JP2016200999A - Printing instruction device, printing system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing instruction device for, when performing printing based on image data including a gradation image and a code image, suppressing deterioration in the quality of the gradation image and deterioration in the reading accuracy of the code image.SOLUTION: A printer driver 22 provided in a computer device 20 acquires image data (object data) including a gradation image and a code image from an application 21, and detects a code image from the acquired image data. Then, the printer driver generates print data by performing halftone processing to the gradation image in the acquired image data, and generates print data indicating being the code image without performing the halftone processing to the detected code image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a print instruction apparatus, a printing system, and a program.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a print job generation unit that generates a print job from image data, a printer driver that generates halftone processing of the print job to generate drawing data, a storage unit that temporarily stores drawing data, A drawing apparatus including a printer unit that performs drawing based on drawing data input from the unit is described.

JP 2014-78188 A

Here, printing is performed based on image data having a grayscale image expressed in multiple gradations and a code image including code information (for example, a QR code (registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED) or a barcode). Consider the case of doing. At this time, for example, when halftone processing is performed on both the grayscale image and the code image, there is a concern that the reading accuracy of the printed code image may be lowered. On the other hand, for example, when the halftone process is not performed on both the grayscale image and the code image, there is a concern that the quality of the printed grayscale image is degraded.
An object of the present invention is to suppress deterioration in quality of a grayscale image and reading accuracy of a code image when performing printing based on image data including a grayscale image and a code image.

The invention according to claim 1 is an acquisition unit that acquires image data including a grayscale image and a code image, a detection unit that detects a code image from the image data acquired by the acquisition unit, and the acquisition unit acquires Among the image data, the grayscale image is subjected to halftone processing to generate print data, and the code image detected by the detection means is a code image without being subjected to halftone processing. A print instructing device including a generating unit that generates print data.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the acquisition unit acquires the image data in which both the grayscale image and the code image are set in an image object, and the detection unit is set in the image object in the image data. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the code image is detected from the acquired data.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the generation means generates a control command that can be interpreted as an image object by a printing apparatus that prints an image on a recording material using print data as print data relating to the grayscale image. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a control command that can be interpreted as a code image by the printing apparatus is generated as print data indicating the code image. is there.
The invention according to claim 4 further comprises setting means for setting so as not to execute the detection of the code image in the detection means according to an instruction from a user. The print instruction apparatus according to the above.
The invention according to claim 5 is an acquisition unit that acquires image data including a grayscale image and a code image, a detection unit that detects a code image from the image data acquired by the acquisition unit, and the acquisition unit acquires Among the image data, the grayscale image is subjected to halftone processing to generate print data, and the code image detected by the detection means is a code image without being subjected to halftone processing. A print instruction apparatus having a generation means for generating print data and an output means for outputting the print data generated by the generation means, and using the print data received from the print instruction apparatus, an image is recorded on a recording material. A printing system including a printing apparatus for printing.
The invention according to claim 6 is a function of acquiring image data including a grayscale image and a code image in a computer, a function of detecting a code image from the acquired image data, and among the acquired image data, A program that realizes a function of generating print data by performing halftone processing on a grayscale image, and generating print data indicating that the detected code image is a code image without performing halftone processing. .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when printing based on image data including a grayscale image and a code image is performed, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the quality of the grayscale image and a decrease in the reading accuracy of the code image.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, for example, when printing based on image data including an object other than an image object is performed, the processing applied to the image data can be simplified.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily execute the process of printing the grayscale image and the code image by the printing apparatus.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, for example, when printing based on image data not including a code image is performed, it is possible to simplify the processing applied to the image data.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when printing based on image data including a grayscale image and a code image is performed, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the quality of the grayscale image and a decrease in the reading accuracy of the code image.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when printing based on image data including a grayscale image and a code image is performed, the computer has a function of suppressing a decrease in the quality of the grayscale image and a decrease in the reading accuracy of the code image. realizable.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the printing system to which this Embodiment is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of a computer apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print data creation processing procedure. It is a figure which shows an example of the document (object data) used as printing object. 6 is a sequence chart for explaining an example of a print data creation processing procedure. (A)-(c) is a figure for demonstrating the determination method in step 109 shown in FIG. (A), (b) is a figure which shows an example of the control command of a barcode format. (A), (b) is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between a photographic image and a halftone process. (A), (b) is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between a code image and a halftone process.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<Overall configuration of printing system>
First, the overall configuration of the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system 1 to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. The printing system 1 includes a host device 10 and a printing device 100 connected to the host device 10 via a network or the like. Here, the host device 10 creates print data based on an instruction received from the user. The printing apparatus 100 prints an image on a recording material such as paper based on print data sent from the host apparatus 10.

