JP2007196463A - Printer, its control method and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate wasteful use of a memory and to reduce a processing burden when a structured document is printed. <P>SOLUTION: According to the multi-function printer 20, when an analysis level of a CSS document is designated to an XHTML document received from an external apparatus, a property name/property value necessary for the analysis level is selected from an original CSS document, and the XHTML document is developed into the memory 30 on the basis of the property name/property value after the selection. Therefore, unnecessary data is prevented from being developed into the memory 30. The wasteful use of the memory 30 can be eliminated when the XHTML document is subjected to printing processing, and also the processing burden at the time of printing can be reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing apparatuses capable of printing structured documents having a hierarchical structure typified by XML documents and XHTML documents are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing apparatus that analyzes a CSS document designated as an XHTML document, creates a style object, and associates it with a DOM tree.
JP 2005-11795 A

  By the way, for example, when an external device such as a digital television transmits a print instruction for a structured document to a printing apparatus, an instruction to print with the ARIB specification may be attached to the print instruction. In that case, the printing apparatus analyzes the style information that defines the style of the structured document. For example, when the style information is a CSS document, a token is cut out from the CSS document, a property name / property value is acquired, and whether the property value is valid is checked. Name / property values are rule set objects. After analyzing the style information, the structured document is expanded in the memory based on the rule object, and only the data necessary for the ARIB specification is selected from the expanded data and printed out. It is done. However, since it is not considered to print with the ARIB specification until the memory is expanded, there is a problem that the memory is wasted and the processing time is increased.

  Note that XML is an abbreviation for eExtensible Markup Language, XHTML is an abbreviation for eXtensible Hyper Text Markup Language, CSS is an abbreviation for Cascading Style Sheets, and DOM is an abbreviation for DocMent Corporation. Abbreviations for Association of Radio Industries and Businesses, which are well known in the art.

  The printing apparatus, the control method thereof, and the program thereof according to the present invention have an object to eliminate wasteful use of memory when printing a structured document. Another object is to reduce the processing load when printing a structured document.

  The present invention employs the following means in order to achieve at least one of the above-described objects.

The style information analysis apparatus of the present invention is
A printing device capable of printing structured documents,
Receiving means for receiving the structured document from an external device;
When an analysis level of style information is specified in the structured document received by the receiving unit, the style information applied to the structured document is analyzed using definition information corresponding to the analysis level and the analysis is performed. Analysis means to select the style information required for the level,
Print processing execution means for executing memory processing on the structured document based on the result analyzed by the analysis means and executing print processing;
It is a summary to provide.

  In this printing apparatus, when the analysis level of the style information is specified in the structured document received from the external apparatus, the style information applied to the structured document is analyzed using the definition information corresponding to the analysis level. Then, the style information necessary for the analysis level is selected, the structured document is expanded in the memory based on the analysis result, and the printing process is executed. As described above, when the analysis level of the style information is specified, the style information necessary for the analysis level is selected from the original style information. Therefore, the structured document is stored in the memory based on the selected style information. If expanded, unnecessary data is not expanded in the memory. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate useless use of memory when processing structured documents, and to reduce the processing load.

  The structured document includes, for example, a document (XML document, XHTML document, etc.) created by a markup language. An example of the external device is a digital television. The style information includes, for example, a CSS document.

  In the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, when the analysis level of the style information is not specified in the structured document received by the receiving unit, the analysis unit is suitable for printing out the style information applied to the structured document. Analysis may be performed using definition information corresponding to the analysis level, and style information necessary for the analysis level may be selected. In this way, if the structured document is expanded in the memory based on the selected style information, data unnecessary for printing is not expanded in the memory.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the analysis means determines whether or not an analysis level of style information is specified in the structured document, whether the type of the external device that has transmitted the structured document is a predetermined type. The determination may be made based on whether the data path between the receiving unit and the external apparatus that has transmitted the structured document is a predetermined data path. For example, when the correspondence between the type of external device and the analysis level of the style information is predetermined, the former is adopted, and when the correspondence between the data path and the analysis level of the style information is predetermined Can adopt the latter.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, when the style information is a CSS document, a list that lists property names that can be used at the analysis level may be adopted as definition information corresponding to the analysis level. In this case, when analyzing a CSS document, a property name listed in the definition information may be selected from property names in the CSS document. Or you may employ | adopt the list | wrist which enumerated the property value which can be used in this analysis level as definition information corresponding to an analysis level. In this case, when analyzing the CSS document, the property value listed in the definition information described corresponding to the property name in the CSS document may be selected.

