JPH10301741A - Printing control system and method therefor and recording medium for recording printing control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing control system in which a pre-view processing can be quickly operated without largely losing faithfulness to print output data for a user who operates printing even when a data transferring speed is slow. SOLUTION: This system is provided with a computer for generating data to be outputted, data converter for developing the generated data into bit map data, and printer for printing the developed bit map data. In this case, a data transferring speed between the computer and the data converter is detected (a step S32), display bit map data to be displayed on a display in the computer are thinned out based on the value (a step S36), and transferred as display data to the computer (a step S37), and the data are developed again and displayed on the display. The display bit map data are thinned out corresponding to the data transferring speed so that the display data can be quickly transferred, and a pre-view processing can be executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a so-called data output device for confirming a form of a print output in a data output device prior to the printing output of the data in a printing device such as a printer connected to the data output device such as a computer. It belongs to the technical field of preview processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a preview process for displaying an aspect of data to be printed by a printing device is generally performed on the data generating device prior to printing. It has been general to perform a preview process for displaying an image as faithful as possible with respect to print output data printed by the apparatus.

[0003]

However, in the conventional preview method, since an image as faithful as possible to print output data to be printed out is not displayed, the preview process itself takes time. When the data transfer speed at the time of transferring data from the device to the data generating device is slow, extra time is required for the preview process even though the user wants to quickly view the image corresponding to the preview process. There was a problem that it could not be confirmed.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing user with a high fidelity to print output data even when the data transfer speed is low. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print control system, a print control method, and a recording medium on which a print control program is recorded, which can quickly perform a preview process without significant loss.

[0005]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device for generating output data to be printed and displaying an image corresponding to the reduced display data. A data generation device such as a computer including a display unit, and a conversion device such as a data converter that converts the output data into print output data using the conversion data for converting the output data and generates the reduced display data And a printing device such as a printer that prints out the print output data, wherein the data generation device outputs the reduced display data before outputting the print output data in the printing device. A requesting means such as a CPU for generating a requesting signal and transmitting the requesting signal to the conversion device; and an image corresponding to the transferred reduced display data. A display control means such as a CPU for displaying the display data on the display means, wherein the conversion device generates display map data corresponding to the print output data using the conversion data and the output data. Generating means such as a unit, detecting means such as a CPU for detecting a data transfer speed from the conversion device to the data generating device, and data included in the display map data based on the detected data transfer speed. Reducing means such as a display data generating unit for reducing and generating the reduced display data;
When the request signal is transmitted, a transfer unit such as a CPU that transfers the reduced display data to the data generation device,
Is provided.

According to the operation of the first aspect of the invention, the request means included in the data generating device generates a request signal for requesting the reduced display data before transmitting the print output data, and transmits the request signal to the conversion device. .

On the other hand, the generating means included in the conversion device generates display map data corresponding to the print output data using the converted data and the output data.

[0008] Then, the detecting means included in the conversion device,
A data transfer speed from the conversion device to the data generation device is detected.

[0009] Thereafter, the reducing means included in the converter is:
Data included in the display map data is reduced based on the detected data transfer speed, and reduced display data is generated.

[0010] The transmission means included in the conversion device includes:
When the request signal is transmitted, the reduced display data is transferred to the data generator.

Therefore, the data transfer speed from the conversion device to the data generation device is detected, and the reduced display data is generated, transmitted and displayed based on the data transfer speed. It is possible to quickly grasp the outline of the actually output print output data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the print control system according to the first aspect, the data generation device transfers the reduced display data to the data generation device. And a CPU for instructing a transfer designated time that is a time allocatable for display, and an instructing unit such as an input unit, wherein the reducing unit is configured to perform the transfer designated time based on the designated transfer designated time and the data transfer speed. It is configured to generate the reduced display data.

According to the operation of the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1, the instruction means included in the data generating device transfers the reduced display data to the data generating device. And a transfer designation time, which is a time allocatable for display.

Then, the reduction means generates reduced display data based on the instructed transfer designation time and the data transfer speed.

Therefore, the transfer and display of the reduced display data can be completed within the transfer designated time instructed in advance, and the general form of the output print data can be quickly grasped.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control system according to the first or second aspect, wherein the reducing means includes a plurality of pixel data constituting the display map data. , The reduced display data is generated by deleting one or a plurality of the pixel data for every predetermined number of the pixel data corresponding to the data transfer speed.

According to the operation of the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the operation of the first or second aspect of the invention, the reducing means may be configured to select the data from the plurality of pixel data constituting the display map data. Reduced display data is generated by deleting one or more pixel data for each predetermined number of pixel data according to the transfer speed.

Therefore, reduced display data can be generated and displayed without greatly impairing the fidelity to the print output data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the output control system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the display map data includes:
In addition to the color data, the reduction unit is configured to generate the reduced display data by reducing the number of display colors for the display unit in the display map data.

According to the operation of the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the operation of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the display map data is color data,
The reduction means generates reduced display data by reducing the number of display colors for the display means in the display map data.

Therefore, reduced display data can be generated and displayed without greatly impairing the fidelity to the print output data.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data generating apparatus which generates output data to be printed and includes display means such as a display for displaying an image corresponding to the reduced display data. A conversion device such as a data converter that converts the output data into print output data using the conversion data for converting the output data and generates the reduced display data, and prints the print output data. A printing device, such as a printer, which performs the printing control method, wherein the data generation device sends a request signal for requesting the reduced display data before outputting the print output data in the printing device. A requesting step of generating and transmitting the data to the conversion device, and using the conversion data and the output data in the conversion device. A generating step of generating display map data corresponding to the print output data; a detecting step of detecting a data transfer speed from the converting device to the data generating device in the converting device; A reduction step of reducing data included in the display map data based on the obtained data transfer rate and generating the reduced display data; and the converting device, wherein the request signal is transmitted, the reduced display data And a display control step of displaying an image corresponding to the transferred reduced display data on the display means in the data generation device.

