JP2006350910A - Printer and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve productivity and print precision of document printing by a user using a plurality of printers. <P>SOLUTION: In a device configuration constructed of an information processor and two or more printers, image attribute information and printer state transition information (continuous operation time, number of continuous output sheets, a toner residual amount, printer temperature information of the printer) are combined with original device-independent image data generated by a rasterizer inside the information processor, and an output result is visualized on a viewer. In this simulation, it is verified whether similar images can be obtained as outputs by a plurality of objective printers or not before printing, and if similar image quality cannot be obtained, control instructions are given to the printers. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In the apparatus configuration of the information processing apparatus and the two or more printer apparatuses, the present invention further applies to the original device-independent image data generated by the rasterizer in the information processing apparatus. By visualizing the continuous operation time of the printer, the number of continuous outputs, the remaining amount of toner, the printing press temperature information, and the attribute reflection results, it is verified in advance whether approximate images can be obtained in the output of multiple target printing devices. This is a technique aimed at improving productivity and printing accuracy of document printing by a user.

  The printer device is connected to an information processing device such as a PC, and receives a print request from printer driver software stored in the information processing device and outputs a document. Command information conforming to the page description language supported by each printer is transferred as information transmitted from the driver software to the printer controller in the printer apparatus. There are two forms of the page description language mechanism, which are implemented in a printer controller in a printer apparatus and in an information processing apparatus on a network that exists separately from the printer apparatus. In the latter, page description language processing is performed in the information processing apparatus, the document information is rasterized, data is transferred to the printer apparatus via the network, and a printer controller in the apparatus generates a final print image.

  The printer controller generates a device-dependent print image based on the received device-independent image information. The driver software transfers the print instruction information to the page description language mechanism regardless of whether the page description language is built in the printer controller in the printer apparatus or exists on the information processing apparatus on the network.

  In the conventional technology, the user himself / herself experiences and achievements are used, the application to be used and the image format to be used at the time of output are selected, the printer device is specified, the driver is installed, and the printing process supported by the installed driver is performed. I came.

  When performing mass printing on multiple printing machines, the image reproduced on one printing machine differs in printing accuracy from the image printed on the other printing machine. Based on their own experience and achievements, it was necessary to select the application to be used and the image format to be used for output, and adjust the printer device for each printing.

As a conventional example, for example, Patent Document 1 can be cited.
JP 2004-338196 A

  As described above, in the conventional method, when printing processing is performed in the configuration of the information processing apparatus equipped with the rasterize function and the plurality of printer apparatuses, the print result is obtained using paper many times. Select images with approximate accuracy, or visually check the print image on the display using the preview function attached to the driver. It is determined whether the printing result desired by the user can be obtained by assuming the amount and printing press temperature information.

  This determination is made by the user based on an empirical rule, and the application requires know-how based on the experience. In addition, knowledge about the printing press itself is necessary, and when a different type of printing press is selected, the load related to adjustment becomes large. Obtaining optimal images based on empirical rules and knowledge of printing presses is costly in terms of introducing new printers and workflows, and user education, and increases productivity when many users perform printing operations. Inhibit.

  In addition, when verifying print results based on preview or paper output results, or when performing print processing on multiple types of printers, the user prepares driver software for each printer device before print processing, and all printer drivers The results must be verified with

  In that case, the same printing process must be repeated many times in the information processing device, and by using a large number of drivers with different image generation mechanisms, inconsistencies such as stage shifts and font replacements every time the preview is used. Occurs. Further, it is impossible to verify how the final result is obtained when the image data generated by the information processing apparatus is transferred in any compression method or image format.

  At present, the present invention solves both the productivity and quality problems that pre-verification of a large-scale printing result using a plurality of printers can be obtained only by preview and trial printing by a driver.

  The present invention relates to original device-independent image data generated by Soft RIP in an information processing apparatus when a user outputs to a target color printer from a printer driver via a printer server in a light printing field or the like. What kind of post-processing (image format, compression method, print attribute addition) is added, and the final print result is obtained by obtaining a simulation result by multiplying the state transition parameters of the output target printer This is an automatic verification system.

  In general, the data generated by Soft RIP does not own device-dependent information itself, and the image format, compression method, resolution, gradation, paper size supported by the specific output device in the later process The final image is generated by multiplying attributes such as rotation processing and paper type. In current printer devices, the user does not have a method of simulating these effects and results in advance. In addition, visualization that reflects device transition information such as continuous operation time of the printer, the number of continuous outputs, the remaining amount of toner, and printing press temperature information cannot be performed.

