JP4534701B2 - Image printing apparatus, direct printing system, and printing condition setting method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image printing apparatus, an image printing instruction apparatus, a direct printing system, and a printing condition setting method.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a computer and a printer are connected by a USB cable. The computer outputs printing conditions for printing the selected image to the printer based on the fixed print data selected from the plurality of fixed print data. In this printing condition, a paper size, a paper type, and the like are designated. Further, the computer controls the range of the standard print data that can be selected in accordance with the print capability of the printer acquired in advance. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the printer from designating printing conditions that cannot be printed.

International Publication WO 2004/021164 (drawings, detailed description of the invention)

  As described above, in the conventional printing system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the printer prints by controlling the range of the standard print data that can be selected by the computer according to the printing capability of the printer acquired in advance. It is possible to prevent a printing condition that cannot be specified from being specified.

  In addition to connecting a computer and a printer with a USB cable in this way, there is a system in which a DSC (Digital Still Camera) and a printer are directly connected with a USB cable, and an image selected by the DSC is printed with the printer. Such a system is called a direct print system.

  Even in this direct printing system, in order to print an image selected by the DSC with a printer, it is necessary to instruct the printing conditions of the image from the DSC to the printer. In the conventional direct print system, when setting printing conditions, the DSC displays a menu screen based on data stored in the DSC, and each setting displayed on the menu screen in response to an input operation based on the user interface. Select the setting value of the item. When the menu screen for the setting item is displayed in this way, a character string or the like determined by the DSC vendor and stored in advance in the DSC is displayed as the menu item.

  Since the printing conditions should be specified for the printer, in such a situation, the character strings used by the printer vendor are not displayed as menu items, and the printing conditions intended by the user are appropriately set. It may not be reflected in printing on the printer.

  The present invention provides a direct printing system in which a printing condition intended by a user is appropriately specified in an image printing apparatus such as a printer, and an image printing apparatus, an image printing instruction apparatus, and a printing condition setting method that can be used for the direct printing system. With the goal.

An image printing apparatus according to the present invention stores printing apparatus communication means to which an image printing instruction apparatus for instructing printing of an image is connected, and setting item information indicating one or more values that can be set for setting items in printing conditions . One or more values that can be set for the setting item as display data of the menu screen displayed by the image print instruction device based on the setting item information storage means to be set and the setting item information in the setting item information storage means A generating unit that generates display data of a menu screen that can be selected, a printing device transmitting unit that transmits the display data generated by the generating unit to the image print instruction device via the printing device communication unit; Print condition information including the value of the setting item selected on the menu screen based on the display data is transmitted via the printing device communication means. Has a printing device receiving means for receiving from the image print instruction apparatus, and a printing unit for printing an image according to the information of the received printing conditions by the printing apparatus receiving means, said generating means, the printing apparatus receiving means A second setting different from the first setting item based on the first setting value selected from one or more first values for the first setting item received from the image print instruction apparatus via For the setting item, one or a plurality of second values that can be combined with the first setting value are extracted, and the display data of the menu screen displayed by the image print instruction device is used for the second setting item. The display data of the menu screen capable of selecting any one of the one or the plurality of second values is generated .
The image printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a setting combination storage unit that stores setting value combination information indicating combinations of values that can be set for a plurality of setting items in the printing conditions of the image printing apparatus, the first setting value, Extraction means for extracting one or more setting values that can be combined with the first setting value for the second setting item based on setting combination information in the setting combination storage means. .

  If this configuration is adopted, the image printing apparatus generates menu screen display data based on the setting item information in the setting item information storage means, causes the generated menu screen to be displayed on the image print instruction apparatus, and the menu. A setting value for image printing can be selected from the screen. Therefore, the image printing apparatus can allow the user to appropriately specify the printing conditions intended by the user.

  If this configuration is adopted, the image printing apparatus can select a setting value of another setting item from setting values that can be printed in combination with the setting value already selected for printing in the image print instruction apparatus. Can do. As a result, a combination of setting values of a plurality of setting items set when printing an image is not a combination of setting values that cannot be printed by the image printing apparatus.

  In the image printing apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the configuration of each of the inventions described above, the generation unit generates display data described in a markup language that can be processed by the image print instruction apparatus.

  If this configuration is adopted, the image printing apparatus can be set to the user with the same operation feeling on the same menu screen even if the image printing instruction apparatus connected to the image printing apparatus is replaced with another one. Can be selected.

  In addition to the configuration of each invention described above, the image printing apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that the setting item information storage unit sets the image printing as one or more values that can be set for the setting items in the printing conditions of the image printing apparatus. A character string used in the manual of the apparatus is stored.

  If this configuration is adopted, the image printing apparatus can cause the image printing instruction apparatus to display options based on character strings used in the manual of the image printing apparatus. As a result, the user can understand the meaning of the options by referring to the manual of the image printing apparatus.

  An image printing instruction apparatus according to the present invention displays a menu screen before an instruction device communication unit to which an image printing apparatus for printing an image is connected and a menu screen for setting a setting item value in printing conditions. Display data request means for transmitting a data transmission request to the image printing apparatus via the instruction apparatus communication means, and display for receiving display data relating to the transmission request transmitted by the display data request means via the instruction apparatus communication means Data receiving means, display means for displaying a menu screen for setting values of setting items in the printing conditions based on display data received by the display data receiving means, and settings on the menu screen displayed by the display means A selection means for selecting a setting value for the setting item from one or more values of the item, and a setting value selected by the selection means The information-free printing conditions via the indicating device communication means, and transmits to the image printing apparatus is an apparatus comprising: a print instruction transmission unit adapted to execute printing of the image.

  If this configuration is adopted, the image printing instruction apparatus can display a menu screen generated in the image printing apparatus and cause the image printing apparatus to print an image according to a setting value selected from the menu screen. Therefore, the image printing instruction apparatus can cause the image printing apparatus to appropriately specify the printing conditions intended by the user.

