JP2020173553A - Information processing method, information processing apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To transmit an output instruction to an image output device for executing a different paper-saving function so that the same output result is acquired.SOLUTION: An information processing method of an information processing apparatus comprises: an acquisition step of acquiring information about a first saving function related to an output to a recording medium that an output device can execute; a generation step of generating an output instruction corresponding to the first saving function so that the output in the case that a second saving function is applied is acquired when it is determined that the output device cannot execute the second saving function related to the output to the recording medium to be applied on the basis of the first saving function; and a transmission step of transmitting the generated output instruction to the output device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to information processing methods, information processing devices, and programs.

Conventionally, there is a technique for comparing a blank area of paper with an output data area to save a blank area as a device for executing a paper saving process when outputting printed matter from an image output device. For example, in Patent Document 1, it is determined whether or not the print setting includes a setting that can save the length of continuous sheets, and if it is determined that there is a print setting that can save paper, paper can be saved. A technique for notifying a user of various print settings is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 5693023

However, in the conventional information processing device, when there are two image output devices A and B that execute two different types of paper saving functions, for example, the image output devices A and B have different paper saving functions to be executed. It may not be possible to easily obtain the intended output result.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to transmit an output instruction to an image output device so that an output result intended by a user can be obtained.

According to one aspect of the present invention, in the information processing method of the information processing device, the acquisition step of acquiring information regarding the first saving function regarding the output to the recording medium that the output device can execute, and the first saving. Based on the function, when it is determined that the output device is not feasible for the second saving function regarding the output to the recording medium to be applied, the output when the second saving function is applied is obtained. It is characterized by including a generation step of generating an output instruction corresponding to the first saving function, and a transmission step of transmitting the generated output instruction to the output device.

According to the present invention, an output instruction can be transmitted to the image output device so that an output result intended by the user can be obtained.

The figure which shows an example of the information processing system which includes the information processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. The schematic diagram of the output data before executing the paper saving function which concerns on one Embodiment. The schematic diagram of the output data after executing the paper saving function which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the output data including the white data before executing the paper saving function which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the output data including the white data before executing the paper saving function which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the output data after executing the paper saving function A which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the output data after executing the paper saving function B which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the output data transmission processing which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the process of acquiring the paper saving setting which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the process of acquiring the paper saving information of an image output device which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the process which generates the paper saving command which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the preview display processing which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure of the preview screen which shows the preview of the output result after executing the paper saving function A which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure of the preview screen which shows the preview of the output result after executing the paper saving function B which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the process of the paper saving function A which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the upper margin addition processing which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the lower margin addition processing which concerns on one Embodiment. The schematic diagram of the output data after executing the paper saving function A in the image output device B which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the process of the paper saving function B which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the upper offset addition processing which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the lower offset addition processing which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the preview display processing which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure of the preview screen which shows the preview of the output result after executing the paper saving function B which concerns on one Embodiment. The selection screen figure of the paper saving function which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure of the preview screen which shows the preview of the output result after executing the paper saving function A which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the output data including the white data before executing the paper saving function which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the upper margin addition processing which concerns on one Embodiment.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and that all combinations of features described in the present embodiments are essential for the means for solving the present invention. Not exclusively.

<First Embodiment>
[System configuration]
First, a configuration example of an image processing system including an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the image processing system according to the present embodiment, the information processing device 100, the image output device 110A, and the image output device 110B are connected via the network 120.

The information processing device 100 can cause the image output device 110A or 110B to output the output data by transmitting the output data as an output instruction (recording instruction) to the image output device 110A or 110B via the network 120. .. In one example, the information processing device 100 includes at least one of a desktop PC, a notebook PC, a smartphone, and a tablet terminal.

The image output devices 110A and 110B are image processing devices such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) having a printing function. In this embodiment, the image output device 110A will be described assuming that the paper saving function A can execute the paper saving function B different from the image output device 110B. Further, in the present embodiment, the image output device is collectively referred to as an image output device (output device) 110, and the image output device 110 includes at least one of the image output device 110A and the image output device 110B.

In the present embodiment, the image processing system will be described as including the information processing device 100 connected by the network 120 and the image output device 110, but the network 120 may include a plurality of networks. That is, the image output device 110 may belong to a network different from that of the information processing device 100, and in one example, the image output device 110 may communicate via the Internet.

Further, the system may include one or more image output devices 110, and may include, for example, three or more image output devices 110.

The information processing device 100 includes a CPU 101, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 104, a display interface (I / F) 105, and a network I / F 106 as components. .. These components are communicably connected by bus 107. Further, a display 108 is connected to the information processing device 100.

The CPU 101 executes a control program stored in the ROM 103 or the HDD 104 to control the entire information processing apparatus 100. The RAM 102 is used as a temporary storage area for the main memory of the CPU 101, a work area, and the like. In addition to the program executed by the CPU 101, the HDD 104 stores various data such as output data transmitted to the image output device 110 or 111 and setting information of the image output device 110. The ROM 102 stores an operating system (OS), a program that executes each function including a printer driver, a boot program, various applications, and the like. Further, the ROM 102 may store an application that generates output data (print data), such as a printer driver. As the HDD 104, a storage medium such as a flexible disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, or a DVD may be used.

The display I / F 105 is an interface for controlling the display 108 by the CPU 101. The display 108 is a display unit including an LED panel or a liquid crystal panel. The network I / F 106 is a wired or wireless network interface for the information processing device 100 to communicate with at least one image output device 110 on the network via the network 120.

