JP3814371B2 - Information processing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus and method for supplying image information to an image output apparatus having a plurality of image processing modes and outputting an image.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When the printing process cannot be executed in the printing mode and resolution or gradation specified by the information processing apparatus as the print data supply source due to restrictions on the available memory capacity, recording paper conveyance speed (printing speed), etc. There are printers that perform printing processing with a reduced resolution or gradation.
[0003]
In the case of a system including such a printer, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to reduce the resolution or the number of gradations after the printer receives print data from the information processing apparatus. The page image must be reconstructed. That is, in such a system, after a large amount of print data that does not flourish in the print result is transferred from the information processing apparatus to the printer, the printer reconstructs the page image related to the print data, resulting in unnecessary print output delay. Was invited. Such a problem becomes prominent particularly when a printing process covering a plurality of pages is executed.
[0004]
In addition, there is a system having a function for an operator to specify a print mode, but such a system does not have a function for notifying the operator which print mode should be specified. Therefore, although the printing process can be executed without reducing the resolution or the number of gradations, an appropriate printing mode, that is, the printing mode in which the printing process can be executed without reducing the resolution or the number of gradations. If it is not specified, the resolution or the number of gradations will be lowered unnecessarily.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the conventional system, the printing process is unnecessarily delayed when the printer that receives the print data reduces the resolution and the number of gradations based on the contents of the print data. In addition, in a system that determines a print mode based on an operator's instruction, an appropriate print mode is not designated, so that the resolution and the number of gradations may be reduced unnecessarily.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to suppress deterioration of the quality of an output image and to improve the efficiency of image output.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention is configured as an information processing apparatus that generates print data to be printed by an image output apparatus capable of printing processing with a plurality of resolutions and a plurality of gradations, and is output from an application program. Received request data, converted into intermediate code data consisting of intermediate codes for generating print data, and converted into intermediate code data files, and stored in the intermediate code data file generated by the conversion means Index generation means for generating a page index for each page and a job index for each job based on the type and data size of the drawing object in the intermediate code data, and the resolution determination condition and gradation determination defined in the print mode Conditions and the pet generated by the index generating means. A determination unit that determines whether the resolution and the number of gradations need to be reduced based on the contents of the index and the job index, and determines the resolution and the number of gradations based on the determination result; Print data generation means for generating print data based on the intermediate code data using the resolution and the number of gradations, and transmission means for transmitting the print data generated by the print data generation means to the image output device; It is characterized by providing.
The information processing method of the present invention is configured as an information processing method for generating print data to be printed by an image output apparatus capable of printing processing with a plurality of resolutions and a plurality of gradations, and is output from an application program. Received request data, converted to intermediate code data consisting of intermediate codes for generating print data, converted into intermediate code data file, and stored in the intermediate code data file generated in the conversion process An index generation process that generates a page index for each page and a job index for each job based on the type and data size of the drawing object in the intermediate code data, and the resolution determination condition and gradation determination defined in the print mode. Conditions and page-in generated in the index generation step And determining the resolution and the number of gradations based on the contents of the job index and the job index, and determining the resolution and the number of gradations based on the determination result, and determined in the determination step A print data generation step for generating print data based on the intermediate code data using the resolution and the number of gradations, and a transmission step for transmitting the print data generated by the print data generation means to the image output device It is characterized by including.
  The present inventionPreferred embodiment ofThe information processing apparatus according to claim 1 is an information processing apparatus that outputs image information by supplying image information to an image output apparatus having a plurality of image processing modes, and acquires image information relating to an image to be output by the image output apparatus An acquisition unit; a determination unit that determines an image processing mode capable of properly forming an output image in the image output device while maintaining a quality of an image related to the image information acquired by the acquisition unit; and the acquisition Conversion means for converting the image information acquired by the means into image information suitable for the image processing mode according to the determination, and information for specifying the image processing mode according to the determination and the converted image information are transmitted to the image output device. And transmitting means for performing the processing.
[0008]
In the information processing apparatus, the determination unit can form an output image while maintaining the quality of the image related to the image information acquired by the acquisition unit from the viewpoint of the resolution and / or the number of gradations of the image. It is preferable to determine the image processing mode.
[0009]
In the information processing apparatus, the determination unit includes an extraction unit that extracts a feature of the image information acquired by the acquisition unit, and based on the feature, determines the quality of the image related to the image information acquired by the acquisition unit. It is preferable to determine an image processing mode in which an output image can be formed while maintaining an appropriate quality.
