JP2010204856A - Information processing apparatus and conversion information change program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an individual user to obtain an optimal print result when applying created character string information for printing to a printer whose print resolution is different for printing. <P>SOLUTION: When information 400 for printing including character string information 401 for printing created for a first printer 301 is used for a second printer 302 whose print resolution is different, the character string information 401 for printing is converted by referring to a conversion information table 153 in processing by a conversion program 152, and transmitted to a second printer 302. A user starts a conversion information change program 154, and performs designation from a first selection part for designating character size information displayed at a display 204 and a second selection part for designating post-conversion size information. A value designated by the designation is stored in a conversion information table 153, and used for the conversion of the information 400 for printing when printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention converts print character string information to be transmitted to a printer using conversion information provided so that the same print result can be obtained for any printer with different print resolution. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that transmits and performs printing, and a conversion information change program that is installed in the information processing apparatus and that can change the conversion information.

  Conventionally, printing information including printing character string information is created by an information processing apparatus, transmitted to a printer, and printed to obtain a printed output. As an example of this, there is a printing system described in Patent Document 1. This printing system includes a laser beam printer. This laser beam printer has a conversion library that associates a first format (page description language (PDL)) with a component of a second format (XML structure data) that can be displayed by an external display device. The first format transmitted from is converted to the second format and transferred to the external display device. Patent Document 1 shows that this printing system eliminates the need for format conversion processing of an external display device, and enables print preview on an inexpensive external display device.

JP 2006-150713 A (paragraphs 0024 to 0026, 0038 to 0061)

  The print character string information included in the print information includes not only the character string information to be printed but also the character size and typeface information of the character. Although it takes effort to create such character string information for printing, once it is created, it can be stored in a hard disk or the like for later use.

  Here, if the printer is a high-function printer that can interpret a page description language (PDL) such as the laser beam printer of Patent Document 1, the printer can freely position the character string based on the character string information for printing. And can be transformed into any size. For this reason, if it is a highly functional printer, a desired printed output can be obtained regardless of the character string information for printing.

  On the other hand, in printers that print characters based on bitmap font data, there is a fact that there is a limit to the character string information for printing that can be interpreted. As an example, when specifying the character size, a predetermined magnification (for example, 0.5 to 9.5 times in the range of 0.5 times unit or 0.6 to 0.9 times to the reference character) There are printers for printing bitmap fonts that accept only 0.1 times the unit). In this case, the user creates character string information for printing with contents that the printer can interpret in advance. A printer (referred to as “printer B”) that prints character string information for printing for such a printer (referred to as “printer A”) based on the same bitmap font data as printer A with different print resolution. If it is used for the same, the same print result cannot be obtained. In addition, a printer manufacturer may provide a conversion program for causing the information processing apparatus to realize a function of converting character string information for printer A to printer B and then transmitting it to printer B. Even if a conversion program is used, the printing result may not be appropriate.

  As an example, the printing resolution of printer A is 200 dpi, the printing resolution of printer B is 305 dpi (= 12 dots / mm), the same bitmap font is used for both printers A and B, and the character size is specified. In the case of the above limitation, the character size serving as the reference for the printer B is 200/305 times the character size serving as the reference for the printer A, that is, approximately 0.6557377 times. In order to make the printing results of the printers A and B the same, the conversion program increases the character size value included in the printing character string information for the printer A by 305/200 times, that is, 1.525 times. The place where the processing is to be performed must be a processing for multiplying the character size value by 1.5. Due to such restrictions on character size designation, the printing results of the printers A and B are not the same.

  As a result, for example, when printing is performed on a label sheet on which a frame line or ruled line is drawn in advance, the character string is printed so as to overlap the frame line, or conversely, the character string is printed so as to contact the frame line. Inconveniences such as printing in a state away from the frame line occur. Whether or not the defect can be obtained by reducing the character size slightly to obtain an optimum print result, or by slightly increasing the character size, the user individually determines whether the optimum print result can be obtained.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to make it possible to obtain optimum printing results for individual users when printing character string information that has been created is applied to printers having different printing resolutions.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a display unit that performs display, an operation input unit for performing operation input, a conversion information storage unit that stores character size information and converted size information in association with each other, and the operation input Processing for generating character string information for printing including character size information in response to an operation input from the unit, and post-conversion size information corresponding to the character size information included in the character string information for printing from the conversion information storage unit Processing to obtain and apply to the character string information for printing, processing to transmit the character string information for printing to which the converted size information is applied to a printer that performs printing based on the character string information for printing, and character size A process for displaying a first selection unit for designating information and a second selection unit for designating post-conversion size information on the display unit, and the conversion information storage unit designated by the first selection unit. Character Comprising an information processing unit that executes a process of storing in association with the converted size information designated's information and in the second selection portion, and the.

