JP2014167727A - Printing system, printer, image processor, printing method, image processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system which executes printing based on print data which is adjusted according to a state of printing by a printer.SOLUTION: An image processor acquires document data, generates plural pieces of print data from the acquired document data, and transmits to a printer one piece of print data selected on the basis of a requirement from the printer among the plural pieces of print data. The printer evaluates printing by the printer, and transmits to the image processor a requirement of one piece of print data according to the evaluation among the plural pieces of print data, and prints the print data transmitted from the image processor.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing technique using a printing system having an image processing apparatus and a printing apparatus.

  There is a system in which a print service server generates print data in response to a request from a user terminal, the print data is received and processed by a printing apparatus, and printing is performed. A typical example of the print service server is “cloud print service” disclosed in Patent Document 1 (hereinafter referred to as “CPS” for short). CPS discloses specifications to each printer vendor and develops printers according to the specifications to achieve rapid expansion of services and convenience for users. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to printer registration and selection and print data generation in CPS.

  As a feature, CPS does not generate print data according to a page description language or print data format specific to each printer vendor, but generates print data in a unified format independent of vendors, and print data for each printer. Is received directly as input data, and printing is realized. As a vendor-independent unified format, Portable Document Format (PDF) is cited. According to this specification, the CPS can generate uniform print data independent of each printer vendor. For the service user, the printer of any vendor, regardless of the printer of CPS, can obtain the convenience of being able to request the printing requested by himself from anywhere and receiving the printed matter.

  One advantage of CPS is that it eliminates the need for a “printer driver” module, which is essential in a printing system for a conventional personal computer. For each printer vendor, there is no need to develop a printer driver, and the development cost can be reduced.

US2011 / 0299110

  The current cloud print service server does not use a printer driver dedicated to the printer or does not have a function for providing the role that the printer driver has played. Therefore, the following problems emerge. That is, until now, the printer driver performs processing to convert a document output by the application program into print data described in PDL that can be understood by the printer. In addition, processing such as color adjustment and selection of a printing mode is performed in accordance with the characteristics of the printer, toner, ink, recording paper, and the like.

  Since there is no module responsible for such processing between the CPS and the printer that complies with the specifications, it is possible to select whether such processing is incorporated in the printer main body or processing is not performed at all when printing by the CPS. Be forced. Selecting the former causes an increase in the development cost of the printer body and is reflected in the printer price. If the latter is selected, CPS printing must accept deterioration in print quality as a trade-off with convenience. In any case, a burden is imposed on the user. There is a need to provide an adjustment function according to the printing status of each printer while maintaining that the printing system represented by CPS eliminates the need for a printer driver.

  The printing system of the present invention is a system having an image processing apparatus and a printing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus generates a plurality of print data from the acquired document data and an acquisition unit that acquires document data. Generating means, and transmission means for transmitting one print data selected based on a request from the printing apparatus among the plurality of print data to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus includes: Evaluation means for evaluating printing by the printing apparatus, transmission means for transmitting a request for one print data of the plurality of print data to the image processing apparatus according to the evaluation, and transmission from the image processing apparatus Printing means for printing the printed data.

  It is possible to provide a print system that provides a print data correction function according to the printing status of the printer.

1 is a block diagram of a print system including a print service server and a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a use case figure which shows the relationship between a printing system and its user (print requester). FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of a computer device on which a print service server and a print request transmission terminal operate. It is a hardware block diagram which comprises a printer. It is a main processing flow of the print service server. It is a process flow which shows the print request reception process of a print service server. 10 is a processing flow showing print job list processing of the print service server. 10 is a processing flow showing print job reference processing of the print service server. 10 is a processing flow showing print data transmission processing of the print service server. 10 is a processing flow showing print job creation processing of the print service server. It is a figure which shows the content in the adjustment element according to an intent, and print data. It is a process flow which shows the main process of a printer. It is a processing flow which shows the printing process of a printer. It is a processing flow which shows the printing data selection process of a printer.

[Example 1]
FIG. 2 shows a printing system (printing system) comprising a print service server (100) as an image processing apparatus and a printer (200) as a printing apparatus, and printing to the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which consists of the requester (50) who requests, and the transmission terminal (300) which sends a print request.

  The print service server (100), the printer (200), and the print request transmission terminal (300) can communicate with each other via the network (60). However, since the printer (200) exists inside the firewall (30), access from the print service server (100) and the print request transmission terminal (300) is impossible, and only communication initiated by the printer (200) is possible. Is possible. The network (60) here is assumed to be “Internet”. However, the present invention is not limited to the Internet and is also effective for an intranet. The printer (200) does not necessarily have to exist inside the firewall (30). The existence of the firewall (30) is not related to the requirements of the present invention, and it is only present in the present embodiment because it exists as a standard in the network topology of a normal company. The print request transmitting terminal (300) corresponds to various devices equipped with a network communication function such as a mobile phone including a smartphone, a notebook PC, a desktop PC, a digital still camera having a network communication function, and a video camera.