[Paper saving function]
The paper saving function controls the cutting position so that when at least one of the image output devices 110 outputs the output data to a recording medium such as roll paper, the blank areas at the top and bottom of the output data are deleted. , A feature that saves paper. In this function, the information processing device 100 issues a paper saving command instructing the image output device 110 to apply the paper saving function. In general, the information processing device 100 does not process the output data, and the image output device that receives the output data generally performs the paper saving process. The paper saving process is executed by the image output device 110 instructed by the information processing device 100.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of output data transmitted by the information processing apparatus 100 before executing the paper saving function. In FIG. 2, there is an output area (outputtable area) 202 in the paper outer shape 201, and the vertical stripe output object (graphic) 203 and the horizontal stripe graphic 204 drawn in the output area (outputtable area) 202 overlap each other. When the information processing device 100 adds a paper saving command to the data of FIG. 2 and outputs the data to the image output device 110, the information processing device 100 and the image output device 110 perform the following processing. In the following, the information processing device 100 is described as the main body of each process, but in reality, the CPU 101 executes the program of the printer driver or the output data generation application stored in the ROM 120 in the information processing device 100. The function should be performed. In addition, all the processes are not necessarily executed sequentially on one process, and there may be a case where the processes are once transferred to the OS side and then called again from the OS.

The information processing device 100 sets the output data as follows. First, the size of the paper outer shape 201 is acquired and set in the output data. Next, the top, bottom, left, and right margins, which are the differences between the size of the paper outer shape 201 and the size of the outputtable area 202, are acquired and set in the output data. That is, the margin is a margin between the recording medium to be output and the outputtable area. Subsequently, a paper saving command instructing the image output device 110 to execute the paper saving process is set in the output data, and the following in-page data is set.

In the setting of in-page data, the length from the upper end of the outputable area 202 to the upper end of the topmost figure in the page is converted into the upper offset command. In the example of FIG. 2, the length from the upper end of the outputable area 202 to the upper end of the vertical striped figure 203 is converted into the upper offset command and set in the output data. That is, the offset command is a command that specifies the offset of the output object with respect to the outputtable area.

Further, from the upper end of the figure at the top of the page to the lower end of the figure at the bottom of the page is converted into drawing raster data. In the example of FIG. 2, from the upper end of the vertical striped figure 203 to the lower end of the horizontal striped figure 204 is set as the output data as drawing raster data.

Subsequently, the length from the lower end of the figure at the bottom of the page to the lower end of the outputable area 202 is converted into the lower offset command. In the example of FIG. 2, the length from the lower end of the horizontal striped figure 204 to the lower end of the outputable area 202 is converted into a lower offset command and set in the output data. When the setting of the above page data is completed, the information processing device 100 transmits the output data to the image output device 110.

Next, the image output device 110 acquires the vertical and horizontal margins, which is the difference between the size of the paper outer shape 201 and the size of the outputtable area 202, from the received output data, and first feeds the roll paper for the upper margin. .. Next, from the output data, an upper offset command corresponding to the length from the upper end of the outputtable area 202 to the upper end of the vertical striped figure 203 is acquired. The upper offset command is deleted and is not fed because the image output device 100 is subject to paper saving. Next, drawing raster data from the upper end of the vertical striped figure 203 to the lower end of the horizontal striped figure 204 is acquired and output to roll paper. Next, the lower offset command corresponding to the length from the lower end of the horizontal striped figure 204 to the lower end of the outputable area 202 is acquired, deleted in the same manner as the upper offset command, and is not fed.

By the above processing, as shown in FIG. 3, there is an outputable area 302 in the paper outer shape 301, and the data on one page in which the vertical stripe figure 203 and the horizontal stripe figure 204 drawn in the output area 302 overlap is obtained. It is output to the image output device. It should be noted that the output data shown in FIG. 3 is equivalent regardless of whether the image output device A executes the executable paper saving function A or the image output device B executes the executable paper saving function B. The output result is obtained.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an example of output data transmitted by the information processing apparatus 100 before executing the paper saving function. Similar to the output data of FIG. 2, there is an outputable area 202 in the paper outer shape 201, and the vertical striped figure 203 and the horizontal striped figure 204 drawn in the printable area 202 overlap each other. The output objects (graphics) 405 and 406 displayed by the alternate long and short dash line are white data, and the graphic 405 overlaps the vertical striped graphic 203 and the graphic 406 overlaps the horizontal striped graphic 204. Here, the white data is data corresponding to a white output object whose border and contents are drawn in white, and although it is displayed as a dash-dotted line here, the dash-dotted line is actually a white line. Not output. The "white data" is not limited to completely "white" data. A figure arranged in the outputable area 202, such as figures 203 and 204, is called an output object.

[Paper saving function A]
When the output data of FIG. 4 is output from the information processing device 100 to the image output device 110A with the paper saving function enabled, the information processing device 100 and the image output device 110A perform processing as follows.

The information processing apparatus 100 acquires the size of the paper outer shape 201 and sets it in the output data. Next, the top, bottom, left, and right margins, which are the differences between the size of the paper outer shape 201 and the size of the outputtable area 202, are acquired and set in the output data. Then, the paper saving command instructing to enable the paper saving function and output is set in the output data, and the in-page data is set.

In the setting of the in-page data, the length from the upper end of the outputable area 202 to the upper end of the figure (object) 405 displayed by the alternate long and short dash line is converted into the upper offset command and set in the output data. The process of setting the area in which the subsequent image is drawn will be described with reference to the partial view extracted in FIG. 5 for the portion in which the figure is drawn.

In the example of FIG. 5, the white data of the line 501 composed of only the figure 405 displayed by the alternate long and short dash line is set as the output data. Next, the data of the line 502 composed of the vertical striped figure 203 and the graphic 405 displayed by the alternate long and short dash line is set as the output data, and the line composed of the vertical striped graphic 203 and the horizontal striped graphic 204 is set. The data of 503 is set as the output data. Subsequently, the data of the line 504 composed of the figure 406 displayed by the alternate long and short dash line and the graphic 204 of the horizontal stripes is set as the output data, and the line composed only of the graphic 406 displayed by the alternate long and short dash line. The data of 505 is set as the output data.