  In addition to the configuration of the invention described above, the image print instruction device according to the present invention has the display data requesting unit selected for another setting item when a transmission request for display data of a menu screen for a certain setting item is made. By transmitting the set value, it is requested to transmit the display data of the menu screen including one or a plurality of values that can be combined with the selected set value for another setting item.

  If this configuration is adopted, the image printing instruction apparatus selects a setting value from among setting values that can be printed in combination with a setting value already selected for printing in the image printing instruction apparatus for a certain setting item. be able to. As a result, a combination of setting values of a plurality of setting items set when printing an image is not a combination of setting values that cannot be printed by the image printing apparatus.

  In the image printing instruction apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the configuration of each invention described above, the display data receiving means receives display data described in a markup language, and the display means is described in a markup language. A menu screen for interpreting display data and setting values of setting items in printing conditions is displayed.

  If this configuration is adopted, the image printing instruction apparatus can cause the user to select a setting value on a menu screen corresponding to the image printing apparatus.

A direct print system according to the present invention includes an image printing apparatus according to each of the above-described inventions, an instruction device communication unit to which the image printing apparatus for printing an image is connected, and a menu for setting values of setting items in printing conditions Before displaying the screen, display data request means for transmitting a display data display request for the menu screen to the image printing apparatus via the instruction device communication means, and the display data request via the instruction device communication means. Display data receiving means for receiving display data relating to the transmission request transmitted by the means, and a menu screen for setting the value of the setting item in the printing conditions based on the display data received by the display data receiving means The setting means from one or more values of the setting item on the menu screen displayed by the display means and the display means The selection means for selecting the setting value for the eye and the printing condition information including the setting value selected by the selection means are transmitted to the image printing apparatus via the instruction device communication means, and the image is printed. And an image print instruction device including a print command transmission unit to be executed .
In the direct print system according to the present invention, when the display data requesting unit sends a display request for display data of the menu screen for the second setting item, the display data requesting unit starts from one or more first values for the first setting item. Requesting transmission of display data of a menu screen including one or a plurality of second values that can be combined with the first setting value for the second setting item by transmitting the selected first setting value It is characterized by doing.
The display data receiving means of the direct print system according to the present invention receives display data described in a markup language, and the display means interprets the display data described in the markup language, and sets the print conditions A menu screen for setting an item value is displayed.

  If this configuration is adopted, the menu screen generated by the image printing apparatus is displayed on the image printing instruction apparatus, and the image printing instruction apparatus is allowed to select a setting value for image printing from the menu screen. Images can be printed under printing conditions including setting values. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately specify the printing conditions intended by the user to the image printing apparatus.

A printing condition setting method according to the present invention sets a value of a setting item in a printing condition from an image printing instruction apparatus that sets an image printing condition and transmits an image printing instruction to an image printing apparatus that prints the image. Before displaying the menu screen, a step of transmitting a transmission request for the display data of the menu screen, and when receiving the transmission request, indicate one or more values that can be set for the setting items in the printing conditions of the image printing apparatus A menu that refers to a setting item information storage unit that stores setting item information and can select one or a plurality of values that can be set for the setting item as display data of the menu screen based on the setting item information A step of generating screen display data, and a step of transmitting the generated display data from the image printing apparatus to the image print instruction apparatus. And a step of displaying a menu screen for setting the value of the setting item in the printing condition based on the received display data, and the step selected from one or more values of the setting item on the displayed menu screen Transmitting information on printing conditions including setting values for the setting items from the image printing instruction apparatus to the image printing apparatus, and the display data generation step includes one or more of the first setting items. Based on the first setting value selected from the first value, one or more second setting items that can be combined with the first setting value for the second setting item different from the first setting item. As a display data of the menu screen displayed by the image print instruction device, one of the first value or the plurality of second values is set for the second setting item. It is intended to generate the display data of the 4-option possible menu screen.
The printing condition setting method according to the present invention is a setting combination storage that stores setting value combination information indicating combinations of values that can be set for a plurality of setting items in the printing conditions of the image printing apparatus, in addition to the configuration of the invention described above. Means for referring to the first setting value and the setting combination information in the setting combination storage means for one or more setting values that can be combined with the first setting value for the second setting item. And a step of extracting.
In the printing condition setting method according to the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the above-described invention, the step of transmitting the display data transmission request includes the step of transmitting the display data of the menu screen for the second setting item. A menu screen including one or a plurality of second values that can be combined with the first setting value selected for the first setting item by transmitting the first setting value selected for one setting item The display data is requested to be transmitted.

  If this method is adopted, a menu screen generated in the image printing apparatus can be displayed on the image printing instruction apparatus, and an image can be printed on the image printing apparatus according to a setting value selected from the menu screen. Therefore, the user can appropriately specify the printing conditions intended by the user to the image printing apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an image printing apparatus, an image printing instruction apparatus, a direct printing system, and a printing condition setting method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The image printing apparatus will be described using a printer as an example. The image printing instruction apparatus will be described using DSC as an example. The printing condition setting method will be described as a part of the printer operation.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a direct print system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The direct print system includes a DSC 1 as an image printing instruction device and a printer 2 as an image printing device. In this direct printing system, the DSC 1 selects an image and printing conditions, and the printer 2 prints the image based on the printing conditions.

  The DSC 1 and the printer 2 are directly connected by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable 3. The DSC 1 and the printer 2 may be configured to be directly communicable via a wireless communication path even if they are connected by a cable other than the USB cable 3.

  The DSC 1 includes a semiconductor memory 11, a liquid crystal device 12 as a display unit, an input device 13, a USB communication I / F (interface) 14 as an instruction device communication unit, and a print client unit 15 as a print command transmission unit. A display data requesting unit, a display data receiving unit, and an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) client unit 16 as a selection unit.

  The semiconductor memory 11 can be inserted into and removed from the DSC 1. The semiconductor memory 11 stores a plurality of image data files 19. The image data file 19 has image data of an image captured by the DSC 1.

