JP2011134082A - Printing system, printer driver and printer apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce capacity requirements of computational resources for processing in a host apparatus and a printer apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The host apparatus inquires of the printer apparatus whether or not the printer apparatus has table data necessary for printing, and determines whether or not to send the table data to the printer apparatus in accordance with a reply to the inquiry. The control of table data sending based on the inquiry and reply suppresses expansion of a band requirement for a network between the host apparatus and the printer apparatus and suppresses increase in the capacity of computational resources necessary for binarization and other processing in the host apparatus and printer apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system including a host device and a printer device, and more particularly to a printing system that performs printing by converting multi-value image data into binary image data, and a printer driver and a printer device that constitute the printing system.

  In a general printer device, a pixel is configured by arranging a material such as ink or toner on a recording medium, and an output image is configured depending on whether or not the pixel has a material such as ink or toner. A printing process is being performed.

  In a configuration in which image data is sent from a host device to a printer device and print processing is performed in the printer device, the image data is recorded as multi-value image data in an application on the host device. On the other hand, in the printer apparatus, an output image is formed by binary image data. Therefore, in order to form an output image in the printer device, the multi-value image data is converted into binary image data at any stage from the printer driver on the host device to the output by the print head on the printer device. There is a need. Conversion from multivalued image data to binary image data is known as binarization processing.

  In the binarization processing, generally, a pixel replacement table or a table describing characteristics for each paper type is used in combination, and a multi-valued image value is converted into a binary image value for each pixel. Yes. These tables are called lookup tables. A combination of settings such as paper type and print quality is described as print settings, and the lookup table is set according to the contents of the print settings.

  Since image data for forming an image on a single recording medium includes a large number of pixels, the processing load for binarizing multi-valued image data into binary image data increases according to the number of pixels, and the processing time also increases. become longer.

  Conventionally, the following types of processing methods are known as the binarization processing. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a conventional binarization process.

  In the binarization process shown in FIG. 9A, in addition to the binarization process, all lookup tables (LUT) 400A required for print settings are held on the storage device of the host apparatus 200A, and the lookup table is stored. (LUT) Binarization processing is performed on the host device 200A side using conversion data necessary for binarization processing in 400A. All of the binarization processing is performed on the host device 200A side, and the binarized binary image data is sent to the printer device 100A.

  When the binarization process is performed on the host device 200A side, the binarization process can be performed using a high-speed CPU and abundant memory resources (none of which are shown) included in the host device 200A. The processing time can be shortened.

  In the binarization process shown in FIG. 9B, in addition to the binarization process, all look-up tables (LUT) 400B required for print settings are stored on the non-volatile memory (NVRAM) of the printer apparatus 100B. The binarization process is performed on the printer device 100B side using the conversion data necessary for the binarization process in the look-up table (LUT) 400B.

  When binarization processing is performed on the printer device 100B side, the image data transferred from the host device 200B to the printer device 100B is multi-valued image data, so that data transfer is generally short. In addition, the processing time can be significantly reduced by performing arithmetic processing using a dedicated ASIC mounted on the printer apparatus 100B.

  In the binarization process shown in FIG. 9C, in addition to the binarization process, all lookup tables (LUT) 400C required for print settings are stored on the storage device of the host apparatus 200C and binarization is performed. Only the table data of the conversion data necessary for processing is added to the multi-value image data and transmitted from the host device 200C to the printer device 100C. The printer device 100C performs binarization processing by a dedicated ASIC mounted on the printer device 100C.

  When a table required for binarization processing is transferred from the host device 200C to the printer device 100C side and binarization processing is performed on the printer device 100C side, the transferred image data is multivalued image data. However, data transfer is short. In addition, the processing time can be greatly reduced by performing arithmetic processing using a dedicated ASIC mounted on the printer apparatus 100C.

  In the binarization processing shown in FIG. 9D, the host device 200D and the printer device 100D perform all lookup tables (LUT) 400D1 or lookup tables (LUT) 400D2 required for print settings in addition to the binarization processing. Are stored in each storage device, and binarization processing is performed by either the host device 200D or the printer device 100D by branch control based on print settings. (See Patent Document 1)

JP 2006-127224 A

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between a host device and a printer device in a conventional printing system.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, in the method in which all the lookup tables are held on the storage device of the host device and the binarization processing is performed on the host device side, the ink color is increased and the output resolution is detailed. For example, the total amount of binarized image data may be larger than that of multi-valued image data, and a demerit that it takes a lot of data transfer time is pointed out.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, in the method in which all table data is held on the storage device of the printer device and binarization processing is performed on the printer device side, diversification of corresponding sheets and refinement of output resolution are performed. Due to factors such as the above, the types of look-up tables to be handled increase at an accelerated rate, and it is pointed out that all look-up tables cannot be held in the nonvolatile memory (NVRAM) on the printer device.

  As shown in FIG. 9C, all lookup tables are held on the storage device of the host device, and only the lookup table of conversion data necessary for binarization processing is added to the multi-valued image data. According to the method of transmitting from the host device to the printer device, the disadvantages of the two methods described above are eliminated, but the amount of the lookup table required for one type of image data is, for example, several tens of kilobytes. There is a case in which the network bandwidth and resources required for arithmetic processing on the host device and the printer device are significantly occupied when print data is transmitted.