The control method of the printing apparatus of the present invention includes:
A method for controlling a printing apparatus capable of printing a structured document, comprising:
(A) receiving the structured document from an external device;
(B) When the analysis level of the style information is specified in the structured document received in the step (a), the style information applied to the structured document is analyzed using the definition information corresponding to the analysis level. Selecting style information necessary for the analysis level;
(C) executing the printing process by developing the structured document in memory based on the result of the analysis in step (b);
It is made to include.

  In this printing apparatus control method, when the analysis level of the style information is specified in the structured document received from the external apparatus, the style information applied to the structured document is used as the definition information corresponding to the analysis level. The style information necessary for the analysis level is selected, the structured document is expanded in the memory based on the analysis result, and the printing process is executed. As described above, when the analysis level of the style information is specified, the style information necessary for the analysis level is selected from the original style information. Therefore, the structured document is stored in the memory based on the selected style information. If expanded, unnecessary data is not expanded in the memory. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate useless use of memory when processing structured documents, and to reduce the processing load.

  In the printing apparatus control method of the present invention, steps for realizing the functions and functions exhibited by the configuration of any of the above-described printing apparatuses of the present invention may be added.

  The program of the present invention is a program for causing one or more computers to realize each step of the above-described printing apparatus control method. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.), or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this program is executed by a single computer or each computer executes the steps in a shared manner, the same operations and effects as those of the printing apparatus control method described above can be obtained.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a multifunction printer 20 as an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the multifunction printer 20 of the present embodiment is connected to a personal computer 40, a digital television 42, a digital camera 44, a mobile phone 46, etc., and an input interface 22 for inputting various documents and an input to the input interface 22. A printing application 24 that prints the XHTML document to be printed, a CSS analysis unit 26 that receives a CSS analysis request from the printing application 24, and an analysis that the CSS analysis unit 26 refers to when analyzing the CSS document In addition to the correspondence table storage area 32 and the definition information storage area 34 for storing the level correspondence table and the definition information, respectively, the rule set object storage area 36 for storing the rule set object as the analysis result of the CSS document and the printing for storing the print image for Color printing is performed by driving a color inkjet print head based on a printing image developed in the printing image storage area 38 based on the rule set object by the memory 30 having the image storage area 38 and the like and the printing application 24. And a print execution unit 28. The multi-function printer 20 includes a flatbed type full-color scanner and an operation panel on which various buttons are arranged, but the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in Table 1, the analysis level correspondence table stored in the table storage area 32 of the memory 30 has a CSS analysis level of ARIB when the transmission source that has transmitted the XHTML document to the multi-function printer 20 is the digital television 42. However, there is no corresponding CSS analysis level for other external devices (personal computer 40, digital camera 44, and mobile phone 46). This is because when the digital television 42 transmits an XHTML document to the multi-function printer 20, the ARHTML is designated as the CSS analysis level in the XHTML document and transmitted, so that the analysis level correspondence table is taken into consideration. In this case, ARIB is associated with the digital television 42. On the other hand, when another external device transmits an XHTML document to the multi-function printer 20, the XHTML document is transmitted without specifying a CSS analysis level. In particular, there is no corresponding CSS analysis level.

  The definition information stored in the definition information storage area 34 of the memory 30 includes definition information corresponding to various CSS analysis levels. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing definition information stored in the definition information storage area 34. As shown in FIG. 2, the definition information when the CSS analysis level is ARIB is a table listing property names and property values compliant with the ARIB standard among various property names and property values used in the CSS style sheet. ing. In this embodiment, when the CSS analysis level does not exist (no specification) in the analysis level correspondence table, the CSS analysis level is processed as a predetermined analysis level suitable for print output. Is a table listing property names and property values that can be used at the time of printing among various property names and property values used in the CSS style sheet. For example, property names that can be used at the time of printing include color, which is a property name for specifying a character color, and font, which is a property name for collectively specifying fonts. Conversely, property names that cannot be used for printing include volume, which is a property name that specifies volume, and speak, which is a property name that specifies how to read. The combination includes a property value blink when the property name is text-decoration, which is a combination used when blinking text.

  The rule set object storage area 36 of the memory 30 stores, as one rule set object, a combination of property names and property values that have been validated by referring to definition information as a result of analysis by the CSS analysis unit 26. Is done.

  Next, the operation of the multi-function printer 20 of this embodiment configured as described above, particularly the operation when printing an XHTML document will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a CSS analysis routine executed by the CSS analysis unit 26. In the multi-function printer 20, when a print command for an XHTML document is input from any external device (personal computer 40, digital television 42, digital camera 44, mobile phone 46) via the input interface 22, the printing application 24 prints. The execution unit 28 causes the XHTML document to be printed. When the CSS application 26 requests the CSS analysis unit 26 to analyze the CSS document applied to the XHTML document before the print processing, the CSS is executed. The analysis unit 26 executes a CSS analysis routine.