  In the present invention, before the actual mass printing process is performed, the image generated by Soft RIP is analyzed, and a pre-simulation is performed to determine what post-processing process should be selected at the time of printing. Is a system that realizes visualization of the final image when using a plurality of printers.

  The outline of the means of the present invention is as follows. In the printer apparatus having the information processing apparatus having the rasterizing function and the communication means, the original image data once created by the rasterizer in the information processing apparatus is interactively transmitted via the image simulation mechanism of the present invention. The solution is to obtain an optimum print result by converting the image format into a plurality of image formats and a plurality of compression formats and automatically acquiring the state transition information of the plurality of printer apparatuses.

  As a specific description, an information processing apparatus equipped with a data input / output interface that can be connected to a printer device is equipped with a rasterization function, and a raster is formed on the substrate of the information processing apparatus. It has a storage device for storing printer device-independent image information after image processing. For printer device-independent image information generated by the information processing device, output device information on the network, image format supported by the device, and compression Multiply attributes such as method, resolution, gradation, rotation, and support paper. As a result, a means for virtually displaying the print result image and the incidental numerical value is adopted.

  Printer device-independent rasterized data generated once by the rasterizer in the information processing device is stored in the storage device in the information processing device, and the target printer can be changed any number of times. Enable verification. At the time of verification, analysis is performed by visualizing the image, and means for automatically reflecting incidental conditions necessary for the printing process such as continuous operation time of the printer, the number of continuous outputs, the remaining amount of toner, and the temperature information of the printing press are reflected in the visualized image .

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the Soft RIP that interprets the print input data in the information processing apparatus and generates device-independent rasterized data is installed, but the type of Soft RIP that operates in the information processing apparatus is connected. Any Soft RIP may be used as long as it has a mechanism capable of generating data that can be received by the printer apparatus. The rasterizing function is not limited to Soft RIP, and Hard RIP may be used.

  As a type of printer controller device installed in the printer device, as long as there is a function to receive an image generated by a rasterizer in the information processing device, even a printer equipped with a page description language is equipped with a page description language. Which printer device is not used may be used as the means.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, output attributes such as JPEG output, screen output, and BMP output are obtained as the secondary image by multiplying the device independent rasterized data created by Soft RIP in the information processing apparatus with the output attribute. Any output format may be used as long as the printer can interpret the output format.

  The protocol stack on the network used in the embodiment of the present invention uses TCP / IP. However, any protocol stack can be used so long as the printer device itself can transmit the printer device information to the information processing apparatus. Various protocol stacks may be used as means.

  As a means of the data input / output device, a means capable of transmitting / receiving the TCP / IP protocol is used as an embodiment, but other data input / output means such as USB and 1394 may be used in addition to TCP / IP.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the image data input / output device generated by the information processing device on the controller board in the printer device is used as the means. However, the input / output device may exist on a separate substrate from the printer controller. Absent.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the storage device mounted on the controller board takes a means to be installed on the same board as the controller board, but it may take a means to be mounted on another board connected to the controller board.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the address allocated to the printer apparatus is an arbitrary IP address. However, in the present invention, the device address may be a fixed address or an address dynamically allocated when the printer is activated.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, it does not matter whether the host name is set or not set in the printer apparatus. When the printer is under NAT control, the data input / output interface apparatus in the printer apparatus is used. On the other hand, although a communication address and a port number are allocated, the present invention does not cause a problem as in the case of dynamically allocated addresses.

  As described above, by using the present invention, it is possible to perform a printing simulation from a small volume printing to a light printing level using a plurality of printers. Up to now, when using multiple printers, users can make predictions in advance, other than judging by experience and skill, whether the same print quality can be secured for the target printer after Soft RIP processing could not.

  The printer apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printer apparatus according to the present invention.

  An information processing apparatus 101 connects a printer apparatus and operates driver software used for printing document data, image data, and the like, and has a network interface mechanism in the apparatus.

  A personal computer equipped with an OS is used as an ordinary information processing apparatus equipped with driver software. However, in the present invention, as long as the print driver can be executed as an information processing apparatus regardless of the type of OS or CPU, for example, a mobile phone or PDA equipped with a browser execution environment, a workstation, or the like can be used. Applicable.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes an information processing apparatus of the present invention. Reference numeral 102 interprets print command data transferred from a printer driver on the 101 information processing apparatus, and generates image data independent of the printer device. In the present invention, Soft RIP that runs on the OS is installed as a rasterizer, but the Soft RIP type may be any Soft RIP. The rasterizer type may be Hard RIP. In addition, the OS in the information processing apparatus 102 may be any OS.