  In particular, this demerit becomes prominent when printing the same paper type and print quality in large numbers, and the same table is repeatedly sent for the number of copies. As a result, the resources required for calculation processing are reduced. A lot will be wasted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9D, a method of holding all lookup tables on each storage device and performing binarization processing on either the host device or the printer device by branch control. Then, the table data for image processing to be performed by each device is stored separately in each of the host device and the printer device. For example, when updating the look-up table for image processing is performed collectively, the processing is performed. It is complicated, and when a new function such as an image processing mode is added, there is a demerit that it is necessary to consider an area for storing data for that purpose.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the problems of the above-described conventional methods, and the object thereof is to suppress the bandwidth required for the network between the host device and the printer device, and the host device and the printer device. The purpose is to reduce the required capacity of computing resources required for processing.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention makes an inquiry from a host device to a printer device as to whether or not table data necessary for printing is provided in the printer device, and based on an answer to the inquiry, Decide whether to send table data from the host device to the printer device. By controlling the transmission of the table data based on this inquiry and answer, it is possible to suppress an increase in the bandwidth required for the network between the host device and the printer device. An increase in the capacity of computing resources required for the value processing or the like is suppressed.

  The present invention can be implemented as various aspects of an aspect of a printer apparatus, an aspect of a printer driver, and an aspect of a printing system including a printer apparatus and a host apparatus connected via a network.

[Mode of printing system]
First, aspects of the printing system will be described. The printing system of the present invention includes a host device and a printer device connected via a network.

  The host device generates print data including multi-valued image data based on application software, and print data is printed by the printer device when the print data is generated by the print data generation unit. Transmission / reception between the inquiry unit that inquires the printer device whether the printer device has a combination of the print setting and the table data for executing the print setting on the printer device, and the printer device via the network A transmission / reception unit.

  In response to a response from the printer device to the inquiry, if the printer device does not have table data corresponding to the print setting, the print data generation unit converts the table data corresponding to the print setting into multivalued image data. In addition, when print data is generated and the printer apparatus has table data corresponding to the print setting, the print data is generated without adding the table data corresponding to the print setting.

  A printer device includes a communication unit capable of bidirectional communication with a host device via a network, a data communication control unit that controls the communication unit, an image data analysis unit that extracts image data from print data, and multi-value image data Data received from the host device, including a binarization processing unit that converts the image data into binary image data, a print processing unit that performs printing using the binary image data, and a storage unit that can be written and read freely The function to print.

  The printer apparatus further includes a print data analysis unit that analyzes the received print data, a print setting extraction unit that extracts print settings from the print data, and a table data extraction unit that extracts table data associated with the print settings from the print data From the output result of the table data extraction unit, from the table data management unit that stores the print setting and the table data in association with each other in the storage unit, the reading unit that reads the table data from the storage unit using the print setting as a key, and the inquiry unit In response to the inquiry, a response unit that returns whether or not a combination of print settings and table data is stored in the storage unit is provided.

  In addition to image data and print settings, table data can be freely added to the print data transmitted from the host device to the printer device. Whether or not the table data is added as print data in response to a response to the inquiry is selected. When the table data corresponding to the print setting already exists on the printer device side, the host device transmits the multi-value image data and the print setting as print data to the printer device without adding the table data. On the other hand, if there is no table data corresponding to the print setting on the printer device side, the host device transmits the multi-value image data and the print data with the table data added to the print setting to the printer device.

  The printer device binarizes the multi-value image data in the print data sent from the host device using the data for binarization processing in the table data, and acquires binary image data.

  The multi-value image data transmitted from the host device to the printer device can be, for example, bitmap data, but is not limited to this data format, and any multi-value image data can be used.

  The print setting includes a print quality setting and a paper type setting, and a print state can be determined by a combination of the print quality setting and the paper type setting.

  The table data is a collection of conversion data for converting the output analysis degree, the number of print passes, and the like when the printer engine is used. A storage device on the printer device stores table data. When there is no table data corresponding to the print setting, the storage device of the printer device of the present invention receives the necessary table data from the host device and stores it.

  The printer device reads table data corresponding to the print setting to be printed from the storage device, and executes print processing based on the output analysis degree and the number of print passes described in the read table data.

  According to the present invention, the presence / absence of the table data necessary for the printing process is transmitted between the host device and the printer device so that the table data is transmitted only when necessary by performing the inquiry and reply processing. Can be suppressed without widening the bandwidth required for.

  Further, since the printer device does not need to store all the table data for the table data used for the printing process, it is possible to suppress the necessary capacity of the computation resources required for the processing of the printer device.

  Also in the host device or the like, by performing binarization processing on the printer device side, it is possible to suppress the necessary capacity of calculation resources required for binarization processing.

  The inquiry unit makes an inquiry by sending print settings to the printer apparatus. The response unit searches the table data management unit for the presence of table data corresponding to the print setting using the print setting sent from the inquiry unit as a key, and returns the search result to the inquiry unit.

