JP2010079766A - Document printing system and printer driver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a user has to change settings a number of times to repeat printing until the user acquires his/her desired printing results because a font for a barcode is displayed in the size of an internally stored font of a PC on the screen of an application to make the size of the actual barcode unclear, which sometimes causes the overlapping of the barcode with other printing data during printing. <P>SOLUTION: A document printing system with a printer driver for converting print information created by the application into print data that is interpreted by a printer includes a print previewing part 6 and 8 for displaying a print image of the print information in a preview before transmitting the print information to the printer, an editing part (7, 109, 112 and 113) for performing additional editing of the print image on the preview display, and a print data generating part (102 and 2) for generating print data that is interpreted by the printer on the basis of the print information and edition data for additional editing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to a document printing system that enables barcode printing.

  In general, when barcode printing is performed from a general-purpose application, print information created by the application is supplied to a printer driver, converted into a command system that can be understood by the printing apparatus by the printer driver, and then output to the printing apparatus through a spooler. Here, the printer driver has a barcode font for barcode printing, and barcode printing is realized by designating barcodes with simple characters or numerical values in an application (for example, see Patent Document 1). ).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-221946 (pages 3 to 4, FIGS. 1 to 6)

  Since the barcode font is displayed in the size of the PC built-in font on the application screen, the actual barcode size is not known and the barcode and other print data overlap when printing. was there. In addition, because the character string size in the barcode font on the application and the barcode size that is actually printed are different, the document format is corrupted, and the character string other than the barcode also has a different display position and print result on the application. There was a problem that. For this reason, it is necessary to repeat printing while changing the setting many times before the user obtains a desired printing result.

A document printing system according to the present invention is a document printing system including a printer driver that converts print information created by an application into print data that can be interpreted by a printing apparatus.
A print preview section for previewing a print image of the print information before transmission to the printing apparatus; an editing section for additionally editing the print image on the preview display; and the print information and the additional editing And a print data generation unit that generates print data that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus.

A printer driver according to the present invention is a printer driver that converts print information created by an application into print data that can be interpreted by a printing apparatus.
A print preview section for previewing a print image of the print information before transmission to the printing apparatus; an editing section for additionally editing the print image on the preview display; and the print information and the additional editing And a print data generation unit that generates print data that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, on the preview display on which the print image is displayed, various conditions for actual printing can be set while confirming against the print image, so that printing can be performed in a desired state.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the document printing system according to the first embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention divided into blocks according to functions. FIG. 2 shows a preview display of a print image and a barcode image. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a print setting screen of a printer driver, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the contents of a file describing barcode setting information.

  The printer driver 2 is a command sequence of, for example, ESC / P emulation that can be analyzed by the printer as the printing device 5 with respect to print information output from the application 1 having a general printing function, for example, a document created by the user by the application. A setting for whether to display a preview when printing is performed is stored in the preview setting 2a. The preview setting 2a can be changed depending on whether or not the “Display preview before printing” item displayed on the print setting screen shown in FIG. 3 is checked, but the print setting here is a general printer. As with the driver, it is set before printing.

  The print data processing unit 6 reads the print data 3 and print image creation unit 101 for generating a print image that is an image obtained by faithfully reproducing the print result of the printing apparatus 5. The print data synthesizing unit 102 for synthesizing the ESC / P emulation command sequence and the print data 3 to create new print data.

  The barcode processing unit 7 includes a barcode data acquisition unit 106 that reads barcode data from a barcode setting file 109 prepared in advance, and a barcode for converting the barcode data into a barcode image that is an image image when printing the barcode data. An image creation unit 105, a barcode position acquisition unit 108 that reads a barcode printing position from the barcode setting file 109, and an ESC / P emulation command sequence corresponding to editing data from the barcode data and the barcode position The printer command creation unit 107 is configured. The barcode setting file 109 describes barcode setting information composed of barcode printing position data and barcode data such as type, embedded data, and various settings in a text format. It is described in a markup language format having a hierarchical structure as shown in FIG.

