JP2010020545A - Information processor, image forming apparatus, image forming system, image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system for improving speed of predetermined processing related with a print preview image. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming system is configured by connecting an information processor to an image forming apparatus through a communication line. The information processor is provided with: a communication means for communicating with an image forming apparatus; a confirmation level designation means for designating a confirmation level according to development processing content related with a print preview image; and a control means for performing control so that information showing the confirmation level designated by the confirmation level designation means and the print job are transmitted to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus is provided with: a print preview image generation means for generating a print preview image based on the information showing the conformation level and the print job from the information processor; and a print preview image providing means for performing control so that the print preview image generated by the print preview image generation means is provided to the information processor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing device, an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an image processing program.

  Conventionally, there are cases where the contents that can be confirmed by the print preview and the results actually printed by the printing apparatus are different. For this reason, the print contents are unintended, and the print medium is wasted, or time is wasted by performing printing again.

  As a solution to such a problem, a print preview corresponding to the display function of the requesting external device that performs a print preview display in a plurality of external devices (such as a personal computer) connected via a network. There is a printing system that generates an image and provides the created print preview image to an external device that is a request source (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In such a printing system, the data amount of a print preview image that is generated based on the print data and provided from the printing apparatus to the external device may increase. In particular, when an image or a graphic is included in the print preview image, the data amount of the print preview image is further increased.
JP 2004-192162 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an image processing program capable of improving the processing speed of a predetermined process related to a print preview image.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an image processing program that can suppress traffic during communication of a print preview image.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an information processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a communication unit that is connected to an image forming apparatus via a communication line and performs communication with the image forming apparatus; Confirmation level designating means for designating a confirmation level according to the contents of the development processing relating to the print preview image corresponding to the job, information indicating the confirmation level designated by the confirmation level designating means for the communication means, the print job, Control means for controlling to transmit the image to the image forming apparatus.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the confirmation level according to the content of the development process related to the print preview image is at least one of one or more drawing objects included in the print job. It corresponds to a part of drawing objects, and is a level at which an image obtained by simplifying the developing process of the drawing objects can be confirmed as a print preview image.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, a confirmation level corresponding to the content of the development process related to the print preview image corresponds to the at least some drawing objects, and the drawing object is drawn. It is a level at which the arrangement image showing the position and size of the area to be printed can be confirmed as a print preview image.

  In order to solve the above problem, an image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is connected to the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects via a communication line, and the information processing apparatus A communication preview unit for generating a print preview image based on information indicating a confirmation level from the information processing device received by the communication unit and a print job, and the communication unit. And a print preview image providing means for controlling to provide the information processing device with the print preview image generated by the print preview image generating means.

  In order to solve the above problem, an image forming system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects and the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect. The image forming apparatus generates a print preview image based on the received information indicating the confirmation level from the information processing device and a print job, and transmits the generated print preview image to the information processing device. It is characterized by.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the image forming system of the present invention described in claim 6, an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus are connected via a communication line, and the information processing apparatus is connected via the communication line. A first communication unit that communicates with the image forming apparatus, a confirmation level designating unit that designates a confirmation level according to the contents of the development process related to the print preview image corresponding to the print job to be printed, and the print preview image Data format designating means for designating a data format, information indicating the confirmation level designated by the confirmation level designating means for the first communication means, and information indicating the data format designated by the data format designating means; Control means for controlling the print job to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus via the communication line. Printing based on the second communication means for communicating with the information processing equipment, the information indicating the confirmation level from the information processing equipment received by the second communication means, the information indicating the data format, and the print job Print preview image generation means for generating a preview image, and provision of a print preview image for controlling the second communication means to provide the information processing apparatus with the print preview image generated by the print preview image generation means Means.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an image processing program according to the present invention described in claim 7 is a confirmation level corresponding to a development processing content related to a print preview image transmitted from a requesting information processing apparatus and corresponding to a print job to be printed. A print preview image generating process for generating a print preview image based on the print job information and the print job, and providing the print preview image generated by the print preview image generating process to the information processing device The processing process is executed by a computer.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the processing speed of the predetermined processing relating to the print preview image as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided. Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress traffic at the time of print preview image communication, as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the present configuration is not provided, since the expansion processing content is simplified for some objects included in the print job, the print preview image is involved. The processing speed of the predetermined processing can be improved, and traffic during the print preview image communication can be suppressed.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the present configuration is not provided, since some of the objects included in the print job are arranged images indicating the position and size of the drawn area, printing is performed. The processing speed of the predetermined processing relating to the preview image can be improved, and traffic during the communication of the print preview image can be suppressed.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the processing speed of the predetermined processing relating to the print preview image as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress traffic at the time of communication of the print preview image as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the processing speed of the predetermined processing relating to the print preview image as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress traffic during communication of the print preview image as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the processing speed of the predetermined processing relating to the print preview image as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided. According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress traffic during communication of the print preview image as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide software for improving the processing speed of the predetermined processing relating to the print preview image as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide software that suppresses traffic during communication of a print preview image as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration of the image forming system according to the embodiment.

  In the image forming system 1, an information processing device 10 and an image forming apparatus 20 are connected to a communication line 30 as shown in FIG. Examples of the information processing device 10 include information terminals such as computers, mobile phones, and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), facsimile machines, and the like. In the present embodiment, the information processing device 10 will be described as a computer. In the present embodiment, since the image forming apparatus 20 is assumed to be a printing apparatus, the image forming apparatus 20 is referred to as the printing apparatus 20 in the following description.

  The information processing apparatus 10 includes an input unit 110, a display unit 120, a user interface 130, a storage unit 140, a print preview image generation instruction unit 150, a control unit 160, and a communication unit 170.

