JPH10187395A - Printer driver and storage medium and printing system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To receive original pixel multilevel data using the common multiple of the value of each print resolution in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction as resolution, and to attain a quick printing processing in the printer driver of a printer device connected with a host equipment. SOLUTION: Original pixel multilevel data are inputted to a mean value calculation processing part 2 provided in a printer driver. The original pixel multilevel data are the number of gradation of a printer device 3, for example, the multilevel data of the common multiple of the resolution of M×N dot/inch, and the mean value calculation processing part 2 calculates a mean value for each block for the original pixel multilevel data, and outputs this arithmetic result as print pixel multilevel data to the printer device 3. Therefore, the inputted original pixel multilevel data are the data of the common multiple of the resolution of M×N dot/inch so that the mean value calculation processing to be operated by the mean value calculation processing part 2 can be quickly attained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printer driver of a printer connected to a host device such as a personal computer, a storage medium therefor, and a printing system using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printer device is connected to a host device, for example, a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer), receives print information from the personal computer, and performs a printing process.

For example, FIG. 9 shows a printing system in which a conventional printer device and a host device are connected. PC 10
Inside, an original image pixel output unit 11 and an interpolation calculation processing unit 12 are provided, and an output of the interpolation calculation processing unit 12 is output to the printer device 13. The original image pixel output unit 11 is, for example, a personal computer 1
The original image pixel gradation data is output to, for example, an interpolation operation processing unit 12 built in a printer driver.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a dot configuration of original image pixel data output from the original image pixel output unit 11. The example in FIG.
The original image pixel data is 0 DPI and 300 DPI in width. Therefore, each dot interval is 1/300 inch.

On the other hand, as described above, the printer 13
This is a gradation control type printer having different numbers of dots in the vertical and horizontal directions. For this reason, interpolation processing is performed on the original pixel tone data by the interpolation calculation processing unit 12. For example, if the printer device 13 is a 450 (vertical) × 300 (horizontal) DPI gradation control type printer, the original image pixel gradation data shown in FIG. Interpolation is performed to create print pixel gradation data of 450 DPI in the vertical direction and 300 DPI in the horizontal direction.

[0005] In addition, the same printer device 13 has four
When printing original image pixel gradation data of 50 DPI, dots are interpolated in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 11B to create print pixel gradation data of 450 DPI in the vertical direction and 300 DPI in the horizontal direction.

[0006]

In the conventional printing system using the gradation control type printer device as described above, since the printing resolution in the vertical direction and the printing resolution in the horizontal direction are different, the original image pixel gradation data is On the other hand, it is necessary to perform complicated arithmetic processing.

For example, in the case of the example of FIG. 11A, the interpolation formulas are as follows: A = a, B = (a + 2b) / 3, c = (2b + c) / 3 D = c, E = (c + 2d) / 3, F = (2d + e) / 3 where a, b, c,... Indicate original pixel tone data (dots), and A, B, C ,... Indicate print pixel gradation data (dots) after interpolation.

In the case of the example shown in FIG. 10B, the interpolation formulas are as follows: A = a, B = (b + c) / 2 C = d, D = (e + f) ) / 2 E = g, F = (h + i) / 2 Also, in this case, a, b, c,... Indicate original pixel gradation data (dots), and A, B, C,. Indicates print pixel gradation data (dots) after interpolation.

Therefore, in the conventional printing system, interpolation calculation is complicated, and its program is also complicated. Further, the counting is also different due to the difference in resolution of the printer device 13, so that quick processing could not be performed.

In view of the above problems, the present invention receives original image pixel gradation data having a resolution that is a common multiple of the respective print resolution values in the vertical and horizontal directions, and uses a simple program to execute the processing.
An object of the present invention is to provide a printer driver that enables rapid printing processing, a storage medium for the printer driver, and a printing system using the same.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer driver applied to a printer device having a resolution of M × N dots / inch. Input means for inputting print information of a common multiple of .times., Conversion means for converting the print information input from the input means into the print data of M.times.N dots / inch, and print data converted by the conversion means This can be attained by providing a printer driver having an output unit for outputting to a printer.