  For example, in the preview display as shown in FIG. 2, the preview display unit 8 displays the print image 110 created by the print data processing unit 6 and the barcode image 111 created by the barcode processing unit 7. The preview display unit 8 is provided with a user operation information input unit 112 using a mouse or the like (not shown) so that the position of the barcode image 111 with respect to the print image 110 can be arbitrarily moved in accordance with the user operation. ing. At this time, the mouse operation by the user is recognized by the input unit 112, the barcode printing position calculation unit 113 calculates the actual printing position from the position of the barcode image 111, and the calculated printing position information is sent to the barcode setting file 109. Configured to write.

  In the above configuration, the print data composition unit 102 and the printer driver 2 belong to a print data generation unit that generates print data. The barcode processing unit 7, the barcode setting file 109, the input unit 112, and the barcode printing position calculation The unit 113 belongs to an editing unit that additionally edits a barcode image, the print image creation unit 6 and the preview display unit 8 belong to a print preview unit, and the input unit 112 and the barcode print position calculation unit 113 serve as a barcode position setting unit. Equivalent to. Here, it is assumed that components other than the printing apparatus 5 belong to the personal computer 50.

  FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing the flow of barcode printing operation in the present embodiment in the above system configuration, and FIG. 5B is a flowchart for explaining the operation content of the preview display in step S104. is there. Based on these flowcharts, an example of barcode printing operation will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5A, an operation from the stage where the user executes printing from the application 1 and the printer driver 2 creates the print data 3 will be described. Here, the printer driver 2 determines whether or not to perform a preview display by looking at the preview setting 2a (step S101). If the setting is such that preview display is not performed (No in step S101), the process proceeds to step S109 to output the print data as it is.

  If it is set to perform preview display (Yes in step S101), the print image creation unit 101 of the print data processing unit 6 reads the print data 3 output from the printer driver 2, and the printing apparatus 5 actually prints it. A street print image 110 is created (step S102). It should be noted that the printable area is simultaneously displayed on the print image 110 with a red frame 114 (FIG. 2), for example, so that the barcode image 111 cannot be placed beyond the printable area.

  Subsequently, the barcode data acquisition unit 106 of the barcode processing unit 7 reads the barcode setting file 109, and the barcode image creation unit 105 creates the barcode image 111 as actually printed by the printing apparatus 5 (step S103). ).

  Next, preview display and input waiting are performed in the preview display unit 8 (step S104). That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5B, first, the created print image 110 is drawn (step S151) and the barcode image 111 is drawn (step S152). The input unit 112 always monitors the user's mouse operation (step S153). If the movement of the barcode image 111 is not detected, nothing is done. If the movement is detected, the barcode printing position calculation unit 113 draws the drawing. The printing position is calculated from the position of the barcode image thus written and written in the barcode setting file 109 (step S154). At this time, the upper left coordinate of the barcode image 111 is set as the printing position. Thereafter, steps S153 to S155 are repeated until the user executes printing or cancels printing to end the preview.

  Here, when the user presses the “cancel” button 121 displayed in the print preview of FIG. 2 to instruct print cancellation (No in step S105), the process ends without performing printing, and “print” in FIG. ”Button 120 is pressed to instruct printing (step S105, Yes), the barcode data acquisition unit 106 and barcode position acquisition unit 108 first read the barcode data and barcode printing position from the barcode setting file 109, respectively. Is read (step S106).

  Next, the printer command creation unit 107 creates a printer command that can be recognized by the printing apparatus 5 from the read barcode data and barcode printing position (step S107), and the print data composition unit 102 composes the original print data 3. (Step S108). Finally, the synthesized print data 3 is output to the printing apparatus 5 by the print data output unit 4 (step S109).

  In this embodiment, data exchange by ESC / P emulation has been described as an example, but the type is not limited as long as it is a language that can be identified by the printing apparatus. Alternatively, the communication may be performed in an intermediate language before conversion by the printer driver. In this embodiment, the barcode printing position and the data to be embedded in the barcode are stored in the same file. However, separate files may be used. In addition, the present invention can be applied to anything that can store information such as a temporary memory in memory instead of a file. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the upper left coordinate is used as the print position when the barcode position is specified, but the coordinates are not limited. For example, the center of the barcode may be the printing position. Moreover, although the example which arrange | positions only one barcode was shown, multiple arrangement | positioning can also be carried out.