  The liquid crystal device 12 is disposed on the back surface of the DSC 1. The liquid crystal device 12 has a display screen having a size of about 2.5 inches. The liquid crystal device 12 displays an image of the image data file 19 on the display screen.

  The input device 13 has a cross key (not shown), for example. The cross key is arranged on the back surface of the DSC 1 along with the liquid crystal device 12. The input device 13 outputs a selection instruction based on the operation of the cross key or the like.

  The USB cable 3 is connected to the USB communication I / F 14 of the DSC 1. The USB communication I / F 14 of the DSC 1 functions as a USB device.

  The print client unit 15 generates an image print request for the image data file 19 stored in the semiconductor memory 11.

  The HTTP client unit 16 transmits an HTTP command to the USB communication I / F 14. Examples of HTTP commands include get commands and put commands. The get command is a command for requesting transmission of a page described in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language). The put command is a command for transmitting data. HTML is a kind of markup language.

  In addition, when receiving a page described in HTML, the HTTP client unit 16 generates a display screen based on the page. The HTTP client unit 16 outputs the generated display screen to the liquid crystal device 12.

  The print client unit 15 and the HTTP client unit 16 are realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) not shown in the DSC 1 executing a control program not shown in the DSC 1. The control program of DSC1 only needs to be stored in, for example, a storage device (not shown) of DSC1. Even if the control program of the DSC 1 is stored in a storage device (not shown) when the DSC 1 is shipped, it is stored in the storage device (not shown) via a recording medium or transmission medium (not shown) after the DSC 1 is shipped. It may be stored.

  The printer 2 includes a printing device 21 as a printing unit, a print command generation unit 22, a storage device 23 as a setting item information storage unit and a setting combination storage unit, and an HTML page generation unit 24 as a generation unit and an extraction unit. A USB communication I / F 25 as a printing device communication unit, a print server unit 26 as a printing device reception unit, and an HTTP server unit 27 as a printing device transmission unit.

  The printing device 21 has a paper feeding mechanism and a printing mechanism (not shown). The printing device 21 controls the paper feeding mechanism and the printing mechanism based on the print command, and prints an image or the like on the paper.

  The print command generation unit 22 generates a print command based on the print instruction. The print command generation unit 22 generates a print command for printing an image on a sheet of a predetermined size and type (type) based on an image print instruction, for example, with a predetermined print layout. Supply to the printing device 21. Further, the print command generation unit 22 corrects the image quality of the image based on, for example, an image print instruction, and generates a print command for printing the corrected image.

  The storage device 23 stores a plurality of setting page generation data files, a setting confirmation page generation data file 35, and a setting value combination data file 36.

  The plurality of setting page generation data files are files provided for each print setting item, for example. The print setting items include the size of the paper to be printed, the type of paper to be printed, the print layout of the image on the paper, and the image quality correction of the image to be printed. Specifically, the storage device 23 includes setting pages such as a paper size setting page generation data file 31, a paper type setting page generation data file 32, a print layout setting page generation data file 33, an image quality correction setting page generation data file 34, and the like. Store the generated data file.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data structure of the paper size setting page generation data file 31 in FIG. The data of the paper size setting page generation data file 31 is data described in HTML, and has a pair of select tags <select> and </ select>. The first select tag <select> has one parameter “title =“ paper size selection ””. Between the pair of select tags, there are three pairs of selection item tags <option value = “n (n = 1, 2, 3)”>, </ option>. Between each set of selection item tags, character strings as set values of all paper sizes that can be printed by the printer 2 are described as a plurality of options. In FIG. 2, there are three paper size options: “A4”, “L version”, and “2L version”. These options are a plurality of values that can be set for the paper size.

  The data in the paper size setting page generation data file 31 has a break tag <br> meaning a line feed following the pair of select tags. Further, following the break tag <br>, there is an input tag <input> which means display of an input button. The input tag has four parameters “type =“ submit ””, “value =“ next ””, “class =“ button2 ””, and “ID =“ tugi ””.

  “Type =“ submit ”” means that the selected option is approved as a setting value, and “value =“ next ”” means that the character string “next” is displayed on the input button. That is, “class =“ button2 ”” and “ID =“ tugi ”” mean that the data of the input button with “button2” and “ID =“ tugi ”” is used.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data structure of the paper type setting page generation data file 32 in FIG. The data of the paper type setting page generation data file 32 is data described in HTML, and the first select tag <select> has one parameter “title =“ paper type selection ””. Between each set of selection item tags, setting values of all paper types that can be printed by the printer 2 are described as a plurality of options. In FIG. 3, there are three paper type options: “plain paper”, “photo paper”, and “inkjet paper”. These options are a plurality of values that can be set for the paper type.

  The data in the paper type setting page generation data file 32 has two input tags <input> following the break tag <br>. The other basic data structure is the same as the data structure of the paper size setting page generation data file 31 shown in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the print layout setting page generation data file 33 has the same data structure as the paper size setting page generation data file 31 or the paper type setting page generation data file 32. That is, the print layout setting page generation data file 33 has “1up”, “2up”, “4up”, “8up (thumbnail)”, and “24up (thumbnail)” as print layout options. These are setting values for all print layouts that can be printed by the printer 2. These options are a plurality of values that can be set for the print layout.

  The image quality correction setting page generation data file 34 has the same data structure as the paper size setting page generation data file 31 or the paper type setting page generation data file 32. In other words, the image quality correction setting page generation data file 34 has “image quality correction” and “no image quality correction” as image quality correction options. These options are a plurality of values that can be set for image quality correction.

  The setting confirmation page generation data file 35 is a file that stores a page for generating a setting confirmation page for confirming a combination of setting values.

  The setting value combination data file 36 has a data group indicating combinations of setting values that can be printed by the printer 2. The set value combination data file 36 includes, for example, data “A4-plain paper-1 up-image correction”. This data means that the printer 2 can print one image on A4 size plain paper after correcting the image quality.