That is, the printer driver of the present invention comprises:
This is a printer driver applied to a printer having a resolution of M × N dots / inch, and is provided, for example, in a personal computer connected to such a printer. The input unit inputs, for example, print information created by word processing software installed in a personal computer. This print information is print information of a common multiple of M × N dots / inch. For example, when the resolution of the printer device is 450 × 300 dots / inch,
900 × 900 dots / inch, or 2700 × 270
Print information such as 0 dots / inch.

Therefore, the conversion means can convert the print information into print data of M × N dots / inch, which is the resolution of the printer device, by performing a simple operation, and output the print data to the printer device by the output device. Output.

With this configuration, the conversion process performed by the conversion unit can be executed by a simple program, and the speed of the conversion process can be improved. A second aspect of the present invention embodies the invention of the first aspect, wherein the conversion means calculates an average value of print information of, for example, a common multiple of the M × N dots / inch, and print data. Is created.

For example, when the printer has a resolution of 450 × 300 dots / inch, the print information is 900 × 300 dots / inch.
When 900 dots / inch print information is input, in this case, the conversion means calculates an average value for every 2 (vertical) × 3 (horizontal) dots for the 900 × 900 dots / inch print information, and outputs the result as 450 × 300 dots / inch print data.

With this configuration, it is possible to perform a conversion process simply by calculating an average value for every 3 × 2 dots and sequentially outputting the results to a printer.
A printer driver with a high processing speed can be provided by a simple program.

A third aspect of the present invention embodies the invention of the first or second aspect, wherein the print information input to the input means is, for example, a print of a least common multiple of M × N dots / inch. Information.

For example, if the printer has a resolution of 450 × 300 dots / inch, the input means is 900 × 90.
Enter the print information of 0 dot / inch and enter 300 × 200
For a dot / inch resolution, the input means is 600 × 6
Input printing information of 00 dots / inch.

With this configuration, the print information with the smallest magnification is input to the input unit, and the arithmetic processing performed by the conversion unit can be performed more easily. A fourth aspect of the present invention embodies the invention of the first, second, or third aspect, wherein the input unit performs a linearity correction process on the input original pixel gradation data, and the output unit performs In this configuration, the linearity inverse correction process is performed on the corrected print pixel gradation data.

The linearity correction process is a process of bringing the original pixel tone data closer to the density perceived by the human eye, and the linearity inverse correction process is performed, for example, on the print pixel tone data after the average value calculation process. It is something to give.

With this configuration, the print pixel gradation data after resolution conversion can be converted to image data having a more natural density. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-described problem, print information of a common multiple of M × N dots / inch, which is the resolution of the printer device, is input, and the input print information is converted to the M × N dots / inch. A storage medium for performing a process of converting print data into print data and outputting the converted print data to a printer device.

That is, according to the present invention, the printer driver according to claim 1 is stored in a storage medium such as a floppy disk, and is inserted into a floppy disk drive of a personal computer to perform correction processing based on the information stored in the storage medium. And print data having a resolution required by the printer device is created by a simple program.

A sixth aspect of the present invention embodies the invention of the fifth aspect. In the conversion process, for example, an average value of print information of a common multiple of M × N dots / inch is calculated. This is a configuration for creating print data.

A seventh aspect of the present invention embodies the invention of the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the print information is:
For example, the print information is the least common multiple of M × N dots / inch.

An eighth aspect of the present invention embodies the invention of the fifth, sixth, or seventh aspect, wherein the input processing performs linearity correction processing of input original pixel gradation data, The output process is configured to perform a linearity inverse correction process on the corrected print pixel gradation data.