Returning to the description of FIG. Subsequently, the length from the lower end of the horizontal striped figure 204 to the lower end of the outputable area 202 is converted into a lower offset command and set in the output data. Subsequently, the information processing device 100 finishes setting the output data and transmits the data to the image output device 110A.

Next, the image output device 110A acquires the vertical and horizontal margins, which is the difference between the size of the paper outer shape 201 and the size of the outputtable area 202, from the received output data, and feeds the roll paper for the upper margin. Next, from the output data, the upper offset command corresponding to the length from the upper end of the outputtable area 202 to the upper end of the figure 405 displayed by the alternate long and short dash line is acquired, and the output data corresponding to the upper offset command is deleted. , Do not feed paper. Next, the white data of the line 501 composed of only the figure 405 displayed by the alternate long and short dash line is not deleted in the image output device 110A because it is not subject to paper saving, and is also output because it is white data. Instead, the roll paper for 501 lines is fed. For example, since the line data of 502, 503, and 504 includes drawing data, the line 502 rolls the drawing data from the left end of the vertical striped figure 203 to the left end of the figure 405 displayed by the alternate long and short dash line. It is output on paper. Similarly, the line 503 rolls the drawing data from the left end of the vertical striped figure 203 to the right end of the horizontal striped figure 204, and the line 504 rolls the drawing data from the right end of the figure 406 displayed by the alternate long and short dash line to the right end of the horizontal striped figure 204. It is output on paper and the output amount is fed.

The white data of the line 505 composed of only the graphic 406 displayed by the alternate long and short dash line is not deleted in the image output device 110A because it is not subject to paper saving, and since it is white data, it is not output. The roll paper for the line is fed. Next, from the output data, the lower offset command corresponding to the length from the lower end of the figure 406 displayed by the alternate long and short dash line to the lower end of the outputtable area 202 is acquired, the corresponding drawing data is deleted, and the paper is not fed. ..

By the above processing, as shown in FIG. 6, the image output device 110A has an output possible area 602 in the paper outer shape 601, and the vertical stripe figure 203 and the horizontal stripe figure 204 drawn in the output area 602 are overlapped with each other. Print one page of data. Since the figures 405 and 406 are white data, they are not actually output.

That is, the paper saving function A executed by the image output device 110A is a function of saving paper by deleting vertical offsets that do not include drawing data in the output data but not deleting line data containing only white data. The paper saving function A is also called a paper saving function in which white data skip is turned off.

[Paper saving function B]
On the other hand, when the output data of FIG. 4 is output from the information processing device 100 to the image output device 110B with the paper saving function enabled, the information processing device 100 and the image output device 110B perform the following processing.

The process of generating output data by the information processing device 100 is the same as the process of the information processing device 100 when the information processing device 100 outputs the data to the image output device 110A with the paper saving function enabled.

From the received output data, the image output device 110B acquires the vertical and horizontal margins, which are the differences between the size of the paper outer shape 201 and the size of the outputtable area 202, and first feeds the roll paper for the upper margin. Next, from the output data, the upper offset command from the upper end of the outputtable area 202 to the upper end of the figure 405 displayed by the alternate long and short dash line is acquired, the corresponding output data is deleted, and the paper is not fed. Next, the white data of the line 501 composed of only the figure 405 displayed by the alternate long and short dash line is deleted because the image output device 110B is subject to paper saving, and the roll paper is fed. Absent. For example, since the line data of 502, 503, and 504 includes drawing data, the line 502 rolls the object data from the left end of the vertical striped figure 203 to the left end of the figure 405 displayed by the alternate long and short dash line. It is output on paper. Similarly, the line 503 rolls the drawing data from the left end of the vertical stripe figure 203 to the right end of the horizontal stripe figure 204, and the line 504 rolls the drawing data from the right end of the figure 406 displayed by the alternate long and short dash line to the right end of the horizontal stripe figure 204. It is output on paper and the output amount is fed. The white data of the line 505 composed of only the figure 406 displayed by the alternate long and short dash line is deleted in the image output device 110B because it is subject to paper saving, and the roll paper is not fed. Next, from the output data, the lower offset command from the lower end of the figure 406 displayed by the alternate long and short dash line to the lower end of the outputtable area 202 is acquired, and the corresponding output data is deleted, so that the paper is not fed.

By the above processing, as shown in FIG. 7, the image output device 110B has an output possible area 702 in the paper outer shape 701, and the vertical stripe figure 203 and the horizontal stripe figure 204 drawn in the output area 702 overlap each other. Print one page. Since the figures 405 and 406 are white data, they are not actually output.

That is, the paper saving function B executed by the image output device 110B is a function of saving paper by deleting the vertical offset that does not include drawing data in the output data and the line data of only white data and not printing. .. The paper saving function B is also called a paper saving function in which white data skip is ON.

[Processing example of information processing device]
Here, the processing flow of the information processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the information processing apparatus 100 is instructed to execute the print process by a user operation or the like, the process of FIG. 8 is realized by the CPU 101 executing the program of the printer driver or the output data generation application stored in the ROM 103. In addition, all the processes are not necessarily executed sequentially on one process, and there may be a case where the processes are once transferred to the OS side and then called again from the OS.

First, in S801, the CPU 101 acquires the paper saving setting of the information processing device 100. Subsequently, the CPU 101 advances the process to S802 and selects the image output device 110 as the output destination. In one example, the selection of the image output device 110 is executed based on a user operation input via the display 108 by displaying a list of the image output devices 110 already possessed by the information processing device 100 on the display 108. May be good. Alternatively, the information processing device 100 may search for the image output device 110 on the network 120 according to a known discovery protocol, and the information processing device 100 may make a selection according to a predetermined rule such as the image output device 110 first found. ..

