JP2023131790A - Information processing apparatus, printing system, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent print quality not intended by a user when data is printed on a printing medium.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus (2) comprises communication means (224) communicating with at least a printer (1), print data generation means (220c) which generates first print data (6A) being print data which can be transmitted to the printer through the communication means and second print data different from the first print data, and selection means which allows selection between printing in a printable area based on the first print data by the printer and printing in the printing area based on the first print data and the second print data by the printer, in accordance with a magnitude of a parameter for comparison.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, a printing system, a control method, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art Some printing devices that perform printing on a print medium control printing on the print medium based on print data generated from an image (print image) to be printed on the print medium. Print data used in this type of printing apparatus is created by dividing a printable area of a print image on a printing medium into a plurality of dots, and determining print control information for each dot. Generally, high-definition printing can be achieved by increasing the number of dots in the printable area (high resolution), but the time required to create print data and print processing based on the print data becomes longer. On the other hand, by reducing the number of dots in the printable area (lower resolution), the time required to create print data and print processing based on print data can be shortened, but the appearance may be impaired. be.

A related technology is to create print data with multiple resolutions that are optimal depending on the type of area to be drawn and the content of the image from image data with a predetermined resolution or unspecified resolution, and to increase the high resolution of the created print data. A printing control method is known in which a plurality of resolution data are generated by converting pixel data from pixel data to low-resolution pixel data for each region (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-264403

The above-mentioned printing devices include those capable of wirelessly communicating with an information processing device such as a personal computer or a smartphone, and printing on a printing medium based on print data transmitted (transferred) from the information processing device. There is. In this type of printing device, the print data transfer speed varies depending on the communication status between the wirelessly connected printing device and the information processing device. If the print data transfer speed is low, the waiting time from the start of print data transmission to the completion of printing becomes long, reducing convenience.

As a method to suppress long waiting times due to low transfer speeds of print data, low-resolution print data is generated in the information processing device and the amount of print data that is transmitted (transferred) from the information processing device to the printing device is reduced. (amount of data).

However, when generating print data based on a certain print image, the lower the resolution, the larger the size of one dot on the printing medium. For this reason, when sending low-resolution print data from an information processing device to a printing device, the print quality may deteriorate, such as coarse dots that do not look good, and characters and graphics printed on the printing medium may In some cases, information such as information did not appear as the user intended.

An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a technique that can prevent print quality from being unintended by the user when printing on a printing medium.

An information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a communication unit that communicates with at least a printing device; first print data that is print data that can be transmitted to the printing device via the communication unit; second print data different from the print data of the second print data, and a print data generating means for generating second print data different from the print data of The method is characterized by comprising a selection means for making it possible to select whether to cause the area to be printed based on the first print data and the second print data, depending on the size of the comparison parameter. .

According to the aspect described above, when printing on a printing medium, it is possible to prevent print quality from being unintended by the user.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a printing device and an information processing device in the printing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of printing on a printing medium in the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a conventional example of print data transmitted from an information processing device to a printing device. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method of transmitting print data from the information processing device to the printing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for creating print data according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method of interpolating print control information according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of data transmission processing performed by the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a proposal screen displayed on the information processing device. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of printing processing performed by the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of print data in which there is no difference between interpolation using the second print data and interpolation using the first print data itself. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of print data that differs between when interpolated with second print data and when interpolated with first print data itself. 7 is a table illustrating an example of a print data transmission method according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a print data transmission method according to the second embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of data transmission processing performed by the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of printing processing performed by a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the print data generation method according to the second embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, as an example of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied, a thermal transfer type printing apparatus that prints on a printing medium by heating the printing medium with a thermal head will be cited. In addition, the illustrated printing device is a label printer that accommodates a roll of tape-shaped printing medium in the device housing (main body) and is capable of printing and cutting on the printing medium that is fed out from the roll. This is a printing device called . Furthermore, the illustrated printing device is a printing device capable of acquiring print data through wireless communication with an external information processing device. In the following description, detailed descriptions of known configurations, functions, operations, etc. of the illustrated printing apparatus will be omitted.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to a first embodiment. The printing system illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a printing device 1 and an information processing device 2. The printing system illustrated in FIG. The printing device 1 and the information processing device 2 can perform wireless communication according to known short-range wireless communication standards such as BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark)) and Wi-Fi (registered trademark), for example.

The printing device 1 includes a substantially box-shaped device casing 101 and a lid 102 that is detachably attached to the device casing 101. In the defined space, there are a media roll 4 containing the print medium 3, a transport mechanism (not shown) that transports the print medium 3, a printing mechanism (not shown) that prints on the print medium 3, A cutting mechanism (not shown) for cutting the printing medium 3 and the like are housed. The device casing 101 is formed with a discharge port 103 through which the printing medium 3 supplied from the medium roll 4 housed in the space defined by the device casing 101 and the lid 102 can be discharged to the outside of the device. ing. A plurality of operation buttons 104 and a plurality of display lamps 105 are arranged on the outer surface of the device housing 101. The plurality of operation buttons 104 include, for example, a button for turning the power on and off, a button for switching the standard of wireless communication with the information processing device 2, and the like. The plurality of display lamps 105 include, for example, a lamp that indicates the on/off state of the power supply, a lamp that indicates the valid wireless communication standard, a lamp that indicates the communication status of the wireless communication (for example, radio field strength), and the like.

Note that the external configuration of the printing device 1 in the printing system of this embodiment is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 . The printing device 1 includes, for example, a keyboard that can input objects (characters, figures, etc.) to be printed on the printing medium 3, and a display (for example, a dot matrix liquid crystal display) that can display the input objects. It may be.

The information processing device 2 illustrated in FIG. 1 is, for example, a general-purpose computer, such as a smartphone or a tablet computer, equipped with a touch panel display 201 and capable of short-range wireless communication. A user of the information processing device 2 can create a print image of an object (characters, graphics, etc.) to be printed on the printing medium 3 by causing the information processing device 2 to execute an application program compatible with the printing device 1. can. Further, the user of the information processing device 2 can cause the information processing device 2 to generate print data based on a print image and send (transfer) the print data to the printing device 1 . The printing device 1 that has received the print data performs printing on the printing medium 3 based on the received print data.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a printing device and an information processing device in the printing system according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2, the functions of each block of the printing device 1 will be explained in relation to the hardware configuration of the printing device 1, and the functions of each block of the information processing device 2 will be explained in relation to the hardware configuration of the information processing device 2. This will be explained in relation to

The printing device 1 includes a control section 120, a storage section 121, an input section 122, a display section 123, a communication section 124, a detection section 125, a conveyance section 126, a printing section 127, and a cutting section 128.

The control unit 120 controls various operations that can be executed by the printing apparatus 1. The control unit 120 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executes a program stored in the storage unit 121, such as a program for controlling printing on the printing medium 3 based on print data. The control unit 120 functions as a determination unit 120a and a development unit 120b while executing a program that controls printing on the printing medium 3 based on print data. The determining unit 120a determines print data to be used for interpolation, for example, in a process of interpolating print data received from the information processing device 2 using a method described later. The expansion unit 120b interpolates the print data based on the determination result of the determination unit 120a, and generates (expands) print data to be used for printing on the printing medium 3. Furthermore, during execution of the program that controls printing on the printing medium 3 based on the print data, the control unit 120 generates control signals that control the operations of the conveying unit 126, the printing unit 127, and the cutting unit 128. Controls the operation of each part.

The storage unit 121 stores programs executed by the processor as the control unit 120, various information referred to during execution of the programs, received print data, and the like. The storage unit 121 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage unit 121 may include, for example, an auxiliary storage device built into the printing device 1, such as an SSD (Solid State Drive). Furthermore, the storage unit 121 may include a portable recording medium that can be freely attached to and detached from the printing apparatus 1, such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a card type memory.