  The table data management unit includes table management data representing the relationship between print settings and table data. Also, the print setting has attribute information.

  In the search for the presence or absence of table data corresponding to the print settings, the response unit checks the print setting attribute information sent from the inquiry unit with the print setting attribute information in the table management data, and returns the verification result to the inquiry unit. To do.

  The inquiry unit causes the image data generation unit to generate print data with multi-value image data when the attribute information matches based on the returned collation result, and the attribute data does not match when the attribute information does not match The table data to be searched is searched, and only the insufficient table data is added to the multi-value image data to generate print data.

  The table management unit stores only the missing table data in the storage unit based on the print setting attribute information in the print data.

  The aspect of the printer driver of the present invention can be provided, for example, in a host apparatus that forms the above-described printing system. The aspect of the printer apparatus of the present invention includes the configuration of the printer apparatus that forms the above-described printing system. The printer driver is not limited to the host device.

[Aspects of printer driver]
The aspect of the printer driver of the present invention includes the function of the inquiry unit and the function of the print data generation unit, and this function can be realized by software or hardware. The inquiry unit has a function of inquiring of the printer apparatus whether or not the printer apparatus has a combination of a print setting for printing the print data by the printer apparatus and table data for executing the print setting by the printer apparatus. Have In response to a response from the printer device to the inquiry, the print data generation unit adds the table data corresponding to the print setting to the multi-value image data if the printer device does not have the table data corresponding to the print setting. On the other hand, when the printer apparatus has table data corresponding to the print setting, the printer apparatus has a function of generating the print data without adding the table data corresponding to the print setting. A host device including a printer driver transmits and receives an inquiry and a response to and from a printer device connected via a network by a transmission / reception unit, and transmits print data to the printer device.

  The function of the inquiry unit makes an inquiry by sending print settings to the printer apparatus, and receives a response from the response unit. The print setting has attribute information, and the function of the inquiry unit instructs the image data generation unit to generate print data based on the collation result returned from the response unit of the printer apparatus. When the attribute information matches, the function of the image data generation unit generates print data from the multi-value image data. When the attribute information does not match, the function searches for the missing table data, and only the table data is searched. Print data is generated by adding to multi-value image data.

  According to the printer driver mode, for example, by performing binarization processing on the printer device side provided with the printer driver, it is possible to suppress the necessary capacity of calculation resources required for binarization processing.

[Aspect of printer device]
In the aspect of the printer apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the function of printing the print data, the print data analysis unit that analyzes the received print data, the print setting extraction unit that extracts the print settings from the analyzed print data, A table data extraction unit that extracts table data from the analyzed print data; a table management unit that associates print settings with table data and stores them in the storage unit based on output results; and table data from the storage unit for print settings. A reading unit that is read as a key, and a response unit that returns whether or not a combination of print settings and table data is stored in the storage unit in response to an inquiry from the inquiry unit.

  The response unit searches the table management unit for the presence or absence of table data corresponding to the print setting using the print setting sent from the inquiry unit as a key, and returns the search result to the inquiry unit.

  The print setting has attribute information, the table management unit includes table management data indicating the relationship between the print setting and the table data, and the response unit displays the print setting attribute information sent from the inquiry unit in the table management data. Are compared with the attribute information of the print setting, and the comparison result is returned to the inquiry unit of the host device. The table management unit stores only the missing table data in the storage unit based on the print setting attribute information in the print data.

  According to the aspect of the printer apparatus, it is not necessary to store all the table data for the table data used for the printing process, so that it is possible to suppress the necessary capacity of the computation resources required for the process of the printer apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the bandwidth required for the network between the host device and the printer device.

  It is possible to reduce the necessary capacity of computing resources required for processing of the host device and the printer device.

It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the printing system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the software module structure in the printing system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a data structure of the lookup table which a table management part manages. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the host apparatus of this invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the printer apparatus of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an interface for confirming whether or not a print setting is registered in the printer apparatus of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an interface for registering a print mode number in a lookup table in the printer apparatus of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of an interface for reading print setting data in the printer apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a relationship between a host device and a printer device in a conventional printing system.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a printing system of the present invention, and a host device and a printer device constituting the printing system are described below with reference to the drawings.

  First, FIG. 1 shows a hardware configuration of the printing system of the present invention. In FIG. 1, in the printing system 1, the printer device 100 and the host device 200 are each connected to a common network 300.

  The printer device 100 is, for example, a printer device that performs printing using an inkjet device. In the printing system of the present invention, the printer apparatus is not limited to an ink jet apparatus, and may be an arbitrary image forming apparatus that performs printing processing using binary image data such as a laser printer apparatus.

  The printer apparatus 100 receives print data transmitted from the host apparatus 200 through the network 300, analyzes the print data, and performs print processing.

  The printer apparatus 100 includes a printer controller 101, a printer engine 111, and an operation unit 121.

  In the printer device 100, the printer controller 101 performs interface processing for exchanging data and commands with peripheral devices, processing based on instructions from the operation unit 121, processing related to print data received from the host device 200, and the like. It is a component that performs various processes. The printer engine 111 is a component that performs processing for printing images and characters on printing paper, and performs processing related to control of the printing head 113 such as an inkjet head and conveyance of printing paper.