The above-mentioned claims 6 to 8 are the same as the above-mentioned claim 2.
4 to 4 are also applied to a storage medium,
An average value is calculated in the conversion process to create print data of M × N dots / inch, and a printer driver with a high processing speed can be provided by a simple program. By inputting the print information of the least common multiple, the arithmetic processing performed in the conversion processing can be performed more easily.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: input means for inputting print information of a common multiple of M × N dots / inch; A printer driver having a conversion means for converting the print data into inches, and an output means for outputting the print data converted by the conversion means; and a printer driver having the resolution of M × N dots / inch and output from the output means. This can be achieved by providing a printer system including a printer device that prints on recording paper in accordance with print data of M × N dots / inch.

That is, the present invention is a printing system including the printer driver according to claim 1 and a printer device having a resolution of M × N dots / inch. For example, a printer driver provided in a personal computer and its printer driver are provided. This is a printing system including a printer device using a printer driver. Also in this system, for example, the input unit inputs print information created based on word processing software or the like, and the print information is M ×
The print information is a common multiple of N dots / inch, and the conversion means can perform a simple operation to create print data of M × N dots / inch, which is the resolution of the printer device, by using a simple program. Accordingly, print data having a resolution required by the printer device can be created, and the conversion processing speed can be improved.

According to a tenth aspect, the present invention is embodied in the ninth aspect, wherein the conversion means calculates, for example, an average value of print information of a common multiple of M × N dots / inch. This is a configuration for creating print data.

[0030] The description of claim 11 is based on claim 9 or 1.
0, wherein the print information input to the input means is, for example, print information of the least common multiple of M × N dots / inch.

According to the twelfth aspect, the ninth or the first aspect is described.
13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the input process performs a linearity correction process on the input original pixel tone data, and the output process performs a linear inverse of the corrected print pixel tone data. This is a configuration for performing a correction process.

[0032] Claims 10 to 12 describe claim 2
4 is also applied to a printing system, wherein the conversion means calculates an average value to create M × N dots / inch print data, and provides a printer driver with a high processing speed by a simple program. When the input means inputs the print information of the least common multiple of M × N dots / inch, the arithmetic processing performed by the conversion means can be performed more easily.

[0033]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system according to a first embodiment.

In this embodiment, a gradation control type printer is used as a printer device, and a personal computer is used as a host device. However, the configuration of the personal computer does not show all the configurations, but shows only the configuration of the average value calculation processing unit 2 related to this example. That is, the configuration of the original image pixel output unit and the like that are required as a personal computer is omitted.

In FIG. 1, an average value processing unit 2 as a conversion means is provided with a printer driver 1 in a personal computer (not shown).
It is provided in. The average value processing unit 2 is supplied with original image pixel gradation data of a document or the like created based on word processing software installed in a personal computer. The original pixel gradation data is input from an input unit (not shown) which is an input unit of the printer driver 1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the above-described original image pixel gradation data. This example shows an example of the original image pixel gradation data of 900 × 900 dots / inch, and the vertical and horizontal dot intervals are respectively 1/900 inch, which are equal intervals.

On the other hand, the printer device 3 is a gradation control type printer, and the number of pixel gradations in the vertical and horizontal directions is different. For example, the printer device 3 used in this example has a
PI, a printer device having a resolution of 300 DPI in the horizontal direction.

Next, the processing operation of the printer driver and the printing system having the above configuration will be described below. For example, print information such as document data created by word processing software installed in a personal computer is output to the average value calculation processing unit 2 as original pixel tone data. At this time, the original image pixel gradation data supplied to the average value calculation processing unit 2 is, for example, 900 × 900 shown in FIG.
It is dot / inch resolution data, and is the original pixel tone data of the least common multiple for the resolution of 450 × 300 dots / inch of the printer device 3 used in this example.

The average value calculation processing unit 2 to which the original image pixel gradation data having such a resolution is supplied performs processing according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. That is, the original image pixel gradation data D _{ij is} calculated according to the following arithmetic expression.
To generate print pixel gradation data _EPQ .