  As described above, according to the document printing system of the present embodiment, the user can actually print by displaying the print preview and arranging and moving the barcode image on the print image. In addition, the print layout including the barcode can be visually confirmed. In addition, the format will not be lost because no extra character string is included in the document.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main part configuration of the document printing system according to the second embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, divided into blocks according to functions. FIG. 7 shows an example of adding a barcode on the preview display. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying a bar code setting screen display that can be set by the user.

  The system configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is mainly different from the system configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 described above in that a barcode setting unit 151 is added to the barcode processing unit 207. And a point that functions in response to a right-click operation of the mouse in the mouse operation of the input unit 152. Therefore, in the system configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to the system configuration of the first embodiment (FIG. 1), or the description is omitted by omitting the drawings. , Explain different points with emphasis.

  In this embodiment, when a user creates a document by an application and executes printing under a preview designation, the preview display unit 8 first includes an “add barcode” button 155 in the preview display shown in FIG. Show no screen. Next, when the user right-clicks at a desired cursor position on the preview display, an “add barcode” button 155 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, and the “add barcode” button 155 is pressed. The bar code setting unit 151 is called to display a bar code setting screen as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the coordinates of the cursor position when the mouse is right-clicked at this time are configured to be the initial position of the upper left coordinates of the bar code 111 (see FIG. 2) displayed later on the preview display. Has been.

  The bar code setting unit 151 displays a bar code setting screen as shown in FIG. 8 in the above-described process, and various bar code settings performed by the user using the bar code setting screen as described later. It has a function of writing to the code setting file 109.

  FIG. 9A is a flowchart showing a flow of barcode printing operation in the present embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a flowchart for explaining the operation content of barcode setting in step S203. Based on these flowcharts, an example of barcode printing operation will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 9A, among steps other than the barcode setting process of step S203, steps S201 to S202 are steps S101 to S202 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5A described in the first embodiment. Step S204 to Step S210 correspond to Step S102 to Step S109 in the flowchart of FIG. 5A, and detailed description of these common steps is omitted here as necessary. Describe the main points and focus on the differences.

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9A, an operation from the stage where the user executes printing from the application 1 and the printer driver 2 creates the print data 3 will be described. Here, the printer driver 2 determines whether or not to perform the preview display by looking at the preview setting 2a (step S201). If the setting is such that preview display is not performed (No in step S201), the process proceeds to step S210 to output the print data as it is. If it is set to perform the preview display (step S201, Yes), the print image creation unit 201 of the print data processing unit 6 reads the print data 3 output from the printer driver 2, and the printing apparatus 5 actually prints it. A street print image 110 is created (step S202).

  Subsequently, barcode setting is performed (step S203). Here, the flow shown in FIG. 9B is executed. First, in the preview display shown in FIG. 7, a screen not including the “add barcode” button 155 is displayed. When the user right-clicks at a desired cursor position on the preview display, “ An “add barcode” button 155 is displayed, and when the “add barcode” button 155 is pressed, a barcode setting screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed (step S251). At this time, the coordinates of the cursor position when the mouse is right-clicked become the initial position of the upper left coordinates of the bar code 111 (see FIG. 2) displayed on the preview display later.

  Here, the user confirms or changes the barcode data such as the type of barcode to be printed, the data to be embedded in the barcode, and each barcode setting by an intuitive operation of an input device such as a mouse. The display example in FIG. 8 is a QR code setting example. Here, an error correction level, a module size, a version, and the like can be set as each bar code setting.

  When the user presses the “cancel” button 161 on the barcode setting screen of FIG. 8 (step S252, Yes), this barcode setting screen is closed without doing anything. On the other hand, when the user presses the “OK” button 160 (step S 253, Yes), the set barcode data (the type of barcode to be printed, the data to be embedded in the barcode, and each barcode setting) are stored in the barcode setting file 109. (Step S254), and the barcode setting screen in FIG. 8 is closed.