  The information processing apparatus of the present invention viewed from another aspect includes a display unit for displaying, an operation input unit for performing operation input, a combination of character size information and character typeface information, post-conversion size information, and post-conversion typeface A conversion information storage unit that stores a combination of information in association with each other, a process of generating character string information for printing including character size information and character typeface information according to an operation input from the operation input unit, and the conversion information Processing for obtaining a combination of post-conversion size information and post-conversion typeface information corresponding to a combination of character size information and character typeface information included in the print character string information from the storage unit and applying the combination to the print character string information; A process for transmitting the converted size information and the converted character string information to the printer that performs printing based on the print character string information; and the character size information and the sentence Processing for displaying on the display unit a first selection unit for designating a combination of typeface information and a second selection unit for designating a combination of post-conversion size information and post-conversion typeface information; and the conversion information storage unit And a process for storing the combination of the character size information and the character font information specified by the first selection unit and the combination of the converted size information and the converted font information specified by the second selection unit in association with each other. And an information processing unit for executing.

  The conversion information change program of the present invention includes a display unit for displaying and an operation input unit for performing operation input. The conversion information change unit stores character size information and post-conversion size information in association with each other. It is accessible, obtains post-conversion size information corresponding to the character size information included in the print character string information from the conversion information storage unit, and applies it to the print character string information. Installed in the computer of the information processing apparatus that transmits to the printer, and displays on the display unit a first selection unit for designating character size information and a second selection unit for designating converted size information And the conversion information storage unit stores the character size information specified by the first selection unit and the post-conversion size information specified by the second selection unit in association with each other. To realize the function, the.

  The conversion information change program of the present invention viewed from another aspect includes a display unit for displaying and an operation input unit for performing operation input, and a combination of character size information and character typeface information and post-conversion size information. And a conversion information storage unit that associates and stores a combination of post-conversion typeface information, and corresponds to a combination of character size information and character typeface information included in the print character string information from the conversion information storage unit A combination of post-conversion size information and post-conversion typeface information is acquired and applied to the character string information for printing. This character string information for printing is installed in a computer of an information processing apparatus that transmits the information to the printer. A first selection unit for designating a combination of size information and character typeface information, and a second selection for designating a combination of size information after conversion and typeface information after conversion On the display unit, the conversion information storage unit, a combination of character size information and character type information specified by the first selection unit, and post-conversion size information specified by the second selection unit And a conversion information change program for realizing the function of storing the converted typeface information in association with each other.

  According to the present invention, when the user determines that the result of printing using the character string information for printing created for a certain printer is not appropriate, the character size included in the character string for printing is determined. The content of the conversion information storage unit for converting the information can be changed while looking at the display unit. Therefore, when the created print character string information is applied to a printer having a different print resolution and printed. It is possible to obtain an optimum print result for the user.

It is explanatory drawing shown about the outline | summary of the data conversion system in 1st embodiment. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the detail of the character string information for printing. (B) is a schematic diagram of the printed output issued by the first printer based on the print character string information. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a data conversion system. It is a schematic diagram which shows the data structure of a conversion information table. It is explanatory drawing about a bitmap font. It is a schematic diagram which shows the flow of the information preparation process for printing. It is a schematic diagram which shows the flow of a printing process. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the edit screen displayed on a display in conversion information change processing. It is a schematic diagram which shows the flow of a conversion information change process. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the printed output thing before the change by a conversion information change program. (B) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the printed output after the change by the conversion information change program. It is a schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the conversion information table in 2nd embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the edit screen displayed on a display in conversion information change processing. It is a schematic diagram which shows the flow of a conversion information change process. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the printed output thing before the change by a conversion information change program. (B) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the printed output after the change by the conversion information change program.

  One embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the data conversion system 101. The data conversion system 101 includes an information processing apparatus 201 and a printer 301. The printer 301 is connected to the information processing apparatus 201 (see FIG. 3), performs printing based on the printing information 400 transmitted from the information processing apparatus 201, and issues a printed output 303. Here, the printer 301 has a printing resolution of 200 dpi, and stores a bitmap font library 305 (see FIG. 3) of various typefaces in the memory 306 (see FIG. 3). Function that can print independently only at a specified magnification (designation of 0.5 times unit in the range of 0.5 to 9.5 times or designation of 0.1 times unit in the range of 0.6 to 0.9 times) Have That is, in this printer 301, the printable character size is limited. The printing information 400 transmitted to the printer 301 needs to have a format that can be interpreted by the printer 301. Hereinafter, the printer 301 is referred to as a “first printer 301”.

  FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram showing details of the print character string information 401. FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a print output 303 issued by the first printer 301 based on the print character string information 401. The printing information 400 (see FIG. 1) can include printing character string information 401 for printing a character string. The print character string information 401 is a command character string as shown in FIG. More specifically, the print character string information 401 includes an instruction start unit 402, a character string specifying unit 403, a start coordinate specifying unit 404, a character size specifying unit 405 as character size information, and a font specifying unit 406 as character type information. , A character direction specifying unit 407, a character attribute specifying unit 408, and an instruction end unit 409, which are character strings delimited by a delimiter character 412 such as a semicolon 410 and a comma 411. The print character string information 401 can also include various parameters 417 that can be omitted. When receiving the print character string information 401, the first printer 301 stores the print character string information 401 in the memory 306 (see FIG. 3), receives the print command transmitted from the information processing apparatus 201, and prints the print character in the memory 306. The printing information based on the column information 401 is developed and printed, and a printed output as shown in FIG. 2B is issued.

