JP2008134960A - Image data processor, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image data processor allowing free setting of execution order of processing for image data even without the changing arrangement order of image data processing means. <P>SOLUTION: In print data processing as a filter, corresponding processing is executed (S60, S80, S90) based on which of multipage processing, watermark processing and date impartment processing is set in first processing (S25, S35, S45), and execution order of the second and succeeding processing is moved forward by one after completion of the processing (S91). When three pieces of such the print data processing (the filter what is called) are disposed in series, the three pieces of the processing can be executed in desired order by appropriately setting the processing execution order. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image data processing apparatus that processes image data transmitted to a printer, and more specifically, an image data processing apparatus that includes an image data processing unit that performs processing on the image data, and the image data processing The present invention relates to a program and a recording medium for configuring an apparatus.

  Conventionally, various image data processing apparatuses having image data processing means (so-called filters) for performing processing on image data have been proposed. For example, so-called multi-page processing that makes it possible to form an image for a plurality of pages on one side of a sheet of paper, or by processing the image data to superimpose a character string “confidential” on the image corresponding to the image data An image data processing apparatus capable of executing so-called watermark processing that enables formation is considered.

By the way, in these filters, the print result of image data varies depending on the arrangement order. For example, when the watermark processing filter is arranged next to the multi-page processing filter, a character string such as “confidential” is formed in the center of the paper after the images of a plurality of pages are arranged. If the arrangement order is reversed, the character string is formed on each of a plurality of pages of images arranged on one side of the paper. Therefore, it has been proposed that the arrangement order of the filters can be changed as desired by the user (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-48537 A

  However, there is a case where processing such as changing the filter arrangement order is prohibited due to the specification of the OS. In such a case, the process of changing the filter arrangement order as described above can be performed only by a specific administrator, and any user cannot freely set the execution order of the processing processes.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image data processing apparatus capable of freely setting the execution order of processing processing on image data without changing the arrangement order of image data processing means (so-called filters). As made.

  The present invention made to achieve the above object is an image data processing apparatus for processing image data transmitted to a printer, which is provided so as to be capable of sequentially processing the image data, and a plurality of types of processing processing are performed on the image data. A plurality of image data processing means for performing any one of the above, and each image data processing means is caused to execute which of the plurality of types of processing processing based on the setting made for the image data And a control means for controlling the above.

  In the image data processing apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, a plurality of image data processing means for executing any one of a plurality of types of processing on image data can sequentially process the image data (that is, in series). Is provided. Then, based on the settings made for the image data, the control means controls which of the plurality of types of processing processes is to be executed by each image data processing means. For this reason, in the present invention, by controlling which processing is performed by each image data processing means provided in series by the control means, even if the arrangement order of the image data processing means is not changed, The execution order of processing can be freely set.

  That is, in the present invention, instead of changing the arrangement order of the image data processing means, the execution order of the processing processes is changed by changing the processing executed by each of the image data processing means arranged in series. It is. Therefore, by using the image data processing apparatus of the present invention, any user, not limited to an administrator, can perform processing on image data in a desired order by appropriately setting.

  In addition, although this invention is not limited to the following structures, the execution order of the said process may be prescribed | regulated to the said setting. In this case, the execution order of the machining processes can be directly set by the above setting, and the operability is further improved.

  In this case, when the processing process defined first in the execution order is executed by the image data processing unit, an execution order raising unit that advances the execution order of the second and subsequent processing processes, The control means may cause the image data processing means to execute the processing defined as the first in the execution order at that time. In this case, when the processing process defined first in the execution order is executed by the image data processing unit, the execution order raising means sequentially advances the execution order of the second and subsequent processing processes. For this reason, the control means always causes the image data processing means to execute the processing defined in the first order of execution at that time, and the order according to the setting via the plurality of image data processing means. The processing can be executed with. Therefore, in this case, the processing of the control means can be further simplified, the processing load can be reduced, and the processing speed can be improved.

  Further, in each of the image data processing devices, the plurality of types of processing are not contradictory to each other even if any two are taken, and the image data processing means may be provided in the number of types of the processing. Good. In this case, all of the plurality of processing processes can be executed. In addition, since the number of image data processing means is a necessary and sufficient number, the number of image data processing means is not too large, and the processing speed is not reduced. Further, since the plurality of image data processing means can have the same configuration, the configuration on the program can be simplified.