The input unit 122 accepts input of various information to the printing apparatus 1 . The input unit 122 includes, for example, a plurality of operation buttons 104 illustrated in FIG. 1 . Input unit 122 may include, for example, the keyboard described above. The display unit 123 displays various information regarding the printing device 1. The display unit 123 includes, for example, the plurality of display lamps 105 illustrated in FIG. 1 . The display unit 123 may include, for example, a display such as the above-mentioned dot matrix liquid crystal display. Further, the printing apparatus 1 may include, for example, a touch panel display in which a position detector (digitizer) as the input section 122 is disposed on a display area of a display as the display section 123.

The communication unit 124 is a communication interface that can perform wireless communication according to the short-range wireless communication standards such as BLE and Wi-Fi described above. The communication unit 124 may have a terminal to which a transmission cable such as a USB cable can be connected, and may be capable of wired communication with the information processing device 2 via the transmission cable. The communication unit 124 is an example of communication means that communicates with the information processing device 2.

The detection unit 125 detects whether or not the printing medium 3 is set in the printing device 1 and the type (for example, width) of the printing medium 3 set in the printing device 1 . The conveyance unit 126 conveys the printing medium 3 along the conveyance path based on a control signal from the control unit 120. The printing unit 127 performs printing on the printing medium 3 based on the control signal from the control unit 120. The cutting unit 128 cuts the printing medium 3 based on the control signal from the control unit 120. The detection section 125, the conveyance section 126, the printing section 127, and the cutting section 128 in the printing device 1 of this embodiment may have the same configuration as each section in a known printing device of the same type.

Note that some or all of the functions of the control unit 120, storage unit 121, input unit 122, display unit 123, and communication unit 124 of the printing device 1 may be realized by a general-purpose computer built into the printing device 1. However, it may also be realized by a combination of dedicated hardware. For example, a part or all of the control unit 120 and the storage unit 121 may be realized by an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or the like.

The information processing device 2 includes a control section 220, a storage section 221, an input section 222, a display section 223, and a communication section 224.

The control unit 220 controls various operations executable by the information processing device 2 . The control unit 220 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU, and stores a print program or the like in the storage unit 121 that creates a print image to be printed on the printing medium 3 and sends print data generated based on the print image. Execute the stored program. The control unit 220 functions as an editing unit 220a, a comparison unit 220b, and a print data generation unit 220c during execution of the print program. The editing unit 220a receives an input of an object to be printed on the print medium 3 and creates a print image. The print data generation unit 220c creates print data, header information, etc. to be transmitted to the printing device 1 based on the print image created by the editing unit 220a. The print data generation unit 220c generates a first image with a resolution lower than the print resolution specified based on the size of the printable area on the print medium 3 on which the print image is printed and the size of the print control unit area of the printing unit 127. , and second print data that interpolates the first print data. The comparison unit 220b compares the case of printing using only the first print data and the case of printing using the first print data and the second print data. For example, the comparison unit 220b in the information processing device 2 of this embodiment compares the case where only the first print data is transmitted and the case where the first print data and the second print data are transmitted based on the communication status with the printing device 1. Compare the time required to print and when sending. The print data generation unit 220c generates first print data that can be transmitted to the printing apparatus 1 via the communication means (communication unit 224) and second print data that is different from the second print data. This is an example of print data generation means. The comparison unit 220b causes the printing device 1 to print on the printable area 5 based on the first print data, or prints on the printable area 5 based on the first print data and the second print data. This is an example of a selection means that makes it possible to select whether to perform printing based on the comparison parameter depending on the size of the comparison parameter.

The storage unit 221 stores programs executed by the processor as the control unit 220, various information referred to during execution of the programs, received print data, and the like. Storage unit 221 includes RAM and ROM. The storage unit 221 may include, for example, an auxiliary storage device built into the information processing device 2, such as an SSD or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Furthermore, the storage unit 221 may include a portable recording medium, such as a USB memory or a card-type memory, that is detachable from the information processing device 2 .

The input unit 222 receives input of various information to the information processing device 2 . The display unit 223 displays various information such as information regarding the information processing device 2. The input unit 222 and the display unit 223 may be provided in the information processing device 2 as the touch panel display 201 described above with reference to FIG. Note that the input unit 222 may include, for example, instead of or in addition to the position detector (digitizer), one or more of a keyboard, a mouse, and other operation buttons.

The communication unit 224 is a communication interface that can perform wireless communication according to short-range wireless communication standards such as BLE and Wi-Fi described above. The communication unit 224 may have a terminal to which a transmission cable such as a USB cable can be connected, and may be capable of wired communication with the printing apparatus 1 via the transmission cable. The communication unit 224 is an example of communication means that communicates with at least the printing apparatus 1. The communication unit 224 may include communication control means for controlling transmission of various information such as first print data to the printing apparatus 1. The communication control means may be included in the control section 220 described above.

Note that some or all of the functions of the control unit 220, storage unit 221, input unit 222, display unit 223, and communication unit 224 of the information processing device 2 may be realized by a general-purpose computer as the information processing device 2. However, it may also be realized by a combination of dedicated hardware. Further, the functions of the control unit 220 of the information processing device 2 may be realized by a plurality of processors (for example, a combination of a CPU and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor)). Further, the general-purpose computer serving as the information processing device 2 is not limited to the above-mentioned smartphone or tablet computer, but may be a desktop computer, a notebook computer, or the like.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing method on a print medium in the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the character string "1st grade" is printed within the printable area 5 of the printing medium 3.

The user of the information processing device 2 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 operates the information processing device 2 that executes the application program to print the character string “Junior High School 1” on the printing medium 3. Print images can be created. In addition, the user of the information processing device 2 causes the information processing device 2 to generate print data in order to print the created print image on the printing medium 3, and sends (transfers) the print data from the information processing device 2 to the printing device 1. ) can be done.

The information processing device 2 divides the printable area 5 of the print medium 3 set based on the print image into a plurality of print control unit areas, and generates print data including print control information for each print control unit area. do. The printing apparatus 1 described above with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. A plurality of print control unit areas (16 in FIG. 3) lined up in a direction (second direction) perpendicular to the second direction) are treated as one printable unit area (print line), and each printable unit area is sequentially printed. implement. When the printing conveyance direction of the printing medium 3 is to the left as illustrated in FIG. Printing of the printable unit areas 502, 503, .

The printing device 1 has a thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a second direction, and controls the application of current to each heating element based on print control information of a print control unit area corresponding to each heating element. do. When the printing medium 3 has a heat-sensitive material layer, among the plurality of printing control unit areas within the printable unit area, only the printable unit area facing the heating element heated by applying current develops or changes color. . In the example shown in FIG. 3, the application of current to each heating element of the thermal head is controlled so that only the printing control unit area in which the black circle is arranged develops or changes color. That is, the information processing device 2 generates print data including print control information for each print control unit area within the printable area 5 and transmits it to the printing device 1 . The print control information is expressed, for example, as a 1-bit value, with a value of 1 indicating printing, and a value of 0 indicating not printing. Note that in this specification, printing a print control unit area refers to printing a printing material layer such as ink or toner in order to express objects (for example, characters, figures, etc.) included in a print image on the printing medium 3. It means to provide or to cause the heat-sensitive material layer of the printing medium 3 to develop or change color.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a conventional example of print data transmitted from an information processing device to a printing device. FIG. 4 shows a conventional example of a method for generating print data 6 corresponding to the printable area 5 illustrated in FIG. 3. In FIG.

In the conventional method of generating print data 6 in the information processing device 2, as illustrated in FIG. Print data 6 is created as a set (1 byte of data). For example, the first 1-byte data 601a of print data 6 contains the print control information of eight consecutive print control unit areas 501a in the upper half of the printable unit area 501 including 16 print control unit areas. include. The next 1-byte data 601b of the print data 6 includes print control information of eight consecutive print control unit areas 501b in the lower half of the printable unit area 501. In this manner, the conventional information processing apparatus 2 generates print data 6 including print control information for all print control unit areas within the printable area 5 and transmits (transfers) the print data 6 to the printing apparatus 1 .