  In the following, a use case for outputting a print document (also referred to as document data) desired by the print requester (50) to the printer will be described. The print requester (50) designates a print document such as a document file existing in the print request transmission terminal (300) or a document file or image file existing in the file server (40) on the network, and the print service server (100). To create a print job in a format that can be understood by the printer to be printed. The print job includes print data in a format understandable by the printer (200), print settings for specifying a print processing method such as the number of copies to be printed and an imposition instruction for printing, and a request (in) Tent) and information indicating the print data acquisition interface (112) provided by the print service server (100). The reason why the print request is not created in the print request transmission terminal (300) is that the processing capability of the print transmission terminal (300) is low and the firewall (30) from the print transmission terminal (300) to the printer (200). This is because the print job cannot be sent directly by the function of The print requester (50) transmits a print request from the print request transmission terminal (300) to the print service server (100). The contents of the print request will be described later. The print request reception interface (111) of the print service server (100) is disclosed as a fixed URL. This URL is accepted by transmitting the above information set as XML format data using the HTTP protocol. The print service server (100) normally performs authentication processing such as limiting the print requester (50) and registering the target printer (200) for the purpose of eliminating unauthorized printing requests. However, in the present invention, the processing relating to the authentication of the print requester (50) and the printer (200) is not related to the essential points of the invention. To accept.

Upon receiving a print request, the print service server (100) generates a print job and spools it in an internal storage area in the order of generation. A unique print job ID is assigned to the print job, which is used when a list of job IDs is transmitted as a list of print jobs in response to a request from the printer (200) later. The generated print job is
1. 1. A preset print job retention period elapses. 2. Explicit deletion request from print requester (50) The print service server (100) holds the print data until the print data acquisition from the printer is completed.

  The printer (200) accesses the print job reference request interface (113) of the print service server (100) periodically (for example, every 10 minutes), and whether there is a print job associated with its own printer identification information. Confirm. The reason why the printer (200) starts to access the print service server (100) is because the firewall (30) exists. Usually, since the traffic from the outside to the inside of the firewall (30) is set to be blocked, communication from the print service server (100) to the printer (200) initiated is impossible. If the generated print job does not exist, the printer (200) waits until the next print job reference timing, and makes a print job reference request again.

The print service server (100) may hold a plurality of print jobs generated by processing a print request requested by the print requester (50). These print jobs are identified by a unique print job ID. The printer (200) acquires all the print jobs in the acquired list and spools them inside. For the acquired print job: Intent 2. 2. Number of print data 3. Each print data acquisition interface Contains the print data file path.

  The print service server (100) of this embodiment is limited to the number of created print data up to three. The number of print data to be created is not a fixed number determined in advance between the print service server (100) and the printer (200). The print service server (100) can analyze the intent and determine the number of print data to be created in consideration of the adjustment factors that the intent means. The number of print data may be determined according to a service contract with a specific print requester (50). In particular, when a print document includes a large number of color images, there is a high possibility that an intent relating to a color will be designated. Therefore, it is preferable to increase the number of print data prepared for that case. Further, the number of print data may be determined in consideration of printer capability information.

  The printer (200) selects the print job created earliest from the jobs in the print job queue and starts the printing process. Here, the jobs in the print job queue are taken into the printer (200) in order, but the actual printing order can be changed for the convenience of the printer. Since this point is not related to the main point of this patent, its description is omitted.

  The printer (200) selects one of a plurality of print data included in the print job, accesses the actual print data request interface (112), acquires the print data, and executes printing on the recording paper.

  FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a computer on which the print service server (100) and the print request transmission terminal (300) operate. The print service server is an application program that runs on an OS (operating system), and is stored in the HDD (2) or ROM (1). The CPU (5) reads the OS and application programs from the HDD (2) or ROM (1), loads them into the RAM (4), executes them, and various processes proceed to realize the function as a print service server. The processing result is stored as a file in the HDD (2) or as data in the RAM (4). The application program acquires user inputs and reading values of various sensors from an input device (7) connected to the computer. Further, information is output to the output device (6), and the processing result is displayed. Furthermore, it communicates with other computers and devices connected to the network via the communication device (8). These hardware units are connected to each other via a control bus (1) and can be operated from an application program.

  FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the printer (200). The printer is also configured as a collection of application programs that run on the OS (operating system), and is stored in the HDD (11) or ROM (12). The CPU (14) reads out the OS and application programs from the HDD (11) or ROM (12), loads them into the RAM (13), and executes them to execute various processes and realize functions as a printer. The processing result is stored in the HDD (11) as a file or stored in the RAM (13) as data. An application program constituting the printer acquires user input and reading values of various sensors from an input device (16) connected to the control bus (10). Further, information is output to the output device (15), and the processing result is displayed. Furthermore, it communicates with other computers and devices connected to the network via the communication device (17). The printing device is a device that reads data stored in the RAM (13) and records it on a recording sheet. These hardware units are connected to each other via a control bus (1) and can be operated from an application program.

  Next, details of some terms that have appeared in the explanation along the above use cases will be explained here.

