JP2007183885A - Print controller, printer, printing system, and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user who operates a print controller to select an arbitrary printing method out of a plurality of printing methods with which printers comply. <P>SOLUTION: This print controller for controlling the printer has: a printing method information acquisition means for acquiring information on at least two printing methods with which the printers comply; a printing method selection screen display means for displaying a screen regarding selection of at least two printing methods with which the printer comply according to the information acquired by the printing method information acquisition means; and a printing method determination means for determining the printing method for the printer, based on a selection operation instruction through the screen, and thus solves the problems. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a printing apparatus, a printing system, and a printing method.

  There is a device that prints a recorded image by directly connecting a recording / reproducing apparatus such as a digital camera and a printer, or by integrally configuring the printer.

  Patent Document 1 describes a technique in which a composite printer having a plurality of printers automatically determines a monochrome page and a color page and performs printing with a printer optimal for printing each page. .

JP 2003-118174 A

  However, when printing is performed by connecting a composite printer having a plurality of printers and, for example, a camera capable of printing control, the user who operates the camera cannot arbitrarily select the printer and the method for printing. was there.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that a user who operates a printing control apparatus can select an arbitrary printing method from a plurality of printing methods supported by the printing apparatus. And

  Accordingly, in order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a printing control apparatus that controls a printing apparatus, and obtains information on at least two printing methods supported by the printing apparatus. Printing method selection screen display means for displaying a screen related to selection of at least two or more printing methods supported by the printing apparatus according to the information acquired by the printing method information acquisition means, and the screen And a printing method determining means for determining a printing method in the printing apparatus based on a selection operation instruction via the printing apparatus.

  Further, the present invention is a printing apparatus that performs printing, and at least two or more corresponding printing method information providing means for providing information of at least two or more corresponding printing methods to the printing control apparatus. And printing means for performing printing based on the printing method determined by the printing control apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problem, the present invention may be a printing system, a printing control method, and a printing method.

  According to the present invention, a user who operates a print control apparatus can select an arbitrary print system from a plurality of print systems supported by the print apparatus.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a print system including a camera-integrated VTR and a composite printer. U101 represents a camera-integrated VTR with a liquid crystal monitor that conforms to a consumer digital VTR standard equipped with a communication unit. U102 represents a composite printer including a plurality of printing units that print a recorded image so as to be visible. The camera-integrated VTR U101 and the composite printer U102 are connected by a communication cable U103. With this configuration, commands and data are exchanged between the camera-integrated VTR U101 and the composite printer U102, and a recorded image recorded on the camera-integrated VTR U101 is printed by the composite printer U102.

  The connection between the camera-integrated VTR U101 and the composite printer U102 is not limited to a cable, and communication may be performed by a wireless communication method.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the camera-integrated VTR. In FIG. 2, B100 represents a control signal line of each block, and an address bus and a data bus used for data transmission / reception to each block. B101 represents a microcomputer and controls the entire camera-integrated VTR. B102 represents an image signal processing unit. An image signal obtained by photoelectrically converting a subject with the photoelectric conversion element B105, an image signal input from an external input / output connector B106, or an audio signal process B108 input from a microphone B107 The audio signal processed by the unit is processed. The image signal processing unit B102 processes an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel B109 by the display control unit B110.

  B115 represents a lens unit, and is controlled by the lens control unit of B116. B124 is an imaging unit including B105, B115, and B116. B103 represents a memory and stores temporary data. B114 represents a power supply control unit, and performs power supply control of the AC adapter of B112, the battery of B113, and the like. B111 represents input switches, and includes a power button, a shooting start button, a playback image selection button, and the like.

  B123 represents a communication control unit, and performs communication with a device (printer or PC) connected via the communication connector of B122. B118 represents a VTR control unit, and controls the control of the VTR unit of B119, recording and reproduction of moving image data and audio, and playback. B117 represents a memory card controller and controls writing and reading of the memory card of B120.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the composite printer. The composite printer shown in FIG. 3 has a leather printer function, an ink jet (hereinafter referred to as IJ) printer function, and a sublimation printer function inside the printer body. In addition, the composite printer has a function of notifying a print control apparatus (for example, a camera-integrated VTR) that the printer has the three types of functions by communication. The composite printer also has a function capable of printing in accordance with a printing method and print settings designated by the print control apparatus.

  In FIG. 3, U310 represents a control unit inside the composite printer. U320 represents a laser printer unit inside the composite printer controlled by the control unit. U330 represents an IJ printer unit inside the composite printer controlled by the control unit. U340 represents a sublimation type printer unit inside the composite printer controlled by the control unit.