  The instruction start part 402 and the instruction end part 409 are predetermined character strings. More specifically, the instruction start unit 402 is, for example, a character string made up of an escape sequence code + “P” + “C”, and the instruction end unit 409, for example, is an LF (line feed) code + NUL (null (null). ) A character string consisting of codes.

  The character string specifying unit 403 can specify a character string specifying code. The first printer 301 prints a character string 504 corresponding to a character string specifying code stored in advance in the memory 306.

  The start coordinate designating unit 404 includes a start X coordinate designating unit 413 that can designate a 4-digit numerical value and a start Y coordinate designating unit 414 that can designate a 4-digit or 5-digit numeric value. The first printer 301 prints a character string 504 at a point shifted by a designated numerical value × 0.1 mm from a predetermined base point 502 on the printing paper 501 in accordance with the parameter designated by the start coordinate designation unit 404. The starting point 503 is determined.

  The character size designation unit 405 includes a horizontal magnification designation unit 415 and a vertical magnification designation unit 416. The parameters applied to the horizontal magnification designation unit 415 and the vertical magnification designation unit 416 are both 1-digit or 2-digit numbers. In the case of one digit, a character size that is an integral multiple of the reference horizontal size w and the reference vertical size h is specified for each character 504a of the character string 504. In the case of two digits, the character size magnification of 0.1 times the reference horizontal size w and the reference vertical size h is designated for each character 504a of the character string 504. Here, in the first printer 301, the horizontal magnification designation unit 415 and the vertical magnification designation unit 416 have a unit of 0.5 times and a value of 0.6 to 0.9 times between 0.5 and 9.5 times. Only the character size designation of 0.1 times can be designated. The reference horizontal size w and the reference vertical size h will be described later with reference to FIG.

  A typeface code that identifies the typeface of the character string 504 can be specified in the typeface designating unit 406.

  In the character direction designating unit 407, code information for designating the direction of the character string 504 can be designated.

  In the character attribute designating unit 408, the attribute of the character string 504 can be designated. As an example, this attribute is a bold font and a ruled line enclosing font.

  Returning to the description based on FIG. The user activates the printing information creation program 151 installed in the information processing apparatus 201 and performs an operation input while viewing an operation screen (not shown) displayed on the display 204 as a display unit provided in the information processing apparatus 201. Operating the keyboard 202 or the pointing device 203 as a printing unit, creating printing information 400, and inputting a printing command for printing the printing information 400 to the first printer 301, or inputting the printing command to the hard disk 205 (see FIG. 3). The printing information 400 is stored and saved.

  Here, consider a case where the user connects the second printer 302 instead of the first printer 301 connected to the information processing apparatus 201. The second printer 302 basically has the same performance as the first printer 301, and the same typeface bitmap font library 305 (see FIG. 3) as the first printer 301 is stored in the memory 308 (see FIG. 3). ) And the command character string shown in FIG. 2A can be interpreted as the print character string information 401. The second printer 302 is different from the first printer 301 in that the printing resolution is 305 dpi (= 12 dots / mm).

  When the user performs an operation of transmitting the print information 400 created for the first printer 301 stored and stored in the hard disk 205 and performing print output to the second printer 302, the second printer 302 302 prints a character string having a character size smaller than the character size printed by the first printer 301 based on the print character string information 401 included in the print information 400. The reason for this will be described later with reference to FIG. For this reason, the print output product 303 issued from the first printer 301 and the print output product 304 issued from the second printer 302 have different print results. Here, the printer manufacturer converts the print character string information 401 for the information processing apparatus 201 for the second printer 302 based on the conversion information table 153 (see FIG. 4) as the conversion information storage unit, and converts it to the second printer 302. In some cases, a conversion program 152 that causes the information processing apparatus 201 to realize a function to be transmitted to 302 and a conversion information table 153 used by the conversion program 152 may be provided. However, even if the conversion program 152 and the conversion information table 153 are used, the print output 303 from the first printer 301 and the print output 304 from the second printer 302 will be described later with reference to FIG. There are cases where they are not identical.

  Under such a premise, the conversion information change program 154 according to the present embodiment causes the information processing apparatus 201 to designate the character size designation unit 405 included in the print character string information 401 in the created print information 400. This is a program for realizing a function for supporting the user's work of changing the contents of the conversion information table 153 so that the value becomes a desired value.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the data conversion system 101. The information processing apparatus 201 includes a CPU 206, a ROM 207, and a RAM 208, and includes an information processing unit 209 that executes information processing. The information processing unit 209 is connected to each of the keyboard 202, the pointing device 203, the display 204, the hard disk 205, and the external device interface 210. Both the first printer 301 and the second printer 302 can be connected to the external device interface 210.