"Print request"
A request transmitted from the print request transmission terminal (300) to the print service server (100) is a print request and includes the following information:
1. Document to be printed (data itself or its URL)
2. 2. Mac address of printer as printer identification information Print settings (number of copies, print imposition instructions, etc.)
4). Intent (Instructions such as “Darker colors” or “Priority on printing speed”)
5. Printer capability information (color / BW, presence of imposition function)
The intent here is one item selected by the user from the items indicating the intentions of a plurality of users (for example, “darken color” or “priority of printing speed”) (for example, “darken color”). Is set.

  The printer identification information here uses the Mac address of the printer, but any information can be used as long as the print service server (100) can uniquely identify the printer (200). For example, the following character string “NipponTaro / printer / 001” in which the name and serial number of the print requester (20) are connected may be used. Alternatively, a GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) may be generated and assigned.

  The printer capability information is information indicating the functions of the printer. This information is associated with the printer identification information and stored in the printer capability storage unit (106) in the print service server (100). The once stored capability information is retrieved from the printer capability storage unit (106) and used by the printer capability acquisition unit (102) from the printer identification information at the time of another print request.

"Intent"
The intent is simply a “requirement” of the print requester (20) for the print result and print data generation method. That is, it is information indicating the user's request or intention for the printed matter. In the intent example, the expression is in the form of “what you want to do”, such as “darker”. Since “what” can be regarded as an element name and “what you want” as a set value, the intent can be expressed by a notation method in which the set value is substituted for the element name.

In addition to the above, the intent for printing is as follows:-Brightness / darkness of the color tone (tone)-Darker / thin color-Increase / decrease saturation-Increase / decrease brightness-Increase / decrease amount of print data-Total Increase / decrease printing time • Increase / decrease print throughput • Increase / decrease print data complexity • Increase / decrease print data complexity • Increase / decrease print media drying time • Ink / toner consumption (or its amount) Increase / decrease the conversion value) Increase / decrease the recording medium consumption (or its value conversion value) Increase / decrease the power consumption (or the value conversion value) Increase / decrease the communication charge The Greenhouse effect index There are vocabularies such as large / small.

In the intent protocol, a part (element name) corresponding to “what” is a literal expression, and a part (setting value) corresponding to “what” is expressed by a signed decimal natural number. For example, “brighter color tone” is expressed as “tone = + 2”. In this example, the color tone is expressed by a literal “tone”, and the value can be specified in five levels. +2, +1, 0, −1, −2 are connected by “=” as a size expression. Express. An intent can specify a plurality of elements listed above with priority. That is, the print request may include at least one intent among a plurality of intents. For example, if you want to “reduce the amount of print data” while giving priority to “brighter colors”,
“Tone = + 2] datasize = −1”
Is written. Multiple designations are possible by linking element names = designated values with a concatenator ']', and the left one means high priority. When specifying multiple items with the same priority, use the connector ','.

<PrintRequest>
<Parameters>
<Document type = "reference"> www. myfilesserver. com / myphoto. jpg </ document>
<PrinterID> 123.456.789 </ printerID>
<Characteristics copies = "1" faces = "2" //
<Intent> tone = + 2, datasize = -1 </ intent>
</ Parameters>
</ PrintRequest>
The parameters for making a print request to the print service server are XML fragments as described above. It is understood that an intent is set as the value of the <intent> element in this fragment. It is possible that no intent is specified. In that case, an empty string may be passed as the value of the <intent> element. The intent can be regarded as a kind of print setting for printing presented by the print requester (50). That is, the intent (information indicating the user's intention) included in the print request is set by selecting at least one intent from a plurality of intents according to a user instruction via print settings.
There are two ways to use intents:
1. 1. Use as an instruction means of preference of the print requester for printed matter An example of use 1 is shown for the purpose of correcting negative factors caused by the printer status. If the printer is properly adjusted and the recording materials (ink, toner) and recording paper are suitable for the printed document, the print requester can reflect the intent to reflect his / her preference. What is necessary is just to use as an instruction | indication means. For example, a print document has a picture of autumn leaves, and a print requester who wants to print with emphasis on redness wants to create print data that is positively adjusted to the taste of the print. Designate the intent to “reduce red density”.
Moreover, the example of utilization of said 2 is shown. If the printer is connected to a network with a narrow bandwidth, it takes time to download print data. For this reason, the print requester accepts the quality and trade-off of the printed material, and can specify the intent “to reduce the total printing time” and use it for the purpose of complementing the narrowness of the network bandwidth.

"Print Job"
A print job conceptually indicates a data structure in which data used for printing generated in the print service server and setting values for print processing are bundled into a coherent format. The print job is given unique identification information (print job ID) so that it can be identified. This identification information may be a serial number generated by the print service server (100), but it is necessary to have a number of digits sufficient to exceed the total number of print jobs held in the print service server (100). . The print job generated in the print service server is stored as a file in the storage device. Further, when taking out from the storage device, it is possible to designate the print job ID, acquire the file, and refer to the contents. The act of discarding a print job is realized as deleting a file.