Subsequently, the CPU 101 advances the process to S803 to acquire information on the paper saving function of the image output device 110. When the paper saving setting of the information processing device 100 and the information regarding the paper saving function of the image output device 110 are confirmed, the CPU 101 proceeds to S804 and generates an output setting including a paper saving command. Further, in S805, the preview screen is displayed according to the presence or absence of the preview display of the output data, and the output data is output to the image output device 110 to give an output instruction.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of the process of acquiring the paper saving setting of the information processing device of S801 of FIG. The process of FIG. 9 is realized by the CPU 101 executing the program stored in the ROM 103.

In FIG. 9, the information processing apparatus 100 acquires the paper saving setting saved in the past in S901, and subsequently determines the presence / absence of the past paper saving setting in S902. In one example, the paper saving setting saved in the past may be an output history such as the paper saving setting used in the previous output. When it is determined that the past paper saving setting has been acquired (Yes in S902), the CPU 101 advances the process to S903, sets the information as the paper saving setting, and proceeds to the process to S905. If it is determined in S901 that the paper saving setting has not been acquired (No in S902), the CPU 101 advances the process to S904, sets the default paper saving setting as the paper saving setting, and proceeds to the process to S905.

In S905, the CPU 101 saves the paper saving setting of the information processing apparatus 100 as a past paper saving setting. This saves you the trouble of entering the paper saving settings from the next time onward.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a detailed example of the process in which the information processing device 100 acquires information regarding the paper saving function from the image output device 110 in S803 of FIG. The process of FIG. 10 is realized by the CPU 101 executing the program stored in the ROM 103.

First, in S1001, the information processing device 100 and the image output device 110 communicate with each other to acquire information on the paper saving function of the image output device 110. Subsequently, in S1002, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the acquired information regarding the paper saving function indicates whether or not "white data skip" is effective.

When it is determined that the paper saving function information includes information indicating that "white data skip" is invalid (OFF in S1002), the CPU 101 proceeds to S1003, and the image output device 110 has the paper saving function A. It is determined that the image output device 110A executes the above. After that, the process proceeds to S1006. When it is determined that the paper saving function information includes information indicating that "white data skip" is effective (ON in S1002), the CPU 101 proceeds to S1004, and the image output device 110 has the paper saving function B. It is determined that the image output device 110B executes the above. After that, the process proceeds to S1006. When it cannot be determined whether or not "white data skip" is effective for the paper saving function information (Unknown in S1002), the CPU 101 proceeds to S1005, and the image output device 110 that has acquired the paper saving function information is an image output device. It is set as 110Z. After that, the process proceeds to S1006.

In S1006, the paper saving function information of the image output device 110 is saved, and the process of FIG. 10 is terminated.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a detailed example of S804 that determines the paper saving process. The process of FIG. 11 is realized by the CPU 101 executing the program stored in the ROM 103.

First, in S1101, the CPU 101 determines whether or not there is a paper saving setting. That is, it is determined whether or not to enable the paper saving function and transmit the output data. If it is determined that there is a paper saving setting (Yes in S1101), the CPU 101 advances the process to S1102, and if it is determined that there is no paper saving setting (No in S1101), the process proceeds to S1105.

In S1102, the CPU 101 acquires the paper saving setting of the information processing device 101, and determines which paper saving setting is used. When it is determined that the paper saving setting is the paper saving function A (A in S1102), the CPU 101 advances the process to S1103 and executes the process of generating the paper saving command A for executing the paper saving function A. When it is determined that the paper saving setting is the paper saving function B (B in S1102), the CPU 101 advances the process to S1104 and executes a process of generating a paper saving command B for executing the paper saving function B.

Subsequently, the CPU 101 advances the process to S1105, sets output settings other than the paper saving command, and ends the process of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a detailed example of the preview process of S805. The process of FIG. 12 is realized by the CPU 101 executing the program stored in the ROM 103. FIG. 13 shows the actual preview screen 1301 of the paper saving process A, and FIG. 14 shows the actual preview screen 1401 of the paper saving process B.

In S1201 of FIG. 12, it is checked whether or not the output data is previewed. In one example, it is determined whether or not the user has instructed the preview display. When the CPU 101 determines in S1201 that the preview display is OFF (OFF in S1201), the CPU 101 proceeds to S1204 and starts an output process for transmitting output data to the image output device. If it is determined that the preview display is ON (ON in S1201), the CPU 101 proceeds to S1202 and performs the corresponding preview display according to the paper saving setting. That is, if the paper saving setting is A, the preview display screen 1301 of FIG. 13 is displayed, and if the paper saving setting is B, the preview display screen 1401 of FIG. 14 is displayed. Here, the preview display screen 1301 or 1401 may also display the corresponding paper saving setting 1302 or 1402. In one example, white data that is not output can be visually displayed on the preview display screen. This makes it possible to clearly display the output obtained when the paper saving setting is applied to the user.

When the information processing apparatus 100 displays the preview in S1202, the information processing apparatus 100 proceeds to S1203 and waits for an output transmission instruction. The output transmission instruction may be, for example, pressing the print button 1304 of FIG. 13 or the print button 1404 of FIG. When the print start instruction is received in S1203 (Yes in S1203), the CPU 101 advances the process to S1204, and when the print start instruction is not accepted (No in S1203), the process returns to S1203.

When S1203 detects that the stop button 1303 of FIG. 13 or the stop button 1403 of FIG. 14 is pressed instead of the output transmission instruction, the CPU 101 determines that the stop instruction has been given (Cancel in S1203), and ends the process of FIG. To do.