  102 The printer device independent image data rasterized by Soft RIP in the information processing apparatus is subjected to processing for multiplying the output attribute for each target printer type in the information processing apparatus, and output settings such as JPEG output and BMP output and the printer The result is visualized and displayed on the display screen of the 101 information processing apparatus according to the continuous operation time, the number of continuously output sheets, the remaining toner amount, and the transition information of the printing press temperature information.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a printer apparatus according to the present invention. Usually, the printer device is an ink jet printer that discharges ink of multiple colors from nozzles to form an image, or a laser that charges a printing drum by applying a laser beam or the like and uses the drum to attach toner to the paper. There are beam printers.

  In the present invention, the printing method of the printer does not depend on a specific one, and can be applied to a printer of any output method. The 103 printer apparatus receives the original printer device-independent image data generated by the 102 information processing apparatus, and performs print processing on the image data according to the image format, compression format, and print attribute of the printer apparatus. if the printer, rather than specific constraints on functions of the printer controller mounted, the controller of what features including the presence or absence of a page description language is also applicable.

  A network 104 is a communication unit that connects the information processing apparatus and the printer apparatus. In a normal office environment, a LAN is used, but a public analog line, ISDN, ADSL, ATM, optical cable, etc. are also used as a WAN.

  In the present invention, there is no necessity to use a global network to connect the 101 information processing apparatus, the 102 information processing apparatus, and the 103 printer apparatus, and an IEEE1284 that is usually used to connect the information processing apparatus and the printer apparatus alone. There is no problem even with a serial interface such as RS232C, USB, or IEEE1394.

  Reference numeral 105 denotes a printer controller built in the printer apparatus. Printer activation, control, print image generation, continuous operation time of the printer, continuous output number of sheets, toner remaining amount, printing machine temperature information management information acquisition and distribution processing Execute.

  As long as 105 receives the image data generated by the 102 information processing apparatus, adds the functions and print attributes possessed by the printer apparatus to the image data, and reproduces the print function, specific restrictions are imposed on the functions of the printer controller. is not, controller of what features, including the presence or absence of a page description language can also be applied.

  The 105 printer controller has a storage device. In order to temporarily store image data when the image received by the 105 printer controller is developed, an apparatus attribute is added, image processing is performed, and printing processing is performed. It is a device. In addition, state transition information of the 103 printer device such as continuous operation time of the printer, the number of continuous outputs, the remaining amount of toner, and printing press temperature information is also stored.

  Reference numeral 106 denotes a printer apparatus that exists on the network that approximates the printing accuracy to the 103 printer apparatus in the present invention. In this embodiment, the 106 printer apparatus has a mechanism similar to that of the 103 printer apparatus, but may be a printer of a different type from the 103 printer apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the entire rasterizing process executed in the information processing apparatus.
Reference numeral 107 denotes an overall description of rasterization processing executed inside the 102 information processing apparatus, and this internal processing is called an image data simulation system.

  Reference numeral 108 denotes a console for designating an output method in the image data simulation system and starting a simulation. 108 sets a verification parameter when designating execution of verification for the 115 output device simulator. In the setting screen in this embodiment, which printing machine and which printing machine perform approximate output are set, and when setting output to the 103 printer device, 113 is operated and output setting to the 106 printer device is set. In this case, 114 is operated. 113 or 114 For the image data generated by any Soft RIP, set the verification parameters so that various selections of JPEG output, analysis BMP file output, visualization screen output option can be selected, Automates post-processing according to parameters of operating time, number of continuous outputs, remaining toner, and printing press temperature information.

  Reference numeral 109 denotes processing at the entrance of the 107 image data simulation system, which is a function for extracting print input target data from printer driver information. In this embodiment, it is used in the case of data format output for the 103 printer, and the output destination is acquired from the registry.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes an entry process of the 107 image data simulation system, which is a function for extracting print input target data from printer driver information. In this embodiment, it is used in the case of data format output for the 106 printer apparatus, and the output destination is acquired from the registry as in 109.

  Reference numeral 111 denotes print input data that is prepared for output when the output is designated to the 103 printer in the 107 image data simulation system.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes print input data that is prepared for output when the output is designated to the 106 printer in the 107 image data simulation system.

  Reference numeral 113 denotes an arbitrary Soft RIP used in the image data simulation system. In the present invention, any type of Soft RIP may be used as long as image data independent of the printer device is generated. . This configuration is used when an output to the 103 printer is requested by the 109 printer processor.