  In this case, the plurality of types of processing include processing for processing the image data to form images for a plurality of pages on one side of one recording medium, and processing the image data. By doing so, it is possible to include a processing that enables another image to be superimposed on the image corresponding to the image data. In these processing processes, the print result of the image data changes depending on the execution order. For example, if the former processing is executed first, images of a plurality of pages are arranged on one side of one recording medium and the other image is overlaid, and the latter processing is executed first. Then, the other images are superimposed on the images for the plurality of pages. Therefore, in this case, the effect of the present invention is more remarkable.

  Further, in each of the image data processing devices, the plurality of types of processing processes include processing processes that are contradictory to each other, and the image data processing means includes a set of processing processes that are contradictory to each other based on the number of types of processing processes. The number obtained by subtracting the number may be provided. When the plurality of types of processing include processing contradicting each other, there may be no request to execute all of the plurality of processing processing, and at least one of the processing processing opposite to each other is executed. I can't. For this reason, it is sufficient that the number of image data processing means is equal to the number of types of processing processing minus the number of processing processing groups that are mutually contradictory, and processing processing that cannot be performed as required may occur. The processing speed is not reduced by too many processing means. Further, since the plurality of image data processing means can have the same configuration, the configuration on the program can be simplified.

  In this case, the processing processing opposite to each other includes processing processing for processing a plurality of pages on one side of one recording medium by processing the image data, and processing the image data. By doing so, it may be processing that enables an image for one page to be divided and formed on a plurality of recording media. The former processing is processing for forming an image for a plurality of pages on one side of one recording medium, and the latter processing processing is to divide the image for one page into a plurality of recording media. Since it is a process for forming, both processing processes cannot be requested | required simultaneously. Therefore, in this case, the effect of the invention is more remarkable.

  A program according to the present invention is characterized by causing a computer to operate as each of the above-described means constituting the image data processing apparatus described above. For this reason, if the computer executes the program of the present invention, the image data processing apparatus described in any of the above can be easily configured.

  The recording medium of the present invention stores the above program. For this reason, if the computer stores the program stored in the recording medium of the present invention, the image data processing device described above can be easily configured.

[Overall configuration of the embodiment]
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view showing the configuration of a printing system to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, a printing system according to the present embodiment includes a color laser printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) 1 and a personal computer as an example of an image data processing apparatus connected to the printer 1 via a cable 200. A computer (hereinafter simply referred to as a personal computer) 300 is configured. The printer 1 and the personal computer 300 may be connected via a network such as a LAN or infrared communication.

  The printer 1 includes a well-known printer engine 2 (see FIG. 2) that forms an image by an electrophotographic method using yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners. The printer engine 2 is accommodated in an accommodation tray 3. An image is formed one by one on a sheet (not shown) as an example of the recorded medium, and is discharged to the stacker 4. An operation panel 5 for performing various settings and instructions is provided on the surface of the printer 1.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system in this printing system. As shown in FIG. 2, the personal computer main body 310 of the personal computer 300 includes a CPU 311, a ROM 312, a RAM 313, and a hard disk device (HDD) 314 as an example of a recording medium. A display 320 such as a CRT, a keyboard 330, and a mouse 340 are connected to the personal computer main body 310 (see FIG. 1 for all). Further, the personal computer main body 310 has a LAN interface (LAN I / F) 350 for connecting to a LAN (not shown) and a printer port interface (printer port I / F) 360 for connecting to the printer 1 via the cable 200. Is also connected.

  The printer 1 includes a control unit 10 that controls the printer engine 2 and the like. The control unit 10 is configured as a microcomputer including a CPU 10A, a ROM 10B, and a RAM 10C. The control unit 10 also includes an NVRAM 10D that prevents the stored contents from being erased even when the power switch is turned off. Further, the control unit 10 includes a printer port interface (printer port I / F) 11 for connecting to the personal computer 300 via the cable 200 in addition to the printer engine 2 and the operation panel 5, and a LAN (not shown). A LAN interface (LAN I / F) 12 and the like are connected. Note that the printer 1 and the personal computer 300 may be connected by a network such as a LAN via the LAN interfaces 12 and 350 as described above.