As a result, the user can check the output result before outputting, eliminate waste of consumables, and obtain the output result when the desired output setting is executed.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of the process in which the information processing apparatus 100 of S1103 generates the paper saving command A corresponding to the paper saving setting A. The process of FIG. 15 is realized by the CPU 101 executing the program stored in the ROM 103.

In S1501 of FIG. 15, it is determined which paper saving function the paper saving function of the image output device 110 acquired in S803 is. When the CPU 101 determines that the image output device 110 is the image output device A (A in S1501), the processing proceeds to S1502, the paper saving command A is output to the image output device 110, and the processing of S1104 is completed.

When the CPU 101 determines that the image output device 110 is the image output device B (B in S1501), the process proceeds to S1503, the paper saving command B is output, and then the upper white data is added to the upper margin in S1504. Perform processing. Subsequently, the process of adding the lower white data to the lower margin is performed in S1505, and the process of S1104 is completed. That is, when the information processing device 100 causes the image output device 110 that executes the paper saving function B to execute the paper saving function A, the paper saving command B is obtained so that the output obtained when the paper saving function A is applied can be obtained. Adjust the parameters of.

When the CPU 101 determines that the image output device 110 is the image output device Z (Z in S1502), the paper saving command is not output and the process of S1103 ends.

That is, in the process shown in FIG. 15, if it is determined that the paper saving function corresponding to the issued paper saving command can be executed in the image output device 110 based on the paper saving function information provided by the image output device 110, it is as it is. Generate a paper saving command. If it is determined that the image output device 110 is not executable, the image output device 110 that has performed margin addition processing executes the image output device 110 so that the output obtained when the paper saving function to be applied is applied can be obtained. Issue a paper saving command corresponding to the possible paper saving functions.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of the upper margin addition process of S1504 of FIG. The process of FIG. 16 is realized by the CPU 101 executing the program stored in the ROM 103. In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not to add to the upper margin for each unit line (line) from the upper direction of the output data.

First, in S1601, the CPU 101 resets the line information in order to count the number of data lines that divide the output data for each area in which the object data exists. Next, the process proceeds to S1602, and it is confirmed whether the object data exists in the line. If it is determined that the object data does not exist in the line (No in S1602), the CPU 101 advances the process to S1603 and proceeds to the next line. If it is determined that the object data exists on the line (Yes in S1602), the CPU 101 advances the process to S1604 and determines whether the object data is white data. If it is determined that the object data on the line is white data (Yes in S1604), the process proceeds to S1605, the line is added to the upper margin, and the process proceeds to S1603.

If it is determined that the object data on the line is not white data (No in S1604), the CPU 101 proceeds to S1606, adjusts the upper margin based on the information about the line added to the upper margin, and sets the upper margin information. .. In the present embodiment, the width of the line data including the white object is added to the upper margin. However, the upper margin may be adjusted based on the width of the line data including the white object, and the adjustment amount may be adjusted. Can be determined by any formula.

For example, in the example of FIG. 5, since the line 501 is an area containing only white data, it is added to the upper margin, but since the line 502 is an area containing non-white data, it is not added to the upper margin. As a result, the width of line 501 is added to the upper margin.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of the lower margin addition process of S1505 of FIG. The process of FIG. 17 is realized by the CPU 101 executing the program stored in the ROM 103. In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not to add the output data to the lower margin for each unit line (line) from the upper direction.

First, in S1701 of FIG. 17, the CPU 101 resets the line information in order to count the number of data lines in which the drawing data exists. Subsequently, the CPU 101 advances the process to S1702 and determines whether or not the object data exists in the line. If it is determined that the object data does not exist on the line (No in S1702), the CPU 101 advances the process to S1707. If it is determined that the object data exists on the line (Yes in S1702), the CPU 101 proceeds to S1703 and determines whether the object data is white data.

If it is determined that the object data on the line is white data (Yes in S1703), the process proceeds to S1704, the line is added to the lower margin, the process proceeds to S1705, the next line proceeds, and the process proceeds to S1702. return.

If it is determined that the object data on the line is not white data (No in S1703), the CPU 101 advances the process to S1706, proceeds to the next line, and returns the process to S1701.

In S1707, it is determined whether or not the line has reached the bottom of the output data, that is, the page end. When it is determined that the page end has been reached (Yes in S1707), the CPU 101 advances the process to S1708, adjusts the lower margin based on the information about the line added to the lower margin, sets the lower margin information, and performs the process of S1505. finish. If it is determined that the page end has not been reached (No in S1707), the CPU 101 advances the process to S1705. In the present embodiment, the width of the line data including the white object is added to the lower margin. However, the lower margin may be adjusted based on the width of the line data including the white object, and the adjustment amount may be adjusted. Can be determined by any formula.

Next, using the output data of FIG. 4 as an example, how the margin addition process is actually executed will be described. When the information processing device 100 transmits an output instruction to the image output device 110B to execute the paper saving function A for the output data of FIG. 4, the information processing device 100 performs the following processing.

First, in the upper margin addition process of S1504, it is determined that the upper margin from the upper end of the white data figure 405 to the upper end of the vertical striped figure 203 is determined, and the space between the upper end of the paper outer shape 201 and the upper end of the outputable area 202 is reached. Add to the top margin. Further, in the lower margin addition process of S1505, the size from the lower end of the horizontal striped figure 204 to the lower end of the white data figure 406 is determined to be the lower margin, and the size from the lower end of the paper outer shape 201 to the lower end of the outputtable area 202 is determined. Add to the lower margin between.