  The host device 10 includes a computer device 20, an input device 30 and a display device 40 connected to the computer device 20. Among these, the computer device 20 executes various processes for creating print data. Further, the input device 30 receives input of various instructions by the user and sends it to the computer device 20. Further, the display device 40 displays an image to be presented to the user sent from the computer device 20.

  A computer apparatus 20 as an example of a print instruction apparatus includes an application 21, a printer driver 22, a spooler 23, and a language monitor 24. Among these, the application 21 is software for creating a document and the like. The printer driver 22 generates print data that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus 100 based on the document created by the application 21.

  Here, the printer driver 22 determines an object constituting the document sent from the application 21 and generates PDL (Page Description Language) as print data to be sent to the printing apparatus 100. Examples of the object include a graphic object including a graphic image, a character object including a character image, and an image object including a photographic image and a code image (so-called bitmap image). The printer driver 22 grasps what kind of object each object constituting the document corresponds to a command from the application 21. Furthermore, the spooler 23 temporarily holds print data to be output to the printing apparatus 100 via GDI (Graphics Device Interface) in response to a print request from the printer driver 22. Furthermore, the language monitor 24 exchanges data and the like with the printing apparatus 100.

  The printer driver 22 includes a UI (User Interface) processing unit 221, an image determination unit 222, a halftone processing unit 223, an image command generation processing unit 224, a barcode character string conversion processing unit 225, a barcode A command generation processing unit 226 and other control command generation processing unit 227 are provided.

  The UI processing unit 221 sets “code image optimization mode”. Here, the code image optimization mode is a mode set to improve the reading accuracy of the code image included in the document created by the application. The code image is an image including code information, and includes a one-dimensional code such as a barcode and a two-dimensional code such as a QR code. The code image optimization mode is set in accordance with a user instruction received via the input device 30.

  The image determination unit 222 determines whether or not various objects constituting the document sent from the application 21 are image objects. If the code image optimization mode is set when the image determination unit 222 determines that the object is an image object, the image determination unit 222 further processes the object as a general image object or generates a code image. Decide what to process. In other words, if the code image optimization mode is set, the image determination unit 222 performs a process of detecting a code image from various objects constituting the document. On the other hand, if the code image optimization mode is not set, the image determination unit 222 does not perform processing for detecting a code image from various objects constituting the document.

  Further, when the object is processed as a general image object by the determination of the image determination unit 222, halftone processing is performed by the halftone processing unit 223, as will be described later. On the other hand, when the object is processed as a code image by the determination of the image determination unit 222, the halftone process is not performed and the barcode character string conversion process is performed by the barcode character string conversion processing unit 225 as described later. .

The halftone processing unit 223 performs halftone processing on the input data. Here, when the code image optimization mode is set, the halftone processing unit 223 performs halftone processing on the image object determined to be processed as a general image object by the image determination unit 222. On the other hand, when the code image optimization mode is not set, the halftone processing unit 223 performs halftone processing on all the objects determined by the image determination unit 222 as image objects.
Note that the halftone processing executed by the halftone processing unit 223 may be any method using a known method such as various processing methods such as a density pattern method, a dither method, or an error diffusion method.

  The image command generation processing unit 224 converts the data subjected to the halftone processing by the halftone processing unit 223 into a control command (PDL) that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus 100. Here, the image command generation processing unit 224 converts the command type of the control command into an image format, and generates a control command (print data) so that the printing apparatus 100 can interpret that the object is an image object. This control command includes a bit string representing an image in the image object.

  The barcode character string conversion processing unit 225 performs barcode character string conversion processing on the image object that is determined to be processed as a code image by the image determination unit 222. The bar code character string conversion process is a process of regarding an image object as a code image and converting it into a character string or numerical data.

  The barcode command generation processing unit 226 converts the data subjected to the barcode character string conversion processing by the barcode character string conversion processing unit 225 into a control command (PDL) that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus 100. Here, the barcode command generation processing unit 226 generates a control command (print data) indicating that the object is a code image by changing the command type of the control command to a barcode format. In addition, this control command is generated so that the printing apparatus 100 can interpret that the object is a code image.

