JP2014079906A - Information processing system, information processing device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten response time until an enlarged preview image is displayed.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes an image processing device and a terminal. A program causes a computer to function as a communication control part for transmitting a preview image generation request to the image processing device and receiving a preview image generated in accordance with the generation request, and as a screen control part for displaying the preview image on a screen. Further, the image processing device includes: a communication control part for receiving the generation request from the computer and transmitting, to the computer, a preview image generated in accordance with the generation request; an image generation part for generating a preview image; and a system control part for causing the image generation part to generate a low-resolution preview image and a high-resolution preview image produced by increasing resolution of a requested low-resolution preview image in the case of the request of generation of the low-resolution preview image, and for causing the communication control part of the image processing device to transmit the low-resolution preview image to the computer.

Description

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

  A preview function for displaying a plurality of reduced preview images (hereinafter referred to as “reduced preview images”) when a user of an image processing apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Function Printer) selects a print target image or the like is known. ing. Generally, a plurality of reduced preview images displayed on one screen have a small image area. On the other hand, a preview image obtained by enlarging the reduced preview image (hereinafter referred to as “enlarged preview image”) has a larger image area than the reduced preview image. For this reason, the reduced preview image may be a low resolution image, but the enlarged preview image requires a high resolution image.

  As a technique related to the preview function, Patent Document 1 is known. Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing apparatus that performs a preview using a spool of print data based on printer information corresponding to a printing resolution.

  However, the conventional preview function has a problem that it takes a long response time until the enlarged preview image is displayed after the enlarged preview image is selected during the display of the reduced preview image.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing system, an image processing apparatus, and a program that can shorten the response time until an enlarged preview image is displayed.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an information processing system of the present invention includes a program and an image processing apparatus. The program transmits a preview image generation request to the image processing apparatus and receives the preview image generated in response to the generation request, and the first communication control unit receives the preview image. And the image processing apparatus receives the generation request from the computer and transmits the preview image generated in response to the generation request to the computer. A second communication control unit, an image generation unit that generates a preview image according to the generation request, and a low resolution preview image when the generation request is a generation request of a low resolution preview image, and the requested A high resolution preview image in which the resolution of the low resolution preview image is increased is generated by the image generation unit, and the low resolution The degree preview image, by the second communication control unit, and a system control unit to be transmitted to the computer.

  In addition, the image processing apparatus of the present invention receives a preview image generation request from a computer, and transmits a preview image generated according to the generation request to the computer, and responds to the generation request. An image generation unit that generates a preview image; and when the generation request is a generation request for a low resolution preview image, a low resolution preview image and a high resolution preview image in which the resolution of the requested low resolution preview image is increased Is generated by the image generation unit, and the low-resolution preview image is transmitted to the computer by the communication control unit.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for receiving an image processing apparatus from a computer, a communication control unit that transmits a preview image generated in response to the generation request to the computer, and the generation request. An image generation unit that generates a preview image in accordance with the low resolution preview image and a high resolution in which the resolution of the requested low resolution preview image is increased when the generation request is a low resolution preview image generation request. A resolution preview image is generated by the image generation unit, and the low resolution preview image is caused to function as a system control unit that is transmitted to the computer by the communication control unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the response time until the enlarged preview image is displayed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a main part of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the controller of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a terminal that displays a preview image created by the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example when the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment displays a low-resolution preview image on the terminal. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example when the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment displays a high-resolution preview image on the terminal. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a sequence when the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment displays a preview image on the terminal. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the preview image display method and the image printing method of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing system, an image processing apparatus, and a program will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, the hardware configuration of the main part of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a main part of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a controller 2, a printer engine 3, and a panel device 4.

  The controller 2 controls the operation of the image processing apparatus 1. The printer engine 3 controls image printing processing for printing an image on paper. The panel device 4 is an input / output interface between the image processing device 1 and a user. For example, the panel device 4 is an operation panel for the user to set the image processing device 1, a display panel for displaying the state of the image processing device 1 to the user, and the like.

  The controller 2 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 5, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 6, a frame memory 7, a work memory 8, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 9, a memory arbiter 10, an NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM) 11, and a CPU ( Central Processing Unit) 12, a communication I / F 13, a printer engine I / F 14, and a panel I / F 15.

  The ROM 5, memory arbiter 10, NVRAM 11, CPU 12, communication I / F 13, printer engine I / F 14, and panel I / F 15 are connected to the bus 16.

  The ROM 5 stores a program for controlling the operation of the image processing apparatus 1. However, the program may be stored in a storage medium other than the ROM 5. That is, the program executed by the image processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) in an installable or executable file. It may be provided as a computer program product recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as.