  One configuration example of the printer controller 101 includes a network I / F 102 that performs input / output to / from the network 300 and transmits / receives to / from the host device 200, a CPU 103 that controls the entire printer controller 101, and multi-value image data. Storage means such as an image processing ASIC 104, a nonvolatile storage device (NVRAM) 105, and a volatile storage device (RAM) 107 provided exclusively for image processing such as conversion into binary image data are provided.

  Further, the CPU 103 and the image processing ASIC 104 are provided with a dedicated interface for connecting each device as necessary. For example, an operation unit I / F 109 is provided as a dedicated interface for connection with the operation unit 121, a RAM I / F 106 is provided between the nonvolatile storage device (NVRAM) 105, and a volatile storage device (RAM) 107. An R memory controller 108 is provided therebetween, and an I / F 110 is provided between the printer engine 111 and the I / F 112. The NVRAM 105 is a memory that stores various data in a nonvolatile manner. A RAM 107 is a memory that provides a work area and a temporary storage area for the CPU 103.

  The printer engine 111 includes a print head 113 such as an inkjet head and a print buffer 114. An I / F (inter-controller interface) 112 is connected to the printer controller 101 via an I / F (inter-controller interface) 110 on the printer controller side.

  Next, FIG. 2 shows a software module configuration in the printing system of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the printer device 100 and the host device 200 are each connected to a common network 300.

  The printer device 100 includes a communication unit 100a capable of bidirectional communication with the host device 200 via the network 300, a data communication control unit 100b that controls the communication unit 100a, and image data that extracts multi-value image data from print data. An analysis unit 100g, a binarization processing unit 100i that converts multi-valued image data into binary image data, a print processing unit 100j that performs printing using the binary image data, and a storage unit that allows writing and reading freely 100e, and a function for printing the print data received from the host device 200 is formed by these configurations.

  In addition, the printer apparatus 100 includes a print data analysis unit 100f that analyzes received print data, a print setting extraction unit 100f1 that extracts print settings from the analyzed print data, and table data of a lookup table from the analyzed print data. A table data extraction unit 100f2 to be extracted, and a table management unit for managing a table to be stored in the storage unit 100e by associating the print settings with the lookup table based on the extraction results of the print setting extraction unit 100f1 and the table data extraction unit 100f2. 100d, a reading unit 100h that reads the lookup table from the storage unit 100e as a key, and a query from the query unit 204 of the host device 200, the combination of the print setting and the lookup table is stored in the storage unit 100e. Have And a response unit 100c to respond whether. Further, a lookup table area 100k is prepared in the storage unit 100e, and a plurality of lookup tables can be stored so as to be writable and readable.

  In this embodiment, the table management unit 100d and the storage unit 100e constitute a lookup table cache memory. The storage unit 100e itself can also be provided in the NVRAM 105.

  The print setting extraction unit 100f1 and the table data extraction unit 100f2 may be provided independently of each other, or may be provided in the print data analysis unit 100f.

  The host device 200 generates print data including multi-value image data based on application software, and the print data is printed by the printer device 100 when the print data generation unit 202 generates the print data. An inquiry unit 204 that inquires the printer apparatus 100 whether or not the printer apparatus 100 is provided with a combination of a print setting for performing printing and a look-up table for executing the print setting in the printer apparatus 100, and the network 300. And a transmission / reception unit 201 that performs transmission / reception to / from the printer apparatus 100. Here, the print data generation unit 202 and the inquiry unit 204 constitute the function of the printer driver 210.

  In the function of the printer driver 210, the print data generation unit 202 does not have a lookup table corresponding to the print setting in the printer device 100 in response to a response from the printer device 100 in response to an inquiry from the inquiry unit 204. In this case, a print table is generated by adding a lookup table corresponding to the print setting to the multi-valued image data. If the printer apparatus 100 has a lookup table corresponding to the print setting, the print setting is set. The print data is generated without adding a lookup table corresponding to.

  The look-up table is stored in the storage unit 205, and the print data generation unit 202 can read from the storage unit 205 as necessary when generating the print data. In addition, a lookup table can be input to the storage unit 205 from the outside via an interface (not shown).

  The application 203 displays and edits an image, and can be formed with a software configuration or a hardware configuration. The print data generation unit 202 generates print data using the image data and print settings transmitted from the application 203 and the lookup table transmitted from the storage unit 205.

  Note that each of the above-described parts indicates a software module that executes each function, and is not necessarily provided with corresponding hardware, and includes a CPU and a memory that stores a program of each software, a memory for calculation, and the like. You may comprise by the combination of software or hardware and software.

  Next, the table management unit 100d will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data structure example of table management data managed by the table management unit 100d. Table management data managed by the table management unit describes combinations of print settings and lookup tables. For example, the table management unit 100d can store table management data in an internal nonvolatile memory (NVRAM 105). Note that the storage means for storing the table management data is not limited to the NVRAM 105. On the other hand, the lookup table itself is stored in, for example, the storage unit 100e. The table management unit 100d manages the lookup table stored in the storage unit 100e using the table management data.