  The input unit 110 instructs the display unit 120 to display a print setting screen (print setting screen) related to document data to be printed, and the value of the attribute “presence / absence of print preview” included in the print setting screen. Predetermined input information such as selection of desired items and a print instruction are input from a selection screen (see FIG. 2) related to the setting and print preview display method displayed on the display unit 120.

  The contents of the print settings include various parameters such as presence / absence of print preview display, user name of the user who instructed printing, print document name (file name), number of copies, number of copies, paper size, presence / absence of color printing, and the like. Contains attribute information.

  For this reason, the print setting screen (not shown) includes a setting field for setting such attribute information.

  The display unit 120 displays predetermined display information such as a selection screen 1200 regarding a print preview display method as shown in FIG. 2 and a print preview image.

  The user interface 130 outputs the print setting information (print setting content) from the input unit 110 to the control unit 160, and also includes the print preview display regarding the attribute of “presence / absence of print preview display” in the print setting content, that is, “print preview display”. If it is “to carry out”, the fact that the print preview display is to be carried out is output to the print preview image generation instruction unit 150.

  The storage unit 140 stores one or more document data.

  The print preview image generation instruction unit 150 includes a confirmation level specification unit 151 and a data format specification unit 152, and instructs the printing apparatus (image forming apparatus) 20 to generate a print preview image.

  When the print preview image generation instruction unit 150 receives “print preview display is performed” from the user interface 130, the print preview image generation instruction unit 150 outputs the selection screen 1200 related to the print preview display method illustrated in FIG. Information displayed on the unit 120 and instructed to generate a print preview image based on an item selected by the input unit 110 in the selection screen 1200 displayed on the display unit 120 (hereinafter referred to as “print preview image generation instruction information”). ) Is generated. This print preview image generation instruction information is given to the control unit 160.

  Here, the selection screen 1200, as shown in FIG. 2, confirms the specified items, a confirmation level designation field 1210 for designating a confirmation level, a data format designation field 1220 for designating data formation. It includes an “OK” button 1230 for canceling and a “Cancel” button 1240 for canceling the confirmed item.

  The confirmation level designation field 1210 includes items corresponding to the confirmation levels of “Entire arrangement confirmation”, “Character position confirmation”, “Image position confirmation”, “Figure position confirmation”, “Print boundary confirmation”, and “Color confirmation”. (Hereinafter referred to as “confirmation level item”).

  The confirmation level designation field 1210 is provided with a selection field (indicated by a symbol □ in FIG. 2) for selecting (designating) the confirmation level item corresponding to these confirmation level items. By checking the column (indicated by the symbol ■ in FIG. 2), the confirmation level item is selected.

  The data format designation field 1220 includes items corresponding to the data formats of “not specified (automatic determination)”, “JPEG format”, “BMF format”, “PDF format”, and “DocuWorks format” (hereinafter “data format item”). Is included.)

  Further, the data format designation column 1220 is provided with a selection column (indicated by a symbol ◯ in FIG. 2) for selecting (designating) the data format item corresponding to these data format items. By checking the column (indicated by the symbol ● in FIG. 2), the data format item is selected.

  The confirmation level designation unit 151 has the function of the confirmation level designation unit, and designates a confirmation level according to the contents of the development process related to the print preview image corresponding to the print job to be printed. The confirmation level designating unit 151 is information (hereinafter referred to as “the confirmation level”) corresponding to the confirmation level item selected in the confirmation level item (corresponding to each confirmation level) in the confirmation level designation field 1210 of the selection screen 1200. "Confirmation level information"). This confirmation level information means a command related to the expansion process corresponding to the confirmation level.

  The data format designation unit 152 has a function of the data format designation unit, and designates the data format of the print preview image. The data format designating unit 152 is information (hereinafter referred to as “the data format”) corresponding to the data format item selected in each data format item (corresponding to each data format) in the data format designation field 1220 of the selection screen 1200. Data format information ”). This data format information means a command related to data generation corresponding to the data format.

  The print preview image generation instruction information generated by the print preview image generation instruction unit 150 means the confirmation level information generated by the confirmation level specification unit 151 and the data format information generated by the data format specification unit 152.

  In the embodiment, the confirmation level according to the content of the expansion processing related to the print preview image corresponds to at least a part of the drawing objects among one or more drawing objects included in the print job, and the expansion processing of the drawing object Is a level at which an image obtained by simplifying can be confirmed as a print preview image.

  Specifically, the confirmation level corresponding to the content of the development processing related to the print preview image corresponds to at least a part of the drawing objects, and the layout image indicating the position and size of the drawing area of the drawing object is printed preview. It is a level that can be confirmed as an image.

  Here, the drawing object refers to, for example, one or more types of drawing objects among three types of drawing objects: a character object, an image object, and a graphic object. In addition, at least some of the drawing objects are at least one type of drawing object among the one or more types of drawing objects.

  The details of the development process related to the print preview image will be described later.

  The control unit 160 has the function of the transmission control unit and the function of the printer driver, and the value of the “print preview display presence / absence” attribute in the print setting information from the user interface 130 indicates that “print preview display is performed”. ”Is waited until the print preview image generation instruction information output from the print preview image generation instruction unit 150 is acquired. If the print preview image generation instruction information is acquired, the print document in the print setting information is Based on the name (file name), the document data is read from the storage unit 140 to generate a print job.

  Next, the control unit 160 controls the communication unit (first communication unit) 170 to output the generated print job together with the acquired print preview image generation instruction information and transmit it to the printing apparatus 20. To do.

  That is, the control unit 160 gives the communication unit (first communication unit) 170 information (confirmation level information) indicating the confirmation level designated by the confirmation level designation unit (confirmation level designation unit) 151 and data format designation. Control is performed so that information (data format information) indicating the data format specified by the section (data format specifying means) 152 and the generated print job are transmitted to the printing apparatus 20.

