JP4661832B2 - Print control device and printer driver program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus and a printer driver program. More specifically, the present invention relates to a program for a print control apparatus and a printer driver that process print job data using a functional filter.

  A printer driver having a function of processing print job data is incorporated in a print control apparatus that controls the printer. Functions for processing print job data include, for example, a rearrangement function for changing the order of images to be printed, a multi-page function for printing a plurality of pages on one sheet, and a watermark for images to be printed. A watermark function for printing an image such as a character is known.

  Conventionally, in a printer driver that processes document data output in XML (Extensible Markup Language) format from an application, modules that execute various types of processing can be added to or deleted from the printer driver. It is provided as a possible “functional filter”. The printer driver reads the function filter when executing a print job, processes the document data, and outputs the processed document data to a printer or the like as print data.

As a printer driver that uses the above-described function filter, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a printing system that can specify the execution order of function filters. Depending on the combination of various functions, different images are output depending on the execution order. For example, the output image is different between the print data processed in the order of the multi-page function (for example, 2 in 1) and the watermark function and the print data processed in the order of the watermark function and the multi-page function. Therefore, in the printing system disclosed in Patent Document 1, an image as intended by the user can be obtained by making it possible to specify the execution order of function filters.
JP 2006-48537 A

  However, the above-described conventional print control apparatus has the following problems. In other words, the printer driver has list information of the function filters that it owns as a filter setting file. When the printer driver processes the print job data, the filter setting file is referred to and all the functional filters owned by the printer driver are read into the memory.

  That is, once all the function filters are read out to the memory, the functions necessary for the processing process are selectively used for each print job. For this reason, function filters that are not used are also read into the memory each time print job data is processed. Therefore, it takes time to process the print job data. This longer processing time becomes more prominent as the number of functional filters owned by the printer driver increases.

  The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the conventional print control apparatus described above. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a print control apparatus and a printer driver program that can perform processing of print job data in a short time.

In order to solve this problem, a print control apparatus is provided with at least one functional filter for processing print job data, a filter configuration storage unit for storing configuration information of the owned functional filter, and print job data. Based on the processing information, the processing information analysis unit that selects a functional filter necessary for processing the print job data, and the functional filter configuration stored in the filter configuration storage unit based on the analysis result of the processing information analysis unit A filter configuration changing unit that rewrites information; and a filter execution unit that reads the functional filter into the memory based on the configuration information of the functional filter stored in the filter configuration storage unit and executes the processing of the print job data. It is said.

  The print control apparatus of the present invention includes at least one functional filter, and configuration information of the functional filter group is stored in the filter configuration storage unit. When the filter execution unit executes the processing, each functional filter is read out on the memory based on the configuration information stored in the filter configuration storage unit, and the processing is executed.

  Further, in the print control apparatus of the present invention, the processing information analysis unit selects a function filter necessary for processing the print job data, and the filter configuration change unit stores the function stored in the filter configuration storage unit based on the selection result. Rewrite the filter configuration information. The filter execution unit reads the functional filter into the memory based on the rewritten functional filter configuration information. That is, only the functional filter that the processing information analysis unit determines to be necessary for the processing of the print job data is read into the memory. For this reason, there is no reading of unused functional filters as compared with the conventional print control apparatus in which all owned functional filters are read out on the memory. Therefore, the readout time of the functional filter is short, and the processing can be completed in a short time.

  In the print control apparatus of the present invention, it is better to include a backup unit that stores the basic configuration of the functional filter.

  By providing the backup unit, the configuration information of the functional filter stored in the filter configuration storage unit can be initialized. By returning the configuration of the filter configuration storage unit to the basic configuration after the processing is completed, the effect of the previous print job can be avoided when the function is queried from the application or when the next print job is executed. it can. Even if a failure occurs during the processing, the configuration information of the functional filter can be restored to the initial state based on the information of the backup unit.

  In the printing control apparatus of the present invention, the filter configuration change unit stores the functional filter configuration information before the change, and the filter execution unit finishes processing the print job data and then changes the functional filter configuration information before the change. It may be rewritten to the contents of.