According to the operation of the invention described in claim 5, in the request step of the data generating device, a request signal for requesting reduced display data is generated and transmitted to the conversion device before outputting the print output data.

On the other hand, in the generation step in the conversion device, display map data corresponding to print output data is generated using the conversion data and the output data.

Then, in the detecting step in the converter, the data transfer speed from the converter to the data generator is detected.

Thereafter, in a reduction step in the conversion device, data included in the display map data is reduced based on the detected transfer speed, and reduced display data is generated.

Then, when the request signal is transmitted in the transmission step in the conversion device, the reduced display data is transferred to the data generation device.

Therefore, the data transfer speed from the conversion device to the data generation device is detected, and the reduced display data is generated, transmitted and displayed based on the detected data transfer speed. As a result, it is possible to quickly grasp the outline mode of the print output data actually output.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the print control method according to the fifth aspect, the data generation device transfers the reduced display data to the data generation device. And an instruction step of instructing a transfer designation time that is a time allocatable for display, wherein in the reduction step, the reduced display data is generated based on the designated transfer designation time and the data transfer speed. It is configured to

According to the operation of the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 5, in the instruction step in the data generation device, the reduced display data is transferred and displayed to the data generation device. Indicate the transfer designated time, which is the time that can be devoted to.

Then, in the reduction step, reduced display data is generated based on the designated transfer designated time and the data transfer speed.

Therefore, the transfer and display of the reduced display data can be completed within the transfer designated time instructed in advance, and the general form of the output print data can be quickly grasped.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the print control method according to the fifth or sixth aspect, in the print control method, a plurality of pixel data constituting the display map data are included in the reducing step. , The reduced display data is generated by deleting one or a plurality of the pixel data for every predetermined number of the pixel data corresponding to the data transfer speed.

According to the operation of the invention described in claim 7, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 5 or 6, in the reduction step, data is selected from a plurality of pixel data constituting the display map data. Reduced display data is generated by deleting one or more pixel data for each predetermined number of pixel data according to the transfer speed.

Thus, reduced display data can be generated and displayed without significantly impairing the fidelity to the print output data.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 8 is the output control method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the display map data is color data. In the reducing step, the reduced display data is generated by reducing the number of display colors for the display means in the display map data.

According to the operation of the invention described in claim 8, in addition to the operation of the invention described in any one of claims 5 to 7, the display map data is color data.
In the reduction step, reduced display data is generated by reducing the number of display colors for the display means in the display map data.

Therefore, reduced display data can be generated and displayed without greatly impairing the fidelity to the print output data.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer or the like having output means to be printed and display means such as a display for displaying an image corresponding to the reduced display data. A data generation device, a conversion device such as a data converter that converts the output data into print output data using conversion data for converting the output data, and generates the reduced display data, and the print output data. A print device such as a printer that prints out a print control program for performing print control in a print control system including a flexible disk, a recording medium such as a ROM, and a computer included in the data generation device. Requesting the reduced display data before the printing device outputs the print output data. A first print control program for functioning as request means for generating a signal and transmitting the signal to the conversion device, and display control means for displaying an image corresponding to the transferred reduced display data on the display means; A computer included in the conversion device, using the conversion data and the output data, generating means for generating display map data corresponding to the print output data, a data transfer speed from the conversion device to the data generation device; Detecting means for detecting, based on the detected data transfer rate, reducing the data included in the display map data, reducing means for generating the reduced display data,
And a second print control program for causing the reduced display data to function as transfer means for transferring the reduced display data to the data generating device when the request signal is transmitted. You.

According to the operation of the ninth aspect, the computer functioning as the requesting unit generates a request signal for requesting the reduced display data before transmitting the printout data, and transmits the requesting signal to the conversion device.

On the other hand, the computer functioning as generating means generates display map data corresponding to print output data using the converted data and the output data.

The computer functioning as the detecting means detects the data transfer speed from the conversion device to the data generation device.

Thereafter, the computer functioning as the reduction means reduces the data included in the display map data based on the detected transfer speed, and generates reduced display data.

Then, the computer functioning as the transmission means transfers the reduced display data to the data generation device when the request signal is transmitted.

Therefore, the data transfer speed from the conversion device to the data generation device is detected, and the reduced display data is generated, transmitted and displayed based on the data transfer speed. As a result, it is possible to quickly grasp the outline mode of the print output data actually output.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is applied to claim 10.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium on which the print control program according to claim 9 is recorded, wherein the first print control program causes a computer included in the data generating apparatus to execute a computer included in the data generating apparatus. The computer functioning as instruction means for instructing a transfer designated time, which is a time allotted for transfer and display to the computer, and functioning as the reduction means, is provided in accordance with the designated transfer designated time and the data transfer speed. It is configured to generate the reduced display data based on the reduced display data.

According to the operation of the tenth aspect,
In addition to the effect of the ninth aspect of the invention, the computer functioning as an instruction unit instructs a transfer designation time which is a time allotted for transferring and displaying the reduced display data to the data generation device.

Then, the computer functioning as the reduction means generates reduced display data based on the instructed transfer designation time and the data transfer speed.