The time required to transfer the print data 6 from the information processing device 2 to the printing device 1 by wireless communication (transfer time) depends on the communication status (for example, radio wave strength) between the information processing device 2 and the printing device 1. do. That is, if the wireless communication status between the information processing device 2 and the printing device 1 is not good, the transfer time of the print data 6 becomes long, and printing on the printing medium 3 is delayed after the start of sending the print data 6. The waiting time until completion will be longer.

One possible method for suppressing an increase in the transfer time of the print data 6 is to compress the print data 6 generated by the information processing device 2 and transfer it to the printing device 1. However, in such a method, in order to decompress (restore) the print data 6 compressed in the printing device 1, it is necessary to store a decompression program in the storage unit 121 of the printing device 1. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the storage capacity of the storage unit 121 of the printing device 1, which leads to an increase in the manufacturing cost of the printing device 1.

Further, when low-resolution print data is generated as in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, the size of one dot (print control unit area) on the printing medium becomes large. Therefore, when low-resolution print data is sent from the information processing device 2 to the printing device 1, the information such as characters and graphics printed on the printing medium 3 may not look as the user intended, or Print quality may deteriorate, such as the dots being coarse and not looking good.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method of transmitting print data from the information processing device to the printing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for creating print data according to the first embodiment. Although omitted in FIG. 5, the printable area 5 in FIG. 5 is an area where a print image including the character string "1st year of middle school" is printed, similar to the printable area 5 illustrated in FIG. shall be.

In the printing system of this embodiment, when generating the print data 6 in the information processing device 2, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the print control unit area within the printable area 5 is grouped into the first group G1. It is divided into a second group G2 and generated for each group. Specifically, for each printable unit area (print line) of the printable area 5, the print control unit areas are included in the first group G1 so that adjacent print control unit areas are not included in the same group. The area is grouped into the area and the area included in the second group G2. In the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6, among the 16 print control unit areas of each printable unit area, the odd-numbered print control unit areas from the top are included in the first group, and the even-numbered print control units from the top are included in the first group. The area is included in the second group.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the information processing apparatus 2 of this embodiment generates first print data 6A indicating print control information of print control unit areas included in the first group G1 in each printable unit area. and second print data 6B indicating the print control information of the print control unit area included in the second group G2 are generated and transmitted to the printing device 1. The printable unit area illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 includes 16 print control unit areas. Therefore, 1-byte data 611, 612, 613, . . . in the first print data 6A are the odd-numbered print controls from the top in one printable unit area 501, 502, 503, . Indicates print control information for a unit area (print dot). Furthermore, 1-byte data 621, 622, 623, . . . in the second print data 6B are the even-numbered print control units from the top in one printable unit area 501, 502, 503, . Indicates print control information for the area (print dots). Note that the number of print control unit areas included in one printable unit area is not limited to 16, and may be any other number.

After generating the first print data 6A and the second print data 6B described above, the information processing device 2 of this embodiment generates the first print data 6A and the second print data 6B according to the communication status between the information processing device 2 and the printing device 1. It can be determined whether only the print data 6A or both the first print data 6A and the second print data 6B are to be sent. For example, when the communication status between the information processing device 2 and the printing device 1 is good, such as when the radio field intensity of wireless communication is strong, both the first print data 6A and the second print data 6B are sent to the printing device. Send to 1. In this case, the printing device 1 interpolates the first print data 6A with the second print data 6B to correspond to the printable area 5 in FIG. 5 (in other words, to correspond to the print data 6 in FIG. ) Print data can be generated (restored).

On the other hand, when the communication situation between the information processing device 2 and the printing device 1 is not good, such as when the radio field strength of wireless communication is weak, the information processing device 2 of this embodiment first prints the first print data 6A. only the information is sent to the printing device 1. After that, the information processing device 2 of this embodiment determines whether to transmit the second print data 6B, for example, in accordance with the selection (instruction) by the user. When the second print data 6B is transmitted, the printing device 1 interpolates the first print data 6A with the second print data 6B to correspond to the printable area 5 in FIG. 5, as described above. Print data can be generated.

If the user chooses not to send the second print data 6B, for example, the information processing device 2 instructs the printing device 1 to print on the printing medium 3 based on the first print data 6A. Instruct. In this case, the printing device 1 interpolates the first print data 6A using the first print data 6A itself, thereby generating print data indicating the print control information of each print control unit area within the printable area 5 of FIG. generate.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a method for interpolating print control information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 shows an example in which 1-byte data 611 in the first print data 6A corresponding to one printable unit area (print line) 501 is interpolated.

When generating the first print data 6A, the information processing device 2 generates the print control information of the odd-numbered area from the top of the 16 print control unit areas of one printable unit area (print line) 501. It is extracted as 1-byte data 611. In this way, the information processing device 2 generates the first print data 6A in which print control unit areas (print dots) in the print line are thinned out and sends it to the printing device 1, thereby reducing the amount of data to be sent. be able to.

However, the print control information for the printable unit area (print line) 501 in the first print data 6A lacks the print control information for the even-numbered print control unit area from the top included in the second group G2. . In order to compensate for this missing print control information, the printing device 1 copies each piece of print control information in the 1-byte data 611 as the print control information of the downwardly adjacent print control unit area. As a result, in the printing apparatus 1, print control information for each print control unit area in the printable unit area 501', which corresponds to the printable unit area 501 and includes 16 print control unit areas, is generated. In this way, when transmitting only the first print data 6A to the printing device 1 to print on the printing medium 3, the printing device 1 transmits only the first print data 6A to its own print control unit area (print The information processing device 2 interpolates the thinned out print dots by duplicating the print control information of the dots).

As described above, in the printing system of the present embodiment, only the first print data 6A generated by thinning out the print control information of the print control unit area within the printable unit area is transmitted to the printing apparatus 1, and the first The information processing device 2 and the printing device 1 transmit both the print data 6A and the second print data 6B including the print control information thinned out in the first print data 6A to the printing device 1. It can be switched depending on the wireless communication situation during the period and the user's selection. Therefore, for example, when the first print data 6A is interpolated by itself and printed on the print medium 3, objects (for example, characters and figures) that are expressed on the print medium 3 are printed. etc.), the printing device 1 can print on the print medium 3 without transmitting the second print data 6B. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in waiting time within a range where printing quality does not deteriorate excessively. On the other hand, for example, when the first print data 6A is interpolated by the first print data 6A itself and printed on the print medium 3, objects (for example, characters, figures, etc.) that are expressed on the print medium 3 are ) may deviate from the user's tolerance, the second print data 6B can be additionally transmitted to give priority to suppressing deterioration of print quality.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of data transmission processing performed by the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 8 includes print data creation processing that corresponds to the example of the print data creation method described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. When the information processing device 2 performs an operation on the information processing device 2 to send a print image created (edited) to the printing device 1 by a user of the information processing device 2, the information processing device 2 executes a process illustrated in the flowchart illustrated in FIG. Start the data transmission process.

The information processing device 2 first generates first print data 6A with print dots thinned out in the print line direction and second print data 6B with the thinned print dots (step S1). The process in step S1 is performed by the control unit 220 (more specifically, the print data generation unit 220c) of the information processing device 2. As described above with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the control unit 220 controls the printable unit area (print line) within the printable area 5 set on the printing medium 3 based on the print image. 501, 502, 503, . . . , a plurality of print control unit areas (print dots) included in the printable unit area are first controlled so that adjacent print dots in the print line direction are included in different groups. The first print data 6A includes print control information for the print dots of the first group G1 and print control information for the print dots of the second group G2. The second print data 6B is generated.