In the following equation, i and j represent the column numbers and row numbers of the original pixel tone data D _ij , respectively, and P and Q represent the respective column numbers and row numbers of the print pixel tone data E _PQ. Represents a number.

[0041]

(Equation 1)

First, according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the average value calculation processing section 2 sets "1" to Q and "1" to P in the above-mentioned calculation formula (step (hereinafter, FIG. 3)).
Then, it is indicated by S) 1, 2). The data of "1" set in Q and P is an initial value, and is written in a work area (not shown). Next, an average value (AVE) is calculated by substituting Q = 1 and P = 1 into the above calculation expression (S3).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the average value calculation processing. In this average value calculation processing, first, the value of the register R is set to "0" (step (hereinafter, denoted by ST in FIG. 4) 1), and i of the calculation expression is set to a * (P-1) +1. (ST2), j of the arithmetic expression is set to b * (Q-1) +1 (ST3). Here, a and b are one unit in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction when calculating the average value.
In order to convert the resolution of 0 × 900 dots / inch to the resolution of 450 × 300 dots / inch, two dots in the vertical direction and three dots in the horizontal direction of the original pixel tone data are extracted. That is, two dots in the vertical direction and three dots in the horizontal direction of the original image pixel gradation data are converted into one dot print pixel gradation data.
Therefore, a (the set value in the vertical direction) is “2” and b
(Set value in the horizontal direction) is "3", and the values of a and b are substituted into the above a * (P-1) +1 and b * (Q-1) +1, and further, Q = 1, P When = 1 is substituted, i in the above process (ST2) becomes “1”, and j in the process (ST3) also becomes “1”.

Therefore, as shown in the example of FIG. 2, at this time, the dot D11 whose address coordinate (x, y) is (1, 1) is selected, and the address of D11 is set in the register R in which "0" is set. (ST4). Next, j is incremented by +1 (ST5), and it is determined whether or not the value of j is larger than b * Q (ST6). That is, the address is sequentially updated in the horizontal direction by this processing, and the dots D21 and D31 of the addresses (2, 1) and (3, 1) shown in FIG. 2 are selected, and when the value of j becomes "4". Since the value exceeds the b value ("3") (YES in ST6), the value of i is updated (ST).
7).

The value of i is an update of the address in the vertical direction (Y direction). The dot D12 whose address coordinate (x, y) is (1, 2) shown in FIG. 2 is selected, and the value of i is a * It is determined whether P has exceeded P, and the above-described processing (ST3 to ST8) is repeated until the value of i exceeds a * P, that is, “2”. Therefore, during this process, the address (2,
2) The dots D22 and D32 corresponding to (3, 2) are selected, and when the value of i becomes "3", the value exceeds the a value ("2") (YES in ST8), so the processing according to the arithmetic expression (S
T9). Specifically, the six dots D11 to D31 and D12 to D32 (block A shown in FIG.
Dot) is added and divided by the value of a * b to obtain an average value. The calculation of this average is the most basic calculation.

Next, returning to the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the value of P is incremented by +1 (S4).
It is determined whether the value of P exceeds Xm / a (S5). That is, Xm is the maximum number of dots in the horizontal direction.
It is determined whether the arithmetic processing has been performed up to the end of the horizontal block by dividing by. For example, in the above example, only the processing of the block A shown in FIG.
The determination (S5) is NO, and the next block B shown in FIG.
Perform the above-described average value calculation processing (S3, ST1 to ST1).
ST9).

That is, in the above-described processing (ST2), P is set to “2”, i is calculated, and the next block B
The dot D41 at the address (4, 1) is selected. Thereafter, the dots D41 to D6 are processed (ST4 to ST8).
1. D42 to D62 are selected, and an average value calculation process is performed based on the calculation formula (ST9).