  In the embodiment, a print job to which print preview image generation instruction information (confirmation level information and data format information) is added is transmitted to the printing apparatus 20.

  When the value of the “print preview display presence / absence” attribute in the print setting information is “not to perform print preview display”, the control unit 160 prints the print document name (file name) in the print setting information. ), The document data is read from the storage unit 140 to generate a print job, and the generated print job is output to the communication unit 170 and transmitted to the printing apparatus 20.

  Further, the control unit 160 outputs the print preview image from the printing apparatus 20 acquired via the communication unit 170 to the user interface 130.

  By the way, in the print job, in addition to data to be printed (print data) such as document data, for example, the user name instructed to print, the name of the print document, the date and time of printing, the number of copies, the number of copies, the paper size, the presence or absence of color printing, etc. And attribute information including various parameters, and print preview image generation instruction information (confirmation level information and data format information).

  The print data is obtained by converting document data to be printed into data (PDL data) described in a page description language (PDL) by the function of the printer driver of the control unit 160.

  The communication unit 170 has the function of the communication unit (first communication unit) and performs communication with the printing apparatus 20 via the communication line 30. For example, the communication unit 170 includes a print job including print preview image generation instruction information. Is sent to the printing apparatus 20 and a print preview image from the printing apparatus 20 is received.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus (image forming apparatus) 20 includes a communication unit 210, a data interpretation unit 220, a print preview image generation unit 230, a preview image provision unit 240, an image processing unit 250, a printer engine 260, and a storage. Part 270.

  The communication unit 210 has a function of the communication unit (second communication unit) and performs communication with the information processing device 10 via the communication line 30. For example, a print preview image from the information processing device 10 is used. A print job including the generation instruction information is received, the received information is output to the data interpretation unit 220, and the print preview image passed from the print preview image providing unit 240 is transmitted to the information processing device 10.

  The communication unit 210 also outputs this print job to the data interpretation unit 220 when receiving a print job from the information processing device 10 that does not include, for example, print preview image generation instruction information.

  When the received information from the communication unit 210 is a print job including print preview image generation instruction information, the data interpretation unit 220 interprets the print data (PDL data) of the print job, and interprets the result and the print preview. The image generation instruction information is output to the image preview image generation unit 230. On the other hand, if the received information from the communication unit 210 is a print job that does not include the print preview image generation instruction information, the data interpretation unit 220 interprets the print data (PDL data) of the print job and displays the interpretation result. Output to the image processing unit 250.

  The print preview image generation unit 230 has the function of the print preview image generation unit, and print preview image generation instruction information (confirmation level information and information) received from the information processing device 10 received by the communication unit (second communication unit) 210. A print preview image is generated based on a print job including data format information).

  Specifically, the print preview image generation unit 230 generates a print preview image based on the interpretation result of the print data (PDL data) of the print job from the data interpretation unit 220 and the print preview image generation instruction information.

  The print preview image providing unit 240 has the function of the print preview image providing unit, and is generated by the print preview image generating unit (print preview image generating unit) 230 with respect to the communication unit (second communication unit) 210. Control is performed so as to provide the print preview image to the requesting information processing device 10.

  The image processing unit 250 performs image (rendering object) expansion processing (rendering processing) based on the interpretation result of the print data (PDL data) of the print job from the data interpretation unit 220, and also displays the result of the expansion processing (drawing processing). Image processing such as color conversion, gradation correction, and screen processing (halftone dot generation processing) is performed on the raster data. Further, the image processing unit 250 outputs the image data after the image processing to the printer engine 260, and performs print control.

  The printer engine 260 performs an image forming process (printing process) based on the image data from the image processing unit 250, and outputs a printed matter (a recording medium such as paper) as a result of the image forming process to the outside of the printing apparatus 20. To do.

  The storage unit 270 receives information received by the communication unit 210, results of interpretation processing by the data interpretation unit 220 (interpretation results of PDL data), results of generation processing by the print preview image generation unit 230 (print preview images), and images Areas for storing the result of rasterization processing (raster data) and the result of image processing (image data as raster data) by the processing unit 250 and transmission information to be transmitted by the communication unit 210 are allocated.

  Accordingly, the communication unit 210, the data interpretation unit 220, the print preview image generation unit 230, the print preview image provision unit 240, and the image processing unit 250 access the storage unit 270 to read / write predetermined data. .

  Examples of the communication line 30 include a wired communication line such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a telephone line, a wireless communication line such as a wireless LAN, and a combination of these communication lines.

  Next, the contents of the expansion process relating to the print preview image will be described.

  The above expansion processing content corresponding to “Entire layout confirmation” is a layout image (overall layout image) that represents characters, images, figures, etc. with a frame or line and shows the position and size of the area of the frame or line. It is a process to expand. In this case, development of characters (character drawing objects), images (image drawing objects), and figures (graphic drawing objects) is not performed in detail (see FIG. 6). Here, the character drawing object indicates an object for drawing a character, the image drawing object indicates an object for drawing an image, and the graphic drawing object indicates an object for drawing a graphic.

  The above expansion processing content corresponding to “character position confirmation” refers to the expansion processing of image data (image drawing object) and graphic data (graphic drawing object) while faithfully expanding character data (character drawing object). This is a simplified process. In this case, for example, the development relating to the color relating to the image data or the filling relating to the graphic data is not performed (see FIG. 7).

  The above expansion processing content corresponding to “image position confirmation” refers to the expansion processing of character data (character drawing object) and graphic data (graphic drawing object) while faithfully expanding the image data (image drawing object). This is a simplified process. In this case, for example, development such as characters relating to character data and filling relating to graphic data is not performed (see FIGS. 8 and 10).