Therefore, the transfer and display of the reduced display data can be completed within the transfer designated time instructed in advance, and the general form of the output print data can be quickly grasped.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is directed to claim 11.
According to an aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium on which the print control program according to claim 9 or 10 is recorded, the computer functioning as the reduction unit is configured to select the plurality of pixel data constituting the display map data from The reduced display data is generated by deleting one or a plurality of the pixel data for each predetermined number of the pixel data according to the data transfer speed.

According to the operation of the eleventh aspect,
In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 9 or 10, the computer functioning as the reduction means is configured to select, from among a plurality of pixel data constituting the display map data, a predetermined number of pixel data corresponding to the data transfer speed. Reduced display data is generated by deleting one or a plurality of pixel data.

Therefore, reduced display data can be generated and displayed without greatly impairing the fidelity to the print output data.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a twelfth aspect is provided.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the recording medium on which the output control program according to any one of claims 9 to 11 is recorded, the display map data is color data, and the computer functioning as the reduction unit is The reduced display data is generated by reducing the number of display colors for the display means in the display map data.

According to the operation of the twelfth aspect,
In addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 9 to 11, the display map data is color data, and the computer functioning as a reduction unit is configured to display the number of display colors for the display unit in the display map data. Is reduced to generate reduced display data.

Therefore, reduced display data can be generated and displayed without greatly impairing the fidelity to the print output data.

[0056]

Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, in a network system in which a plurality of computers as data generation devices are connected to a printer as an output device via one data converter as a conversion device, This is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to print control when the printers are used jointly.

(I) Overall Configuration First, the configuration of the network system of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the network system W of the embodiment comprises four computers 1 to 4, a data converter 6, and a switch 5 for connecting each of the computers 1 to 4 to the data converter 6. And a printer 7.

In this configuration, each of the computers 1 to 4 generates output data to be printed and output by the printer 7 using application software or the like included in each of the computers, and outputs the output data to the switch 5. Here, the output data is created in a well-known page description language such as "PostScript" of Adobe. Further, in parallel with this, each of the computers 1 to 4 performs a preview process described later.

Here, the preview processing is performed before a print output by the printer 7 using the output data is performed on a display, which will be described later, which is included in each of the computers 1 to 4 or provided separately from the computer. Means to display the form of print output data (so-called bitmap data) to be printed out corresponding to the output data (that is, the form such as character style, character size, overall layout, color arrangement, etc.). .

The switch 5 is provided for each of the computers 1 to 4
And a buffer unit for temporarily storing output data from the computer, and outputs the output data to the data converter 6 in a time-division manner for each computer.

Further, the switch 5 distributes display data, which will be described later, output from the data converter 6 to each computer.

On the other hand, the data converter 6 prints out the output data transmitted from each of the computers 1 to 4 via the switch 5 in the printer 7 using the conversion data held by the data converter 6. To print output data (hereinafter, referred to as print bitmap data) for output to the printer 7. Further, the data converter 6 performs a preview process described later.

Then, the printer 7 performs a corresponding print output based on the output print bitmap data.

(II) Detailed Configuration Next, the detailed configuration of each component constituting the network system W will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the configuration and operation of the computers 1 to 4 will be described with reference to FIG. Since each of the computers 1 to 4 executes the same configuration and operation, each of the computers 1 to 4 will be representatively described in the following description.
Will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the computer 1
The CPU 1 reads out a program stored in the ROM 13 and executes each command included in the program, thereby functioning as an instruction unit, a request unit, and a display control unit
0, an input unit 11 as an instruction means including a keyboard, a mouse, and the like; a network connection unit 12; a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13 as a recording medium;
ndom Access Memory (CRT) 14 and CRT (Cathode Ray Tu)
be) or a display 15 made of liquid crystal or the like, and a bus 16 for connecting each component in the computer 1.

In the above configuration, the network connection unit 12 is connected to the switch 5 and performs a so-called interface operation on data output from the computer 1 and data input to the computer 1.

On the other hand, when data (including data indicating a transfer designation time described later) necessary for processing in the computer 1 is input, the input section 11 outputs the data to the CPU 10 or the like via the bus 16.

The ROM 13 is a read-only memory that stores a program for controlling the entire computer 1 (including a program corresponding to a flowchart for a preview process described later), and stores a necessary program at a predetermined timing. Read and output to the bus 16.

The RAM 14 is actually constituted by a storage device such as a hard disk device and the like.
And the like are temporarily stored and output to the bus 16 as necessary.

Further, the display 15 performs a display necessary for processing in the CPU 10 and displays an image corresponding to display display data Sdd described later.

Finally, the CPU 10 performs processing such as document creation and image processing using the application program stored in the RAM 14 and outputs the output data Sb.
Is generated, and each component of the computer 1 is controlled.

The operation of the computer 1 in the preview processing according to the present invention will be described later.

Next, the configuration and operation of the printer 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the printer 7
CPU 16, network connection unit 17, ROM 18
, A RAM 19, an output engine 20, and a bus 21.

In this configuration, the network connection unit 1
Reference numeral 7 is connected to the data converter 6 and performs an interface operation on print bitmap data (bitmap format data) to be printed out by the printer 7 and input to the printer 7.

On the other hand, the CPU 16 controls each component constituting the printer 7 and prints out the print bitmap data.

The ROM 18 is a memory for storing a program for controlling the entire printer 7, reads out a necessary program at a predetermined timing, and
Output to

Further, the RAM 14 temporarily stores data and the like necessary for processing in the CPU 16 and outputs the data to the bus 21 as needed.