[0010]
In the information processing apparatus, it is preferable that the extraction unit extracts a feature relating to a data size from the image information acquired by the acquisition unit.
[0011]
In the information processing apparatus, the determination unit is capable of forming an output image appropriately and at high speed in the image output device while maintaining the quality of the image related to the image information acquired by the acquisition unit at an appropriate quality. Is preferably determined.
[0012]
In the information processing apparatus, when the determination unit has a plurality of image processing modes in which an output image can be appropriately formed while maintaining a quality of an image related to the image information acquired by the acquisition unit. In the image output apparatus, it is preferable to select an image processing mode capable of forming an output image at a higher speed.
[0013]
In the information processing apparatus, when the determination unit has a plurality of image processing modes in which an output image can be appropriately formed while maintaining a quality of an image related to the image information acquired by the acquisition unit. It is preferable to select one of the plurality of image processing modes based on an instruction from the operator.
[0014]
Preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes confirmation means for confirming a specification of the image output apparatus, and the determination means determines an image processing mode based on the specification of the image output apparatus.
[0015]
In the information processing apparatus, it is preferable that the confirmation unit obtains information indicating the specification from the image output apparatus via a communication line.
[0016]
In the information processing apparatus, it is preferable that the acquisition unit acquires image information from an application program operating on an operating system.
[0017]
In the information processing apparatus, it is preferable that the image output apparatus is a printer connected via a communication line.
[0018]
  The present inventionPreferred embodiment ofThe information processing method according to the present invention is an information processing method for outputting image information by supplying image information to an image output apparatus having a plurality of image processing modes, and acquiring image information relating to an image to be output by the image output apparatus. An acquisition step; a determination step for determining an image processing mode in which an output image can be appropriately formed in the image output device while maintaining a quality of the image related to the image information acquired in the acquisition step; and the acquisition A conversion step of converting the image information acquired in the step into image information suitable for the image processing mode according to the determination, and information specifying the image processing mode according to the determination and the converted image information are transmitted to the image output device And a transmitting step.
[0019]
  The present inventionPreferred embodiment ofThe memory medium according to the present invention is a memory medium that stores a program code for supplying image information to an image output apparatus having a plurality of image processing modes to output an image, and a general information processing apparatus using the program code An acquisition means for acquiring image information relating to an image to be output by the image output apparatus, and an output image in the image output apparatus while maintaining the quality of the image related to the image information acquired by the acquisition means at an appropriate quality. Determining means for determining an image processing mode that can be properly formed, conversion means for converting image information acquired by the acquiring means into image information suitable for the image processing mode according to the determination, and image processing mode according to the determination And a transmission means for transmitting the image information and the converted image information to the image output device. That.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This printer system is formed by connecting an information processing apparatus 100 typified by a personal computer or the like and a printer 200 typified by a laser printer or the like by a communication cable 300 typified by a Centronics interface cable or the like.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration example of the printer system shown in FIG. The information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU 101, a RAM 102, an HD (hard disk) device 103, a display 104, a ROM 105, an FD (floppy disk) 106, an FD driver 107, a keyboard 108, and an I / F (interface). 109.
[0023]
The printer 200 includes an I / F 201, a ROM 202, a CPU 203, a RAM 205, a coprocessor 206, an engine I / F 204, and a printer engine 207, and has a plurality of print modes.
[0024]
For example, a Centronics interface is suitable as the I / Fs 109 and 210 constituting the interface between the two.
[0025]
The information processing apparatus 100 defines the operation of the information processing apparatus 100 by, for example, loading program codes stored in the memory media of the ROM 105, the FD 106, and the HD device 103 into the RAM 102.
[0026]
Hereinafter, a specific operation of the information processing apparatus 100 will be described. When the power of the information processing apparatus 100 is turned on, the CPU 101 loads the OS stored in the HD apparatus 103 onto the RAM 102 based on the IPL (Initial Program Loading) function in the BIOS stored in the ROM 105, and this OS It operates under the management of (1305 in FIG. 13).
[0027]
The application program is read from the HD device 103 into the RAM 102 under the management of the OS (1301 in FIG. 13) and is executed by the CPU 101. When a print request is generated from the application program under the management of the OS program, the CPU 101 loads the print-related module stored in the FD 106 or the HD device 103 onto the RAM 102 and loads the print-related module (1304 in FIG. 13). Based on this, the printing process is executed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a memory map of the RAM 102 in this state.