  The above expansion processing content corresponding to “graphic position confirmation” refers to the expansion processing of character data (character drawing object) and image data (image drawing object) while faithfully expanding graphic data (graphic drawing object). This is a simplified process. In this case, for example, development of characters relating to character data, colors relating to image data, etc. is not performed (see FIG. 9).

  The above expansion processing content corresponding to “print boundary confirmation” is a recording medium, for example, a side (four sides) around a sheet or a print boundary line (four sides) indicating a print boundary set around the sheet. Characters (character drawing objects), in a drawing area formed by the data of the corresponding four sides and the data of the four sides located inside (center part) of the paper by a predetermined distance from the four sides, When there is a drawing content in which an image (image drawing object) or a figure (graphic drawing object) is drawn (expanded), the drawing content is expanded (drawn) in the drawing area (see FIG. 11). ). The confirmation level corresponding to the contents of the expansion processing is designated when simply checking whether characters, images, and graphics near the printing boundary around the paper do not exceed the printing boundary.

  The above expansion processing contents corresponding to “color confirmation” are characters, images, figures, etc. represented by frames and lines, and an arrangement image (entire arrangement image) showing the position and size of the area of the frame or line is developed. In addition, this is a process of arranging the colors of the drawing objects (character drawing objects, image drawing objects, graphic drawing objects) with respect to the entire arrangement images (characters, images, graphics, etc., frames and lines) (see FIG. 12). ). The confirmation level corresponding to the contents of the expansion process is designated when confirming the color arrangement.

  Confirmation level information (command related to the decompression process) is generated by the confirmation level designation unit 151 corresponding to each of the above-described decompression processes.

  When the user wants to confirm the print result (print preview image) corresponding to the print job to be printed, when he / she wants to confirm the print preview image based on the desired expansion processing content among the above-described expansion processing content, From the confirmation level items in the confirmation level designation column 1210 of the selection screen 1200, a confirmation level item corresponding to the desired development processing content is selected.

  Next, print preview image generation instruction processing by the information processing device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the print preview image generation instruction processing.

  First, when the user needs to confirm a print preview image when executing a print job to be printed, the user operates the input unit 110 of the information processing apparatus 10 to perform print for print settings relating to document data to be printed. A setting screen (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 120.

  Next, on the print setting screen displayed on the display unit 120, the file name indicating the document data to be printed, and the attribute value of the attribute “presence / absence of print preview” are set to “execute print preview display”. Set attribute values for attributes related to print settings.

  Further, when the setting of the attribute value of the attribute relating to the print setting is completed as described above, the user issues a print execution instruction.

  In the information processing apparatus 10, the user interface 130 determines whether the attribute value of the “presence / absence of print preview display” attribute is “execute print preview display” when performing print settings on the print setting screen. It is determined whether or not there is a print preview instruction (step S101).

  In step S101, when the user interface 130 determines that there is a print preview instruction because the attribute value “execute print preview display” is set, a preview image generation indicating that the print preview instruction is present is generated. Output to the instruction unit 150 and print setting information to the control unit 160. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no print preview instruction because the attribute value “do not perform print preview display” is set, printing is performed. The setting information is output to the control unit 160.

  Upon receiving a print preview instruction from the user interface 130, the preview image generation instruction unit 150 outputs the selection screen 1200 related to the print preview display method illustrated in FIG. 2 to the user interface 130 and causes the display unit 120 to display the selection screen 1200 (Step 120). S102).

  When the selection screen 1200 is displayed on the display unit 120, the user operates the input unit 110 to select a desired confirmation level item from a plurality of confirmation level items in the confirmation level designation field 1210 on the selection screen 1200. In addition to selecting (checking), a desired data format item is selected (checked) from a plurality of data format items in the data format designation field 1220, and an “OK” button 1230 is pressed (clicked).

  When the user interface 130 outputs the input information (confirmation level item and data format item) input to the selection screen 1200 as detailed setting items to the print preview image generation instruction unit 150, the print preview image generation instruction unit 150 Detailed setting items (confirmation level item and data format item) are acquired from the user interface 130 (step S103), and print preview image generation instruction information is generated based on the acquired detailed setting item (confirmation level item and data format item). (Step S104).

  Specifically, in the print preview image generation instructing unit 150 that has acquired the detailed setting items (confirmation level item and data format item), the confirmation level designating unit 151 provides confirmation level information (a command related to the development process) based on the confirmation level item. The data format designating unit 152 generates data format information (a command related to data generation) based on the data format item.

  Then, the print preview image generation instruction unit 150 outputs the confirmation level information and data format information generated as described above to the control unit 160 as print preview image generation instruction information (command) (step S105).

  The control unit 160 that has received the print preview image generation instruction information from the print preview image generation instruction unit 150 reads the document data from the storage unit 140 based on the file name in the print setting information already received from the user interface 130. At the same time, print data (PDL data) corresponding to the document data is generated to generate a print job.

  Next, the control unit 160 adds the received print preview image generation instruction information (confirmation level information and data format information) to the generated print job, and transmits the print job to the printing apparatus 20. The communication unit 170 is controlled (step S106).

  The communication unit 170 transmits the print job to which the print preview image generation instruction information (confirmation level information and data format information) is added to the printing apparatus 20 via the communication line 30.

  The control unit 160 that has finished step S106 determines whether or not a print preview image is received from the printing apparatus 20 via the communication unit 170 (step S107). As a result of the determination, the control unit 160 does not receive the print preview image. In this case, the process waits until a print preview image is received. On the other hand, when the print preview image is received, the received print preview image is output to the user interface 130 and displayed on the display unit 120 (step S108).

  When the user confirms the print preview image displayed on the display unit 120 and determines that the content of the print preview image is acceptable, the print preview display is performed in the print settings (print setting information) set as described above. After changing the attribute value of “Implementing” to the attribute value of “Not performing print preview display”, an instruction to execute printing is issued.