  The other control command generation processing unit 227 is a control command that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus 100 for an object other than an image object (that is, a graphic object or a character object) among various objects constituting the document sent from the application 21. (PDL). Here, the other control command generation processing unit 227 generates a control command by setting the command type of the control command to another format (for example, a character format or a graphic format) other than the image format or the barcode format.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the UI processing unit 221 has a function as an example of a setting unit. Further, the image determination unit 222 has a function as an example of an acquisition unit. Furthermore, the image determination unit 222 also has a function as an example of a detection unit. The halftone processing unit 223, the image command generation processing unit 224, the barcode character string conversion processing unit 225, and the barcode command generation processing unit 226 function as an example of a generation unit. Further, the spooler 23 and the language monitor 24 have functions as an example of output means.

  On the other hand, the printing apparatus 100 may form an image using toner or may form an image using ink. The printing apparatus 100 may form a single color (monochrome) image, or may form a plurality of colors (color).

<Hardware configuration of computer device>
Next, the hardware configuration of the computer apparatus 20 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the computer apparatus 20.

  The computer device 20 is realized by, for example, a personal computer. The computer device 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201 which is a calculation means, a main memory 202 and a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 203 which are storage means. Here, the CPU 201 executes various programs such as an OS (Operating System) and the application 21. The main memory 202 is a storage area for storing various programs and data used for execution thereof. The HDD 203 is a storage area for storing input data for various programs, output data from the various programs, and the like. Further, the computer device 20 includes a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “communication I / F”) 204 for performing communication with the input device 30, the display device 40, and the printing device 100.

  Note that the functions of the application 21, the printer driver 22, the spooler 23, and the language monitor 24 that constitute the computer device 20 shown in FIG. 1 are realized by cooperation of software and hardware resources. That is, the CPU 201 provided in the computer device 20 reads a program for realizing the functions of the respective units from, for example, the storage device of the HDD 203 into the main memory 202 to realize these functions. Note that the program can be provided to the computer device 20 via, for example, a network (not shown). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the program can be provided by being stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

<Flowchart of print data creation processing procedure>
Next, a procedure for creating print data by the computer device 20 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print data creation processing procedure by the computer apparatus 20.

  First, a user creates a document using the application 21 and issues a print instruction for the document. Accordingly, the image determination unit 222 of the printer driver 22 receives object data corresponding to the document from the application 21 (step 101). Here, the object data is an example of image data.

  Then, the image determination unit 222 analyzes the received object data and determines whether the object is in an image format (whether it is an image object) (step 102). When a negative determination (NO) is made in step 102, the other control command generation processing unit 227 can interpret the object by changing the command type to another format other than the image format or the barcode format, and can be interpreted by the printing apparatus 100. Is converted into a control command (PDL) (step 103). And it transfers to step 112 mentioned later.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination (YES) is made in step 102, the UI processing unit 221 determines whether or not the code image optimization mode is set by the user (step 104). If a negative determination (NO) is made in step 104, the halftone processing unit 223 performs halftone processing on this object (step 105). Next, the image command generation processing unit 224 converts the data subjected to the halftone processing into a control command (PDL) that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus 100 by converting the command type into an image format (step 106). And it transfers to step 112 mentioned later.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination (YES) is made in step 104, the image determination unit 222 analyzes the image constituting this object, and determines whether or not the shape is a square or a horizontally long rectangle (step). 107). If a negative determination (NO) is made in step 107, the object is processed as a general image object, and the process proceeds to step 105.

  On the other hand, if a positive determination (YES) is made in step 107, the image determination unit 222 determines whether or not the short side of the image determined to be a square or a horizontally long rectangle is less than 4 cm (step). 108). Here, when the image is determined to be a square, since all the sides have the same length, it is determined whether or not one side is less than 4 cm. If a negative determination (NO) is made in step 108, the object is processed as a general image object, and the process proceeds to step 105.

  If the determination in step 108 is affirmative (YES), the image determination unit 222 has continuity in the vertical direction for image data that is a square or a horizontally long rectangle and whose short side is determined to be less than 4 cm. It is determined whether or not there is (step 109). If a negative determination (NO) is made in step 109, the object is processed as a general image object, and the process proceeds to step 105.