  The filter configuration change unit temporarily stores the information before the change when the configuration information of the function filter is changed, and returns to the state before the change after the processing is completed, so that the configuration information of the function filter is maintained. Therefore, the influence of the previous print job can be avoided as in the print control apparatus having the backup unit. In addition, since a backup is created for each printing process, there is no problem with the failure of the backup file itself.

  The printing control apparatus according to the present invention further includes a manual change unit that allows a user to select use of each functional filter stored in the filter configuration storage unit and rewrites configuration information in the filter configuration storage unit according to the user's selection. Then better. By providing the manual changing unit, it is possible to manually operate the configuration information of the functional filter.

  Furthermore, the printing control apparatus includes a display unit that acquires the configuration information of the functional filter stored in the filter configuration storage unit and displays a user interface that enables the user to select the use of each functional filter. It is better that the unit restricts selection of functions whose reading is restricted by the filter configuration changing unit. By providing such a display unit, it is easy for the user to visually recognize the setting state of the functional filter changed by manual operation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the print control apparatus includes at least one functional filter for processing print job data, filter configuration storage means for storing configuration information of the owned functional filter, and processing information associated with the print job data. Based on the analysis result of the processing information analysis means for selecting the functional filter necessary for the processing of the print job data and the processing information analysis means, the function filter configuration information stored in the filter configuration storage means is rewritten. A printer that functions as a filter execution unit that reads out a functional filter from a filter based on the configuration information of the functional filter stored in the filter configuration storage unit and the filter configuration storage unit, and executes processing for processing print job data Contains driver programs.

  According to the present invention, a program for a print control apparatus and a printer driver capable of performing processing of print job data in a short time is realized.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a printing control apparatus according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a personal computer (hereinafter simply referred to as “PC”) in which a printer driver is installed.

[Print system configuration]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 100 of this embodiment includes a printer 2 as an image forming apparatus and a PC 1 as an information terminal device. In the print system 100, the PC 1 and the printer 2 are connected via a USB cable. Note that the number of printers and PCs constituting the printing system 100 is not limited to one, and a plurality of printers and PCs may be connected. Further, the connection between the PC 1 and the printer 2 is not limited to a USB cable, and other serial communication cables, parallel communication cables, wired LAN cables, and wireless communication paths such as a wireless LAN can be used.

  The PC 1 is used as a temporary storage area when the CPU 11 that executes various processes, a ROM 12 that stores a program (BIOS) of a startup process performed by the CPU 11 when the PC 1 is started, and the CPU 11 performs various processes. A RAM 13 and a hard disk drive (HDD) 14 storing various programs and data are included.

  The PC 1 also has a printer port interface 17 (in this embodiment, a USB interface, etc.) for exchanging signals with the operation unit 15 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a display unit 16 including a liquid crystal display, and the printer 2. And a network interface 18 for exchanging signals via a network such as a LAN or the Internet.

  Further, the HDD 14 of the PC 1 has an operating system (OS), an application capable of editing image data (for example, document creation software, drawing software, spreadsheet software, photo data editing software, etc.) and a printer 2 in PDL format. A printer driver that transmits the described print data is stored.

  The printer 2 includes a CPU 21 that executes various processes, a ROM 22 that stores a program of a startup process performed by the CPU 21 when the printer 2 is started, and a RAM 23 that is used as a temporary storage area when the CPU 21 performs various processes. And a hard disk drive (HDD) 24 that stores various programs and data.

  In addition, the printer 2 includes an operation unit 25 including a plurality of buttons disposed outside the casing of the printer 2, a display unit 26 including a liquid crystal display panel disposed outside the casing, and the PC 1. A printer port interface 27 (USB interface or the like in this embodiment) and a network interface 28 for exchanging signals via a network such as a LAN or the Internet.

  Further, the printer 2 includes a printing unit 30 that forms an image on a sheet as a recording medium or an OHP sheet (hereinafter simply referred to as “sheet”). The printing unit 30 may adopt an electrophotographic method, an ink jet method, or another general image forming method. Further, even if a color image can be formed, it may be dedicated to a monochrome image.