  Further, the program executed by the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment may be configured to be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. The program executed by the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The RAM 6, the frame memory 7, the work memory 8, and the HDD 9 are connected to the bus 16 via the memory arbiter 10. The memory arbiter 10 controls access to the RAM 6, the frame memory 7, the work memory 8, and the HDD 9. The RAM 6, the frame memory 7, and the work memory 8 are used as a main storage necessary for operating the program. The HDD 9 is used as an auxiliary storage device for storing images. The NVRAM 11 is a non-volatile memory that stores print condition settings and the like of the image processing apparatus 1.

  The CPU 12 reads and executes a program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 5. The communication I / F 13 is an interface for communicating with a terminal 31 that displays a preview image to be described later via a network. Note that the communication means of the communication I / F 13 may be wireless or wired. Further, both communication means may be provided. The printer engine I / F 14 is an interface for transmitting and receiving commands such as a print instruction between the controller 2 and the printer engine 3. The panel I / F 15 is an interface for transmitting and receiving input / output data between the image processing apparatus 1 and the user between the controller 2 and the panel apparatus 4.

  Next, the configuration of functional blocks of the controller 2 for controlling the image processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the controller 2 of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The controller 2 includes a system control unit 22, an image generation unit 23, a printer engine control unit 24, a panel control unit 25, and a communication control unit 26.

  The system control unit 22 controls the controller 2. The image generation unit 23 receives print data from the system control unit 22. The print data is data created by, for example, PDL (Page Description Language). PDL is a language (page description language) for generating a print image. As examples of PDL, PostScript, PCL, RPCS, and the like are known. The image generation unit 23 generates a print image from the PDL data.

  The printer engine control unit 24 performs print instruction control between the printer engine I / F 14 and the printer engine 3. The panel control unit 25 performs input / output control and the like between the panel I / F 15 and the panel device 4. The communication control unit 26 controls communication of data transmitted / received via the network between the communication I / F 13 and the terminal 31 that displays the preview image.

  The system control unit 22, the image generation unit 23, the printer engine control unit 24, the panel control unit 25, and the communication control unit 26 described above, as actual hardware, is read and executed by the CPU 12 from the above-described storage medium. Thus, the above-described units are loaded on the main storage device and generated on the main storage device.

  Note that some or all of the above-described units may be realized by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit) instead of being realized by a program.

  Next, a method for displaying a preview image generated by the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment to the user will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the information processing system 51 according to the present embodiment. The information processing system 51 includes the image processing apparatus 1 and a terminal 31. In the example of FIG. 3, a preview image is transmitted from the image processing apparatus 1 to the user terminal 31 by wireless communication. Further, the terminal 31 is a portable terminal provided with a touch panel and a touch pen (pointing device). The mobile terminal is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, or the like.

  The user terminal 31 may be an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer. The preview image transmission means may be wired communication. The terminal 31 may be the same device as the image processing device 1. That is, the preview image may be displayed on the panel device 4 of the image processing apparatus 1.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the terminal 31 that displays a preview image created by the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The terminal 31 includes a user interface 32, a preview management unit 33, a screen control unit 34, a screen display unit 35, a communication control unit 36, and a communication device 37.

  The user interface 32 is a touch pen for operating the touch panel of the terminal 31 and the touch panel. The touch panel of the user interface 32 and the screen display unit 35 may be the same device. The preview management unit 33 controls operations such as a print request based on a display operation of the preview image displayed on the terminal 31 and a selection operation of the preview image displayed on the preview screen.

  The screen control unit 34 displays data on the screen display unit 35 in accordance with a request for preview display or the like from the preview management unit 33. The screen display unit 35 displays a preview image or the like. The screen display unit 35 is a liquid crystal panel or the like. The communication control unit 36 controls communication of data transmitted and received by the communication device 37 in accordance with a data transmission / reception request from the preview management unit 33. The communication device 37 is a communication interface including wireless, wired, or both communication means.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the operation when the preview image created by the image processing apparatus 1 is displayed on the terminal 31 will be described.

  The communication control unit 26 of the image processing apparatus 1 receives a print data preview image generation request (including print data, preview resolution, the number of preview images displayed in one screen, and the like) from the terminal 31. To do. The system control unit 22 of the image processing apparatus 1 requests the image generation unit 23 to create a preview image corresponding to the generation request. The image generation unit 23 generates a preview image based on the generation request. The image generation unit 23 transmits the generated preview image to the system control unit 22. The system control unit 22 transmits the preview image to the terminal 31 via the communication control unit 26. The terminal 31 displays the received preview image to the user.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example when the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment displays a low-resolution preview image on the terminal 31. In this example, the number of reduced preview images displayed on the screen of the screen display unit 35 of the terminal 31 is six. The resolution is about 10 dpi.