  The first printer 301 includes a memory 306 that stores a library 305 of bitmap fonts of various typefaces, and a first engine unit 311 that performs overall control of the first printer 301 and performs printing. The second printer 302 includes a memory 308 that stores the same library 305 as the library 305 stored in the memory 306 of the first printer 301, and a second engine unit that performs printing under the overall control of the second printer 302. 312. The performances of the first engine unit 311 and the second engine unit 312 are different in that the printing resolution is different, but the other performances are the same.

  The hard disk 205 of the information processing apparatus 201 stores various programs including an OS 155, a driver 156, a printing information creation program 151, a conversion program 152, and a conversion information change program 154. The hard disk 205 also stores data files for storing various data tables including a conversion information table 153 as a conversion information storage unit. Further, the hard disk 205 has a sufficient storage capacity for storing the printing information 400 created by the printing information creation program 151.

  When the information processing apparatus 201 is activated, the CPU 206 reads all or part of various programs such as the OS 155, the driver 156, the printing information creation program 151, the conversion program 152, and the conversion information change program 154 into the RAM 208, and reads them. Various processes based on the program description are executed.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the conversion information table 153. The conversion information table 153 has a structure for storing a post-conversion size value 159 as post-conversion size information in association with a combination of a typeface code 157 as character typeface information and a character size value 158 as character size information. ing. Then, at the stage provided by the printer manufacturer, various values are already stored in the conversion information table 153 as shown in FIG. Details of these values will be described later with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, the value of the character size designation section 405 (see FIG. 2) of the print string information 401 (see FIG. 2) created for a printer with a print resolution of 200 dpi is the print resolution is 305 dpi. A conversion information table 153 when the conversion program 152 refers to when converting for a printer is shown. In addition to the conversion information table 153, the hard disk 205 includes print character string information 401 for printers having various print resolutions such as 203 dpi, 300 dpi, 400 dpi, and 600 dpi as well as printers having a print resolution of 305 dpi. Various conversion information tables for converting are stored. Further, the hard disk 205 is used not only for print character string information 401 created for a printer with a print resolution of 200 dpi, but also for printers with various print resolution values of 203 dpi, 300 dpi, 305 dpi, 400 dpi, and 600 dpi. Various conversion information tables for converting the produced character string information for printing to printers having various printing resolutions are also stored.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a bitmap font. The first printer 301 and the second printer 302 of the present embodiment store the bitmap font library 305 having the same contents in the memories 306 and 308, respectively. Each dot 309 of the first printer 301 has a size of 1/200 inch square because the printing resolution is 200 dpi. In contrast, each dot 310 of the second printer 302 has a size of 1/305 inch square because the printing resolution is 305 dpi.

  Here, the bitmap font represents characters as a set of small square dots (dots), and the shape of all characters is defined by a fixed number of grids (for example, 32 vertical x 32 horizontal). To express. For this reason, when the same bitmap font library 305 is expressed at the same magnification in the printers 301 and 302 having different print resolutions, the horizontal and vertical widths of the characters expressed by the printers 301 and 302 are different.

  For this reason, the reference horizontal size w ′ of the character expressed by the second printer 302 is 200/305 times the reference horizontal size w of the character expressed by the first printer 301. Further, the reference vertical size h ′ of the character expressed by the second printer 302 is 200/305 times the reference vertical size h of the character expressed by the first printer 301. As an example, when the reference character size for the font A in the first printer 301 is 12 points, the reference character size for the font A in the second printer 302 is 12 (points) / (1/200 ( dot)) × (1/305 (dot)) ≈8 points.

  Therefore, the conversion program 152 and the conversion information table 153 provided by the printer manufacturer include the specified value of the character size specifying unit 405 of the print character string information 401 created for the first printer 301, 305/200 times = 1.525 times. However, as described above, neither the first printer 301 nor the second printer 302 allows specification of a numerical value having a fraction obtained by multiplying the specified value by 1.525. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the post-conversion size value 159 of the conversion information table 153 is set to a value that can be interpreted by the first printer 301 and the second printer 302 after the character size value 158 is multiplied by 1.525. The value rounded so as to be stored is stored.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a flow of print information creation processing. Under the premise described with reference to FIG. 5, the information processing apparatus 201 according to the present embodiment executes the printing information creation process according to the description of the printing information creation program 151.

  The user operates the keyboard 202 and the pointing device 203 to activate the print information creation program 151. Upon activation, the CPU 206 displays an editing screen (not shown) that supports creation of the printing information 400 on the display 204. The user performs an operation input from the keyboard 202 or the pointing device 203 while viewing the editing screen, and creates printing information 400 suitable for the printing resolution of the printer connected to the information processing apparatus 201. The print information 400 also includes print character string information 401 adapted to the print resolution of a printer connected to the information processing apparatus 201 as shown in FIG.