  Detailed contents of data and setting values included in the print job will be described. The printer is created in an understandable format, and the contents are binary format data that can be given to the hardware logic via the printer's memory, or given to the conversion logic implemented as firmware for printing. Data described in some description language (PDL) that can be converted into a format that can be processed by the engine is referred to as print data. The print job includes the contents of the print data directly in the file or includes reference information such as a file path of the print data filed. Further, the print job includes print settings for designating a print processing method such as the number of copies to be printed and a print imposition instruction. Furthermore, the print job includes a print data acquisition interface (112) provided by the print service server in the URL format. Further, the print job created by the print service server of the present invention includes a request (intent) related to printing by the print requester (50).

"Interface for acquiring print data files"
The interface provided by the print service server (100) for acquiring the print data file is, for example,
http: // www. myprintservice. com / 12-34-56-78-9A-BC / 453321/1. pdf
Is written. The http protocol at a location where the host name “www.myprintservice.com” and the print data file path “12-34-56-78-9A-BC / 45331 / 1.pdf” exist in the print service server (100). This means that you can access it. When a total of three print data files are provided, / 12-34-56-78-9A-BC / 453321/1. pdf
/ 12-34-56-78-9A-BC / 45321/2. pdf
/ 12-34-56-78-9A-BC / 453321/3. pdf
Is prepared. In the above, a file path notation in which a value (12-34-56-78-9A-BC) meaning printer identification information is followed by a job ID (45321 in this example) and a print data file (x.pdf) is designated. It has become.

  Hereinafter, the processing flow in both the print service server and the printer of the print system of the present invention will be described in detail.

“Print Service Server Event Loop (S001)”
FIG. 5 shows an event loop process that starts when the print service server (100) is activated. The print service server (100) loops indefinitely while waiting for four events. One of the waiting events is “print request”. The print request is generated when the print request transmission terminal (300) sends a request to the print request reception interface (111) in FIG. If this event is detected in S002, print request acceptance processing (S100) is executed. Another event to wait for is “print job list request”. The print job list request is generated when the print request transmission terminal (300) sends a request to the print job reference request interface (113) of FIG. If this event is detected in S003, a print job list process (S200) is executed. Another event to wait for is “print job reference request”. The print job reference request is generated when the print request transmission terminal (300) sends a request to the print job reference request interface (113) in FIG. If this event is detected in S004, a print job reference process (S300) is executed. Another event to wait for is “print data transmission request”. The print data transmission request is generated when the print request transmission terminal (300) sends a request to the print data request interface (112) in FIG. If this event is detected in S005, a print data transmission process (S400) is executed.

“Print Request Acceptance Processing (S100)”
FIG. 6 shows a process flow of the print request reception process (S100). The print request received by the print request reception interface (111) is processed by the print request processing unit (101) in FIG. The parameters passed at the time of request are acquired (S101) and stored in the print request queue (105). Next, a print job creation process (S500) is performed by the print job creation unit (104) in FIG. The created print job is given a print job ID and stored in the print job storage unit (108) (S102). The stored print job is in a state where it can be searched and the contents referred to by specifying the print job ID. Further, since the print job ID is stored in association with the printer identification information, it is possible to specify the printer identification information and enumerate related print job IDs. Details of the print job creation process will be described later.

“Print Job List Processing (S200)”
FIG. 7 shows a processing flow of the print job list process (S200). The print job list request received by the print job reference request interface (113) is processed by the print job reference request processing unit (110) in FIG. When requested, printer identification information is passed as a parameter. This is because the requesting printer (200) has designated printer identification information assigned to itself. The print job reference request processing unit (110) designates the passed printer identification information, searches the print job storage unit (108) for related print jobs, and creates a list of the print job IDs (S201). The created print job ID list is returned from the print job reference request interface (113) to the requesting printer (200) (S202).

“Print Job Reference Processing (S300)”
Since the printer (200) that has obtained the print job list by making a print job list request is responsible for executing those print jobs, the print job reference request is sent to the print job reference request interface (113) without leaving time. Come on. The parameter of this request is a print job ID. One print job is referred to in one request. Therefore, the printer makes a print job reference request for the number of print jobs listed. The print job reference request is also processed by the print job reference request processing unit (110) in FIG.

  FIG. 8 shows a processing flow of the print job reference process (S300). The print job reference request processing unit (110) acquires the print job ID received as a parameter (S301), and designates the ID in the print job storage unit (108) to search for a print job (S302). Create reply data from the contents of the acquired print job. At this time, since a plurality of print data has already been created, an interface for them is created as a URL (S303), added to the print job and stored, and the result is returned to the requesting printer (200). (S304).

“Print Data Transmission Process (S400)”
The printer (200) that has performed the print job reference request processing several times actually executes each print job. Since the contents of the print job have already been acquired, print data may be acquired for execution. A plurality of print data are already created and prepared for one print job. An interface for acquiring the print data is also prepared, and the print service server (100) is in a state of only waiting for a request for the print data request interface (112) from the printer (200).