[Control in Embodiment]
Next, processing executed in this control system will be described. When print data as image data is created by various applications in the personal computer 300, the printer driver is called for printing and the printing is instructed on the printer driver, the CPU 311 of the personal computer 300 stores the data in the hard disk device 314. The following print processing is executed based on the programmed program.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the printing process executed by the CPU 311. Prior to this processing, on the personal computer 300, the processing execution order setting UI 900 illustrated in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display 820, and the processing execution order is set as follows.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the processing execution order setting UI 900 is provided with a text input unit 901 and a candidate display button 902 in order of the first processing process, the second processing process, and the third processing process. A determination button 903 and a cancel button 904 are provided. Normally, the user inputs an appropriate text from the keyboard 830 to the text input unit 901 with respect to the processing execution order setting UI 900, or selects an appropriate candidate by clicking the candidate display button 902 with the mouse 840. The enter button 903 is pressed as if it is displayed on the text input unit 901. Then, the processing execution order is stored as print settings attached to the print data, for example, in XML format data as illustrated in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, watermark processing, multi-page processing, date addition processing, and none (no processing processing) can be selected as candidates for each processing processing, and the default values are the first to third processing processing. All are marked as “none”.

  Returning to FIG. 3, when the printing process is started, first, in S1, S2, and S3 (S represents a step: the same applies hereinafter), a print data processing process to be described later is repeatedly executed three times. In subsequent S4, PDL processing is executed for the print data processed in each print data processing processing (S1, S2, S3), and in S5, the data after PDL conversion is transmitted to the printer 1 for processing. Ends. Note that the PDL processing in S4 is processing for adding necessary PJL (Printer Job Language) by performing color conversion, binarization processing, and compression processing after converting print data into a bitmap.

  Next, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing in detail the print data processing of S1, S2, and S3. As shown in FIG. 6, in this process, first, in S10, the job data (the entire data including the print data, print settings, etc.) created by the application and stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 313 is read by the CPU 311. Received. In subsequent S15, print settings are acquired from the job data received in S10, and in the subsequent S20, the processing execution order is acquired from the print settings. Note that the print settings include settings such as the paper size, resolution, and number of multi-page assignments in addition to the processing execution order.

  In the subsequent S25, it is determined whether or not the first processing process is a multi-page process based on the above-described processing execution order. If the first processing process is not a multi-page process (S25: N), it is determined in S35 whether or not the first processing process is a watermark process. If the first processing process is not a watermark process (S35: N), it is determined in S45 whether or not the first processing process is a date addition process. If the first machining process is not a date addition process, that is, if there is no set machining process (S45: N), the normal process described later is executed in S50, and the process goes to the main routine of FIG. Return.

  On the other hand, when the first processing process is a multi-page process (S25: Y), after the multi-page process described later is executed in S60, the first processing process is a watermark process (S35). : Y), after the watermark process described later is executed in S80, and when the first processing process is the date addition process (S45: Y), the date addition process described later is executed in S90. Each process proceeds to S91. In S91, a change is made to move up the second and subsequent processing processes by one in the processing execution order of the print settings, and the processing shifts to the main routine of FIG.

  For this reason, for example, when the processing execution order of the print settings is set as shown in FIG. 5A, in the print data processing process of S1, the first processing process is the watermark process (S35: Y). ), A watermark process (S80) is executed. Thereafter, when the process proceeds to S91, the process execution order is advanced as illustrated in FIG. 5B. Therefore, when the process proceeds to S2, the first modification process is a multi-page process. For this reason, in the print data processing process of S2, an affirmative determination is made in S25, and the multi-page process (S60) is executed.

  Next, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing in detail the normal process of S50. As shown in FIG. 7, in this process, first, in S53, it is determined whether or not unprocessed received data (print data) remains in the RAM 313. At first, since the reception data is not processed at all, the reception data remains (S53: Y). Therefore, in subsequent S54 and S55, one piece of the data is read and analyzed, so that it is sequentially determined whether the data is page data (S54) and whether the data is document data (S55). . Note that the page data is character or graphic data edited in units of pages, and the document data is header information indicating the configuration of the document.

  If the data is other data that is neither page data nor document data (S54: N, S55: N), the other data is transmitted as it is to the RAM 313 in S57, and the process proceeds to S53 described above. . The other data is font data, image resource data (bitmap, JPEG, TIFF, etc.) pasted on the link of the page data and the like.