  Based on the operation input from the keyboard 202 or the pointing device 203, the CPU 206 generates printing information 400 including printing character string information 401 using the RAM 208 as a work area (step S101). Subsequently, the CPU 206 stores and saves the printing information 400 created in step S101 in the hard disk 205 based on the operation input from the keyboard 202 or the pointing device 203 (step S102).

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of the printing process. In the information processing apparatus 201 of this embodiment, the printing process is executed in accordance with the description of the printing information creation program 151. This printing process will be described below.

  The print information creation program 151 described above also causes the information processing apparatus 201 to realize a function of printing the created print information 400 on the printer.

  When the CPU 206 determines that a print command has been input by an operation input from the keyboard 202 or the pointing device 203 (Y in step S201), the CPU 206 starts print processing. The printing information 400 transmitted to the printer in the subsequent printing process may be edited while looking at the editing screen and temporarily stored in the RAM 208. The CPU 206 accesses the hard disk 205 in advance and stores the information. The print information 400 stored and saved may be read into the RAM 208. In addition, immediately after the determination in step S201, the CPU 206 displays a list of the printing information 400 in the hard disk 205 on the display 204 to prompt the user to select, and the selected printing information 400 may be read into the RAM 208. Good.

  As subsequent processing, the CPU 206 determines whether or not the printing information 400 to be printed is compatible with the printing resolution of the printer connected to the information processing apparatus 201 (step S202). For example, the determination is performed by inputting information on the printer model at the stage where the user starts the printing information creation program 151 and creating the printing information 400, and stores and saves the information including the information in the printing information 400. In step S <b> 202, the CPU 206 collates information on the printer model included in the printing information 400 with information on the printer connected to the information processing apparatus 201. As another example, in step S202, the CPU 206 causes the user to confirm whether the printing information 400 to be printed is created in conformity with the specifications of the printer connected to the information processing apparatus 201. The confirmation screen (not shown) may be displayed on the display 204, and the determination may be made according to the result input from the keyboard 202 or the pointing device 203.

  If it is determined in step S202 that the printing information 400 to be printed is compatible with the printing resolution of the printer connected to the information processing apparatus 201 (Y in step S202), the CPU 206 performs a process in step S204 described later. Proceed. On the other hand, if it is determined that they are not compatible (N in step S202), the CPU 206 calls the conversion program 152 stored in the hard disk 205, refers to the conversion information table 153, and is included in the print information 400. The printing character string information 401 is converted so as to conform to the specifications of the printer currently connected to the information processing apparatus 201 (step S203). More specifically, the CPU 206 refers to the conversion information table 153, and sets the character size value 158 (see FIG. 2) that matches the specified value in the character size specifying unit 405 (see FIG. 2) included in the print character string information 401. 4), the post-conversion size value 159 corresponding to the character size value 158 is obtained from the conversion information table 153, and the character size designation of the print character string information 401 included in the print information 400 to be printed from now on is obtained. The designated value of the part 405 is replaced with the acquired post-conversion size value 159.

  As processing subsequent to Y in step S202 or step S203, the CPU 206 performs processing for transmitting the printing information 400 to the printer and causing the printer to print (step S204), and ends the series of processing.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an edit screen 601 displayed on the display 204 in the conversion information change process. In the information processing apparatus 201 of this embodiment, the edit screen 601 is displayed on the display 204 in accordance with the description of the conversion information change program 154, and conversion information change processing (see FIG. 9) is executed in that state. First, the editing screen 601 will be described.

  A first selection unit 602 is arranged in the upper left area of the editing screen 601, and a second selection unit 603 is arranged in the upper right area. The first selection unit 602 includes a character size option 604 for specifying the character size before the change, and a font type option 605 for specifying the font type before the change. In the character size option 604, various character size values 158 stored in the conversion information table 153 (see FIG. 4) can be selected. In the typeface option 605, various typeface codes 157 stored in the conversion information table 153 can be selected. The second selection unit 603 includes a changed size option 606 for designating the changed character size. The post-change size option 606 includes a first option 606a indicated as “slightly small” for changing the character size value 158 specified by the character size option 604 to a smaller size, and the character size value 158 as the printer manufacturer manufacturer. From the second option 606b indicated as “recommended value” for returning to the recommended value recommended by, and the third option 606c indicated as “a little larger” for changing the character size value 158 to a larger size. Composed. As another embodiment, the changed size option 606 includes “0.5 times”, “0.6 times”,..., “0.9 times”, “1.0 times”, “1.5 times”. “Times”,... “9.5 times” may be used.

  A print image display unit 608 is disposed below the first selection unit 602. The print image display unit 608 displays a character when the font represented by the font option 605 and the character represented by the character size selected by the character size option 604 are resized under the conditions specified by the changed size option 606. Shows how the is displayed. The print image display unit 608 displays a preview character 609 whose size has been changed in this way and a frame 610 indicating the size of the character before the size change.