  FIG. 9 shows a process flow of the print data transmission process (S400). The printer (200) selects at least one of a plurality of print data held by a print job, accesses the acquisition interface, and acquires the contents (print data). When the print service server (100) receives a request for the print data request interface (112), the print data transmission unit (109) in FIG. 1 performs processing (S400). The URL of the interface has a notation directly connected to the print data, and the file path of the print data stored as a file can be easily obtained from the URL. The print data transmission unit (109) designates the file path, acquires the file storing the print data from the print data storage unit (107), and reads the contents (S401). The read data is transmitted as it is from the print data request interface (112) to the requesting printer (200). Data reading and transmission are repeated until all the contents of the print data are read (S402), and the process ends.

“Print Job Creation Processing (S500)”
FIG. 10 shows a processing flow of print job creation processing. The print job creation unit (104) in FIG. 1 executes S500 using the request parameters received at the time of the print request. In this process, a unique ID is generated and given as a print job ID, and a print document (document data) is acquired. Then, a plurality of pieces of print data in a format that can be processed by the printer reflecting the print settings and intent are created from the acquired document data, and the print data is collected as a print job.

  First, an intent is acquired from the request parameter (S501). That is, the process of S501 is a process of receiving at least one piece of information (intent) selected based on a user instruction from a plurality of pieces of information (intent) indicating the user's intention. Since the intent is described according to a certain notation method as described above, the interpretation is performed and converted into contents understandable by the program is the processing performed in S501.

  In the subsequent S502, the extracted intent is separated into an “adjustment element” and its “adjustment amount (degree)”.

  FIG. 11 is a table showing how the adjustment elements and the three adjustment amounts are combined when the intent is designated as “fast print speed”. It can be seen that the adjustment elements are two elements of “image resolution” and “color” in the leftmost column of FIG. Furthermore, the uppermost line in the figure shows “degree” which means the adjustment amount. Specific values, adjustment methods, etc. are entered in each cell of the table formed. The table is actually constructed in a format that can be understood by the program. Each cell may be empty. This means that there may not be an appropriate adjustment. 11 are prepared for the number of intent vocabularies that can be processed by the print service server, and values determined by adjustment factors and degree are acquired from the table.

  In subsequent S503, a plurality of print data is created from the document data using the values acquired from this table. That is, the process of S503 is a process of generating a plurality of print data based on the information received in S501.

As shown in FIG. 11, the specific policy selected by the print service server is as follows:
1. Reduce the resolution of the image contained in the print document and reduce the amount of print data.

2. Create color print data as black and white print data to reduce the amount of print data.
The print data with the least degree of reflection of the intent, that is, “small effect” that speeds up printing, is created as an image data file “/12-34-56-78-9A-BC/45331/1.pdf”. . Similarly, the print data with the normal degree of reflection of the intent, that is, the “normal effect” that speeds up printing, is created as an image data file “/12-34-56-78-9A-BC/453321/2.pdf”. The Similarly, the print data with the maximum degree of reflection of the intent, that is, “high effect” that accelerates printing, is created as an image data file “/12-34-56-78-9A-BC/45331/3.pdf”. The The print service server attempts to reduce the image data amount by making the resolution of the image included in the print document rough from the original 600 * 600 dpi (dot-per-inch). In the case of “normal effect” print data, the image resolution is reduced to 480 * 480 dpi, and in the case of “high effect”, the data amount is further reduced to 300 * 300 dpi. In addition, the amount of data is reduced by replacing the color portion of the printed document with black and white. This black-and-white replacement is controlled so as to process only the “effective”. The three patterns of print data created based on the intent as described above (S503) are stored in the print data storage unit (107) and linked to the print document (S504). This is the end of the description of the processing of the print service server.

  Next, processing on the printer side will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the main processing (S600) of the printer. When the printer is activated, it accesses the print job reference interface (113) of the print service server, and checks whether a print job for itself exists (S601). Details of setting the print job reference interface (113) of the print service server (100) for the printer (200) will be described. It is set when the printer (200) is shipped from the factory, or stored by the printer administrator or print requester (50) via the input device (16) of the printer (200). . The existence of a print job is confirmed by acquiring a list of print job IDs periodically (every 10 minutes). If the presence of the acquired print job is confirmed, the contents of each print job in the list are acquired (S602). The acquired print job is stored in the print job queue (205) of FIG. When all print jobs in the print service server have been acquired, the jobs in the print job queue are taken out and printed (S603). If no print job exists in the print job queue (205), the process returns to S601 after 10 minutes, which is the above-described print job confirmation cycle, and a loop for confirming the existence of the print job is performed. If a print job is found in the print job queue in step S603, the process advances to step S604 to initialize the print data selection processing unit (202).

In initialization, a setting value required by the print data selection processing unit (202) is set to an initial value. In the print data selection process (S620), a policy for selecting which one of the three print data to select first. 2. Number of pages of print data required for selection The standard value that is the standard for selection is required as the initial value. Different values are prepared for each intent at least. Three patterns of print data are prepared for each print job. Among these, according to the policy designated by 1, printing data of a certain pattern is selected and printed. When printing is started, it is necessary to evaluate whether the selected print data is effective according to the intent. Therefore, it is necessary to acquire and print a certain amount of print data. The number of pages is the above-mentioned number of 2 that indicates the total amount. Since the three patterns of print data are different from each other in image resolution, color, print mode, and the like, changing the print data within the same print page may cause a noticeable boundary. For this reason, selection and switching of print data are generated at the recording paper boundary (page boundary). The print data used for selecting the print data has a value of about several pages.