Thereafter, the above-described processing is performed in blocks C, D,.
When the value of P exceeds Xm / a (S5: YES), the value of Q is incremented by +1 (S6). That is, the conversion process of the two vertical rows (row numbers “1” and “2”) shown in FIG. 2 reaches the right end (not shown), and then the two vertical rows (row numbers “3” and “3”) shown in FIG. The conversion process of “4”) is performed. Hereinafter, similarly, the average value calculation processing is performed in the order of the blocks a, b, c,..., And the value of Q is sequentially incremented by +1 until the value of Q exceeds Ym / b (S7).

When the value of Q exceeds Ym / b (S7
Is YES), for example, the conversion process for one page ends. FIG.
Shows the data configuration of the print pixel gradation data when the correction processing is performed by the above processing. 2, E11 indicates the average value calculation processing result (correction value) of the block A in FIG. 2, E21 indicates the calculation result of the block B, E31 indicates the calculation result of the block C, and E12 indicates the calculation result of the block a. This shows the calculation result.

During the above-described conversion processing, the result of the average value calculation processing performed by the average value calculation processing section 2 is output to the printing apparatus 3 as print pixel gradation data for each calculation result of each block. Further, the printer device 3 has a buffer of a predetermined capacity, and when a predetermined amount of print pixel gradation data is accumulated in the buffer, outputs the print pixel gradation data to a print head (not shown) and prints it on recording paper. Perform processing.

As described above, by using the printing system of this embodiment, tone correction can be easily performed, and tone data corresponding to the resolution of the printing apparatus can be created.
In the description of the above embodiment, 900 × 900 of the least common multiple for a resolution of 450 × 300 dots / inch.
Although the original pixel tone data of dots / inch is input, the configuration is not limited to the least common multiple, and the configuration may be such that the original pixel tone data of a common multiple such as 1800 × 1800 dots / inch or 2700 × 2700 dots / inch is input. good. <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a printing system for explaining a second embodiment. The difference from the above-described embodiment is that the linearity correction process is performed before the above-described average value calculation process, and the linearity inverse correction process is performed after the average value calculation process. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the printer driver comprises a linearity inverse correction processing unit 4 to which the original pixel gradation data is supplied, an average value calculation processing unit 5 having the same configuration as described above, and a linearity inverse processing unit. It comprises a correction processing unit 6.

The purpose of the above-described linearity correction processing and linearity inverse correction processing is to make the print density in actual printing correct even if the average value of the gradation data is adopted by the average value calculation processing. . That is, when the average value is simply calculated as in the above-described embodiment, it is corrected to print pixel gradation data having a density different from the density image actually viewed by human eyes. Therefore, in order to avoid this, a linearity correction process is performed before the average value calculation process,
The linearity reverse correction processing is performed after the average value calculation processing.

In order to make the explanation easy to understand, a case where the number of elements of the block of the original pixel gradation data in the first embodiment is two will be described. Now, it is assumed that two data values of the data block are a and b, respectively. When the average value calculation processing performed in the first embodiment is executed, the print pixel gradation data corresponding to the data block is c = (a + b) / 2. However, this may not result in an appropriate print density. That is, as described above, this is corrected to print pixel tone data having a density different from the density image actually seen by the human eyes. This is due to the non-linearity of the original image pixel gradation data.
Therefore, for example, data is converted by a function f as shown in FIG. 7, and then an average value calculation process is performed. Further, the data is re-converted by an inverse function f-1 of the function f and output as print pixel gradation data. To That is, first, a → f by f
(A), b → f (b) is converted, then {f (a) + f (b)} / 2 is calculated by an average value calculation process, and finally, c ′ = (f -1) [｛f (a) +
f (b)｝ / 2] and print pixel gradation data. The left side of the horizontal axis in FIG.
Assuming that the right side is the direction of higher density, c ′ is higher than c. This is because, for example, in the case of a thin black line image on a white background, the print having a low density without the linearity correction processing can be changed to a print with a higher density by performing the linearity correction processing.

Incidentally, the above-mentioned arithmetic expression is as follows.