  On the other hand, if a positive determination (YES) is made in step 109, this object is processed as a code image. Then, the barcode character string conversion processing unit 225 performs barcode character string conversion processing on this object, and converts it into character string or numerical data (step 110). Next, the barcode command generation processing unit 226 converts the data subjected to the barcode character string conversion processing into a control command (PDL) that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus 100 by converting the command type into a barcode format ( Step 111). And it transfers to step 112 mentioned later.

  Steps 107 to 109 are procedures for determining whether or not the image constituting the object is a code image. Here, step 107 is a condition determined based on the fact that the barcode, QR code, etc. are generally rectangular. Step 108 is a condition determined based on the fact that the short side of a barcode, QR code or the like is generally less than 4 cm. However, since the condition shown in step 108 may be determined based on specifications such as a barcode and a QR code, it is not limited to the configuration in which the short side is less than 4 cm, and even if the value is changed, such as less than 5 cm. good. Further, step 109 is determined based on the fact that bar codes, QR codes, and the like are generally continuous in the vertical direction. The vertical continuity determination method in step 109 will be described later.

  The control command (PDL) obtained in step 103, step 106, or step 111 is output as print data to the printing apparatus 100 via the spooler 23 and the language monitor 24 (step 112). Then, this processing flow ends.

Upon receiving the control command (PDL), the printing apparatus 100 interprets the control command (PDL) and prints an image on the recording material.
Here, when receiving the control command, the printing apparatus 100 performs processing according to the command type of the received control command. Specifically, if the command type of the received control command is an image format, the printing apparatus 100 performs a process of drawing a photographic image based on the control command. If the command type of the received control command is a barcode format, the printing apparatus 100 performs a process of drawing a barcode, a QR code, etc. (that is, a code image) based on the control command. Further, if the command type of the received control command is neither an image format nor a barcode format, the printing apparatus 100 performs other drawing processing, that is, processing for drawing a graphic or a character based on the control command. The printing apparatus 100 combines the drawn data and prints the combined data on a recording material.

  Next, the above-described print data creation processing procedure will be described with specific examples.

<Example of document to be printed>
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document (object data) 60 to be printed. Here, the case where an image is printed on A4 size vertically long paper is taken as an example.

A document 60 shown in FIG. 4 includes a photographic image 61, a character image 62, a graphic image 63, and a code image 64.
Here, the photographic image 61 is an image object composed of images having light and shade. In addition, the photographic image 61 represents an image in which intermediate colors are used in a multi-value (for example, 256 gradation) gradation image (that is, an image in which three or more colors are used in multiple gradations). The photographic image 61 includes, for example, illustrations in addition to photographs recorded by a camera or the like. In the present embodiment, a photographic image 61 is used as an example of a grayscale image.
The character image 62 is a character object, and the graphic image 63 is a graphic object.
Furthermore, the code image 64 is an image object composed of a binary gradation image. In addition, the code image 64 includes an image that has no shading and uses only two colors in the multi-gradation even if it is a multi-value gradation image. In this example, it is assumed that the code image 64 is composed of a QR code.

<Sequence chart of print data creation process>
FIG. 5 is a sequence chart for explaining an example of a print data creation processing procedure based on the document 60 shown in FIG. Here, a case where the code image optimization mode is set by the user is taken as an example.

  In this example, first, a photographic image 61 (image object) in the document 60 is sent from the application 21 to the printer driver 22. Then, the application 21 performs a halftone process on the photographic image 61 that is an image object but is not determined to be a code image, converts it to a control command (PDL) whose command type is an image format, and outputs it to the printing apparatus 100. I do.

  In this example, the character image 62 (character object) of the document 60 is then sent from the application 21 to the printer driver 22. The printer driver 22 converts the command type into a control command (PDL) having a command type other than the image format or the barcode format without performing halftone processing on the character image 62 that is not determined to be an image object. Output to the printing apparatus 100.

  Further, in this example, the graphic image 63 (graphic object) of the document 60 is subsequently sent from the application 21 to the printer driver 22. Then, the printer driver 22 converts the command type into a control command (PDL) having a command type other than the image format or the barcode format without performing a halftone process on the graphic image 63 that is not determined to be an image object. Output to the printing apparatus 100.

  Furthermore, in this example, finally, a code image 64 (image object) of the document 60 is sent from the application 21 to the printer driver 22. The printer driver 22 executes the barcode character string conversion process without performing the halftone process on the code image 64 that is an image object and is determined to be a QR code. Then, the printer driver 22 converts the data subjected to the barcode character string conversion processing into a control command (PDL) whose command type is a barcode format, and outputs the data to the printing apparatus 100.