  The processing of the printer (200) is to acquire and analyze all the print data prepared by the print service server (100) prior to printing, select appropriate print data, and then print the print data. It is not pre-deterministic. After selecting one of the print data prepared by the print service server (100) according to the policy, a part of the data is actually acquired and printed, and the next printing is performed based on the obtained result. Reselect the data. That is, adaptive print processing is performed.

  The initial value is given as a fixed value when the printer (200) is manufactured, and is stored in the HDD (11) or ROM (12) in FIG. 4 in the form of a program or a setting file. The printer (200) actually repeats printing and evaluation using the above initial values, so that feedback is given to the print data selection method, and a new initial value is selected to be reflected in the next printing. May be implemented. For example, as for the number of pages of print data necessary for the above selection 2, when the intent is “fast print speed”, the set value at the time of manufacturing the printer (200) is set to 5 pages. Since this value depends mainly on the type of document to be printed by the print requester (50), a larger value is selected. Assuming documents such as papers with a large number of characters and scattered graphs and photographs, the first two or three pages often have a cover and table of contents. That is, since the image for evaluating the effect of the printing speed is rarely included in the first two to three pages, the page for evaluation is set a little larger and set to five pages. On the other hand, when the print requester (50) mostly prints a photo, the image that affects the printing speed appears up to the fifth page, so that the intent that the printing speed is given priority is reflected. Will take time. Therefore, in the printer (200), various control parameters used for intent processing, in particular, the above initial values are learned by repeating printing, and new initial values are self-set and stored in the HDD (11). Is considered effective. Alternatively, the print requester (50) having a plurality of printers (200) of the same model may desire to set the preset initial values in the printer (200) without waiting for the learning effect of each printer. In that case, the function of storing the initial value in the HDD (11) in the form of a file via the input device (16) of the printer (200) or via the communication device (17) is provided. Can be realized. Further, the initial value file can be downloaded to the printer (200) by the print requester (50) via the print service server (100). By providing the print service server with a function for linking an initial value file to a print job, an appropriate initial value can be set in the printer for each printing.

  The evaluation calculation unit (206) evaluates whether there is an effect according to the intent by selecting the print data. The evaluation calculation unit is initialized in step S605, and the printing process in step S610 is performed. In the initialization of the evaluation calculation unit (206), an intent is given. That is, the process of S605 is a process of receiving at least one piece of information (intent) selected based on a user instruction from a plurality of pieces of information (intent) indicating the user's intention.

  In the evaluation calculation section, there are prepared evaluation reference values for each intent. The evaluation reference values are taken out according to the intent given by initialization and used as a comparison target with the measured values during the evaluation process. The The evaluation standard value varies depending on the intent. The evaluation reference value used when the intent is designated “fast print speed” is given as a print time reference value, and in color printing, a value meaning a time of 20 ± 2 seconds per page is given. This value is set as a fixed value when the printer is manufactured, but may be updated by the printer itself, or may be changed from the time of shipment from the factory by the setting of the print requester.

  The printing process (S610) is repeated in the order of acquisition of print data-> print-> evaluation until print data is output on all pages. In this process, a loop for applying feedback while always evaluating print data selection and printing according to the intent is formed.

  FIG. 13 is a detailed processing flow of the printing process (S610). First, the print data selection process (FIG. 14) of S620 is performed. This process determines and outputs which of the three print data is to be selected. That is, in the process of S620, the print data selected at the start of printing is designated in S604. Feedback is applied from the evaluation after actually printing the initially selected print data. Details of the feedback will be described later. Next, it is determined whether all print data has been acquired (S611). When the acquisition is completed, this process ends. If not completed yet, the process proceeds to S612.

  In step S612, the number of pages given as the initial value in step S620 is acquired from one of the three selected print data. Acquisition is performed by the print data acquisition unit (203). In other words, the process in S612 is performed by using one print data selected based on the request from the printing apparatus transmitted in S620 among the plurality of print data generated in S503, as a print service server (image processing apparatus). Includes a process of transmitting to the printing apparatus.

  In step S613, the acquired print data is printed by the printing unit (201). The printer acquires an intent embedded in the print data. According to this intent, printing is also performed by switching the printing control within three patterns within the printer. That is, a print that satisfies the intent is realized by combining the process of selecting three patterns of print data generated by the print service server and the three patterns of print processes prepared by the printer. That is, the process of S613 is performed by the user's instruction from a plurality of information (intents) indicating the user's intention with respect to the print data transmitted from the print service server (image processing apparatus) by the printer (printing apparatus). Is a process of printing image data subjected to image processing by performing image processing based on at least one piece of information (intent) selected based on.

  The printing path control of the table shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to the process of adjustment by the printer. When printing, the printer applies ink a plurality of times to form a print. As the number of times of application increases, the area where the inks fill the surface of the recording paper increases, so that the graininess of the ink is reduced and color development is improved. On the other hand, there is a trade-off in terms of cost because printing takes a long time or the amount of ink to be printed increases, and a dedicated recording sheet is required.