  If the read data is page data (S54: Y), the page data is transmitted as it is to the RAM 313, and the process proceeds to S53 described above. Further, when the read data is document data (S54: N, S55: Y), the document data is transmitted as it is to the RAM 313 in S59, and the process proceeds to S53 described above. . Then, when there is no remaining reception data by repeating the above processes (S53: N), the process proceeds to the main routine. As described above, in this embodiment, the print data read from the RAM 313 is not processed in the normal process, that is, the print data form is not changed, and is again stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 313. It will be transferred and stored.

  Next, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing in detail the multi-page process of S60. As shown in FIG. 8, in this process, first, the page number is initialized to 0 in S61, and multipage page data is generated in subsequent S62. Further, in S63, it is determined whether or not unprocessed received data remains in the RAM 313. At first, since the reception data is not processed at all, the reception data remains (S63: Y). Therefore, in subsequent S64 and S65, one piece of the data is read and analyzed, so that it is sequentially determined whether or not it is page data (S64) and whether or not it is document data (S65). .

  If it is other data that is neither page data nor document data (S64: N, S65: N), the other data is transmitted as it is to the RAM 313 in S67, and the process proceeds to the above-described S63. . On the other hand, if the read data is page data (S64: Y), the process proceeds to S70, and after adding one page number, the multi-page generated in S62 in S71. Layout information and page data are inserted into the page data.

  Here, the layout information is determined as follows, for example, based on the page number of the page data, the number of allocations to the paper, and the page size. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, when the allocation number is 4, the page size is 4000 dots wide and 6000 dots long, and the image P1 on the first page and the image P2 on the second page are already assigned, The page image P3 (see FIG. 10) needs to be allocated to the area surrounded by the broken line in FIG. Therefore, in this case, as illustrated in FIG. 10, a command for reducing the image P3 to 50% and a command for offsetting the image P3 by 0 in the X direction and 3000 dots in the Y direction are inserted as layout information. The

  Returning to FIG. 8, in subsequent S72, it is determined whether or not the page number is divisible by the allocation number. If the page number is not divisible by the number of allocations (S72: N), the process proceeds to S63 described above. If the page number is divisible (S72: Y), the process proceeds to S73. That is, the fact that the page number is divisible by the number of allocation means that the image has been allocated to all areas of the multi-page page data. Therefore, in this case (S72: Y), the multi-page page data is transmitted to the RAM 313 in S73, and after the new multi-page data is created in subsequent S74, the process proceeds to S63 described above. . Then, when page data is read next (S64: Y), in S71, page data or the like is inserted into the multi-page page data created in S74.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S65 that the data is document data (S65: Y), multi-page remaining data transmission processing is executed in S75. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing this multi-page remaining data transmission process. As shown in FIG. 11, in this process, first, in S751, it is determined whether or not the current page number is divisible by the number of allocations.

  If the page number is not divisible by the number of allocations (S751: N), the multipage page data to which the image is allocated remains only in a part of the area, so the multipage page data is stored in the RAM 313 in the subsequent S752. Sent. In subsequent S753, page data for multi-page is newly created, and the process proceeds to process S76 in FIG. If the page number is divisible by the number of allocations (S751: Y), the multi-page page data to which the image is allocated does not remain, and the process directly proceeds from S751 to S753.

  Returning to FIG. 8, in the subsequent S76, the document data is transmitted to the RAM 313, and in the subsequent S77, the page number is initialized to 0, and the process proceeds to S63 described above. Then, if there is no remaining received data due to repetition of the above processes (S63: N), the multi-page remaining data transmission process similar to S75 is executed in S79, and the process proceeds to S91 in FIG. To do.

  Next, FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing in detail the watermark process of S80. As shown in FIG. 12, in this process, first, in S83, it is determined whether or not unprocessed received data remains in the RAM 313. At first, since the reception data is not processed at all, the reception data remains (S83: Y). Therefore, in subsequent S84 and S85, one piece of the data is read and analyzed, so that it is sequentially determined whether it is page data (S84) and whether it is document data (S85). .