  Since the subsequent operations in steps S204 to S210 are the same as the operations in steps S103 to S109 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 described in the first embodiment, a description thereof is omitted here.

  In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the barcode setting screen is displayed by right-clicking the mouse. However, the input device and the operation method are not limited as long as coordinates can be designated. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a method for specifying coordinates by left-clicking the mouse or operating keys on the keyboard. Moreover, although the example which displays a barcode setting screen at the time of barcode addition was shown, you may comprise so that the barcode already displayed on the preview screen may be selected and a barcode setting screen may be displayed.

  As described above, according to the document printing system of the present embodiment, since the setting surface for changing the barcode setting is displayed before creating the barcode image, the user can intuitively You can easily change the type of barcode to be printed, the data to embed, and the settings for various barcodes. For this reason, it is not necessary to learn the barcode setting method in advance, and the troublesomeness at the time of operation can be eliminated.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the document printing system according to the third embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention divided into blocks according to functions. FIG. 11 is a bar code setting screen that can be set by the user. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the display.

  The main difference between the system configuration of the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 10 and the system configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is the operation content of the barcode setting unit 161. Therefore, in the system configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to the system configuration of the first or second embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 6), or the drawings are omitted. Therefore, the explanation will be omitted, and different points will be explained mainly.

  The bar code setting unit 161 in the present embodiment displays a bar code setting screen as shown in FIG. 11, and performs various bar code settings performed by the user using the bar code setting screen as will be described later. It has a function of writing to the barcode setting file 109. Further, if the barcode data input on this setting screen is correct, a barcode preview is displayed, and if it is not correct, an error display is provided.

  FIG. 12A is a flowchart showing the flow of barcode printing operation in the present embodiment, and FIG. 12B is a flowchart for explaining the operation contents of barcode setting in step S303. Based on these flowcharts, an example of barcode printing operation will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 12A, steps 301 to 310 other than the barcode setting process of step S303 are steps S201 to S201 other than step S203 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9A described in the second embodiment. Since it corresponds to step S210, detailed description here of these common steps will be omitted, and only the main points will be described as necessary, and different parts will be described mainly.

  Therefore, the setting screen display (step S351) shown in FIG. In step S351, as described in the second embodiment, first, on the display screen shown in FIG. 7, a screen that does not include the “add barcode” button 155 is displayed, and the user can select a desired screen on the display screen. By right-clicking at the cursor position, an “add barcode” button 155 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, and by pressing this “add barcode” button 155, the barcode setting screen shown in FIG. Is displayed (step S351).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the data to be embedded in the barcode has been updated. If it has not been updated (No in step S352), the process proceeds to the button press determination (step S358) without doing anything, and if it has been updated (step S358). In step S352, Yes), it is determined whether the updated data is correct (step S353). The correctness of the data differs depending on the type of the barcode, but for example, if the barcode is EAN8, the data length is determined to be 8, and the valid characters are also determined to be only the numbers 0-9.

  If the data is correct (step S353, Yes), the barcode print image 162 is previewed on the screen as shown in FIG. 11 (step S354), and the “OK” button 160 is validated (step S355). On the other hand, if the data is not correct (No at Step S353), the contents of the corresponding error are displayed (Step S356), and the “OK” button 160 is invalidated (Step S357). At this time, for example, in the case of EAN8, if the data length is 7, a message such as “Incorrect data length” is displayed. If characters other than the numbers 0 to 9 are used in the data, “other than 0 to 9” is displayed. A message such as “letters cannot be used” is displayed.

  When the user presses the “cancel” button 161 on the barcode setting screen of FIG. 11 (step S358, Yes), this barcode setting screen is closed without doing anything. On the other hand, when the user presses an “OK” button 160 (step S 359, Yes), the set barcode data (the type of barcode to be printed, the data to be embedded in the barcode, and each barcode setting) are stored in the barcode setting file 109. (Step S360), and the barcode setting screen of FIG. 8 is closed. If the input data is not correct and the “OK” button 160 is invalid, the process returns to step S352, and the operations in steps S352 to S359 described above are repeated.