After the process in step S1, the information processing device 2 establishes a wireless connection with the printing device 1 (step S2), and derives the communication status between the information processing device 2 and the printing device 1 (step S3). Subsequently, the information processing device 2 determines whether or not to propose printing using only the first print data 6A to the user based on the derived communication status (step S4). The processing of steps S2 to S4 is performed by, for example, the control unit 220 of the information processing device 2. Steps S2 and S3 may be any known processing performed between the information processing device 2 and the printing device 1. In step S3, the control unit 220 of the information processing device 2 acquires the radio field strength of the wireless connection, the data transfer rate, etc., for example. Radio field strength and data transfer rate (time) are examples of comparison parameters. In step S4, the control unit 220 of the information processing device 2 determines to propose printing using only the first print data 6A, for example, when the radio field intensity derived in step S3 is less than or equal to the threshold value. In step S4, the control unit 220 of the information processing device 2 determines, for example, that the transfer time required to transfer both the first print data 6A and the second print data 6B, which is derived based on the data transfer speed, is a threshold value. In the above case, it may be determined that printing using only the first print data is proposed. The processing in steps S2 to S4 is not limited to after step S1, and at least a part of the processing may be performed in parallel with step S1, or may be performed before step S1.

Next, the information processing device 2 determines whether or not it was determined in step S4 that the proposal should be made (step S5). If it is determined not to make a proposal (step S5; NO), the information processing device 2 transmits the first print data 6A and the second print data 6B to the printing device 1 (step S6). When the transmission of the first print data 6A and the second print data 6B is completed, the information processing device 2 transmits a transmission completion notification to the printing device 1 (step S11), and ends the data transmission process. The printing device 1 that has received the first print data 6A, the second print data 6B, and the transmission completion notification performs printing on the printing medium 3 by, for example, a print process that will be described later with reference to FIG. 10.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 to make a proposal (step S5; YES), the information processing device 2 displays a proposal screen on the display unit 223 (step S7), and transmits the first print data 6A to the printing device 1. (Step S8). The process of step S8 is not limited to after step S7, but may be started in parallel (simultaneously) with step S7, or may be started before step S7. The proposal screen displayed on the display unit 223 in step S7 includes, for example, a message notifying that the data transfer time will be longer if the second print data is also sent, and a message indicating whether or not to send the second print data. and a selection button for selecting one. In addition to the message and selection button described above, the proposal screen also displays, for example, an image of the print result when printing using only the first print data, and an image of the print result when printing using the first print data and the second print data. An image of the print result may also be presented.

After displaying the proposal screen on the display unit 223, the information processing device 2 determines whether the user agrees to the proposal (step S9). For example, the information processing device 2 clicks a selection button for selecting whether to consent or not (for example, a selection button for selecting whether to send the second print data described above) included in the display screen displayed on the display unit 223. The determination in step S9 is made based on the user's operation on the button). Further, the information processing device 2 determines that the user agrees to the proposal if, for example, no operation input indicating consent is made by the time a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the time when the proposal screen was displayed on the display unit 223. You may decide not to do so.

If it is determined that the user agrees to the proposal (step S9; YES), the information processing device 2 transmits a transmission completion notification to the printing device 1 indicating that only the first print data 6A has been transmitted (step S11). , ends the data transfer process. If it is determined that the user does not agree with the proposal (step S9; NO), the information processing device 2 transmits the second print data 6B to the printing device 1 (step S10). Thereafter, the information processing device 2 transmits a transmission completion notification indicating that the first print data 6A and the second print data 6B have been transmitted to the printing device 1 (step S11), and ends the data transfer process.

In this way, the information processing device 2 according to the present embodiment generates the first print data 6A and the second print data 6B as print data to be transmitted to the printing device 1, and generates the first print data 6A and the second print data 6B. If it is determined that sending both of the second print data 6B will increase the time required for printing, a proposal screen is displayed to suggest printing using only the first print data 6A to the user.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a proposal screen displayed on the information processing device. FIG. 9 illustrates a part of the proposal screen displayed on the information processing device 2 including the touch panel display 201.

The proposal screen illustrated in FIG. 9 includes an image 211 of the first print result and an image 212 of the second print result, which are arranged in the left-right direction. The image 211 of the first print result includes both the first print data 6A and the second print data 6B that are generated when the character string “1st year of middle school” illustrated in FIG. 3 is printed on the printing medium 3. It represents the print result when printing using . The image 212 of the second print result is an image of a case where printing is performed using only the first print data 6A generated when printing the character string “1st year of middle school” illustrated in FIG. 3 on the printing medium 3. It represents the print result.

Above the first print result image 211 and the second print result image 212, when both the first print data 6A and the second print data 6B are sent to the printing device 1, until printing is completed. A message is displayed informing you that the waiting time will be longer and prompting you to select a printing method. The printing method can be selected using a first selection button 213 placed below the first print result image 211 and a second selection button 214 placed below the second print result image 212. This is done by pressing either button.

The first selection button 213 contains information indicating that when the first selection button 213 is pressed, high-resolution printing (that is, printing using the first print data 6A and the second print data 6B) is performed. is displayed. The second selection button 214 displays information indicating that when the second selection button 214 is pressed, low resolution printing (that is, printing using only the first print data 6A) will be performed. Furthermore, below the first selection button 213 and below the second selection button 214, the advantages and disadvantages of each print are displayed.

The user who viewed the proposal screen (the display screen of the touch panel display 201) illustrated in FIG. It can be determined whether the print quality of the character string "1st grade" is within the allowable range. For example, the user compares the upper end portions 211a and 212a of the number "1" in the two images 211 and 212, respectively, and determines whether the print quality of the second print result image 212 is within the allowable range. can be judged. Then, if it is within the allowable range and the user presses the second selection button 214, the information processing device 2 transmits only the first print data 6A to the printing device 1. On the other hand, if the value is not within the allowable range and the user presses the first selection button 213, the information processing device 2 transmits the first print data and the second print data to the printing device 1.

Note that the proposal screen illustrated in FIG. 9 is only an example of a screen that proposes printing using only the first print data 6A to the user. The proposal screen displayed on the information processing device 2 includes, for example, a prediction of the transfer time required to transfer the print data, which is derived based on the communication status (for example, data transfer speed) between the information processing device 2 and the printing device 1. Time information such as a value that can be used as a reference for the waiting time until printing is completed may be displayed. In this case, the user can print at high resolution or at low resolution based on the displayed time information (waiting time) and the image of the print result when printing using only the first print data. You can decide whether to do so.

The processing described above with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 is performed in the information processing device 2, and the first print data 6A and the transmission completion notification, or the first print data 6A, the second print data 6B, The printing device 1 that has received the transmission completion notification performs printing on the printing medium 3 by, for example, a printing process according to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of printing processing performed by the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

The printing device 1 that has received the transmission completion notification from the information processing device 2 determines, for example, whether or not it has received the second print data 6B associated with the transmission completion notification (step S12). The determination in step S12 is performed by the control unit 120 (more specifically, the determination unit 120a) of the printing apparatus 1. When the second print data 6B is received (step S12; YES), the printing device 1 generates print data by interpolating the first print data 6A with the second print data 6B (step S13). Printing is performed on the print medium 3 based on the print data (step S15). The process in step S13 is performed by the control unit 120 (more specifically, the development unit 120b) of the printing apparatus 1. In step S13, the control unit 120 interpolates the print control information of the first print data 6A with the print control information of the second print data 6B for each printable unit area (print line) in the first print data 6A. Generate (expand) print data. For example, instead of interpolating all printable unit areas (print lines) in step S13 and then performing printing in step S15, the control unit 120 of the printing apparatus 1 interpolates each printable unit area (print line). The process of printing on the printing medium 3 based on the print control information of the interpolated printable unit area may be formed into a pipeline. That is, the printing device 1 performs a process of generating (expanding) a printable unit area (print line) by interpolating the print control information of the first print data 6A with the print control information of the second print data 6B, and The process of printing on the printing medium 3 based on the printable unit area (print line) may be performed in parallel for each printable unit area (print line).