  In addition to this, for example, the setting value combination data file 36 stores data such as “A4-Photo paper-1 up-Image correction is possible” or “A4-Photo paper-24 up (thumbnail)”. Further, the setting value combination data file 36 indicates that it is possible to print on A4 size plain paper with a print layout of “1up”, “2up”, “4up” or “24up (thumbnail)”. Store the data.

  The set value combination data file 36 may store the plurality of data as a table or as a record for each data.

  The set value combination data file 36 may include set value combination data that the printer 2 cannot print. For example, the set value combination data file 36 may store data “A4-inkjet paper” as set value combination data that cannot be printed. The set value combination data file 36 may include data of both a set value combination that can be printed by the printer 2 and a set value combination that the printer 2 cannot print.

  The HTML page generation unit 24 refers to the setting value combination data file 36 and uses the data of the various setting page generation data files stored in the storage device 23 to generate print setting pages described in HTML. Generate.

  A USB cable 3 is connected to the USB communication I / F 25 of the printer 2. The USB communication I / F 25 of the printer 2 functions as a USB host.

  Based on the print request, the print server unit 26 generates a print instruction for printing the image of the image data file 19 stored in the semiconductor memory 11 of the DSC 1 on a sheet.

  When receiving the HTTP command, the HTTP server unit 27 interprets the command and executes processing according to the interpretation. For example, when receiving a get command, the HTTP server unit 27 transmits a page requested by the command.

  The print command generation unit 22, the HTML page generation unit 24, the print server unit 26, and the HTTP server unit 27 are realized by a CPU (not shown) of the printer 2 executing a control program for the printer 2. The control program for the printer 2 may be stored in, for example, the storage device 23 of the printer 2. Even if the control program of the printer 2 is stored in the storage device 23 or the like when the printer 2 is shipped, it is stored in the storage device 23 or the like via a recording medium or a transmission medium (not shown) after the printer 2 is shipped. It may be a thing.

  Next, the operation of the direct print system of FIG. 1 having the above configuration will be described.

  When direct printing is performed, the DSC 1 and the printer 2 are directly connected by the USB cable 3. The print client unit 15 of the DSC 1 generates a list of image data files 19 stored in the semiconductor memory 11 and causes the liquid crystal device 12 to display the list.

  When the selection instruction is supplied from the input device 13, the print client unit 15 selects the image data file 19 in the list selected at the time of the selection instruction as the image data file 19 of the image to be printed. When the selection of the image data file 19 is completed, the print client unit 15 instructs the HTTP client unit 16 to set an image print condition.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of image print condition setting processing by the HTTP client unit 16 and the HTTP server unit 27 in the direct print system of FIG. The box on the straight line described below the characters “HTTP client part (16)” indicates the main processing executed by the HTTP client part 16. The box on the straight line described below the characters “HTTP server part (27)” indicates the main processing executed by the HTTP server part 27. An arrow line between the two straight lines indicates main data transmitted and received between the HTTP client unit 16 and the HTTP server unit 27.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the HTTP client unit 16 first generates a get command for requesting transmission of a print setting page and supplies it to the USB communication I / F 14 of the DSC 1. The USB communication I / F 14 of the DSC 1 sends the supplied get command to the USB cable 3. The get command is received by the USB communication I / F 25 of the printer 2 via the USB cable 3. The USB communication I / F 25 of the printer 2 supplies the received get command to the HTTP server unit 27. As a result, the get command is transmitted from the HTTP client unit 16 of the DSC 1 to the HTTP server unit 27 of the printer 2 (step ST1).

  When receiving the first get command, the HTTP server unit 27 of the printer 2 instructs the HTML page generation unit 24 to generate a paper size setting page. The HTML page generation unit 24 reads the data of the paper size setting page generation data file 31 from the storage device 23 and generates a paper size setting page having the data shown in FIG. 2 (step ST2).

  When the paper size setting page is generated, the HTTP server unit 27 supplies this page to the USB communication I / F 25 of the printer 2. The USB communication I / F 25 of the printer 2 sends the supplied paper size setting page to the USB cable 3. The paper size setting page is transmitted to the USB communication I / F 14 of the DSC 1 via the USB cable 3. The USB communication I / F 14 of the DSC 1 receives the paper size setting page and supplies the received paper size setting page to the HTTP server unit 27. Thereby, the paper size setting page is transmitted from the HTTP server unit 27 of the printer 2 to the HTTP client unit 16 of the DSC 1 (step ST3).

  The HTTP client unit 16 generates a display screen based on the received paper size setting page, and outputs the generated display screen to the liquid crystal device 12. The liquid crystal device 12 displays a display screen (step ST4).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a paper size selection screen displayed on the liquid crystal device 12 in FIG. The paper size selection screen is a kind of menu screen. The paper size selection screen has a selection box for selecting a paper size. A character string “paper size selection” is displayed above the selection box. Below the selection box, a “Next” button is displayed.

  The HTTP client unit 16 displays a selection box 41 on the paper size selection screen based on the pair of select tags <select> and </ select> in FIG. The HTTP client unit 16 displays the character string 42 of “paper size selection” based on the parameter “title =“ paper size selection ”” of FIG. The HTTP client unit 16 displays a button 43 below the selection box 41 based on the break tag <br> and the input tag <input>. The HTTP client unit 16 assigns the character “next” to the button 43 based on the parameter “value =“ next ””. Hereinafter, this button is referred to as a “next” button 43.

  When the selection box 41 in FIG. 5 is selected by the input device 13, the HTTP client unit 16 causes the liquid crystal device 12 to display a pull-down box (not shown) overlapping the selection box 41. In the pull-down box, three character strings “A4”, “L version”, and “2L version” are displayed as options for the paper size based on the three pairs of selection item tags in FIG.