  Now, according to FIG. 11, since “Increase printing speed” is designated as the intent, the printer main body is configured to change the number of printing passes in three patterns and select a printing method that increases the speed.

  In step S614, the result of the printing process is evaluated as to how much the intent has been realized. S614 is performed by the evaluation calculation unit (206) of FIG. In the evaluation calculation, measurement elements determined in advance according to the intent are measured and calculated as an evaluation. For the intent of “fast print speed”, the effect is that the time required to transfer the print data transferred from the print service server to the printer and the print time required to print the print data are reduced. Calculate the total time. If the number of evaluation pages necessary for selection is five, what is calculated here is the sum of the print data transfer time for five pages and the print time for five pages. That is, the process of S614 is performed by performing a printing process by the printer (printing apparatus), at least one piece of information (intent) selected based on a user instruction from a plurality of pieces of information (intent) indicating the user's intention, and This is a process of evaluating based on information related to a printed matter of a page that has already been printed among a plurality of pages included in the print data.

  Next, the print data selection process (S620) will be described with reference to FIG. The processing time calculated in S614 is input as “evaluation”, and the page number of the print data currently being processed is given as an input, and the process of outputting which print data of the three patterns is selected is performed. In S621, it is determined whether or not the number of pages currently being processed has accumulated and the number of pages necessary for evaluation has been reached. For example, if the number of pages required for the evaluation is 5, the process ends (S622) assuming that the evaluation cannot be made unless 5 pages or more of print data have been acquired from the start of printing. At that time, the print data is not changed from the currently selected print data. Since the data for the number of pages necessary for the evaluation are acquired together in S612, the determination is normally Yes in S621, and the process proceeds to S623. If the number of pages of the acquired print data exceeds the required number of pages, the “evaluation” value input in S623 is compared with the “reference value” corresponding to the intent internally.

  The process branches to S624, S625, or S626 depending on the magnitude of the difference between the reference value and the evaluation value. If “evaluation” is significantly smaller than “reference value”, it is determined that the degree of satisfaction of the intent is low. Accordingly, print data with higher effect is selected (S624). Similarly, when “evaluation” is significantly larger than “reference value”, it is determined that the degree of satisfaction of the intent is high. Accordingly, print data with less effect is selected (S626).

  The “reference value” when “fast print speed” is designated as the intent is prepared as a printing time for comparison with the “evaluation” value. In this example, 20 ± 2 seconds per page is set as a reference printing time. Therefore, the reference value is calculated as 100 ± 10 seconds for 5 pages. The comparison in step S623 is performed by comparing the three cases: printing in a time shorter than 100-10 seconds, that is, 90 seconds, printing in a time longer than 100 + 10 seconds, that is, 110 seconds, or other cases. In this comparison, since the evaluation is the actually measured printing time of 5 pages, if the printing time is less than 90 seconds, it is determined that the print data is more effective than the reference value. Similarly, if it is longer than 110 seconds, the evaluation is determined to be lower than the reference.

  The reason why the print data to be used is reselected with a small effect even when the effect is sufficiently satisfied is as follows. That is, if the effect is sufficient, it means that the trade-off is large. Although print data aimed at improving the printing speed was used, the resolution of the printed image is lowered as a trade-off. The goal of “satisfied” the intent is not greatly satisfied but rather moderate. For this reason, print data is reselected even when “evaluation” is large and exceeds “reference value”. If the difference is within a certain range (S625), the currently selected print data is not changed. The print data selected in S624 to S626 is stored in S627.

  Furthermore, which print data is selected in S628 is returned to the caller.

  In other words, the process of S620 (S621 to 628) selects one print data out of a plurality of print data according to the evaluation obtained in the process of S614, and sends a request for the selected print data to the print service server ( Image processing apparatus).

  From the above description, a mechanism has been disclosed in which print data creation and printing reflecting the intent of the print requester are performed by the cooperation processing between the print service server and the printer of the present invention.

  Next, how the selection of print data corresponding to the printer status, which is the object of the present invention, functions will be described. Assume a situation in which a print requester (50) prints a document including a photograph to a printer (200). It is assumed that the printer is an ink jet printer and holds “ink jet plain paper” as a recording paper in a paper cassette. As the recording paper for inkjet, “plain paper” is a paper having different color developability and ink holding ability according to the document to be printed, such as “coated paper”, “photographic coated paper”, and the like. Although plain paper is cheap, its ink permeability is lower than that of coated paper and its ink retention is small. Therefore, a lot of ink is not stacked on plain paper. The print requester (50) designates an intent “deep color” to the print service server (100) to print a photograph. The print service server (100) prepares three patterns of print data that has been corrected for color. Image data is created on the assumption that photographic coated paper is used as the recording paper. For the color correction, three patterns are created in which each ink density (ink usage) is corrected to “normal”, “slightly increased than normal”, and “substantially increased than normal”. The printer (200) receives this print job and receives the intent of the print requester (50). At this point, the printer knows that “plain paper” is set instead of “photographic coated paper” in its paper cassette, so when printing according to the intent, the amount of ink applied to the paper It is possible to determine that the printing surface itself is over and the printing surface overflows and the printing itself fails. Therefore, the printing pass control is selected as 1-pass control (initialization), and the amount of ink applied is suppressed to an amount acceptable for plain paper. In addition, the print data having the lowest density (ie, normal) correction among the three patterns prepared is selected. This is because the print data to be selected first is determined by the policy of selecting the one with the lowest density, and is not determined by calculation after acquiring the three patterns of print data. When the intent is density, the print data evaluation process in S614 performed after actual printing calculates the ink application amount (total of the ink application amounts of the respective colors). The application amount is determined by counting the number of bits corresponding to each color ink dot of the print data developed on the memory. Print data created by the print service server (100) is actually acquired for the specified number of pages, and the printer (200) performs print processing according to the intent determined by itself, and is used for printing. The number of ink particles of each color can be calculated by counting the bits on the memory.