  When starting the CSS analysis routine, the CSS analysis unit 26 first determines whether or not the analysis level of the CSS document is specified in the XHTML document (step S100). In this step S100, when the external device that has transmitted the XHTML document to the multi-function printer 20 is the digital television 42, it is determined that there is an analysis level designation according to the analysis level correspondence table of Table 1, and the digital analysis is performed as the current analysis level. The ARIB corresponding to the television 42 is set (step S110). On the other hand, when the external device that has transmitted the XHTML document to the multi-function printer 20 is an external device other than the digital television 42, it is determined that there is no analysis level designation in accordance with the analysis level correspondence table of Table 1, A predetermined analysis level suitable for print output is set (step S120).

  After setting the analysis level in this way, a token is cut out using a punctuation character (colon (:) or semicolon (;)) in the CSS document applied to the XHTML document (step S130), and the meaning of the token is analyzed. The property name and property value are acquired (step S140). FIG. 4 shows an example of an original CSS document applied to an XHTML document. Here, property names and property values are described for five selectors (class selectors). This CSS document may be an internal style sheet described in the header part of the XHTML document, or an external style sheet specified using a link tag in the header part. It may be an inline style sheet describing style sheet settings. Then, the definition information corresponding to the current analysis level is read from the definition information storage area 34 (see FIG. 2) of the memory 30 (step S150), and the read definition information is compared with the property name and property value acquired earlier. As a result, a property name and a property value matching the current analysis level are selected (step S160), and a rule set object is generated based on the selection result (step S170). For example, in the original CSS document shown in FIG. 4, when the definition information when the analysis level is ARIB is used, a combination of a property name color that specifies a character color and a property value red that specifies red, and a border A combination of the property name border-style that specifies the style and the property value solid that specifies a single line is selected, and a rule set object is generated for each combination. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram when the rule set object selected in this way is represented by a CSS document for convenience. In addition, when the definition information when the analysis level is a predetermined analysis level suitable for print output is used, the same combination of property name color and property value red, property name border-style and property value solid as before In addition to the combination of, a combination of the property name background-repeat that specifies how to repeat the background image and the property value repeat-x that specifies that the background image is repeated only in the horizontal direction is selected, and a rule for each combination A set object is created. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when the rule set object selected in this way is represented by a CSS document for convenience. The generated rule set object is stored in the rule set object storage area 36 of the memory 30 so that it can be used by the printing application 24 (step S180), and the printing application 24 is notified that the analysis of the CSS document is completed. (Step S190), this routine is finished. In step S160, the spelling check of the property name and property value is also performed.

  After receiving the notification that the analysis of the CSS document has been completed from the CSS analysis unit 26, the printing application 24 applies the CSS applied to the current XHTML document to the content described in the body part of the XHTML document. A layout is created by applying a document that matches the rule set object, and a print image as RGB data is drawn using the layout and stored in the print image storage area of the memory 30. The RGB data of the image is color-converted into CMYK data, the CMYK data is binarized by image processing such as error diffusion processing, and the print execution unit 28 is controlled so that the binarized data is color-printed. In this way, when an XHTML document is transmitted from the digital television 42 to the multi-function printer 20, after setting the analysis level to ARIB and analyzing the CSS document with the analysis level, the rule that is the analysis result Since the print image is expanded in the memory 30 using the set object and printing is performed, useless data is not expanded in the memory 30 and the time required for the printing process is shortened. When an XHTML document is transmitted from an external device other than the digital television 42 to the multi-function printer 20, a predetermined analysis level suitable for print output is set as the analysis level, and the CSS document is analyzed using the analysis level. After that, the image for printing is developed in the memory 30 using the rule set object that is the analysis result, and printing is performed, so that unnecessary data is not expanded in the memory 30 and the time required for the printing process is shortened. The

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The XHTML document of this embodiment corresponds to a structured document of the present invention, the input interface 22 corresponds to a receiving unit, the CSS analysis unit 26 corresponds to an analyzing unit, and the printing application 24 corresponds to a print processing execution unit. . In this embodiment, the operation of the multi-function printer 20 is described to clarify an example of the control method of the printing apparatus and the program thereof according to the present invention.