Next, the white data from the upper end of the white data figure 405 to the upper end of the vertical striped figure 203 and the white data from the lower end of the horizontal striped figure 204 to the lower end of the white data figure 406 are converted into margins. Therefore, it is considered that the line data has been deleted, and the data from the upper end of the vertical stripe figure 203 to the lower end of the horizontal stripe figure 204 is created as line data.

Next, when the output data is output to the image output device 110B, the image output device 110B performs the following processing.

First, the roll paper for the upper margin created by the information processing apparatus 100 is sent first, and the line for the upper offset command sent next is ignored by the paper saving function. As a result, the roll paper is not fed. Next, the line data actually sent is output, and when the line data is completed, the subsequent lower offset command is ignored. Finally, when the roll paper for the lower margin created earlier by the information processing apparatus is fed and the output is completed, the output result shown in FIG. 18 is obtained. In FIG. 18, the figures 405 and 406 are displayed as alternate long and short dash lines for explanation, but they are not actually output because they are white data. As described above, in the image output device 110B as shown in FIG. 18, the paper saving output result in the image output device 110A and the same output result as in FIG. 6 can be obtained.

<Second embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the process of generating the paper saving command B for obtaining the output when the paper saving function A is applied to the image output device 110B from the information processing device 100 has been described. In the present embodiment, the process of generating the paper saving command A for obtaining the output when the paper saving function B is applied to the image output device A from the information processing device 100 will be described. The same reference numerals are used for the same configurations or processes as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

If the output data of one page shown in FIG. 4 is transmitted to the image output device 110A only by adding the paper saving command in the information processing device 100, the output result as shown in FIG. 6 will be obtained. In order to obtain the output result as shown in FIG. 7 from the image output device 110A, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment in which the white data is converted into a margin, the white data is converted into an offset command.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of the process of S1104 for executing the paper saving function B. The process of FIG. 19 is realized by the CPU 101 executing the program stored in the ROM 103.

First, in S1901, the CPU 101 determines which type of image output device 110 is based on the paper saving function information of the image output device 110 acquired in S803. When it is determined that the image output device 110 is the image output device A that executes the paper saving function A (A in S1901), the process proceeds to S1902 and the paper saving command A is generated. After that, the process proceeds to S1903, the process of adding the upper white data to the upper offset is performed, and then the process of adding the lower white data to the lower offset is performed in S1904, and the process of S1105 is completed. Subsequently, the process proceeds to S1905, and the process of S1104 is completed.

When the image output device 110 determines that the image output device B executes the paper saving function B (B in S1901), the CPU 101 advances the process to S1905, generates the paper saving command B, and ends the process of S1105. ..

When the image output device 110 determines that the type is Z (Z in S1901), the CPU 101 does not output the paper saving command and ends the process of S1105.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing a detailed example of the process of S1903 of FIG. The process of FIG. 20 is realized by the CPU 101 executing the program stored in the ROM 103.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of the upper offset addition process of S1903 of FIG. The process of FIG. 20 is realized by the CPU 101 executing the program stored in the ROM 103. In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not to add to the upper offset for each unit line (line) from the upper direction of the output data.

First, in S2001, the CPU 101 resets the line information in order to count the number of data lines that divide the output data for each area in which the object data exists. Next, the process proceeds to S2002, and it is confirmed whether the object data exists in the line. If it is determined that the object data does not exist in the line (No in S2002), the CPU 101 advances the process to S2003 and proceeds to the next line. If it is determined that the object data exists on the line (Yes in S2002), the CPU 101 advances the process to S2004 and determines whether the object data is white data. If it is determined that the object data on the line is white data (Yes in S2004), the process proceeds to S2005, the line is added to the upper offset, and the process proceeds to S2003.

If it is determined that the object data on the line is not white data (No in S2004), the CPU 101 proceeds to S2006, adjusts the upper offset based on the information about the line added to the upper offset, and sets the upper offset information. ..

For example, in the example of FIG. 5, since the line 501 is a region containing only white data, it is added to the upper offset, but since the line 502 is a region containing non-white data, it is not added to the upper offset. As a result, the width of line 501 is added to the top offset.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of the lower offset addition process of S1904 in FIG. The process of FIG. 17 is realized by the CPU 101 executing the program stored in the ROM 103. In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not to add the output data to the lower offset for each unit line (line) from the upper direction.

First, in S2101 of FIG. 21, the CPU 101 resets the line information in order to count the number of data lines in which the drawing data exists. Subsequently, the CPU 101 advances the process to S2102 and determines whether or not the object data exists in the line. If it is determined that the object data does not exist on the line (No in S2102), the CPU 101 advances the process to S2107. When it is determined that the object data exists in the line (Yes in S2102), the CPU 101 advances the process to S2103 and determines whether the object data is only white data.

If it is determined that the object data on the line is only white data (Yes in S2103), the process proceeds to S2104, the line is added to the lower offset, the process proceeds to S2105, the process proceeds to the next line, and the process proceeds to S2102. Return to.

If it is determined that the object data on the line is not only white data (No in S2103), the CPU 101 advances the process to S2106, advances to the next line, and returns the process to S2101.

In S2107, it is determined whether or not the line has reached the bottom of the output data, that is, the page end. When it is determined that the page end has been reached (Yes in S2107), the CPU 101 advances the process to S2108, adjusts the lower offset based on the information about the line added to the lower offset, sets the lower offset information, and performs the process of S1904. finish. If it is determined that the page end has not been reached (No in S2107), the CPU 101 advances the process to S2105.

Next, using the output data of FIG. 4 as an example, how the offset addition process is actually executed will be described. When the output data of FIG. 4 is output from the information processing device 100 to the image output device 110A with the paper saving function enabled, the information processing device 100 performs the following processing.