On the other hand, if the second print data 6B is not received (step S12; NO), the printing device 1 generates print data by interpolating the first print data 6A using the first print data 6A itself. (Step S14), and printing on the printing medium 3 is performed based on the generated print data (Step S15). The process in step S14 is performed by the control unit 120 (more specifically, the development unit 120b) of the printing apparatus 1. In step S14, the control unit 120 adjusts the print control information of the first print data 6A for each printable unit area (print line) in the first print data 6A according to the method described above with reference to FIG. Then, print data is generated (developed) by interpolating the print control information of the first print data 6A. For example, instead of interpolating all the printable unit areas (print lines) in step S14 and then printing in step S15, the control unit 120 of the printing apparatus 1 prints for each printable unit area (print line). The process of interpolating the control information and the process of printing on the printing medium 3 based on the interpolated print control information of the printable unit area may be performed in a pipeline. That is, the printing device 1 performs a process of generating (expanding) a printable unit area (print line) by interpolating the print control information of the first print data 6A with the print control information of the first print data 6A, and The process of printing on the printing medium 3 based on the printable unit area (print line) may be performed in parallel for each printable unit area (print line). The control unit 120 of the printing device 1 described above prints on the printable area 5 of the printing medium 3 based on the first print data according to the selection result by the selection unit (for example, the comparison unit 220b) of the information processing device 2. This is an example of a control means that controls whether to perform printing on the printable area 5 based on the first print data and the second print data.

In the printing system according to the present embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. Sending only the data 6A to the printing device 1, and sending both the first print data 6A and the second print data 6B including print control information thinned out in the first print data 6A to the printing device 1. The transmission can be switched depending on the wireless communication status between the information processing device 2 and the printing device 1 and the user's selection. Therefore, for example, when the first print data 6A is interpolated by itself and printed on the print medium 3, objects (for example, characters and figures) that are expressed on the print medium 3 are printed. etc.), the printing device 1 can print on the print medium 3 without transmitting the second print data 6B. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the waiting time until printing is completed within a range in which the print quality does not deteriorate excessively (that is, the print quality is within the user's tolerance range). On the other hand, for example, when the first print data 6A is interpolated by the first print data 6A itself and printed on the print medium 3, objects (for example, characters, figures, etc.) that are expressed on the print medium 3 are ) may deviate from the user's tolerance, the second print data 6B can be additionally transmitted to give priority to suppressing deterioration of print quality.

Further, the interpolation of print control information to the first print data 6A performed by the printing device 1 is performed in two cases: when only the first print data 6A is received, and when the first print data 6A and the second print data 6B are received. The only difference between the two cases is the print data used for interpolation to the first print data 6A. Furthermore, since the print control information in the first print data 6A is created by thinning out print control unit areas adjacent in the print line direction, compared to the case where compressed print data is decompressed (restored), Interpolation can be performed with simple processing that does not require a special program. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the manufacturing cost of the printing apparatus 1 due to increasing the capacity of the storage section 121 of the printing apparatus 1.

[Second embodiment]
In this embodiment, another method of generating the second print data used for interpolation of the first print data 6A will be described. The printing system according to this embodiment includes, for example, the printing device 1 and the information processing device 2 described in the first embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the first embodiment described above, the lack of print control information in each printable unit area (print line) of the first print data 6A is replaced with the print control information of the second print data 6B or the first print data. Either one of the print control information of the data 6A itself is interpolated. Therefore, when interpolating the first print data 6A with the first print data 6A itself, some of the objects (characters and figures) included in the print image may have an appearance that is not intended by the user. It may happen that it doesn't turn out exactly as you intended, or it doesn't look good. For example, in the interpolation method described above with reference to FIG. Interpolated with In this case, the interpolated print control information D1 may have the same value as the print control information D2 of the second print control target area from the top in the original printable unit area 501, or may have a different value. In the case of different values, the combination of print control target areas printed in the printable unit area 501' reproduced by interpolation is different from the combination of print control target areas printed in the original printable unit area 501. For this reason, for example, if the difference in the combination of print control target areas printed in a partial area expressing one object in the printable area 5 becomes large, the appearance may not be as the user intended, or the appearance may be poor. It may happen that something is not good.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of print data in which there is no difference between interpolation using the second print data and interpolation using the first print data itself. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of print data that differs between when interpolated with the second print data and when interpolated with the first print data itself. The definitions of the printable unit area (print line) and print control unit area (print dot) in FIGS. 11 and 12 are the same as those described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5.

FIG. 11 shows a partial area 5A expressing the character string "medium" in the printable area 5 set based on the print image, and first print data generated from the partial area 5A. A partial area 5A' interpolated by itself is shown. When generating the first print data from the partial area 5A, for example, for each printable unit area (print line), print control of odd-numbered print control unit areas (print dots) from the top that is the first group G1 is performed. Extract and generate information.

The printing device 1 that has received only the first print data of the generated partial area 5A interpolates the print control information of the first print data itself to the print control information of the first print data, and prints the partial area 5A and the print control information of the first print data. The print data of the corresponding partial area 5A' is restored. In the partial area 5A illustrated in FIG. 11, the printing control information of the odd-numbered printing control unit area from the top is the same as the printing control information of the even-numbered printing control unit area adjacent to the bottom. Therefore, the combination of print control unit areas printed in the partial area 5A' obtained by interpolating the first print data using the first print data itself is the same as the combination of print control unit areas printed in the original partial area 5A. are the same. In such a case, the character "medium" when printing on the print medium 3 by sending only the first print data, and the character "medium" when printing on the print medium 3 by sending only the first print data and the second print data. There is no significant difference in appearance from the character "Naka" when printed on the print medium 3.

FIG. 12 shows a partial area 5B expressing the character string "2" in the printable area 5 set based on the print image, and first print data generated from the partial area 5B. A partial area 5B' interpolated by itself is shown. When generating the first print data from the partial area 5B, for example, for each printable unit area (print line), print the odd-numbered print control unit area (print dot) from the top that is the first group G1. Extract and generate control information.

The printing device 1 that has received only the first print data of the generated partial area 5B interpolates the print control information of the first print data itself to the print control information of the first print data, and prints the partial area 5B and the first print data. The print data of the corresponding partial area 5B' is restored. In the partial area 5B illustrated in FIG. 12, some of the print control information of the odd-numbered print control unit area from the top is different from the print control information of the even-numbered print control unit area adjacent to the bottom. Therefore, the combination of print control unit areas printed in the partial area 5B' obtained by interpolating the first print data using the first print data itself is the same as the combination of print control unit areas printed in the original partial area 5B. It will be a different combination. In the partial area 5B' of FIG. 12, the printing control unit area in which the black circle is placed is an area indicating that the original partial area 5B is also printed. In the partial area 5B' in FIG. 12, the print control unit area with the white circle is an area that indicates not to be printed in the original partial area 5B, and an area that indicates to be printed in the interpolated partial area 5B'. It is. In the partial area 5B' of FIG. 12, the printing control unit area in which "x" is placed is an area indicating that printing is to be performed in the original partial area 5B, and an area indicating not to be printed in the interpolated partial area 5B'. be. That is, when printing partial area 5B' using only the first print data extracted from partial area 5B in FIG. 12, only print control unit areas in which black circles and white circles are arranged are printed (for example, , black), and the printing control unit area in which a plain color and an "x" are placed are not printed.

In this way, the appearance of the character "2" when printing on the printing medium 3 by transmitting only the first print data is different from the appearance of the character "2" when only the first print data and the second print data are transmitted. The appearance of the character "2" will be different from that when printing is performed on the printing medium 3. Whether or not such differences in appearance can be tolerated depends on the user.

Furthermore, when printing on the printing medium 3 based on the print image, for example, the same or substantially the same printing may be performed regardless of whether or not the second print data as described with reference to FIG. 11 is used. A single print image may include an object that yields a result and an object whose print result changes depending on whether or not the second print data as described with reference to FIG. 12 is used. For this reason, in the printing system of this embodiment, the printable area 5 is divided into a plurality of blocks in the printing conveyance direction (first direction), and for each block, printing when the second print data is not used is performed. The user determines whether or not to send the second print data to the printing device 1 based on the difference (for example, difference ratio) between the result and the print result obtained when the second print data is used. be able to do so. One block within the printable area 5 may be, for example, one partial area 5A, 5B representing one character (object) as described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. Therefore, the comparison unit 220b (see FIG. 2) in the information processing device 2 according to the present embodiment has two types of printing results: a print result using only the first print data and a print result using the first print data and the second print data. The comparison results with the printed results are presented to the user. Based on the comparison result, the user determines whether to send only the first print data to the printing device 1 or to send the first print data and the second print data to the printing device 1 for each block. You can choose. As described above, the size of the comparison parameter in this embodiment is determined by the difference (for example, the difference) between the print result when the second print data is not used and the print result when the second print data is used. percentage).