  In the printing system 100 of this embodiment including the printer 2 and the PC 1 having such a configuration, the user operates the PC 1 and uses the application built in the PC 1 to output image data such as a document, a figure, a table, or a photograph. It is possible to edit. In accordance with a user instruction, print data in PDL format can be transmitted to the printer 2 and an image can be output by the printer 2.

  Some of the applications installed in the PC 1 have a printing function, and print job data such as document data or image data is sent to the printer driver by this printing function. The printer driver creates print data necessary for printing document data and image data with the printer 2 in accordance with print job data from the application. Note that the print job data is described in the XML format.

  Print data created by the printer driver is transmitted to the printer 2 via the printer port interface 17. The printer 2 operates the printing unit 30 by receiving print data. Then, based on the print data, an image desired by the user is formed on a sheet selected by the user.

  In addition, the application acquires setting information about a sheet that is set in advance as a sheet on which an image can be formed by the printer 2 from the printer driver for the printer 2. Then, it is registered as a paper setting item and a size setting item. For example, “A4”, “A5”, “B5”, “postcard”, and the like, which are types of paper sizes, are registered in one of the setting items “paper size”. Furthermore, dimensions and printing directions are registered as size setting items. The application provides a page setting screen and a preview screen reflecting the setting information registered by the user's selection.

  The application acquires function information that can be provided as a function of the printer driver from the printer driver. Printer driver functions include watermarking, sorting, and multi-page. The items to be set differ depending on the function. For example, in the watermark function, items such as “use” and “do not use” are set for the watermark, and “black”, “gray”, “red”, etc., which are the color types of the watermark, are set. The

[Configuration of printer driver]
Next, the printer driver 4 incorporated in the PC 1 will be described. The printer driver 4 for the printer 2 includes a software module (DLL in this embodiment) that executes various types of processing as a “functional filter”. Functional filters can be added, deleted, or expanded in function by version upgrades, add-ins, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer driver 4 of this embodiment includes a driver control unit 41, a setting information analysis unit 42 (an example of a processing information analysis unit), and a filter setting file control unit 43 (an example of a filter configuration change unit). A filter unit 44, a filter execution unit 45 (an example of a filter execution unit), a filter manual change unit 46 (an example of a manual change unit), and a filter function display unit 47 (an example of a display unit). Yes.

  The driver control unit 41 has a function of receiving a request from the application 7 and sending back information as necessary. The print system 100 of this embodiment accepts print job data from the application 7. In addition, it accepts display instructions for functions owned by the printer driver 4 itself. Actually, the print job data output from the application 7 is accumulated in the spooler and sequentially sent to the printer driver 4. However, in this embodiment, the spooler is omitted for the sake of simplicity.

  The setting information analysis unit 42 has a function of extracting function filters necessary for processing for each print job data. That is, the print job data sent from the application 7 is accompanied by data relating to the setting of the printer driver 4 in addition to the document data itself to be printed. As the accompanying data, for example, in addition to the basic information of the printer 2 such as “paper size”, “paper orientation”, and “input tray”, processing information such as “150% magnification”, “2 in 1”, “horizontal reversal” is stored. Has been. The setting information analysis unit 42 reads the associated data and analyzes and extracts a functional filter necessary for desired processing.

  The filter setting file control unit 43 has a function of storing configuration information of functional filters owned by the printer driver 4. Specifically, the filter setting file control unit 43 manages a filter setting file 431 (an example of a filter configuration storage unit) and a filter setting backup 432 (an example of a backup unit). FIG. 3 is an example of the filter setting file 431 managed by the filter setting file control unit 43, and a list of owned functional filters is stored as an XML file.