First, in the upper offset addition process of S1903, it is determined that the upper edge of the white data figure 405 to the upper end of the vertical stripe figure 203 is the upper offset, and the upper edge of the outputtable area 202 to the upper end of the white data figure 405 is determined. Add to the top offset between. Further, in the lower offset addition process of S1904, the size from the lower end of the horizontal stripe figure 204 to the lower end of the white data figure 406 is determined to be the lower offset, and the lower edge of the outputable area 202 to the lower end of the white data figure 406 is determined. Add to the lower offset between.

Next, the white data from the upper end of the white data figure 405 to the upper end of the vertical stripe figure 203 and the white data from the lower end of the horizontal stripe figure 204 to the lower end of the white data figure 406 of the output data are converted into offsets. To. Therefore, it is considered that the line data has been deleted, and the data from the upper end of the vertical stripe figure 203 to the lower end of the horizontal stripe figure 204 is created as line data.

When the output data is output to the image output device 110A, the image output device 110A performs the following processing.

First, the roll paper for the upper margin created by the information processing apparatus 100 is sent first, and the line for the upper offset command sent next is ignored by the paper saving function. As a result, the roll paper is not fed. Next, the line data actually sent is output, and when the line data is completed, the subsequent lower offset command is ignored. Finally, when the roll paper for the lower margin created earlier by the information processing apparatus is fed and the output is completed, the output result shown in FIG. 7 is obtained. In FIG. 7, the figures 405 and 406 are displayed as alternate long and short dash lines for the sake of explanation, but since they are white data, they are not actually output. As described above, as shown in FIG. 7, the image output device 110A can also obtain the output when the paper saving function B is applied.

<Third embodiment>
In the first embodiment, which paper saving function is to be executed is determined by the past setting history of the information processing device 100 and the connection of the image output device 110. In one example, the user can specify the paper saving function. May be good. In the present embodiment, the processing of the information processing apparatus 100 capable of switching the paper saving function while checking the output data when the paper saving function is executed on the preview screen will be described. In this embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations or processes as in the first or second embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of the processing of S805 according to the present embodiment. The process of FIG. 22 is realized by the CPU 101 executing the program stored in the ROM 103.

Before starting the output, the CPU 101 determines whether or not to display the preview screen in S1201. If it is determined that the preview screen is to be displayed (Yes in S1201), the CPU 101 proceeds to S1202 and displays the preview screen on the display 108.

Subsequently, the CPU 101 advances the process to S2201 and determines whether or not the paper saving function has been switched. When the CPU 101 determines that the paper saving function has been switched (Yes in S2201), the CPU 101 proceeds to S2202 and executes the paper saving function switching process.

Here, with reference to FIG. 23, the process of switching between the preview display and the paper saving function will be described. In the preview screen of FIG. 23, the user presses the paper saving switching button 2303 of FIG. 23 in order to switch the paper saving function, thereby displaying the UI screen 2401 shown in FIG. 24. When the user selects the radio button 2402 of the paper saving A and presses the OK button 2405, the preview display of the paper saving A is switched as shown in FIG. Similarly, by pressing the paper saving switching button 2303 of FIG. 25, the UI screen 2401 of FIG. 24 is displayed, by selecting the radio button 2403 of the paper saving B and pressing the OK button 2405, the paper of FIG. 23 is displayed. It is updated to the preview display of saving B. That is, when the CPU 101 detects a switching instruction of the paper saving function from the user, the preview display is updated.

Returning to the description of FIG. When the paper saving function has not been switched (No in S2201), the CPU 101 proceeds to 1203 and determines whether the output transmission instruction has been received from the user. For example, by pressing the print button 2305 of FIG. 23 or FIG. 25, it is determined that the output transmission instruction has been accepted. If it is determined that the output transmission instruction has been accepted (Yes in S1203), the CPU 101 proceeds to S1204, and if it is determined that the output transmission instruction has not been accepted (No in S1203), the process returns to S1202. In S1204, the output data is transmitted to the image output device 110.

In this way, by switching the paper saving function by the user's operation, the output data can be transmitted to the designated image output device A or B so as to apply the desired paper saving function.

<Fourth Embodiment>
In the first to third embodiments, an output instruction is transmitted so as to realize the paper saving function A or B to be applied by adding the line data of only white data to the margin or the offset. In this embodiment, the processing of the information processing apparatus for determining whether or not to add a line having no object data to the margin or offset will be described. The same reference numerals are used for the same configurations or processes as in the first to third embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 26 shows a partial view of an outputable area of the output data according to the present embodiment. Line 2600 is the width from the upper end of the outputable area to the object data at the upper end. Line 2601 is the width of the object data at the upper end, and line 2602 is the width of the line between the object data where no object data exists. Since the parts below the line 501 are the same as those in FIG. 5, the description thereof will be omitted.

When the paper saving function A is executed for such output data, only the line 2600 is deleted. On the other hand, when the paper saving function B is executed, the lines 2600, 2601, 2602, and 501 are deleted. Therefore, in order to obtain the same output as the output result obtained when the paper saving function B is executed for the image output device A that executes the paper saving function A, the information processing device 100 is set in S1504 of FIG. The upper margin addition process shown in FIG. 27 is performed.

If it is determined in S1602 that there is no object data, the CPU 101 proceeds to S2701 and determines whether or not a line has already been added to the upper margin.

When it is determined that there is a line added to the upper margin (Yes in S2701), the CPU 101 advances the process to S1605 and adds the line to the upper margin. If it is determined that there is no line already added to the upper margin (No in S2701), the CPU 101 advances the process to S1603 and acquires the next line.