  Since it is determined in step S101 that the print preview instruction is not given because the attribute value “not to perform print preview display” is set, the print setting information is provided from the user interface 130 to the control unit 160. 160 reads out the document data from the storage unit 140 based on the file name in the received print setting information, generates print data (PDL data) corresponding to the document data, generates a print job, A print job (a print job to which print preview image generation instruction information is not added) is transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 via the communication unit 170 (step S109).

  Next, print preview image generation processing and supply processing by the printing apparatus 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the print preview image generation processing and supply processing.

  In the printing apparatus 20, when the communication unit 210 receives a print job from the information processing device 10 and outputs the print job to the data interpretation unit 220, the data interpretation unit 220 adds print preview image generation instruction information to the received print job. It is determined whether there is a print preview instruction (step S201).

  In step S201, the data interpretation unit 220 interprets the print data (PDL data) based on the received print job when it is determined that there is a print preview instruction because the print preview image generation instruction information is added. The interpretation result and the print preview image generation instruction information are output to the print preview image generation unit 230.

  The print preview image generation unit 230 that has received the information generates a print preview image based on the interpretation result of the print data (PDL data) and the print preview image generation instruction information (confirmation level information and data format information) ( In step S202), the generated print preview image is output to the print preview image supply unit 240.

  The print preview image supply unit 240 controls the communication unit 210 to provide the print preview image from the print preview image generation unit 230 to the information processing apparatus 10 that has requested the print job (step S203).

  As a result, the print preview image is transmitted to the requesting information processing apparatus 10 via the communication unit 210 and the communication line 30.

  In step S201, since the print preview image generation instruction information is not added, the data interpretation unit 220 that has determined that there is no print preview instruction interprets the print data (PDL data) based on the received print job, and the interpretation result. Is output to the image processing unit 250. In this case, the print preview image generation process is not performed.

  Based on the interpretation result of the print data (PDL data) from the data interpretation unit 220, the image processing unit 250 performs the development process (drawing process) of the image (drawing object) and the result of the development process (raster data). ) Is subjected to image processing such as color conversion, gradation correction, screen processing (halftone dot generation processing), and the image data after image processing is output to the printer engine 260 to perform print control. Thereby, the printing process is executed by the printer engine 260 (step S204).

  Next, an example of print preview image display (print preview image display) according to the confirmation level will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In this example, it is assumed that the document (document data) to be printed is the document (print document) 2300 shown in FIG.

  The print document 2300 includes characters 2310 of “sample document”, characters 2321 to 2324 from “• data 1” to “• data 4”, an image 2330, and components (drawing objects) of a graphic 2340. Yes.

  Note that the character 2310, the character 2321, the character 2322, and the character 2324 are black characters, and the character 2323 is a red character. The image 2330 is a color image. The figure 2340 is a figure on which halftone filling is performed. The background color is white.

The following is a summary of the document components described above.
Character 2310 = “Sample document”, black character character 2321 = “• Data 1”, black character character 2322 = “• Data 2”, black character character 2323 = “• Data 3”, red character character 2324 = Black character image 2330 = “image with square area” and color image figure 2340 = star shape, and halftone inside

  Each of these components is arranged in a paper area 2350 corresponding to a print medium of a predetermined size, such as paper, with an arrangement relationship as shown in FIG.

  With respect to such a print document 2300, print preview images are displayed at the respective confirmation levels of “overall layout confirmation”, “character position confirmation”, “image position confirmation”, “graphic position confirmation”, “print boundary confirmation”, and “color confirmation”. An example of display of a print preview image (print preview image display) when generated will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the print preview image display based on the confirmation level of the overall arrangement is represented by a frame or a line representing characters, images, figures, etc., and the entire arrangement (arranged image) is printed and previewed at the position and size. It can be confirmed as an image.

  In FIG. 6, reference numerals 2310A, 2321A to 2324A, reference numerals 2330A, and reference numerals 2340A indicate arrangement images corresponding to the characters 2310, characters 2321 to 2324, the image 2330, and the figure 2340, respectively.

  Arrangement images 2310A and 2321A to 2324A corresponding to characters, an arrangement image 2330A corresponding to an image, and an arrangement image 2340 corresponding to a graphic are drawn in black. In order to distinguish between an image arrangement image and a graphic arrangement image, the image arrangement image is drawn with a double line, and the graphic arrangement image is drawn with a single line.

  As described above, when displaying a print preview image at the confirmation level of the overall layout confirmation, characters (character drawing data = character drawing objects), images (image drawing data = image drawing objects), figures (graphic drawing) related to the print preview image By not developing the data (graphic drawing object) in detail, the data size of the print preview image can be reduced, the print preview image generation process in the printing apparatus 20, and the information processing apparatus 10 The processing speed of a predetermined process such as a print preview image display process can be improved. Furthermore, since the data size of the print preview image is reduced, the transmission speed (transfer speed) of the print preview image transmitted to the communication line 30 can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the print preview image display based on the character position confirmation level is a print document (in this example, a print document 2300) to be displayed as a print preview for character data (character drawing data = character drawing object). Can be confirmed as a print preview image.

  In FIG. 7, reference numerals 2310, 2321, 2322, 2323 B, and 2324 denote characters corresponding to the character 2310, characters 2321, 2322, 2323, and 2324, respectively, and reference numerals 2330 A and 2340 A correspond to the image 2330 and the graphic 2340, respectively. An arrangement image is shown.

  That is, in the print preview image shown in FIG. 7, the arrangement image 2310A and the arrangement images 2321A, 2322A, 2323A, and 2324A in the print preview image shown in FIG. 6 are changed to the character 2310 and the characters 2321, 2322, 2323B, and 2324, respectively. It is the contents.