  Reference numeral 114 denotes an arbitrary Soft RIP used in the image data simulation system. In the present invention, any type of Soft RIP may be used as long as image data independent of the printer device is generated. . This configuration is used when an output to the 106 printer apparatus is requested by the 110 printer processor.

  Reference numeral 115 denotes a mechanism for performing verification by multiplying output device information against an image file independent of a printer device generated by any Soft RIP 113 or 114, and is called an output device simulator. This mechanism acquires and stores various printer device attributes connected to the network with respect to the data generated by 113 or 114, and then continuously operates the printer, continuously outputs, remaining toner, Printing machine temperature information, resolution verification based on the information, color conversion verification, and screen optimization verification are sequentially executed.

  115 If an output device is added to the result obtained by the output device simulator and the accuracy is to be verified again, the data generated by any Soft RIP 113 or 114 can be changed by changing parameters and output device selection. Information is added, multiplied, and whether or not the printing accuracy is approximate. If the output result cannot be approximated between the target printers with the target number of prints in the pre-verification, the density adjustment and color adjustment instructions are retried to the printer again before the printing process. .

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a simulation option of an output mode to the printer apparatus of the present invention.

  116 is an enlarged view of a simulation option of an output mode to the 103 printer device at a console for designating an output method and starting a simulation in the image data simulation system. 113 is operated using this console.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the simulation option of the output mode to the printer apparatus of the present invention.

  117 is an enlarged view of a simulation option of an output mode to the 106 printer device at a console for designating an output method and starting a simulation in the image data simulation system. Use this console and run 114.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for the operation of the printer apparatus of the present invention.

  In the present invention, an example from the 101 information processing apparatus to the 103 printer apparatus until the print processing is completed through 107 image data simulation is shown.

  201 is a step in which the printer user prints the 101 information processing apparatus using the Soft RIP driver. The print execution is executed from the Soft RIP driver console, and the 103 printer device and the 106 printer device are selected as target printers to approximate the image accuracy.

  Reference numeral 202 denotes a step of fetching data rasterized in the information processing apparatus 102 as spooling data. In the case of output by the 103 printer, the image data generated at 202 is extracted as 111 print input data via the 109 print processor, and is 113 image data obtained as a result of arbitrary Soft RIP processing. The attribute of the printer device for printing is not reflected in the data. In the case of output by the 106 printer device, the image data generated at 202 is extracted as 112 print input data via the 110 print processor, and is 114 image data obtained as a result of arbitrary Soft RIP processing. This data does not reflect the attributes of the printing device.

  Reference numeral 203 denotes a step of executing a simulation in which printing device attributes are added to the image data generated in 202. In the case of output by the 103 printer apparatus, the 115 output device simulator processes data generated by 113 arbitrary Soft RIPs, and executes the simulation by reflecting the attributes of the 103 printer apparatus to be printed.

  204 is a step of displaying the execution result of 203 on the 101 information processing apparatus. As the parameters used for the 203 simulation, 103 printer apparatus device information is acquired via the 104 network, and the image format, compression method, color conversion process, gradation, halftone, resolution, paper type, and the like mounted on the 105 printer controller are obtained. The secondary image of each of the 103 printer device and the 106 printer device is generated by verifying by multiplying the paper supply / discharge option, outputable gradation, resolution, and status information.

  205 is a step of visualizing the print image data of each of the 103 printer device and the 106 printer device from the result obtained in 204 in the 101 information processing device and determining whether an approximate image can be obtained for both output results. .

  Reference numeral 206 denotes a step of determining color adjustment and density adjustment instructions for the 103 printer apparatus and the 106 printer apparatus from the verification result obtained in 205. Further, as a result of the 107 image data simulation system, the user determines whether or not the 103 printer device and the 106 printer device can obtain a print result of desired image quality from the status information of the 103 printer device and the 106 printer device. This is a step to judge.

  207 is a step of setting the verification parameters again and acquiring the state information in the 115 output device simulator based on the determinations of 205 and 206. When executing the status acquisition for the 103 printer device, the 116 simulation console is operated, and when executing the status acquisition for the 106 printer device, the 117 simulation console is operated.

  When executing verification for the 103 printer device, the attribute of the 103 printer device is notified to the 102 information processing device via the 104 network for the image data generated by any Soft RIP 113, and the BMP file for analysis Select output, JPEG output, and screen output options for visualization, and set verification parameters. In addition, the continuous operation time of the printer, the number of continuous output sheets, the remaining amount of toner, and printing press temperature information are automatically acquired.