  If the data is other data that is neither page data nor document data (S84: N, S85: N), the other data is transmitted as it is to the RAM 313 in S87, and the process proceeds to S83 described above. . If the read data is document data (S84: N, S85: Y), the document data is transmitted to the RAM 313 as it is in S88, and the process proceeds to S83 described above. . Further, if the read data is page data (S84: Y), the watermark addition / transmission process described below is executed in S89, and the process proceeds to S83 described above. Then, when there is no remaining received data due to repetition of the above processes (S83: N), the process proceeds to S91 in FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing in detail the watermark addition / transmission process of S89. As shown in FIG. 13, in this process, first, in S891, the watermark setting is acquired from the print setting. The watermark setting is, for example, a character string such as “confidential” or “COPY”, a font type, or the like. In subsequent S892, a page size is acquired from the received page data, and in subsequent S893, a watermark drawing position is calculated from the page size.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14, a watermark of 2000 dots wide and 600 dots high (in the example of FIG. 14, a Gothic character string “confidential”) is added to the center of a page of 4000 dots wide and 6000 dots long. In this case, the drawing start position is 1000 dots and 2700 dots.

  In subsequent S894, a watermark drawing command is added to the end of the page data, and the page data to which the drawing command is added is transmitted to the RAM 313 in S895. The watermark drawing command includes the character code and font name of the character string acquired in S891, the drawing position calculated in S893, and the like. Further, in subsequent S896, the font data file is transmitted to the RAM 313, and the process proceeds to S83 in FIG.

  Next, FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing in detail the date addition process of S90. As shown in FIG. 12, in this process, first, in S93, it is determined whether or not unprocessed received data remains in the RAM 313. At first, since the reception data is not processed at all, the reception data remains (S93: Y). Therefore, in subsequent S94 and S95, one piece of the data is read and analyzed, and it is sequentially determined whether or not it is page data (S94) and whether or not it is document data (S95). .

  If the data is other data that is neither page data nor document data (S94: N, S95: N), the other data is transmitted as it is to the RAM 313 in S97, and the process proceeds to S93 described above. . If the read data is document data (S94: N, S95: Y), the document data is transmitted as it is to the RAM 313 in S98, and the process proceeds to S93 described above. . Further, when the read data is page data (S94: Y), the date addition / transmission process described below is executed in S99, and the process proceeds to S93 described above. Then, when there is no remaining reception data due to repetition of the above processes (S93: N), the process proceeds to S91 in FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing in detail the date addition / transmission process in S99. As shown in FIG. 16, in this process, first, in S991, the date setting is acquired from the print setting. This date setting is, for example, a setting of the date order, font type, drawing position, and the like. In subsequent S992, the page size is acquired from the received page data, and in subsequent S993, the date drawing position is calculated from the page size.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 17, a date of 2000 dots wide and 300 dots high is added to the lower right of a page of 4000 dots wide and 6000 dots long (in the example of FIG. 17, the date of the year in the Ming Dynasty) In this case, the drawing start position is 2000 dots and 5700 dots.

  In subsequent S994, a date drawing command is added to the end of the page data, and the page data to which the drawing command is added is transmitted to the RAM 313 in S995. The date drawing command includes the character code and font name of the date acquired in S991, the drawing position calculated in S993, and the like. Further, in subsequent S996, the font data file is transmitted to the RAM 313, and the process proceeds to S93 in FIG.

[Effect of the embodiment]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the print data processing processes (S1, S2, S3) arranged in series are added to the multi-page process (S60), the watermark process (S80), and the date addition process (S90). By controlling which is executed, the execution order of each process can be freely set without changing the arrangement of the print data processing process. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, if the processing is executed in the order of watermark processing, multi-page processing, and date addition processing, a print result illustrated in FIG. 18A is obtained. If the processing is executed in the order of date addition processing, multi-page processing, and watermark processing, a printing result as illustrated in FIG. 18B can be obtained. Therefore, in the present invention, any user, not limited to the administrator, can execute the various processes in a desired order by appropriately setting the processing execution order of the print settings. Moreover, in this embodiment, when one machining process is completed, the second and subsequent machining processes are advanced (S91), so that the process can be simplified to reduce the processing load and improve the processing speed. Can do. Further, since the print data processing (S1, S2, S3) can have the same configuration, in that case, the configuration on the program can be simplified (the print data processing routine can be used in common on the program). Can be turned).