Finally, the output engine 20 is provided with a printing unit of an ink jet system or a laser beam system, etc., and performs a print output process of actual print bitmap data under the control of the CPU 16.

The operation of the printer 7 in the preview processing according to the present invention will be described later.

Finally, the configuration and operation of the data converter 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the data converter 6 functions as detecting means and transmitting means by reading out the programs stored in the interfaces 21 and 24 and the ROM 31 and executing each of the instructions contained therein. CPU 22, ROM 31 as a recording medium, RA
M23, a bitmap data generation unit 25, a display data generation unit 26 as a generation unit and a deletion unit, and a bus 2
7 and a conversion data ROM 30.

Further, the bitmap data generating unit 25
A logic operation circuit including a PU 25a, a ROM 25b, and a RAM 25c is incorporated.
A logic operation circuit including a ROM 26b, a RAM 26b, and a RAM 26c is incorporated. Here, the ROM 25b stores a program for generating print bitmap data, and the ROM 26b stores a program for causing the CPU 26a to function as a generating unit and a deleting unit.

In this configuration, the interface 21
Performs an interface operation on data from each of the computers 1 through 4 via the switch 5 and outputs the data to the bus 27.

Then, the CPU 22 controls the entire data converter 6 and also switches display data Sa, which will be described later, to the switching unit 5.
To each of the computers 1 through 4.

Next, the RAM 23 temporarily stores the output data Sb and the like from each of the computers 1 to 4 input to the data converter 6, and outputs them to the bus 27 as necessary. In parallel with this, the RAM 23 temporarily stores the print bitmap data generated by the bitmap data generation unit 25 described below, and outputs the print bitmap data to the printer 7 via the bus 27 under the control of the CPU 22. The display bitmap data generated by the display data generation unit 26 is temporarily stored and output to the printer 7 via the bus 27 to the computers 1 to 4 under the control of the CPU 22.

The ROM 31 is a read-only memory that stores a program for controlling the entire data converter 6 (including a program corresponding to a flowchart for preview processing described later), and is necessary at a predetermined timing. The program is read and output to the bus 27.

Next, the conversion data ROM 30 stores conversion data for converting output data Sb (page description data created in a page description language) input from the computer 1 into print bitmap data.
The conversion data is shared by the bitmap data generation unit 25 and the display data generation unit 26. And, specifically, as the conversion data, the output data Sb
Conversion rule data 30b for interpreting each instruction code in (page description language) and drawing a figure or the like, and font (outline data) 30 corresponding to a so-called character code included in the output data Sb
a, which are read out as needed.

On the other hand, the bitmap data generator 25
Output data from each of the computers 1 to 4 is sent to a printer 7
Develops into print bitmap data for print output and outputs it to the RAM 23. That is, the command code and the character code in the output data Sb are read out, and the corresponding conversion rule data 30b or font data 30a are read out from the conversion data ROM 30 and stored in the page memory in the RAM 23 so as to correspond to the command code. Fonts corresponding to figures and character codes are stored in a bitmap format.

In the developing process in the bitmap data generating section 25, the print bitmap data is printed for each page to be actually printed out by using the conversion data including the font and the like actually used for the printout in the printer 7. Is generated.

The interface 24 performs interface processing on data necessary for printing processing in the printer 7, such as the generated print bitmap data, and outputs the data to the printer 7.

Finally, the display data generation section 26 responds to the request signal Sr transmitted from each of the computers 1 to 4 by outputting the output data Sb (each of the computers 1 to 4).
The display bitmap data Sda for preview processing to be described later (that is, for display on the display 15 as corresponding to the print bitmap data) is generated using the output data Sb transmitted from the printer and the converted data. . That is, the display bitmap data Sda in the bitmap format is generated by the same processing as the generation of the print bitmap data in the bitmap data generation unit 25. At this time, the conversion data from the conversion data ROM 30 is shared with the bitmap generation unit 25, so that the display bitmap data Sda faithful to the actual print output in the printer 7 can be generated.

The operation of the data converter 6 in the preview processing according to the present invention will be described below.

(III) Preview Process Next, the preview process according to the present invention executed in the network system W will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, a preview process using the computer 1, the data converter 6, and the printer 7 will be described for easy understanding.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the computer 1 in the preview processing.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the data converter 6 in the preview process. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the process of deleting the display bitmap data Sda in the preview process. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing display data Sdd.

Further, in the preview processing of the embodiment, the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 and the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 proceed simultaneously and in parallel. I will explain.

In the following preview processing, first, the data transfer speed between the data converter 6 and the computer 1 is detected, and the display bitmap data Sda generated based on the detected data transfer speed is deleted. Then, it is transferred to the computer 1 and displayed on the display 15 as a preview processing result.

That is, in the preview processing of the embodiment, first, the computer 1
To generate output data Sb to be printed out (for example, a document or an image to be printed out), further transmit the output data Sb to the data converter 6, and convert the transmitted output data Sb to bitmap data. The generation unit 25 develops the print bitmap data into print bitmap data and temporarily stores it in the RAM 23 (step S30). At this time,
Using the output data Sb and the font data 30a and the like stored in the conversion data ROM, print bitmap data to be output to the printer 7 and actually printed out is generated in the bitmap data generation unit 25. . The generation of the print bitmap data is executed before a later-described request signal Sr for starting the preview process is input.

Next, in the computer 1, the input unit 1
When an instruction to start the preview processing is input from step 1, a request signal S for transmitting the display bitmap data Sda for the preview processing from the data converter 6 is input.
r is generated, and the request signal Sr is transmitted to the data converter 6 and recognized by the CPU 22 to start the preview process.