  Specifically, the type of filter and the reference destination of the filter module are stored. In other words, in this embodiment, “watermark”, “scaling”, “layout”, “mirror”, and “RIP” function filters are stored together with the names of modules that execute the functions. Further, the registration order of the functional filters having the filter configuration in FIG. 3 directly means the execution order of the functional filters. That is, according to the configuration information of the functional filter in FIG. 3, it is stored that the printer driver 4 executes “watermark”, “scaling”, “layout”, “mirror”, and “RIP” in this order. The method for storing the configuration information of the functional filter is not limited to the XML format file, but may be, for example, an HTML format file or a CSV format file.

  The filter setting backup 432 stores the initial state of the filter setting file 431, and a list of functional filters owned as with the filter setting file 431 is stored as an XML file. In this embodiment, the contents of the XML file shown in FIG. 3 are stored as an initial state.

  The filter unit 44 indicates a library group of function filters 51 to 55 owned by the printer driver 4. The functional filters 51 to 55 are provided as DLLs, and are read into the memory individually when each functional filter is used.

  Specifically, in this embodiment, a “watermark filter” that adds a watermark character as the function filter 51, a “scaling filter” that displays a predetermined magnification (enlargement / reduction) as the function filter 52, and 2in1 or poster printing as the function filter 53. A “layout filter” to be performed, a “mirror filter” to perform left-right inversion and upside-down inversion as the function filter 54, and a “RIP filter” to develop bitmap data from the page description language as the function filter 55 are provided.

  The filter execution unit 45 has a function of processing document data according to print job data. When performing the processing, at least one of the functional filters 51 to 55 is read into the memory in accordance with the contents of the filter setting file 431, and the processing specified in the print job data is executed. The print data that has been processed is expanded into bitmap data via the RIP filter and sent to the printer 2.

  The filter manual changing unit 46 has a function of changing the contents of the filter setting file 431. A user such as an administrator can manually rewrite the filter setting file 431 by the filter manual changing unit 46. As a result, for example, in a print system for a specific user, it is possible to limit the functions realized by the function filter.

  In this embodiment, a dedicated user interface 461 as shown in FIG. 4 is provided as means for changing the contents of the filter setting file 431. The user interface 461 refers to the contents of the filter setting file 431 and displays the functions owned. A check box corresponding to each function is provided so that the user can turn on or off the check box. Then, by turning off the check box, use of the function corresponding to the check box is restricted.

  Specifically, as a method of changing the contents of the filter setting file 431 so as to restrict the use of the function, the information about the function is deleted from the filter setting file 431, or the information about the function is commented out. Is applicable. Moreover, you may enable it to select any one method.

  The screen configuration and display function are examples, and the present invention is not limited to this. The means for changing the contents of the filter setting file 431 is not limited to a dedicated utility. For example, whether to use a functional filter may be input from the command line.

  The filter function display unit 47 has a function of displaying the stored contents of the filter setting file. That is, a user interface for visually recognizing functions owned by the printer driver 4 is provided. FIG. 5 shows an example of a display screen displayed by the filter function display unit 47. The user can know the available functions through this screen.

  Further, the filter function display unit 47 is disabled in the function filter that is not recorded in the filter setting file 431 and the function that is restricted in use among the recorded functions, that is, the filter manual change unit 46. The function is displayed to limit the selection. FIG. 6 shows a display example in a state where selection is restricted. In this display example, a double strikethrough is drawn on the character of the “watermark” selection button, and it can be visually confirmed that the selection is restricted. In addition, for example, when the layout function filter is not available, a screen in which double strikethrough is drawn on the characters “multi-page” and the radio button option characters is displayed.

  The screen configuration and display function are examples, and the present invention is not limited to this. Further, the display in a state where the selection is limited is not limited to the double strikethrough, and for example, it is possible to apply a method of reducing the character, changing the color of the character, displaying in grayout, or the like.

[Printer Driver Operation]
[Driver print processing]
A printing process executed when the printer driver 4 receives print job data will be described. In the printing process of this driver, the function filter owned by the printer driver 4 is read into the memory mainly by the filter execution unit 45, the print job data is processed, and the print data is sent to the printer 2. Hereinafter, the printing process of the printer driver 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the driver control unit 41 acquires print job data from the application 7 (S101). The acquired print job data is sent to the setting information analysis unit 42 and the filter execution unit 43. In the following description, an example is given in which a print job example is received in which there is an instruction for each processing process of “magnification 150%”, “2 in 1”, and “left-right reversal” and no instruction for “watermark”.