  The table management unit 100d can read a lookup table corresponding to the print setting from the storage unit 100e based on the table management data. Further, when the table management unit 100d stores a new lookup table in the storage unit 100e or sets a new print setting, the lookup unit corresponding to the new print setting is stored in the storage unit 100e. If not, the table data of the lookup table 100k of the storage unit 100e is updated, the relationship between the print settings described in the table management data and the lookup table, and the lookup table 100k stored in the storage unit 100e Table management is performed so that there is no deviation in the relationship.

  3A shows an example of the data structure of the print data, and FIGS. 3B and 3C show an example of the data structure of the table management data stored in the table management unit 100d. The data structure example shown here is an example and is not limited to this data structure.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the print data transmitted from the host device to the printer device includes a print setting, multi-value image data, and a lookup table added as necessary. Note that the data constituting the print data is not limited to print settings, multi-value image data, a lookup table, and the like, and may include other data.

  Here, normally, the combination of the output resolution and the number of print passes used in the printer engine is uniquely determined by the combination of the print quality setting and the paper type setting specified for each print data. The combination of the output resolution and the number of print passes is managed internally by a series of numbers, and this number system is called a print mode number here.

  Therefore, the print mode number has a one-to-one correspondence with the print setting and represents the management number in the table management unit 100d. For example, the print data 1000 shown in FIG. 3A has a print setting 1001, multi-value image data 1002 as an image to be printed with the print setting 1001, and a look-up table (LUT) 1003 is added as necessary. Has been.

  FIG. 3B is an example of the structure of the table management data. The table management data 2000 includes a print mode number 2001 and lookup table pointers (LUT pointers) 2002, 2003,. A print mode number 2001 is a management number in the table management unit 100d and corresponds to the print setting described above. The lookup table pointer is an argument for extracting data stored in the lookup table. For example, binarization processing for converting multi-value image data into binary image data includes a plurality of stages of processing. For example, binarization processing is performed by various conversion data such as γ correction processing, resolution conversion, and color space conversion. The look-up table has these conversion data. The table management unit 100d can read the lookup table stored in the storage unit 100e by designating the lookup table pointer.

  In FIG. 3B, “LUT1 PT1” is set as the lookup table pointer 1 (2002) for the print mode number 2001 described by “mode1”, and “LUT2 PT1” as the look apple pointer 2 (2003). "Is set. Also, “LUT1 PT2” is set as Lookup Table Pointer 1 (2002) and “LUT2 PT2” is set as LookApple Table Pointer 2 (2003) for the print mode number 2001 described in “mode2”. ing.

  The lookup table pointer described by “LUT1 PT1” is set as an argument for extracting conversion data used for γ correction processing, for example, and the lookup table pointer described by “LUT2 PT1” is used for conversion for resolution conversion, for example. By setting as an argument for extracting data, the lookup table used for each conversion can be read from the storage unit 100e.

  In FIG. 3B, two look apple pointers are shown here, but the number of look apple pointers is not limited to two, and an arbitrary number can be set.

  FIG. 3C shows another structure example of the lookup table, in which attribute information 2004 is added to the print mode number. This attribute information 2004 is for distinguishing print settings in which some of the look-up tables differ for print settings represented by the same print mode number. For example, for a certain print setting, when some of the lookup tables defined in the print setting are changed to another lookup table, a plurality of similar print settings in which only some of the lookup tables are different. Is formed. In such a plurality of print settings, it may be desirable to manage with the same print mode number when instructing printing or managing the print settings. Therefore, according to the aspect of the present invention, by adding attribute information to the table management data, it is possible to distinguish between modified forms for print settings having the same print mode number.

  In FIG. 3C, the print mode number 2001 described by “mode1” indicates that the attribute information is set to “1” and “2” is set, and is described as “mode2”. In this example, “1” is set as attribute information and “2” is set as attribute information and “3” is set as attribute information.

  In this way, by adding attribute information to the table management data, when a look-up table corresponding to the print setting of the same print mode number is stored in the storage unit of the printer device, but the attribute information is different, By simply adding the missing lookup table to the existing lookup table, the required lookup table can be set without adding all the lookup tables. Accordingly, it is sufficient to transmit only the minimum lookup table from the host device to the printer device, and it is possible to prevent all table data corresponding to the print mode number from being transmitted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an increase in network bandwidth and an increase in necessary storage capacity of the printer device.

  In addition, when performing print processing with detailed print settings, the lookup table is searched by the print mode number including the attribute information, and the necessary lookup table is read and the print processing is performed. If similar print settings are sufficient without requiring printing, a lookup table may be searched using a print mode number ignoring attribute information, and a necessary lookup table may be read to perform printing processing.

  Next, an example of operation by the printing system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the host device or printer driver of the present invention, and FIGS. 5 to 8 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the printer device of the present invention.

[Operation example of host device or printer driver]
Here, an operation example by the function of the printer driver will be described based on an operation example of the host device. In the flowchart of FIG. 4, for example, when the host apparatus 200 receives a print execution instruction from the user through a menu operation of the application 203 or the like, the host apparatus 200 transmits this instruction to the print data generation unit 202 (step S <b> 1).