  The characters 2321, 2322, 2323 B, and 2324 are faithfully implemented in character data (character drawing data = character drawing object) corresponding to the characters 2321, 2322, 2323, and 2324 of the print document 2300 shown in FIG. Note that the character 2323B is drawn in black instead of red.

  As described above, when the print preview image is displayed at the confirmation level of the character position confirmation, the image data (image drawing data) is developed while faithfully developing the character data (character drawing data = character drawing object) related to the print preview image. = Image drawing object) and graphic data (graphic drawing data = graphic drawing object) can be simplified to reduce the data size of the print preview image and print preview in the printing apparatus 20. The processing speed of a predetermined process such as an image generation process or a print preview image display process in the information processing apparatus 10 can be improved. Furthermore, since the data size of the print preview image is reduced, the transmission speed (transfer speed) of the print preview image transmitted to the communication line 30 can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the print preview image display based on the confirmation level of the image position confirmation is performed on a print document (in this example, the print document 2300) to be displayed as a print preview with respect to image data (image drawing data = image drawing object). A faithful image can be confirmed as a print preview image. The print preview image shown in FIG. 8 has contents obtained by changing the arrangement image 2330A to the image 2330 in the print preview image shown in FIG. Incidentally, the image 2330 in FIG. 8 is a color image similar to the image 2330 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the print preview image display based on the confirmation level of the graphic position confirmation is performed on the print document (in this example, the print document 2300) on which print preview display is desired with respect to the graphic data (graphic drawing data = graphic drawing object). A faithful image can be confirmed as a print preview image. The print preview image shown in FIG. 9 has contents obtained by changing the layout image 2340A to the graphic 2340 in the print preview image shown in FIG. Incidentally, the figure 2340 in FIG. 9 is a figure to which halftone filling is applied in the same manner as the figure 2340 in FIG. 6.

  As described above, in the print preview images shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the image drawing data (image drawing object) and the graphic drawing data (graphics) related to the print preview image are displayed in the same manner as the print preview image display at the character position confirmation confirmation level. A drawing object such as a drawing object) is drawn faithfully to a print document for which a print preview display is to be performed specifically for a specific type of drawing data (drawing object).

  Therefore, when the print preview image is displayed at the confirmation level of the image position confirmation or the graphic position confirmation, the data size of the print preview image can be reduced as in the case of the character position confirmation, and the printing apparatus 20 can reduce the data size. The processing speed of a predetermined process such as the print preview image generation process and the print preview image display process in the information processing apparatus 10 can be improved. Furthermore, since the data size of the print preview image is reduced, the transmission speed (transfer speed) of the print preview image transmitted to the communication line 30 can be improved.

  In the print preview image display of an image or a figure, a color image may be displayed in monochrome. For example, in the print preview image display corresponding to the print document 2300 shown in FIG. 5 at the confirmation level of the image position confirmation when the image is displayed in monochrome, the image is drawn like the print preview image shown in FIG. The print preview image shown in FIG. 10 has contents obtained by changing the image 2330 to the monochrome image 2330B in the print preview image shown in FIG.

  In this way, by confirming the color image with the monochrome image, the print preview image of FIG. 10 can reduce the data size of the print preview image compared to the print preview image of FIG. .

  As shown in FIG. 11, the print preview image display based on the confirmation level of the print boundary confirmation is a print boundary line indicating a print medium, for example, a side (four sides) around a sheet or a print boundary set around the sheet. Characters are drawn in a drawing area formed by data of four sides corresponding to (four sides) and data of four sides located inside (center part) of the paper by a predetermined distance from the four sides. (Text drawing object), image (image drawing object), and drawing (development object), when there is drawing content to be drawn (expanded), confirm the drawing content in the drawing area as a print preview image It is something that can be done.

  In FIG. 11, four sides (line segments) 2351A, 2352A, 2353A, and 2354A related to the paper region 2350 corresponding to the paper, and 4 located on the inner side (center) of the paper by a predetermined distance from the four sides. In a drawing area 2350A formed by two sides (line segments) 2351B, 2352B, 2353B, and 2354B, characters 2310 of “sample document”, “• data 1” to “• data 4” of the print document 2300 shown in FIG. When at least a part of the objects (characters, images, and figures) to be drawn of the characters 2321 to 2324, the image 2330, and the figure 2340 exist, the corresponding drawing contents are drawn. Note that four sides (line segments) 2351B, 2352B, 2353B, and 2354B indicated by dotted lines are for explanation, and are not actually drawn.

  That is, it is possible to easily check whether characters and images near the printing boundary around the paper (drawing area 2350A) do not exceed the printing boundary.

  As described above, when the print preview image is displayed at the confirmation level of the print boundary confirmation, the amount (data amount) drawn as the print preview image is minimized, so that the data size of the print preview image can be reduced. In addition, the processing speed of a predetermined process such as a print preview image generation process in the printing apparatus 20 and a print preview image display process in the information processing apparatus 10 can be improved. Furthermore, since the data size of the print preview image is reduced, the transmission speed (transfer speed) of the print preview image transmitted to the communication line 30 can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the print preview image display based on the color confirmation confirmation level represents characters, images, graphics, and the like represented by frames and lines, and an arrangement image (the entire image) indicating the position and size of the frame or line area. Color by arranging the color of the drawing object (character drawing object, image drawing object, figure drawing object) with respect to the whole arrangement image (character, image, figure, etc., frame or line) Can be confirmed.

  The print preview image shown in FIG. 12 is obtained by changing the arrangement image 2323A corresponding to the characters to the arrangement image 2323C in the print preview image shown in FIG. 6 (in the case of overall arrangement confirmation), and the arrangement image 2330A corresponding to the image is the arrangement image. The content is changed to 2330C. The arrangement image 2323C corresponding to the character is red like the character 2323, and the arrangement image 2330C corresponding to the image is blue (the main color of the image) similar to the image 2330.