  The HTTP client unit 16 selects one character string in the pull-down box, for example, a character string “A4” based on the selection instruction of the input device 13. The HTTP client unit 16 closes the pull-down box and displays the selected option “A4” in the selection box 41 as shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, when the “next” button 43 is selected by the input device 13 on the paper size selection screen, the HTTP client unit 16 notifies the set value “A4” of the paper size displayed in the selection box 41. Generate a command. The HTTP client unit 16 transmits the generated put command to the HTTP server unit 27 of the printer 2 via the USB communication I / F 14 of the DSC 1, the USB cable 3, and the USB communication I / F 25 of the printer 2 (step ST5). ).

  After notifying the set value “A4” of the paper size, the HTTP client unit 16 generates a get command for requesting transmission of a new print setting page. The HTTP client unit 16 transmits the generated get command to the HTTP server unit 27 of the printer 2 (step ST6).

  When receiving the get command for requesting transmission of the second print setting page, the HTTP server unit 27 instructs the HTML page generation unit 24 to generate a paper type setting page (step ST7).

  The HTML page generation unit 24 first reads data in the setting value combination data file 36. The HTML page generation unit 24 extracts the set value of the paper type that can be set in combination with the set value “A4” of the put command received by the HTTP server unit 27 immediately before.

  The set value combination data file 36 stores data such as “A4-plain paper-1 up-image correction”, “A4-photo paper-1 up-image correction possible”, “A4-photo paper-24 up (thumbnail)”. Accordingly, the HTML page generation unit 24 extracts “plain paper” and “photo paper” as setting values of paper types that can be set in combination with the setting value “A4”.

  When the setting value of the paper type that can be printed by the printer 2 is extracted, the HTML page generation unit 24 reads the paper type setting page generation data file 32 shown in FIG. The HTML page generation unit 24 processes the data so as to leave only the option that matches the extracted setting value and the selection item tag of the option, and generates a paper type setting page.

  When “plain paper” and “photo paper” are extracted as set values of the paper type, the HTML page generation unit 24 leaves the options “plain paper” and “photo paper” and deletes the option “inkjet paper”. As a result, the HTML page generation unit 24 can generate a paper type setting page including only paper type options that can be printed in combination with the selected setting value “A4”.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a paper type setting page generated by the HTML page generation unit 24 in FIG. 1 when the setting value of the paper size is “A4”. Compared with the data of the paper type setting page generation data file 32 stored in the storage device 23 shown in FIG. 3, the paper type setting page generated by the HTML page generation unit 24 shown in FIG. One line of “option value =“ 3 ”> inkjet paper </ option>” is deleted.

  When the paper type setting page is generated by the HTML page generation unit 24, the HTTP server unit 27 transmits this page to the HTTP client unit 16 (step ST8). The HTTP client unit 16 generates a display screen based on the received paper type setting page and causes the liquid crystal device 12 to display the display screen. The liquid crystal device 12 displays a display screen (step ST9).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a paper type selection screen displayed on the liquid crystal device 12 in FIG. The paper type selection screen is a kind of menu screen. The paper type selection screen includes a selection box 51 for selecting a paper type, a character string 52 of “A4 paper type selection”, a “Previous” button 53, and a “Next” button 54.

  When the selection box 51 is selected, the HTTP client unit 16 causes the liquid crystal device 12 to display a pull-down box (not shown) overlapping the selection box 51. In the pull-down box, two character strings “plain paper” and “photo paper” are displayed as paper type options based on the two pairs of selection item tags in FIG.

  For example, when the character string “plain paper” in the pull-down box is selected and the “next” button 54 on the paper type selection screen is selected, the HTTP client unit 16 selects the combination of the set values “A4 × A put command for notifying "plain paper" is generated. The HTTP client unit 16 transmits the generated put command to the HTTP server unit 27 of the printer 2.

  When the “Previous” button 53 on the paper type selection screen is operated, the HTTP client unit 16 displays the previous selection screen (here, the paper size selection screen shown in FIG. 5) on the liquid crystal device 12. To do. The HTTP client unit 16 holds the previous selection screen that has already been received and displays it, or causes the HTTP server unit 27 to newly retransmit and display it. You may do it. As a result, the user can use the input device 13 to reselect the paper size setting value that has already been selected.

  After notifying the set value combination “A4 × plain paper” already selected based on the selection of the “next” button 54 by the input device 13 (step ST10), the HTTP client unit 16 transmits a new print setting page. Is generated and transmitted to the HTTP server unit 27 (step ST11).

  When receiving the third get command, the HTTP server unit 27 instructs the HTML page generation unit 24 to generate a print layout setting page (step ST12). The HTML page generation unit 24 first reads data in the setting value combination data file 36. The HTML page generation unit 24 extracts print layout setting values that can be set in combination with the set value combination “A4 × plain paper” of the put command received immediately before by the HTTP server unit 27.

  The setting value combination data file 36 is data indicating that an image can be printed with a print layout of “1up”, “2up”, “4up”, or “24up (thumbnail)” on A4 size plain paper. Have When the combination of setting values that have already been selected is “A4 × plain paper”, the HTML page generation unit 24 sets the print layout setting values that can be set in combination with the combination of setting values “A4 × plain paper” as “1up”, “2up”, “4up”, and “24up (thumbnail)” are extracted.

  When setting values that can be printed by the printer 2 are extracted, the HTML page generation unit 24 reads the print layout setting page generation data file 33. The HTML page generation unit 24 processes the data so as to leave only the option that matches the extracted setting value and the selection item tag of the option, and generates a print layout setting page.

  When “1up”, “2up”, “4up”, and “24up (thumbnail)” are extracted, the HTML page generation unit 24 selects “8up (thumbnail)” from the data of the print layout setting page generation data file 33. Is deleted. As a result, the HTML page generation unit 24 can generate a print layout setting page including only print layout options that can be printed in combination with the combination of selected setting values “A4 × plain paper”.

  When the print setting page for the print layout is generated, the HTTP server unit 27 transmits this page to the HTTP client unit 16 (step ST13). The HTTP client unit 16 generates a display screen based on the received print layout print setting page, and causes the liquid crystal device 12 to display a print layout selection screen (step ST14). The print layout selection screen is a type of menu screen. The configuration of the print layout selection screen is the same as the paper type selection screen shown in FIG.