  According to the multi-function printer 20 described in detail above, when the analysis level of the CSS document is specified in the XHTML document received from the external device, the property name / property value that can be used at the analysis level is specified from the original CSS document. Since an XHTML document is expanded in the memory 30 based on the selected property name / property value after selection, unnecessary data is not expanded in the memory 30. Therefore, useless use of the memory 30 can be eliminated when printing the XHTML document, and the processing load at the time of printing can be reduced.

  Also, when the CSS document analysis level is not specified in the XHTML document received from the external device, a property name / property value usable at a predetermined analysis level suitable for print output is selected from the original CSS document. As in the case where the analysis level is designated, wasteful use of the memory 30 can be eliminated when the XHTML document is printed, and the processing load during printing can be reduced.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, whether or not the analysis level of the CSS document is specified in the XHTML document is determined based on whether or not the type of the external device that has transmitted the XHTML document is a digital television. However, in the analysis level correspondence table, when the data path is Ethernet (registered trademark), the analysis level is associated with ARIB, and when the data path is other data paths (such as Bluetooth), the analysis level is not designated. If the data path of the external device that has transmitted the XHTML document is Ethernet, it may be determined whether the CSS document analysis level is specified.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is determined that the analysis level of the CSS document is designated only when the type of the external device that has transmitted the XHTML document is digital television. However, the CSS document It may be determined that there is an analysis level designation. Specifically, when the type of the external device is a mobile phone, it may be determined that the analysis level of the CSS document is designated as a predetermined analysis level (for example, CSS-Print Enhanced Layout).

  In the above-described embodiment, an XHTML document is taken up as a structured document, but a document described in another markup language may be adopted. Further, the CSS document is taken up as style information, but a document described in another style sheet language may be adopted.

  In the embodiment described above, the print execution unit 28 is provided with a color ink jet print head. However, the print execution unit 28 may be provided with a monochrome ink jet print head, a color laser printer or a monochrome laser printer, or a dot impact. It may be a printer.

  In the embodiment described above, an example in which the present invention is applied to the multi-function printer 20 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this as long as the apparatus can print an XHTML document using a CSS document. For example, the present invention may be applied to a printer that does not have a scanner. In particular, a printer with a relatively low processing capability, such as a postcard size printer, often has a small memory capacity and a low processing speed, so that it is highly meaningful to apply the present invention.

2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction printer 20. FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the definition information of each analysis level. The flowchart of a CSS analysis routine. Illustration of the original CSS document. Explanatory drawing when the analysis result of ARIB is expressed with a CSS document for convenience. Explanatory drawing when the analysis result of the level suitable for printing is represented by a CSS document.

Explanation of symbols

  20 Multifunction Printer, 22 Input Interface, 24 Printing Application, 26 CSS Analysis Unit, 28 Print Execution Unit, 30 Memory, 32 Table Storage Area, 34 Definition Information Storage Area, 36 Rule Set Object Storage Area, 38 Print Image Storage Territory, 40 personal computer, 42 digital television, 44 digital camera, 46 mobile phone.

Claims (10)

A printing device capable of printing structured documents,
Receiving means for receiving the structured document from an external device;
When an analysis level of style information is specified in the structured document received by the receiving unit, the style information applied to the structured document is analyzed using definition information corresponding to the analysis level and the analysis is performed. Analysis means to select the style information required for the level,
Print processing execution means for executing memory processing on the structured document based on the result analyzed by the analysis means and executing print processing;
A printing apparatus comprising: When the analysis level of style information is not specified in the structured document received by the reception unit, the analysis unit defines the style information applied to the structured document corresponding to the analysis level suitable for print output. Analyzing using information and selecting style information necessary for the analysis level.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The structured document is an XML document or an XHTML document.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The analysis unit determines whether or not an analysis level of style information is specified in the structured document, based on whether or not a type of an external apparatus that has transmitted the structured document is a predetermined type;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The analysis unit determines whether or not an analysis level of style information is specified in the structured document. Whether the data path between the receiving unit and the external apparatus that has transmitted the structured document is a predetermined data path. Judgment by whether or not
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The style information is a CSS document.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The definition information corresponding to the analysis level is a list listing property names that can be used at the analysis level.
The printing apparatus according to claim 6. The definition information corresponding to the analysis level is a list listing property values that can be used at the analysis level.
The printing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7. A method for controlling a printing apparatus capable of printing a structured document, comprising:
(A) receiving the structured document from an external device;
(B) When the analysis level of the style information is specified in the structured document received in the step (a), the style information applied to the structured document is analyzed using the definition information corresponding to the analysis level. Selecting style information necessary for the analysis level;
(C) executing the printing process by developing the structured document in memory based on the result of the analysis in step (b);
Control method.   A program for causing each step of the control method according to claim 9 to be realized by one or more computers.

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