  Since the subsequent operations in steps S304 to S310 are the same as the operations in steps S103 to S109 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 described in the first embodiment, a description thereof is omitted here.

  In the present embodiment, the error message of EAN8, which is a one-dimensional barcode, has been described, but the type of barcode and the content of the message are not limited.

  As described above, according to the document printing system of the present embodiment, the setting screen for changing the barcode setting is displayed before the barcode image is created, and the error content of the barcode printing image or the input data is displayed. By displaying so that the correctness of the barcode data can be confirmed without actually printing. In addition, if invalid data is entered, the button for confirming the setting is disabled and the setting cannot be confirmed with that setting, so that the user can manually print the wrong data, resulting in an unintended print result. Can be prevented.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the document printing system according to the fourth embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention, divided into blocks according to functions. FIG. 14 is a general printer driver paper setting screen. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the contents of a file-specific file table.

  The system configuration of the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 13 is mainly different from the system configuration of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 10 described above in that the print data processing unit 206 includes a paper determination unit 171 and a paper type. A file name table 172 is added, a bar code setting file 209 is provided with storage files 209a, 209b,... Divided according to paper types, and a file name storage unit 10 is added.

  Therefore, in the system configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, parts common to the system configurations of the first to third embodiments described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, or the description is omitted by omitting the drawings. Focus on the differences. Here, for the sake of simplicity, the print data processing unit 206 omits display of the print image creation unit 101 and the print data composition unit 102 (FIG. 1), and the barcode processing unit 207 omits display of all internal configurations. is doing.

  Note that the print data 3 in this embodiment includes printer driver settings (such as paper settings) at the time of printing in addition to the data converted into the ESC / P command sequence.

  The paper determination unit 171 acquires a paper setting for specifying the type of printing paper from the print data 3, searches the file name corresponding to the acquired paper setting with reference to the file name table 172 for each paper, and searches the file name Is stored in the file name storage unit 10. The paper setting is set before printing by a print setting screen as shown in FIG. FIG. 14 shows an example in which “salary statement” is selected as the paper setting.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the file name table 172 for each sheet is a table in which the corresponding sheet setting and file name are paired. In the sheet setting item, all sheets that can be set by the printer driver 2 ( For example, a space (capacity) that can be registered is prepared.

  The file name storage unit 10 stores the names specified by the paper determination unit 171 among the file names of a plurality of storage files of the barcode setting file 209 that the barcode processing unit 207 reads and writes. Here, for example, when the file name “salary statement setting storage file” searched with the paper setting “salary statement” is stored in the file name storage unit 10, the barcode processing unit 207 and the barcode printing position calculation unit 113 (FIG. 10) reads or writes the barcode setting information for the salary statement setting storage file 209c of the barcode setting file 209 in the subsequent operation. Therefore, at the next printing with the same paper setting (here, the pay statement), the bar code setting information stored in the pay statement setting storage file 209c, that is, information such as the position, type, and various settings of the bar code is stored. Based on this, it is possible to make initial settings, eliminating the need to reset each setting from the beginning each time printing is performed.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of barcode printing operation in the present embodiment. Based on this flowchart, an example of barcode printing operation will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 16, description is omitted when the preview is not displayed (for example, corresponding to (No in step S <b> 301) in the flowchart of FIG. 12), the user executes printing from the application 1, and the printer driver 2 prints the print data. The operation from the stage of creating 3 will be described.

  First, the paper determination unit 171 acquires the paper setting (paper type) from the print data 3, and searches the file name table 172 for each paper for the paper setting and the file name corresponding to the paper setting (step S401). ). When the corresponding paper setting is in the file name table 172 for each paper (step S401, Yes), the corresponding file name is read and written in the file name storage unit 10 (step S404).