  The print data generation unit 202 instructs the inquiry unit 204 to make an inquiry to the printer apparatus. This inquiry is for inquiring whether the printer device is provided with a combination of a print setting for printing the print data in the printer device and a lookup table for executing the print setting in the printer device. Yes, for example, a print mode number set one-on-one with the print setting is transmitted.

  Upon receiving this inquiry, the printer device 100 searches whether or not the inquired print mode number (print setting) is set in the table management data of the cache memory provided in the table management unit 100d. Done in This inquiry is sent from the transmission / reception unit 201 to the communication unit 100a of the printer device 100 via the network 300 using, for example, a command system for remote execution of the printer device function. Note that the print data generation unit 102 and the inquiry unit 204 represent functions included in the printer driver 210 (step S2).

  When the communication unit 100a in the printer device 100 receives an inquiry from the host device 200, the communication unit 100a uses the interface of the table management unit 100d to check whether or not the specified print mode number is registered in the cache memory. Perform the inquiry process. The response unit 100c returns the result of the inquiry returned from the table management unit 100d to the host device 200 via the communication unit 100a and the network 300.

  The host device 200 receives the returned inquiry result at the transmission / reception unit 201 and returns it to the printer driver 210. The printer driver 210 may be configured such that the print data generation unit 202 receives the return directly, or the print data generation unit 202 receives the return via the inquiry unit 204 (step S3).

  As a result of the inquiry, if the print mode number (print setting) does not exist in the cache memory table management data (step S3), the print data generation unit 202 performs all lookups used in the corresponding print setting. A table and multi-value image data are generated (steps S4 and S5), print data is generated from the generated lookup table and multi-value image data (step S6), and the generated print data is transmitted (step S7).

  In the above-described process, the print data generated by the lookup table and the multi-value image data is shown as an example. However, the lookup table and the multi-value image data are individually and sequentially transmitted. Also good. When the look-up table and multi-value image data are transmitted separately, common information indicating that they are related to the same print data is added. As this common information, for example, a print setting or a print mode number can be used.

  If the print mode number (print setting) is present in the cache memory table management data as a result of the inquiry, but the attribute information is different (step S3), the print data generation unit 202 performs all lookups. A table and multi-value image data are generated (steps S4 and S5), print data is generated from the generated lookup table and multi-value image data (step S6), and transmitted (step S7). Only look-up tables that differ due to different attribute information with the same print mode number are generated (steps S4 and S5), and print data is generated from this partial look-up table and multivalued image data (step S6). ), Or may be transmitted (step S7).

[Example of printer operation]
Next, an operation example of the printer apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This operation example shows an operation flow at the time of print processing for the software module of the printer device of the printing system of the present invention.

  First, print data is transmitted from the host device 200 to the printer device 100 through the network 300. The printer apparatus 100 receives print data at the communication unit 100a, and the data communication control unit 100b performs data reception processing on the received print data (step S11). The data communication control unit 100b delivers the print data subjected to the data reception process to the print data analysis unit 100f.

  The print setting extraction unit 100f1 of the print data analysis unit 100f analyzes the header portion of the print data and detects the print settings of the print quality setting and the paper type setting. The print quality setting and the paper type setting are determined on a one-to-one basis with the print mode number used by the print processing unit 100j. The print setting extraction unit 100f1 outputs the extracted print settings as a print mode number.

  Further, the table data extraction unit 100f2 of the print data analysis unit 100f extracts the lookup table if a lookup table is assigned to the print data (step S12).

  The print data analysis unit 100f calls the interface of the table management unit 100d using the extracted print mode number as a parameter, and searches whether the print mode number is registered in the table management data of the cache memory of the table management unit 100d. (Step S13).

  The processing in step S13 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 6 shows the operation of the interface that reads whether the print setting requested for printing is registered in the table management data of the cache memory of the table management unit 100d. In this interface, a search is performed using the print mode number as a parameter.

  The table management unit 100d starts inquiry processing (step S13a), and uses the received print mode number as a parameter to search whether the print mode number exists in the table management data of the cache memory (step S13b). . If the print mode number to be searched is registered in the table management data, “registered” is returned (step S13c), and if not registered, “not registered” is returned. The return of “registered” or “not registered” can be represented by a predetermined value indicating each registered state (step S13d).

  In the step of searching for the presence / absence of registration in step S13, if the print mode number to be searched is not registered in the table management data (step S13d), the interface of the table management unit 100d is called and the print mode number is displayed in the table management data. Is registered (step S14), and the table data in the storage unit 100e is updated (step S15). If the print mode number has already been registered, the above steps S14 and S15 are not executed.

  The process of step S14 is demonstrated using the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart in FIG. 7 shows the operation of the interface for registering the print mode number in the lookup table.

  In FIG. 7, the interface of the table management unit 100d performs registration processing using the print mode number and the LUT pointer indicating the head of all the lookup tables as parameters. Here, in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the print mode number is denoted by reference numeral 2001, and the LUT pointer is denoted by reference numerals 2002 and 2003.