For example, when processing is performed on the line 2600, the CPU 101 proceeds to S2701 because there is no object data. Since the line 2600 is located at the top of the page, the line has not yet been added to the upper margin when determining S2701 for the line 2600. Therefore, the CPU 101 advances the process to S1603. After that, the line 2601 containing only the white data is determined to be Yes in S1602 and Yes in S1604, and is added to the upper margin in S1605. Subsequently, when the process is performed on the line 2602, the CPU 101 proceeds to S2701 because there is no object data. In S2701, since the line 2601 has already been added to the upper margin, the process proceeds to S1605 assuming that there is an addition, and the line 2602 that does not include the object data is also added to the upper margin.

As a result, even an image output device that executes the paper saving function A can transmit output data including lines 2601 and 2602 in the upper margin, and the output result is the same as when the paper saving function B is executed. Can be obtained.

<Other Embodiments>
In the present embodiment, the description is made assuming that the output setting is generated after the paper saving setting is determined, but the paper saving setting may be determined or changed by an output setting other than the paper saving setting. For example, if the output settings specify that special ink is used, the paper saving function may be disabled. As a result, there may be a situation where the desired output result cannot be obtained by the paper saving function, such as when a line that does not contain an object or when the white data is set to be printed using a predetermined special ink. Can be prevented.

Further, in the present embodiment, the image output device 110 has been described as executing either the paper saving function A or the paper saving function B, but in one example, the image that executes both the paper saving functions A and B. There may be an output device 110. In such a case, the information processing apparatus 100 may give an output instruction to specify the paper saving function to be applied.

Further, the number of paper saving functions may be two or more. In such a case, the paper saving function information acquired by the information processing device 100 from the image output device 110 may include information on two or more paper saving functions that can be executed by the image output device 110. The information processing device 100 may determine whether or not the paper saving setting can be executed based on the acquired paper saving function information. If the image output device 110 is not capable of performing paper saving settings but can perform multiple paper saving functions, it is based on user specifications, the default settings of the image output device 110, or any information such as past output history. , The paper saving function to be executed by the image output device 110 may be determined.

Further, in the present embodiment, the roll paper has been described as an example of the recording medium, but it can also be applied to a roll-shaped recording medium such as plastic. Further, in one example, it may be applied to a recording medium made of any material such as glass, metal, and wood.

The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by the processing to be performed. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

100: Information processing device, 101: CPU, 102: RAM, 103: ROM, 104: HDD, 105: Display I / F, 106: Network I / F, 107: Bus, 108: Display, 110A: Image processing device A , 110B: Image processing device B, 120: LAN, 201: Paper outline, 202: Outputtable range, 203: Graphic, 204: Graphic

Claims (14)

It is an information processing method of an information processing device.
The acquisition process of acquiring information about the first saving function regarding the output to the recording medium that the output device can execute, and
When it is determined that the output device is not feasible for the second saving function regarding the output to the recording medium to be applied based on the first saving function, the second saving function is applied. A generation step of generating an output instruction corresponding to the first saving function so that the output of the case can be obtained.
A transmission step of transmitting the generated output instruction to the output device, and
An information processing method characterized by including. In the generation step, when it is determined that the output device is not feasible to execute the second saving function based on the first saving function, the upper and lower margins of the output region to be included in the output instruction are set. The feature is that the output instruction corresponding to the first saving function is generated by adjusting at least one of the corresponding length and the length corresponding to the vertical offset of the output object to be included in the output instruction. The information processing method according to claim 1. The first saving function and the second saving function delete the line data not including the output object and the line data containing only the white output object arranged above and below the output area, respectively. The second process, which deletes the line data arranged above and below the output area and does not include the output objects, but does not delete the line data containing only the white output objects arranged above and below the output area.
The information processing method according to claim 2, wherein the function is to execute any of the above. When the first saving function corresponds to the second process and the second saving function corresponds to the first process,
In the generation step, the second saving function is provided by adding the length corresponding to the line data including only the white output object arranged above and below the output area to the length corresponding to the margin. The information processing method according to claim 3, wherein an output instruction corresponding to the first saving function is generated so that an output when applied is obtained. When the first saving function corresponds to the first process and the second saving function corresponds to the second process,
In the generation step, the second saving function is provided by adding the length corresponding to the line data including only the white output object arranged above and below the output area to the length corresponding to the offset. The information processing method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein an output instruction corresponding to the first saving function is generated so that an output when applied is obtained. In the generation step, when it is determined that the output device can execute the second saving function based on the first saving function, the upper and lower margins of the output region to be included in the output instruction are set. Claim 1 is characterized in that the output instruction corresponding to the first saving function is generated without adjusting the corresponding length and the length corresponding to the vertical offset of the output object to be included in the output instruction. The information processing method according to any one of 5 to 5. The information according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the display means further includes a display step of displaying a preview screen including a preview of the output when the second saving function is applied. Processing method. The information processing method according to claim 7, wherein the white output object is visually displayed in the display step. The preview screen further includes a detection step for detecting switching of the second saving function.
According to claim 7 or 8, when it is detected that the second saving function has been switched in the detection step, the display of the preview screen is updated based on the switched saving function. The information processing method described. Any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein in the generation step, when the output instruction includes an instruction to use a special ink, the output instruction is generated without enabling the saving function. Information processing method described in. The storage means further includes a storage step of storing information regarding the second saving function corresponding to the output instruction transmitted in the transmission step.
One of claims 1 to 10, wherein in the generation step, the second saving function saved by the saving means in the previous output is acquired as the second saving function to be applied. Information processing method described in. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the recording medium is roll paper. An acquisition means for acquiring information about the first saving function regarding the recording medium that the output device can execute, and
Based on the first saving function, when it is determined that the output device is not feasible for the second saving function regarding the output to the recording medium to be applied, the second saving function is applied. A generation means for generating an output instruction corresponding to the first saving function so that the output of the case can be obtained.
A transmission means for transmitting the generated output instruction to the output device, and
An information processing device characterized by having. A program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

Images