  In the example of FIG. 5, when the user presses the button 42, the low resolution preview image 41 is enlarged. That is, a high resolution preview image 44 (see FIG. 6) in which the resolution of the low resolution preview image 41 is increased is displayed on the screen display unit 35 as an enlarged preview image.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example when the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment displays a high-resolution preview image on the terminal 31. In this example, the resolution of the high resolution preview image 44 is set to about 300 dpi, which is the same resolution as when printing.

  In this example, a button 43 is displayed. When the user presses the button 43, the high resolution preview image 44 is reduced. That is, the display of the screen display unit 35 of the terminal 31 returns from the display state (enlarged preview display) of the screen display unit 35 of FIG. 6 to the display state (reduced preview display) of the screen display unit 35 of FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a sequence when the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment displays a preview image on the terminal 31.

  The user interface 32 of the terminal 31 waits for a print data preview request (step S1). The communication device 37 of the terminal 31 transmits a request for generating a low-resolution preview image of print data (including print data, preview resolution, the number of preview images displayed in one screen, and the like) to the image processing device 1. (Step S2). In response to the generation request, the image generation unit 23 of the image processing apparatus 1 generates a low resolution preview image (step S3).

  The communication control unit 26 of the image processing apparatus 1 transmits the generated low resolution preview image to the terminal 31 (step S4). Here, the image generation unit 23 of the image processing apparatus 1 does not wait for the generation request of the high resolution preview image for the low resolution preview image transmitted in step S4, and generates the high resolution preview image of the low resolution preview image. To start. Further, the image generation unit 23 stores the generated high resolution preview image in the work memory 8, the HDD 9, or the like (step S5). Accordingly, it is possible to shorten the response time from when a preview image to be enlarged is selected to when the enlarged preview image is displayed while the reduced preview image is displayed.

  Further, the high-resolution preview image generation process by the image generation unit 23 is also required in the printing process of the image processing apparatus 1. Therefore, the generation process of the high resolution preview image can be regarded as a print process performed by the image processing apparatus 1 halfway. In step S5, the image generation unit 23 may simultaneously store information necessary for resuming the printing process in the work memory 8 or the HDD 9 in addition to the high-resolution preview image.

  As a result, when the controller 2 of the image processing apparatus 1 receives a print request from the terminal 31, the high-resolution preview image stored in the work memory 8, the HDD 9, or the like and information necessary for resuming the print processing are displayed. Printing processing can be performed using this. As a result, the controller 2 of the image processing apparatus 1 can complete the printing process at a higher speed than when the printing process is performed from the beginning.

  As an example of information required for resuming the printing process, when 8 bits for RGB are used for the color information of the preview image and 2 bits for KCMY are used for the color information of the print image, the information for color processing is used. Examples include BG / UCR parameters, color matching information, gamma and dither information, and color processing attribute information of each pixel of the enlarged preview image. With this information, it is possible to switch the color processing parameter for each attribute information and print an image.

  When the high resolution preview image generated in step S5 is used in the printing process, the resolution of the high resolution preview image is set to the same resolution as the print image. As a result, the resolution of the enlarged preview image may be smaller than the resolution of the print image. In this case, the system control unit 22 transmits the high resolution preview image to the terminal 31 while reducing (sampling) the resolution to the resolution of the enlarged preview image.

  The communication device 37 of the terminal 31 receives the low resolution preview image transmitted in step S4, and the screen control unit 34 displays the low resolution preview image on the screen display unit 35 (step S6). The user confirms the low resolution preview image displayed on the screen display unit 35 of the terminal 31 (step S7). A request for enlargement display of the low resolution preview image is transmitted by the user to the terminal 31 (step S8).

  The communication device 37 of the terminal 31 transmits a request for generating a high-resolution preview image in which the resolution of the low-resolution preview image is increased in response to the request for the enlarged display of the low-resolution preview image (step S9).

  If the generation of the high-resolution preview image requested for generation has been completed by the high-resolution preview image generation processing in step S5, the communication control unit 26 of the image processing apparatus 1 immediately displays the high-resolution preview image. To the terminal 31. If the generation of the high-resolution preview image requested for generation has not been completed, the high-resolution preview image is transmitted to the terminal 31 after the generation process is completed (step S10).

  The communication device 37 of the terminal 31 receives the high resolution preview image transmitted in step S10, and the screen control unit 34 displays the high resolution preview image on the screen display unit 35 (step S11).

  Next, preview image generation processing and printing processing of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the preview image display method and the image printing method of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The system control unit 22 of the image processing apparatus 1 determines whether or not a low resolution preview image generation request has been received from the terminal 31 (step S21). When the generation request for the low resolution preview image is received (step S21, Yes), the system control unit 22 requests the image generation unit 23 to generate the low resolution preview image. Further, the system control unit 22 requests the image generation unit 23 to generate a high resolution preview image in which the resolution of the low resolution preview image is increased.