  Hereinafter, functional blocks constituting the control unit of U310 will be described. B312 represents a power supply control unit, and controls AC power supplied from the AC connector unit of B311 and DC power supplied from the battery unit of B313. B315 represents a microcomputer unit, which controls the entire composite printer by the microcomputer. B314 represents a switch unit, and inputs information on operation buttons of the composite printer main body to the microcomputer unit. B316 represents a communication unit, transfers commands and data to and from other communicable devices via cable connection or wireless communication connection, and prints recorded images recorded on the other communicable devices.

  Hereinafter, functional blocks constituting the laser printer unit of U320 will be described. B321 represents a laser print engine, which controls the toner of B322 and the paper control unit 1 of B323, and also controls the entire laser printer unit. Further, the paper control unit 1 controls the paper tray 1 of B324 to control paper feeding and paper discharge.

  Hereinafter, functional blocks constituting the IJ printer unit of U330 will be described. B331 represents an IJ print engine, and controls the IJ ink of B332 and the paper control unit 1 of B323, and also controls the entire IJ printer unit. The paper control unit 1 and the paper tray 1 are functional blocks common to the laser printer unit and function in the same manner as the laser printer unit.

  The functional blocks constituting the U340 sublimation printer unit will be described below. B342 represents a sublimation print engine, which controls the sublimation ink of B343 and the paper control unit 2 of B341, and also controls the entire sublimation print unit. Further, the paper control unit 2 controls the paper tray 2 of B344, and controls paper feeding and paper discharge.

  FIG. 4 is a main block diagram relating to the printing operation of the printing control apparatus. B404 represents a printer information storage unit, and stores a plurality of printing methods of the composite printer obtained by communication with the composite printer. When a user operating the print control apparatus selects / determines a printing method using the operation switch unit B405 and the display unit B402, the selected printing method is notified to the composite printer, and printing is performed in the composite printer. Executed. The print control unit in B406 requests the printer for the determined printing method and the image stored in the print image recording unit in B401 through the communication unit in B403.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an example of control in a microcomputer (print control unit) that controls the print control apparatus. In the following description, each step of the flowchart is abbreviated as “S”. With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, the printing operation of the print control apparatus will be described.

  S101 represents the start of communication, and communication is started by connection of a communication cable, activation of a print control device or a composite printer, transition to a communication mode, or the like.

  In S102, the print control apparatus determines a printer method such as a print method (laser print, IJ print, sublimation print) that can be designated from a composite printer by communication, or a print setting in each print method that can be designated from the other party by communication. Get information from the compound printer. Here, the print settings include print image information (file format, file size, etc.), number of copies, print paper size (print range), print position (layout), print quality (image quality), print paper type ( Paper quality), ink type, printing effect (special effect), image processing information, and the like.

  Alternatively, the print control apparatus determines a connected composite printer by acquiring a predetermined code specific to the composite printer, and acquires printer information from its own storage unit (memory) or the like.

  In step S103, the print control apparatus displays the printing method of the connected composite printer (see, for example, FIG. 6). In S104, the print control apparatus selects and determines a print method according to a selection operation or the like selected on the screen as shown in FIG. 6 by the user operating the print control apparatus.

  In S105, the print control apparatus displays a print setting screen that can be specified by the selected printing method (see, for example, FIG. 7). In S <b> 106, the print control apparatus selects and determines print settings in accordance with the selection operation selected on the screen as shown in FIG. 7 by the user operating the print control apparatus.

  In step S107, the print control apparatus transmits the determined printing method, print setting, and image (or document) to be printed to the composite printer, and requests printing.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation switch unit of the print control apparatus. In FIG. 8, B501 represents a SET button, which means determination by being pressed by the user in S104 and S106 of FIG. B502 to B505 represent direction buttons, and the UI cursor on the display screen is moved in the direction of the pressed button when pressed by the user in S104 of FIG. 5, S105, or S106. In S106 of FIG. 5, when the user presses B504 or B505 with the cursor positioned on each setting item of FIG. 7, there are other options other than the displayed setting values. Are displayed by the print control apparatus.

  The user of the print control apparatus selects the IJ print method, for example, when performing index printing for printing a plurality of images on one sheet. Also, the user of the print control apparatus selects the sublimation type printing method when, for example, normal printing for printing one image on one sheet is desired.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the user of the printing control apparatus can adaptively select the printing method according to the printing mode.