  On the other hand, if the corresponding paper setting does not exist in the file-specific file name table 172 (No in step S401), this paper setting is added to the item of the file-specific file name table 172 (see FIG. 15), and “paper setting name + setting” A file name “storage file” is registered corresponding to the added paper setting (step S402), and file data with the same file name is also created in the barcode setting file 209 (step S403).

  In step S403, for example, the barcode setting process in step S203 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 of the second embodiment or step S303 of the flowchart shown in FIG. The data such as the position, type, etc. of the barcode is created, a file having the same file name is provided in the barcode setting file 209, and the created data is written therein. Subsequently, the newly registered file name is written to the file name storage unit 10 in the file name file name table 172 (step S404).

  The subsequent steps S405 to S407 are, for example, a simplified description of steps S302 to S310 except for step S303 in the flowchart shown in FIG. The detailed explanation is omitted. However, in each processing of step S405 to step S407, the file whose data is read or written in the barcode setting file 209 is the file name held in the file name storage unit 10 as described above. Limited to files.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the barcode setting file for each sheet is directly read and written has been shown. However, for example, only when a temporary file is prepared, the barcode printing position or setting is changed, and printing is executed. It is also possible to overwrite the setting. The file name of the barcode setting file may be anything.

  As described above, according to the document printing system of the present embodiment, a setting storage file for each type of paper that can be set by the printer driver is prepared, the paper settings included in the print data are read, and the read / write setting is performed Since the storage file is automatically switched, the previously set barcode data can be used as the barcode initial setting for each sheet. For this reason, the user can print a barcode for an intended sheet without changing the barcode setting according to the sheet.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a main part configuration of the document printing system according to the fifth embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention, divided into blocks according to functions, and FIG. 18A illustrates a preview display of a print image. FIG. 18B is an explanatory diagram showing a barcode setting screen that opens when the “details” button in the preview display is clicked.

  The system configuration of the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 17 is mainly different from the system configuration of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 13 described above. The print data processing unit 256 has a paper determination unit 171 and a paper sheet. A setting selection unit 261 is provided instead of the separate file name table 172 (FIG. 13), and the user can arbitrarily select a desired storage file of the barcode setting file 259 using the displayed barcode setting screen. In the point.

  Therefore, in the system configuration of the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to parts common to the system configurations of the first to fourth embodiments described above, or the description is omitted by omitting the drawings. Focus on the differences. Here, for the sake of simplicity, the print data processing unit 256 omits the display of the print image creation unit 101 and the print data composition unit 102 (FIG. 1), and the barcode processing unit 207 omits the display of all internal configurations. is doing.

  As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the setting selection unit 261 displays a preview to which a “detail” button 270 has been added, and a barcode setting screen when the user presses the “detail” button 270. 271 is displayed, and a desired storage file of the barcode setting file 259 can be selected. The barcode setting file 259 is created in step S402 and step S403 shown in FIG. 16 in the above-described fourth embodiment. Here, however, the user arbitrarily executes a process equivalent to step 403 to perform barcode processing. It is assumed that each user setting storage file 259a, 259b, 259c... Of the setting file 259 can be created.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of barcode printing operation in the present embodiment. Based on this flowchart, an example of barcode printing operation will be described below with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 19, the description is omitted when the preview is not displayed (for example, corresponding to (No in step S301) in the flowchart of FIG. 12), the user executes printing from the application 1, and the printer driver 2 prints the print data. The operation from the stage of creating 3 will be described.

  The print data creation unit 101 (FIG. 1) of the print data processing unit 256 reads the print data 3 output from the printer driver 2, creates a print image 110 as the printer 5 actually prints, and displays the preview image 8 Then, as shown in FIG. 18A, a preview display in which the print image 110 is drawn and input waiting are performed (step S501). Here, when the “details” button 270 is pressed, a bar code setting screen 271 as shown in FIG. 18B is opened, and a desired paper setting is selected from the displayed paper setting (paper type) list. The “Open” button 273 is pressed (step S502). The sheet list displayed here is the file name of each of the user setting storage files 259a, 259b,... Created and stored by the user in the barcode setting file 259 for each sheet type, for example, “sales vote setting”. This is a list of “file sales” paper setting “sales vote” and the like.