  In the above embodiment, the print data processing shown in FIG. 6 is used as the image data processing means, among the print data processing, the processes at S25, S35, and S45 are used as the control means, and the process at S91 is used as the execution order raising means. , Respectively.

[Other Embodiments of the Invention]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment at all, It can implement with a various form in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, various processing processes other than those described above can be employed as the print data processing process.

  In the above embodiment, the number of types of processing that can be executed in the print data processing (FIG. 6) is equal to the number of print data processing (S1, S2, S3) arranged in series. Therefore, all the processing processes can be executed, but the number of print data processing processes arranged in series may be smaller than the number of types described above. However, in this case, it may not be possible to specify all the processing processes simultaneously. In addition, the number of print data processing processes arranged in series may be larger than the number of the types described above. In this case, however, the print data processing process is executed extra and the processing speed decreases.

  Furthermore, if the processing includes processing that is mutually contradictory, the number of print data processing processing arranged in series may be less than the number of the above types by the number of processing processing groups that are contradictory to each other. It may be enough. For example, the multi-page processing and the poster page processing in which an image for one page is divided and formed on a plurality of sheets are mutually contradictory and cannot be requested at the same time. Therefore, even if four types of processing such as watermark processing, multi-page processing, date addition processing, and poster page processing can be executed, the main routine of the printing processing is print data processing processing (S1, S2, S3). It is only necessary to have three.

  Hereinafter, this example will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, the main routine of the printing process is the same as that shown in FIG. 3, and the print data processing (S1, S2, S3) is different from that shown in FIG. 6 in the following points. That is, as shown in FIG. 19, in S26 inserted between S25 and S35, it is determined whether or not the first processing process is a poster page process. If the first processing process is a poster page process (S26: Y), the poster page process described below is executed in S100, the process proceeds to S91 described above, and the first processing process is a poster page process. If it is not a page process (S26: N), the process proceeds to S35 described above.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing in detail the poster page process of S100. As shown in FIG. 20, in this process, first, in S103, it is determined whether or not unprocessed received data remains in the RAM 313. At first, since the reception data is not processed at all, the reception data remains (S103: Y). Therefore, in subsequent S104 and S105, one piece of the data is read and analyzed, and it is sequentially determined whether or not it is page data (S104) and whether or not it is document data (S105). .

  If the data is other data that is neither page data nor document data (S104: N, S105: N), the other data is transmitted as it is to the RAM 313 in S107, and the process proceeds to S103 described above. . If the read data is document data (S104: N, S105: Y), the document data is transmitted to the RAM 313 as it is in S109, and the process proceeds to S103 described above. . Further, when the read data is page data (S104: Y), a poster page data transmission process described below is executed in S110, and the process proceeds to S103 described above. Then, when there is no remaining reception data due to repetition of the above processes (S103: N), the process proceeds to S91 in FIG.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing in detail the poster page data transmission process of S110. As shown in FIG. 21, in this process, first, y is initialized to 0 in S111, and in subsequent S112, y is the poster size (that is, the number of vertical divisions of the image to be printed on the poster page). Or less). When y = 0, since y is smaller than the poster size (S112: Y), the process proceeds to S113, and x is initialized to 0. In subsequent S114, it is determined whether or not x is smaller than the poster size (that is, the number of horizontal divisions of the image on which the poster page is printed). When x = 0, since x is smaller than the poster size (S114: Y), the process proceeds to S115, and poster page data is generated. In subsequent S116, layout information and page data are inserted into the page data for poster page generated in S115.

  Here, the layout information is determined as follows, for example, based on the poster size, the current x and y values, and the page size. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 22, when the above-described image P3 is printed with a poster size of 2 × 2, the area corresponding to x = 0 and y = 1 is an area E3 surrounded by a broken line in FIG. . When an image corresponding to this area E3 is formed in the range of 4000 dots wide and 6000 dots long, the command for enlarging the image P3 to 200% and the image P3 in the x direction as shown in FIG. A command for offsetting −6000 dots in the 0, y direction is inserted as layout information.