[0028]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of print processing based on the print-related module 1304. This print processing includes step S301 for generating intermediate code data based on data relating to a print request from the application program 1301 (hereinafter, print request data), step S302 for generating an index from the intermediate code data, and contents of the index. Is compared with the resolution determination condition (condition for determining whether to decrease the resolution) and the gradation determination condition (condition for determining whether to decrease the number of gradations) in each print mode, and the comparison result and printing Step S303 for determining the print mode based on the mode determination conditions, Step S304 for generating print data (data to be transmitted to the printer 200, the same applies below) that is suitable for the determined print mode from the intermediate code data, Step S305 for transmitting the generated print data to the printer 200 Including the.
[0029]
Here, the intermediate code data refers to data including an intermediate code for generating print data corresponding to the print request data. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an intermediate code data file generated in step S301 for generating intermediate code data and temporarily held on the HD device 103. In FIG. 4, descriptions such as [Job start instruction], [Page break instruction], etc. are made, but these represent the types of instructions in the file for the sake of convenience. These are expressed in binary format.
[0030]
The index is information that is the basis for determining the print mode, more specifically, information that indicates the characteristics of print request data (intermediate code data). FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an index file generated on the RAM 102 in step S302 for generating an index.
[0031]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the intermediate code data generation process (step S301) in FIG. This process is started when a print request is generated from the application program.
[0032]
In step S501, a print request (print request data) is received from the application program. In step S502, it is determined whether the print request is a job start request. If the print request is a job start request, the process proceeds to step S503, and an intermediate code data file for temporarily holding the intermediate code data is stored in the HD device 103. Open above and go to step S504. On the other hand, if the print request is not a job start request, the process directly proceeds to step S504.
[0033]
In step S504, it is determined whether the print request is a job end request. If the print request is a job end request, the process advances to step S507 to close the intermediate code data file opened on the HD device 103, and The process proceeds to step S302. On the other hand, if the print request is not a job end request, the process proceeds to step S505, where the print request is converted into an intermediate code (for example, [character print command]) as shown in FIG. 4, and the conversion is performed in step S506. Is added to the end of the intermediate code data file, and the process returns to step S501.
[0034]
As described above, steps S501 to S506 are repeatedly executed for each print request until a job end request is received, thereby completing an intermediate code data file as shown in FIG.
[0035]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the index generation process (step S302) shown in FIG. This process is started after the above-described step S507.
[0036]
First, in step S601, the file name of the intermediate code data file is acquired from the intermediate code data generation process (step S301), and the intermediate code data file having the file name is opened.
[0037]
In step S602, an empty job index 800 (see FIG. 8) is created, and a parameter n used in subsequent processing, more specifically, a parameter n indicating a page to be processed is set to 1.
[0038]
In step S603, an index of the nth page with an empty item is created. Note that reference numerals 801 to 805 in FIG. 8 indicate examples of completed indexes of the first page to the fifth page, respectively.
[0039]
In step S604, one intermediate code is read from the opened intermediate code data file. In step S605, it is determined whether or not the read intermediate code is a [page break instruction]. If this is [page break command], it means that the generation of the index of the page (the nth page) has been completed, and thus the process proceeds to step S609, based on the index (for example, 801) of the page. The contents of the job index 800 are updated. Next, in step S610, 1 is added to the parameter n in order to advance the page to be processed to the next page, and the process returns to step S603.
[0040]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S605 that the intermediate code is not [page break instruction], the process proceeds to step S606, and it is determined whether or not the intermediate code is [job end instruction]. If the intermediate code is [job end instruction], it means that the processing for all the intermediate codes has ended, and thus the process proceeds to step S611, where the job index 800 is updated based on the index of the last page. This completes the process, and proceeds to the next step, step S303.
[0041]
On the other hand, in step S606, if the intermediate code is a drawing object (for example, [character printing command], [image drawing command], [rectangular drawing command]), its type (character, image, rectangle) and data size The index of the page is updated based on, and the process returns to step S604.
[0042]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the printing mode determination process (step S303) shown in FIG. This process is started after the above-described step S611.
[0043]
In step S701, the index is compared with the resolution determination condition and the gradation number determination condition in each print mode. In this embodiment, print modes 1 to 4 are prepared as print modes, and this print mode corresponds to the print mode provided in the printer 200. Each print mode differs in, for example, an image processing method, print data format, and the like, and therefore, a memory capacity required for image processing, a processing time, an output image quality, and the like are different. Therefore, the restrictions on the resolution and the number of gradations are different for each print mode.