  In the lower right area of the edit screen 601, on the right side of the print image display unit 608 and below the second selection unit 603, OK for determining the setting items in the first selection unit 602 and the second selection unit 603 is OK. A button 611 and a cancel button 612 for canceling this setting item are arranged.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of conversion information change processing. The user activates the conversion information change program 154 by operating the keyboard 202 and the pointing device 203. Upon activation, the CPU 206 displays an edit screen 601 (see FIG. 8) on the display 204 (step S301). The user edits the contents of the conversion information table 153 by performing an operation input from the keyboard 202 or the pointing device 203 while viewing the editing screen 601.

  Subsequently, the CPU 206 stores the character size value 158 in the conversion information table 153 (see FIG. 4) in the character size option 604 of the first selection unit 602 included in the editing screen 601 and the character in the conversion information table 153 in the font type option 605. Are displayed in a pull-down menu format so that they can be selected (step S302). The user selects the keyboard 202 and the pointing device 203 from the character size options 604 and the font type options 605 displayed in step S302, and the displayed character size options already displayed in the changed size options 606. A desired value can be designated and input using.

  Subsequently, the CPU 206 loops the process between the determinations of step S303 and step S305 described below.

  In step S303, the CPU 206 determines whether both the character size before change in the character size option 604 and the character size after change in the size option 606 after change have been made (step S303). ). Only when both of these are specified (Y in step S303), the CPU 206 changes the type specified by the typeface option 605 as the preview character 609 and the change specified by the post-change size option 606 on the print image display unit 608. Characters that have been printed at a later character size are displayed as frame lines 610, each having a frame line size equivalent to the character size before the change designated by the character size option 604 (step S304). In the present embodiment, as a premise of the process in step S304, the typeface may not be specified in the typeface option 605. In this case, the CPU 206 displays the preview character 609 in the typeface previously determined in step S304. The image is displayed inside the print image display unit 608.

  In step S305, the CPU 206 determines whether the OK button 611 has been designated (step S305). While the OK button 611 is not designated, the CPU 206 returns the process to step S303 (N in step S305). On the other hand, if it is determined that the OK button 611 has been designated (Y in step S305), the CPU 206 performs a process of rewriting the conversion information table 153 (see FIG. 4) by exiting the processing loop of steps S303 to S305. (Step S306), a series of processing ends. More specifically, in step S306, the CPU 206 reads from the conversion information table 153, the font code 157 corresponding to the combination of the font specified by the font option 605 and the character size before the change specified by the character size option 604. A combination with the character size value 158 is searched, and the post-change character size designated by the post-change size option 606 is written as the post-conversion size value 159 corresponding to this combination. When the “small size” option is selected in the post-change size option 606, the post-conversion size value 159 is a magnification that can be specified by the printer connected to the information processing apparatus 201, and the post-conversion size at that time. A value smaller by one step than the designated value designated as the value 159 is written. When the “recommended value” option is selected in the post-change size option 606, the post-conversion size value 159 is a magnification that can be specified by the printer connected to the information processing apparatus 201, and is previously set to the character size value 158. The defined standard value is written. When the “slightly larger” option is selected in the post-change size option 606, the post-conversion size value 159 has a magnification that can be specified and is one that is smaller than the specified value specified in the post-conversion size value 159 at that time. A value that is smaller in steps is written. Further, when the CPU 206 performs the process of step S306 in the state where the typeface is not specified by the typeface option 605, the character size before the change specified by the character size option 604 is set to the character size value 158 for all the typeface codes 157. And the post-change character size designated by the post-change size option 606 is written for all the post-conversion size values 159 corresponding to these character size values 158.

  Using the information processing apparatus 201 of this embodiment in which the conversion information change program 154 for realizing the above processing is installed, the user first creates in advance for the first printer 301 and stores it in the hard disk 205. The placed printing information 400 is printed on the second printer 302 having a different printing resolution, and the actual printing result is confirmed. Then, the user looks at the printed output 304 issued from the second printer 302 and determines whether printing is performed according to the parameters set in the printing character string information 401 included in the printing information 400. . If it is determined that printing has not been performed according to the set parameters, the user operates the information processing apparatus 201 to start the conversion information change program 154, and the post-conversion size stored in the conversion information table 153. The value 159 can be changed while viewing the editing screen 601. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even when the printing information 400 created for the first printer 301 is printed on the second printer 302, an optimum printing result can be obtained for each user. can do.

  FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a print output 304 before being changed by the conversion information changing program 154. FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the printed output 304 after being changed by the conversion information changing program 154. A change in the print result of the print output 304 from the second printer 302 by the conversion information change program 154 of the present embodiment will be described below. First, the hard disk 205 stores printing information 400 created so that a character string, which is a printing result based on the printing character string information 401, fits within a frame line 505 drawn in advance on the printing paper 501. Suppose that When this print information 400 is used by the second printer 302 to issue a print output 304, the character string 504 that is the print result is displayed on the frame line 505 as shown in FIG. Suppose that they are overprinted. In this case, the user activates the conversion information change program 154 and sets the designated value designated by the character size designation unit 405 in the print character string information 401 to the character size option 604 on the edit screen 601 (see FIG. 8). In order to prevent the character string 504 and the frame line 505 from overlapping each other, “Slightly smaller” is selected in the changed size option 606, and the OK button 611 is designated. As a result, the contents of the conversion information change program 154 are rewritten. After that, when the user uses the printing information 400 for the second printer 302 again, a printing result 304 is shown in FIG. 10B. That is, the character string 504 is printed in a size that fits within the frame line 505 even though printing is performed using the same printing information 400. The user confirms the printed result of the printed paper 501 shown in FIG. 10B again, and if the printed result is not optimal, the user operates the information processing apparatus 201 again to change the conversion information. The program 154 is started and the content of the conversion information table 153 is changed.

  Next, another embodiment (second embodiment) of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this case, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as those of the first embodiment described above, and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the conversion information table 153. As shown in FIG. The conversion information table 153 of the present embodiment has a structure that stores not only the typeface code 157, the character size value 158, and the post-conversion size value 159, but also the post-conversion typeface code 160 as post-conversion typeface information. As shown in FIG. 11, values are already stored in the converted typeface code 160 when it is provided from the printer manufacturer. Here, the typeface of the typeface code B is the thickest, and the typeface of the typeface code A and the typeface of the typeface code C are thinned in this order.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an edit screen 601 displayed on the display 204 in the conversion information change process. In the information processing apparatus 201 of the present embodiment, the display as shown in FIG. 12 is made as the editing screen 601 by the description of the conversion information change program 154, and conversion information change processing (see FIG. 13) is executed in that state. The In the edit screen 601 of the present embodiment, the second selection unit 603 includes not only the changed size option 606 but also the converted font option 613 for specifying the converted font. The post-change size option 606 includes a first option 614a indicated as "Do not change the typeface" that does not change the typeface specified in the typeface option 605, and a typeface specified in the typeface option 605 as a sub-converted typeface option 614c (next The second option 614b indicated as “change to another type” and the sub-converted typeface option 614c for selecting the same typeface list as the typeface option 605. The

  FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of conversion information change processing. The conversion information change program 154 according to the present embodiment causes the information processing apparatus 201 to specify not only the specified value of the character size specifying unit 405 included in the print character string information 401 in the generated print information 400 but also the typeface specification. This is a program that realizes a function that supports the user's work of changing the contents of the conversion information table 153 so that the specified value of the unit 406 also becomes a desired value.

  In the present embodiment, in step S303, the CPU 206 specifies the character size before the change in the character size option 604, the font before the change in the font option 605, and the character after the change in the changed size option 606. It is determined whether or not both the size designation and the designation of the typeface after the change in the converted typeface option 613 are designated (step S303). That is, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, it is assumed that a typeface is specified by the typeface option 605.

  In step S306, the CPU 206 reads from the conversion information table 153, the font code 157 and the character size value corresponding to the combination of the font specified by the font option 605 and the character size before the change specified by the character size option 604. 158 is searched for, and the changed character size specified in the changed size option 606 is written as the converted size value 159 corresponding to this combination, and further converted as the converted typeface code 160 corresponding to this combination. The changed font specified by the post-font option 613 is also written.

  Even when using the information processing apparatus 201 of the present embodiment in which the conversion information change program 154 for realizing the above processing is installed, the user operates the information processing apparatus 201 to start the conversion information change program 154. The value of the post-conversion size value 159 stored in the conversion information table 153 can be changed while viewing the editing screen 601. Further, in the present embodiment, the user can also change the value of the converted typeface code 160 stored in the conversion information table 153, and the print information 400 created for the first printer 301 can be changed to the second information. When printing is performed by the printer 302, it is possible to obtain an optimum printing result for each individual user.

  FIG. 14A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a printed output 304 before being changed by the conversion information changing program 154. FIG. 14B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the printed output 304 after being changed by the conversion information changing program 154. A change in the print result of the print output 304 from the second printer 302 by the conversion information change program 154 of the present embodiment will be described below. First, in the hard disk 205, a character string that is a printing result based on the character string information for printing 401 is a type A, and is created so that it fits in a frame line 505 drawn in advance on the printing paper 501. Assume that information 400 is stored. When this print information 400 is used by the second printer 302 to issue a print output 304, a character string 504 as a print result is obtained from a frame line 505 as shown in FIG. Suppose that it is printed too small. In this case, the user activates the conversion information change program 154, and uses the character size option 604 on the edit screen 601 (see FIG. 12) for the designated value designated in the character size designation unit 405 in the print character string information 401. From the font type options 605, the designated value designated by the typeface designating unit 406 is selected from the font type options 605, “recommended value” is selected from the changed size option 606, and “changed to another typeface” is selected by the converted typeface option 613. Is further selected, and “font code A” is selected in the post-sub-conversion font type option 614c, and the OK button 611 is designated. As a result, the contents of the conversion information change program 154 are rewritten. Thereafter, when the user uses the printing information 400 for the second printer 302 again, a printing result is a printed output 304 shown in FIG. That is, even though printing is performed using the same printing information 400, the character string 504 is printed in a font B that is thicker than the font A, and the printing paper 501 so that the character string 504 is within the frame line 505. Can be printed. The user confirms the printed result of the printed paper 501 shown in FIG. 14B again, and if the printed result is not optimal, the user operates the information processing apparatus 201 again to change the conversion information. The program 154 is started and the content of the conversion information table 153 is changed.