  The first embodiment has been described using a camera-integrated VTR as an example of a print control apparatus. In the second embodiment, a description is given using a communication device such as a mobile phone as an example of a print control apparatus. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram of a print system including a communication device such as a mobile phone and a composite printer. U201 represents a communication device such as a mobile phone. U202 represents a composite printer including a plurality of printing units that print a recorded image so as to be visible. A communication device U201 such as a mobile phone and a composite printer U202 are connected by a communication cable U203. With this configuration, commands and data are exchanged between the communication device U201 such as a mobile phone and the composite printer U202, and a recorded image recorded on the communication device U201 such as a mobile phone is printed by the composite printer U202.

  Note that the connection between the communication device U201 such as a mobile phone and the composite printer U202 is not limited to a cable, and communication may be performed by a wireless communication method.

  FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a communication device such as a mobile phone. In FIG. 10, B201 represents a microcomputer and controls the entire communication device such as a mobile phone. B202 represents a numeric keypad for inputting numbers, letters, and symbols. B203 represents a power switch for turning on the power. B204 represents a liquid crystal screen as a display monitor. B205 represents a battery and serves as a drive power source for a communication device main body such as a mobile phone. B206 represents a wireless communication module including circuits necessary for wireless communication, and performs communication using the antenna of B208. B207 represents a memory and is used for temporary storage of data and the like. B208 represents a communication connector with the composite printer.

  In the above-described embodiment, the description has been given using an example in which one print method is selected in the print control apparatus. In the third embodiment, a case where a plurality of printing methods are selected in the print control apparatus will be described as an example. In the third embodiment, differences from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an example of control in the microcomputer (print control unit) that controls the print control apparatus. In the following description, each step of the flowchart is abbreviated as “S”. With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11, the printing operation of the printing control apparatus will be described.

  S201 represents the start of communication, and communication is started by connection of a communication cable, activation of a print control apparatus or printer, transition to a communication mode, or the like.

  In step S202, the print control apparatus determines printer information such as a printing method (laser printing, IJ printing, sublimation printing) that can be designated from the printer through communication, or print settings in each printing method that can be designated from the other party through communication. Is acquired from the composite printer.

  Alternatively, the print control apparatus determines a connected composite printer by acquiring a predetermined code specific to the composite printer, and acquires printer information from its own storage unit (memory) or the like.

  In step S203, the print control apparatus displays the print method of the connected composite printer (see, for example, FIG. 12). As illustrated in FIG. 12, in the case of the third embodiment, the print control apparatus, based on the printer information acquired in S <b> 102, print methods supported by the composite printer and print methods supported by the composite printer. And a combination of For the sake of simplification of explanation, in the third embodiment, the print control apparatus will be described assuming that only a combination of two printing methods is displayed as a combination of printing methods. The same applies to the following embodiments. Note that this does not limit the implementation of the present invention.

  In step S204, the print control apparatus selects and determines a print method according to a selection operation or the like selected on the screen as illustrated in FIG. 12 by the user who operates the print control apparatus. In S205, the print control apparatus determines whether or not a plurality of printing methods have been selected and determined in S204. If the printing control apparatus determines that a plurality of printing methods have been selected, the process proceeds to S206. If the printing control apparatus determines that one printing method has been selected, the process proceeds to S208.

In S206, for example, the printing control apparatus displays a printing method selection screen for each piece of data (or information) to be printed (see, for example, FIG. 13). In FIG. 13, the user who operates the print control apparatus prints the image portion by the sublimation printing method, and prints the attribute information to be printed on the edge or margin portion of the image such as the date and the file name by the IJ printing method. A selected example is shown.
By doing so, it is possible to give priority to black gradation in the image portion and to obtain fineness in the character portion of the attribute information.
Of course, the combination of printing methods is not limited to this, but user convenience can be enhanced by enabling adaptive selection according to the image quality desired by the user.

  In step S207, the print control apparatus selects a print method for each data (or information) to be printed according to a selection operation selected on the screen as illustrated in FIG. 13 by the user operating the print control apparatus. ,decide.

  In step S208, the print control apparatus displays a print setting screen that can be specified by the selected printing method. In step S209, the print control apparatus selects and determines print settings according to a selection operation or the like selected on the print setting screen by the user who operates the print control apparatus.

  In step S210, the print control apparatus transmits the determined printing method, print setting, and image (or document) to be printed to the composite printer, and requests printing.

  According to the third embodiment, the user of the print control apparatus can perform printing or the like by adaptively selecting a plurality of print methods according to the print form.