  In the embodiment, the information (confirmation level information) indicating the confirmation level designated by the confirmation level designation unit (confirmation level designation unit) 151 and the data format designated by the data format designation unit (data format designation unit) 152 are used. The information (data format information) shown is transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 as print preview image generation instruction information, but only the confirmation level information designated by the confirmation level designation unit (confirmation level designation means) 151 is printed. It may be transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 as preview image generation instruction information.

  That is, the printing apparatus generates a print preview image based on the confirmation level information and the print job transmitted from the information processing device, and transmits the generated print preview image to the information processing device that requested the print job. To do.

  In the embodiment, the confirmation level may be designated by specifying each of a plurality of confirmation level items in the confirmation level designation field 1210 (a plurality of confirmation levels corresponding to the confirmation level). Any plurality of confirmation level items (a plurality of confirmation levels corresponding to) among the plurality of confirmation level items in the column 1210 may be designated.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the printing apparatus (image forming apparatus) 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 13, the printing apparatus 20 includes a CPU 21, a storage device 22 such as a hard disk, a ROM 23, a RAM 24, a communication interface (communication I / F) 25, and a printer engine 26.

  The storage device 22 includes a program for realizing the functions of the print preview image generation unit 230 (see FIG. 1) and the print preview image providing unit 240 (see FIG. 1), and the data interpretation unit 220 (FIG. 1). And a program for realizing the function of the image processing unit 250 (see FIG. 1) and a program corresponding to the above-described processing procedure (see FIG. 4).

  Here, a program for realizing the functions of the above-described print preview image generating unit 230 and print preview image providing unit 240 and a program corresponding to the above-described processing procedure are defined as an image processing program 22A.

  The image processing program 22A includes at least the following processing steps (1) and (2).

  (1) Print preview for generating a print preview image based on information indicating a confirmation level corresponding to the development processing content transmitted from the requesting information processing apparatus and corresponding to the print preview image corresponding to the print job to be printed Image generation process.

  (2) A print preview image providing process for providing the print preview image generated by the print preview image generating process to the information processing device.

  The ROM 23 is a read-only memory and stores parameters (color conversion parameters, tone correction parameters, etc.) and data necessary for performing image processing by the image processing unit 250 (CPU 21).

  The RAM 240 is a read / write memory as needed, and stores a predetermined program (such as the image processing program 22A) read from the storage device 22, and also stores parameters and data read from the ROM 23.

  The RAM 240 functions as the above-described storage unit 270 (see FIG. 1), and stores, for example, the following information (a) to (d).

  (A) Received information received by the communication unit 210 (communication I / F 27), for example, a print job to which print preview image generation instruction information is added, transmission information to be transmitted by the communication unit 210 (communication I / F 27), for example, print Preview image.

  (B) Result of interpretation processing by the data interpretation unit 220 (CPU 21).

  (C) Result of generation processing (print preview image) by the print preview image generation unit 230 (CPU 21).

  (D) Results (raster data) of development processing (rendering processing) by the image processing unit 250 (CPU 21) and results of image processing (image data that is raster data).

  The communication I / F 25 performs communication with the information processing device 10. For example, the communication I / F 25 receives a print job transmitted from the information processing device 10 and transmits a print preview image to the information processing device 10.

  The CPU 21 is a central processing unit, and reads and executes the predetermined program from the storage device 22 to the RAM 24, thereby executing a data interpretation unit 220, a print preview image generation unit 230, a print preview image providing unit 240, and image processing. Each function of the unit 250 is realized.

  The printer engine 26 functions as the printer engine 260 (see FIG. 1) described above.

  In the present specification, the above-described predetermined program including the image processing program has been described as an embodiment of recording in a storage device such as a hard disk as a recording medium. However, the predetermined program can be provided as follows. is there.

  That is, the predetermined program may be stored in the ROM, and the CPU may load the predetermined program from the ROM to the main storage device and execute it.

  The predetermined program may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD-ROM, a CD-ROM, an MO (magneto-optical disk), a flexible disk, and distributed. In this case, after the printing apparatus installs the predetermined program recorded on the recording medium, the CPU executes the predetermined program. The installation destination of the predetermined program includes a memory such as a RAM and a storage device such as a hard disk. The printing apparatus loads a predetermined program stored in the storage device into the main storage device and executes it as necessary.

  Further, the printing apparatus is connected to a server apparatus or a host computer via a communication line (for example, the Internet), and after the printing apparatus downloads the predetermined program from the server apparatus or the host computer, the predetermined program May be executed. In this case, download destinations of the predetermined program include a memory such as a RAM and a storage device (recording medium) such as a hard disk. The printing device loads the predetermined program stored in the storage device into the main storage device and executes it as necessary.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects (1) to (8) can be achieved.

  (1) When instructing generation of a print preview image from the information processing device, by specifying a confirmation level for the print preview image and limiting confirmation targets for the print preview image, the data amount of the print preview image is limited to the necessary amount. Therefore, the processing time required for predetermined processing related to the print preview image, for example, print preview image generation processing and transfer processing can be shortened. it can. That is, it is possible to improve the processing speed of predetermined processing (generation processing in the printing apparatus, transfer processing, display processing in the information processing device) related to the print preview image.

  (2) Since the data amount of the print preview image can be reduced, traffic during communication of the print preview image can be suppressed.

  (3) By specifying the data format of the print preview image from the information processing device, it is possible to provide a print preview image that reliably follows the user's intention.