  Next, the setting information analysis unit 42 analyzes data related to the setting of the printer driver 4 attached to the print job data, and extracts function filters necessary for processing the print job data (S102). The extraction result is sent to the filter setting file control unit 43. In this print job example, “scaling” for 150% enlargement printing, “layout” for performing 2 in 1 and “mirror” for performing left / right reversal processing are extracted. Since the “RIP” filter is always read when output to the printer 2, it is extracted in all print jobs.

  Next, the filter setting file control unit 43 changes the filter setting file 431 according to the analysis result of the setting information analysis unit 42 (S103). That is, the contents of the filter setting file 431 are changed so as to limit the reading of the function filter that has not been extracted by the setting information analysis unit 42.

  Specifically, in this print job example, the function filters “scaling”, “layout”, “mirror”, and “RIP” are extracted, but “watermark” is not extracted. Therefore, the contents of the filter setting file 431 are changed so as to limit the use of the “watermark” function filter. FIG. 8 shows the stored contents of the filter setting file 431 after the change. In FIG. 8, the information about the “watermark” functional filter is deleted from the stored contents of the filter setting file 431. Therefore, the “watermark” cannot be used.

  As a method for restricting the use of the function filter, the function filter information may be commented out in addition to deleting the information of the corresponding function filter. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the information about the function filter of the watermark is commented out.

  Next, the filter execution unit 45 processes the print job data (S104). In this processing, first, the filter setting file 431 is referred to, and all readable function filters are read into the memory. In this print job example, since the “watermark” function filter is disabled on the filter setting file 431 in the process of S103, the “watermark” function filter 51 is not read and “scaling” is performed. , “Layout”, “mirror”, and “RIP” function filters 52 to 55 are read out.

  Thereafter, each processing of “scaling”, “layout”, and “mirror” is performed to create an image desired by the user. The processed print job data is converted to bitmap data by the “RIP” filter and then sent to the printer 2 as PDL format print data.

  After finishing the processing, the filter setting file control unit 43 returns the filter setting file 431 to the initial state (S105). That is, the filter setting file 431 is initialized using the filter setting backup 432. By returning the configuration of the filter setting file 431 to the basic configuration after the processing is completed, the function is not affected by the previous print job when the function is inquired from the application 7 or the next printing.

  In this print job example, as shown in FIG. 8, the function filter information of “watermark” is returned to the initial state as shown in FIG. As a result, the information of the function file deleted by the process of S103 is recovered, and the function file can be used in the next print job. After the process of S105 ends, the driver print process ends.

[Application example]
In this embodiment, the filter setting backup unit 432 is provided and the filter setting file 431 is returned to the initial state based on the backup file. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the filter setting backup unit 432 may not be provided.

  In this case, before changing the contents of the filter setting file 431 in the process of S103, the filter setting file control unit 430 temporarily stores the contents of the immediately preceding filter setting file 431 in a memory or a temporary file. In the process of S105, the previous state is restored based on the temporary information 433. As a result, as in the case of the present embodiment having the backup file, it is not necessary to be affected by the previous print job when the function is inquired from the application 7 or the next printing.

  As in this application example, when the temporary information 433 is used to restore the initial state, a backup is created every time printing processing is performed, so that the problem of the backup file itself does not occur. On the other hand, when returning to the initial state by the backup file 432 as in the embodiment, even if a failure occurs during the processing, it can be restored to the initial state based on the information in the backup file 432.

  In this embodiment, the setting is made so that all function filters are read out in the initial state, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the initial state, only a function filter that is always read, such as a “RIP” filter, may be used, and other function filters may be commented out. That is, the filter setting changing process (S103) may be performed when performing a special processing process, and the process may be shifted to the process of S104 without performing the process of S103 when it is determined that the special processing process is not performed.