[0044]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of resolution determination conditions and gradation determination conditions in print modes 1 to 4. The printing mode 1 is a mode in which the resolution needs to be lowered when any of the resolution determination conditions is met, and the number of gradations needs to be lowered when any of the gradation determination conditions is met. In the printing mode 2, the resolution determination condition is not set, and the resolution can be maintained regardless of the contents of the print request data. On the other hand, if the gradation determination condition is met, the number of gradations can be maintained. It is a mode that needs to be dropped. The print mode 3 is a mode in which neither the resolution determination condition nor the gradation determination condition is set, and it is not necessary to reduce the resolution and the number of gradations regardless of the contents of the print request data. The print mode 4 is a mode in which the resolution and / or gradation needs to be reduced.
[0045]
Here, as a specific example, a case where the index shown in FIG. 8 is compared with the resolution determination condition and the gradation determination condition shown in FIG. 9 will be described.
[0046]
First, a case where the contents of the index are compared with the resolution determination condition and the gradation determination condition of the printing mode 1 will be described. First, regarding the resolution, the data size per page, the data size per job, and the monochrome image do not meet the resolution determination condition. However, since the data size of the color image is 409600 bytes, it exceeds 100 × 100 dots × 3 separation colors = 30000 bytes and matches the resolution determination condition, so the resolution needs to be lowered. On the other hand, the gradation does not correspond to any of the three resolution determination conditions, so it is not necessary to reduce the number of gradations. As a result, when selecting print mode 1, it is not necessary to reduce the number of gradations, but it is necessary to reduce the resolution.
[0047]
Next, a case where the contents of the index are compared with the resolution determination condition and the gradation determination condition of the printing mode 2 will be described. First, no resolution determination condition is set for the resolution, and printing processing can be performed at the specified resolution regardless of the contents of the index, so that comparison with the contents of the index is not performed. On the other hand, regarding the gradation, the RAM size (printer RAM size) installed in the printer 200 is set as the gradation determination condition. Here, if the size of the RAM mounted on the printer 200 is 20 Mbytes, the gradation determination condition is met, and it is necessary to reduce the number of gradations. As a result, when the printing mode 2 is selected under this assumption, it is not necessary to reduce the resolution, but it is necessary to reduce the number of gradations.
[0048]
Next, a case where the contents of the index are compared with the resolution determination condition and the gradation determination condition of the printing mode 3 will be described. In the printing mode 3, since neither the resolution determination condition nor the gradation determination condition is set, it is not necessary to reduce the resolution and the number of gradations regardless of the contents of the index.
[0049]
Next, a case where the contents of the index are compared with the resolution determination condition and the gradation determination condition of the printing mode 4 will be described. Since this printing mode 4 is a mode in which the resolution and / or the number of gradations are unconditionally lowered, it is substantially unnecessary to perform comparison.
[0050]
When the above comparison (step S701) ends, in step S702, the print mode is determined based on the comparison result and the print mode determination condition (priority order). The print mode determination conditions (priority order) in this embodiment are as follows.
(1) Priority is given to a print mode in which both the resolution and the number of gradations need not be reduced.
(2) When the resolution and the number of gradations are maintained in a plurality of print modes, the priority order of the plurality of print modes is the order of print mode 1, print mode 2, and print mode 3.
(3) When print mode 3 (print mode in which the resolution and the number of gradations do not need to be reduced regardless of the content of the print request) cannot be used (for example, when use of print mode 3 is prohibited), When it is necessary to drop either or both of the resolution and the number of gradations, the priority is set to a print mode for reducing only the number of gradations, a print mode for reducing only the resolution, and a print mode for reducing both the resolution and the number of gradations. The order is as follows.
[0051]
In the example shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, when the print mode 1 is selected, it is necessary to reduce the resolution. When the print mode 2 is selected, it is necessary to reduce the number of gradations. Printing mode 3 is selected according to the condition of 1).
[0052]
If print mode 3 can be selected and print mode 1 and print mode 2 are selected, if at least one of the resolution and the number of gradations needs to be reduced, print mode 3 is selected according to the condition of (1). As a result, the printing mode 4 is not selected (that is, the printing mode 4 provided in the printer 200 is not used). This is because priority is given to maintaining the resolution and the number of gradations, but this is not the case when other determination conditions are employed.