Then, when the preview processing is started,
In the computer 1, the time that can be allocated for transferring the display bitmap data (display bitmap data forming one print image corresponding to the output data Sb) Sda to the computer 1 is defined as an input unit as a transfer designation time. 11 and transmitted to the data converter 6 as designated data Ss (step S51).

Thereafter, when the transmitted designated data Ss is received by the data converter 6 (step S31),
Next, the CPU 22 detects the current data transfer rate between the data converter 6 and the computer 1 (step S).
32). As a specific method in step S32, for example, a predetermined header data is transmitted from the data converter 6 to the computer 1 and time measurement is started until response data for the header data is returned to the data converter 6. Is measured, and the data transfer rate is detected by dividing the data amount of the transmitted header data by the measured result.

When the data transfer speed at that time is determined, the display data generation unit 26 next generates a RAM.
The output data Sb stored in the storage device 23 is processed by using the converted data to generate display bitmap data Sda, and is temporarily stored in the RAM 23 (step S33). At this time, using the output data Sb and the font data 30a and the like stored in the conversion data ROM 30 (the same data as those used when generating the print bitmap data in the bitmap data generation unit 25), Display bitmap data Sda in the same form as the print bitmap data is generated as shown in FIG.

Next, the display data Sa (the display generated by reducing the file size (data amount) of the display bitmap data Sda) to be actually transferred from the data converter 6 to the computer 1 and displayed on the display 15 Data S
The file size of a) is determined (step S3)
4). Here, the file size of the display data Sa is
This is a data amount determined based on the data amount of the display bitmap data Sda printed on one cut sheet printed by the printer 7, and specifically, the data transfer speed detected in step S32. When the display data Sa is transferred to the computer 1 in step S31,
Is determined so that the data amount is such that the transfer is completed within the transfer designated time received in.

Then, by comparing the determined file size with the file size of the display bitmap data Sda generated in step S33, it is determined whether or not the file size needs to be changed (step S35).

If it is determined in step S35 that the file size needs to be changed (for example, if the detected data transfer speed is lower than normal and the generated display bitmap data Sda is transferred as it is, the transfer is performed). When it is determined that the transfer is not completed within the designated time (step S35; yes), the file size is changed based on the display bitmap data Sda, and the display data Sa is generated (step S36).

More specifically, when the transfer is not completed within the designated transfer time unless the file size of the display bitmap data Sda is reduced to 1/4 based on the detected data transfer speed and the designated designated transfer time. As shown in FIG. 6, each pixel data G _{00 to} G ₇₉ constituting the display bitmap data Sda (each pixel data is
Corresponds to one pixel. ), Only one pixel data of four adjacent pixel data is extracted to form the display data Sa. In the example shown in FIG.
For example, adjacent pixel data G ₀₀ , G ₀₁ , G ₁₀ and G ₁₁
From among the extracted pixel data G _00, also the pixel data G ₂₂ is out of the neighboring pixel data G ₂₂ to, G _23, G ₃₂ and G ₃₃ are extracted. As shown in FIG. 6, the display data Sa thus generated includes pixel data G ₀₀ ,
_{G 02, G 04, G 06} , G 08, G 20, G 22, G 24, G 26, G
₂₈ etc. will be included. The data amount of the display data Sa thus generated is equal to the original display bitmap data Sd.
It is 1/4 of a.

Next, the generated display data Sa is transmitted to the computer 1 (step S37).

In the determination in step S35, if the file size does not need to be changed and the transfer is completed within the transfer specified time even if the generated display bitmap data Sda is transferred as it is (step S35; no)
The process moves directly to step S37.

When the transferred display data Sa is received by the computer 1 (step S5).
2) Next, display display data S to be actually displayed on the display 15 based on the received display data Sa.
dd is generated, displayed, and a preview process is executed (step S53). In step S53, the display display data Sdd is generated by using the transferred display data Sa and using the original display bitmap data Sd.
A process of expanding into bitmap data of the same size as a is performed. Specifically, when the display data Sa shown in FIG. 6 is transferred, each pixel data included in the display data Sa is copied onto four adjacent pixels to generate display display data Sdd. That is, the display data Sd generated using the display data Sa in FIG.
d is in the state shown in FIG. Then, the display display data Sdd is displayed on the display 15, and the preview processing is executed when the user confirms this.

Next, when the transfer of the display data Sa is completed in the data converter 6 (step S37), it is determined whether or not the transfer of the display data Sa corresponding to all pages to be printed is completed (step S38). If the transfer has not been completed (step S38; yes), the process is terminated as it is, and if not all the transfer has been completed (step S3).
8; no) Returning to step S31, the above processing is repeated for each page until all data has been transferred.

At this time, if it is detected that the data transfer rate has changed (step S32), new display data S is generated using the changed data transfer rate.
The file size of a is determined (step S36), and the display data Sa of the determined file size is transferred.

On the other hand, when the display of the display data Sdd corresponding to one page is completed in the computer 1 (step S53), it is next determined whether or not the display data Sa corresponding to all pages has been received. (Step S
54), if it has been completed (step S54; yes)
s) The preview process is completed as it is, and if the process is not completed for all pages (step S54; no), the process returns to step S51 and repeats the above-described process. Expand to Sdd and display.

As described above, according to the preview processing of the embodiment, the generated display bitmap data S
display data Sa by reducing da according to the data transfer speed
Is generated, transmitted to the computer 1, and received and displayed.
It is possible to quickly grasp the outline mode of the print bitmap data actually output corresponding to the data transfer speed.