  When the option “1up” in the pull-down box is selected on the print layout selection screen by the input device 13 and the “Next” button is selected, the HTTP client unit 16 selects the combination “A4” of the already selected setting values. A put command for notifying “× plain paper × 1 up” is generated. The HTTP client unit 16 transmits the generated put command to the HTTP server unit 27 of the printer 2 (step ST15).

  After notifying the already-selected combination of setting values “A4 × plain paper × 1up”, the HTTP client unit 16 generates a fourth get command for requesting transmission of a new print setting page, and the HTTP server unit 27 (Step ST16).

  When receiving the fourth get command, the HTTP server unit 27 determines whether or not there are setting items that can be set in combination with combinations of the three main setting values that have already been selected. Specifically, the HTTP server unit 27 reads the data of the setting value combination data file 36, extracts data having three selected setting values, and whether or not the data has setting values of other setting items. Is determined (step ST17).

  When the selected set value combination is “A4 × plain paper × 1 up”, the HTTP server unit 27 extracts “A4−plain paper−1 up−image correction” from the set value combination data file 36. When “A4-plain paper-1 up-image correction” is extracted, the HTTP server unit 27 leaves setting items that can be set in combination with combinations of three main setting values that have already been selected, that is, image correction remains. Judge that

  When it is determined that other unselected setting items remain in this way, the HTTP server unit 27 instructs the HTML page generation unit 24 to generate an image quality correction setting page. The HTML page generation unit 24 reads the image quality correction setting page generation data file 34 and generates an image quality correction setting page (step ST18).

  When the print setting page for image quality correction is generated by the HTML page generation unit 24, the HTTP server unit 27 transmits this page to the HTTP client unit 16 (step ST19). The HTTP client unit 16 displays a selection screen for image quality correction on the liquid crystal device 12 (step ST20). The selection screen for image quality correction is a kind of menu screen. On the selection screen for image quality correction, “with image quality correction” and “without image quality correction” are displayed as options for image quality correction. The configuration of the image quality correction selection screen is the same as that of the paper type selection screen shown in FIG.

  For example, when “with image quality correction” is selected in the pull-down box and the “next” button is operated on the selection screen for image quality correction, the HTTP client unit 16 sets the setting value selected so far. A put command for notifying the combination “A4 × plain paper × 1up × image quality corrected” is generated and transmitted to the HTTP server unit 27 (step ST21).

  After notifying of the combination of setting values selected so far, “A4 × plain paper × 1up × with image quality correction”, the HTTP client unit 16 generates a get command for requesting transmission of a new print setting page, and generates an HTTP server. It transmits to the unit 27 (step ST22).

  When the HTTP server unit 27 receives a new get command, it can be set in combination with a combination of four setting values that have already been selected based on the data group of the setting value combination data file 36. It is determined whether or not setting items remain (step ST23).

  When determining that there are no unset setting items remaining, the HTTP server unit 27 instructs the HTML page generation unit 24 to generate a setting confirmation page (step ST24). The HTML page generation unit 24 reads the setting confirmation page generation data file 35 and generates a setting confirmation page. On the setting confirmation page, a combination of setting values selected by the DSC 1 “A4 × plain paper × 1 up × with image quality correction” is assigned.

  When the setting confirmation page is generated by the HTML page generation unit 24, the HTTP server unit 27 transmits this page to the HTTP client unit 16 (step ST25). The HTTP client unit 16 displays a setting confirmation screen on the liquid crystal device 12 (step ST26). On the setting confirmation screen, for example, a combination of setting values selected by the DSC 1 “A4 × plain paper × 1 up × with image quality correction” and a “setting approval” button are displayed.

  When the “Approve setting” button is selected, the HTTP client unit 16 notifies the print client unit 15 of a combination of setting values related to the approval confirmation “A4 × plain paper × 1 up × with image quality correction”. With the above processing, the print condition setting processing by the HTTP client unit 16 is completed.

  The print client unit 15 generates a print request. The print client unit 15 combines the identification information of the image data file 19 that has already been selected (for example, a file name or a file ID generated in a one-to-one correspondence with the file name) and the setting value generated by the HTTP client unit 16. A print request including “A4 × plain paper × 1 up × with image quality correction” is generated. “A4 × plain paper × 1up × with image quality correction” is information on printing conditions including the value of the setting item selected on the menu screen.

  The print client unit 15 supplies the generated print request to the USB communication I / F 14 of the DSC 1. The USB communication I / F 14 of the DSC 1 sends the supplied print request to the USB cable 3. The print request is received by the USB communication I / F 25 of the printer 2 via the USB cable 3. The USB communication I / F 25 of the printer 2 supplies the received print request to the print server unit 26.

  The print server unit 26 interprets the supplied print request and acquires the image data file 19 included in the print request. Specifically, for example, the print server unit 26 acquires the file by specifying the identification number of the image data file 19 to a PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) communication unit (not shown) that operates on the USB communication I / F 25 of the printer 2. Instruct. The PTP communication unit of the printer 2 operates on the USB communication I / F 14 of the DSC 1 via the USB communication I / F 14 of the printer 2 via the USB communication I / F 25 of the printer 2, the USB cable 3, and the USB communication I / F 14 of the DSC 1. To the PTP communication unit. The PTP communication unit of the DSC 1 reads the received identification number file from the semiconductor memory 11, and the PTP communication unit of the printer 2 via the USB communication I / F 14 of the DSC 1, the USB cable 3, and the USB communication I / F 25 of the printer 2. Send to. The PTP communication unit of the printer 2 stores the received image data file 19 in the storage device 23 or the like.

  When the image data file 19 included in the print request is acquired, the print server unit 26 generates a print instruction for printing the image of the acquired image data file 19 based on a combination of print condition setting values included in the print request. To do. The print server unit 26 supplies the generated print instruction to the print command generation unit 22.