FIG. 13 is a table illustrating an example of the print data transmission method according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the print data transmission method according to the second embodiment.

For example, the difference ratio DD in Table 7 in FIG. The print control information when the first print data is interpolated with the first print data itself and the print control information when the first print data is interpolated with the second print data for the number M of print control unit areas in the block. This is the ratio (DD=N/M) of the number N of print control unit areas whose print control information is different from each other. The difference ratio DD is not limited to a value derived by a specific method. Note that the number N of print control unit areas that are different from each other (difference ratio DD) is an example of a comparison parameter.

The print resolution in Table 7 represents the relationship between the number of print control unit areas in one block and the number of print control information included in print data. In normal resolution, the number of print control information included in print data is the same as the number of print control unit areas in a block. In other words, one print control information corresponds to one print control unit area. be. Low resolution means that the number of print control information included in the print data is smaller than the number of print control unit areas in a block.In other words, the print resolution is such that one print control information corresponds to two adjacent print control unit areas. It is. Note that the low resolution simply means that the apparent printing resolution is low, and the actual printing resolution (the number of printing control unit areas) is the same as the normal resolution.

Blocks with a difference ratio DD smaller than the threshold TH include objects printed by interpolating the first print data using the first print data itself, and objects printed by interpolating the first print data using the second print data. There is no visual difference from the object, or it is very small. Therefore, the information processing device 2 determines that printing a block where DD<TH has a small effect on print quality even if it is printed at a low resolution, and prints only the first print data as the print data for that block to the printing device 2. Suggest to users that they send it to . The threshold value TH with which the difference ratio DD is compared is not limited to a specific value. The threshold value TH may be set for each font, for example, or for each object (for example, for each character and each figure).

Blocks for which the difference ratio DD is greater than or equal to the threshold TH are objects printed by interpolating the first print data using the first print data itself, and objects printed by interpolating the first print data using the second print data. There is a big difference in appearance from the object. Therefore, the information processing device 2 determines that printing a block where TH≦DD at a low resolution will have a large effect on print quality (that is, it should be printed at a normal resolution), and prints the first block as the print data for that block. A proposal is made to the user to send the print data and the second print data to the printing device 1.

FIG. 14A shows an example of the printable area 5 set on the printing medium 3 based on a print image including the character string "intermediate secondary". The printable unit area (print line) and print control unit area (print dot) in the printable area 5 in FIG. 14(a) are defined as described above with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, respectively. is the same as

In the "middle" part of the first half of the character string illustrated in FIG. expensive. As described above with reference to FIG. 11, such characters are printed by interpolating the first print data with the first print data itself, and when printing the first print data with the second print data. There is often little difference in appearance from when interpolated and printed. Therefore, the information processing device 2 selects only the first print data as the print data for the partial area 5C in which the two characters "middle" of the printable area 5 are printed, so that the print data transfer time is shortened. Present (suggest) to the user what to send.

On the other hand, the second half of the character string exemplified in FIG. 14A has a high proportion of curves and straight lines extending in a direction different from the printing conveyance direction and the printing line direction. As described above with reference to FIG. 12, such characters are printed by interpolating the first print data with the first print data itself, and when printing the first print data with the second print data. There tends to be a large difference in appearance compared to when printed with interpolation. Therefore, in order to shorten the print data transfer time, the information processing device 2 uses the first print data and The user is presented (proposed) to send the second print data.

If the user agrees to the above-mentioned presentation (proposal), the information processing device 2 generates print data 6C as illustrated in FIG. 14(b) and transmits it to the printing device 1, for example. The print data 6C includes header information, first print data of the partial area 5C, first print data of the partial area 5D, and second print data of the partial area 5D. The header information includes various information regarding printing on the printing medium 3 that the printing device 1 should perform based on the print data 6C. For example, the header information includes information such as margin settings, the number of prints (number of times of printing), and settings for cutting by the cutting unit 128. Further, the header information of the print data 6C transmitted by the information processing device 2 of this embodiment includes low resolution area information indicating an area to be printed at low resolution. The low resolution area information is, for example, information indicating the range of the printable unit area in which the first print data is interpolated by the first print data itself among the printable unit areas (print lines) in the printable area 5. be.

In this way, the information processing device 2 in the printing system of this embodiment divides the printable area 5 into a plurality of partial areas, and transmits only the first print data or the first print data for each partial area. It is determined whether to transmit the print data and the second print data, and the print data is transmitted to the printing device 1. At this time, the information processing device 2 selects only the first print data as print data of a partial area whose print quality is within the user's tolerance range when the first print data is interpolated by the first print data itself. Send. Therefore, for example, even if the wireless communication status between the information processing device 2 and the printing device 1 is good, the information processing device 2 can send (transfer) data to the printing device 1 within a range that does not affect print quality deterioration. The size of print data (data amount) to be printed can be reduced, and waiting time can be shortened.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of data transmission processing performed by the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. When the information processing device 2 performs an operation on the information processing device 2 to send a print image created (edited) to the printing device 1 by a user of the information processing device 2, the information processing device 2 executes a process illustrated in the flowchart illustrated in FIG. Start the data transmission process.

The information processing device 2 first generates first print data 6A with print dots thinned out in the print line direction and second print data 6B with the thinned print dots (step S21). The process in step S21 corresponds to the process in step S1 described above with reference to FIG. The process in step S21 is performed by the control unit 220 (more specifically, the print data generation unit 220c) of the information processing device 2.

After step S21, the information processing device 2 determines a print line to be printed at low resolution (step S22). The process of step S22 is performed by the control unit 220 (more specifically, the comparison unit 220b) of the information processing device 2. In step S22, the control unit 220, for example, first divides the printable area 5 set based on the print image into a plurality of blocks (partial areas) in the printing conveyance direction based on the layout of objects in the print image. Divide into. When the object in the print image includes a character string, the control unit 220 divides the printable area 5 into blocks (partial areas) each character, for example. After that, the control unit 220 determines, for each block, the difference between the case where the first print data is interpolated with the first print data itself and the case where the first print data is interpolated with the second print data (for example, The difference ratio DD) is calculated, and it is determined whether the printing resolution of the block should be low resolution or normal resolution.

After step S22, the information processing device 2 generates header information including information indicating the area determined as the block (partial area) to be printed at low resolution in step S22 (step S23). The process in step S23 is performed by the control unit 220 (more specifically, the print data generation unit 220c) of the information processing device 2. The control unit 220 uses, as low resolution area information, information indicating the first printing line and the last printing line among the printing lines in the block determined to be printed at the low resolution determined in step S22. Generate the header information (see FIG. 14) that includes.

Next, the information processing device 2 determines whether the size of the generated header information is equal to or larger than a threshold (step S24). The threshold value to be compared with the size of the header information is based on, for example, the amount of data of the information indicating the area to be printed at low resolution, which is included in the header information when the number of areas to be printed at low resolution is two or more. Determined by If the size of the header information is equal to or larger than the threshold (step S24; YES), the information processing device 2 excludes a part of the area to be printed at low resolution in block (partial area) units (step S26), and in step S23 Return to processing. In step S26, the information processing device 2 selects an area that has a low priority for printing using only the first print data (i.e., an area that has a low priority for printing using only the first print data) out of the plurality of areas determined to be printed at low resolution. (areas that have a high priority for sending to the printing device 1) are excluded. The information processing device 2 repeats the processing of steps S26 and S23 until the size of the header information becomes less than the threshold value.