Further, since the computer 1 instructs the designated transfer time and generates the display data Sa based on the designated transfer time and the data transfer speed, the transfer of the display data Sa within the designated transfer time specified in advance is performed. The display is completed, and it is possible to quickly grasp the outline mode of the output print bitmap data.

Further, since the display data Sa is generated by deleting pixel data from the plurality of pixel data constituting the display bitmap data Sda for each predetermined number of pixel data corresponding to the data transfer speed, printing is performed. The display data Sa can be generated and displayed without significantly impairing the fidelity to the bitmap data.

In the above embodiment, the case where the data amount of the display bitmap data Sda is reduced to 1/4 has been described.
/ 2, if one of two adjacent pixel data in the display bitmap data Sda is extracted and used as the display data Sa, the data amount of the display bitmap data Sda is reduced by half. Sa can be generated and transferred.

Further, when the data transfer rate is less than 1/4 of normal, for example, one pixel data is extracted from nine pixel data constituting a rectangular section in the display bitmap data Sda and the display data is extracted. If Sa is configured, the data amount can be reduced to 1/9.

Further, in addition to determining the data amount of the display data Sa based on the designated transfer time and the data transfer speed as described above, the specific display data S
The data amount of “a” can be specified (for example, １ ／ or １ ／).

Further, the data transfer speed and the display data S
If the data amount of “a” is determined in association with each other in advance, the display data Sa can be configured by detecting only the data transfer speed.

In the above-described embodiment, the print bitmap data and the display bitmap data Sda are generated separately in steps S30 and S33. In addition, print bitmap data is generated first. The display bitmap data Sda may be configured by thinning out bits included in the print bitmap data at regular intervals. This is usually because the resolution of the print bitmap data is higher than that of the display bitmap data Sda.

(IV) First Modification Next, a first modification of the present invention will be described.

In the above-described embodiment, display data Sa having a smaller data amount than the display bitmap data Sda is generated and transmitted by deleting (so-called thinning) certain pixel data in the display bitmap data Sda. In addition, for example, when the display bitmap data Sda is full-color (24 bits) color data, the number of display colors can be reduced to configure the display data Sa.

That is, the full-color display bitmap data Sda has values corresponding to red, green and blue, one byte at a time, and the display bitmap data for expressing the color of one pixel using three bytes of data. As shown in FIG. 8A, the display bitmap data Sda in this case includes a header 105 and bitmap data 106 as an actual display screen. The header 105 includes information indicating the number of vertical and horizontal pixels in the bitmap data and information indicating that the data is full color data.

To reduce the number of display colors in the display bitmap data Sda, once the display bitmap data Sda is generated, 256 colors frequently used for each pixel are selected from among them. , Index data (hereinafter referred to as index data) indicating the 256 colors together with the address data. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8C, the index data includes values corresponding to red, green, and blue, one byte at a time, and indicates one color using three bytes of data. I have. Therefore, the index data includes data indicating the colors to be specifically used for 256 colors. Here, since the full color is reduced to 256 colors, the address data can be represented by 1 byte (8 bits). Therefore, in the bitmap data, the color of one pixel is conventionally 3 bytes. When used, this can be replaced with the address of 1-byte index data. Then, FIG.
As shown in (1), if the display data Sa is configured by adding the header 100 and the bitmap data 102 to the index data 101, the total data amount is reduced to about 1/3 of the display bitmap data Sda. be able to.

The header 100 includes information indicating the number of vertical and horizontal pixels in the bitmap data 102 and information indicating that the data is 256-color data. The bitmap data 102 includes, for each pixel, , Data that associates the pixel with the color specified by the index data 101.

Further, when converting the full-color display bitmap data Sda into 256-color display data Sa, the color of each pixel in the display bitmap data Sda is converted into the index data 101 of the display data Sa.
If the color is not specified in the display bitmap data Sda, the color in the index data 101 having the value closest to the value of the data indicating the color in the display bitmap data Sda is displayed as the color of the pixel in the display bitmap data Sda. Data S
a is generated.

As another method of reducing the number of display colors in the full-color display bitmap data Sda, for example, there is a method of reducing the amount of data representing display colors by a process called so-called dithering. This dithering process is a method of arranging different colors in adjacent pixels to approximately represent an intermediate color, and specifically, for example, by arranging green pixels and red pixels in a grid pattern. , A yellow pixel can be represented in a pseudo manner.
This method can also reduce the number of colors to be transferred as the display data Sa. The dithering process is described in, for example, "Nikkei Electronics, 1995.1.
0.9 (No. 646), pp141-pp150 "and various known processing methods can be applied.

According to the first modification described above, when the display bitmap data Sda is color data, the display data Sa is generated by reducing the number of display colors in the display bitmap data Sda. The display data Sa can be generated and displayed without significantly impairing the fidelity to the bitmap data.

(V) Second Modification As another modification of the above-described embodiment and the first modification, the generated display bitmap data Sda itself is compressed using an image compression technique to reduce the data amount. To form the display data Sa.

As this compression method, for example, JPEG (Joint Photo), which is an international standard for compression of color still images, is used.
ographic coding Experts Group) or GIF (Graph
An existing method such as the icsInterchange Format) method can be used. According to the JPEG method, the compression ratio can be changed. Therefore, by changing the compression ratio according to the data transfer speed, display data Sa having an appropriate file size can be generated.