[0053]
When the print mode is determined in step S702, in step S304 (see FIG. 3), the print data (print data to be transmitted to the printer 200) is adapted based on the intermediate code data in conformity with the print mode according to the determination. Generate. Then, a print mode with a mode designation command is created by adding a mode designation command for designating the print mode according to the determination to the head of the print data. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a format of print data with a mode designation command. In this embodiment, the code of the mode designation command is <ESC> [MMx] (x = 1 to 4: print mode). In the above example, since print mode 3 is designated, the mode designation command is <ESC> [MM3].
[0054]
In step S <b> 305, the generated print data with a mode designation command is transmitted to the printer 200. In response to this, the printer 200 executes print processing based on the print data in the designated mode.
[0055]
As described above, according to this embodiment, the print mode is set on the information processing apparatus 100 side according to the content of the print processing request given from the application program, and print data corresponding to the print mode is generated to generate the printer 200. Therefore, the burden on the printer 200 side is reduced.
[0056]
In addition, since the information processing apparatus 100 selects a print mode suitable for the function of the printer 200 to generate print data and transmits it to the printer 200, there is a problem caused by changing the print mode on the printer 200 side. Solved.
[0057]
In addition, since the information processing apparatus 100 automatically selects a print mode that does not require the resolution and the number of gradations (print quality) to be lowered, there is a risk that the operator may select a print mode that unnecessarily drops the resolution and the number of gradations. Sex can be avoided.
[0058]
If the print mode 3 cannot be selected, another print mode is selected, and print data with a reduced resolution or number of gradations is generated and transmitted to the printer 200 as necessary. A process for reducing the resolution or the number of gradations is not required, and the printing process is speeded up, and the transfer of print data between the information processing apparatus 100 and the printer 200 can be made efficient.
[0059]
[Second Embodiment]
In this embodiment, the print processing speed in each print mode is taken into consideration, and the print mode determination condition (priority order) is switched. Note that matters not particularly mentioned in the following description are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0060]
In this embodiment, paying attention to the fact that the speed of the printing process differs depending on the print mode and also on the data size per page, the data size per page (which can be recognized based on the index of each page). Accordingly, the priority order of the print mode is switched.
[0061]
That is, in this embodiment, the printing mode determination conditions in the first embodiment are changed as follows.
(1) Priority is given to a print mode in which both the resolution and the number of gradations need not be reduced.
(2a) When the resolution and the number of gradations are maintained in a plurality of printing modes, and the data size per page exceeds 2 Mbytes, the priority order is set to the printing mode 3, printing for the plurality of printing modes. The order is mode 1 and print mode 2.
(2b) When the resolution and the number of gradations are maintained in a plurality of print modes, and the data size per page is 2 Mbytes or less, the priority order of the plurality of print modes is set to print mode 1, print The order is mode 3 and print mode 2.
(3) When print mode 3 cannot be used and it is necessary to drop either the resolution or the number of gradations, the priority is set to a print mode for reducing only the number of gradations, and a print mode for reducing only the resolution. The order of the print mode is to drop both the resolution and the number of gradations.
[0062]
A determination condition may be provided from the viewpoint of only the printing processing speed. In this case, print mode 4 may be further added to the priority order columns (2a) and (2b). The conditions for determining the print mode in this case are as follows, for example.
(1 ') When the data size per page exceeds 2 Mbytes, the priority order is the order of print mode 3, print mode 1, print mode 4, and print mode 2.
(2 ') When the data size per page is 2 Mbytes or less, the priority order is the order of print mode 1, print mode 4, print mode 3, and print mode 2.
[0063]
In addition, although the above processing is for predicting the speed (time) of the printing process based on the data size per page, it can also be predicted by other methods. For example, it is effective to predict the printing processing speed more accurately according to the contents of each intermediate code.
[0064]
According to this embodiment, an appropriate print mode can be determined on the information processing apparatus 100 side from the viewpoint of print processing speed.
[0065]
[Third Embodiment]
In this embodiment, when there are a plurality of print modes that can be executed with the resolution and the number of gradations specified by the application program, the operator is notified of these print modes, and the print mode is notified to the operator from among them. Is to be selected. Note that matters not particularly mentioned in the following description are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0066]
Specifically, when it is determined by the process in step S701 that there are a plurality of print modes in which the print process can be executed without reducing the resolution and the number of gradations, any of the plurality of print modes is determined in step S702. A message is displayed on the display 104 to cause the operator to select the print mode, and the print mode is determined based on a user instruction.
[0067]
FIG. 11 is an example of a message displayed on the display 104 when print modes 1 and 2 are print modes that can execute print processing without reducing the resolution and the number of gradations. The operator can select a print mode by turning on a desired print mode and clicking an “OK” button.