[0056]

(Equation 2)

In the description of the above-described two embodiments, the printer driver is provided in the personal computer. However, storage such as a floppy disk used by being inserted into a floppy disk drive provided in the personal computer is used. It may be a medium. FIG. 8 shows a conceptual diagram in this case, and shows an example in which a floppy disk 9 serving as a storage medium is mounted on a floppy disk drive 8a provided in the personal computer 8 for use.

The storage medium used is not necessarily limited to a floppy disk.

[0059]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the resolution of the original image pixel gradation data is set to the least common multiple of the print resolution in the horizontal direction and the print resolution in the vertical direction, thereby increasing the complexity. Interpolation processing can be realized by simple average value calculation processing.

Further, since the arithmetic processing can be easily performed, the conversion processing speed is also high. Further, by performing the linearity correction processing and the linearity reverse correction processing, a converted image having a density close to the actual density can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of original image pixel gradation data.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an average value calculation process.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an average value calculation process.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of print pixel gradation data when a correction process is performed by an average value calculation process.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a printing system illustrating a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a density correction diagram in which the left side of the horizontal axis is the direction in which the density is low, and the right side is the direction in which the density is high.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram when a floppy disk having a built-in printer driver is used.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a conventional printing system.

FIG. 10 is a dot configuration diagram of original image pixel gradation data for explaining a conventional example.

11A is an example in which print pixel gradation data of 300 DPI in length and 450 DPI in width is created, and FIG. 11B is an example of creating print pixel gradation data of 300 DPI in height and 450 DPI in width.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer driver 2, 5 Average value calculation processing part 3, 7 Printer device 4 Linearity correction processing part 6 Linearity reverse correction processing part 8 Personal computer 8a Floppy disk drive 9 Floppy disk

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A printer driver applied to a printer having a resolution of M × N dots / inch, comprising: input means for inputting print information of a common multiple of M × N dots / inch; The print information is represented by the M × N dots /
A printer driver, comprising: conversion means for converting into print data of inches; and output means for outputting the print data converted by the conversion means to the printer device. 2. The printer driver according to claim 1, wherein said conversion means calculates print data by calculating an average value of print information of a common multiple of M × N dots / inch. 3. The print information input to the input means is M ×
3. The printer driver according to claim 1, wherein the print information is print information of a least common multiple of N dots / inch. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input means performs a linearity correction process on the input original pixel tone data, and said output means performs a linearity inverse correction process on the corrected print pixel tone data. Item 7. The printer driver according to item 1, 2, or 3. 5. The printing apparatus inputs printing information of a common multiple of M.times.N dots / inch, which is the resolution of the printer, converts the input printing information into the printing data of M.times.N dots / inch, and converts the printing information. A storage medium for performing a process of outputting print data to the printer device. 6. The storage medium according to claim 5, wherein said conversion processing generates print data by calculating an average value of print information of a common multiple of M × N dots / inch. 7. The storage medium according to claim 5, wherein the print information is print information having a greatest common multiple of M × N dots / inch. 8. The input processing includes performing a linearity correction process on input original pixel gradation data, and the output processing includes performing a linearity reverse correction process on the corrected print pixel gradation data. Item 7. The storage medium according to item 5, 6, or 7. 9. An input means for inputting print information of a common multiple of M × N dots / inch, a conversion means for converting print information input from the input means into the print data of M × N dots / inch, A printer driver having output means for outputting the print data converted by the conversion means, and having a resolution of M × N dots / inch and recording in accordance with the print data of M × N dots / inch output from the output means A printing system, comprising: a printer device that prints on paper. 10. A printing system according to claim 9, wherein said conversion means generates print data by calculating an average value of said print information of M × N dots / inch. 11. The print information input to the input means is M
The printing system according to claim 9, wherein the printing information is a least common multiple of × N dots / inch. 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input means performs linearity correction processing of input original pixel gradation data, and said output means performs linearity reverse correction processing of corrected print pixel gradation data. Item 10. The printing system according to item 9, or 10, or 11.