Although the data converter 6 and the printer 7 have been described as separate devices in the above-described embodiments and modified embodiments, the printer itself may have a function as the data converter. It is also possible to have. In this case, a program showing the operation according to the present invention is so-called RIP (Ra) for expanding output data Sb from the computer into bitmap data.
ster Image Processor) can be built into the printer as a program.

Further, the operation according to each of the above-described embodiments (FIG. 4)
And a program according to FIG. 5) may be stored on a flexible disk or the like as a recording medium and, if necessary, stored and used in a hard disk device constituting the RAM in the computer.

[0135]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the reduced display data is generated by reducing the generated display map data in accordance with the data transfer rate, and the reduced display data is generated by the data generating apparatus. Since the print data is transmitted and received and displayed, it is possible to quickly grasp the outline of the print output data actually output corresponding to the data transfer speed before the print output in the printing apparatus.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects of the invention described in the above, instruct the transfer designation time,
Since the reduced display data is generated based on the transfer designated time and the data transfer speed, the transfer and display of the reduced display data are completed within the transfer designated time specified in advance, and the schematic mode of the print output data to be output is determined. It can be grasped quickly.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
Or in addition to the effect of the invention described in 2 above, by deleting one or more pixel data for each predetermined number of pixel data corresponding to the data transfer speed from a plurality of pixel data constituting the display map data Since the reduced display data is generated, the reduced display data can be generated and displayed without significantly reducing the fidelity to the print output data.

According to the invention set forth in claim 4, according to claim 1,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in any one of Items 3 to 3, when the display map data is color data, reduced display data is generated by reducing the number of display colors for the display means in the display map data. The reduced display data can be generated and displayed without greatly impairing the fidelity to the print output data.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the generated display map data is reduced in accordance with the data transfer speed to generate reduced display data, which is transmitted to the data generating device and received. Since the display is performed, it is possible to quickly grasp the outline mode of the print output data actually output corresponding to the data transfer speed before the print output in the printing apparatus.

According to the invention set forth in claim 6, according to claim 5,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in the above, instruct the transfer designation time,
Since the reduced display data is generated based on the transfer designated time and the data transfer speed, the transfer and display of the reduced display data are completed within the transfer designated time specified in advance, and the schematic mode of the print output data to be output is determined. It can be grasped quickly.

According to the invention of claim 7, according to claim 5,
Or in addition to the effect of the invention described in 6, by deleting one or more pixel data for each predetermined number of pixel data corresponding to the data transfer speed from the plurality of pixel data constituting the display map data Since the reduced display data is generated, the reduced display data can be generated and displayed without significantly reducing the fidelity to the print output data.

According to the invention described in claim 8, according to claim 5,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in any one of the above items 7, when the display map data is color data, reduced display data is generated by reducing the number of display colors for the display means in the display map data. The reduced display data can be generated and displayed without greatly impairing the fidelity to the print output data.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the generated display map data is reduced in accordance with the data transfer speed to generate reduced display data, which is transmitted to the data generating device and received. Since the display is performed, it is possible to quickly grasp the outline mode of the print output data actually output corresponding to the data transfer speed before the print output in the printing apparatus.

According to the tenth aspect, in addition to the effect of the ninth aspect, a designated transfer time is specified, and reduced display data is displayed based on the designated transfer time and the data transfer speed. Since the data is generated, the transfer and display of the reduced display data can be completed within the transfer designated time instructed in advance, and the general form of the output print data can be quickly grasped.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the ninth or tenth aspect, in addition to the effects of the plurality of pixel data constituting the display map data, a predetermined value corresponding to the data transfer speed is selected. Since reduced display data is generated by deleting one or a plurality of pixel data for each pixel data number, reduced display data can be generated and displayed without greatly impairing the fidelity to the print output data. .

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the ninth to eleventh aspects, when the display map data is color data, the display in the display map data is performed. Since the reduced display data is generated by reducing the number of display colors for the means, the reduced display data can be generated and displayed without greatly impairing the fidelity to the print output data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a computer and a printer. FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a computer, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a printer.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a data converter.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a computer in a preview process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a data converter in a preview process.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating generation of display data.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a form of display data.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a data amount reduction of color data;
(A) is a diagram showing the structure of full-color display bitmap data, (b) is a diagram showing the structure of 256-color display data, and (c) is a specific example of the index data 102. FIG.

[Description of References] 1, 2, 3, 4 Computer 5 Switch 6 Data Converter 7 Printer 10, 16, 22, 25a, 26a CPU 11 Input Unit 12, 17 Network Connection Unit 13, 18, 25b, 26b, 31 ROM 14, 19, 23, 25c, 26c RAM 15 Display 16, 21, 27 Bus 20 Output engine 21, 24 Interface 25 Bitmap data generator 26 Display data Generation unit 30 conversion data ROM 30a font data 30b conversion rule data 100 and 105 header 101 index data 102 and 106 bitmap data W network system Sa display data Sda display bitmap data Sb output data Sr: Request signal Sdd: Display data Ss: Specify Over data _{G 00, G 01, G 02} , G 03, G 04, G 05, G 06, G 07, G
_{08, G 09, G 10,} G 11, G 12, G 13, G 14, G 15,
_{G 16, G 17, G 18} , G 19, G 20, G 21, G 22, G 23, G
_{24, G 25, G 26,} G 27, G 28, G 29, G 30, G 31,
_{G 32, G 33, G 34} , G 35, G 36, G 37, G 38, G 39, G
_{40, G 41, G 42,} G 43, G 44, G 45, G 46, G 47,
_{G 48, G 49, G 50} , G 51, G 52, G 53, G 54, G 55, G
_{56, G 57, G 58,} G 59, G 60, G 61, G 62, G 63,
G ₆₄ , G ₆₅ , G ₆₆ , G ₆₇ , G ₆₈ , G ₆₉ , G ₇₀ , G ₇₁ , G
₇₂ , _G73 , _G74 , _G75 , _G76 , _G77 , _G78 , _G79 ... pixel data