[0068]
According to this embodiment, there is a risk that a printing mode that unnecessarily lowers the resolution or the number of gradations is selected in order to allow the operator to select a desired printing mode from among printing modes in which printing processing can be appropriately performed. Can be avoided.
[0069]
[Fourth Embodiment]
In this embodiment, information indicating the function of the printer 200 is acquired from the printer 200, and a determination condition for the print mode is set based on the information. Note that matters not particularly mentioned in the following description are according to any of the first to third embodiments.
[0070]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of print processing in the information processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. This process is obtained by adding step S306 to the process shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[0071]
In step S306, the information processing apparatus 100 receives information necessary for setting a print mode determination condition from the printer 200 via the communication cable 300, for example, the print mode included in the printer 200, the contents of each print mode, Information indicating the speed of the printing process and other specifications of the printer 200 is acquired. Based on the information, for example, print mode determination conditions such as (1) to (3) above are set. Note that the position where step S306 is added may be any position as long as it is before step S304.
[0072]
In step S304, the print mode is determined based on the contents of the index so as to follow the determination conditions set in step S306.
[0073]
According to this embodiment, information indicating the specification is acquired from the printer 200, and the determination condition of the print mode is set based on the information. Therefore, for example, even when the printer 200 is replaced, an appropriate determination condition is set. Thus, an appropriate print mode can be selected on the information processing apparatus 10 side.
[0074]
[Other embodiments]
The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device.
[0075]
Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for implementing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the.
[0076]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0077]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0078]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0079]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the output image quality can be prevented from deteriorating and the image output can be made efficient.
[0081]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of the printer system illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of a printing process based on a printing-related module.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an intermediate code data file.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of intermediate code data generation processing;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of index generation processing.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed flow of print mode determination processing.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an index file.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of resolution determination conditions and gradation determination conditions in print modes 1 to 4;
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a format of print data with a mode designation command.
FIG. 11 is an example of a message displayed on the display when there are a plurality of print modes in which print processing can be executed without reducing the resolution and the number of gradations.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of printing processing in the information processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.
13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a memory map of a RAM 10. FIG.

Claims (6)

An information processing apparatus for generating print data to be printed by an image output apparatus capable of printing processing with a plurality of resolutions and a plurality of gradations ,
Conversion means for receiving print request data output from an application program, converting it into intermediate code data comprising intermediate codes for generating print data, and generating an intermediate code data file;
Index generation means for generating a page index for each page and a job index for each job based on the type and data size of the drawing object in the intermediate code data stored in the intermediate code data file generated by the conversion means;
Based on the resolution determination condition and gradation determination condition defined in the print mode, and the contents of the page index and job index generated by the index generation means, it is determined whether it is necessary to reduce the resolution and the number of gradations. Determining means for determining the resolution and the number of gradations based on the determination result;
Print data generating means for generating print data based on the intermediate code data using the resolution and the number of gradations determined by the determining means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the print data generated by the print data generating means to the image output device;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the resolution determination condition and the gradation determination condition are based on a data size corresponding to a type of the drawing object. The image output device supports a plurality of print modes with different image processing methods and print data formats,
  The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit performs determination according to a resolution determination condition and a gradation determination condition defined in the plurality of print modes. An information processing method for generating print data to be printed by an image output apparatus capable of printing with a plurality of resolutions and a plurality of gradations,
A conversion step of receiving print request data output from the application program, converting it into intermediate code data comprising intermediate codes for generating print data, and generating an intermediate code data file;
An index generation step for generating a page index for each page and a job index for each job based on the type and data size of the drawing object in the intermediate code data stored in the intermediate code data file generated in the conversion step;
Based on the resolution determination condition and gradation determination condition defined in the print mode, and the contents of the page index and job index generated in the index generation step, it is determined whether it is necessary to reduce the resolution and the number of gradations. Determining a resolution and the number of gradations based on the determination result;
A print data generation step of generating print data based on the intermediate code data using the resolution and the number of gradations determined in the determination step;
A transmission step of transmitting the print data generated by the print data generation means to the image output device;
An information processing method comprising: 5. The information processing method according to claim 4, wherein the resolution determination condition and the gradation determination condition are based on a data size corresponding to a type of the drawing object. The image output device supports a plurality of print modes with different image processing methods and print data formats,
  6. The information processing method according to claim 4, wherein in the determination step, determination is performed according to a resolution determination condition and a gradation determination condition defined in the plurality of print modes.

Images