  Upon receiving the control command (PDL), the printing apparatus 100 interprets each control command (PDL) and prints an image on the recording material.

<Continuity judgment method>
6A to 6C are diagrams for explaining the determination method in step 109 shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 6A shows the case of a code image 64 made up of a QR code, FIG. 6B shows the case of another code image 65 made up of a barcode, and FIG. 6C shows the case of a photographic image 61. Are illustrated respectively. 6A to 6C, the left side in the figure shows the overall configuration of each image, and the right side in the figure shows the main part configuration of each image.

  Here, in the code image 64 (QR code) shown in FIG. 6 (a) and the other code image 65 (bar code) shown in FIG. 6 (b), the parts to be filled are continuous in the same gradation in the vertical direction. It is supposed to be. In addition, in the QR code, there is generally a certain pattern indicating the QR code at the upper left corner, the lower left corner, the upper right corner, or the like. In the example shown in FIG. 6A, by analyzing the image of the upper left corner on the left side in the figure, a pattern of a predetermined number of dots in a horizontal row becomes a vertical line as shown on the right side in the figure. It is confirmed that a certain number of continuous in the direction. In the case of a bar code, the code is indicated by the thickness of the line. In the example shown in FIG. 6B, by analyzing the image of the upper left corner on the left side in the figure, as shown on the right side in the figure. In addition, it is confirmed that a predetermined number of patterns of a predetermined number of dots in a horizontal row are continuous in a vertical direction.

  On the other hand, in the photographic image 61 shown in FIG. 6C, the parts to be filled are continuous with different gradations in the vertical direction. Therefore, in the case of the images as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a positive determination (YES) is made in step 109 shown in FIG. On the other hand, in the case of an image as shown in FIG. 6C, a negative determination (NO) is made in step 109 shown in FIG.

<Example of control command in bar code format>
FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating an example of a control command in the barcode format. Here, FIG. 7A illustrates the case of a control command related to a code image 64 composed of a QR code, and FIG. 7B illustrates the case of a control command related to another code image 65 composed of a barcode. ing. 7A shows an image diagram of a control command generated based on the code image 64 shown in FIG. 6A, and FIG. 7B shows another code image shown in FIG. 6B. FIG. 6 shows an image diagram of a control command generated based on 65. FIG.

  Here, for the code image 64 (QR code) shown in FIG. 6A, the barcode character string conversion processing unit 225 performs a barcode character string conversion process to convert it into a character string or a number. In addition, the barcode command generation processing unit 226 converts the data subjected to the barcode character string conversion processing into a control command. Thereby, a control command including various information shown in FIG. 7A is generated. In the example shown in FIG. 7A, the information included in the control command indicates that the command type is “bar code (bar code format)” and the bar code type is “QR code”. . In addition, the QR code version is “5”, the size is “4”, and the resolution is “600 dpi (dots per inch)”. Furthermore, it is indicated that the original data is “123456789”, and it can be said that the QR code created based on this original data is the code image 64.

  In addition, the information shown in FIG. 7A is included in the code image 64, and the bar code character string conversion processing unit 225 reads the code image 64 to read the character string indicating the information shown in FIG. Generate numbers. Then, the barcode command generation processing unit 226 generates a control command including the information of FIG. 7A based on the generated character string and numerical value.

  For the other code image 65 (barcode) shown in FIG. 6B, the barcode character string conversion processing unit 225 performs a barcode character string conversion process to convert it into a character string or a number. In addition, the barcode command generation processing unit 226 converts the data subjected to the barcode character string conversion processing into a control command. Thereby, a control command including various information shown in FIG. 7B is generated. In the example shown in FIG. 7B, as information included in the control command, the command type is “bar code (bar code format)”, and the bar code type is “JAN code (Japanese Article Number code)”. It has been shown. In addition, there are no additional characters, the width and height of the barcode are “10” and “100”, and the resolution is “600 dpi (dots per inch)”. Furthermore, it is indicated that the original data is “123123123”, and it can be said that the barcode created based on the original data is the other code image 65.

  In other words, the information shown in FIG. 7B is included in another code image 65, and the bar code character string conversion processing unit 225 reads the other code image 65 and converts the information shown in FIG. Generates a string or numeric value to indicate. Then, the barcode command generation processing unit 226 generates a control command including the information of FIG. 7B based on the generated character string and numerical value.