  After starting the registration process (step S14a), the interface of the table management unit 100d detects whether there is a free area in the table management data of the cache memory. Here, the free area is the number of print mode numbers that can be registered in the table management data. If the number of print mode numbers is determined in advance, once registration is completed for all print mode numbers, no more print mode numbers can be registered. Note that this step is unnecessary if the number of print mode numbers to be registered is not limited (step S14b).

  If there is no free area in the table management data, the oldest area is erased and the area is used (step S14c). On the other hand, if the table management data has a free area, step S14c is not executed.

  Next, the interface of the table management unit 100d copies the lookup table data from the delivered LUT pointer to the corresponding area of the cache memory and performs registration (step S14d).

  Thereafter, it is confirmed whether or not the registration process has been completed for all pointers in the lookup table (step S14e). If there is an unprocessed pointer in the lookup table in the step S14e, the pointer is moved to the unprocessed pointer, and registration processing is performed in the step S14d (step S14f).

  If it is determined in step S14e that all pointers have been registered in the lookup table, the process ends (step S14g).

  When the lookup table required for print setting is not stored in the storage unit 100e, the lookup table is updated, print data incorporating the lookup table is received from the host device 200, and this data is extracted. It memorize | stores in the memory | storage part 100e. As a result, print settings including a new lookup table can be set.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the print mode number 2001 has the attribute information 2004, the lookup table can be updated in the same manner as the above-described process.

  After updating the table data, or when the print mode number (print setting) has already been registered in the cache memory table management data in step S13 (step S13), the print data is analyzed by image data. The image data that has been developed and subjected to the command analysis and compression / decompression processing in the image data analysis unit 100g is delivered to the binarization processing unit 100i (step S16).

  The binarization processing unit 100i calls the interface of the table management unit 100d, and registers the lookup table read from the storage unit 100e and the multivalued image data analyzed by the image data analysis unit 100g in the image processing ASIC 104 ( (Step S17) The binarization process is started (step S18). When the binarized image data having a predetermined amount of data is generated, the print processing unit 100j instructs the printer engine 111 to start the printing process, and the printing of the binary image data is executed (step S1). S18).

  The process of step S17 is demonstrated using the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 8 shows the operation of the interface that reads the print setting data registered in the lookup table for the print mode number.

  This interface uses the LUT pointer set for each lookup table as a parameter in order to read all data in the table management data for the print mode number.

  After starting the reading process (step S17a), using the print mode number as a parameter, it is searched whether the print setting corresponding to the print mode number is registered in the table management data of the cache memory (step S17b). If the print mode number is not registered in the table management data of the cache memory, an error value is returned and the process is terminated (step S17g).

  On the other hand, if the print mode number is registered in the cache memory table management data, the head address of the cache memory table management data is copied to the buffer pointer delivered from the interface (step S17c).

  In the table management data, it is confirmed whether the address of the data described in all the LUT pointers corresponding to the print mode number has been delivered to the buffer pointer (step S17d).

  In the process of step S17d, if there is an address for which transfer has not been completed among all the LUT pointers of the table management data, the process moves to the next LUT pointer (step S17e), and the cache memory is processed in the process of step S17c. The address of the corresponding LUT pointer in the table management data is copied. If it is determined in step S17d that the addresses of all the pointers in the table management data have been delivered, the process ends (step S17f).

  By repeating steps S17c to S17e, the addresses of all LUT pointers corresponding to the print mode numbers in the table management data are copied to the pointer buffer, and the copied addresses are registered in the image processing ASIC 104 of the binarization processing unit 100i. Then, the conversion data stored at the address is read from the storage unit 100e according to the conversion processing content, and the binary image data is processed by binarizing the multi-value image data.

  As described above, the software modules of the printer device and the host device perform their respective operations, and make inquiries and replies between the printer device and the host device, depending on the presence or absence of the lookup table in the cache memory. Control the look-up table transfer. As a result, it is possible to reduce the load on the printer device / host device and the network connecting them, and to perform efficient print data transfer.

  A computer program for realizing the functions described in the above embodiments by a computer and a recording medium storing the program in a computer-readable manner are also included in the present invention. Examples of the “recording medium” for supplying the program include a magnetic storage medium (flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, etc.), an optical disk (magneto-optical disk such as MO and PD, CD, DVD, etc.), semiconductor storage, and paper tape. And so on.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing system 100, 100A-100D Printer apparatus 100a Communication part 100b Data communication control part 100c Reply part 100d Table management part 100e Storage part 100f Print data analysis part 100f1 Print setting extraction part 100f2 Table data extraction part 100g Image data analysis part 100h Read Unit 100i value processing unit 100j print processing unit 101 printer controller 102 network I / F
103 CPU
104 ASIC for image processing
105 NVRAM
106 RAM I / F
107 RAM
108 Memory Controller 109 Operation Unit I / F
110 I / F
111 Printer engine 112 I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 113 Print head 114 Print buffer 121 Operation part 200,200A-200D Host apparatus 201 Transmission / reception part 202 Print data generation part 203 Application 204 Inquiry part 205 Storage part 300 Network 400A Table data 400B Table data 400C Table data 400D1 Table data 400D2 Table data 1000 Print data 1001 Print mode number 1002 Multi-valued image data 2000 Lookup table 2001 Print mode number 2002, 2003 Lookup table pointer 2004 Attribute information