  152 ... Conversion program, 153 ... Conversion information table (conversion information storage unit), 157 ... Font code (character typeface information), 158 ... Character size value (character size information), 159 ... Size value after conversion (size information after conversion) , 160 ... converted typeface code (converted typeface information), 201 ... information processing device, 202 ... keyboard (operation input unit), 203 ... pointing device (operation input unit), 204 ... display (display unit), 209 ... information Processing unit 301 ... first printer 302 ... second printer 401 ... print character string information 602 ... first selection unit 603 ... second selection unit 608 ... print image display unit

Claims (6)

A display unit for displaying, and
An operation input unit for inputting operations;
A conversion information storage unit that stores character size information and converted size information in association with each other;
Processing for generating character string information for printing including character size information in response to an operation input from the operation input unit, and post-conversion corresponding to character size information included in the character string information for printing from the conversion information storage unit Processing for obtaining size information and applying it to the character string information for printing; processing for transmitting character string information for printing to which the converted size information is applied to a printer that performs printing based on the character string information for printing; A process for displaying a first selection unit for designating character size information and a second selection unit for designating post-conversion size information on the display unit, and the conversion information storage unit with the first selection unit An information processing unit that executes processing for associating and storing the character size information specified in (2) and the converted size information specified by the second selection unit;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The information processing unit
Processing for displaying a print image based on the generated print character string information on the display unit;
When the character size information is specified by the first selection unit and the post-conversion size information is specified by the second selection unit, the specified character size information included in the print image is the specified A process for displaying a print image instead of the converted size information on the display unit;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A display unit for displaying, and
An operation input unit for inputting operations;
A conversion information storage unit for storing a combination of character size information and character typeface information and a combination of converted size information and converted typeface information in association with each other;
Processing for generating character string information for printing including character size information and character typeface information in response to an operation input from the operation input unit; character size information included in the character string information for printing from the conversion information storage unit; A process for obtaining a combination of post-conversion size information and post-conversion typeface information corresponding to a combination of character typeface information and applying it to the character string information for printing, and a printer for performing printing based on the character string information for printing Processing for transmitting post-conversion size information and print character string information to which the post-conversion typeface information is applied, a first selection unit for designating a combination of character size information and character typeface information, post-conversion size information, and post-conversion A process of displaying a second selection unit for designating a combination of typeface information on the display unit, and character size information designated by the first selection unit in the conversion information storage unit; And an information processing unit that executes a process of storing in association with the combination of the combination and the second converted size information designated by the selection unit and the converted font information character font information, and,
An information processing apparatus comprising: The information processing unit
Processing for displaying a print image based on the generated print character string information on the display unit;
Included in the print image when a combination of character size information and character typeface information is specified by the first selection unit, and a combination of size information after conversion and typeface information after conversion is specified by the second selection unit Processing for displaying on the display unit a print image in which the designated character size information and character typeface information are replaced with the designated post-conversion size information and post-conversion typeface information;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: A display unit that performs display and an operation input unit for performing operation input, and is capable of accessing a conversion information storage unit that stores character size information and converted size information in association with each other, and the conversion information storage unit A computer of an information processing apparatus that obtains post-conversion size information corresponding to character size information included in the character string information for printing from the printer, applies it to the character string information for printing, and transmits the character string information for printing to the printer Installed on the computer,
A function for causing the display unit to display a first selection unit for designating character size information and a second selection unit for designating post-conversion size information;
A function of storing in the conversion information storage unit the character size information specified by the first selection unit and the post-conversion size information specified by the second selection unit in association with each other;
Conversion information change program that realizes A conversion unit that includes a display unit for performing display and an operation input unit for performing operation input, and stores a combination of character size information and character typeface information and a combination of converted size information and converted typeface information in association with each other. An information storage unit is accessible, and a combination of post-conversion size information and post-conversion typeface information corresponding to a combination of character size information and character typeface information included in the character string information for printing is acquired from the conversion information storage unit Applied to the character string information for printing, installed in the computer of the information processing apparatus that transmits the character string information for printing to the printer,
A function for causing the display unit to display a first selection unit for designating a combination of character size information and character typeface information and a second selection unit for designating a combination of post-conversion size information and post-conversion typeface information;
The conversion information storage unit associates the combination of character size information and character typeface information specified by the first selection unit with the combination of post-conversion size information and post-conversion typeface information specified by the second selection unit. And the function to memorize
Conversion information change program that realizes

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