  When executing verification for the 106 printer device, the attribute owned by the 106 printer device is notified to the 102 information processing device via the 104 network for the image data generated by any Soft RIP, and the BMP file for analysis Select output, JPEG output, and screen output options for visualization, and set verification parameters. In addition, the continuous operation time of the printer, the number of continuous output sheets, the remaining amount of toner, and printing press temperature information are automatically acquired.

  Reference numeral 208 denotes a step in which density control is performed by the 103 printer apparatus for the conditions set in step 207.

  Reference numeral 209 denotes a step of performing color control on the density information controlled in 208 by the 103 printer apparatus.

  Reference numeral 210 denotes a 103 printer device, which dynamically sets the output destination and output option in the registry on the setting screen of the 108 output setting dialog, and 113 based on one printer device independent image data generated by an arbitrary Soft RIP. A compression method is set, and a simulation of 103 printer apparatuses on the network is executed.

  Reference numeral 211 denotes a step of performing density control in the 106 printer apparatus.

  A step 212 performs color control on the density information controlled in 211 by the 106 printer apparatus.

  Reference numeral 213 denotes a 106 printer device. The output destination and output options are dynamically set in the registry on the setting screen of the 108 output setting dialog, and 114 based on one printer device independent image data generated by any Soft RIP. The compression method is set and simulation of the 106 printer device on the network is executed.

  214 determines whether the approximate image quality can be printed by both the 103 printer device and the 106 printer device based on the verification result of the data acquired in step 210 and step 213, and re-verifies the image, or on the target printer. This is a step for determining whether or not to perform the printing process. If re-verification is necessary, the process proceeds to step 207 again.

  As a result of the verification, if it is determined that the approximate image cannot be obtained in the 103 printer device and the 106 printer device, the output device option 116 or 117 is newly reset, the image data is visualized, the continuous operation time of the printer, Automatic acquisition of continuous output number, remaining toner, and press temperature information.

  Reference numeral 215 denotes a step of actually performing printing processing with a plurality of printers in accordance with the verified parameters.

  Therefore, by using the image data simulation system in this proposal, what kind of post-processing (image format, compression, etc.) is applied to “original printer device independent image data generated by Soft RIP” in the information processing device. System, device attributes, gradation, color conversion) and transition state adjustment (printer continuous operation time, continuous output number of sheets, toner remaining amount, printing press temperature information) can be added immediately to see if approximate image accuracy can be secured It became possible to verify.

  As a result, when verifying image quality with a rasterizer such as Soft RIP, it is not necessary to install several drivers, use the preview function of all drivers, and repeat trial printing. By adding a number of output attributes interactively to the printer device-independent image data created in step 1, and visualizing and statisticalizing the results, it is possible to eliminate failed printing and improve user productivity. became.

1 is a system block diagram of a printer apparatus, an information processing apparatus, and a network according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart from when a user simulates a printing process to print efficiently with a network configuration of an information processing apparatus and a printer apparatus according to the present invention. It is the whole rasterization processing explanatory drawing performed inside the information processing apparatus. It is an enlarged view of a simulation option of an output mode to the printer device of the present invention. It is an enlarged view of a simulation option of an output mode to the printer device of the present invention.

Claims (3)

  Two or more printer apparatuses connected to an information processing apparatus via a network, and having a function of generating device-independent image data by using a rasterizer mechanism in the information processing apparatus. Based on one rasterized data, after that, by taking the means to add the continuous operation time of each printer, the number of continuous output sheets, the remaining amount of toner, device temperature information, image format format, compression format, and print attribute information to the data A printer apparatus and a printing method thereof, characterized by approximating printing accuracy by pre-verifying images generated by the respective printers.   A printer having the means for generating device-independent image data that can be interpreted by the printer apparatus, having communication means with the printer apparatus according to claim 1, the continuous operation time of the printer, the number of continuous outputs, the remaining amount of toner, and the printing press temperature information An information processing apparatus characterized by multiplying an arbitrary compression method and printing attributes and pre-verifying an actual printing result based on the obtained visualization information.   A communication unit that communicates with the information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the continuous operation time of the printer, the number of continuous outputs, the remaining amount of toner, the temperature information of the printing press, and an image format that the device can support; A printer apparatus, which notifies a compression method, print attributes, hardware resources, and an optional mechanism, and obtains a final print result by adding and reflecting information to a visualization function of the information processing apparatus.

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