If the size of the header information is less than the threshold (step S24; NO), the information processing device 2 presents the user with an image of the print result including the area to be printed at low resolution (step S25), and the user It is determined whether or not the user agrees with the presented content (step S27). In step S25, the control unit 220 of the information processing device 2, for example, generates an image of the print result based on the print data transmitted to the printing device 1 based on the header information generated in step S23, and a low resolution ( That is, a presentation screen including information indicating a portion to be printed (using only the first print data) is displayed on the display unit 223. The presentation screen may include a selection button for the user to select whether or not to agree to the presentation. For example, the user can determine whether the print quality of the print result displayed on the display unit 223 is within an acceptable range, and if it is within the acceptable range, can choose to agree to the presentation. .

If the user does not agree to the presentation (step S27; NO), the information processing device 2 deletes the information indicating the area to be printed at low resolution from the header information (step S28), and Print data for transmission including all of the print data of No. 2 is generated (step S29). If the user agrees to the presentation (step S27; YES), the information processing device 2 generates print data for transmission based on the header information generated in step S23 (step S30).

After the processing in steps S28 and S29 or the processing in step S30, the information processing device 2 establishes a wireless connection with the printing device 1 (step S31), and prints the print data 6C including header information and print data for transmission. The information is transmitted to the device 1 (step S32). When the transmission of the print data 6C is completed, the information processing device 2 transmits a transmission completion notification to the printing device 1 (step S33), and ends the data transmission process. The printing device 1 that has received the print data 6C and the transmission completion notification performs printing on the printing medium 3 by, for example, the printing process illustrated in FIG. 16.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of printing processing performed by the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

The printing device 1 that has received the transmission completion notification from the information processing device 2 derives a print line to be printed using only the first print data, for example, from the header information of the print data 6C associated with the transmission completion notification. (Step S300). In step S300, the printing apparatus 1 derives a print line to be printed using only the first print data based on print line information indicating the range of a block (partial area) to be printed at low resolution in the header information. do.

After that, the printing device 1 generates print line data by interpolating the first print data with the first print data itself or the second print data for each printable unit area (print line) in the first print data. (Unfolding) loop processing S310 is performed. In loop processing S310, the printing apparatus 1 first determines whether the print line selected for processing is a print line to be printed using only the first print data (step S311). The determination in step S311 is performed by comparing the print line to be printed using only the first print data derived in step S300.

If the print line is not to be printed using only the first print data (step S311; NO), the printing device 1 generates print line data by interpolating the first print data with the second print data (step S311; NO). S312). In step S312, the printing device 1 extracts the print control information of the print control unit area (print dot) of the print line selected as the processing target, which is included in the second print data, and Interpolate between the print control information of the printed print line.

On the other hand, if the print line is to be printed using only the first print data (step S311; YES), the printing device 1 generates print line data by interpolating the first print data using the first print data itself. (Step S313). In step S313, the printing apparatus 1 converts the print control information of the print control unit area (print dot) of the print line selected for processing in the first print data into the adjacent print control unit below it. Copy as area print control information.

After performing the interpolation in step S312 or S313 for all print lines included in the first print data, the printing device 1 completes the loop process S310 and uses the print medium 3 based on the generated print line data. (Step S320). Note that the printing process performed by the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes, for example, the process of generating print line data in steps S311 to S313 and the process of printing on the printing medium 3 based on the generated print line data. It may be arranged in a line. That is, while printing is being performed on the printing medium 3 based on the print line data generated by performing the process in step S312 or S313 for a certain print line, the process in step S312 or S313 for the next print line is being performed. Processing may be performed.

In this way, in the printing system of this embodiment, the first print data generated by thinning out the printable unit area within the printable area set based on the print image is interpolated with the first print data itself. Whether to perform interpolation using the second print data is determined from a different perspective than the wireless communication status between the information processing device 2 and the printing device 1. Specifically, the difference between the case where the first print data is interpolated and printed using the first print data itself and the case where the first print data is interpolated and printed using the second print data (for example, If the difference ratio DD) is small, only the first print data is transmitted. Therefore, even when communication conditions are good, the size (data amount) of print data transmitted from the information processing device 2 to the printing device 1 can be reduced, and the waiting time can be shortened.

Note that in the printing system of this embodiment, when the number of blocks (partial areas) to be printed using only the first print data in the printable area 5 increases, the amount of information of the low resolution area information included in the header information ( amount of data) increases.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating another example of the print data generation method according to the second embodiment. "Low" and "normal" in FIG. 17 represent "low resolution" and "normal resolution" in Table 7 of FIG. 13, respectively.

The two printable areas 5 illustrated in FIG. 17 are areas set on the print medium 3 based on the same print image, and the print image includes, for example, a horizontally written character string.

As described above, when dividing the printable area 5 into a plurality of blocks (for example, blocks for each character) in the transport direction during printing and determining whether to print each block at a low resolution, For example, there may be eight blocks (divided areas) as illustrated in the printable area 5 in the upper part of FIG. In this case, the header information includes information indicating the first print line to be printed and the last print line to be printed in each of the four blocks to be printed at low resolution, as low resolution area information. At this time, as the number of print lines in the printable area increases, the size (data amount) of information indicating each print line as low resolution area information increases. Furthermore, as the number of areas to be printed at low resolution within the printable area 5 increases, the size (data amount) of the low resolution area information increases. For this reason, if the area to be printed at low resolution within the printable area increases, the amount of print data will be reduced by reducing the resolution and not sending the second print data. The amount of information may become large and the waiting time may become long. For this reason, the information processing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment reduces the amount of data in the low-resolution area information in the header information by reducing the amount of data in the print data, which is reduced by, for example, reducing the resolution and not transmitting the second print data. If it is possible that the amount will increase, some of the blocks (partial areas) determined to be printed at low resolution are changed (returned) to blocks that are printed at normal resolution. Thereby, it is possible to achieve a well-balanced reduction in waiting time and suppression of print quality deterioration due to printing at low resolution.

In the information processing device 2 of this embodiment, the method of dividing the printable area 5 into a plurality of blocks (partial areas) is not limited to the method of dividing each character as described above, but other methods may also be used. There may be. For example, if multiple lines of character strings are arranged in the second direction (print line direction) perpendicular to the transport direction during printing, all print control units in the printable unit area (print line) The print control information of the area (print dots) may be divided by a print line indicating that the area (print dots) will not be printed.

In addition, if information other than text (such as figures) is placed in the printable area 5, the priority of printing at high resolution for the block (partial area) containing the information such as figures is set to The priority may be lower than the priority of printing at high resolution for blocks containing information. The priority of high-resolution printing may be set, for example, for each type of object, or for each object (for example, for each character and each figure).

For example, if the image of the print result presented to the user in step S25 in the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 15 includes a plurality of partial areas to be printed at low resolution, the user may , it may be possible to select whether to print at low resolution or to print at high resolution.

The embodiments described above are merely illustrative to facilitate understanding of the invention. That is, the printing device, control method, and program according to the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

For example, in the embodiment described above, all the print control units in the printing target area (print line) including a plurality of print control unit areas (print dots) lined up in the second printing direction perpendicular to the printing conveyance direction Second print data is generated targeting the area. However, the second print data may be generated, for example, targeting a part of the print control unit area included in the print line. In other words, when interpolating one print line in the first print data, a part (for example, the upper half) is interpolated by the first print data itself, and another part (for example, the lower half) is interpolated by the second print data. The printing data may be used for printing.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the first print data and the second print data are generated by thinning out a plurality of print control unit areas within one printing target area (print line). However, the first print data and the second print data are not limited to this. For example, the first print data thinned out for each printing target area (print line) and the thinned out print line may be used. The second print data including the second print data may also be generated. Specifically, for example, the first print data is extracted from the odd-numbered print lines 501, 503, ... from the left end in the printable area 5 illustrated in FIG. 5, and the even-numbered print lines from the left end. Second print data obtained by extracting the print lines 502, . . . may also be generated. Further, for example, the method of generating the first print data and the second print data may be switched depending on the orientation of the object (character) to be printed on the print medium 3. For example, if the characters printed in the partial areas 5A and 5B illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 are rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, the first group G1 and the second group G2 The grouping may also be rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise to generate the first print data and the second print data.