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] May 12, 1997

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All figures

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

FIG. 2

FIG. 3

FIG. 4

FIG. 5

FIG. 6

FIG. 7

FIG. 8

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A data generating apparatus comprising: display means for generating output data to be printed and displaying an image corresponding to reduced display data; and using the converted data for converting the output data. A print control system comprising: a conversion device that converts the print output data into print output data and generates the reduced display data; and a print device that prints out the print output data, wherein the data generation device includes: Before outputting the print output data,
Requesting means for generating a request signal requesting the reduced display data and transmitting the request signal to the conversion device; anddisplay control means for displaying an image corresponding to the transferred reduced display data on the display means. A conversion unit that generates display map data corresponding to the print output data using the conversion data and the output data; and a detection unit that detects a data transfer speed from the conversion device to the data generation device. And a reduction unit configured to reduce data included in the display map data based on the detected data transfer rate and generate the reduced display data. When the request signal is transmitted, the reduced display data is generated. And a transfer unit for transferring the data to the data generation device. 2. The print control system according to claim 1, wherein the data generation device indicates a transfer designation time that is a time that can be allocated to transfer and display of the reduced display data to the data generation device. A print control system, wherein the reduction means generates the reduced display data based on the instructed designated transfer time and the data transfer speed. 3. The print control system according to claim 1, wherein the reduction unit is configured to output the predetermined pixel data according to the data transfer speed from a plurality of pixel data configuring the display map data. A print control system, wherein the reduced display data is generated by deleting one or a plurality of the pixel data for each number. 4. The output control system according to claim 1, wherein the display map data is color data, and the reduction unit displays the display map data on the display unit. A print control system, wherein the reduced display data is generated by reducing the number of colors. 5. A data generating apparatus comprising: display means for generating output data to be printed and displaying an image corresponding to reduced display data; and using the converted data for converting the output data. A print control method in a print control system comprising: a conversion device that converts the print output data and generates the reduced display data; and a printing device that prints out the print output data, wherein the data generation device includes: A requesting step of generating a request signal requesting the reduced display data and transmitting the request signal to the conversion device before outputting the print output data in the printing device; and using the conversion data and the output data in the conversion device. A generating step of generating display map data corresponding to the print output data; A detecting step of detecting a data transfer rate from the conversion device to the data generation device; and, in the conversion device, reducing data included in the display map data based on the detected data transfer speed. A reduction step of generating display data; a transfer step of transferring the reduced display data to the data generation apparatus when the request signal is transmitted in the conversion apparatus; and a transfer step of transferring the reduced display data to the data generation apparatus. A display control step of displaying an image corresponding to the reduced display data on the display means. 6. The print control method according to claim 5, wherein the data generation device indicates a transfer designation time that is a time that can be allocated to transfer and display of the reduced display data to the data generation device. A print control method, wherein the reduced display data is generated based on the instructed transfer designated time and the data transfer speed in the reduction step. 7. The print control method according to claim 5, wherein, in the reducing step, predetermined pixel data according to the data transfer speed, from among a plurality of pixel data constituting the display map data. A print control method, wherein the reduced display data is generated by deleting one or a plurality of the pixel data for each number. 8. The output control method according to claim 5, wherein said display map data is color data, and said display map data is displayed on said display means in said reduction step. A print control method, wherein the reduced display data is generated by reducing the number of colors. 9. A data generating apparatus comprising: display means for generating output data to be printed and displaying an image corresponding to the reduced display data; and using the converted data for converting the output data. Recording a print control program for performing print control in a print control system including: a conversion device that converts the print output data into print output data and generates the reduced display data; and a print device that prints out the print output data. A medium, comprising: a computer included in the data generation device, before outputting the print output data in the printing device;
Request means for generating a request signal requesting the reduced display data and transmitting the request signal to the conversion device; and display control means for displaying an image corresponding to the transferred reduced display data on the display means. A first print control program, and a computer included in the conversion apparatus, using the conversion data and the output data, generating means for generating display map data corresponding to the print output data, Detecting means for detecting a data transfer rate to a generating device; reducing means for reducing data included in the display map data based on the detected data transfer rate to generate the reduced display data; and Transfer means for transferring the reduced display data to the data generation device when a signal is transmitted; Recording medium, wherein the second print control program of the order, by recording the print control program composed of. 10. A recording medium on which the print control program according to claim 9 is recorded, wherein the first print control program sends a computer included in the data generation device to the data generation device for the reduced display data. And a computer functioning as the reducing means, based on the instructed transfer specified time and the data transfer speed. Recording medium for storing a print control program, wherein the reduced display data is generated by using the above method. 11. A recording medium in which the print control program according to claim 9 or 10 is recorded, wherein the computer functioning as the reduction unit is configured to select the data from a plurality of pixel data constituting the display map data. A recording medium in which a print control program is recorded, wherein the reduced display data is generated by deleting one or a plurality of the pixel data for each predetermined number of the pixel data corresponding to a transfer speed. 12. A recording medium on which the output control program according to claim 9 is recorded, wherein the display map data is color data, and the computer functioning as the reduction unit is: A recording medium recording a print control program, wherein the reduced display data is generated by reducing the number of display colors for the display means in the display map data.