  The print command generation unit 22 determines whether or not “printing quality correction” is specified in the print instruction. In the combination of the previous set values “A4 × plain paper × 1up × with image quality correction”, “with image quality correction” is specified. The print command generation unit 22 reads image data from the image data file 19 received by the print server unit 26, and generates a new image in which the image quality of the image data is corrected.

  When the image quality correction processing is completed, the print command generation unit 22 generates a print command for printing the corrected image based on the combination of the paper size, paper type, and print layout setting values. If “A4 × plain paper × 1up × with image quality correction”, the print command generation unit 22 generates a print command for printing the corrected image on the entire surface of the A4 plain paper.

  The print command generation unit 22 supplies the generated print command to the print device 21. Based on the print command, the paper feed mechanism and the print mechanism are controlled to print an image on the paper. The image selected by DSC is printed on the entire surface of A4 plain paper.

  As described above, in the direct print system according to this embodiment, the printer 2 causes the DSC 1 to sequentially set the setting values of a plurality of setting items to be set when printing an image one by one. In addition, the printer 2 causes the setting value to be set next to be selected from the setting values that can be printed in combination with the setting value already selected for printing in the DSC 1.

  As a result, a combination of setting values of a plurality of setting items set when printing an image is not a combination of setting values that cannot be printed by the printer 2. Further, the printer 2 can cause the DSC 1 to set setting values of a plurality of setting items to be set when printing an image.

  Further, the printer 2 causes the display page generated by itself to be displayed on the DSC 1. Therefore, regardless of the type of DSC 1, the options that the printer 2 displays on the DSC 1 when printing an image are expressions based on character strings, images, and the like built in the printer 2 in advance, and are always the same options. In addition, even if the DSC 1 is replaced, the printer 2 can cause the DSC 1 to select options with the same operational feeling during image printing.

  In the direct print system according to this embodiment, the display page generated by the printer 2 is described in HTML that can be displayed by the DSC 1, and the setting value options are described in character strings that can be displayed by the DSC 1. . Therefore, the printer 2 can cause the DSC 1 to display the setting item options to be selected for printing as a character string.

  The above embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. is there.

  In the above embodiment, for each print setting item, a setting page generation data file having all the setting values of the print setting item is provided, and the HTML page generation unit 24 selects other setting items selected from the setting page generation data file. By leaving only setting values that can be combined and printed as options, a setting page for each print setting item is generated. In addition to this, for example, the file having only the layout data of the setting page of the print setting item and the list for each print setting item are stored in the storage device 23, and the HTML page generating unit 24 selects these in combination. A setting page for each print setting item including only setting values that can be printed in combination with other setting items as options may be generated.

  In the above embodiment, the four print setting items of paper size, paper type, print layout, and image quality correction are set in that order. In addition to this, for example, other print setting items such as presence / absence of borderless printing may be set continuously.

  Further, the order of setting the plurality of print setting items may be another order. However, print setting items such as image quality correction and borderless printing can be set depending on the combination of the paper size, paper type, and print layout settings, and when they cannot be set. There is. Therefore, the HTTP server unit 27 first sets the three print setting items of the paper size, the paper type, and the print layout in an arbitrary order, and then determines whether image quality correction is performed based on the combination of these three setting values. It is preferable to determine whether or not it is necessary to set the presence or absence of borderless printing, and then perform processing so as to set the presence or absence of image quality correction and the presence or absence of borderless printing.

  In the above-described embodiment, after setting the paper size, paper type, and print layout, it is determined whether or not settings such as presence / absence of image quality correction and borderless printing are necessary. In addition to this, for example, the HTTP server unit 27 may determine whether or not the next setting is necessary each time a setting value of one print setting item is selected.

  In the above embodiment, the HTTP client unit 16 transmits the selected combination of setting values and the transmission request for the next print setting page using separate commands. In addition to this, for example, the HTTP client unit 16 may transmit the combination of the selected setting values and the transmission request for the next print setting page with one command.

  In the above embodiment, the HTTP client unit 16 transmits the combination of selected setting values to the HTTP server unit 27. In addition to this, for example, the HTTP client unit 16 transmits only the selected setting value, and the HTTP server unit 27 accumulates the setting value transmitted from the HTTP client unit 17 and combines the new setting value with the next setting value. You may make it utilize for judgment of a transmission page. However, in the case of this modification, when trying to change the selected setting value, the HTTP client unit 16 changes the setting value by a process different from the above-described normal setting value transmission. Notification to the unit 27.

  In the above embodiment, until the combination of setting values set by the DSC 1 matches the data stored in the setting value combination data file 36, that is, the combination of setting values to be set when the printer 2 prints an image. Until they match, the HTML page generation unit 24 generates setting pages. In addition, for example, the HTML page generation unit 24 may generate a setting page only for some setting items of a combination of setting values to be set when the printer 2 prints an image. In this case, the printer 2 may add the setting values of the setting items that are not set in the DSC 1 and print the image. For example, the printer 2 generates a setting page for only the paper size, paper type, and print layout, and corrects the image as much as possible based on a combination of setting values of those setting items in the DSC 1 so that the image is corrected. Print it out.

  In the above embodiment, in the display data, the setting item options are described as character strings such as “A4” and “plain paper”, for example. In particular, the character string as an option of the setting item may be described as a character string used in the manual of the printer 2. As a result, the user can understand the meaning of the setting item options for printing the image in the DSC 1 by referring to the manual of the printer 2.

  In the above embodiment, a direct print system in which the DSC 1 and the printer 2 are connected is provided. In addition, for example, instead of the DSC 1, a direct print system may be configured by connecting devices such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone terminal with a camera, and a mobile communication terminal to a printer.

  In the above embodiment, the image file related to the print request is transmitted from the DSC 1 to the printer 2 by PTP. Instead, it may be transferred by HTTP by the HTTP client unit 16 and the HTTP server unit 27. Alternatively, the print request may be an HTML data file and similarly transferred by HTTP.