Hereinafter, the invention described in the original claims of this application will be additionally described.
[Additional note 1]
a communication means for communicating with at least a printing device;
a print data generation unit that generates first print data that is print data that can be transmitted to the printing device via the communication unit, and second print data that is different from the first print data;
causing the printing device to print in the printable area based on the first print data, or to print in the printable area based on the first print data and the second print data; a selection means for making it possible to select whether or not to use the comparison parameter according to the size of the comparison parameter;
An information processing device characterized by:
[Additional note 2]
The comparison parameters are:
The printable area set based on the print image is divided into a plurality of partial areas, and for each partial area, a printable unit area, a part of which is formed by the first print data, is printed by the first printing. The print control information in the partial area when the data itself is interpolated, and the print control information in the partial area when the printable unit area, a part of which is formed by the first print data, is interpolated with the second print data. is a numerical quantity based on a comparison of print control information and
The information processing device according to supplementary note 1.
[Additional note 3]
The selection means is
Print control information in the partial area when a printable unit area, a part of which is formed by the first print data, is interpolated by the first print data itself in the partial area; If the print control information in the partial area when a printable unit area, a part of which is formed by print data, is interpolated with the second print data, is different from each other by a threshold value or more, for each partial area. making it possible to select whether or not to send second print data corresponding to the printing device to the printing device;
The information processing device according to appendix 2, characterized in that:
[Additional note 4]
comprising a communication control means for controlling the communication means,
The communication control means includes:
header information including information indicating a partial area in which only the first print data is to be transmitted to the printing apparatus; the first print data; and the second printing of the partial area selected to be transmitted to the printing apparatus. and transmitting data to the printing device via the communication means.
The information processing device according to appendix 3, characterized in that:
[Additional note 5]
The selection means is
When the amount of data of the header information exceeds a threshold value, transmitting only the first print data to the printing device causes at least one partial area of the selected partial areas to be sent to the first print data and the selected partial area. changing the second print data to a partial area to be transmitted to the printing device;
The information processing device according to appendix 4, characterized in that:
[Additional note 6]
The selection means is
making it possible to select whether or not to transmit the second print data according to a priority for transmitting the second print data determined for each object to be printed;
The information processing device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, characterized in that:
[Additional note 7]
The comparison parameter includes the magnitude of radio wave intensity in communication between the own device and the printing device,
The selection means may transmit only the first print data to the printing device, or send the first print data and the second print data to the printing device, based on the magnitude of the radio wave intensity. Allows you to choose whether to send
The information processing device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, characterized in that:
[Additional note 8]
including an information processing device and a printing device capable of printing on a printing medium based on print data transmitted from the information processing device,
The information processing device includes:
a communication means for communicating with at least a printing device;
a print data generation unit that generates first print data that is print data that can be transmitted to the printing device via the communication unit, and second print data that is different from the first print data;
causing the printing device to print in the printable area based on the first print data, or to print in the printable area based on the first print data and the second print data; a selection means for making it possible to select whether the comparison parameter is
Equipped with
The printing device includes:
communication means for communicating with the information processing device;
According to the selection result by the selection means of the information processing device, printing is performed on the printable area of the printing medium based on the first print data, or printing is performed on the printable area on the basis of the first print data and the first print data. a control means for controlling whether to perform printing based on the print data of No. 2;
A printing system comprising:
[Additional note 9]
The information processing device
communicating with at least a printing device;
generating first print data that is print data that can be transmitted to the printing device via the communication means, and second print data that is different from the first print data;
causing the printing device to print in the printable area based on the first print data, or to print in the printable area based on the first print data and the second print data; to be selectable depending on the size of the comparison parameter;
A control method characterized by carrying out.
[Additional note 10]
In the information processing device,
communicating with at least a printing device;
generating first print data that is print data that can be transmitted to the printing device via the communication means, and second print data that is different from the first print data;
causing the printing device to print in the printable area based on the first print data, or to print in the printable area based on the first print data and the second print data; to be selectable depending on the size of the comparison parameter;
A program characterized by executing.

1 Printing device 101 Device housing 102 Lid 103 Ejection port 104 Operation button 105 Display lamp 120 Control section 120a Judgment section 120b Expansion section 121 Storage section 122 Input section 123 Display section 124 Communication section 125 Detection section 126 Transport section 127 Print section 128 Cut Section 2 Information processing device 201 Touch panel display 220 Control section 220a Editing section 220b Comparison section 220c Print data generation section 221 Storage section 222 Input section 223 Display section 224 Communication section 3 Print medium 4 Media roll 5 Printable area 501, 502, 503 Printable unit area (print line)
5A, 5B, 5C, 5D Partial area 6, 6A, 6B, 6C (within the printable area) Print data

Claims (10)

a communication means for communicating with at least a printing device;
a print data generation unit that generates first print data that is print data that can be transmitted to the printing device via the communication unit, and second print data that is different from the first print data;
causing the printing device to print in the printable area based on the first print data, or to print in the printable area based on the first print data and the second print data; a selection means for making it possible to select whether or not to use the comparison parameter according to the size of the comparison parameter;
An information processing device characterized by: The comparison parameters are:
The printable area set based on the print image is divided into a plurality of partial areas, and for each partial area, a printable unit area, a part of which is formed by the first print data, is printed by the first printing. The print control information in the partial area when the data itself is interpolated, and the print control information in the partial area when the printable unit area, a part of which is formed by the first print data, is interpolated with the second print data. is a numerical quantity based on a comparison of print control information and
The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The selection means is
Print control information in the partial area when a printable unit area, a part of which is formed by the first print data, is interpolated by the first print data itself in the partial area; If the print control information in the partial area when a printable unit area, a part of which is formed by print data, is interpolated with the second print data, is different from each other by a threshold value or more, for each partial area. making it possible to select whether or not to send second print data corresponding to the printing device to the printing device;
The information processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: comprising a communication control means for controlling the communication means,
The communication control means includes:
header information including information indicating a partial area in which only the first print data is to be transmitted to the printing apparatus; the first print data; and the second printing of the partial area selected to be transmitted to the printing apparatus. and transmitting data to the printing device via the communication means.
The information processing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The selection means is
When the amount of data of the header information exceeds a threshold value, transmitting only the first print data to the printing device causes at least one partial area of the selected partial areas to be sent to the first print data and the selected partial area. changing the second print data to a partial area to be transmitted to the printing device;
The information processing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The selection means is
making it possible to select whether or not to transmit the second print data according to a priority for transmitting the second print data determined for each object to be printed;
The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The comparison parameter includes the magnitude of radio wave intensity in communication between the own device and the printing device,
The selection means may transmit only the first print data to the printing device, or send the first print data and the second print data to the printing device, based on the magnitude of the radio wave intensity. Allows you to choose whether to send
The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. including an information processing device and a printing device capable of printing on a printing medium based on print data transmitted from the information processing device,
The information processing device includes:
a communication means for communicating with at least a printing device;
a print data generation unit that generates first print data that is print data that can be transmitted to the printing device via the communication unit, and second print data that is different from the first print data;
causing the printing device to print in the printable area based on the first print data, or to print in the printable area based on the first print data and the second print data; a selection means for making it possible to select whether the comparison parameter is
Equipped with
The printing device includes:
communication means for communicating with the information processing device;
According to the selection result by the selection means of the information processing device, printing is performed on the printable area of the print medium based on the first print data, or printing is performed on the printable area based on the first print data and the first print data. a control means for controlling whether to perform printing based on the print data of No. 2;
A printing system comprising: The information processing device
communicating with at least a printing device;
generating first print data that is print data that can be transmitted to the printing device via the communication means, and second print data that is different from the first print data;
causing the printing device to print in the printable area based on the first print data, or to print in the printable area based on the first print data and the second print data; to be selectable depending on the size of the comparison parameter;
A control method characterized by carrying out. In the information processing device,
communicating with at least a printing device;
generating first print data that is print data that can be transmitted to the printing device via the communication means, and second print data that is different from the first print data;
causing the printing device to print in the printable area based on the first print data, or to print in the printable area based on the first print data and the second print data; to be selectable depending on the size of the comparison parameter;
A program characterized by executing.

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