  As described in detail above, the printer driver 4 of this embodiment includes a plurality of functional filters 51 to 55, and stores configuration information of the filter unit 44 in the filter setting file 431. When the filter execution unit 45 executes the processing, each function filter is read out on the memory based on the functional filter configuration information stored in the filter setting file 431, and the processing is executed. Further, in the printer driver 4 of this embodiment, the setting information analysis unit 42 selects a functional filter necessary for the processing of the print job data, and the filter setting file control unit 43 stores the filter in the filter setting file 431 based on the selection result. Rewrite the configuration information of the function filter.

  Then, the filter execution unit 45 reads the functional filter into the memory based on the rewritten filter setting file 431. That is, only the function filter that the setting information analysis unit 42 determines to be necessary for the processing of the print job data is read out to the memory. For this reason, there is no reading of unused functional filters as compared with the conventional printer driver in which all owned functional filters are read out on the memory. Therefore, the readout time of the functional filter is short and the processing can be completed in a short time. Therefore, a print control apparatus and a printer driver program capable of processing print job data in a short time are realized.

  Note that this embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a printer, and may be a copier, a FAX, or a multifunction machine having an image forming function. The information terminal device is not limited to a PC, and may be a workstation, a portable information terminal device, or the like. Further, the print system is not limited to a system in which the image forming apparatus and the information terminal device are separate, and may be an integrated system.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print system according to an embodiment. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printer driver according to an embodiment. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the XML file which memorize | stored filter information. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a manual change user interface. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen which a filter function display part displays. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen which restrict | limited use of the watermark. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print processing according to the embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example (the 1: setting removal) of a filter setting file when the setting of a watermark is not performed. It is a figure which shows an example (the 2: setting comment out) of a filter setting file when the setting of a watermark is not performed. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printer driver according to an application example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Personal computer 2 Printer 4 Printer driver 41 Driver control part 42 Setting information analysis part 43 Filter setting file control part 431 Filter setting file 432 Filter setting backup 44 Filter part 45 Filter execution part 46 Filter manual change part 47 Filter function display part 51- 55 Function Filter

Claims (6)

At least one functional filter for processing print job data;
A filter configuration storage unit that stores configuration information of the functional filters that it owns;
A processing information analysis unit that selects a function filter necessary for processing the print job data based on the processing information attached to the print job data;
A filter configuration changing unit for rewriting the configuration information of the functional filter stored in the filter configuration storage unit based on the analysis result of the processing information analysis unit;
A print control apparatus comprising: a filter execution unit that reads a functional filter into a memory on the basis of configuration information of the functional filter stored in the filter configuration storage unit, and executes a processing of print job data. The printing control apparatus according to claim 1,
A printing control apparatus comprising a backup unit that stores a basic configuration of a functional filter. The printing control apparatus according to claim 1,
The filter configuration changing unit stores the configuration information of the functional filter before the change, and after the filter execution unit finishes processing the print job data, the configuration information of the functional filter is rewritten with the content before the change. Print control device. In the printing control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A printing control apparatus comprising: a manual change unit that allows a user to select use of each functional filter stored in the filter configuration storage unit and rewrites configuration information in the filter configuration storage unit according to the user's selection. The printing control apparatus according to claim 4,
A display unit that displays configuration information of the functional filter stored in the filter configuration storage unit and displays a user interface that enables a user to select use of each functional filter;
The printing control apparatus, wherein the display unit restricts selection of a function whose reading is restricted by the filter configuration changing unit. Print control device
At least one functional filter for processing print job data;
Filter configuration storage means for storing configuration information of the functional filter owned by the device;
Processing information analysis means for selecting a function filter necessary for processing the print job data based on the processing information attached to the print job data;
Filter configuration changing means for rewriting the configuration information of the functional filter stored in the filter configuration storage means based on the analysis result of the processing information analysis means;
A printer driver program for causing a functional filter to be read into a memory on the basis of the functional filter configuration information stored in the filter configuration storage means and to function as a filter execution means for executing processing of print job data.

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