  When the “Open” button 273 is pressed, the barcode setting screen 271 is temporarily closed, and the selected file name is stored in the file name storage unit 9 by the setting selection unit 261 (step S503). The barcode data is created by reading the barcode data from the storage file having the selected file name in the code setting file 259 (step S504). The preview display unit 8 adds the barcode image 111 as shown in FIG. 2 to the print image 110 shown in FIG. 18A to the designated display position and re-displays the preview (step S505). In step S505, the adjustment performed in step S104 in the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5, that is, the position adjustment of the barcode image 111 by the user can be performed.

  When the “detail” button 270 is pressed again at the stage where the position adjustment of the barcode image is completed, the barcode setting screen 271 is opened again, and the position-corrected barcode image data is displayed by the user on the “create new” button 274. When is pressed, it is registered in a new storage file, and when the “overwrite” button 275 is pressed, it is overwritten to the read storage file (step S506). In the case of a new creation, a new file name is input and a new file name is registered in the file name storage unit 10, but detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The operations in steps S502 to S506 are repeated until the user presses the “print” button 120 or the “cancel” button 121 to end the preview (step S507, Yes).

  The subsequent steps S508 to S509 are, for example, a simplified description of the steps S306 to S310 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 of the third embodiment described above, and are the same, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. . However, in each process of step S508 to step S509, the file from which data is read or written in the barcode setting file 259 is the file name held in the file name storage unit 10 as described above. Limited to files.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which a barcode setting file is selected in another window is shown, but the method is not limited as long as the user can arbitrarily specify the barcode setting. For example, the configuration may be such that the barcode setting can be selected in the same window as the preview screen. Further, although an example in which the setting is read when the user selects the setting has been described, the previous setting may be automatically read, or the sheet-specific setting may be automatically read as in the fourth embodiment.

  As described above, according to the document printing system of the present embodiment, a user selects an arbitrary setting storage file from a barcode setting file prepared in advance, and this is a setting storage file for reading and writing barcode data. Therefore, it is possible to reliably obtain the barcode printing result intended by the user. Further, since the barcode setting file can be taken out, it can be used by another host PC.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the printer driver is described as one component of the document printing system. However, for example, the printer driver may be configured to include each component of the document printing system.

1 is a block diagram showing a main part configuration of a document printing system according to a first embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, divided into blocks according to functions. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a preview display of a print image and a barcode image in the first embodiment. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a print setting screen of the printer driver according to the first embodiment. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the content of the file which described barcode setting. (A) is a flowchart showing the flow of barcode printing operation in the first embodiment, and (b) is a flowchart for explaining the operation content of preview display. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the document printing system of Embodiment 2 of the image processing apparatus by this invention divided into blocks according to function. In Embodiment 2, it is explanatory drawing which showed the example which adds a barcode on a preview screen. In Embodiment 2, it is explanatory drawing which illustrated the screen display of the barcode setting which can be set by the user. (A) is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of barcode printing in Embodiment 2, (b) is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement content of barcode setting. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the document printing system of Embodiment 3 of the image processing apparatus by this invention divided into blocks according to function. In Embodiment 3, it is explanatory drawing which illustrated the screen display of the barcode setting which a user can set. (A) is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of barcode printing in Embodiment 3, (b) is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement content of barcode setting. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the document printing system of Embodiment 4 of the image processing apparatus of this invention divided into blocks according to function. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen display of a general printer driver paper setting in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the contents of a file-specific file table in Embodiment 4. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of barcode printing operation in the fourth embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the document printing system of Embodiment 5 of the image processing apparatus of this invention divided into blocks according to function. (A) is explanatory drawing which illustrated the preview display of the printing image in Embodiment 5, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the barcode setting screen which opens when the "detail" button of this preview display is clicked It is. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of barcode printing operation in the fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Application, 2 Printer driver, 2a Preview setting, 3 Print data, 4 Print data output part, 5 Printing apparatus, 6 Print data processing part, 7 Barcode processing part, 8 Preview display part, 10 File name memory | storage part, 50 Personal Computer 101 Print image creation unit 102 Print data composition unit 105 Bar code image creation unit 106 Bar code data acquisition unit 107 Printer command creation unit 108 Bar code position acquisition unit 109 Bar code setting file 110 Print image , 111 barcode image, 112 input unit, 113 barcode printing position calculation unit, 114 red frame, 120 “print” button, 121 “cancel” button, 151 barcode setting unit, 152 Input section, 155 “Add barcode” button, 160 “OK” button, 161 “Cancel” button, 162 Print image of barcode, 171 Paper determination section, 172 File name table for each paper, 206 Print data processing section, 207 Bar code processing unit, 209 Bar code setting file, 209a, 209b, storage file, 256 Print data processing unit, 259 Bar code setting file, 259a, 259b, storage file, 261 setting selection unit, 270 "Button, 271 Barcode setting screen.