  That is, the system control unit 22 requests the image generation unit 23 to generate a high-resolution preview image at the time of a low-resolution preview image generation request without waiting for a generation request for a high-resolution preview image. The image generation unit 23 generates the low resolution preview image and the high resolution preview image (step S22).

  The generation of the high resolution preview image may be performed after the generation of the low resolution preview image is completed, or may be performed simultaneously with the generation of the low resolution preview image.

  If the generation request for the low resolution preview image has not been received (step S21, No), the system control unit 22 starts normal printing processing when the print request is received (step S28).

  The screen control unit 34 of the terminal 31 displays the low resolution preview image generated in step S22 on the screen display unit 35 (step S23). The preview management unit 33 of the terminal 31 determines whether an enlargement preview request has been received from the user interface 32 (step S24). If a request for an enlarged preview has been received (step S24, Yes), the process proceeds to step S25. If no enlargement preview request is received (step S24, No), the process proceeds to step S29.

  The system control unit 22 of the image processing apparatus 1 determines whether or not the generation of the high resolution preview image has been completed (step S25). If the generation of the high resolution preview image has been completed (step S25, Yes), the process proceeds to step S27.

  If the generation of the high resolution preview image is not completed (No at Step S25), the system control unit 22 waits until the image generation unit 23 generates a high resolution preview image (Step S26).

  The system control unit 22 transmits the high resolution preview image to the terminal 31 via the communication control unit 26, and the screen control unit 34 of the terminal 31 displays the high resolution preview image on the screen display unit 35 ( Step S27).

  The system control unit 22 determines whether a print request has been received from the terminal 31 (step S29). If a print request has been received (step S29, Yes), a print process using the result of the high-resolution preview image generation process in step S22 is performed (step S30). If no print request has been received (No at step S29), the process ends.

  According to the image processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to shorten the response time from when a preview image to be enlarged is selected to when the enlarged preview image is displayed while the reduced preview image is displayed. .

  Further, according to the image processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, at the time of preview display, the controller 2 generates a high-resolution preview image that is the same as the resolution of the print image without receiving a high-resolution preview image generation request. Thus, the response time until the end of printing can be shortened.

1 Image processing device 2 Controller 3 Printer engine 4 Panel device 5 ROM
6 RAM
7 Frame memory 8 Work memory 9 HDD
10 Memory Arbiter 11 NVRAM
12 CPU
13 Communication I / F
14 Printer Engine I / F
15 Panel I / F
16 Bus 22 System control unit 23 Image generation unit 24 Printer engine control unit 25 Panel control unit 26 Communication control unit 31 Terminal 32 User interface 33 Preview management unit 34 Screen control unit 35 Screen display unit 36 Communication control unit 37 Communication device 41 Low resolution Preview image 42 button 43 button 44 High-resolution preview image 51 Information processing system

Japanese Patent No. 3833107

Claims (6)

An information processing system comprising a program and an image processing device,
The program is a computer,
A first communication control unit that transmits a preview image generation request to the image processing apparatus and receives a preview image generated in response to the generation request;
Function as a screen control unit for displaying the preview image received by the first communication control unit on a screen;
The image processing apparatus includes:
A second communication control unit that receives the generation request from the computer and transmits a preview image generated in response to the generation request to the computer;
An image generation unit for generating a preview image in response to the generation request;
When the generation request is a generation request for a low resolution preview image, the image generation unit generates a low resolution preview image and a high resolution preview image obtained by increasing the resolution of the requested low resolution preview image, and An information processing system comprising: a system control unit that transmits a low-resolution preview image to the computer by the second communication control unit. The image generation unit
The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the high-resolution preview image is generated after the generation of the requested low-resolution preview image is completed. The system controller is
When the high-resolution preview image generation request is received from the computer, the high-resolution preview image generated when the low-resolution preview image generation request is received is transmitted to the computer by the second communication control unit. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2. The resolution of the high resolution preview image is a resolution at the time of printing an image corresponding to the low resolution preview image,
The image processing apparatus includes:
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the high-resolution preview image is used when the image is printed. A communication control unit that receives a generation request for a preview image from a computer and transmits the preview image generated in response to the generation request to the computer;
An image generation unit for generating a preview image in response to the generation request;
When the generation request is a generation request for a low resolution preview image, the image generation unit generates a low resolution preview image and a high resolution preview image obtained by increasing the resolution of the requested low resolution preview image, and An image processing apparatus comprising: a system control unit that transmits a low-resolution preview image to the computer by the communication control unit. The image processing device
A communication control unit that receives a generation request for a preview image from a computer and transmits the preview image generated in response to the generation request to the computer;
An image generation unit for generating a preview image in response to the generation request;
When the generation request is a generation request for a low resolution preview image, the image generation unit generates a low resolution preview image and a high resolution preview image obtained by increasing the resolution of the requested low resolution preview image, and A program for causing the communication control unit to function as a system control unit that transmits a low-resolution preview image to the computer.

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