<Relationship between various images and halftone processing>
FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining the relationship between the photographic image 61 and the halftone process. Here, FIG. 8A shows a photographic image 61 that has been subjected to halftone processing, and FIG. 8B shows a photographic image 61 that has not been subjected to halftone processing.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams for explaining the relationship between the code image 64 and the halftone process. Here, FIG. 9A shows a code image 64 that has been subjected to halftone processing, and FIG. 9B shows a code image 64 that has not been subjected to halftone processing. However, FIGS. 9A and 9B are enlarged views of the main part of the code image 64.

  Here, consider a case where halftone processing is performed on both the photographic image 61 and the code image 64 constituting the image object in the document 60. In this case, a photographic image 61 obtained by printing is shown in FIG. 8A, and a code image 64 obtained by printing is shown in FIG. 9A. Then, while the quality of the photographic image 61 is good, the reading accuracy of the code image 64 is lowered because the image is blurred.

  Next, consider a case where the halftone process is not performed on both the photographic image 61 and the code image 64 constituting the image object in the document 60. In this case, the photographic image 61 obtained by printing is as shown in FIG. 8B, and the code image 64 obtained by printing is as shown in FIG. 9B. Then, while the reading accuracy of the code image 64 is improved, the quality of the photographic image 61 is deteriorated as much as the image is expressed in binary.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the code image optimization mode is set, with respect to the photographic image 61 and the code image 64 constituting the image object in the document 60, the photographic image 61 is subjected to halftone processing. At the same time, the code image 64 is not subjected to halftone processing. In this embodiment, the printer driver 22 converts the code image 64 into a character string or a numerical value, generates a control command indicating that the code image is a code image, and outputs the control command to the printing apparatus 100. Then, the printing apparatus 100 draws a photographic image or a code image according to the command type of the received control command. In this case, a photographic image 61 obtained by printing is shown in FIG. 8A, and a code image 64 obtained by printing is shown in FIG. 9B. By using such a configuration, the quality of the photographic image 61 is improved and the reading accuracy of the code image 64 is also improved.

  In the present embodiment, the code image 64 in the image object is determined on the assumption that the code image optimization mode is set by the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . That is, the code image 64 in the image object may always be discriminated.

  Moreover, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternative embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing system, 10 ... Host device, 20 ... Computer device, 21 ... Application, 22 ... Printer driver, 30 ... Input device, 40 ... Display device, 60 ... Document, 61 ... Photo image, 62 ... Text image, 63 ... Graphic image, 64... Code image (QR code), 65. Other code image (bar code), 100... Printing device, 221... UI processing unit, 222. Command generation processing unit, 225... Bar code character string conversion processing unit, 226... Bar code command generation processing unit, 227.

Claims (6)

An acquisition means for acquiring image data including a grayscale image and a code image;
Detecting means for detecting a code image from the image data acquired by the acquiring means;
Of the image data acquired by the acquisition unit, the grayscale image is subjected to halftone processing to generate print data, and the code image detected by the detection unit is not subjected to halftone processing. A print instructing device comprising: generating means for generating print data indicating that The acquisition means acquires the image data in which both the grayscale image and the code image are set in an image object,
The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects the code image from data set in the image object in the image data. The generation means generates a control command that can be interpreted as an image object in a printing apparatus that prints an image on a recording material using print data as print data relating to the grayscale image, and is the code image The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a control command that can be interpreted as a code image by the printing apparatus is generated as print data indicating the print data. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit configured to set the detection unit so as not to detect the code image according to an instruction from a user. Of the image data acquired by the acquisition unit, the acquisition unit that acquires image data including the grayscale image and the code image, the detection unit that detects the code image from the image data acquired by the acquisition unit, Generation means for generating print data by performing halftone processing on the grayscale image, and generating print data indicating that the code image detected by the detection means is a code image without being subjected to halftone processing; A print instruction device having output means for outputting the print data generated by the generation means;
A printing system comprising: a printing device that prints an image on a recording material using the print data received from the print instruction device. On the computer,
A function for acquiring image data including a grayscale image and a code image;
A function of detecting a code image from the acquired image data;
Of the acquired image data, halftone processing is performed on the gray image to generate print data, and print data indicating that the detected code image is a code image without performing halftone processing is generated. Program that realizes the function to perform.