Claims (11)

In a document printing system having a printer driver that converts print information created by an application into print data that can be interpreted by a printing apparatus.
A print preview unit for previewing a print image of the print information before sending to the printing apparatus;
On the preview display, an editing unit for additionally editing the print image;
A document printing system comprising: a print data generation unit configured to generate print data interpretable by the printing apparatus based on the print information and edit data for the additional editing.   The document printing system according to claim 1, wherein the editing unit additionally edits a barcode image of a barcode to be printed on the print image. The editing unit
A barcode setting storage unit for reading and writing barcode setting information of the barcode;
Barcode position setting that adjusts the position of the barcode image on the preview display based on a user instruction, calculates the printing position information of the barcode, and updates the barcode setting information in the barcode setting storage unit And
The document printing according to claim 2, further comprising: a barcode processing unit that creates the barcode image based on the barcode setting information and creates the editing data based on the barcode setting information. system.   3. The editing unit according to claim 2, wherein when editing the barcode image, the editing unit first opens a barcode setting screen and sets the specification of the barcode to a desired content based on a user instruction. 3. The document printing system according to 3.   5. The document printing system according to claim 4, wherein in the process of opening the barcode setting screen, an initial position of the barcode image displayed on the preview display is designated based on a user instruction.   The editing unit determines whether or not the data input when setting the barcode specification is correct on the barcode setting screen, and validates the setting only when correct data is input. The document printing system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein The barcode setting storage unit can prepare a plurality of storage files with file names corresponding to a plurality of types of printing paper that can be set by the printer driver,
A paper determination unit for specifying a file name corresponding to the type of printing paper set in the printer driver;
A file name storage unit for storing the file name specified by the paper determination unit;
The bar code position setting unit and the bar code processing unit read and write the bar code setting information with respect to a storage file having a file name stored in the file name storage unit. Document printing system. A file name table for each paper in which a plurality of types of printing paper and file names determined for each of the plurality of types of printing paper are associated with each other;
The document printing system according to claim 7, wherein the sheet determination unit specifies a file name with reference to the file table for each sheet. The barcode setting storage unit includes a plurality of storage files with file names corresponding to a plurality of types of printing paper,
A selection screen for opening a selection screen for selecting one of the paper types corresponding to the plurality of storage files, and specifying a file name corresponding to the selected paper type;
A file name storage unit for storing the file name specified by the paper determination unit;
The bar code position setting unit and the bar code processing unit read and write the bar code setting information with respect to a storage file having a file name stored in the file name storage unit. Document printing system.   The document printing system according to claim 9, wherein the setting selection unit includes a button for opening the selection screen on the preview display, and opens the selection screen when the user selects the button. . In a printer driver that converts print information created by an application into print data that can be interpreted by the printing device.
A print preview unit for previewing a print image of the print information before sending to the printing apparatus;
On the preview display, an editing unit for additionally editing the print image;
A printer driver, comprising: a print data generation unit configured to generate print data interpretable by the printing apparatus based on the print information and edit data for the additional editing.

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