  Returning to FIG. 21, in the subsequent S117, the page data for poster page is transmitted to the RAM 313, and in the subsequent S118, one x is added, and then the process proceeds to S114 described above. Thus, when the processes of S114 to S118 are repeated the number of times corresponding to the poster size (the number of divisions in the horizontal direction), x = poster size (S114: N), and the process proceeds to S119. In S119, one y is added, and the process proceeds to S112 described above. Thus, when the processes of S112 to S119 are repeated the number of times corresponding to the poster size (vertical number of divisions), y = poster size (S112: N), and the process proceeds to S103 described above.

  Such poster page processing is contrary to multi-page processing. For this reason, in this embodiment, the print data processing process (FIG. 19) is performed in spite of the fact that four types of processing processes such as watermark processing, multi-page processing, date addition processing, and poster page processing can be executed. All the processing combinations can be executed simply by arranging them in series.

  In the above embodiment, the processing execution order is directly set as a print setting. However, the processing execution order is a pre-patterned mode, such as a digital camera photo organizing mode or an in-house distribution material copy mode. The form selected from Furthermore, as a recording medium, an element such as a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a removable disk, a magneto-optical disk, etc. can be applied in addition to a hard disk device, and a file server on the Internet can be applied. it can.

1 is an external view illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the control system in the printing system. 4 is a flowchart showing a main routine of print processing executed by a personal computer of the print system. It is explanatory drawing showing the process execution order setting UI displayed with the personal computer. It is explanatory drawing showing the data of the process execution order set with the UI, and its change. It is a flowchart showing the print data processing process of the said printing process in detail. It is a flowchart showing in detail the normal process of the print data processing. It is a flowchart showing in detail the multi-page process of the print data processing process. It is explanatory drawing which represents the principle of the multipage process typically. It is explanatory drawing which represents the principle of the multipage process typically. It is a flowchart showing the multipage remaining data transmission process of the multipage process in detail. It is a flowchart showing in detail the watermark processing of the print data processing. It is a flowchart showing in detail the watermark addition / transmission process of the watermark process. It is explanatory drawing which represents the principle of the watermark addition / transmission process typically. It is a flowchart showing the date addition process of the said print data processing process in detail. It is a flowchart showing in detail the date addition / transmission process of the date addition process. It is explanatory drawing which represents the principle of the date addition / transmission process typically. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the printing result of the said printing process. It is a flowchart showing the print data processing of another embodiment. It is a flowchart showing in detail the poster page process of the print data processing process. It is a flowchart showing in detail the poster page data transmission processing of the poster page processing. It is explanatory drawing which represents the principle of the poster page data transmission process typically. It is explanatory drawing which represents the principle of the poster page data transmission process typically.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Color laser printer 2 ... Printer engine 10 ... Control part 300 ... Personal computer 310 ... Personal computer body 314 ... Hard disk apparatus 320 ... Display 900 ... Processing execution order setting UI P1, P2, P3 ... Image

Claims (9)

An image data processing apparatus for processing image data transmitted to a printer,
A plurality of image data processing means provided so as to sequentially process the image data, and executing any one of a plurality of types of processing on the image data;
Control means for controlling which of the plurality of types of processing processing is to be executed by each of the image data processing means based on the setting made for the image data;
An image data processing apparatus comprising:   The image data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting defines an execution order of the processing. An execution order raising means for raising the execution order of the second and subsequent processing processing when the first processing processing of the execution order is executed by the image data processing means;
3. The image data processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control means causes the image data processing means to execute the processing defined in the first order of execution at that time.   The plurality of types of processing processes do not contradict each other in any two, and the image data processing means is provided in the number corresponding to the number of types of the processing processes. The image data processing apparatus according to any one of the above.   The plurality of types of processing include processing that enables the formation of an image for a plurality of pages on one side of one recording medium by processing the image data, and processing the image data to process the image data. The image data processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a processing process that enables an image corresponding to the image data to be superimposed on another image.   The plurality of types of processing includes processing opposite to each other, and the image data processing means is provided by a number obtained by subtracting the number of sets of processing processing opposite to each other from the number of types of processing. The image data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The processing processing opposite to each other includes processing processing for processing a plurality of pages on one side of one recording medium by processing the image data, and processing the image data by processing the image data. The image data processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image data processing apparatus comprises: a processing process that enables an image for a page to be divided and formed on a plurality of recording media.   A program that causes a computer to operate as each of the above-described units constituting the image data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   A recording medium storing the program according to claim 8.

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