (print instruction value storage means), 26 Image processing part (a part of print execution means), 27 Print execution unit (part of print execution means), 32 print request value (part of common print request information), 31 print request script (print request), 33 file ID (part of print request information by page)

Claims (7)

A specifying means for collectively reading all the print request information for each page from a print request in which a plurality of print request information for each page corresponding to a plurality of pages is described, and specifying a print instruction value indicating a print content of each page;
Print instruction value storage means for storing the print instruction value specified by the specifying means in association with the page;
Generation means for reading the print instruction value stored in the print instruction value storage means for each page and generating a print instruction for each page;
A print instruction generation apparatus comprising: The print request is text data based on a predetermined syntax rule,
The specifying means collectively parses the print requests that are text data, and extracts the print instruction value corresponding to a predetermined item indicating print contents for all pages;
The print instruction value storage means stores the print instruction value corresponding to the predetermined item as data that can be read without syntax analysis;
The print instruction generation apparatus according to claim 1.   The generation unit starts reading the print instruction value from the print instruction value storage unit after the specification unit finishes specifying the print instruction value corresponding to all the print request information for each page. The print instruction generation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The specifying unit reads the common print request information that is described together with a plurality of print request information for each page in the print request, and is commonly used for printing a plurality of pages, and print instruction values corresponding to the common print request information Identify
The print instruction value storage means stores the print instruction value specified by the specifying means based on common print request information;
The generating means reads, for each page, a print instruction value specified from the common print request information together with a print instruction value associated with the page, and generates a print instruction for each page;
The print instruction generation apparatus according to claim 3.   The generation unit generates the print instruction for the second and subsequent pages in response to a request from a print execution unit that executes print processing for each page based on the print instruction. 5. The print instruction generation device according to any one of items 1 to 4. A print instruction generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Print execution means for executing print processing for each page based on the print instruction generated by the print instruction generation device;
A printing apparatus comprising: A step of collectively reading all print request information for each page from a print request in which a plurality of print request information for each page corresponding to a plurality of pages is described, and specifying a print instruction value indicating the print contents of each page;
Storing the specified print instruction value in a print instruction value storage unit in association with a page;
Reading a print instruction value for each page from the print instruction value storage means, and generating a print instruction for each page;
A print instruction generation method comprising:

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