Claims (9)

A host device and a printer device connected via a network;
The host device is
A print data generation unit that generates print data including multi-value image data based on application software;
When the print data is generated by the print data generation unit, the printer apparatus has a combination of print settings for printing the print data on the printer apparatus and table data for executing the print settings on the printer apparatus. An inquiry unit that inquires of the printer device whether or not
A transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives data to / from a printer device via a network,
The print data generation unit
In response to a response from the printer device to the inquiry,
If the printer device does not have the table data corresponding to the print setting, the table data corresponding to the print setting is added to the multi-value image data to generate the print data,
If the printer device has table data corresponding to the print setting, print data is generated without adding the table data corresponding to the print setting,
The printer device includes:
A communication unit capable of bidirectional communication with the host device via a network and a data communication control unit for controlling the communication unit;
An image data analysis unit for extracting multi-value image data from the print data;
A binarization processing unit for converting multi-valued image data into binary image data;
A print processing unit that performs printing using binary image data;
A function of printing print data received from the host device, including a storage unit that can freely write and read;
A print data analysis unit for analyzing the received print data;
A print setting extraction unit that extracts print settings from the analyzed print data;
A table data extraction unit for extracting table data from the analyzed print data;
From the output result, a table management unit that associates print settings with table data and saves them in the storage unit;
A reading unit that reads table data from the storage unit using a print setting as a key;
A printing system comprising: a response unit that returns whether or not a combination of the print setting and the table data is stored in the storage unit in response to an inquiry from the inquiry unit. The inquiry unit makes an inquiry by sending print settings to a printer device;
2. The printing according to claim 1, wherein the response unit searches the table management unit for the presence of table data corresponding to the print setting using the print setting sent from the inquiry unit as a key, and returns the search result to the inquiry unit. system. The table management unit includes table management data representing a relationship between print settings and table data,
The print setting has attribute information;
In the search for presence / absence of table data corresponding to the print setting, the response unit checks the attribute information of the print setting sent from the inquiry unit with the attribute information of the print setting in the table management data, and checks the result of the verification. In response to
The inquiry unit is based on the returned collation result,
If the attribute information matches, the image data generation unit generates print data with multi-value image data,
If the attribute information does not match, search for missing table data, add only the table data to the multi-valued image data, and generate print data.
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the table management unit stores only insufficient table data in a storage unit based on attribute information of print settings in the print data. A print data generation function for generating print data including multi-value image data based on application software;
When the print data is generated by the print data generation function, the printer apparatus has a combination of print settings for printing the print data by the printer apparatus and table data for executing the print settings by the printer apparatus. An inquiry function that inquires the printer device whether or not
The print data generation function includes:
In response to a response from the printer device to the inquiry,
If the printer device does not have the table data corresponding to the print setting, the table data corresponding to the print setting is added to the multi-value image data to generate the print data,
If the printer device has table data corresponding to the print setting, print data is generated without adding the table data corresponding to the print setting,
A printer driver that sends and receives inquiries and responses to and from a printer connected via a network, and sends print data to the printer.   The printer driver according to claim 4, wherein the inquiry function makes an inquiry by sending print settings to a printer apparatus and receives a response from a response unit. The print setting has attribute information;
The inquiry function is based on the collation result returned from the response unit of the printer device.
If the attribute information matches, the image data generation unit generates print data with multi-value image data,
The printer driver according to claim 4 or 5, wherein when the attribute information does not match, the table data that is insufficient is searched, and only the table data is added to the multi-value image data to generate print data. A communication unit capable of bidirectional communication with the host device via a network and a data communication control unit for controlling the communication unit;
An image data analysis unit for extracting multi-value image data from the print data;
A binarization processing unit for converting multi-valued image data into binary image data;
A print processing unit that performs printing using binary image data;
A function of printing print data received from the host device, including a storage unit that can freely write and read;
A print data analysis unit for analyzing the received print data;
A print setting extraction unit that extracts print settings from the analyzed print data;
A table data extraction unit for extracting table data from the analyzed print data;
From the extraction result of the extraction unit, a table management unit that stores print settings and table data in association with each other, and
A reading unit that reads table data from the storage unit using a print setting as a key;
A printer apparatus comprising: a response unit that responds to the inquiry from the inquiry unit whether or not the combination of the print setting and the table data is stored in the storage unit.   8. The printer according to claim 7, wherein the response unit searches the table management unit for the presence or absence of table data corresponding to the print setting using the print setting sent from the inquiry unit as a key, and returns the search result to the inquiry unit. apparatus. The print setting has attribute information;
The table management unit includes table management data representing a relationship between print settings and table data,
In the search for presence / absence of table data corresponding to the print setting, the response unit compares the attribute information of the print setting sent from the inquiry unit with the attribute information of the print setting in the table management data, and the verification result is the host device. In response to
9. The printer apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the table management unit stores only insufficient table data in a storage unit based on print setting attribute information in print data.

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