  In the third embodiment, as shown in S205 to S207 of FIG. 11 and FIG. 13, an example in which the user who operates the print control apparatus selects a printing method for each data (or information) to be printed is used. I explained. In the fourth embodiment, a case where the print control apparatus determines a printing method for each piece of data (or information) to be printed will be described as an example. In the fourth embodiment, differences from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart (part 3) illustrating an example of control in the microcomputer (print control unit) that controls the print control apparatus. In the following description, each step of the flowchart is abbreviated as “S”. In the flowchart of FIG. 14, the printing operation of the print control apparatus will be described.

  S301 to S304 in FIG. 14 are the same as S201 to S204 in FIG. In S305, the print control apparatus determines whether or not a plurality of printing methods have been selected and determined in S304. If the printing control apparatus determines that a plurality of printing methods have been selected, the process proceeds to S306. If the printing control apparatus determines that one printing method has been selected, the process proceeds to S307.

  In step S306, the print control apparatus refers to a correspondence table (for example, see FIG. 15) held in a memory or the like based on the combination of printing methods selected and determined in step S304. Determine data (or information). As shown in FIG. 15, the association table is a table that associates a combination of printing methods with data (or information) to be printed by the printing method associated with the combination.

  In step S307, the print control apparatus displays a print setting screen that can be specified by the selected print method. In step S308, the print control apparatus selects and determines print settings according to a selection operation selected on the print setting screen by the user operating the print control apparatus.

  In step S309, the print control apparatus transmits the determined print method, print setting, and image (or document) to be printed to the composite printer, and requests printing.

  In the fourth embodiment, the print control apparatus has an association table as illustrated in FIG. 15 and determines target data (or information) for each corresponding printing method based on a combination of printing methods. In the fifth embodiment, an example will be described in which the composite printer has a correspondence table as illustrated in FIG. 15 and determines target data (or information) for each corresponding printing method based on a combination of printing methods. .

  In the case of the fifth embodiment, the flowchart showing the processing in the print control apparatus is the same as FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. However, in the case of the fifth embodiment, the print control apparatus displays a print setting screen common to a plurality of printing methods in S105. Here, the print settings common to a plurality of printing methods are, for example, the number of prints and print paper.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control in a microcomputer (processor) that controls the composite printer. In the following description, each step of the flowchart is abbreviated as “S”. With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 16, the printing operation of the composite printer will be described.

  S401 represents the start of communication, and communication is started by connection of a communication cable, activation of a print control device or a composite printer, transition to a communication mode, or the like.

  In step S <b> 402, the composite printer determines a printer method such as a print method (laser print, IJ print, sublimation type print) that can be designated by the print control device or a print setting in each print method that can be designated by the print control device. Information is transmitted to the printing control apparatus.

  In step S <b> 403, the composite printer determines whether a print request including the print method determined by the print control apparatus, print settings, and an image (or document) to be printed is received from the print control apparatus. If it is determined that a print request has been received from the print control apparatus, the multifunction printer proceeds to S404. If it is determined that a print request has not been received, the multifunction printer repeats the process of S403.

  In step S404, the composite printer determines whether a plurality of printing methods are selected based on the printing method included in the print request received from the print control apparatus. If the multi-function printer determines that a plurality of printing methods are selected, the process proceeds to S405. If it is determined that one printing method is selected, the process proceeds to S406.

  In step S405, the composite printer refers to a correspondence table (for example, see FIG. 15) held in a memory or the like based on the combination of printing methods determined in the print control apparatus included in the print request. The target data (or information) for each printing method to be determined is determined.

  In step S <b> 406, the composite printer starts printing based on the printing method, the print setting, the image (or document) to be printed, and the like.

  A flowchart in which the processing of S404 and S405 in FIG. 16 is omitted is a flowchart of the composite printer in each of the above-described embodiments.

  As described above, according to each of the above-described embodiments, a user operating the print control apparatus can select an arbitrary printing method from a plurality of printing methods supported by the printing apparatus.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Change is possible.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the print control apparatus has been described to acquire information such as the print method and print settings from the composite printer in the same step. However, the print method and print settings are set as necessary. It may be obtained from the composite printer each time.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a print system including a camera-integrated VTR and a composite printer. It is a functional block diagram of a camera-integrated VTR. 2 is a functional block diagram of a composite printer. FIG. It is a main block diagram related to the printing operation of the printing control apparatus. 6 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an example of control in a microcomputer (print control unit) that controls the print control apparatus. FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a printing method selection screen (No. 1). 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation switch part of a printing control apparatus. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a print system including a communication device such as a mobile phone and a composite printer. It is a functional block diagram of communication apparatuses, such as a mobile phone. 10 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an example of control in a microcomputer (print control unit) that controls the print control apparatus. FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a printing method selection screen (No. 2). It is a figure which shows an example of the printing system selection screen for every data (or information) of printing object. 10 is a flowchart (part 3) illustrating an example of control in a microcomputer (print control unit) that controls the print control apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of a matching table. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control in a microcomputer (processor) that controls the composite printer.