  The present invention can be used in, for example, a direct print system in which a DSC and a printer are directly connected.

1 is a block diagram of a direct print system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the paper size setting page generation data file in FIG. It is a figure which shows the paper type setting page generation data file in FIG. 10 is a flowchart of image print condition setting processing. It is a figure which shows the paper size selection screen displayed on the liquid crystal device in FIG. It is a figure which shows the paper type setting page which an HTML page production | generation part produces | generates. It is a figure which shows the paper type selection screen displayed on the liquid crystal device in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 DSC (image printing instruction | indication apparatus), 2 Printer (image printing apparatus), 12 Liquid crystal device (display means), 14 USB communication I / F (instruction device communication means), 15 Print client part (print command transmission means), 16 HTTP client section (display data requesting means, display data receiving means, selection means), 21 printing device (printing means), 23 storage device (setting item information storage means, setting combination storage means), 24 HTML page generation means (generation means) , Extraction unit), 25 USB communication I / F (printing device communication unit), 26 print server unit (printing device reception unit), 27 HTTP server unit (printing device transmission unit)

Claims (10)

A printing apparatus communication unit to which an image printing instruction apparatus for instructing printing of an image is connected;
Setting item information storage means for storing setting item information indicating one or more values that can be set for setting items in the printing conditions ;
A menu screen capable of selecting one or a plurality of values that can be set for the setting item as display data of the menu screen displayed by the image printing instruction apparatus based on the setting item information in the setting item information storage means Generating means for generating display data of
A printing apparatus transmitting means for transmitting the display data generated by the generating means to the image print instruction apparatus via the printing apparatus communication means;
Printing device receiving means for receiving information on printing conditions including the value of the setting item selected on the menu screen based on the display data from the image printing instruction device via the printing device communication means;
Printing means for printing an image according to the printing condition information received by the printing device receiving means ,
The generating means is configured to select the first setting item selected from one or a plurality of first values for the first setting item received from the image print instruction apparatus via the printing apparatus receiving means. For a second setting item different from one setting item, one or a plurality of second values that can be combined with the first setting value are extracted, and a menu screen displayed by the image print instruction device is displayed. An image printing apparatus for generating display data of a menu screen capable of selecting any one of the one or a plurality of second values for the second setting item as data . And setting the combination storage means for storing a set value combination information indicating a combination of values that can be set for a plurality of setting items in the printing conditions of the image printing apparatus,
Extraction means for extracting one or a plurality of setting values that can be combined with the first setting value for the second setting item based on the first setting value and setting combination information in the setting combination storage means; Further comprising
The image printing apparatus according to claim 1.   The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates display data described in a markup language that can be processed by the image print instruction apparatus.   The setting item information storage unit stores a character string used in a manual of the image printing apparatus as one or a plurality of values that can be set for setting items in the printing conditions of the image printing apparatus. Item 4. The image printing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 3. An image printing apparatus according to claim 1;
An instruction device communication means to which an image printing apparatus for printing an image is connected;
Display data requesting means for transmitting a display request for display data of the menu screen to the image printing apparatus via the instruction device communication means before displaying the menu screen for setting the value of the setting item in the printing conditions;
Display data receiving means for receiving display data related to the transmission request transmitted by the display data requesting means via the pointing device communication means;
Display means for displaying a menu screen for setting the value of the setting item in the printing conditions based on the display data received by the display data receiving means;
Selecting means for selecting a setting value for the setting item from one or more values of the setting item on the menu screen displayed by the display means;
Print command transmission means for transmitting the print condition information including the set value selected by the selection means to the image printing apparatus via the instruction device communication means, and executing printing of the image;
An image printing instruction apparatus comprising:
A direct print system characterized by comprising:   The display data requesting unit selects a first setting value selected from one or a plurality of first values for the first setting item when a transmission request for display data of the menu screen for the second setting item is made. 6. The transmission of the display data of the menu screen including one or a plurality of second values that can be combined with the first setting value for the second setting item is requested by transmitting. The direct print system described.   The display data receiving means receives display data described in a markup language,
  7. The direct according to claim 5, wherein the display means interprets display data described in a markup language and displays a menu screen for setting a setting item value in printing conditions. Printing system. Before displaying the menu screen for setting the value of the setting item in the printing condition from the image printing instruction device that sets the image printing conditions and sends the image printing instruction to the image printing device that prints the image, the menu screen Sending a request to send display data of
When the transmission request is received, the setting item information storage unit that stores setting item information indicating one or more values that can be set for the setting item in the printing condition of the image printing apparatus is referred to, and based on the setting item information. Generating menu screen display data capable of selecting one or a plurality of values that can be set for the setting item as display data for the menu screen;
Transmitting the generated display data from the image printing apparatus to the image printing instruction apparatus;
Displaying a menu screen for setting the value of the setting item in the printing conditions based on the received display data;
Transmitting information on printing conditions including a setting value for the setting item selected from one or more values of the setting item on the displayed menu screen from the image print instruction device to the image printing device;
Have
The display data generation step is for a second setting item different from the first setting item based on a first setting value selected from one or more first values for the first setting item. One or a plurality of second values that can be combined with the first set value are extracted, and the first set item or the second set item is displayed as the menu screen display data displayed by the image print instruction device. A printing condition setting method, comprising: generating menu screen display data capable of selecting any one of a plurality of second values .   Reference is made to a setting combination storage unit that stores setting value combination information indicating combinations of values that can be set for a plurality of setting items in the printing conditions of the image printing apparatus, and the first setting value and the setting in the setting combination storage unit 9. The printing condition according to claim 8, further comprising: extracting one or more setting values that can be combined with the first setting value for the second setting item based on combination information. Setting method.   The step of transmitting the display data transmission request is performed by transmitting the first setting value selected for the first setting item at the time of the display data transmission request of the menu screen for the second setting item. 9. Request for transmission of display data of a menu screen including one or a plurality of second values that can be combined with the first setting value selected for the first setting item. Item 10. The printing condition setting method according to Item 9.

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