  Further, in the print data selection process of S620, the difference from the reference value is calculated, and the print data is selected. If the print data selected in this process is appropriate, printing is continued as it is. As described above, according to the present invention, selection of print data reflecting the status of the printer (in this example, the type of recording paper) at the time of printing is performed.

(Other examples)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. In this process, software (computer program) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and the computer of the system or apparatus (or CPU, MPU, etc.) is programmed. Is read and executed.

Claims (15)

A printing system having an image processing device and a printing device,
The image processing apparatus includes:
An acquisition means for acquiring document data;
Generating means for generating a plurality of print data from the acquired document data;
Transmitting means for transmitting one print data selected based on a request from the printing apparatus among the plurality of print data to the printing apparatus;
Have
The printing apparatus includes:
Evaluation means for evaluating printing by the printing apparatus;
A transmission unit configured to transmit a request for one print data of the plurality of print data to the image processing apparatus according to the evaluation;
Printing means for printing the print data transmitted from the image processing apparatus;
A printing system comprising: The image processing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving at least one piece of information selected based on a user's instruction from a plurality of pieces of information indicating the user's intention;
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates the plurality of print data based on the received information. The printing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving at least one piece of information selected based on a user's instruction from the plurality of pieces of information indicating the user's intention;
The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the evaluation unit executes the evaluation based on the received information. The print data is print data on which a printed matter of a plurality of pages is printed,
The printing system according to claim 3, wherein the evaluation unit performs the evaluation based on information regarding a printed matter of a page that has already been printed among the plurality of pages.   The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the printing unit performs image processing based on the received at least one piece of information on print data, and prints the print data subjected to image processing. An acquisition means for acquiring document data;
Receiving means for receiving at least one piece of information selected based on a user's instruction from a plurality of pieces of information indicating the user's intention;
Generating means for generating a plurality of print data based on the received information from the acquired document data;
Transmitting means for transmitting one print data selected based on a request from a printing device among the plurality of print data to the printing device;
An image processing apparatus. A printing apparatus that communicates with an image processing apparatus that stores a plurality of print data generated from one document data,
Evaluation means for evaluating printing by the printing apparatus;
A transmission unit configured to transmit a request for one print data among the plurality of generated print data to the image processing apparatus according to the evaluation;
Printing means for printing the print data transmitted from the image processing apparatus in response to the request;
A printing apparatus. Receiving means for receiving at least one piece of information selected based on a user's instruction from a plurality of pieces of information indicating the user's intention;
The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the evaluation unit executes the evaluation based on the received information. The print data is print data on which a printed matter of a plurality of pages is printed,
The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the evaluation unit performs the evaluation based on a printed matter of a page that has already been printed among the plurality of pages.   The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the printing unit performs image processing based on the received at least one piece of information on print data, and prints the print data subjected to image processing. A printing method executed by a printing system having an image processing apparatus for storing document data and a printing apparatus for printing print data,
An acquisition process for acquiring document data;
A generation step of generating a plurality of print data from the acquired document data;
An evaluation step for evaluating printing by the printing apparatus;
A transmission step of transmitting a request for one print data of the plurality of print data to the image processing apparatus according to the evaluation;
A transmission step of transmitting one print data selected based on a request from the printing device among the plurality of print data to the printing device;
A printing process for printing the print data transmitted from the image processing apparatus;
A printing method characterized by comprising: An acquisition process for acquiring document data;
A receiving step of receiving at least one piece of information selected based on a user's instruction from a plurality of pieces of information indicating the user's intention;
Generating a plurality of print data based on the received information from the acquired document data;
A transmission step of transmitting one print data selected based on a request from a printing device among the plurality of print data to the printing device;
An image processing method. A printing method executed by a printing apparatus that communicates with an image processing apparatus that stores a plurality of print data generated from one document data,
An evaluation step for evaluating printing by the printing apparatus;
A transmission step of transmitting a request for one print data among the plurality of generated print data to the image processing apparatus in response to the evaluation;
A printing process for printing the print data transmitted from the image processing apparatus in response to the request;
A printing method comprising:   A program for causing a computer to execute the image processing method according to claim 12.   A program for causing a printing apparatus to execute the printing method according to claim 13.

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