Explanation of symbols

B401 Print image recording unit B402 Display unit B403 Communication unit B404 Printer information storage unit B405 Operation switch unit B406 Print control unit

Claims (15)

A printing control device for controlling a printing device,
Printing method information acquisition means for acquiring information of at least two printing methods supported by the printing apparatus;
Printing method selection screen display means for displaying a screen related to selection of at least two or more printing methods supported by the printing apparatus in accordance with the information acquired by the printing method information acquisition means;
A printing method determining means for determining a printing method in the printing apparatus based on a selection operation instruction via the screen;
A printing control apparatus comprising:   The printing method determining means determines one printing method in the printing device from at least two printing methods supported by the printing device based on a selection operation instruction via the screen. The print control apparatus according to claim 1.   The printing method determining means determines a plurality of printing methods in the printing apparatus from at least two printing methods supported by the printing apparatus based on a selection operation instruction via the screen. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print control apparatus is a print control apparatus. Print setting information acquisition means for acquiring information relating to print settings for each of at least two or more printing methods supported by the printing apparatus;
Print setting screen display means for displaying a screen relating to print settings in accordance with the information acquired by the print setting information acquisition means;
Print setting determination means for determining print settings based on a selection operation instruction via the screen;
The print control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A printing device that performs printing,
Printing method information providing means for providing the printing control apparatus with information on at least two printing methods that are compatible;
A printing unit that performs printing based on a printing method determined by the printing control apparatus among at least two printing methods that are compatible; and
A printing apparatus comprising:   The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the printing unit performs printing based on one printing method determined by the printing control device among at least two printing methods corresponding to the printing unit. .   The printing unit performs printing based on one or a plurality of printing methods among a plurality of printing methods determined by the printing control apparatus among at least two printing methods corresponding to the printing unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 5. A print setting information providing means for providing the print control apparatus with information relating to print settings for each of at least two or more compatible printing methods;
The printing unit performs printing based on a printing method determined by the print control device and a print setting determined by the print control device among at least two corresponding printing methods. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the printing apparatus is a printer. A printing system including a printing device and a printing control device,
The print control device includes:
Printing method information acquisition means for acquiring information of at least two printing methods supported by the printing apparatus;
Printing method selection screen display means for displaying a screen related to selection of at least two or more printing methods supported by the printing apparatus in accordance with the information acquired by the printing method information acquisition means;
A printing method determining means for determining a printing method in the printing apparatus based on a selection operation instruction via the screen;
Have
The printing apparatus includes:
Printing method information providing means for providing the printing control apparatus with information on at least two printing methods that are compatible;
A printing unit that performs printing based on a printing method determined by the printing control apparatus among at least two printing methods that are compatible; and
A printing system comprising: A printing control method in a printing control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus,
A printing method information obtaining step for obtaining information of at least two printing methods supported by the printing apparatus;
A printing method selection screen display step for displaying a screen related to selection of at least two or more printing methods supported by the printing device in accordance with the information acquired in the printing method information acquisition step;
A printing method determining step for determining a printing method in the printing apparatus based on a selection operation instruction via the screen;
A printing control method characterized by comprising: A printing method in a printing apparatus that performs printing,
A printing method information providing step of providing information of at least two or more printing methods corresponding to the printing control device;
A printing step for performing printing based on a printing method determined in the printing control apparatus among at least two printing methods that are compatible; and
A printing method characterized by comprising: An input unit for inputting image data and character information related to the image data;
A first printing section that performs printing by a sublimation type method;
A second printing unit that performs printing by an inkjet method;
And a control unit that controls the image data and the character information to be printed by the first printing unit or the second printing unit, respectively.   The printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the control unit causes the first printing unit to print the image data, and causes the second printing unit to print the character information. An input step of inputting image data and character information relating to the image data;
A first printing step for printing by a sublimation type method;
A second printing step for printing by an inkjet method;
Have
A printing method further comprising a control step of controlling the image data and the character information to be printed in the first printing step or the second printing step, respectively.   The printing method according to claim 14, wherein the control step causes the image data to be printed in the first printing step, and the character information is printed in the second printing step.

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