  That is, for example, when the data format is not designated, the data format of the print preview image is fixed or automatically determined by some means. When the image format is a data format that cannot be opened by the user (a data format that cannot be processed such as display processing) or a data format that is unfamiliar to the user, the user's usability is reduced. On the other hand, by specifying the data format from the user, a smooth print preview image without stress can be confirmed.

  (4) By receiving the print preview image confirmation level designation on the printing apparatus side, the print preview image generation process can be simplified, and the data amount of the print preview image can be reduced.

  (5) When simplifying the print preview of image data (image drawing data), the position and size of the image data are calculated, and the position of the image is represented by a frame line to rotate, enlarge, or reduce the image data. Thus, the processing speed of the predetermined process related to the print preview image, that is, the print preview image generation process can be improved. Further, since the drawing data (drawing object) is only the frame line, the image transfer speed of the print preview image transferred (transmitted) through the communication line can be improved. By the way, when the image format is a JPEG image and the image data size of the image is about 1/4 of that of A4 paper, when drawing with a frame layout image corresponding to the image (image image), Compared to the case of the image (image image), the data capacity of about 1 MB (megabyte) can be reduced.

  (6) When simplifying the print preview of character data (character drawing data), the position and size of the character data are calculated, and the character position is represented by a frame line so that the character font is expanded or modified. Is eliminated, and the processing speed of a predetermined process related to a print preview image, that is, a print preview image generation process can be improved.

  (7) When simplifying the print preview of graphic data (graphic drawing data), the position and size of the graphic data are calculated, and only the outline or the frame line is used, so that the graphic data can be filled or the leading edge processed. Is eliminated, and the processing speed of a predetermined process related to a print preview image, that is, a print preview image generation process can be improved.

  (8) Since the information processing device performs a print preview of the print preview image with the reduced data amount, the processing speed of the predetermined process related to the print preview image, that is, the display process of the print preview image is improved. Can do.

  The present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus (so-called multi-function machine) having a plurality of types of image forming processing functions including at least a printing function such as a printing function, a copying function, and a scanning function.

  In addition, the present invention can be applied to an image forming system in which the image forming apparatus (so-called multifunction peripheral) and an information processing device are connected via a communication line.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection screen regarding the print preview display method which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the print preview image generation instruction | indication process by the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print preview image generation processing and supply processing by the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the document (document data) which should be printed based on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the print preview image by the confirmation level of the whole arrangement | positioning confirmation which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the print preview image by the confirmation level of the character position confirmation which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the print preview image by the confirmation level of the image position confirmation which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the print preview image by the confirmation level of the figure position confirmation which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display of the print preview image by the confirmation level of the image position confirmation which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the print preview image by the confirmation level of the printing boundary confirmation which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the print preview image by the confirmation level of the color confirmation which concerns on embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 10 Information processing apparatus 20 Image forming apparatus (printing apparatus)
21 CPU
22 storage device 22A image processing program 23 ROM
24 RAM
25 Communication I / F
26 printer engine 30 communication line 110 input unit 120 display unit 130 user interface 140 storage unit 150 print preview image generation instruction unit 151 confirmation level designation unit 152 data format designation unit 160 control unit 170 communication unit 210 communication unit 220 data interpretation unit 230 print Preview image generation unit 240 Print preview image supply unit 250 Image processing unit 260 Printer engine 270 Storage unit

Claims (7)

A communication unit connected to the image forming apparatus via a communication line and performing communication with the image forming apparatus;
A confirmation level designating unit for designating a confirmation level according to the contents of the development processing related to the print preview image corresponding to the print job to be printed;
Control means for controlling the communication means to transmit information indicating the confirmation level designated by the confirmation level designation means and the print job to the image forming apparatus;
An information processing device comprising: The confirmation level according to the content of the development process related to the print preview image is:
It is a level that corresponds to at least a part of one or more drawing objects included in the print job and can confirm an image obtained by simplifying the development process of the drawing object as a print preview image.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The confirmation level according to the content of the development process related to the print preview image is:
It is a level corresponding to the at least some drawing objects, and a level at which an arrangement image indicating the position and size of the drawing area of the drawing object can be confirmed as a print preview image
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. Communication means connected to the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 via a communication line, and communicating with the information processing device;
Print preview image generation means for generating a print preview image based on information indicating a confirmation level from the information processing device received by the communication means and a print job;
Print preview image providing means for controlling the communication means to provide the information processing device with the print preview image generated by the print preview image generating means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and the image forming apparatus according to claim 4,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Generating a print preview image based on the received information indicating the confirmation level from the information processing device and a print job, and transmitting the generated print preview image to the information processing device;
An image forming system. The information processing device and the image forming apparatus are connected via a communication line,
The information processing device includes:
First communication means for communicating with the image forming apparatus via the communication line;
A confirmation level designating unit for designating a confirmation level according to the contents of the development processing related to the print preview image corresponding to the print job to be printed;
Data format specifying means for specifying the data format of the print preview image;
The information indicating the confirmation level designated by the confirmation level designation unit, the information indicating the data format designated by the data format designation unit, and the print job are directed to the image forming apparatus with respect to the first communication unit. Control means for controlling to transmit
Have
The image forming apparatus includes:
A second communication means for communicating with the information processing device via the communication line;
Print preview image generation means for generating a print preview image based on information indicating a confirmation level from the information processing device received by the second communication means, information indicating a data format, and a print job;
Print preview image providing means for controlling the second communication means to provide the information processing device with the print preview image generated by the print preview image generating means;
Having
An image forming system. Print preview image generation processing for generating a print preview image based on information indicating a confirmation level corresponding to the development processing contents transmitted from the requesting information processing device and corresponding to the print preview image corresponding to the print job to be printed Process,
A print preview image providing process for providing the print preview image generated by the print preview image generating process to the information processing device;
An image processing program for causing a computer to execute.